Avacado dye and a sneak PULP peek!

I am excited to get my Labyrinth book back even though it was bitter sweet! It's not quite over for us Girla's but I am already looking forward to the day when the  chance to collaborate like this again comes my way! One of the things that bothered me most about my book wasn't that it might get lost in the post, it was actually the quality of my own work. Or, the poor quality! I don't think anyone else felt this way about it but it didn't take long before I did. When I sent my book off it was the best I had to offer. I was pleased with it. That said, I grew so much and so quickly from the exchange. Very quickly I knew I could do better than what I'd sent so I couldn't wait to re-do some of my own work. Above is a peek of a nights work. Here is what I made disappear. I am happy now.

These are the MOST AMAZING shades of grey I've ever seen. True story! The reason they excite me so much is because I made this dye from good ol' avos. Yes, avacados!

I didn't even know you could make avacado dye until I came across it on another blog and as luck would have it I had 2 avo's in the kitchen and no-one to eat them.

This was the darkest shade of grey I could achieve before my paper developed serious tension issues. I had to dye both side of the paper in the end, iron it and then flatten under books! Isn't it beautiful though?

If these look a little familiar to you it's because I've played with similar patterns before. They were indian ink and home made walnut dye. This time both my colours are home made dyes so for me that's a double happy! Amiria featured my background papers on her blog a while ago now. Check out the great selection of styles and  artist's here.

These ones really appeal to the wanna be graffiti artist in me! Some of them have a touch of walnut dye as well. With the last of my dye (2 avacados gave me enough to play with) I threw in some wet fabric scraps just to see what would happen. I like what happened!

Strangley enough, when I made this dye I expected to get pink not grey. As usualy I through bits of different methods together to make do with I had. It's ok though, I don't actually like pink!

Exciiiiiting!!

Oh wow it is great to finally feel excited about something! I am so excited today and there's no way depression is going to steal it.

                                                                  So what is so exciting??

Pulp Redux goodness is that exciting!

This morning 4 out o5 parts of my Labyrinth book arrived back home. Wow! It's been globe trotting since 2010 and it's so wonderful to hold it in my hands again and too feel the joy flowing from it.

Not only that I was blessed enough to recieve 'something to inspire me' from Lisa Jurist.

Am I lucky today or what? 

No peeks just yet of my book. Us 5 ladies have a collaborative exhibtion coming up this May on the Virtual Tart website plus other wonderful things up our creative sleeves. I don't want to be spoiling any surprises!

Another thing causing me to get all up and happy is this...

The  Art House Co-op has this free project on offer to anyone keen. It's called The Photo Response Project. You can see it here. The aim is too create a 6x4 artwork in any medium that is a response to one of the five photos that they've offered. Currently I am leaning toward the door photo but the rippled water also has me thinking too...

Watch this space:)

Sketch Book Project

I decided to take part in the Sketch Book Project for the first time this year. I love the concept of this project! If you're not familiar with it please go here to find out.My favorite part of the project is the fact that these books will eventually belong to a library and be issued by the public like a regular library book.

 How cool is that?

I've had a brilliant weekend and have managed to make these 3 pages plus get a graffiti page 90% complete! Wahoo! The theme I chose to work in is 'Nothing New' which seemed like a logical choice for me seeing as though I love to recycle and reuse! I decided to take it a step further and use old papers from projects past. When I start a new project I like to use a new method, colour or idea to glue the project together and to provide inspiration. At the end of each project I usually have bits left over and if it looks usable I can't bear to part with it! It ends up in a stash...but then I don't use it because in my heart/mind it belongs to particular project (any one else do that?) eventually I end up with all these papers that I love but don't use!

To be honest I think I form an attachment to them because they symbolise not only a particular project but also a cycle of growth and discovery. I've realised I have a lot of emotion invested in that time and these bits of paper become like photographs to me.

Below are the first 3 pages in my book, Paper Trail.

Paper Trail #1

Remnants of Four weeks in a Season, Take it and Run, Pulp Redux, ICE 2010 and 2011

Paper Trail #2

Remnants of ICE 2010 and 2011, Four Weeks in a Season,

Paper Trail #3

Remnants of ICE 2011, Four Weeks in a Season

These pages aren't glued into the book yet and when I put them in they'll be divided up by journal notes and a sketch or two, it is a sketch book after all!

PS: I'm having trouble visiting some of your blogs! In particular blogs that ask me to select my account, which for some reason I can't although I clearly have one!

Pulp Redux- Final book complete!

This is one of those posts where I am not sure if I am happy or sad or both. I think it's both. I'm a little sad to see the end of my work in this collab, it's a bittersweet moment as I guessed it would be. The collab has been a fixture in my mind (and lounge!) for nearly 2 years now and I do feel like my last baby is about to fly the nest! That said, I am ecstatic to have finished Deb's book because it's been a goal I've been working towards all year and I really love the way it turned out. I am chuffed to have successfully completed my piece in the last book of this wonderful collab...it means the jobs done, mission complete, success...but we all know this has been way more than simply getting a job to get done. Sure, I couldn't hold onto any of the books indefinitely and if I didn't want to be a book hog I had to set myself some goals. Pull some late nights, prick my fingers a few times and leave needles in places I couldn't locate later...until I had no shoes on (of course!) Sometimes I would look at a page and think I couldn't possibly hand stitch that whole piece and it would seem daunting -but as my scraps of recycled material gave life to the many characters I've met or made up I'd become inspired and energised. Sometimes I'd be kept awake by the multitude of ideas that only seem to spring up when I'm trying to get to sleep! Bind this, dye that, stitch there and here and ...you get the idea! I can honestly say though that the thousands of stitches have been worth every bit of time and energy!

The fossil completed the page perfectly! For those of you who wondered how I was going to attach a fossil/rock to my page the answer was much easier than I thought it would be! I tied it on with some of the thread from my erosion bundle project. It seemed fitting to use nature dyed thread to tie on a fossil. I still don't know what it is! It can be easily removed from the book for closer inspection and I really like the idea of being able to remove it and hold it.

A fossil and a button, who knew they'd sit so well together?

Even though I am keeping most of the page under wraps until our EXHIBITION on the Virtual Tart website next year I thought it only fair to reveal at least one full piece. The memory tin belong to 'M' containing a vintage key, tiny bible and the morepork (Owl) feathers. As this is being posted within NZ I don't have to worry about customs and the like seizing my book for breaking rules! That would be devastating!

The shell pendant found by 'M' when she inheritated her Great Aunt's belongings... it appears she did many wondrous things when she finally got her 'looking glass' and traveled the world with her true love, Damien.

The two pages side by side and below that a peek of the outside cover. I had stitched re purposed beads to a cotton doily. Gotta love doilies! Who knew they would have so many purposes! I have no idea how Deb's is going to bind this book, all of us have done 3d works and thick spines.

While I may be done the Pulp Redux is far from over. There are still 3 books 'at large' and when I do get my book back it will need exploring and rebinding, theres also have the above mentioned exhibition to look forward to. I'm so glad this isn't over yet!

PSssT! Alicia Caudle has also posted a pulpy post, you can it here! 

Fossil Find!

I was pretty excited to come across this fossil last week at the local Rock and Mineral Club's work shop at the Historic Village, one of my fave places in Tauranga. Soon it will be sitting snug in the pages of Debrina's book, it's perfect for what I wanted so that makes this a doubly happy:)

A tail?

Reptile or rodent?

Pulp Redux Peeks

Owl feathers (wing feathers from a NZ Morepork) second hand shop doily, laces and nature dyed fabrics.

I can't say too much about where the story is going at the moment as us pulp girls have decided to keep the last chapter of each book secret...for now...but I can reveal some peeks of what I have been up too in Debrina's book. I'm nearly finished with this book, which is the last in the round for me. This has been so much fun and I'm so glad to have had the chance to take part in this most awesome collab!

I've been holding on to this weathered buckle for longer than I can remember! It's rustic surface is the perfect compliment to the bandage retrieved from my erosion project bundle.

Mail ephemera..leather postcard, vintage WW1 mail envelope and vintage postcard.

Re-purposed fibre and lace...happy sigh!

landcastle III

The school term has finished (YAY!!) and with our school work done we went for a wander at the park again.The kids built this while I foraged around looking for goodies. I was lucky enough to find a flat nest again, smaller than the last one I found but still a good find in my books! I added it to their landcastle as you can see. They weren't aiming to make anything specific but at the end of it we all agreed it looked a lot like an praying mantis!

We checked on landcastle II while we were there, I suspect people had something to do with the collapse of this one but that's ok. I let go of the landcastle as soon as I walk away.

Below: A pic of landcastle II as I left it about 6 weeks ago, above is what's left now!

The nest you can see in the middle of the top pic got a little digital make-over. I love the softness of this image and the way it shows the delicate weaving of the nest.

Now that it's the holidays I aim to finish as Deb's PULP REDUX book and develop my ideas for the International Signature Swap. I'm creating graffiti papers so if that's your kind of thing watch this space!

3 things... ICE, Lyttle Stitches and PULP!

3 Fabulous Things! ICE 2011, Lyttle Stitches and some Pulp progress! Wahoo!

Thing 1 is ICE 2011. I am so happy with the way this series has come along. I really love the collection and it's exciting to know they are now on the way to Dale and the exhibition is only a week away!  The only thing I am not happy about is my photography. I really need to master the white balance function of my camera...or stop giving my collages white backgrounds! That aside, this years collection has been a fantastic opportunity to explore my head a little more, play with naturally dyed papers and adopt some new colours. I hope you also enjoyed the ICE journey!

ICE 2011 # 12

Title: Try again.

Fragile Series. Society is a Nest II

Inspired by graffiti and a game of snakes and ladders. Sometimes in life you find a ladder, other times a snake. You can't control what happens to you, only how you respond. It can make you strong or fragile. Sometimes all you can do is is try again.

Eucalyptus dyed paper, pencil, thread, recycled papers.

ICE 2011 #13

Title: Sequence

Fragile series, Society is a Nest II

The rhythm of life, the repeating pattern of each heart beat and season. Life. Death. All things part of a delicate sequence.

Eucalyptus dyes paper,Walnut dyed paper, thread, pencil, recycled paper scrap.

More on ICE to come...

Thing 2 is Lyttle Stitches. Lyttle Stitches is the name fantastic projects spreading love and hope around Lyttleton and Christchurch. Following the devastating earthquake this project was set up to offer hope, respite and of course LOVE. It's a simple project in it's essence. Stitched hearts are handed out to rescue workers and residents alike. Even Prince William received one of these hearts on his visit to Christchurch. Children who are having to cope with so much are offered the chance to sit and stitch and workers in need of respite also find there way to the table. Talking, thinking, stitching hearts.  Simple yet so powerful. 

Top two photos courtesy of Jacinda at Watching Kereru and project founder.

Another thing that this project has done is give people like me and my kids a chance to help too. A gift to Lyttleton that isn't money but hearts made with lyttle stitches and a lot of love.

Our hearts. If you want to take part in the Lyttle Stitches project either by stitching or donating fabric, thread, buttons, lace etc then please visit Jacinda's blog.



Thing 3 is PULP REDUX!! It's been a while but were still ticking away quietly. Here's a peak of what I've been up too.

Fabric dyed with Eucalyptus bark, lace, doily remnants...just a peak! We're planning an exhibition of our completed books and I don't want to spoil the surprise!

I'm still here!

Thumbs up from the birthday girl!

Just a quick post to say I'm still here, alive and kicking! Life is good, just busy! My ICE series is 99% complete so I'll be posting my final two soon. As you can see there's been a party in our house in the last few days and I also had the honour of photographing a wedding. In preperation for the party there was a few late nights sewing graffiti/punk /rock hearts for my girl. I had been making a graffiti wall cushion but got bored with all the squares and straight lines. After hours of handsewing I cut them up and had a ball making embellsihed hearts all pink, white and black. Punk is so much fun! I also decided this party would be 'greener' than usual..no balloons, disposable plates and definately no plastic prizes! No one even noticed the lack of balloons or that the party bags were made from paper and the popcorn was home popped. So that's a thumbs up for greener parties from me!

As the kids get more independant with their school work I'm 'learning' to be ready to art in even the smallest pockets and I am back in PULP MODE. Exciting things to come!

Fragements, Vestiges and Remains- Kim Palmer's book

All done! The last stitch is in place and Kim's book is on it's way Debrina! I am pretty pleased with my pages and I'm grateful for all the wonderful and encouraging comments you've left me along the way. You guys rock and  Deb's is so incredibly patient she deserves a medal! I've have had this book a long time with all of the things going on here and Deb's has been without a book for quite a while now!

So, here it is! My tribute to the British Soldiers. I hope you've got a cuppa near by:)

Kim's book has taken on a star burst shape as it bulges at the seams (or should I say spine!) with our contributions. My Maori page opens up vertically to allow room for Lisa Jurist's stunning work to be viewed. In fact, the book is so fat now it's the only way to see it! The photo above shows how 'closed' the book is when my page is folded down, the one below shows how much extra space is gained when my Maori page is open. The British page is the spread which physically attaches my spread to the book.

The close up's......

I like how the pages all have common elements and I enjoyed the rough stitching.

It is about war after all!

One of my photographs of the gate way to the site of the battle as it looks today.

This page is on the back of Lisa's spread and is actually straight! I had to photograph it while it was vertical hence the crooked shot!

Above:

General Cameron pokes out of a pocket. One of the biggest streets in Tauranga is named after him.

Below is a map piece showing the North Island of NZ. The map sits rolled up in the pocket next to the General along side some information about the British attack.

You can see Tauranga (where I live and the battle took place) and Wellington, our capital. It was decided in Wellington that land further up the island needed to be obtained and it was decided to senfd  Brittish troop to claim fertile land in the Waikato (Hamilton area) for the Queen's movement. Part of the reason the battleof Gate Pa took place was to stop supplies getting to the Maori in Waikato. Simply put, supplies were getting to the Waikato maori via Tauranga. The Brittish thought that by taking Tauranga they could hinder the progress of Maori in the Waikato and thus giving them sought after land in both regions. While it is true that the Queen's movement suffered and embarrassing defeat to the King's movment in the Battle of Gate Pa ,the war was far from over and the lessons in this battle where later used to avenge there loss here.

My completed page! General Cameron had gone AWOL when I took this shot, he should be in the pocket next to the flag piece. That aside, this page is finished. I was trying to avoid the use of flags as Kim already used a flag piece in her own spread but now that it's there I am glad it is!

If you're interested in seeing all 3 pages together in the one post please visit the Pulp Redux blog.

I'm blog hopping tomorrow so I hope to *see* you all soon!