2023 Weekly Project Archives - Page 5 of 6

2023 – My Weekly Project

Week 8 – Make an Item of Clothing

It has been a long time since I have made an item of clothing. A chance to revisit those skills and see what I can remember. Making clothes runs in the family. My grandmother made most of her clothes. My mother made my primary school dresses and other items when she had time. There has always been a sewing machine in my life. Arriving at grammar school in the 1970’s I had “needlework” classes. The first thing I ever made was the apron I needed for my “cookery” classes. I enjoyed these lessons and went on to successfully make my own clothes for several years.

Whilst sorting out recently I came across a dress pattern I have never used. The design was suited to linen. I also had some paisley fabric which provided a good contrast and considered ways to incorporate this into the garment.

Follow the Instructions

After reading through the instructions I carefully cut the pieces. The bodice was cut straight to the grain and the skirt across the grain. Memories of my early school lessons returned to enable me to mark the darts and notches. So far so good.

The darts were tacked, the bodice pieces joined together and attached to the skirt. It was time well spent and gave me an opportunity to try it on and make any adjustments before using the sewing machine.

The Sewing Machine and the Zip

Once the machine was up and running the darts and seams were quickly sewn up. The seams were neatened as I went along. The fabric was lovely to work with. It all went together so well.

The zip is a concealed zip. I carefully followed the instructions. Once tacked into place I tried the dress on again. With the zipper foot fitted to the sewing machine the job was quickly completed. I am so pleased with the way the concealed zip fitted so well into the garment. And somewhat relieved too.

Balancing Skills and Time

My skills and knowledge for this week’s project came back to me as I worked through the process. I have the hem, the facings and the sleeves left to do. I am considering using some of the paisley fabric to add an applique design and I intend to finish it this week. Despite initial reservations I have taken my time, worked things out and have nearly made a wearable item of clothing. Most importantly I remembered how much I used to enjoy the process of making my own clothes.

2023 – My Weekly Project

Week 7 – Take a Series of Photographs on a Single Subject or Theme

This is my only four legged friend now – a delightful, funny, inquisitive and, at times, bossy Shetland pony. She has been a part of my life for nearly 20 years and daily routines often get overlooked as a photo opportunity.

Morning and Afternoon

These are just a few of the 60+ photos I took with my mobile phone camera during a morning and late afternoon visit. During these visits I carry out the usual checks around health and wellbeing initially. Then the environment, stable, fences, looking for anything out of place or in need of repair. There is the mucking out or pooh picking in the field to be done. Closely followed by replenishment of water buckets, hay nets and preparing the feed.

Capturing Moments

In a situation like this, the images I took were momentary. A greeting, a tilt of the head, a visit to the tack room to see if breakfast is on its way. The winter is always a tough time for both our equine friends and those who look after them. I was wearing gloves. Not the best choice when working with animals and trying to take photos. I selected 30 photos to work with for this blog.

Turn Out

Time out in the field is limited. Tiger is prone to laminitis. But there is no stopping her once she gets the other side of the stable door. She has a small paddock area for day time and always has access to her stable. She has rubber mats to cushion her feet.

Time Together

I enjoy grooming her. This time of year she needs the oils in her coat to keep her warm and protected from the elements. Her winter coat is thick and the occasional brush to remove any heavy mud and dirt keeps her in good condition. Her feet are picked out daily. I love to brush her tail which I know she enjoys. She is not so keen on having her mane and forelock combed. She does look lovely when it is all done though.

Her winter coat will start to come out soon. It provides great material for nesting birds. She will also change colour with her summer coat. I could take photos of her every day of the year and probably see enormous changes that I don’t really notice on a daily basis.

The Last Photograph in this Series

If nothing else, I hope she has made you smile.

2023 – My Weekly Project

Week 6 – Draw Something LARGE in Chalk and Charcoal

I haven’t used chalk and charcoal or worked “large” for a while now. With some trepidation I approached this week’s challenge.

I have been upset by the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria this week. My creative ideas and energy low. Time has ticked away and I had to complete the piece of work today.

I scheduled my creative time after my Sunday morning trip to Church. The first hymn was All Things Bright and Beautiful. This is possibly the first hymn I ever learnt to sing at primary school.

Inspiration

And that is the source of my inspiration today. All Creatures Great and Small. Smallness can be the greatest of all things. Something small, drawn big.

I used a piece of wrapping paper I had kept – 1m 40cm x 70cm. I found my box of charcoal and only one small piece of white chalk. And then I began.

Symbolism of the Creatures

Wren – in art this tiny bird is often associated with musicians, poets and songwriters. People who craft with the written word. The wren can also symbolise rebirth, immortality and protection.

Ladybug – they are a call for you to pay attention. They symbolise good luck and are a positive omen. These tiny creatures are very good at looking after themselves. If certain predators, who enjoy a live insect for lunch are around, the ladybug can “play dead”. There are over 6,000 species of ladybug around the world. They also symbolise protection and remind us to look after the things we love as well as ourselves.

Centipede – this little creature symbolises balance. Not surprising with anything from 15 – 155 pairs of legs. When I told my husband this amazing fact his response was “that’s one hell of a trip to the shoe shop”. The centipede also symbolises courage v fear, resourcefulness and creativity.

Snail – they are associated with wisdom, slow progress, persistence, peace and harmony. They are gentle creatures who carry their home with them. Above all else they represent self-care and self-love when in times of danger, they can retreat into their shells for protection. The spiral shell symbolises reincarnation and the soft body of the snail – transience.

Bumblebee – The bumblebee is all about focus. Keeping an eye and mind on the goal and the objectives. So appropriate for me this afternoon. I just had to keep working, remain focussed on my goal with no distractions.

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this piece of work. I became so absorbed in this and I had forgotten how forgiving the charcoal is. I can easily rub out the lines, move things around and fill spaces. Mark making is just the best thing to be doing. It is so relaxing.

I can see areas that can be improved and I can see this going forward into a textile piece. Overcoming fear and anxiety with courage – thanks to the centipede.

2023 – My Weekly Project

Week 5 – February Weaving

There is a good feeling about opening the door on February. Welcoming in the longer days and hopefully brighter weather. Turning the calendar it does come with promise and reassurance that the season is changing. However I was reminded only today that these early weeks of February are also the tail end of winter.

As I have worked this little weaving I have been aware of the increased activity, and song, of the birds that visit our garden. Wrens, blackbirds, chaffinches, green woodpecker, coat tit, magpies, collared doves, long-tailed tits and robins. We also have two “cheeky” squirrels sourcing food after the long winter.

There is a “scruffiness” to February. There is sweeping and tidying up to do. Twigs, small branches, leaves and debris that has succumbed to the winter storms. I have removed the net covering the pond that is used to catch the sycamore leaves from the tree above. Hopeful that in due course the frogs and toads will be returning to spawn as they have done year upon year.

St Valentines Day

Ahead is a time of renewal, rebirth and new growth. We can’t know what is going to appear in our natural world at the moment. It’s a time of seed planting, soil preparation and planning. It’s a time of enormous hope. And where would we be without that? February 14th is represented by the red knotted thread interwoven into this short month. February ties together the darkness and hardships of winter to the energy and life that we are going to enjoy in spring.

Thinking and Weaving

I never begin with a plan in mind. I source materials and begin the process. It’s whilst I work alternating and combining the materials that my thoughts bring together the piece. It is the thought process in conjunction with the physical activity that creates the connection. It provides reassurance and understanding of our integrated relationship with the natural world.