Tuesday 30 June 2015

Shameless Cake Post Not At All About Craft

Since I'm heading out for a month I thought I'd leave a couple pictures of mouth-watering deserts and treats from Japan....





Doesn't it just make you hungry?!

Craft Classes in Kyoto: Painting Tea Cups

Continuing the run down of a few craft classes I took in Kyoto back in 2013!


Painting tea-cups at Kashogama pottery school was one of the best ones by far. Though of course I say that about all of them....


It's called Fujihira Pottery school, and it is literally five minutes walk from an amazing temple called Kiyomizu-Dera. You can even make your own pottery from scratch on a wheel, or do a painting class where you are provided with all the materials and design books. If you want to have a go, there is also a restaurant and shop nearby where you can buy professionally painted pieces and lie to your family that you made them....

Fujihira tourist site
Japanese language website (use google translate!)
Trip Advisor page

Craft Classes in Kyoto: Painting Dorei Dolls

Possibly the best time of my life was the time I spent in Kyoto, Japan in 2013. Hopefully, with a bit of luck and a bit of finagling I might get to go back... Anyway, whilst in Japan, I dragged my poor unsuspecting boyfriend to do a number of craft activities (most of them traditional Japanese where possible) and I got to experience some wonderful crafts and meet some lovely craftspeople.


Here, at the Kyoto Handicraft Centre, I painted a Dorei doll, which is a small clay doll with a bell in it that sits on a little red pillow. It was such fun! The people there were really helpful and kind, even though I spoke barely any Japanese at all (they speak good English). You can also do many other traditional Japanese handicrafts here; we also did Woodblock Printing on an original woodblock set, but all the photos had people in who might not want to be on the internet.


If you are planning a trip to Kyoto and enjoy trying new things, even if you are completely cack-handed, I really suggest you check this place out! The Website of the Kyoto Handicraft Center

Rules of Quilting that probably shouldn't have been broken

Many a year ago, I had grand plans (as you do) to create a one of a kind quilt project which told the story of a fairytale through innovative new ideas and ways of quilting. The other examples of said project are also posted on here, but I was slightly less embarrassed about those so posted them first.


This is the protagonist of the fairytale story, whom I sketched onto a piece of yellow silky fabric. I then painted her in, and gave her a gold glittery outline because I was feeling particularly tacky that day. What inspired this weird (and slightly pervy) back-angle was the idea of using a new skein of red embroidery thread which, when bought, was tied in a bundle which reminded me of hair so I had to find a way of using it as such.


The perversion doesn't stop there, because you can actually undress the quilt-girl.


She has a blue slip, a blue lacy petticoat and a blue velvet gown. they are only secured on one side, so you can flip through her outfit layers like one of those anatomical model books. I wanted to use as many fun and interesting fabrics as possible, as well as showing her beautiful clothes and give it a tactile element. However it turned out rather voyeuristic and creepy. Still, nothing ventured nothing gained, eh?

Still, 3D and tactility are both something I think could be really interesting to explore in quilts. A story book quilt that a child could read like a bedtime story maybe?
P.S. Off for a brief sojourn in Asia so there won't be any updates until August!

Wednesday 10 June 2015

Altered Book Tutorial

I just want to begin by saying I was really, really unhappy with how the finished product turned out. It wasn't at all what I expected, or wanted, or anything; but I promised an altered book tutorial, and this has an unusual spin on it with multiple layers. 


Begin with a book of your choosing. It is very popular to use old books, antique books or specialty books with beautiful pages to work from, but there is no reason you can't use an ordinary paperback or your favourite well-worn novel!


To get the layered look, I separated the book into three sections, and secured it with bulldog clips. If you want to have a one-layer altered book, clip the paper together with a larger clip or a large peg.


Apply glue (PVA or another paper/woodworking glue) to the edges of the book sections (or section, if you have it clipped in one large section). Apply the glue thickly with an old paintbrush, making sure to try and brush as many pages as possible. Don't do what I did, which is paint the entire layer THEN bulldog clip it, because I ended up sticking those to my book as well and having to rip them out. Paint glue AROUND the clips, then go back when they are dry and paint the spaces.


Once the glue is dry, take a craft knife and carefully cut a rectangle (or any shape!) out of the pages. Your pages should be glued together in a large paper book lump, so they should be far easier to cut because there is less movement. Once you have cut all the way through the layers, apply a thick layer of glue to the inside edges to the paper cut outs.


For the layered look, I had three segments to work with, so I arranged a number of pre-cut flower images along the bottom and sides of the paper, sandwiched between the layers. Once you are happy with the layout, glue the pictures in place. A good tip is to cut your pictures a little longer on the bottom than you want to have showing, to have space to glue to the paper.


Once the glue is applied, hold in place with clips or mismatched pegs until dry.


I had some fun with this book afterwards, but haven't taken a photo of the finished look because I'm still really unhappy with it. Just thought I'd show you the step-by-step, so you can have a go!

Bear Necessities

Recently, I made a deer doll from wire and embroidery floss. It was so much fun, and really easy, I couldn't help but make another! A little bear friend.







If you would like to give it a go, check out the post below for wire techniques. Have a play, it's so easy to put your own spin on this design! I can foresee these two quickly becoming part of a large wire-woodland community...

Monday 8 June 2015

Deer oh Deer

Since before the end of term, I have been absolutely dying to have a go at making some interesting dolls. For some reason I got stuck on the idea of making a Deer, because even though cat dolls are always incredibly cute, they are very popular and I like to break the mold because I am arrogant.


I cut the fabric above out, and toyed with the idea of using fabric for the arms and legs, but decided that I would try a new wire technique (described below). I originally wanted to make a mother and daughter deer, but the mother took all evening so the daughter may have to wait!


I sewed each top to each bottom, then sewed them together. Obviously I made a complete cack of it and ended up sewing the right side to the wrong side on BOTH pieces, so each doll will have an inside out back end. I told myself it gave it an air of "rustic".


To make the arms, legs, and antlers, first I took a small piece of thick wire and bent it double. I then threaded brown embroidery floss through the hole and tied two knots securely to the wire. Then I wrapped the floss around and around, as tightly as possible, sometimes tying knots or threading it through the wires to further cement it.


I used a fair amount of floss, but I think it gave a really nice look. I knocked up a few bits of clothes and after attaching everything in place with yet more surreptitious use of embroidery floss, and she was done.


Posing with the daises.


I drew on her eyes but used a button for her nose. I think that sometimes a doll needs the eyes to be a bit more characterful than a simple button, but sometimes they suit it.


Without any clothes on; her undergarments.


I haven't given her a name yet, but she was very fun to make. Have a go at the wire technique because it is so simple yet gives really nice results; the limbs can move and be bent into positions! 
If you would like to purchase this doll or any of the art pieces on this site please email me at c.erinharris@gmail.com. I have no idea what I would charge for any of it and it's all badly made but hey, some people like that!

Small Bear - Simple Sewing!

Had a hankering to try something new the other day, so I decided to experiment with ways to make small toys. It keeps me off the street-corners.


I put TWO layers of fabric through my embroidery hoop, thinking that it would cut out all that fiddly turn-stitching later on. After cutting it out, I realized my mistake; I had no way of putting the stuffing in. So I attacked my poor little bear with a needle in the stomach.


Having artfully stuffed him with wadding, I stitched him back up with some bright yellow thread; bright yellow because I thought Hey, Might as well make it look like I meant to do this. I like to pretend he's had surgery or maybe it's a girl who has had a Cesarean section. It's all a bit gruesome for a two inch tall linen bear.


Small dog paw for scale (Molly the Model)


Made a very simple folded cotton dress; a square folded in two, cut into a T shape with a hole for the head before sewing up and turning right side out. The cotton I bought off amazon, it was dirt cheap and I knew it would be thinner than cheap gravy which is perfect for making small clothes (thin cotton, not thin gravy).


So all in all not a difficult bear to make, will certainly take less than an hour and could be made by children or in different designs/scales for effects. Have a go!

Heffle Quilt Festival

This weekend I drove mum over to Heathfield to visit the bi-annual Heffle Quilt show. It was so inspiring, and because everyone in the quilt community is like a giant family it's a bit like a renuion!
Mum and Sarah Brown outside the village hall.


The first quilt that really took my eye, a beautiful blue and white Orphan Block. "Orphan Block" means that someone has made a lot of different individual quilt block designs (sometimes out of the same fabric, sometimes out of scraps) and joins them all together at the end as an exhibition of their experiments. There are also a lot of quilt designs that mirror these folk quilts,


The next that I particularly enjoyed was this blue and cream one-patch and embroidery piece. Something about the simplicity of the one patch design meant you could appreciate the hand stitching on the birds much more!


Also I find it's a lovely way to show off a few beautiful fabrics in all their glory.


This quilt was the show stunner. About fifteen feet square, it was a real breathtaking piece with gorgeous colours and impeccable needlework.


I spoke to the artist and she said that the designer of the pattern had picked out the colours for her to use whilst visiting a warehouse in Australia, and she made up the applique flowers with her own scraps.


Another one patch, this time with large squares beautifully embroidered with hand stitched floral designs.


It's amazing what some people can do with a needle and thread!


One of my absolute favourite pieces in the whole show, this was quite a small (relatively) quilt that used intricate piecing of the green textured backgrounds overlaid with hand and machine embroidery
of a verdant scene. (Verdant scene...I've been watching Poirot again!)



This picture is sideways because I am an idiot. It was called "City Skyline" or "Cityscape" I think, and I loved loved LOVED the use of colours, so minimalist and a joy to look at.


The prints she used here were liberty for the greys and blues, and batiks for the pops of orange. Really does remind me of a skyscraper.


Love this gorgeous butterfly quilt, such bright colours and lovely applique work.


This quilt was actually designed by a member of Heffle (the pattern is for sale,... I'll try and find a link) so there were a few renditions of it at the fair. I found it really interesting how the same pattern, especially such a specific pattern, can lead to such strikingly different finished quilts!


This is a close up of the detail of my friend Annaleens quilt. I chose this as my favourite for many reasons; I love the whimsy and naivety of the design, and the colours she chose were just beautiful. Her hand stitching was really well done, and it really inspired me to go home and start on my own!!


Another Lynette Anderson quilt. She is one of my favourite designers, and very "vogue" right now in the world of quilting. Her patterns are simplistic but not simple; a beginner could start working on the individual blocks, but I think it takes foresight to plan the colour combinations and really pull of the intricacies of this beautiful piece.



Sue R. made the most stunning small Moroccan gold and blue wall hanger. The detail was just exquisite, and I could almost picture it hanging in the bed chamber of some marvellous sheik in a desert temple. (Detail)


Another Lynette Anderson design, this time paired with log cabins in soft greys and blues. Really nicely done!



This was a detail of some hand embroidery of a larger floral design. I loved the 3D aspects, the way it was so tactile.


A gorgeous detail on a pretty floral patterned embroidery piece.


One of the most visually striking pieces in the festival; this beautiful red, white and grey piece really stood out.


The amount of work that goes into making a quilt that can look, from afar, relatively simple. Just stunning!


This is the work for sale by Sue at Daisy Chain (www.daisychaindesigns.co.uk) who also sells fabric and buttons at shows like this across Kent.


Very whimsical :)


Sue herself in front of some gorgeous quilts (the patterns/kits for which she also stocks).


The lovely ladies at PuddleDucks, our local quilt store in Sevenoaks. Just looking at those rows of fabric makes you want to go and paw through them! Oh it's not right is it, it's not normal.



We had such an amazing time, everyone did so well on their quilt entries. I hope next time to have an entry myself, but it will take a miracle to get my work up to this standard!
Hope this was as inspiring for you as it was for me.