Wednesday 23 July 2014

Decay and Repair Embroidery

This week for WOYWW I have done another 4 index cards for the ICAD challenge.  As part of my decay and repair theme I was pleased to find a couple of old button cards which I used as backgrounds - one still had the white circular marks on it where the buttons had been (top right).  










Also this week, with it being too hot to do much I got stuck into my new, updated copy of The Subversive Stitch - Embroidery and the Making of the Feminine' by Rozsika Parker.    It's a fascinating book for anyone who loves embroidery and needle craft, or has an interest in women's history or feminism - it was an incredibly useful book when I was studying for my degree in Textile Art and I was so pleased to find it had been republished and brought bang up to date.


18 comments:

  1. Hi Diana, happy WOYWW and thanks for visiting my desk. Lover your index cards and the butterfly artwork are stunning. Cheers and have a lovely week RobynO#22

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  2. Another riot of texture, pattern and colour...goodness, I adore your work! The orange really speaks to me this week and that's not normally a colour I like much. But because you've used it with muted tones, well, it just works!!
    I love my fabric too! If you do want any, it's Clarke and Clarke 'Melodie'. Have a look at Clarke and Clarke 'Wildlife' too...lots of moths and botanical illustrations. Both are £10 a metre and are available at http://www.textileexpressfabrics.co.uk

    I'm trying not to look at the site too closely....it's too tempting!!

    Hugs, LLJ 12 xx

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  3. Your work is amazing! I'm going for a good look around your blog next. Those butterflies are just gorgeous!
    Glenda #49

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  4. Another beautiful feast for the eyes, Diana. I love the old button card and the golden colour theme of your butterfly pics. The index cards are such a good size for your project. I wonder how you plan to display them when they are finished.

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  5. How cool to have found and used those vintage button cards! I love old buttons and the cards they used to come on. I love how you used them on your ICADs! The colors of the butterflies are so beautiful! I love what you've done with them.

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  6. More gorgeousness, Diana. I simply love the ghosts of buttons past on the old card. I've got some old cards somewhere with hooks and eyes, and some cards of threads too. Sad that most people would throw these out - they are so charming and decorative, often with fancy script, and the prices on them are always intriguing. Nothing like vintage ephemera, is there.

    Thanks for your visit to my blog posts and your lovely comments. The archaeological dig certainly is exciting and my hubby is having a wonderful time. Absolutely no chance of him being bored or feeling useless now he's retired lol! I hardly see him these days! As for the creative side, I laughed at your "more important" question - a woman after my own heart ROFL - "Do I need it?"!! I'm going to do a blog post about puff binder soon, and have already done a video of some experiments with it, and trying to make my own (not too successful), so watch this space, as they say. It is gorgeous stuff but a bit pricey, which is why I shall continue experimenting! I discovered it while we were on holiday (the girls at my school use it in their art projects) and it's normally used in screen printing. I think you would make good use of it - fabulous soft bubbly texture!

    Happy WOYWW,
    Shoshi #34

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  7. hi diana 4 more amazing cards again this week.taalking of books your cardswwould make an awesome resourse too. i will hav to look out for tge othe book it ssou.dc interezting
    janet #13

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  8. Thanks so much for the tip on that book--I am ordering it! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #53

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  9. I love old sewing ephemera - I have quite a bit of it and I don't even sew! I love how you've used them in this week's cards, perfect for your theme. And as much as I always love the inital pic of all four ICADs, I'm always so amazed at the level of detail in your close ups.And the butterfly pictures - eye candy as always, love the yellows and oranges.

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  10. Wow, I LOVE the butterflies and your photography is beautiful!

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  11. aha I am slowly seeing more ICAD designs, they are gorgeous
    Bridget #3

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  12. You're welcome re the puff binder, Diana. I had hoped to get the video edited last night but something came up. Busy today as well but I'll do it asap!

    Have a great week,
    Shoshi

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  13. Such beautiful work Diana.... I love the warm, gentle tones and all the yummy details.

    Karen x

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  14. Gorgeous work Diana, everything is lovely just can't choose between them though the butterflys are great.
    Happy crafting and have a good week, Angela x #44

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  15. Hi Diana, I've now uploaded the youtube video about puff binder, and made a new blog post about it.

    Shoshi

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  16. Thanks for your reply, Diana. I've had a bad day health-wise today and have been more or less confined to the recliner, but have not wasted my time! I've been doing extensive online research, and think I have found the magic active ingredient in puff binder, and a UK supplier who can supply a small quantity. I have contacted the manufacturers enquiring whether it would work with liquid latex and eagerly await their reply! If all goes according to plan I shall be ordering a small quantity of each so I can do some experiments. I'll keep you posted. This DIY option will be a lot cheaper than buying it ready made. Originally I had hoped to be able to make some from ordinary household materials (flour, glue, etc. etc.) but I shan't mind buying the raw materials if I end up with better results.

    I enjoy experimenting with things! You often get some unexpected results, and even dead ends might have a useful application in the future so it's worth saving a record of what you did. It's all great fun just seeing what will happen.

    Shoshi

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  17. Your very obvious enjoyment in this challenge comes through each week, Diana. The work is lovely - the colours so special.
    Take care. God bless.
    Margaret #10

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  18. Oh I am so behind! These are beautiful as always. I love how you incorporated the button cards.

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