The perils of working intuitively

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Linda Matthews

Famous last words … It’s almost done! At this rate I should be finished later today.

I am finished now, but that was a long day. It was eleven days ago in fact. But here it is finished, my latest art bag, Lavender Crush.

Handbag: Art Bag

It’s difficult photographing this style bag because of the shape, and it was kind of challenging photographing this color because blue/purple doesn’t photograph well with my little Canon Powershot. Add to that I’m photographically challenged anyway. I was lucky the photo turned out as good as it did.

Handbag: Art Bag

I love the texture – and the color!

Handbag: Art Bag

So what happened to delay things?

Two little words.

What if?

I was originally going to use the same design as this art bag, but at the last minute thought – what if I turned this bag into a handbag instead of a clutch; what if I used some chain for the handle. I think that could be kind of exciting.

And it was. Kind of.

After spending too many hours (I’m ashamed to admit it but I fiddled with this for two days) trying to figure out a way to cut a round hole through the bag opening which is made up of two layers of fabric, two layers of heavyweight interfacing, one layer of Peltex, and one layer of 2-ply chipboard, I decided this called for new hole punching tools! I love new tools! (Waiting for tools to arrive – five days)
Update: For anyone looking for these, I got them here on amazon.com. If you scroll through the pricing, you’ll find them quite cheap. I was concerned about the cheap price, but when using on fabric, they work just fine.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KE17JO (not an affiliate link)

Hollow Punch

A trip to the store to get some grommets and some chain for the handle. (one day)

Another trip to the store to the store to return those grommets because they didn’t fit, and pick up a different type as well as some new chain because I wasn’t sure I like the first choice. (one day)

Finally happy with the grommet.

Handbag: Art Bag

Note to self …

Get rid of “lady” hammer which is only good for pounding thumb tacks.

Handbag: Art Bag

Use a “man” hammer instead. And an anvil instead of the floor.

Handbag: Art Bag

Then another trip to the store to get another different chain for the handle. (one day)

After settling on the first chain (sigh), it’s done! Finally!

Handbag: Art Bag

If I had decided to go with my original design plan, this whole process would have taken only a few days. Instead it took about two weeks.

Was it worth it? Of course.

Working with a process such as this – slow work – generally does not provide instant gratification which is what most of us are used to. Instead it brings gratification of a different kind which touches you on a much deeper and less superficial level. Following your intuition is often about taking the road less traveled and learning new things (and sometimes finding new tools!) along the way. It’s what defines you as an artist.

The “what if” scenario can be fun and exciting, but do be prepared to have patience.

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A lovely way to end the week

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Linda Matthews

I always look forward to picking up a copy of Stampington’s Haute Handbags magazine; it always has some truly inspirational ideas for bags and purses.

But this edition is kind of special – because I’m in it!

Well not me exactly, my art bag Geisha.

It’s always kind of exciting to see your stuff published; and kind of fun.

Plus they did spell my name and my website right which is an extra bonus! This doesn’t always happen when you get published (sigh).

Bags and Purses

This is a better photo and you can read more about “Geisha” here.

Bags and Purses

You can also find more about my art bags here, and you’ll soon be seeing them in my design store here.

Whew .. I’m off to put the finishing touches to my latest art bag. A little different to “Geisha”, but it’s looking lovely! I’ll be showing you next week.

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Enjoying the process

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Linda Matthews

As you know, I recently began a new art bag. You can see the preparation of the samples here.

I find that once the samples are prepared and the technique is fine-tuned, and all the bits and pieces are assembled, it’s amazing how fast things go together and how smoothly the process progresses. And of course when the process goes smoothly, it’s always enjoyable.

What do you think of this fabric for the lining? I LOVE the contrast in colors.

Painted Texture

The highlighted texture on the bottom panel.

Painted Texture

Highlighting the texture on the side panels. It’s amazing what a difference the highlighting makes!

Painted Texture

Attaching the cording to finish the edges.

Painted Texture

It’s almost done! At this rate I should be finished later today.

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The many layers of stitched texture

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Linda Matthews

One of my very favorite things to work with is texture on fabric. I love exploring new and creative ways to make it and to use it.

And I particularly love to use stitch as a way to create raw texture on fabric or fabric paper which can then be used for painting or printing. Using hand stitching or machine stitching or a combination of both to prepare textured fabric for painting or printing is an exciting way to add interesting and unusual texture to fabric and you can find one of my favorite pieces of stitched and painted textured fabric paper here.

And of course creating stitched texture is a great way to use all those hundreds of decorative stitches on your sewing machine. I’m sure you’ve sometimes wondered what to do with all those stitches.

So for the last few days I’ve really enjoyed preparing and working with the samples for my new art bag project and I’ve finally progressed to a point where I’m really happy with the way the technique is working.

It starts with the raw stitched texture.

Painted Texture

Then some paint.

Painted Texture

And to really dress up the texture, some highlighting.

Painted Texture

I often get asked how I do this type of highlighting. Sometimes I use gold paint and dry brush it over the texture, but my favorite method is using a burnishing wax which you can pick up in your local craft store. Adding the highlight does take practice which is the reason I always prepare samples first.

Painted Texture: Rub'n'Buff

So now that I’m happy with the samples, I’m ready to move on to preparing the fabric for the art bag. I simply love working with a process; don’t you?

… Continue reading →

Sampling

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Linda Matthews

This is what I did this weekend.

Free Machine Embroidery

It doesn’t look like much does it? Until you get up a little closer.

Free Machine Embroidery

And closer still. Yeh, all that machine work took a long time to do.

Free Machine Embroidery

These pieces are panels for a new art bag that I’m making, in the same style as “Blush” which you can see here, except instead of printing on fabric I’m going to use some hand painted techniques to color the free machine embroidery similar to those used on this journal cover.

And instead of jumping right in like I did the other day and ending up with disastrous results, this time I made some small samples to practice with first.

Do you ever use samples before working on a major project?

I use them frequently for sampling new or unusual techniques. Working with samples is a great way to test new techniques before you begin work on a project and usually take no time at all to make, although these took quite a while because there’s so much stitching on them. Preparing samples gives you the opportunity to try different ways of working with a technique until you’re comfortable with the process.

And if you don’t totally ruin the samples during the process, you can use them in other projects as focus pieces, or cut them up and use them in collages or for piecing applications.

Free Machine Embroidery