tractorgirl

Moving! to a new, revamped blog

2011-11-18T21:40:00.000-08:00

Hiya all, it's been a VERY long time since I posted on this blog....

But I just wanted to let you know (well at least those of you who still happen to pass by) , that I am in the process of re-inventing my blog, and moving to beautiful new premises over here. It will be featuring things that are dear to me, centred around contemporary craft, surface design, and books - AND I will be posting several times a week, so there will be always something new to see.

I do hope you'll join me in this new phase of my journey. You can subscribe to the new blog and get the posts by email too, so you don't miss anything!

The address is http://tractorgirl.com.au

See you there.
x
Julie

Design Basics Part 2 - Line

2010-10-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the second instalment of my occasional series of articles on some of the ideas surrounding Design. My intention remains the same ~ to demystify some of what makes good design good.

As noted HERE the basics of Design can be thought of as a set of ELEMENTS and PRINCIPLES. The next Element to investigate is LINE.

Line ~ can be an actual line drawn, or can be the line formed where two surfaces, or surface and space meet.

Line can lead your eye in a particular direction, as can shape, eg. Arrow.

On a round shape, our eyes are usually drawn first to the centre. In this plate, our eyes then work through the successive bands, helped along by the general direction of the lines in each band of pattern.

Bohemian Mandala platter

from OwlCreekCeramics

Form and depth can be built up with simple layering of lines.

Wren ~ Etching

from BridgetFarmerPrints

Depth and movement can be created depending on the thickness of the line. Our eyes continue to move up and down the flowing shapes. The lighter lines tend to come 'forward', while the darker lines tend to recede.

OhMyAmpersand

waterbubbles wood pendant

By varying the thickness and density of the line, you can convey a sense of real form and weight. Generally, lines are thicker and darker where there is shadow. Note the subtle change in thickness on the ribs, of the left of the body (ie the upper line)

Bending Figure, charcoal drawing

from catalinaviejo

Diagonals create movement and/or vitality, as in this image of a fresh flower laden branch. Strength is gained through the simplicity of the composition, and the heaviness and repetition of the tapered lines.

Magnolias No.1, fine art print

from JessicaDoyle

Line can be both delicate and gutsy.

Treebeard

from Fiddlebones

Like colour, there is so much you can do with line, and I've only just touched the tip of the iceberg here. As always, I love your comments and questions. So go on, drop me a line! :)

Stay tuned for the next post on Size.... (yes, it DOES matter)

to market to market to buy a fat pig...

2010-09-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

I am very nervous and excited to be in the midst of organising my very first handmade market! At the Wagga Beach (yes, Wagga DOES have a beach ~ on the river, of course ;P). Besides being my first market, it's also the first boutique Handmade market for Wagga - I am sssooooo curious to see how it goes. I grew up here; it is pretty conservative, in the middle of a large sheep/wheat farming region (hang on, I'm a wheat/sheep farmer too? well, MOSTLY conservative).

So far -
* Trying to make oodles of stuff, 'cos I just KNOW it'll be a sell-out! (well, one can dream :D)
* Got my biz cards organised
* Packaging - thinking about some nice paper carry bags with 'tractorgirl' rubber stamped on them, but because they have to be a bit larger to fit cushions and the like, these might prove to be a bit too expensive (would love some other suggestions!)
* Display? Some ideas, but really, no idea yet. Gotta get seriously working on this one. Cushions, little bags, teacosies, fabric brooches, perhaps even some big bags using reverse applique designs like those on my cushions.

Here's some of the little reversible bags I've been working on -

(and they're also available in my shop)

I've got until 9th October......

And the pig? Well, it's tenuous, but 'pig' kinda fits with 'muddi'... you can learn more about the market here - http://www.muddiboutiquemarkets.com/

I'll keep you posted as things progress!

Design Basics - Part 1 - Colour

2010-08-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

What makes good design work? Sure, it's 'what you like', but if 90% of people agree that they 'like' something, isn't it possible that there is something more fundamental than personal taste happening there? This is the first part in an occasional series of articles I am writing on some of the ideas surrounding Design, and my intention is hopefully to demystify some of what makes good design good.

--------

Most of us can look at an object and quickly decide if it is ‘good’ or ‘yuk’. But trying to analyse just what it is that makes something look good requires knowledge. There are many ways of analysing design; this is just one way of looking at it and thinking about it.

In my years as an art teacher, I have found the Elements and Principles of Design as a very useful way of looking at art and design, and I consider them as the two fundamentals. You might like to think of the ELEMENTS as a series of tools you can use, and the PRINCIPLES as the methods you can apply in using them. There are some crossovers between these ideas, and you will find that each element or principle rarely works in isolation.

Colour
Colour is a whole area of study on its own and many books have been written about it.

Colour is sometimes referred to as hue. There are three primary colours (red, yellow, blue), which can be mixed to form secondary colours (orange, green, purple), and tertiaries (those colours in between the primary and secondary colours). Colours can be darkened with black (tone) or lightened with white (tint). There are infinite variations that can be achieved.

Colour, and colour combinations can be clear, muted, loud, subtle, pale, strong, murky, and more. They can be utilised to enhance the ‘mood’ of a piece – cheerful, romantic, bold, fresh, or more.

When choosing colours to co-ordinate, use the colour wheel as a guide; here are some basic ideas.

1. Two colours that are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel look good together, and are referred to as complementary, e.g. yellow and violet.

2. Three colours that are equally spaced from each other on the wheel, forming an equilateral triangle (triad), also look good, e.g. blue-violet, yellow-green, and red-orange.

3. Two or three colours right next to each other on the wheel are called harmonious, and look good, e.g. violet, blue-violet, blue.

4. Monochromatic means sticking fairly closely to one hue, but in different tones (shades of dark & light)

When choosing colours, also consider the value of the colour – dusky pink will probably look terrible with a clear bright red, even though they have a similar base hue.

There is so much more you can do with colour; if you are feeling confident, I would encourage you to explore this area further – check your local library.

For lots of us, it's often better to look at theory in practice.

COMPLEMENTARY COLOURS

Lampwork Beads - Reef Dresses

from Gaialai

Painted ceramic vase

from SandyKreyer Kiln House Pottery

HARMONIOUS COLOURS

Tudor Rose Felt brooch

from

DesignedByJane

Lemon-lime glass seed bead ring

from

Balanced

COLOUR TRIAD

blue, red, and yellow

Navy & Red PopArt Mini Dress

from

Dig For Victory

stained glass sun

from LivingGlassArt

MONOCHROMATIC

Salad Monochromatic, scraperboard,

from naquaiya

Sea Urchin cuff bracelet

from RawHemline

Linen pincushion

from namolio

Some of my favourite blogs that love colour ;

- Color Collective - http://color-collective.blogspot.com/ - colour palettes of the day

- Cassia Beck http://cassiab.blogspot.com/ - photography with quite a particular palette

- House of Turquoise (Pantone's colour of the year!) - http://www.houseofturquoise.com/

- How about Orange - http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/

Have fun!!!

2010-06-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

Super Scarlet was back in business.

"This is it." thought Scarlet. "Today is the day."

Today was mid-winter solstice. "The longest night means that tomorrow, the days will start getting longer. Time for a spring clean."

She grabbed pencil and paper.

Time to make a to-do list.

Finish 3 more cushions

Make 5 new bags.

Sort some business cards.

Tidy that garden. (oh my, have you seen it of late?)

Sort that bookshelf.

Fix those broken toys.

Do those clothing repairs.

Vacuum that filthy floor.

Wash that school uniform for tomorrow.

Do those dishes...

Oh.

Um, OK. now to prioritise.

Hmmm. She turned the list upside down and sighed.

mad as a march hare

2010-02-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

"Which door should I choose?" wondered Alice.

and she wandered down to Bunnings to have a look.

Love and figs

2010-02-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

We are so lucky to have access to a fig tree laden with fruit.

This was one of the figs I opened last night - a fig heart. Sweet, huh?

Fig and ginger jam, caramelised figs, and our very favourite

figs poached in syrup with vanilla and cointreau.

Happy valentine's day x

How to make a heart

2010-02-02T19:40:00.000-08:00

It's so long since I posted, I thought I had better make up for it somehow...
So I'm posting a tute on how you can make a little brooch just like this one.

YOU WILL NEED
       - fabric at least 18cm wide by 10cm (depends on the weight of your fabric and how many shapes you have to cut - refer below)
       - embroidery thread
       - dressmaker's pencil or carbon paper
       - fibrefill stuffing
       - needle and pins
       - scissors

METHOD
1. If you are using average dress-weight fabric, cut five heart shapes 5.5cm high x 5.5cm wide (refer cutting diagram below, or I used a biscuit cutter to trace around). For very lightweight fabrics, you may need to use more layers to provide some substance to your brooch. If your brooch is too soft, it may lose its shape more rapidly over time.

(Click on this to get the printable full-size image at 150px/inch - the blue should measure 18cm x 10cm...

... I hope! let me know if it's not working)

2. Carefully pin three of the fabric shapes together, ensuring they align as closely as possible.

3. Using thread to match your fabric (not necessarily embroidery thread; I use normal sewing thread), stitch the entire perimeter of these three layers using a simple running stitch, at least 6mm from the edge. You may need to make this margin bigger, depending on how easily your fabric frays.
(You can judge this by cutting a circle of cloth about 5cm diameter and gliding the fabric through thumb and forefinger with a gentle grip. Most woven fabric will fray a little, but usually will not fray beyond a few threads. Check both warp AND weft (longways and sideways), as these can vary in tightness of weave and fibre composition.)

4. Using a dressmaker's pencil, or dressmaker's carbon, transfer your embroidery design to the WRONG side (i.e. what will be the inside) of your fabric brooch. I use this technique so that there is never a trace of pencil peeking out from under your embroidery .... I find it doesn't brush off some fabrics so very well. This way, you use it as a guide, rather than something that needs to be covered.

(Click on this to get the printable full-size image at 150px/inch - the heart should measure 5.5cm x 5.5cm)

You can print the guide above and use carbon to transfer it to fabric; however, I like to draw my designs by hand, in pencil. I feel the natural variations that come with this method enhance the hand-made, warm qualities of the piece.

5. Using a double strand of gold embroidery thread, and a simple backstitch, work your design, using the drawing on the back as a guide.

6. Place the other two layers together with your embroidered section, and pin securely.

7. Using thread to match your fabric, insert needle through one of the middle layers, coming out the back of your piece. Stitch with running stitch through most of the layers, being careful not to catch through to the front, and stopping when there is about a 25mm gap along one edge of the brooch.

8. Insert a small amount of fibrefill to softly pad your brooch, then continue stitching to close the piece, finishing your sewing on one of the middle layers.

9. Finish your brooch by attaching a brooch pin to the back - I make my own sterling silver ones, but you can buy pre-made base metal ones from a large craft store or jewellery supplies shop. The roof (hook part) of the catch should be upper-most so that the pointy end of the pin has less chance of inadvertently coming undone; and as a general rule, the brooch pin should be attached about one-third from the top of the brooch. That way there is enough weight in the bottom of the brooch for it to sit properly when worn on clothing (unless it is particularly top-heavy).

Wear it well.

If you've got any questions, problems, or comments I would love some feedback on this (my first!) tutorial....I'm planning some more in the future, so anything/everything is helpful.

HNY

2010-01-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

I'd probably say "Here's to a fresh start", but it's not really a start, it's just a continuation of the journey.

Here's some food for the road.

and some flowers to feed your heart

2010

2009-12-30T03:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a little G & T that hubby whipped up for me. Rather fab, and it was yummy. So he made me another...and perhaps another one too...

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and prosperous new year. I'm looking forward to big things myself!

....and the winner is..

2009-12-15T23:24:00.000-08:00

...and the winner is.... random number generator 6 - c_haynes
I'll be contacting you shortly!

My tech skills aren't quite up to getting the screen shot, so you'll just have to take my word for it ;)

Thanks SO much to all of you who participated in the giveaway, AND all the new followers on my blog, so glad you could join me x

Another realisation

2009-12-10T04:56:00.000-08:00

Here's another brooch I just finished yesterday. It's made from some linen that I hand-dyed during my textile days at uni (waaaaay back) and some more of that stash of lush curtaining, plus some little glass seed beads. (Maybe it's all that time I spent breastfeeding, but I can't get the nipple connection out of my head...). Hmmm, I think this recycling/upcycling thing attests to the fact that I'm a hoarder. It's just that I can't seem to let go of potential.

Sometimes that potential is realised. I think there is a lot of potential for me to get through before I die.

The brooch uses 5 layers of fabric, stitched in two lots, plus a tiny bit of fibre-fill. I had stitched it entirely in olive, but thought it looked a little flat and monotone; hence the ruby-red. The beads provide a nice textural contrast.

(p.s. don't forget to enter the giveaway below...closes this tuesday)

my first giveaway!

2009-12-05T04:26:00.000-08:00

I was so pleased to find a few days ago that I had fifty followers on my blog, I thought I had better celebrate by having a giveaway! I have been thinking about what to make for some time, as I wanted to add some smaller items to my shop. So, here goes the experimenting with a new idea...I trained as a jeweller and silversmith, but I'm currently working in textiles....perhaps the answer was obvious.
Anyway, here's the result! Little fabric brooches.

Everyone who leaves me a comment here on my blog will go in the running to receive one of these very fresh pieces. You just need to suggest a new adventure for Scarlet {read back thru the blog for her previous moments...}. All the names will go into a cyber-hat and the lucky winner will be drawn by random number generator, on Tuesday, 15th December.

Thanks a heap for your support!

2009-11-18T02:49:00.000-08:00

Scarlet sat on the lounge room floor and inspected her navel. She stared at it for a long time. "Phew! That was close," she mused to herself. She shifted her gaze to her fingernails. They were relatively short, but still contained the day's grime. "I'm so glad that's over," she said. The sound of her own voice split the air. She looked up and saw the sunshine coming through the window. She followed its beam to where it landed on the couch. Dust and cobwebs shone in the light. "Onward and upward," she thought to herself.

2009-11-13T02:06:00.000-08:00

I have had this little gem in my collection of books for many years now. It was first published in 1856 by architect and designer Owen Jones, and is full of delectable patterns and decorative elements. Jones traveled widely to assemble this collection, which covers many cultures and time frames. While some of the descriptions may be a little quaint (remember, he was living in Victorian England), his sound understanding of design principles still make it a great and relevant book today. I use it; I love it.

I looked in my cupboard the other day, and this is what I saw.

It has a nice textural feel to it, no?

things around me

2009-11-11T02:56:00.000-08:00

This just flowered in our garden a few days ago. The colour is luminous pink with traces of orange and magenta, it doesn't quite convey on the screen. Sadly it is spectacular for a brief moment; the hot and dry weather has already taken its toll. I have no idea what it is (except that it's a succulent), but it makes me look forward to November every year.

This is a pic of my kids taken by my wonderful step-sister Ange, she's just starting to make a name for herself as a professional photographer around Brissy. You can visit her blog here....

http://angelahammondphotography.com

They're beautiful kids, even if I do say so myself.

2009-11-05T19:55:00.000-08:00

ok, here's a little bit of something from one of my other lives...

I'm studying for an exam in about two weeks...don't ask me why, just wish me luck.

you never know what you've got around you until you look

2009-10-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, I had just finished my new spiral cushion, and wanted to show it off. I had recently got a few comments about my etsy photos being too dark (I quite like it that way, it feels rich and cosy) but the palette is obviously not to everyone's taste. Having limited time, space, and funds, and not being a photographer at all, I did a quick reconnaissance of the things around me. Of course! my little old weatherboard house has white interior board walls. And what's that I'm sitting on? My great-aunt's chair. I put the chair in the hallway where there was some gentle reflected light and bingo! Then my son Tom's Raa decided to get in on the act too. I'm still no photographer, but I think it turned out rather well. So the moral of the story is, take a fresh look around you, you might just find something.

(Oh, and if you want to see the finished spiral cushion, click on the etsy link on the right.)

2009-10-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

The day was bright and hot. Scarlet looked out at the expanse of dryness from the kitchen window, wondering when the next rain would ever come. Rain seemed a distant memory.

A movement drew her eye , and she noticed one of the boys coming to the door with intense purpose and a watering can. "No" said Scarlet. "It's the middle of the day, you can't have any water for the plants now. Wait till it's cooler tonight." He stopped and scrutinised her through the screen door, realising his predicament. His bottom lip dropped; he fell to the ground, his face becoming creased and red. "NO NO NO" he shouted, with his head pushed against the concrete. "NO! NO! NO!" he screamed. Scarlet stared, but remained calm. "Later tonight when it's cooler," she repeated. The small boy screamed louder, and his feet started to kick wildly.

Scarlet walked towards him, opened the door and picked him up. He was sobbing. "I ... I ... I only... only wanted to show you the ladybug inside," he said, pointing to the discarded can. He buried his face on her shoulder, still crying. Scarlet pulled his face to hers and looked into his dark eyes. His face was hot and stained with tears. Scarlet bit her lip.

2009-10-22T04:51:00.000-07:00

While I'm at it, I thought I'd share my workspace with you. I'm sure lots of artisans can relate.... Here's my sewing table...note how when it's open, it's creating a traffic hazard at the end of the hallway. The workbench is supplemented with space on the kitchen table.

And here's part of my fabric stash

and here's another part of my fabric stash

which just goes to prove you don't need lots of space to create beautiful things.
(...although it would be nice...*sigh*)

2009-10-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest adventure in cushion making. It's that same luscious curtain I have been hoarding for years...
My three-year-old son approves. "I like this one mummy," he said. And that's important.

Progress shots...

...and yes I love my scissors.

2009-10-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

Poppy and her rabbit went to the bookcase full of cookbooks. She sat down with her legs crossed, and one by one she pulled out the books, carefully checked through a few pages, and spread them out around her in an arc. The rabbit was very quiet. Poppy said "I'm going to make you a cake, Rabbit. What sort of cakes do Rabbits like?" The rabbit still said nothing, but sat there staring at a picture of vegetables.

"A carrot cake of course," Scarlet imposed. She regretted the interference as soon as it had left her mouth. Who was she to say what a Rabbit might like? She turned away and busied herself with the vacuum cleaner, sucking up the endless trails of sand and dust that had appeared through the ancient house.

2009-10-02T00:44:00.000-07:00

The tendril cushion is finished. I was imagining something vaguely Indonesian-inspired - perhaps it was the fabric.

2009-09-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

Working on two new cushions. The first is finished, olive green satiny richness from old curtains that I bought eons ago at a small theatre's closing down sale. It was harboured in my fabric stash for years, because I always knew I'd do something with it. I've still got quite a bit of fabric left....I might do another something or two with it soon. Again I thought I'd share the before and after washing machine shots...not a dramatic difference, but it did fluff the frayed edges a little more, and added a lovely subtle scrunch to the surface.

The second cushion is still a work in progress. I was thinking about imposing some kind of floral rounded-ness onto the rigid check of these two fabrics, which work well together. They are a cotton/polyester/nylon mix, with gold nylon in the warp providing a bit of shimmer where it catches the light.

I drew a few tendrils onto paper, then stitched through the paper and the two layers of fabric, following the lines of my drawing. Then I cut around the outside of my stitching, leaving about a 6mm margin. The paper was removed by wetting it so it was weak and easy to tear (it still took a bit of work). I will post another pic when it's finished.

2009-09-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

Scarlet began to remember. She went to the kitchen and got the cereal out of the cupboard. She put out the placemats, the bowls and the spoons, and got the milk out of the refrigerator. She sat down with the children at the table, and inspected them. The oldest was a girl, with light brown hair and eyes the colour of the sea. She was wearing turquoise pyjamas with cows on them, and clutched a small toy rabbit in her hand.

'Poppy', she said. 'Where's your father?' The girl looked at her blankly, then shook her head. The boy who smelt of oranges grinned. "He's down the shed, fixing the motorbike", he volunteered. Scarlet turned her attention to him. His striped pyjamas were slightly grubby around the cuffs. His grin was cheeky. 'Hmmm, I must do some washing today', she mused to herself.

Scarlet turned her head and stared out the window at the brightening sky.

2009-09-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm just a little out of step. Sometimes I like it that way, and sometimes it frustrates me.

Is there a dance-hall for those who are also a little out of step? I'm sure there is; it has bare floorboards and deep red stage curtains.

2009-09-22T04:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a freshly finished doll, destined for my long-time friend and her new baby. Not quite sure how it fits with my other work, except that it is a collision of patterns and lots of colour. Anyhow, I thought I'd share it.

2009-09-19T23:16:00.000-07:00

It all started a year or so back, when I was running out of time for a father's day present for the fabulous father of my children. He loves a good cup of tea, and the derelict teacosy we had should have been given a decent burial long ago. I had been layering and texturing in my jewellery pieces for a year or so, using all my little offcut scraps of silver to create small topographic reliefs. These ideas melded together - as they often do when under pressure - with offcuts from previous textile projects, to make this olive teacosy. It is indeed a 'cosy' fit, I have re-drafted the pattern to a more generous fit. Nonetheless, I was pleased with the effect; if I had enough fabric, I might have made a larger piece....a cushion...a jacket?

2009-09-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

After washing in the machine, the fabric frayed considerably, which I quite liked. My children liked it too. But Phil was a bit concerned....

I trimmed the loose threads, so it looks a little less out of control; a little neater.

Here it is, before and after.

I would appreciate any feedback

2009-09-18T03:47:00.000-07:00

One of the small children touched her face. The one next to her knelt down and touched noses with her, staring straight into her brain. "Mummy." the small boy said. "Where's my breakfast?" He smelt of oranges.

2009-09-17T04:43:00.000-07:00

phew. the cushion cover survived the trip through the wash... in fact it survived very well. Very happy with the result. just have to photograph it now...

2009-09-15T04:50:00.000-07:00

Scarlet woke up. She was surrounded by a gaggle of small children, all staring at her intently. "Where did they come from?" she wondered. "Why am I here?"

2009-09-15T04:44:00.000-07:00

I'm working on cushion covers, still investigating the possibilities of layering cloth. I have been working with this idea of layering texture and pattern for some time, although until recently, I have only used it with my jewellery.

But I'm struggling with the idea of putting a loosely woven cloth with unfinished edges into the washing machine....I know the edges will fray and fluff , but how much more will it unravel?? I just have to trust in serendipity.

2009-09-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a princess called Scarlet. She lived in a house with three chimneys and a refrigerator. One day, Scarlet decided to go for a walk.

Instead, she fell asleep on the lounge room floor.

2009-09-12T03:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my site...

please be patient while I get myself sorted.

x tractorgirl