Saturday 30 June 2007

Birth of a Book

I really love this blogging thing and it's so good to read the messages and look at the blogs of people who respond. It's a real displacement activity when there is something that you don't want to do - like pack up for a class. I love the teaching - just hate the packing. Now I am ready for Urchfont tomorrow and the hateful task is done. It is Urchfont open day and they have an exhibition of Val's students' work - anything anyone has made with Val, ever! I shall try to bring you some pics on Wednesday when I get home.

I am so far ahead with the Image to Stitch book that I am aiming to get it in by September, although it is not due at the publishers until December. One of the reasons is that Fiona has offered to type the last two chapters for me. It's really fast to speak into a dictaphone and she is so speedy at typing - unlike my two-fingered approach. Here is a pic of the embryonic book.



I work in a rather odd way with books. I've usually got a pretty good idea of the chapters and work really hard at the outline stage to get the structure right. Mostly I know what I'm going to write about, so the next stage is to put the text together, with pics of work already done. I write all the words for the whole book and then work through it, revisiting all the techniques. By the end I've forgotten the beginning so it's a good check to see if the writing makes sense. This playing time is the most fun and invariably new discoveries are made and the text is revised. I'm at the playing stage with this book so, when time permits, the fun continues.

Had a little time to play with the sample for the Schism piece. The outline shape of the serpent was hand-stitched and infilled with detached chain. Machining into this gave a good 'scaley' look.



It will need some texture so I shall revisit something that was part of a Workshop on the Web article a little while ago where I tried various resists on zappy felt. Model Magic and gesso were great when painted with interference colours.
...


Here's a sample of the same technique, except the pieces of zapped felt are pulled apart and layered up. Will add a little contrast to a fairly flat piece. Needs other colours as it's all a bit green. Hopefully I can get on with this embroidery next week.



Home on Wedenesday so I'll be back then.






15 comments:

Stitchety Grub said...

I love the colours in these pics ... your work is fabulous ... I will be back regularly :-D
Britt

Unknown said...

Enjoying your blog, its great to catch up with you between WOWs!
I've been trying unsuccessfully to get hold of Embroidered Flowers by Pamela Watts, do you know if there are plans to re-publish it?

AnneJeu said...

You give us great inspirations. Thank you that you're making time to blog!!!

Unknown said...

A new book!! I can't wait, I've got them all but I precious the first one because it was such an eyeopener to me.

Featheronawire Sally Bramald said...

That work is so lovely and crusty, one just has to touch!

Digitalgran said...

Thanks for your lovely comment Maggie. Yes, you are right, blogging is a great displacement activity and so addictive. I hate keeping a Diary and have never managed more than a week ever and yet I seem to have blogged almost every day for about 18 months.

Marie said...

Loved your Paper, Metal, Stitch (PMS!) - can't wait for the new one - love what you can achieve with these basic elements!

Stitching with Schnauzer and Siamese said...

Good to see you at Urchfont today, Maggie, and thanks to you and Jane for putting together the tribute to Val C-H.
Hope you enjoyed your teaching. Best wishes
"the other"
Maggie

jackie said...

Welcome to blogland. I just found your blog - it really is a great distraction. What with Flickr and Myspace there really is hardly enough time to stitch!

Judy Scott said...

Wow ~ welcome to blogging world, I met you in Dundee at your amazing talk and thoroughly enjoyed my evening. Off to explore your blog now. see you again ~ Judy

katepang said...

Hi, just getting into this blogging thing. I'm not sure why you think your approach to creating a book is odd, it seems perfectly rational to me! But then I'm obsessed with structure - of my quilts, and of my PhD thesis. Good luck, I look forward to seeing your book when it comes out.

Unknown said...

Hi Maggie long time since you heard my name but really pleased to find your blog. Seeing the pictures of your work towards your new book is great - can't wait to add it to my collection. I look forward to Wednesday's addition.

Luv Annette

Unknown said...

Hi Maggie, long time since your machine embroidery course, still using the techniques you taught me. Really great to find your blog and to hear you're planning another book - another for my collection. All your photos are wonderful a really interesting blog.

Judy Rys said...

Love your books and your work and am glad you are hooked on blogging. I plan to visit often.

jane said...

Hello Maggie, missing you already. You can run but you can't hide. Best wishes Distant Stitchers.