My contribution to 25 Million Stitches published in Embroidery Canada

Writing this blog has put me in touch with so many people around the world, after that I created a Facebook page for Million Little Stitches and more recently Instagram as well.

I have wondered who comes and reads what I post on Million Little Stitches. Some of you are kind enough to post comments, so then I know. Some of us have become blog friends.

The Stats button previously showed the number of people from each country but now it's just a number making it all the more mysterious.    

Then there are surprises which can only be termed pleasant. When Kathryn Robicheau, the acting editor of Embroidery Canada emails you and has this to say - 

'I found your blog through a convoluted trail of links and I'm very happy that I did. I like that your embroidery is bringing attention to the refugee crisis. It's great to have an example of how we can use our artistry to express our social values and bring attention to injustice'.   

Kathryn went on to explain that the theme for the Winter issue of the magazine was maps and she sought permission to publish my post and share my embroidery and the inspiration behind it with the members.

I was delighted and had to marvel at the way this connection was made however convoluted. I was not aware of Embroidery Canada until then.

Embroidery Canada changed to a bi-annual publication so the Spring 2021 issue has my post in the Spring 2021 issue of Embroidery Canada.

Ali Ferguson from Scotland who uses mind maps as a starting point for her embroidered creations.

So many interesting interpretations of maps. It's been a pleasure to view the work and interpretations of different artists. 

Thank you Embroidery Canada for five copies of the Spring 2021 issue.

I must thank all of you who come read what I have to share on this platform. I do believe that we will connect, if it is meant to be. Irrespective of  where we are and however convoluted the journey may be to make that connection. I find it exciting to retrace the steps. I look forward to making connections and collaborations. 

 

Have you interesting anecdotes of making convoluted connections with other artists?

  

Have a  great weekend. 

ALAW 2014 - Place+Alphabet book

The first set of alphabets for A letter A Week 2014 which incorporates 'place' into the 26 letters of the English alphabet. I've put all the letters together as an accordion fold book.

I've cut out the alphabets from maps found in inflight magazines and mounted them on red or purple paper. Red for the cities or places I have visited or lived in and Purple for the places I would love to visit. A wish list.

On the back of the accordion fold book I've written the map co-ordinates of the city or town which is on the other side.

Another view of the accordion fold book.

I need a name for this little book. I thought of 'Footprints and a Wishlist'. the other one was 'Journeys and a Wishlist'. I'm going to mull over these and other possibilities,suggestions are welcome.
This little book is not perfect from a book makers point of view but its very precious and the journey has been an interesting one. The book is 11cms x 11cms.
Click on the links below to see more of the journey.
A Letter A Week - ALAW 2014
ALAW - Catching Up
ALAW - An Update  

I'm starting on the second set of alphabets for ALAW.


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A Letter A Week - ALAW 2014

You must be aware of A Letter A Week. No?

Well it was started in 2010 by calligraphic and book artist Fiona Dempster as a small project to focus on each week.

Fiona explains the project.

'The aim is simply to:

Write/create a letter a week

Creating 52 letters

Which must form 2 x alphabets (that is not 52 x the letter ‘A’)

By the end of 2014

The main rule is that the letter must be presented on a piece of material measuring 7cm x 7cm 

– this helps keep a sense of uniformity amongst the pieces which helps with exhibition 

coherence.

The other criterion for 2014 is that ONE alphabet has to meet the criteria of "Place”

- that means the alphabet references place in some in way, but is still presented on the square. 

It could mean the alphabet describes a place; is photographed in a place, reflects a place, tells a 

story of a place. It could be a special place or the place where you live or work, a place that calls 

you or that you call home…

Each alphabet must be turned into a final piece which could be used for possible publication or 

exhibition.

- that is, you must put all the letters together into a final piece of art.

you can use any medium, on any surface.

you can use any hand or representation of a letter.

The presentation of the final product is up to each of us – we could mat and frame 

the pieces as a work of art; we could make a stack of cards; we could bind them 

individually; we could bind them in a book; we could cover a box with them....'

I'm starting with the Place alphabet. I'm going to be using maps to cut out the alphabet of places where I've lived, visited and which I would love to visit. Places I've lived in or visited I'll be mounting on red paper and places I wish to visit will be mounted on purple paper.

Airline magazines are great for maps and that's where I started.

 A - Ahmedabad. City in Western India, capital of Gujarat, where I went to design school, got married and a treasure trove for all textile enthusiasts.

B - Bengaluru. Capital of the state of Karnataka. The Garden City which is today known as The Silicon valley of India. The city I reside in currently.

G - Goa. Union territory on the west coast of India a former Portuguese colony.  Feni, fish curry and susegad , wonderful holiday destination.

H - Hong Kong. I was there recently visiting family.

Check out what the other participants are creating by clicking on this link.

Happy valentine's day and have a great weekend. I'm thinking of doing some birding this weekend.

Shop update:

Some cross stitched heart motifs, perfect to embellish a crazy quilt, garment or to decorate a scrap book page have been added to my Etsy Shop.  

Button Holing

Buttonhole stitch is going to be the star of my next stole- Land of Lakes. This little damaged fabric which is part of another little project inspired Land of Lakes.
Land of Lakes is the third in the collection based on the theme of Maps and Travel. The collection will have 7 - 10 scarves and stoles and I'm finding there are enough hours in a day! Help.
I have yet to show you Urban Sprawl which I finished last week.

Caterina is hosting a rose giveaway on her blog La DolceVita. You have until July19th to put your name in the hat for the lucky draw.

Here's something I find absolutely delightful.

Book Making Workshop

A two day book making workshop and the venue was a hop skip and jump away which was great.

Aditi Babel of Babel Books who conducted the workshop with the artists books she has created.

Discussing the intricacies of book making. 

Precision is the key. An accordion book made by one of the participants. 

All manner of accordion books. Should have asked the peron who made them to open them up before I photographed them.

I explored the concept of a flag book .The theme was Maps - a storyboard for my next collection of scarves.

Detail of the flag book. 

I must go buy some paper in colours drawn from my colour palette which is more earthy  and create an artists book on the theme of maps. It would compliment the collection of scarves. OMG  a light bulb moment! probably prompted by the Johnnie Walker Diamond Jubilee story which I read about in the Mint this morning. 

Here's a little excerpt

'Each of the bottles comes with a pair of Cumbria Crystal glasses engraved by Philip Lawson Johnston and a commemorative artifact book, hand bound by Laura West at her Isle of Skye bindery and personalized for each owner by Sally Magnum,calligrapher by appointment to her Majesty.'

Which means each of my scarves would have a little artists book to go with it.Such grandiose plans, lets see if I can make it happen. Have to set myself high standards :) 

Have a great weekend. Will you be watching the IPL finals on Sunday night? Which team are you rooting for?