Victorian Steampunk Meets Halloween!

Hello All,

                If you have been looking at the PaperArtsy blog you will have seen this

 slightly weird corset style belt and the happy Halloween style stamping.

Pity I don't have the waist for it these days!

I promised to post the details of the pattern so that you can make one yourself. It really is

very easy, I just wrapped some paper round my waist to get the shape.

Cut out the pieces (3 plus 3 in reverse). I have placed the pattern on the 1inch squared

background for easy copying. To fit, the long length of each piece should be extended

or reduced to measure half your waist measurement plus half an inch. The two pieces

will be joined at the back with a half inch seam. Obviously the lacing at the front allows

for some expansion!

Sew the quilting lines as shown, and then all round the edge. the raw edges are covered

by the lace edging or can be bias bound.

5 eyelets are inserted on each piece, half an inch in from the front edge.

Am happy to answer any questions if I have missed something :)

And you don't have to sew.....

Bye for now, Penny.

She MADE me mess it up!

Hello All,

               Still here............

To start at the beginning.      In two weeks I will be attending a set of workshops at

Art From The Heart in Harrogate with mixed media artist Dina Wakely (all the way from

America). I only have to take two things : photographs for inspiration and "my Art Journal".

Mmmmmm...... well I do have one. It's been sitting on the shelf looking beautiful in its

unspoilt, pristine condition for months.

My friend Lyn said that I couldn't take it like that, it would be too embarrassing and not

artistic. So yesterday she MADE me spoil it by spraying and rubbing paint on it with my

HANDS!

These are the results.....

And it went on the cover and other pages

Now, apparently, I have to write things on the pages...... artistically.

I find this very difficult. I am a northern lass (apologies to more artistically able northern

lasses) and am not good at putting down feelings and things.

I did try it once for an exhibition with the Bolton Progressive Threads group entitled

"Memories of Childhood". I printed childhood photos onto fabric and free machined text

in white on white, which from a distance just looked like a pattern but up close revealed

the words.

Well, I found myself sobbing! It was so traumatic!

So I might have to use other peoples' words or song lyrics (happy ones!) or something.

At least I have made the first journalling step (thank you Lyn) and won't be going to the

workshop with a totally blank book.

Best regards, P.