Last night I went to a tattoo design class with Dahlia Black at The Life Craft. This lovely shop has recently opened in the west end, selling some gorgeous yarns & patterns (I had to restrain myself from the super soft brightly coloured MillaMia merino).
So why the tattoo design class? I currently have three tattoos. I had wanted a tattoo for ages, but just couldn't decide what to have (if you can't decide - then you shouldn't have!). Then life events took over. One of my brothers, Wes died in June 2007. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour a few years earlier. He had lots of tattoos - a Gemini symbol, angel wings on his hips, a shamrock & Irish for family, handle with care written in Chinese - I might have forgotten some there! His favourites by far, were the black dragons he had along him inner forearms. So my first tattoo is in memory of him, a pink (to make it a little girlier!) dragon, on my inner left arm, so he is always close to my heart.
Now, the problem with tattoos is that they are addictive, the ink must contain something which gets you hooked! So my next two are wrist tats, for my crafty & science sides.
Next I have lots of ideas about a half sleeve, with a bird (owl, magpie or pied wagtail) surrounded by oak leaves, acorns & conkers - with a shamrock snuck in somewhere. My ideas were a bit muddled & I wasn't quite sure if it would all work together, so when I saw the class, I jumped at the chance!
The class was very relaxed, good coffee & company. I got to talk through my ideas, discuss options and actually get something down on paper. I think I've now decided on the pied wagtail (I think that they are pretty cool, and I love the way that they constantly wag their tails!), with a shamrock in it's mouth, and autumnal leaves around. So next I need to finalise the design (and actually look at pictures of pied wagtails!) & get booked in!
Finally today we have a new arrival to the family, after we lost poor Fletch. So welcome Godber's new friend Jim Mclaren! We are continuing with the Porridge names, although he does remind me a little of Pepe le Pew & Alan!
Currently the 62 group have an exhibition on at the Collins gallery.
What exactly is bending the line? Three themes are suggested:
- Firstly the manner in which the textile artists have bent their work. Challenging our expectations of what we expect from textiles. Examples of this are pieces that use wood, metal and photography.
- Secondly, the focus on the line (fibre) the simplest structure of the textile.
And thirdly, a literary connection, inspiration from Tennyson, Homer and poetry.
The theme I felt whilst looking around the exhibition was reflections on domestic life and women's roles. Such as the silk screened ironing board by Dawn Dupree alongside barbed wire. Are we trapped by our domestic chores?
Or this woman with a fish by Sue Stone, she seems proud of her catch, whilst the cat looks on enviously.
The exhibition is on till 14th August, catch it if you can.
The sewing is slowly progressing.
Other news is that I completed the Midnight Moo with my mum. Ten miles of walking, mooing, and many cow-related puns. All for a very, very good cause. And of course, the route went past a very famous herd.
Now back to the stitching!
After a weekend in very very hot England, it is lovely to be back in drizzly Glasgow! Awaiting my return was a super cute 'I love buttons' bag that I had ordered from Asking for Trouble. Now what to put in it?
Meanwhile I have started to stitch my kingfisher wall hanging, this is heavy going on the fingertips at times due to the layers of silk involved (up to 8 in places!). A thimble & hand cream are a must!
The misti alpaca is so soft & comfy. Perfect for having cosy feet around the flat this autumn. Well, when I say cosy, I really mean 'hygge'. This is a Danish word that doesn't really translate.
The soundtrack to the end of these socks was Psych Folk, accompanied by a cup of herbal tea.
I think I might go and knit a yogurt now...
So why the tattoo design class? I currently have three tattoos. I had wanted a tattoo for ages, but just couldn't decide what to have (if you can't decide - then you shouldn't have!). Then life events took over. One of my brothers, Wes died in June 2007. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour a few years earlier. He had lots of tattoos - a Gemini symbol, angel wings on his hips, a shamrock & Irish for family, handle with care written in Chinese - I might have forgotten some there! His favourites by far, were the black dragons he had along him inner forearms. So my first tattoo is in memory of him, a pink (to make it a little girlier!) dragon, on my inner left arm, so he is always close to my heart.
Now, the problem with tattoos is that they are addictive, the ink must contain something which gets you hooked! So my next two are wrist tats, for my crafty & science sides.
Next I have lots of ideas about a half sleeve, with a bird (owl, magpie or pied wagtail) surrounded by oak leaves, acorns & conkers - with a shamrock snuck in somewhere. My ideas were a bit muddled & I wasn't quite sure if it would all work together, so when I saw the class, I jumped at the chance!
The class was very relaxed, good coffee & company. I got to talk through my ideas, discuss options and actually get something down on paper. I think I've now decided on the pied wagtail (I think that they are pretty cool, and I love the way that they constantly wag their tails!), with a shamrock in it's mouth, and autumnal leaves around. So next I need to finalise the design (and actually look at pictures of pied wagtails!) & get booked in! 
Finally today we have a new arrival to the family, after we lost poor Fletch. So welcome Godber's new friend Jim Mclaren! We are continuing with the Porridge names, although he does remind me a little of Pepe le Pew & Alan!
Last week we started off by visiting Manchester. 
We visited the Craft & Design centre, where I had to use all my stamina to resist buying anything! On display was Threadbare - drawings in thread by Debbie Smyth, who incidentally is in the latest edition of Embroidery. 
Then it was south to Birmingham. 
I spent 7 years living in brum, so it is a place very close to my heart. 
A wander around the city, lead us to the Ikon Gallery, and an exhibition of work originally shown there in the 1970s. 
I particularly enjoyed screenprints from Tim Mara. 
A walk past our old flat, led us to the RBSA gallery in the jewellery quarter. Beautiful and inspiring works by textile & mixed media artist Stephanie Redfern were displayed in the craft gallery. 
From brum, a short trip across to Leicester, to where our friends Amisha and Pun were getting married. A 4 day extravaganza of celebrations, amazing textiles & plenty of delicious food! 
Congratulations to the happy couple!
Such beautiful embroidery! Finally a walk through the Hidden Gardens found this treasure...
Or this woman with a fish by Sue Stone, she seems proud of her catch, whilst the cat looks on enviously. 
The exhibition is on till 14th August, catch it if you can.
Other news is that I completed the Midnight Moo with my mum. Ten miles of walking, mooing, and many cow-related puns. All for a very, very good cause. And of course, the route went past a very famous herd.
Now back to the stitching!
Meanwhile I have started to stitch my kingfisher wall hanging, this is heavy going on the fingertips at times due to the layers of silk involved (up to 8 in places!). A thimble & hand cream are a must!
