A chapter of accidents

It was probably because I chose this tile to make a stamp from. The pattern doesn't look quite right, which is why I chose it - I was interested to see how it came out when I stamped it.

Although it has intersecting lines I decided it would be easiest to do as a string stamp, simplified a bit. I used double sided sticky tape over the tile image, rather than carpet tape, so I could see through it.

I find with string stamps, they either stick easily - or the ends keep lifting. Guess which sort this was? Fortunately it also dried very slowly, so I was able to stick the ends down again. [That's why you didn't get to see it yesterday.]

Then, when i stamped it - I kept getting it the wrong way round.

Then I added too much water to the paint. A soggy string stamp is not much fun - it squelches and slides and you get lots of blobs.

But after all that - I like it much more than I expected! Some sort of line stitch, like chain or stem or couching, I think.

As I forgot to do a proper daily photo yesterday, [i.e. one in the church series I seem to have inadvertently got myself into], here are a couple of extras and for once they are embroidery!

These are kneelers from the Cathedral. If you have done your C&G History of Embroidery you may have heard of Louisa Pesel, who was 'Mistress of the Broderers' at Winchester Cathedral in the '30s. I don't know if she had a hand in either of these - I suspect not - but the lower image reminds me that she is supposed to have told her embroiderers that when working tent stitch they should change to a slightly different shade every 20 stitches, to make the work look more interesting.

Sounds like a good way to use up left overs and dodgy dye lots to me, but isn't it effective?