Daily photo # 13 [!]

This is based on a section of the original pebble picture which I just filled in with doodles - very therapeutic! I borrowed ideas for some of the fillings from a lovely little Dover book by R.M. Proctor called 'Principles of Pattern Design'. One obvious way to translate this into stitch would be black work, or I could revert to the applique idea using some of my collection of black and white fabrics.

When not doodling I have been making these - 18 month size in case we get a summer this year. When I did the big stash sort I realised I had some remnants which would make toddler dresses, so despite my assertion that I didn't bother sewing for Babybel because it was cheaper to buy from charity shops - I've done a bit of sewing. The patterns came from a book I bought in Oxfam, so there has been a charitable donation involved!

Today's daily photo is a scan.

This is the grey scale version of the original - because when I looked at the sepia coloured original it occurred to me that it looked - er - a bit like the contents of a baby's nappy.

This came about because the pebble extract I traced reminded me of my recent BQL challenge quilt - so I wanted to try the design out in layered applique - or, at this stage, in layers of paper. I just chose the wrong colour supplement page to cut the paper out of ...


This is the negative scan which is much better, and reminds me of Mackintosh roses. If I were to turn this into an embroidery, I would want to keep the ethereal feeling - perhaps reverse applique using sheers?

I find it interesting that when I look at the image the other way up, that little piece sticking out at the right looks totally wrong - but this way up it works as a little leaf.

I have been re-reading Dunnewold, Benn and Morgan's 'Finding Your Own Visual Language' [strongly recommended for struggling designers] and they recommend turning a dubious piece round before you decide it really is a failure. Worked for me!

I have finally finished the last bag - it's very orange because that was the only piece of even vaguely suitable fabric I had which was big enough. I am determined not to buy any more fabric if I can possible avoid it -although I did buy some elastic today, as that is one thing I don't seem to have a stash of.

I needed elastic because I have been doing something I haven't done for ages - dress making. Not for me of course ...

Hopefully I will have something to show you tomorrow!