BirdBrain Designs

Birdbrain

east coast inspirings

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I have just returned from a trip to the east coast where I had a chance to absorb the light, the texture and the colours…

and then to participate in a fabulous workshop on colour at Deanne Fitzpatrick’s studio in Amherst Nova Scotia. The workshop combined theory — presented ably by Phyllis Cameron — and an intuitive, experiential, reflective approach led by Deanne.

We considered colour using all our senses–some experiences were delicious as well as beautiful! (Perhaps here I should also mention the locally roasted coffee and oat cakes always on hand in the studio kitchen.)

Deanne has expanded her shop and studio area since I last visited in 2006. The class was held in a lovely room adjacent to the store, a room with high ceilings, white walls and lots of natural light —  a perfect spot for the fourteen students to spread out and hook while absorbing the presentations.

We explored colour as well as alternate fibres like sari silk and hand-dyed fleece and yarn. On the left, a snake comes into life and below a maple leaf bursts in full fall colours. To the right of the leaf is my frame with white pines of silk and yarn–my first landscape and my first hooking with hand-spun yarn. I loved it!

How wonderful to see Deanne’s ‘colour intuition’ up close in the shop. Below are two of her pieces. I’ll have more photos in the next post, as well as a glimpse into another wonderful studio I visited.

 

rough case SOLD

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 This is a great zippered case made of rugged leather. It is unlined with a small pocket. For all the details check here. This is the first of a series, and the only one available right now. $22. plus postage.

colour therapy pouches–SOLD

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Several colour therapy pouches are available in the shop. These pouches are made from recycled leather, have zipper closings and are lined with fine black cotton. They are a variety of colours and sizes. If you are interested please contact me and I will send you specifics. Each one is $20. plus postage.

pencil cases

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These three pencil cases are currently available. They are made of recycled leather, lined with fine black cotton and closing with a durable zipper. They are approximately 9″x4′, suitable for pencils, rughooking tools, or other small treasures. Great colours to brighten your day. Check here for a look at the backs. $22. plus postage.

 

new luna bag SOLD

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This bag is a special order for a special rug hooker who lives in Virginia. It is the familiar luna style in beautiful durable pebbly red leather — it is actually a little taller than the standard luna with room for all kinds of cargo. It has two lined pockets on the front, three inside, a zipper closing and a double bottom for extra strength. The strap is adjustable. I have just enough of this leather to make a second bag — wish I had more. Actually I am eyeing up some brown pebbly leather in my stock — and thinking of a new design. Just doodling right now. At any rate — this bag is already in the post!

the rough case

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I have been saving several pieces of brown leather — some of it is from a great old bomber jacket, other pieces from upholstery remants. All of it is lovely supple leather with lines and grain marks–this leather has character. This morning I decided to use some of it to make a small case. I envisioned this as a case for passport, iphone and  other essentials. I even used a recycled zipper. When it came to rivets, I remembered I had these great French brass rivets which were too heavy-duty for my normal bags–but turned out to be perfect here–they give this great old leather a functional or industrial look — very simple, maybe even classy!

The bag is 10″ x 6″, unlined, with a small slip pocket inside and a screenprinted birdbrain label. This case is the first in a series. If you can think of any refinements — please leave a comment or email me.

wedding rug

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Yesterday Adam gave me a photography lesson. There is so much to come to terms with — but I now feel a little more comfortable moving from the automatic setting. Here are my pics of the wedding rug, trying to capture the texture and colours.

The centre image is done and I’ve made some decisions about the border. I knew that I needed to move the red out , and one line did not seem to be enough, so I filled in a bit with a wavy line which seems to work. I’m also trying to figure out how to separate the ‘grass’ from the border and I think I’ve settled on a wavy yellow-green line. The wedding date will go in the bottom right corner and then Owen and Carissa will be subtly along the right hand edge. And I am contemplating stars in the sky…and of course a few hearts sprinkled around.

I really have had no more than I general idea of where this rug was going, but that seems to be the way I work best — intuitively, stumbling along, just playing with the colours and images I love.

pencil cases

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I have had several questions about my pencil cases. I decided to post them here–and shortly they will be in the shop along with the leather pouches. If you are interested in one of these before they get to the shop, please send me an email, or leave a comment here. There are five pencil cases here showing first the front and then the back–all from recycled or remnant leather. They are 9″x4″ with heavy-duty zippers and fine black lining; $22. plus postage. 

my cup of tea…

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Inspired by Lisa Congdon’s 365 days of handlettering, I decided to try my hand at illustrating a familiar phrase. Now, I know that I am not up to doing one each day like Lisa, but this was fun. I also was sketching while I was away at Georgian Bay and our own cottage. Here is the view of the island next to ours–followed by Adam’s photo of same. Look at that reflection!

and another of my sketches as I struggle with all those trees…

and some more of Adam’s cottage images…it is inspiring to see your much-loved landscape through someone else’s eyes. I find all these things link — sketching, photographing, blogging, hooking and sewing. Each one can lead you into the creative zone–a what a place that is! Thank you, Adam.

catch-up

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Adam, a friend of my son, is a great photographer. He visited the cottage and took these shots. Particularly good ones of Colin.

Also, a package arrived in the mail last week from South Africa. Skinny Laminx is one of my favourite designers–I ordered some of her remnants to line my small bags–and couldn’t resist a pair of her table napkins! 

I’ve been working on my own new designs and hope to have some fabric for pouches and bags by the end of September. This week I will be  filling orders and making more colour therapy pouches. If you wrote to me about them, I hope to have them in the shop by the end of the week.