BirdBrain Designs

silk screening

bird and house images

by 2 Comments

My favourite images are of birds and houses. I love to draw them and also to see how others interpret the concepts. The new wedding rug will have both birds and houses and as I look at things in my design collection, it is birds and houses that dominate. Here is my new laptop case from Built. Their slogan is Love Your Stuff. My slogan modifies that a little–reduce the stuff you have to just what you love. 

And speaking of what I love…I love working with my good friend and designer extraordinaire, Melanie. Below is the proposed label for the sewing work of the women in Matangwe. Melanie took one of the drawings done by the grade 6 children in Matangwe and turned it into this marvelous label. We are hoping to increase the scope of the work the women produce and develop a recognizable brand. This is a start.

And now on to birds. Here is a glimpse of one of the new prints we are working on. I will be using this for the lining of my leather bags and for new canvas and leather totes. All to come for the fall.

ps  Yesterday’s long bike ride in Prince Edward County went really well and the new Strava app worked like a charm. More cycling to come this weekend as the clock ticks down to next Wednesday when I leave for two week’s cycling in Italy.

progress…

by 2 Comments

I am finished hooking Fireworks. The photo here was earlier today–now the small empty spot contains the number 12, there but not obvious, just for the record. It’s surprising how quickly we forget these things. I dyed the wool for the whipping today, a black/brown combo so that it will just look like another dark row on the outside. The rug is about 24 feet around the outside edge. Jennifer tells me that each foot of whipping takes one hour to complete! I will time my first foot and let you know. People often ask me how long it took to hook Fireworks–and truly, I prefer not to know. I do know that I have been at it, on and off, for almost two years, including dyeing the wool, drawing the pattern and hooking, hooking.
I also did some screenprinting today. I plan to make a denim tote with black leather bottom and handles. The dark prints below are for the inside pocket. While I was at it, I made a repeat of The Bird with Attitude. This is my favourite of all my bird images. However, I am soon to be working again with my favourite collaborator (so happy!)–so I’ll be drawing some new birds for the spring.  Check out the link to see Melanie’s wonderful watercolour album art!Tomorrow I hope to put my new house design on a chair seat–and begin hooking something more manageable. Lugging around Fireworks at the end was a little cumbersome!

a couple of special bags

by 4 Comments

In a comment she made on yesterday’s post, Wendie talked about the joys of handmade gifts. I agree and am busy at this time of year trying to make all my ideas a reality. At left is a small pouch made for a special friend. I hope to do more silk screening with words in the new year.

Below is Carissa’s birthday Keller bag. It is made of a strong green leather, big enough for her laptop and with many pockets, including a small on one the back for her keys. The zippers are from the green Michael Kors suit–I used every inch of that leather and now the zippers. They are stronger than anything that I can buy on the market–hurray for upcycling.

 

 

the lining is the best part

by 6 Comments

I made a few new bird with attitude pouches to take to the Gallery 121 xmas show along with some new mittens. I was thinking about why these little canvas pouches are so much fun to make. I like screening and then painting that cheeky bird–yes–but the most fun is choosing a lining, and I like to make each one different. I want the owner to have a smile when they open the pouch. The same is true of my leather bags–I always try to have a surprise inside–usually a bird peaking out at you with an impertinent look.

Linings are also key in my mittens. The outsides are made from assorted recycled sweaters which have been fulled–washed in hot water, rinsed in cold and popped in the dryer. This helps the fibres snuggle in beside one another to give the wearer added warmth. But the linings of these mittens are recycled scarves, always 100% wool and sometimes cashmere. The lining you see peeking out here is a scarf my dear friend June found for me in a thrift shop, a Ralph Lauren, complete with monogram, 100% wool made in Scotland.  The lining is the best part!

city revival 2 and some new pouches

by 1 Comment

This is bag #2 from the City Revival jacket. It is a smaller one, 9″ x 9″ x 3″. It is made from one side and a sleeve, so there is enough leather left (and a second zip pocket) for a second bag. But it will probably be different, because I have trouble making two things alike. I have yet to make a pattern for any of these bags. I try to record after they are made but my notes are scratches at best.

Below are the new Birdbrain pouches. Each is lined with a different batik fabric. They will be available at the upcoming shows. If you live in the area and are interested in coming, leave me a comment and I’ll give you the details.

 

screen printing and bright memories

by 7 Comments

What an outstanding day, made all the more by the reports of snow storms to the east! I spent the morning screen printing, listening to Michael Enright and the CBC 75th Anniversary special. So many memories. This afternoon I couldn’t resist the sunshine. When I came back inside I was inspired to make the pouch below. I gathered all my brightest scraps and sewed them together–the red skirt, the green jacket and the final pieces of the glorious Wendie cobalt.  It makes me smile!

 

birds with boots pouches

by 2 Comments

I’ve been making new pouches–here are a few. I find this size so handy for storing all the tech cords and chargers I seem to need. But I am also looking at some new sizes–longer and thinner for art supplies and tiny for ipod or camera.  I had lots of fun painting the images and matching the lining and leather tab. I’ll be putting some on Etsy soon.

some new things

by 7 Comments


Here are my new images which will end up on totes and bags. These boot-wearing birds are inspired by the trivet I got in France. And boots seemed fitting with the winter season coming on. I had lots of fun painting them and have visions of matching the boots to the leather trim on the totes.

In addition I got some new pottery at Clay Design, one of my favourite Toronto shops. The beautiful bowl and mug are by Denise Buckley–her colours and whimsical images are so appealing.

totes for bookhou show

by 2 Comments

I have made two sizes of totes for the show beginning this week. The mid-size totes shown in the first two pictures are approximately 13″ x 14″ x 5″, the large ones are 17″ x 16″ x 6″.

These are made of heavy-duty canoe canvas and trimmed in leather. Inside they each have a zippered pocket. Most have leather handles that are long enough to go over your shoulder, but the red one seemed like a good everyday bag, so I put on a long adjustable strap and snap closure.