Uncategorized

last days of rug hooking in Matangwe

February 20, 2015 by Birdbrain 3 Comments

Today is our ‘exhibition’ and my final day of Matangwe rug hooking. Everyone has been working very hard to get as many pieces as possible completed for today. Things have come together in this third week and I am overwhelmed by the quality of the technique and design. We had an order for 6 chairs seats and below you will see four contenders, plus one of my favourite bird mats, accurately depicting a Cordon Bleu, one of my favourite Matangwe birds. Many of the rug hookers have have progressed from copying a photo using the window as a light box, to designing scenes from their lives. We went shopping in Bondo for tshirts last week as we had run out of material for sky and grass. Turquoise is a favourite.

Uploading photos is a tedious business but I will try to do another post later today. We have over 30 pieces for the exhibiton and sale.

getting ready for Kenya 1

January 21, 2015 by Birdbrain 7 Comments

I am going to Kenya for a month to work with the local women on rug hooking. This is my fourth year in the village and my third year working with the women. I have a suitcase crammed with woollen worms and dyed pantihose and a few pieces of backing but hope to buy a bolt of backing in Nairobi as well as more clothing and jersey which can be cut in strips. If the project is going to be self-sustaining, it will be important to source the materials there.

I’ve been doing a little hooking in preparation. Some of the women became very proficient last year, and will be ready to go on to their own projects and designs. Others will be joining the group for the first time and will work through the practice pieces. Both both groups will produce small pieces which we will hope to sell.

Kenya is also a wonderful place for sketching and I intend to do as much as I can. I am paring down my kit into something that I can carry with me at all times in a small backpack. Since I will be away for a month, I need to take enough to last–so I have stocked up on Staedtler permanent and non-permanent markers–I have grown to like these very much –as well as the trusty Micron 05’s. I’ll take a couple of my favourite Lamy pens as well.And a final cup and saucer sketch. We were at my favourite café and the server heard my cough and raspy voice. Knowing I was going on a plane this weekend, she brought over her special ‘tea for colds’–lemon, cloves and honey. We were sitting in the window table, my favourite, and the tea was delicious and soothing so I celebrated the moment with a quick sketch. Yes I do love those yellow cups, but note for next time–include more of the surroundings in the sketch…btw the sketch below is done in my current sketchbook, Stillman and Birn Delta Series. Although I love the 7″x10′ size and the coil binding, I am not fond of the ivory colour. Seen compared to the while of the one above, my Kenya sketchbook, the hand.book 8.25×8.25, I realize how much I prefer the white paper.

sarah

December 20, 2014 by Birdbrain 1 Comment

I have been busy this week finishing up Christmas orders. And here is one I can share with you. Meet Sarah, a pink purse for a young teen. The instructions for the bag were specific: zippered pockets, pink but with another colour, shoulder strap. My timelines were short, so I had to use supplies I had on hand. Lucky I had this great pink polka dot leather, and two matching zippers, just perfect for Sarah. H 9″ W 10″ D 3.25″

recycled cashmere and wool

December 5, 2014 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

I’ve saved pieces of my favourite sweaters for the past few years and this last day or two I’ve been having fun combining them into into headbands and then lining them with fleece. Cosy! At bottom you see them paired with infinity scarves which are made from pieces of cashmere–deliciously warm and soft!

some more new things

December 2, 2014 by Birdbrain 1 Comment

I have been doing some screen printing and sewing with recycled leather making some sweet things: onesies with the bird with attitude front and centre, lucy canvas pouches, glasses/phone/makeup cases. and small change pouches.

some new things

November 29, 2014 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

Carissa is modelling some of the new things in the studio:

infinity scarves, in both cashmere and wool

incredibly warm mittens in various colours lined in wool and some trimmed in sheepskin

leather shoulder bags–here you can see green and purple

and a jumper made of black Geiger wool.

If you are in the vicinity and would like to come to the show December 7 1pm -4pm, , just let me know and I’ll give you directions. If you love something you see, let me know that too, and we can make arrangements.

kiwi traveller

November 27, 2014 by Birdbrain 3 Comments

I have gone through two travel pouches in the last couple of years–and found neither to be what I really wanted or needed. Both were cloth and picked up travel grime and neither were quite right in design. I wanted something that would give easy access to my passport and boarding pass but also have a secure spot for currency. Something I could wear around my neck securely in the airport but would transform to a little shoulder bag once I was moving about in the new location.

So…I came up with my own design. This is the prototype. It has an adjustable strap, two zipper pockets, exterior and interior, an open back pocket for boarding pass and two compartments inside for passport and other necessities. It is 7.5 x 8″, unlined kiwi leather with a magnetic snap closure.

sketching in Oaxaca

November 6, 2014 by Birdbrain 1 Comment

I love sketching and I love good coffee. Oaxaca gives wonderful opportunity to indulge in both. Yesterday, I spent the day walking, sketching, visiting cafes and walking some more. I carry my small plastic stool attached to my backpack–I make quite an odd sight for sure–but the stool allows me to sketch where I like and not rely just on cafes or benches., although there are lots of both in this city.

Above is my sketch from the charming cafe, La Organizacion, in the centre of the old city, just behind the beautiful Macedonia Alcala theatre–a great peach coloured building across the road. Below is a sketch from one of my favourite cafes, Alma de Cafe. This cafe, further north of the city centre, has only three tables and fitting my paints and sketchbook on the table is a squeeze, but the friendly atmosphere and delicious coffee and baking makes it well worth it. Alma herelf was there today and signed my book along with the other server, Araceli. And across the road is Neuroticos Anonimos in case I need it!

colours of oaxaca

November 1, 2014 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

Sketching anywhere in Oaxaca means you are not alone. People stop to take photos and ask questions, always politely interested. Here I am sitting in the Zocalo with very interested company.

The city is alive this weekend with celebrations of el Dia de los Muertos. Last night we joined the parades–brass bands, banners, fireworks, parents carrying children dressed as skeletons, catrinas and devils, others walkling alongside with white faces and dark eyes. There is a sense of reverence and awe combined with great celebration. We joined the crowds at the Panteon, a huge cemetary just outside the centre of town. Inside the walls there were endless candles and marigolds and sombre music and outside a carnival, including ferris wheel, games and wonderful street food. The adorable sponge-bob, below, had a skeleton face and tiny shining eyes peering from a slit in the striped box body.

Innsbruck

June 20, 2014 by Birdbrain 6 Comments

We visited the magical old city of Innsbruck (meaning bridge on the Inn River) with its notable Golden Roof, Rococo architecture and trompe l’oeil church ceiling. In the afternoon we climbed to high Alpine terrain, 2256 m, using the Hungerburg funicular and two cable cars. It was cold and barren up top with circling birds , a very few tenacious wild flowers and mountain goats for company.