Debbie Smyth

Debbie Smyth

Home Alone - Update

thoroughly clean the house (the spiders are writing me messages in the dust)
paint garden furniture undercoat done
knit a tea cosy
write a buisness plan big chunk drafted
complete a tax return
read a book
knit a ballerina mouse
work on my Black & White Fabric Book
knit a shrug for E she didn't like the pattern!
design, write, print and distribute a zine
sew my hexagons
watch football
sleep
catch up with friends
make a sewing box for E
set in sleeves of E's ballet cardigan

Sewing - Hexagons

The hexagons are sewn together... some better than others.  I need to remember to pull the whip stitch tighter.

I now want to add some applique...

I'm not sure how I'm going to add them...  I had thought I would use brightly coloured embroidery thread and use blanket stitch, running stitch etc and possibly add some further embellishment.

Looking at it, I'm now thinking I will simply 'circle' the flowers with black thread...

changes

I've been playing about with the 'new' blogger designer.  Its very easy to use and offers a lot more choice...  I have still stuck to a very basic theme.. although I was tempted by some polka dots...

Knitting - Angelina

A work in progress for E's fourth Birthday.

I'm using Debi Birkin's Design.  Shes a little bit wonky (as well as naked and armless...)

But then I'm coming to expect that with my knitting!

This is her tutu.  I need to knit 2 rows and purl 1 row for 51cm....  luckily its only 16 stitches but it could still take me a while...

Zines

A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced /ˈziːn/ "zeen") is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock.  A popular definition includes that circulation must be 5,000 or less, although in practice the significant majority are produced in editions of less than 100, and profit is not the primary intent of publication.  Wikipedia.

So, I ordered some zines - UK based ones for cheap P&P and speed.

One is a crafty one, one is a collection of observational drawings and one is an A-Z of sweet things.

Conclusions:-
prices vary but ~£2 plus 50p P&P for a small zine seems to be going rate.
Make sure the pages are bound - stapled or sewn
I like black and white line drawings (no surprise there!)
Make sure the pages are photocopied completely and clearly
I think I would like to add some hand stitching or colouring to my zine
I like the little extras - additional zine or personal note

Zine content varies alot! But I think mine will be list based...

Since starting my research I came across Katie Green (via Wild Olive) and her zine The Green Bean looks beautiful.... But it is a budget busting $9 (+$0.8 P&P)...  it is beautifully illustrated and looks like a keeper...

And then 74 Lime Lane linked to this post on Bang Back, where they proclaim Zines Matter (still).

Exhibition Opportunity

Staffordshire Arts and Museum Service would like to hear from textile artists who produce innovative 2D or 3D work around the theme of ‘Drawing with Thread’. Applications are encouraged from textile artists who explore the relationship between drawing and stitch.  Deadline is 1 September 2010

Exhibition dates 12 March – 8 May 2011.


found via FCA&C