Paper Collage Tutorial, Part Two

So, are you ready to have some fun?  Have you collected some papers?  Before you go any further I suggest you choose one of about three different sorts and screw them up.  Yes, screw them up!  Did that feel good?  It soon will.  Prepare your work surface.: Lay out some newspaper and cover it with your piece of polythene.  Find your brush(es) and put some water into your container, you don't want to drench your brush so be frugal.

Choose your colouring media.  I suggest something like diluted dyes, Brusho or coloured inks to begin with.  You can use water colours too, but you must be more heavy handed than usual, you want a good depth of colour.
Start with  a clean sheet of paper and just put some colour on.  This picture shows a piece of the wet strength tissue.  Can you see on the left  how the colour is starting to 'bleed' into the  surrounding area?  I love the way this happens, it makes the transition between colours so much more gentle than on other surfaces.

Add more water to the colour, just a little, and applied with the brush

It will spread and the mismatched strokes become more integrated.  Add other colours and more water until the page is covered

Before leaving it to dry you can take prints from the surface, sometimes two or three, just cover with another sheet (it could be a different sort of paper) and press gently all over with the back of your hand.  Don't worry if these papers aren't fully covered at this stage.

Put them to dry and paint some more.  You can never have enough, you will want plenty to choose from so have fun colouring as many as you have room to dry!  Don't stick to your favourite colours only, mix and match and start to produce a good stock.   Don't forget the crumpled papers too, they will take the colour slightly differently.  When they are dry they can be ironed on the reverse to flatten them.  They will curl initially, but don't worry about this.

Enjoy, and watch out for part three coming soon.

Part one is here

Thursday Theme - Autumn

Wordless Wednesday

Paper Collage Tutorial, Part One

Several people have asked how I make my collaged landscapes.  This is the first in a small series of posts explaining the process. 

What is collage?  The dictionary defines it like this:

'An artistic composition of materials and objects pasted over a surface, often with unifying lines and colour.'

I'd like to explain why I do them.  Firstly, they are fun.  Secondly they are relatively easy to do.  Lastly they are an excellent way of playing with and learning about colour.  Importantly, the lessons learnt will apply to other techniques using paint, paper, fabric etc.

The process begins with the paper.  All the papers that I use have been individually hand coloured.  I use a variety of media for this including dyes, watercolour, diluted acrylic paint, crayons and pencils.  I also use a variety of papers, typing, cartridge, various tissues, and magazine pages.  My favourite is a type of wet-strength tissue this is not one of the Tissutex family but another acid free, archival product.  It is not necessary to use this but if you would like some you can obtain it here (there is also a link in the sidebar).  I also use a variety of techniques to colour the paper, but for the purposes of the tutorial we will only use the simplest and quickest technique.  Maybe there will be an opportunity to look at another technique in the future.

You will also need a workstation, a drying area and a few tools.  This does not need to be large or complicated.  It is possible to create many effects using only a small space, and, although not ideal, I sometimes  need to work in a very cramped area.  Gather together a piece of polythene (I use a large bag), a paintbrush and a water container.  I don't use a jam jar, I use a shallow dish (the cover from a filter coffee serving is ideal), this helps to regulate the amount of water as I usually don't want to use too much.  You may also need a knife or scissors to cut or tear the paper into manageable pieces.  Gather these bits and pieces together and have them ready.  In a day or two I will post the next part, actually colouring the paper.  If you have any questions or queries leave a comment and I will try to answer them.

Part two is here

Wet Strength Tissue

Later today or tomorrow I will post the first in a short series of collage tutorials. The paper that I use most often is a special tissue that is acid free and has good 'wet strength. Apart from using it for collage it can also be used for mixed media techniques including textile/fibre art, altered books etc. IT IS NOT TISSUTEX or TISSUTEXPLUS. It is a completely natural product made using plant fibres.

You can purchase some by using either the button below or the one in the sidebar.

W S Tissue

5 Sheets including carriage £7.50 10 Sheets including carriage £13.75 20 sheets including carriage £23.00

Monday Memories - Did I tell you I love figs?

It was my brother's 21st birthday. We had all gathered at a big fancy restaurant for dinner. How fancy? Well, I was wearing a long dress and long gloves! It must have been pretty fancy, but my dress would not have disguised the fact that I was pregnant. Apart from ourselves and my brother, my parents, and two uncle and aunts were there, along with a couple of cousins. We had great fun, lots of chatter, lots of wine including champagne (I'm trying to set the scene here!). The dishes were served silently, coming and going with an effortless ease. We didn't really notice the waiters, it was a really special evening.

I have no memory of the first or main course. They must have been good, or I would have remembered them as bad. Finally the dessert menu was presented, and I chose fresh figs. Well......

It now transpired that the Maitre d' was Greek. He suddenly went into ecstasy mode.! The whole restaurant became silent and everyone looked in our direction. 'Madame! Madame! Madame, she want figs! Madame, she want fresh figs! She want FIGS! She is pregnant and she want FIGS! In my country, we know when a lady want figs when she is pregnant, she is expecting a boy. More champagne! She is expecting a boy.' He went on in this vein for some time, the whole restaurant cheered, and we did indeed get a free bottle of champagne. I duly ate my figs and went home.

Three months later I gave birth to our daughter.

Friday Food!

Sometimes we need food for the soul, and also for the spirit.  This week I have been indulging in delicious food, so having had my fill I'm going to tell you how I have been otherwise 'fed' this week!  Sorry if you were expecting a recipe.....

How can you fail to be inspired when you take a course set in scenery as beautiful and serene as this?

West Dean College is part of the Edward James Foundation, and is set in the midst of this beautiful countryside.  I have taken several courses here, but this week I was able to attend one that I have wanted to do for a number of years.

I was first introduced to Cas Holmes several years ago when she gave a day workshop to my exhibiting group, 'Mixed Media Group'.  She introduced a new way of looking at textiles, and when I had the opportunity and the free time to attend a longer course I was delighted.  West Dean College is full of beautiful artefacts etc, and is a delight to attend.  (Yes, the food is good too!)

We began by taking  a piece of fabric and stitching into it.  This is actually quite scary when you don't know what you will be doing!  After that we produced interesting surfaces by monoprinting, overpriniting, painting and tinting.  We used fabrics and papers, often being presented with little 'gifts' by the tutor which we had to incorporate, and searched out leaves, twigs and branches from the grounds to use as prinitng tools.  Carving our own stamps was also part of the course, but I have done this before and had some of my own with me.    Everyone had produced a vast selection of prints and patterns.  Some had been overprinted, and distorted in a number of ways, all were interesting and many a total surprise. 

Next we  pieced and patched (not traditionally).  Somehow that  previously stitched piece fitted in exactly!  Later each piece was looked at again, partly taken apart, reformed, repieced, unpatched....!!!!  It was great fun, and everyone produced exciting surfaces.  The first full day sped by, and at 10pm we left the workshop tired but happy!

Stitching began in earnest after breakfast.  It was exciting to see the surfaces change again.  The truly exciting thing about Cas's technique is that it is very easy to deconstruct the surface.  This means that you can constantly add and take away as you feel the need.  This first one I completed  was slashed into three, and now I know an easy way to find out if it will work before actually taking the scissors to it, but as that is the tutor's technique I don't think it would be fair to describe it here.

The printed background fabric was one of the pieces given to me by the tutor, and I have to admit that I had no idea how I was going to use it as it didn't seem to be in the same vein as my printed surfaces, however, it was perfect for this piece, and the lines of monoprinting fitted exactly to the curves of the constructed landscape.

The second finished piece went through several different stages.  It incorporates that piece of stitching that was done first!  It was also partly deconstructed and added to another pre-formed section.  This is the result.

I have one more piece on which I am still working, but you will have to wait to see that!  Finally, and just for good measure, here is the view from my bedroom window.

I even found the rooftops inspiring!

Thursday Theme - Favourite

Monday Memory, Or the Tale of a Pig

This is a true story.

Once upon a time there was a pig. We will call him Monty.

Monty lived on a farm, and, although he was well cared for, he sometimes got lonely because his only companions were cows and turkeys. Sometimes Monty would go for a walk in the hope that he would find another pig to talk to, but the farmer always found him before he had time to get very far.

One sunny day Monty shook the pigsty door until it opened. Walking across the farmyard he pushed yet another hole through the hedge and began to walk along the lane. He was big and fat, so he walked slowly, sniffing the air for interesting smells, especially as his eyesight was poor. He could see a shadow ahead, and as he approached he could tell that it smelt interesting.

It was a car with the boot up, but Monty didn't recognise it as such, to him it smelt like a food trough, for languishing in the boot was a large sack of horse feed. Monty didn't know that the feed was only meant for horses, he thought it had been put there just for him, so with an enormous amount of effort he pulled himself into the boot and began to devour the feed, packaging and all. It was delicious, and he was really surprised when suddenly there was much commotion and the farmer arrived with a very irate man who demanded compensation! Without ceremony Monty was returned to the lonely pigsty.

Holes in the hedge were reinforced and an extra strong bolt was put on the pigsty door. Monty was fed more than usual, but that was no problem, he could always find space for another morsel. But one day he began to feel lonely again, and he knew what he had to do.... With enormous effort he pulled himself over the door of the pigsty. He fell with a bump, but although a little sore he walked towards the hedge. He felt a little like an Olympic pole vaulter, he felt that he had set a record for pigs, the hedge would be easy, in spite of reinforcements.

He began to walk along the lane. The sun was shining, and that shape was there again. Monty sniffed the air. Sure enough, it was waiting with food for him. However, when he got there he discovered that the food was covered up! (The boot was closed). Now what to do? The more he sniffed the air the more he wanted the food. How could he get to it? Monty was a resourceful pig, he walked around the car sniffing as he went. As he got to the driver's door the smell intensified. Hooray, someone had thoughtfully left the driver's window open. Here was a way in.

Getting through the window was not easy, but having done so Monty was in heaven. On the back seat was a sack of horse feed, exactly the same as the one he had eaten before! Such delight! He chomped his way through it. It was delicious! (Isn't forbidden food ALWAYS the sweetest?). When finished he sat for a moment to make sure that nothing was left, the smell of food was still strong, although nowhere in sight. Yes, he could still smell something, and then he realised that the smell was coming from behind the seat. Sure enough, there was another sack in the car boot, but how could he get to that?

The pig who had scaled the pigsty door, pushed through reinforced hedge AND climbed in through a car window knew no limitations. It wasn't very tasty, but Monty now began to tug and tear at the back of the seat, and before long he had access to the rest of the food. Once he had his head far enough through to eat he stopped pushing and just ate. He thought he was in heaven before, but this must be it, because there were two sacks waiting for him. Delicious!

When he had finished, however, Monty began to panic. He was now firmly wedged with his head and shoulders stuck through the back seat and his rear end jammed up against the back of the front seats. He couldn't move... How was he going to get out? He began to twist from side to side in the hope that he could free himself, but this only served to make the car rock, and this rocking drew the attention of a passing postman.

Car owner and farmer were duly summoned. More compensation was demanded, Monty heard the words, but didn't know what they meant. What had he done wrong? The farmer bundled Monty into a trailer and off they went. Regrettably, not to the pigsty.....

Friday Food

Chocolate Upside Down Cake

Prepare as follows:

Part 1

Mix together in a bowl:

1 tablespoon of cocoa

Scant 2 ozs (50g) chopped nuts (I use freshly chopped walnuts, but any nuts or nut mix will do)

Scant 1 oz (20g) Demerara sugar.

Part 2

Boil the kettle ready for Part 3. While it is boiling:

Heat the oven to 350 deg F (180 deg C)

Mix well together in another bowl the following ingredients:

4 ozs (125 g) soft margarine

4 ozs (125 g) sugar

2 eggs

4 ozs (125g) Self Raising (All Purpose) Flour

1 rounded tablespoon cocoa.

Part 3

Make up half a pint (0.3 L) of STRONG coffee (use approx 3 teaspoonsful if using instant) and 20g (scant 1 oz) sugar. Stir well.

Part 4 - Trust me!

Grease a 2 pint (1.5L) pudding bowl.

Add the well mixed Part 2

Sprinkle Part 1 on top.

Finally, and as quickly as possible, pour the coffee mix of Part 3 on top. Pop it into the oven before you have time to panic that you have done it wrongly and wait for 50 minutes before you are tempted to open the door.....

When it is cooked - turn it out onto a serving plate and serve hot or warm with either vanilla icecream or cream

Enjoy.

PS  For those of you that have asked about Demerara sugar there is a listing on Wikipedia, or you can read about it HERE

Thursday Theme - Tiny

I'm not sure if this counts as tiny! It was however very small! It was a very cold damp day and if the spider had any sense it had gone for tea in front of the fire with its mother! It was nowhere in evidence. These threads were so fine they were almost invisible.

Wordless Wednesday

Take me to your leader Part 2

I promised that I would give you the answer to the mini puzzle!

Do you remember the picture that I posted for Wordless Wednesday?

Do you see the helmet on the left?

Can you see the ear piece?

Turn it 180 degrees

And there he is.......

Take me to your leader ....................

Friday Food

Are you feeling hungry?  Do you like pancakes/crepes?  This recipe is delicious, quick and easy.  Make sure you read the instructions to the end - it would be a shame to miss out on the last ingredient!

Make enough pancakes in advance so that there are two (or more) for each person.  Leave them to cool in a stack until you need them.  They can even be frozen and defrosted.

When you are ready to serve them make half a pint of STRONG coffee.  Sweeten it with approx 2 teaspoons of sugar, you can add more if you have a sweet tooth and add one measure of brandy.

Find a large sturdy frying pan or skillet.

Take the pancakes and fold each one in half, then in half again.  Lie them in the pan as evenly spaced as you can and pour the coffee mix over the top.  Gently poach until they are hot, you can always do them in two batches if you are quick.

Place a serving of pancakes on each plate.  (Allow the sauce to continue bubbling while you do this, it will intensify the flavour). 

As quickly as possible, and while the pancakes are still hot, gently open the fold to make a small pocket.  Into this insert a scoop of cold, creamy icecream....

Spoon the hot sauce on top and enjoy!

(Can you leave it at only two?)

Take me to your leader....

Reading this online article I realised that I had the ideal photograph.

Any guesses?

Thursday Theme: Large

This week's Thursday Theme is 'Large'.

This side view of Urchfont Manor was taken last weekend.  We are back this weekend to sell our stock to another group of students.

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday - Time to Learn a New Skill?

Fancy doing some crafting? Here are some instructions. I can't wait to see your interpretations.



Instructions for ease



1 Imagine and execute original design ideal. Suitability for finished article must be mindful throughout. Time taken is immaterial as enjoyment is of the utmost.



2 Prepare finished design for inlay. Regard suitable size and rough edges. Too much must be removed.



3 Glue must be applied being careful of excess stickiness resulting in over-indulgence. Be mindful of back flap which must be free and front flap which must not.



IMPORTANT: Front flap will be middle flap when design ideal inserted to space. Ensure no confusion occurs.



4 Paper insert should be inserted ensuring that inset is inserted inset.



5 If all else is failing, original design ideal may be out-taken space from glossy magazine. Using scissors proceed as of 2



For obstructions in other languages please send addressed stamp.

Monday Memory

As you read down this post you will find a long gap. Before you scroll further to read my memory for this Monday I would like you to search into your own. Do you have children? If not, consider a memory from your own past that fits into this scenario...

Think about an occasion - maybe long ago - when your child (or you) was very naughty.....

You don't have to make any admissions here, these thoughts are private, just bring something to mind before you read on.

Here begins the gap.
















And here it ends....

In the following narrative the names have been changed to protect the innocent! The story, however, is true.

Several years ago we lived in a small community. Our children were very small, in fact our youngest was barely walking. There were few local playmates, but there was one little boy who lived across the road. We will call him John. He led a very protected and sheltered life, and it was unusual for him to be allowed to play with other children, however, our daughter had obviously passed whatever test was set, and she was often invited over to play by his mother whom we will call Susan.

One morning, after only about half an hour there was a knock on the door. Susan was standing at the door holding our DD's hand, and clutching John firmly to her bosom. I could see that something was wrong, but couldn't imagine what it could be. The story unfolded....

DD had found a pair of scissors and had cut John's hair. She had never done anything like it before, and has not done anything like it since. To be honest, as I looked, I couldn't see anything wrong with the hair, but I was appalled that she had done such a thing. She was suitably chastised, and I presumed that the relationship with the family had been severed for ever. Certainly relationships were cool for the rest of the month. One morning, however, at coffee time the doorbell rang. Susan was standing on the step, John firmly in tow. I invited them in. DD was delighted to see him, and before long they were playing happily together.

On the afternoon of the incident Susan had taken John to a child's birthday party. All the mothers had oohed and aahed over the haircut and requested the name and address of the barber! Family members had also expressed delight at how good his hair looked when they attended a wedding the next day, in fact, although she had never admitted that it had been cut by a four year old, the general concensus was that John had never looked so smart or like a boy. We ended up laughing about the whole incident, and we still chuckle over it to this day.

The moral? Well, all children are naughty, and maybe your child has just done something you would rather forget. However, I'm fairly certain that sometime in the future you too will be able to regard it with a certain amount of amusement, without condoning the action either at the time or now. Memory is a wonderful thing....

Sunday Summary

Another Sunday, another week has passed, and as usual it has been busy. However, it was busy in a different way. As mentioned in last week's summary the central heating engineers arrived on Wednesday, so the early part of the week was spent in preparation.

It was important to move as much furniture and stock so that access was available to all radiators. The boiler is actually situated in the kitchen, so that also meant that this room was out of bounds during the days we had a 'visitation'. Preparation in this area was obviously rather important! We had to eat, albeit without any fancy trimmings, and we needed access to tea and coffee AND biscuits. Oh yes, biscuits - chocolate biscuits, but to find out more - read on! If the weather obliged it would be salads for us!

So, on Tuesday the essentials of central heating were duly delivered and deposited in the garage. The easy part was now done! More boxes were moved, stacked and left accessible for any orders that might materialise during the proceedings. Furniture was also moved and by late on Tuesday evening all was prepared. Wednesday came, promptly at 8am so too did the plumber, a hose was attached to the system and 'drain down' began. By Wednesday evening all was going according to plan......

Thursday dawned and work progressed. It became apparent that all was not well. We had one hot radiator, a couple of lukewarm ones, and the rest were decidedly cold. Now was the time for chocolate biscuits, not for us, but for the workmen. They scratched their heads, they pulled, they pushed, ate more biscuits, drained the system and refilled. Nothing worked, and that is still the situation, and we await to see what happens. Once again we have 'foxed' the heating engineers, something, somewhere is wrong, but no-one can find it. The central heating is currently running, but not properly, and we are in the middle of a 'cleanse' to see if that will help.

Friday was a bit of an anticlimax I admit. We spent the day hauling bits and pieces back into position, well, not quite because it will have to be moved again at some point. I babysat in the evening, I enjoyed it but Jack was too good and didn't wake, so I didn't get a cuddle! I did take a sneaky peak, though, and he's still gorgeous! Saturday involved more moving and also loading the car because today we had a return visit to Urchfont Manor. Lynn Horniblow and Janet Crowther were the tutors, but the place was also overrun with motorcyclists there for their annual training session. It was quite surreal, but we have seen it before and no doubt they well be back next year!