Wednesday 24 February 2010

The last two tiles and Happy Birthday Mum.

The tile design above was traced onto tissue paper and worked over several layers of painted nappy liner. I then zapped it with the heat gun to give more texture to the central area, used an automatic stitch to make the border and zigzagged it onto the page.
This design came from a photocopy transferred to the fabric background using the Bondaweb method. I painted Puff Paint onto the body of the eagle and heated it to raise the texture, then added the terracotta colour with a Sakura Glaze pen and sprayed it with Moonshadow Mist. Split silk carrier rods were added to form a border and stitched down with an automatic stitch then zigzagged to the page. He looks a bit like an oven ready chicken, but these are all experimental rather than 'proper' pieces and serve as a good reminder for future reference.

The cover is made from 'fabric paper' made following Beryl Dean's instructions. I lined it with dyed fabric and bound the edges with ribbon. The central panel is made from foil chocolate wrapper bonded to felt and a shrink plastic lion motif is stitched in the centre. The letters are from a sheet of decorative adhesive alphabet tiles.


I found a tiny padlock which I thought would be fun to fasten the book - it threads through two tiny clear plastic rings. I would rather have had brass ones but these are not too obtrusive.

I even remembered to make a note of all the techniques and materials I used and put them into a little book which slots into a pocket in the inner lining/end paper. You're probably sick and tired of hearing about medieval tile designs but you can relax now - that is the end of them.
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Today is my mother's 102nd birthday though I'm not sure she knew what all the fuss was about. I went to see her with one of our daughters and while we were there our eldest daughter arrived with her daughter and her two children aged six months and two and a half. We filled one corner of one of the Care Home lounges with our five generations. There were no other residents in that lounge so we didn't disturb anyone. If I had known that we would all have been there together I would have taken the camera with me. The baby is being christened on Sunday and I am very relieved that it has turned a bit milder - my best bib and tucker is not as warm as all the layers I have been bundled into recently.


16 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

That book is exquisite Heather - how about your own workshop on the web so that we can practise the techniques - you make it sound so easy. Congrats to your Mum on reaching 102 - we have a lady of 105 in our village, who still lives alone and attends church on Sundays. She is twig thin - I somehow think that is an asset at her age.

Annie said...

Really love your tiles. What talent your have. Happy Birthday Mum. What a wonderful age :-)
A x

Carol Q said...

beautiful creations Heather, you are so skilled with the needle.
congrats to your mum. hope you have a lovely christening.

Unknown said...

The book is beautiful Heather, have really enjoyed seeing all your pages.
Congratulations to your mum

Clare Wassermann said...

wow 5 generations - that's incredible. I never even managed to have grandparents! Love your tile piece - very innovative xx

Jane said...

This is beautifully finished - I love the padlock and mini book. And 5 generations together - amazing.

Doreen G said...

Beautiful work Heather and your fabric paper isawesome.
Love the tiles you mad also.
5 generations is amazing.

Heather said...

In my explanation as to how I made the book cover I wrongly stated that I had followed Beryl Dean's instructions for fabric paper. Of course I should have said Beryl Taylor's instructions. Doreen Grey very tactfully sent me an email to point this error out, but I must put it right here. I expect you thought 'poor old soul, we know what she means'!!

Julie said...

Beautiful work Heather and you make it sound deceptively easy. congratulations to your Mum on her special birthday and have a lovely day on Sunday. I'll order some sunshine for you :o)

Carol said...

The book is gorgeous.

Five generations in one room, how wonderful is that !!!!

Jackie said...

A wonderful climax to your tile posts. Beautiful work.
I hope you take after your Mum and will be blogging on and past being 102..

Maureen said...

What a beautiful book Heather, I love that cover!!! well done. I have Viv visiting sat afternoon so looking forward to lot's of crafty chat etc - be a nice way to pass a horrible february afternoon.

Totalfeckineejit said...

A beautifully crafted book Heather.ANd a very Happy birthday to your mum.I'm amazed at her great age 102 is unbelievable!And having all the generations around her must have been lovely.

Heather I was hoping to put your 'Come fly with me' into the Poetry Bus magazine.It's a magic little poem.
If that is okay, would you, when you get a chance, put a short paragraph about yourself (also for the mag) in my comments box?

Linda Vincent said...

I am totally in awe of your creation...the cover is amazing; so neat and beautifully finished.
I agree with Jackie; I hope you'll blog for many more years and keep us entertained! Happy Bithday to your mum.....
x

Ann Christy said...

A really beautiful book Heather. How amazing that your mum is 102 - I am really surprised your haven't got her into blogging!!!
how lovely to have so many members of your family together spanning a range of generations.

BT said...

Wow, how busy you've been Heather. And your Mum is 102, that's amazing. How lucky to still have her around at your age. My mum died aged 68 - far too young and now 30 years ago.

Your tiles are just wonderful. What an amazing book.