Saturday 27 October 2007

Textile Challenge/ October Challenge - Vessel

This month's Challenge for the Textile Challenge Group is to construct a 3D vessel. Well, still in my 'fantasy' mode (which I will be for quite a while) I decided to try my hand at an oil lamp! The fabric is built up from a piece of felt with painted garden fleece stitched into it and then blasted with a heat gun. Unfortunately it was the wrong sort of felt, and didn't melt, but the garden fleece did, which made a nice crunchy surface. I then painted it bright red (don't ask why!) then started attacking it with all sorts of other paints, and finally with a pearly paint. (click on the pic. to see closeup of the surface) I then ironed some fusibile web on the back, and stuck some crunched up dark grey tissue paper down, to cover up all the mess!! I then cut out the pieces for the lamp (four in all, two sides, a top piece and a gusset piece for the bottom) and hand and machine stitched it all together. Then I edged most of the seams with a hand dyed flat metallic knitting yarn, put some beads on the inner edge - job done! The little felt knob represents where the flame would be!
I thought I would include these Faery Shoes as well, as part of the Challenge. Well they are 3D, and could be termed as vessels! They are about 3" long, and made from a pattern by Annette Emms, published on Workshop on the Web way back in March 2005! Again, felt based, covered in Indian cotton fabric, stitched etc. and the soles painted, to give them rigidity.

15 comments:

Doreen G said...

Holy Cow Val what an amazing work of art you have created here.
And the little slippers are adorable.

Donna said...

love the incredible texture you've achieved, even if it didn't all work the way you'd envisioned. ;-)

sharon young said...

Hi Val
I just found your blog via Debbi Baker, what a treat!
Your lamp and slippers are beautiful and so is your small book!
You obviously have great talent. I was delighted to see your wall quilt, I did a fantasy quilt a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. You've achieved a great sense of 3D and Wonder! I love it.
I shall look forward to being a regular visitor.
Love the NO HOUSEWORK rule.

Joanna said...

I love these little fairy shoes...now where is the fairy they belong too? Very sweet.

Unknown said...

Wonderful little fairy shoes!!! They need the fairy wand to go with them!!!!

Carol said...

Lovely Val, so nice to see how you went about this, also thanks for your lovely comments on my blog, everytime I go to reply i get the demon mailer!

Jeanette Nord said...

Oh my....the shoes are SO lovely! Wow Val you are so talented. Ans inspiring! I must try to make a pair of shoes myself....

Have a lovely week!

Lots of love
Jeanette

Purple Missus said...

The lamp is fabulous Val, especially the 'crunchy surface'. I love the way you say you 'attacked' the piece with all sorts of paint.
And the Faery shoes are absolutely gorgeous.I bet you've got loads of people looking through their back issues and making these now - I know I will. :)

Unknown said...

You must have a secret way of attacking fabric because your work is amazing!

Dianne said...

The genie lamp is gorgeous - great texture. I'm sure those faery shoes will fit me.......(I only have small feet).

Debbi Baker said...

Hi Val - Just catching up on my blog reading and my goodness what a feast for the eyes on your blog! Everything is so interesting and so beautiful - the lamp is just perfect and I love knowing all the layers that went into it! Cheers and happy creating...

Carol said...

Wow! Stunning Val. They are fabulous.

jenclair said...

Magical!

Sarah Nopp said...

These are so beautiful. And the dimensions are wonderful. Intimidating a bit, but so sweet.

theresa martin said...

The lamp and slippers are beautiful!
Theresa