Wednesday 4 August 2010

Papers, yarns and Patsy

I spent all day Sunday decorating papers ready for some new journals. I love the process but it's very time consuming. I build up so many layers of paint and then decorate them with stamping, more painting and doodles. Below are the beginning stages of some of the sheets.



I've also been making and adding tags to my latest journal.


Sometimes I buy balls of wool that have more than one type yarn in them. I like to separate them for different projects. I decided to wind the yarns onto a cardboard roll from inside the plastic wrap, I then tied some string to a small piece of bamboo skewer, dropped this down the centre of the roll and spread it out at the base. I then tied a knot into the top of the string and hung it on a hook with all of my other silks and ribbons. Instant colour and easy access.



I visited my friend Patsy last week and as usual came away so inspired. Patsy is hand stitching a beautiful quilt from some of her fabric scraps, Patsy, like me, so loves colour. She also makes wonderful bags, custom orders or off the shelf.




One of Patsy's fabulous bags


Below is Patsy's latest painting, her works are quite large. I love the people in the centres of the flowers.
It makes me want to get my paints out.



25 comments:

Joanne said...

I love the little flowers in Patsy's flowers too! And your stamps too Ro!

Heather said...

Patsy's work is such fun and her quilted piece is so full of colour and exuberance. Your journal pages and papers are as gorgeous as ever and that's a great tip for keeping threads and yarns in order. I keep mine in a box but then I can't see them all the time and sometimes forget what I have in there.

Rebecca Anthony said...

These colors are all so rich and beautiful! I really like what your doing with the journal pages. It's obvious that a lot and of love and passion goes into each and every page.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Love your background pages, if this is the result then it most certainly is worth the work you put into them! And what a great storage idea for yarns and the like, thanks for sharing that unique idea.

Terri Kahrs said...

Ro, your pages are always so rich and full. **sigh** They made my heart sing, and so does Patsy's work. Gorgeous quilt, and I adore her bag. Her beautiful flowers made my heart beat just a tick faster this morning too!!! By the way, your tip for using the cardboard rolls to hold your leftover bits of yarn is BRILLIANT!!! I was storing tiny rolls in plastic bags, but it's not working well. This idea is pure genius. Thank you!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

ArtPropelled said...

That rich burnt orange is so divine! Colours definitely effect one's mood. When i visit your blog I always feel bright and cheerful.

sue said...

Patsy's work is indeed lovely Ro and I can see why it appeals to you and inspires you! The depth of your papers is truly astounding and definitelt worth the effort -they are gems. Snappy idea for the yarn too!

Elizabeth said...

Your papers always make me drool!!! And make me wish yeat again for time travel to OZ!!! Your tags ar e delightful and I remember Patsy's amazing work from previous posts!!! Love that bag!! It seems that each of you inspires the other - what a fabulous relationship!!!

xxx said...

This is a beautiful post and I very much like your paper. It looks very luscious

Everything here is bright and attractive. I'm a bit of a colour junkie too.

Your posts are inspiring.
Thank you

Sophie Munns said...

Always so colourful and textural visiting with you...just getting myself into the process again after too many weeks caught up on other talks...the inspiration here is a great motivator - thanks Ro!
Sophie

Jen xo said...

oooh where to start :) i love your painted pages ans thats such a great idea fo your wools, i must sort mine out..

Patsy's painting is so cheery and i love her bag...

Jacky said...

Ro I think we should have a little *painting* get together!!! What a great post. Gorgeous, gregarious painting of Patsy's (wish she would start a blog).
Your papers and beads are wonderful. Always busy hands at Ro's house.

Jacky xox

Seth said...

Love all the vivid colors in this post. And those tags are mighty fine!

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Your pages are wild with color and I can tell the layers would take plenty of time...rich to behold along with the yarns!

JP said...

I love doing papers too - it does take ages and everywhere gets really untidy and my fingers end up as colourful as the papers!

Anonymous said...

Your colour palette embraces many hues and your depth of colour is superb Ro. Patsy's work is absolutely amazing. Adept, both with a paintbrush and a needle, Patsy creates pieces that are vibrant and they sing with her passion.

Lovey said...

Oh I love all the pretty colors!

Emma said...

I have my yarns stung out over my desk & others in an inspiring cascade but all those tiny balls of wool that I can't resist are hidden, what a good idea to bring them out.

Your papers are worth the effort, most definately foreground papers!
They still do it for me ;)

Love Patsys flowers on her bag.

Deborah said...

Your papers are beautiful. I love the colors in Patsy's quilt. How large is it?

Anonymous said...

great idea for storage - they will never be forgotten and lost like most of my stuff...

azirca said...

Wow.. such fabulous journal pages and a divine little bag from your friend Patsy.

Parabolic Muse said...

Okay, your surfaces are so neato. I love that, and I love the process of doing it. I don't know what your process is, but when I layer up on layer, I start to get in a meditative state.

I was just thinking of flowers with people in the middle! No kidding! And here it is, and it's better than what I thought of!! So cool.

rivergardenstudio said...

Your colors are gorgeous here, in your papers, your yarns and the fabric quilt... all exciting and exploding with life!! roxanne

Cynthia Schelzig said...

What wonderful color and excitement!! I will be back for more!!!!
Cynthia Schelzig

Karo said...

Is there a blog or website to see more of Patsy's bags?