Sunday 4 August 2013

August - just

Here you see a picture of Marvin with four teeth...
... and here he is Friday with no teeth. A runny nose and a visit to the vet confirmed he had an abscess on one tooth and the other three were pretty poor so rather than put him through another anaesthetic in the future, it was decided to take them all out.
He has recovered amazingly quickly and is just about back to normal, just sleeping a it more, which means about 22 out of 24 instead of 21!

The weather has been a lot more comfortable and the garden is bursting. There have been lots of bumble bees, couldn't resist snapping a few.






The poppy has finished blooming and the seed heads are drying upside down in a paper bag.
They are irrestistable as subject matter, but I wanted to try to put my own take on them.


I made a card rubbing plate and used candle wax as a resist. In the enable above I colour washed the paper first.



Of course I had to create a few sketchbook pages too.



I bought myself a packet of TAP Transfer Artists Paper, it is like Tee Shirt transfer but you can not only print on it with you ink jet, but you can paint and draw on it too and you can use it in fabric, paper, wood, metal and glass.

Here I have used a photo I took of an old door, it has transferred perfectly. However the fabric is stiffened by the transfer. I thought I'd try a small whole cloth journal quilt and made a start, but now I need a bigger range of threads. Not sure when I shall get to the shops. 


I still haven't made my mind up about visiting the Festival of Quilts this week. I shall regret it if I don't go, but my back has been giving me a bit of trouble so I'm dithering.
Whatever you're doing this week, have fun.
Jill


12 comments:

Marigold Jam said...

Oh pool Marvin! Glad to know it isn't only Thomas who sleeps so many hours each day - they'd make a fine pair!

Love your art work although I am out of my depth reading about how you achieved the results!

There will be sure to be many pictures on various blogs from the Quilt show if you don't go you can see them there in the comfort of your own home!!

Joanna said...

Poor Marvin, I hope he recovers quickly and copes with his dinners. Small Cat wonders if he's overdoing it a bit, being awake for 2 hours a day ;)

I love your poppy seed head pages - I must have a go at doing the wax resist, you've achieved such a great effect!

I've heard of TAP and it's very interesting to see it in use. Something else to go on the wishlist!

Sorry to hear your back is giving you bother - as much as you want to go to the F of Q, you KNOW you'll pay for it with back pain later!

x

Jee said...

poor Marvin - though it always amazes me how quickly animals bounce back from treatment. Hope he's feeling better soon. I 'm going to Festival of Quilts on Thursday so let me know if you go then.

Su said...

Poor Marvin, glad he's recovering well though. I love your poppies - I keep looking at mine meaning to do something with them....

vintagerockchick said...

Goodness, I've been catching up on blogs - you've been very productive. I love the poppy seed head drawings, I collected some poppy seeds myself yesterday and saved the 'empties' with the intention of drawing them.
And please bring along your Sandra Beech piece to the next guild, I have finally started one myself! Gill

Clare Wassermann said...

Lovely to see these poppies in your sketchbook...eternally a great subject matter. How are you finding blogging? I'm wondering if facebook is taking over for a lot of people?

Gina said...

I just love those poppy sketchbook pages. Glad to Marvin is okay.

Maggi said...

Glad that Marvin has recovered so quickly. Cats are amazingly resilient. Your sketchbook work is lovely, as is the piece that you have started with the TAP.

Hope you feel fit enough for FOQ although it can be a daunting place if you are not 100%

LAC EMP 2020 said...

What that poor cat has to go through! How will he manage without those teeth? Never having had a cat I don't know if he relies on those for chewing or whatever? Good to hear he's recovered well.I can't imagine you not going to FOQ as you enjoyed it so much last year but if your feet or your back are killing you I imagine an exhibition hall in the heat is the last place you want to be.

Catherina said...

I wonder too how the poor cat is going to eat. do you have to start liquadizing his food?
I love your sketchbook and the old door.

Emma said...

Hope Marvin's been recovering well over the past few weeks ;)

Lovely poppy & beautiful sketchbook work, so many different applications.
Wonderful piece of scrim & velvet - wish I had an EG group up here, it's een suggested I start one.....!

Linda Vincent said...

Oh POOR Marvin....no more crunchy biscuits I guess?

Your art work is so lovely; I especially like the painted seed heads.