Friday, January 29, 2010

What am I like 11/Hundredth post

I have been putting off posting for a few days, partly owing to extreme busy-ness, but also because the 100th post was looming and I got a bit, well, daunted.

I wasn't sure if I should be posting something earth shatteringly important witty and wise or whether it should just be another normal run of the mill slightly dull except when I'm describing one of my disasters kind of post.

So here we go dull as ditch water post here we come.

I've had a really busy week what with working 14 hour days and trying to finish my latest project on time, I am now so exhausted that I think my hands belong to someone else. Honestly, my fingers feel too big and I keep hitting the wrong keys on the keyboard. Next time I have a deadline I'm having the week off work. Properly, not, I'll not book any shifts in advance but do every single one that gets offered to me no matter how tired I end up getting.

So, the project went in on time, not without a couple of problems. I had to wash out the water soluble pen I had used to draw the illustration onto the fabric with. Then I had to re-stiffen the fabric afterwards because all the cellulose glue washed out of it with the pen. Then I had to hope that it would dry quickly enough for me to get it on the frame that I made at 11 pm last night (sorry about the sawing, banging and loud swearing noises neighbours, I promise that won't be happening again until May), I then had to stretch and staple the backing fabric into place. The piece hadn't dried last night, so at 7.30 this morning I was stapling it on top the backed frame. In a complete panic and rush, because i had to be at work for 9 to be naked in front of strangers for the morning.

So frame made, quick, disturbed panic stricken sleep, up at sparrow and lark fart, bath, staple to frame, wrap in bin bag to protect it in the car , off to work, stand still for 3 hours, then rush to college to hand it in with accompanying sketchbook and reference materials. Phew.

But now, of course, I have finished my project. My thumbs are twiddling already, because as those who know and still love me (I can see you, peeking out from behind the blast screens) I am incapable of not doing something with my time. A new deadline looms, from quite a distance really. It seems that looming from May might be a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but still it has the potential to loom at me. Plus I have an essay and presentation to write and a presentation workshop to do. And not forgetting all the things that my lovely friends want me to make for them because I am sooooo gifted at making stuff, and the pages for the travelling sketchbooks and making some more stock for sale. See. Can't stay still. Oh the pressure. Problem is with nothing to actually do I get very stressed and depressed and feel sorry for myself and get into a bit of a pickle. Living life in a jar of Branston is not my idea of fun, so on with the business of busy-ness.

Here's the finished project by the way. Hope you like it now you've seen it in progress. I have my fingers crossed for a good mark, but as usual will be delighted with a pass and wonder why I deserved a distinction! Contrary me I know.

So for the first big number post, not too shabby, strangely quirky in places and not too dull. Moderate success I announce.

Now to await the return of the boy with my junk food and a nice cuppa tea to drink while i am waiting.

6 comments:

Quilt Architect said...

I like you art work...I can tell it is done with thread but I can't tell if you hand stitched it or did it some other way. It is very nice and interesting.
I think you should get a good grade.
I'll give you an A.

The fearless threader said...

It's all hand stitched, and I really glad you like it. I always feel that what I make isn't interesting to other people.

sukipoet said...

It is gorgeous, with the beads, looks at a distance like a black and white drawing. Love the hanging threads too and the subject of the picture. Boring?? Everything you say is fascinating. I want to tell you to take a breather though. Whew! by the way I tried the tuna fish cakes and enjoyed them. an inexpensive meal.

The fearless threader said...

Hi Suki, I wanted it to be a simple line drawing in stitch. There are some fantastic textile artists working like this at the moment. No beads on it though, all black sewing cotton! All hand stitch! All driven me insane trying to get it finished, but I am really proud of it.

Glad you like the tuna fishcakes.

Ekaterina Netchitailova said...

Hey Sam,

don't forget to chill out as well! You also need to relax and just do nothing sometimes, - as usually it's a good preparation for the next creative sparkle!

The fearless threader said...

I'm having a day off on thursday, going to the seaside to get some fresh air and new inspiration.