Well, I didn’t write on Monday because I was desperate for a day out - I went to South Queensferry to look in awe at the Forth bridges and be buffeted by sea winds. I toyed with the idea of missing this week but it’s been playing on my mind, so here we are, fashionably late to the party!
These are the finished kittens from last time. Although I’ve made many before using the same pattern, I’m particularly pleased with this group. They had a lot more time spent on them - it’s hard to calculate exactly because each individual one is not made in a linear process…it’s a bit of painting here, a bit of sewing there but my best estimate is a couple of hours work for each when you factor in painting the fabrics, knitting and stitching their fancy collars, picking out their mother of pearl buttons and sewing their eyes and whiskers, not to mention sewing, stuffing them and then hand-stitching their wee bottoms closed with the tiniest of hand stitches! I wouldn’t go to that bother unless I loved it. I love that they are completely unique and I try very hard to make them the best quality I’m capable of.
The main fabric is Antung silk. It’s is a thin, closely woven material, which I’ve been hoarding for 20 years. I have a suitcase full of offcuts, saved from the bin from when I worked in a lampshade factory. It was perfect for making crisply pleated shades and also the perfect surface for applying acrylic inks. Once heat set by ironing, the colour is fully bonded to the fabric, which remains flexible. For these cats I’ve backed the silk with white cotton for added strength.
So why the psychedelic spattered paint? That might have something to do with playing White Rabbit that morning. Check out that trippy backdrop! I love the power of Grace Slick’s vocal so decided to name this little one after her. Then carried on the theme with the others, named after:
Julie Driscoll
Jimi Hendrix
Mariska Veres
Janis Joplin
Syd Barrett.
They’re very sweet if I do say so myself! Sometimes sweetness is exactly what’s called for, especially on dark winter days!
Holidays
The Christmas holidays are fast approaching. My decorations are down from the attic but still to be assembled. Because of our adventurous kittens, we’ve decided not to decorate the living room but put the tree up in our conservatory instead - They’re easily able to jump up on top of the wardrobe so the tree will be no problem at all. It’s a case of better safe than sorry!
I am looking forward to enjoying some old Christmas traditions and in these weird Covid times maybe even creating a few new ones! I’m looking forward to some time off too, to relax, reflect and recharge. My shop will stay open for orders but I’ll be taking time off from sending parcels for a couple of weeks.
Here’s everything you need to know:
The last order date before Christmas is Thursday 16th.
Orders placed from Friday 17th December until 2nd January will not be posted until Monday 3rd January.
Back next Monday with more sketches and snippets from my studio.
Warm wishes! Julia x