Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

'Bird" - stitched collage postcard  'Nest" - stitched collage postcard The current theme for Tag Tuesday is "Birds and Nests - apologies to all the devoted Tuesday taggers, these probably don't meet the criteria. It is hard to disguise these are tags when they are clearly postcards. Being a little short on time this fortnight, I thought I would use something I made in a workshop I attended last weekend  . The workshop was led by UK based artist/author, Anne Kelly, who specialises is stitched collage using the natural environment as a source of inspiration. Both "Bird" and "Nest" were created from a  combination of fabric and paper - images from paper serviettes, text from abandoned books printed fabric, scraps of lace and braid - layered with printed organza on top. Then I added both machine and hand stitching to enhance the design. My first attempt at writing with my sewing machine was so rewarding and surprisingly less difficult

Work in Progress - 3 of the 193 for "Stitched Up"- Wilma Simmons   The work for the "Stitched Up " Project  continues. See the previous "Wednesday Child" post for the background to this art project celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Newcastle Industrial School. I have been documenting the progress of my work, so I thought it might be interesting to share some of the early stages of the "stick dolls" ... Here are some of the beginning steps.. Sticks collected while walking the bushland in my neighbourhood  Drying and getting rid of any insects - oven heat 75 degreesC for approx 1-2 hours.  Trimmed and cut if necessary  Ends sealed with matte sealing solution.  Drying  - solution goes on white but dries clear.  First wrapping - foil to create a body shape  Second wrapping - stretch fabric.  Third wrapping - fabric strips  Some stitching - more stitching and embellishment to come.  Follow thi

  Today, the winner of the art tag giveaway was decided.... There were only 4 entries in this giveaway - a little disappointing for me but good for the four participants. Thank you Michele S, Gamarna, Annie Trish and Narelle for entering . This is how the draw was done. I put the four names on separate pieces of paper and folded them and put them in a jar. My husband Jim who is very trustworthy was given the task of pulling the first name from the jar and then the second.... THE FIRST WINNER IS MICHELE S!  THE SECOND WINNER IS NARELLE!  And because there were so few entries, I have decided to send Annie Trish and Gamarna a consolation prize of two tags each from the same series. I hope you will all like your prizes. Please contact me with your postal addresses. This set goes to Michele S  This set goes to Narelle. 

"Always Wear Your Invisible Crown" ... Tag Tuesday this fortnight is hosted by Michele whose blog is " art from the well" . Michele set the theme " Hats and Headgear" I am dedicating these tags  to all who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer.  I got my inspiration from an event held  here in Newcastle, (NSW Australia). The annual event is called "Bald and Beautiful" which is a special day of pampering, laughter and joy for cancer survivors and current sufferers.  All of these tags are made from  motifs from a printed fabric, generously given to me by a friend,  The backgrounds are from scrap painted paper with a overlay of paper serviette.   Visit TAG TUESDAY to see all the tags from participants worldwide.

2017 IWD event Newcastle  It has become a tradition in Newcastle ( NSW Australia) that International Women's Day is celebrated in style at   Timeless Textiles Gallery  , with a message of peace, community and compassion and  a public stand against violence. Over the  years, we have made artistic fabric birds to raise funds for women's refuges; stitched 500 metres of white ribbon to raise funds for the anti-violence organisation, White Ribbon;  held free community workshops to create a huge fabric footpath mural; stitched prayer flags to support a women's project in India  and made a giant bird which was auctioned to supply tertiary education to underprivileged women in Nepal. This year, 2017  the focus  at Timeless Textiles was again strengthening a community against violence - the One Million Stars to End Violence Project. Thanks to Anne Kempton, gallerist and the Newcastle Star Weave community , today's event was truly a celebration of all that 2017 Inter

I have been informed that many of you have been trying to leave a comment, but have not been able to - so to make life easier, I will also accept as an entry  a comment on either of the blog posts, on  my Facebook page event   or on one of the Facebook  posts about the giveaway. Apologies, I can;t make it any easier than this ...   If you like one of these sets of art tags, I hope you are able to add you name to the entries somehow.

Set 1 - Seasons   Set 2 -  In Harmony A s a gift to the many people who followed the 29 Faces series last month, here is a thank you giveaway. You can win either Art Tag Set 1 -  "Seasons"  or  Art Tag Set 2 - "In Harmony.", as pictured. Each set comprises 4 small art tags  which have a bakers twine tie and and are blank on the back for your own message. The tags measure 10cm x 5cm (4in x 2in) and are suitable for gift tags, or for you to use in your own art journals or collages.    The two winners will be chosen at random at  12 noon, Tuesday 14 March ( Australian Eastern Summer Time) .. All you need to do is to leave a comment in the section below - with your name.  I am not asking you to provide your contact details  at this stage to ensure your privacy and safety.  However, the winners will be notified only via a reply to your comment,in a blog post and on  my Facebook page  by 1 pm on 14 March. You will need to check if you are a winner and then con

Wednesday's child is full of woe.. ..  As on ongoing blog story, I will tell you about the many Wednesday children who were "housed" in the Industrial School in Newcastle , NSW, Australia between 1867 - 1871 and how their stories are being retold this year  to mark 150 years since this school began.  Background Summary . ..  The Newcastle Industrial School was established on 6 August 1867 in the former Military Barracks on the Newcastle Government Domain.  The school for females was established under the  Industrial Schools Act  1866.    From 1869 the site was shared with the Newcastle Reformatory School for Females. . It was Australia's first industrial school for girls; that is, an institution defined by legislation and paid for by the government as a place of detention for children charged with neglect, wandering, street-trading or being 'uncontrollable'. It used the convict-built Military Barracks building.   From 1869 the site was shared with the