tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-297029072011-10-04T12:09:18.007+01:00Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.comBlogger2491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-26651643412082134202011-09-26T12:34:00.004+01:002011-09-26T12:34:50.043+01:00

My Fairy Queen (at last) is finished.   She took a while - royalty cannot be rushed - but I really enjoyed creating her. My original idea was that she would be looking back at a clock, a bit like Cinderella.  But she wanted to be in the woods and carrying the key to her heart. I have started work on a new mermaid.   She is a little cheeky looking but I love her already  ;0) This

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-82631467264838853382011-09-19T14:20:00.000+01:002011-09-19T14:20:34.072+01:00

You may remember I recently became a Grandma and I love it. Unfortunately Laura, Toby and Tabitha live quite away from us. No worry though, thanks to the wonderful technology of the day I get to see my daughter nearly every day. Probably more than I would do if they lived round the corner ;0) So I just wanted to share with you the most gorgeous smile from Tabitha. Just before I go,

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-30012532512186011882011-09-14T13:24:00.000+01:002011-09-14T13:25:00.531+01:00

I started this cheeky little pixie last night.   There seems to be soooooo many adverts between the TV programmes, but that's ok as I get lots of drawing done.  I think she is going to be rather cute ;0) She will be back soon. I have just added 2 more paintings to my Etsy Shop.  Green Mermaid Sleepy Pixie I hope you like them.  You can see more about them in my Etsy Shop - enjoy

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-61038252812611992532011-09-12T15:26:00.000+01:002011-09-12T15:26:10.312+01:00

At last I have something in my Etsy shop again.  It sure feels good, even if I don't sell anything I have enjoyed the process. Oh so rusty though.  How can you forget so much?? How to describe your work without sounding big headed or making it sound like rubbish!  A difficult path to walk - I love my paintings.  I hope others love to look. So these are the new Fairy Folk in my shop:

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-18775040852911384522011-09-10T15:31:00.001+01:002011-09-10T15:32:00.190+01:00

This little lovely is  going to be a Fairy Princess. Her background has to be painted and stamped yet and I have some lovely shiny jewels for her to wear. She is painted with watercolours on A4 paper. Hugs, Alis xx

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-1972739108389017372011-09-05T14:13:00.001+01:002011-09-05T14:13:21.906+01:00

  I love to walk round the area I live in, it is such a beautiful place. Rolling hills and patchwork fields. Crumbling cliffs and racing surf.  Beautiful woodlands. Sometimes I fancy that I catch a little glimpse in the corner of my eye of pixies picking Devon Violets, a flash of a silver mermaid tail or pretty fairies playing in the woods. These are the North Devon Fairy Folk.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-18277225428963368062011-08-10T11:32:00.000+01:002011-08-10T11:32:19.314+01:00

Well better late than never!It has been a peculiar week to say the least. Moments of quiet calm interspersed generously with mad crazy moments. My good friend Val is a member of Kindred Spirits who have a wonderful exhibition on at the moment.  I called in yesterday, it is truly gorgeous.A moment of that quiet calm.On the way home we called into the supermarket for some food.  We couldn't get

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-5257687557436544052011-08-01T09:35:00.000+01:002011-08-01T09:35:41.737+01:00

I can't believe we are at the last colour challenge for The Summer of Colour.  It has been a great challenge and some wonderful art has been produced (I am still playing catch up on reading your blogs).  I do hope that Kristin will do something like this again.  She has been a wonderful host and has inspired so many of us.  Thank you so much Kristin. Orange is our last colour. My constant

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-70694536286974723792011-07-25T09:28:00.000+01:002011-07-25T09:28:42.130+01:00

The colour this week for The Summer of Colour is Purple and well, it looks like we have found another of my Fairie Folk in an embarrassing situation.  This mermaid thought she would do a little topless moonbathing.   I suppose we better leave her to it! She is on A3 Canson Paper and was created using Prismacolor Pencils and watercolours. Oh one last thing - I am now a proud MuMa to gorgeous

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-59935296782433334932011-07-18T08:33:00.000+01:002011-07-18T08:33:21.090+01:00

Thank you, thank you for all the wonderful visits and the lovely comments. I love visiting your blogs and seeing the great work you all do.  Thanks go to Kristin for a great challenge. Now I may not be around too much this week and I hope you accept my apologies if I don't get right back to you after a comment of if I don't visit you, but our daughter has just gone into labour with her first baby

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-4760293835528163142011-07-11T16:05:00.000+01:002011-07-11T16:05:24.068+01:00

The latest colour at The Summer of Colour is brown.Hmm, this caused me a problem as usually I will only use it as a accent not at the main colour.I thought of Autumn and  with a dash of green, (you may recall I like green) Nissa was born. Nissa is a woodland sprite.  She has gathered some flowers and is off to meet Aubrey the Elf ruler.  (Family joke - sorry, couldn't resist) I quite like her

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-55011484576537738502011-07-04T10:26:00.000+01:002011-07-04T10:26:35.512+01:00

I would just like to say thank you all so much for visiting my blog whether you left comments or not, I am thrilled by every visit.Last week was err, interesting to say the least, so if you didn't get a personal thank you for your comment (if you have an email addy) I apologise and say thank you, thank you ;0) Ooops a daisy Buttercup!!!Meet Buttercup.  She is a little embarrassed as you have

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-4743129560236059022011-06-27T10:31:00.000+01:002011-06-27T10:31:57.743+01:00

No!  Wrong Gin!  I don't like Gin, only ever had one glass and I was sooooo sorry I did - Yak!!! The colour this week at the Summer of Colour is pink.Therefore this is a Pink Djinn of the magical genie variety.Much better kind, I think, as you get 3 wishes with this one. She measures approx 12 x 16 inches.  Prismacolor pencils, watercolours and collage paper background.Can't wait to see what

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-18428780228940398802011-06-20T09:58:00.000+01:002011-06-20T09:58:42.811+01:00

It's no secret that I love sunsets, they appear in almost everything I  make.Their colours have had me mesmerized since I was a child.  Growing up in the centre of a city there was little chance to see them but we always travelled to the sea for holidays and the anticipation of the of the "sky show" was hard to contain. We always stayed in a little place overlooking the Irish Sea.  I was in my

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-73818619059005286622011-06-13T13:01:00.000+01:002011-06-13T13:01:56.502+01:00

"Blueberries?" she says, fluttering her eyelashes."What Blueberries!!!"   This is my piece for The Summer of Colour challenge.The colour for last week was blue and it is quite obvious that this fairy has eaten far too many blueberries as they have turned her blue! I enjoyed making this piece as I have used some techniques new to me.The fairy is a scan of my drawing in Prismacolour pencils and

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-91070508792986018362011-06-06T16:20:00.001+01:002011-06-06T16:23:49.073+01:00

Today is the first day of The Summer of Colour.  You can find out more about it by clicking the link in the sidebar.Lots of people are joining in so it should be really interesting to see the diverse projects. The first colour will be blue - yum!  I am planning a fairy dressed in blues, maybe with a blue body.  Fairies like to eat Blueberries after-all!!! Inspired by Adriana Almanza of Doll

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-79956483764914228912011-05-28T15:44:00.000+01:002011-05-28T15:44:39.877+01:00

Well I can hardly believe it is 2 years since I was last posting here. Lots of water under the bridge.  I am still a little anti-social but am more willing to pop out of my shell from time to time. My creativity has taken a turn around and I am now drawing and painting.  Having my own images to use in collage has given me a real kick and really spurred me on. My new creations are North Devon

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-52669040807273269202009-08-21T17:31:00.003+01:002009-08-21T17:37:42.990+01:00

As you may have gathered I have been "resting" lately. Unfortunately the "rest" is not over yet.However I have been reading and doing a little playing. I have also been doing a doll making class at Joggles. I have enjoyed all this and have gathered lots of inspiration for when the body is finished "resting" ;0)Hope to see you all again soon xx

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-39832888595097124822009-05-21T16:09:00.003+01:002009-05-21T16:35:18.931+01:00

Well I have been feeling very under the weather and very unsociable but, I have been working quietly away in the background. I am now looking forward to catching up with reading the blogs I love and posting a little of my work.This little 5ins quiltie was made for the April swap on Unlimited Textiles. The theme was the artist Kandinsky.I love the freedom o his work and the colour combinations he

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-71904445904423162532009-05-07T16:03:00.004+01:002009-05-07T16:27:33.699+01:00

June Cross (who doesn't have a blog - yet!) and I decided to do a little trade. We chose a 5 ins square mini quilt with the theme "Wings"Well it turned out to be dragonflies at dawn! Independently and without the other knowing we both created dragonfly quilties.I used a hand painted cotton for the background and did a flowing kind of quilting going with the painted shapes. The dragonfly body is

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-53247673256300380622009-05-06T18:18:00.003+01:002009-05-06T18:38:21.302+01:00

This bag is unfinished as yet as I am waiting for pay day for the fabric I want and is for the Textiles for Two project with Jan.It represents the Incan Empire.You can read more about it over at Textiles for Two.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-79276282522743067212009-04-30T14:11:00.005+01:002009-04-30T14:27:56.047+01:00

Well what with Easter, recovering from Easter and outside tensions the time has just flown this month. I do have a little to show though and will start by showing off the wonderful work my friends ~ with some help from me of course ~ did in my garden.Sitting here you really feel you are protected with all the plants around.You can hear the buzzing of the bees and the hoverflies.I'm really looking

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-2104910545734760112009-04-19T18:08:00.004+01:002009-04-19T18:59:37.879+01:00

Roger's leave is coming to an end and I have to wave him off to work tomorrow.Well, I won't as he goes out too early but you know what I mean.So back to work for both of us as I start to catch up in the studio and get back on track with my projects.The weather has been kind to us and, with the help of friends, we have rearranged the garden, seen family and generally had a relaxing time.Today we

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-41200969339639729302009-04-08T14:55:00.002+01:002009-04-08T15:08:36.209+01:00

Roger retires at the end of July. He is using up accumulated leave and as much as I love having him home my routine has gone to pot! I have done very little work with him home, but in his favour is the fact that we have been getting things together to do the garden this weekend. Could not have done that with out him home.But today he is in work and out came the sewing machine ;0)This is the

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-11554317343121742852009-03-24T16:00:00.004Z2009-03-24T16:37:55.735Z

The theme for March at Unlimited Textiles is Gothic Pattern.I love arches and ceiling bosses in cathedrals and I remembered a visit we made to Fountains Abbey a few years ago. In particular the vaulted ceiling of the Cellarium.The Cellarium is only inhabited by bats now. Another Gothic feature maybe but no bats here on this quiltie.I used purple satin for the background and cut arch shapes

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-44963397667893087062009-03-20T16:56:00.004Z2009-03-20T17:07:28.506Z

This month at Textile Challenges I am sending my house front to Pam.Her theme is "In Need of Renovation".Of course I just had to do a thatched cottage seeing as Devon has lots of themMost of them are in much better condition that this one I have to add.I started with painted Lutradur over stone coloured cotton. The window and doors are made using scrapbook papers and roughly stitched to the

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-40168514668892990042009-03-16T17:35:00.003Z2009-03-16T17:39:56.065Z

My bag based on stone work at Teotihuacan is now finished.I have to say I am rather pleased with it.You can see more pics at Textiles for Two.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-32128783328013762842009-03-12T15:56:00.004Z2009-03-12T16:01:36.241Z

I have been very busy working on a bag for our Mesoamerican project.It has taken a lot of my time this week ~ well all of it really but I am enjoying it.Here is a little peep and you can see a little more at Textiles for Two.I'm hoping to be able to show you more of it later this weekend.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-1668756824138071092009-03-05T13:18:00.003Z2009-03-05T13:26:40.583Z

Just wanted to show you some of the lovely eye candy I have received recently in trades.ATC's from left to right are from: Terri, Emmy and Carol. Carol's ATC has some lovely little leaf earrings hanging on it.The quiltie is from Val for our Vintage Flower Ladies trade.I love each and everyone of them. Thank you for the great trades ladies.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-47227689362549618712009-03-04T16:46:00.003Z2009-03-04T17:17:15.860Z

I made this quiltie for a trade with my good Internet friend Val.We both love vintage ladies and both love flowers so the perfect theme to choose was "Vintage Flower Ladies"I knew straight away the image I wanted to use. I wanted to give the impression that she was daydreaming near a shady stream on a lovely summer afternoon.The background is my favourite.Layers of felt, organza and painted

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-7564149220895560712009-02-27T10:54:00.003Z2009-02-27T11:05:48.239Z

I have always loved the look of, and wanted, a photograph on stretched canvas.Well now I have one and I am very pleased with it too.The canvas came from Bags of Love who do lots of wonderful, high quality gifts with your photos.This is not one of the official photos and to be completely honest I don't know who took it, but it just sums up the joy of Laura and Toby's wedding day and I am thrilled

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-85061045844674810812009-02-25T16:19:00.004Z2009-02-25T16:32:40.221Z

You would think after nearly 3 years of patchwork classes once a month I would have more than 3 nice table mats, one great bag for my cutting board and rulers and one rather dodgy table runner that doesn't fit any of my tables.Well at last I have!I now have 5 very nice cushions in my lounge. I was a little unsure of the calico ones as they came out a little small but, put next to my "Drunken

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-10783465376031935992009-02-23T17:25:00.002Z2009-02-23T17:48:00.915Z

The project at Patchwork class this time is "Appliqué".We meet once a month and this project is to take 3 classes. Normally I would find out all I can on our subject and do several pieces. This, however has resulted in quite a few UFO's (really must do something with them).I decided I would change tack and work on one item and give it my full attention.I thought I would make a butterfly. I

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-7080016060402938942009-02-12T17:15:00.005Z2009-02-12T17:37:36.769Z

I love ice. Well not to walk on or to drive on obviously but, when we were a little younger Jan and I used to go ice skating - yes we did have lessons. As usual she was better than me!! Sigh!Well anyway, I love the look of ice on water. From a distance it looks so smooth and pristine.Get closer and you can see the cracks in it. If you are really lucky it will have cracked, refrozen, cracked

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-81568370334430123432009-02-10T16:49:00.003Z2009-02-10T17:07:13.841Z

Do you remember this mess??Well it looks like this now. And I love it. Just got that bucket with sari's in to sort but there is an empty drawer for them.The bookcase is gone and the books are now safe in the cupboard.Now for something silly!Look at these two, Mitzi and Fred, chatting away like an old married couple.Just to prove that he is a softy and a baby here is Fred cuddled in his new

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-5592943113380058982009-02-09T15:52:00.004Z2009-02-09T16:13:40.984Z

The "lottery" challenge this month at Textile Challenges is for a Colour Combinations ATC. I drew Pink and Orange.The quiltie theme at Unlimited Textiles is Abstract.Hmm, I thought these would work so well together.The result: Abstract in Pink and Orange ATC and Abstract in Pink and Orange Quiltie.The background is a piece of cerise cotton with a pattern in the same colour but deeper shade. I

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-36974719159459696142009-02-06T15:44:00.004Z2009-02-06T16:05:14.290Z

As well as working on the big Mesoamerican project with Jan for Textiles for Two, I am working on my own project on Nature from the inspiration around me in the North Devon countryside and coast.This is my latest piece based on flowers growing against and old wall.The base fabric is a piece of handmade felt I did last year. I trapped all sorts of bits and pieces with wool tops between soluble

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-26065493866544064252009-02-05T16:32:00.003Z2009-02-05T16:52:09.646Z

The first swap of the year at Unlimited Textiles was an "Unfinished Symphony" swap.The idea was to send an unfinished piece of work to your partner for them to do with what they wanted to make a finished piece of art.I received a piece of experimental knitting and crochet from June.Of course I pounced on the lovely flower motif at the top and with some hand painted cotton, some extra fancy wools

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-66956726960388723492009-02-03T15:10:00.004Z2009-02-03T15:31:35.147Z

Well I know every Britt is doing this, but we really don't get this much snow usually and at the sea side it is virtually unknown. Yes we do get snow in Ilfracombe but not much.Living in a deep valley we get used to waiting at the top, or bottom, of one of the hills for an hour or so for the snows to go away then life goes on as usual.But not today.Actually at 6am this morning there was no snow

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-46001185874432230472009-02-02T13:32:00.003Z2009-02-02T13:58:46.866Z

The year long swap at Textile Challenges this year is "Houses". The idea is to make house fronts to the recipients theme.This month I was sending to Marie and she chose "Greenhouse" or was it "Green House"?I decided to go with Greenhouse.I started with a fabric paper background painted with Twinkling H20's and stamped with leaves and dragonflies.I cut planters of various sizes from scrapbook

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-60833379746793791812009-01-28T17:22:00.004Z2009-01-28T17:37:55.634Z

The swap at Textile Challenges this month is for a padded heart to be made in time for Valentines Day.Well, unusually for me, I am on time and here is my heart.The heart panel is made from layers of singed organzas and lots of free machine embroidery. I don't think they show but there are little hearts embroidered with the gold thread. I have stitched little pink roses to the panel and added

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-73979333340751957432009-01-27T18:07:00.004Z2009-01-27T18:15:32.617Z

My long time friend Jan and I have started on a major project, something we have been meaning to do for quite a few years.The subject is Mesoamerica. We are very excited about this and will be posting our progress at our blog "Textiles for Two".We very much hope you will pop in and visit ;0)

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-21885702376989409572009-01-20T14:47:00.004Z2009-01-20T15:07:53.770Z

Meet Dezdamona.Let me tell you about her.My hairdresser, Dez, loves Girls Aloud and in particular their song "The Promise"He entertained the salon over Christmas with his own rendition of this song complete with all the right dance moves. I think he really should have been on the stage.So the idea of Dezdamona was born.I thought, at first, I would make a doll but changed my mind and decided to

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-18752893847961556412009-01-15T13:26:00.005Z2009-01-15T13:46:02.980Z

I love knitting. It keeps me sane. Well according to my family nothing can keep me sane, but I love knitting just the same.I made the bag so I would have a posh bag for Christmas Day. I finished it just in time. The outside that is, I still have to line it.I'm not sure about the handles. They came out shorter than I expected. They are felted in with the bag so I am giving some thought as

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-6801937582802079122009-01-13T11:45:00.006Z2009-01-13T11:55:32.573Z

I have a passion for purple and messing around on box canvas.The result can be seen here.The backgrounds are painted and stamped with acrylic paints with dry brush sweeps of Twinkling H2O's.I was trying out an old fashioned quill pen and acrylic inks so the backgrounds have doodles and writing on them too.I love the two images of the vintage ladies. They have a ghostly look about them and the

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-47787789871659929902009-01-06T17:11:00.006Z2009-01-06T18:05:56.997Z

We were all supposed to streamline in the year 2000. weren't we? Well we did in a way. When we moved to the West country we moved from a 3 bedroomed house with outbuildings to a one bedroom flat!We got rid of a lot of furniture and boxes of valuable family ornaments had cloths draped over them and became coffee tables.Thankfully that only lasted for a year.Now I have a confession. I hardly

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-81832249303037185502008-12-12T15:41:00.003Z2008-12-12T16:01:03.162Z

Ever since I did Terri Stegmiller's "Paper Quilting Exploration" course I have been looking for an excuse to do more of this technique and especially more birdies ;0)Well my chance was on this quiltie to Pam via Unlimited Textiles.The theme was Winter Wonderland and I chose to do these two little robins.The background is fabric paper using tissue and fine fabric, the robins are made from

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-49075424077548120352008-12-11T14:12:00.002Z2008-12-11T14:27:52.688Z

My very last arch of the year long swap at Textile Challenges is for Carol Rowland.Carol likes fantasy figures so a Moon Goddess came to my mind.The background is calico painted and stamped with acrylic paints. The detail on the side is drawn with pen and ink. The goddess herself is one of my drawings that I scanned into the computer and printed out on to cotton.I get the printable cotton from

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-31576032867120426452008-12-10T16:26:00.003Z2008-12-10T16:55:45.814Z

The theme for November on Unlimited Textiles was "The Latin American Way"I really fancied doing something bright, colourful and based round carnival.So what happened?Well the thing is I have a fascination for Mesoamerican cultures and elements of this just slip into my work from time to time.In fact I am working on a body of work on this subject with my good friend Jan.So you see the Mayan vibes

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-1399209730905926562008-12-08T15:36:00.004Z2008-12-08T15:58:13.062Z

This is the penultimate arch in the year long arch swap on Textile Challenges.This one is for Carol Taylor.Carol likes Gothic architecture and, a girl after my own heart, purple ;0)This piece is based on a ceiling boss from Exeter Cathedral.I started with black cotton velvet and bonded metallic foils to it using Bondaweb. I covered this with a black chiffon scarf and quilted it all with metallic

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-86524163736260951352008-12-02T15:56:00.004Z2008-12-02T16:11:58.499Z

I have a new cousin. Well I think she is a cousin!She is my Mum's, cousin's granddaughter.What ever she turns out to be on our complicated family tree, Eleanor Faye will be much loved and receive lots of attention.I will be going to see her for the first time on Friday and I am taking along this little cardigan that I have made for her.I love to knit and this was a joy to do.I haven't done a

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-26902503193462905692008-11-28T10:01:00.001Z2008-11-28T10:09:36.885Z

This is my arch for Cathy on Textile Challenges.I'm running late again which gives me the opportunity (at least in my own mind) to stay in my comfort zone and play with one of my favouite techniques.So here we have layers of painted nappy liners and organzas zapped with a heat gun and lots of machine embroidery. I love the depth and texture this technique creates. The arch is now on the way

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-81246721220062810052008-11-27T10:50:00.003Z2008-11-27T11:24:00.892Z

Just popping in to tell you how proud I am of my friend Pat of On a Whimsey. Pat does the most fantastic encaustic art and I am the proud owner of a couple of her pieces.She has now written fab book all about this great art form.You can find out more about Pat and her book at her Bookstall. Pat O'Neil's Bookstore.Good luck with your project Pat.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-66295005998056662502008-11-25T09:57:00.006Z2008-11-25T10:30:49.607Z

I'm not usually one for wishing my life away, but I am glad that this year is drawing to a close.Our daughters wedding was, of course, a wonderful highlight, but I seem to have bounced from one wall to another and hitting the floor (actually) more than I have stayed upright!!My muse has stayed away for quite a long time and I have to say I don't blame her!She did pop back for a few days earlier

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-29498713927667352502008-10-06T11:05:00.003+01:002008-10-06T11:15:16.795+01:00

This is the Egyptian Arch I made for Gillian on the yahoo group Textile Challenges.I wanted it to look like a very old textile. Well, maybe I went a little over the top with the distressing and ageing but all in all I think it turned out OKThe image is printed on muslin and stitched on to some silk paper I had made earlier.The background is rust dyed and stamped cotton.The little embellishment

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-58942980469322281382008-10-01T09:24:00.002+01:002008-10-01T09:35:06.535+01:00

First let me apologise to all who went to my website yesterday. Thank you for letting me know that the page wasn't working properly.The host was, apparently, upgrading so many websites were affected.It is now working - I hope ;0)One of our new members on Unlimited Textiles was so eager to swap I did a one to one swap with her.This is the little quiltie I made. It measures 5 ins square.The main

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-59784849483760693412008-09-30T09:18:00.005+01:002008-09-30T10:23:16.653+01:00

Do you remember the butterfly from a few posts ago?Well this is her big sister the Butterfly Fairy.I have always loved butterflies and dragonflies and drawn (well my version of drawing) them since I was small.Having made the butterfly and fairy I now wonder why it has taken me so long to make them in textiles.Like the butterfly I used my hand dyed cotton for the wings and dress and the same

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-77338072065843079562008-09-29T10:09:00.005+01:002008-09-29T10:20:19.409+01:00

Well, after what has felt like an age, the lounge now has its bookcases and books in place.We do have a couple more crates in storage but they are not filled with all books. We think we have two more shelves worth of books and as you can see there are two shelves waiting ;0)All my craft books are safely ensconced in the studio.It has been two long years since we had our books around us and all

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-51714661854352235362008-09-20T10:54:00.005+01:002008-09-20T11:36:05.730+01:00

The sun was shining - yes it was! - and Roger was off work so we decided to visit Westward Ho!We had visited once before but so long ago we couldn't remember it. Westward Ho! is only 45 minuets drive away, so off we went. Westward Ho! is named after the book by Charles Kingsley who lived in Bideford, just a few miles away. It is the only town in England to be named after a novel and the only

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-27720612448979823442008-09-15T13:25:00.004+01:002008-09-15T13:39:29.494+01:00

As you probably know I am part of a great team on Etsy known as BBEST (Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team)It is a great team to be part of and there is always something interesting going on.September sees a swap with the theme of "Butterflies". This is in honour of Pat who is stepping down from the admin position she has held wonderfully for some time.Pat's Precious Quilts butterfly is loved in

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-76594928380021574372008-09-13T10:31:00.003+01:002008-09-13T10:53:35.344+01:00

I love the challenge swaps on Textile Challenges.Granted, I don't join every one but I really like the way you are made to think with them.The first ATC was "O is for......"I thought of all sorts but after finding this little piece of silk that I had painted some time ago it hit me!I'm really not sure what sort of silk it is. It was a creamy colour and was quite thick. It was just a small

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-366003058247714342008-09-11T13:52:00.005+01:002008-09-11T14:04:19.059+01:00

There isn't any theme for our swap on Unlimited Textiles this month so I rummaged though my stash to see what would inspire me.I found a piece of dress velvet. It has a gorgeous feel with little sequins on it. The print is in shades of pinks. From the lightest shell pink to deepest maroon. A very rich fabric indeed.There in my images was this lovely lady with flowers the same colour as my

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-90806401648711849802008-09-11T11:05:00.003+01:002008-09-11T11:40:47.913+01:00

I have been nominated for this great award - yes me - I feel so honoured.Thing is I have not one but two nominations for it. After getting the "I love your Blog Award" earlier this week it just made my year ;0)The nominations come from two fantastic artists. They are Janine of Althea Perigrine who does awesome artwork and Pam of Magdalene Jewels who makes fabulous jewellery.Thank you both very

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-43485015472195225902008-09-10T09:55:00.007+01:002008-09-10T11:38:47.156+01:00

For July (yes I was late - again!) on Unlimited Textiles our swap theme was Slash and Burn.So OK, not a lot of slashing here but plenty of burn to make up for it.The background of the first two pieces was made by free machining painted nappy liners to organza. This was zapped with my heat gun - I love my heat gun ;0)Then placed it on wool felt and covered with a chiffon scarf. I free machined

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-13776532309056434692008-09-08T11:32:00.004+01:002008-09-08T11:48:58.858+01:00

This arch is for Hannah.One of the themes she chose is Nature and she likes blues, green, golds, and purples.Well this isn't strictly nature but is inspired by the walls in Devon.We have lots of lovely dry stone walls and cob and stone walls.Cob is a mixture of earth and clay.I love the texture of these walls and the way moss clings to them. I have enjoyed seeing the rain sparkling on them this

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-63510701126531028162008-09-06T10:47:00.003+01:002008-09-06T10:59:45.473+01:00

This arch is for Judy Bartel. She said she liked trees and leaves so a branch came to mind.The background is hand dyed cotton with free machine embroidery.I had intended to do the leaves in organza but, I was having a painting week and when I saw the painted Lutradur I just knew it would work.I lightly drew the leaves on the lutradur (I get a bit carried away otherwise) and free machined the

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-77091250858750712412008-09-04T11:04:00.005+01:002008-09-04T11:26:42.388+01:00

It is always a buzz when you find out some great people read your blog. But is so much more when one of those fab people tell you how much they love what you write by giving you an award.Anna of Sakura Jewellery is a very special person and makes the most beautiful Jewelley. She has given my a I ♥ Your Blog award.Thank you Anna ;0)The rules are as follows:1) The winner can add the logo to their

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-68998774752890306682008-08-28T10:19:00.006+01:002008-08-28T12:19:09.087+01:00

This is the the guest book I made for Laura and Toby's wedding.I used a pattern by Sue Bleiwiess to create the silk cover. The centre piece is the original textile piece I did to make the wedding invitationsand the closure is made by Zuda Gay.Inside are cream pages bound with the red ribbons.The centre piece is made from cream velvet witha gold organza overlay. The gold frames are gold velvet.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-29564972426622595452008-08-26T11:03:00.002+01:002008-08-26T11:09:53.758+01:00

You bet I am excited.I just had to tell you about the article I have written for Fibre and Stitch.It is on one of my favourite subjects, Mermaids. I hope you will go along and have a look at this fantastic on line magazine.It is always packed with wonderful ideas and articles and is worth every penny each and every month. Very few magazines deliver as much as this one does.And this month you

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-34461991833926619562008-08-25T11:22:00.003+01:002008-08-25T12:01:48.331+01:00

Laura has had music in her life since before she was born.From Classical to Pop and from New Age to Musical Theatre.All her activities have been around music and dance.Music has played a very large part in Toby's life too.They were brought together by a mutual, musical friend nearly 10 years ago.Music still plays a major part in their lives.From the first note of Hubert Parry's "I Was Glad" as

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-47048879708359803422008-07-28T13:21:00.003+01:002008-12-09T23:53:56.359Z

You may remember that the year long swap on Textile Challenges is on textile arches. The arches measure approximately 8ins x 4ins.The first arch here is my May arch for Arleee.When I made this I was doing Terri Stegmiller's Paper Quilt Explorations course and it definitely influenced this arch.Arlee said she liked "funky" Baroque" and "hot colours"Well these are cool colours, but there is a

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-69917686186289276592008-07-24T11:55:00.006+01:002008-12-09T23:53:57.536Z

Over the years I have done quite a few altered books.I found it really hard to get started with them.I tried, I really did, to see them as being recycled from an unloved object to a loved one.I tried not to feel guilty as I "defaced" a book.All these things add up for someone with a unconditional love of books. I love them in any state you see.New and smelling of print ink. Old and smelling

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-68018332269909158432008-07-22T10:26:00.004+01:002008-12-09T23:53:58.070Z

Well the wedding of the year (at least in our family) is in 10 days time.I am dashing round getting things together for the Orders of Service and the Guest Book. Things have dropped so far behind.On a brighter note as you can see my little kitty bag is finished.I love him, he is so bright and such fun to use.My favourite part is his head, I just love his big beady eyes and brightly coloured

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-62397541146705503122008-07-02T11:12:00.008+01:002008-12-09T23:53:59.270Z

I am doing Michelle Verbeeck's Cat Sack Class.This is a wonderful, colourful and funky project.These are the colours I started out thinking I would use.As you can see by the layout one 2 of them changed.I was really excited about it when I saw all the pieces pinned together awaiting quilting.There is a lot of quilting in this project and it took quite a while but the class isn't rushed and I had

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-81644089758712211592008-06-30T12:16:00.003+01:002008-12-09T23:53:59.449Z

..................... you know the rest of the saying and it is oh so true of me at the moment.I did forget that on Terri's Paper Quilting Class I also made this!I call it Asian Squares.The background is painted mulberry paper. The larger squares are scrapbook papers and the smaller squares are a mixture of scrapbook paper and painted mulberry paper, all of which have some script or Asian design

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-57458608760991989992008-06-30T11:35:00.003+01:002008-12-09T23:54:00.519Z

Well I am still bereft of my muse and even the will to read has disappeared! This means that I have not visited any blogs in an age.I am truly sorry about that as I usually love to read all about my cyber friends.At least I can rectify that shortly.At the moment I am just allowing my self to be lead along by some wonderful artists. For example, Sue Bleiweiss and her Journal Making Class, Terri

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-30531813552375364882008-06-02T12:13:00.002+01:002008-12-09T23:54:01.013Z

As you know, my artistic Muse has cleared off on an away day that has lasted months now. And would you believe it, but my writing Muse has now gone off to catch up with her!Hence very few posts here of late.Well, I mean, what is a girl supposed to do in this situation?I decided to have an away day of my own ;0)It may seem a little silly to go for a day out on a Saturday in a tourist area but,

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-48824732313177718592008-05-12T09:47:00.002+01:002008-12-09T23:54:01.228Z

Meet Terri Bird ;0)She is my creation from the second lesson of Paper Quilting Explorations run by Terri Stegmiller.This class is so much fun. I have had stamping with bubble wrap on my to do list for as long as I can remember but never got round to it. Well now I have done it. Yay!I have stamped painted bubble wrap on anything that stood still.I didn't get the dog, nearly got the cat and

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-56012818605452879392008-05-10T15:14:00.002+01:002008-12-09T23:54:01.371Z

Yesterday we went to RHS Rosemoor. A beautiful place to visit at any time. But at the moment there is a textile art exhibition on.Two of the four people involved in the Kindred Spirits group I have met on the internet. It is wonderful to meet internet friends in the real world and to meet at such a wonderful show was icing on the cake.I didn't take photos ;0( I was so busy looking at the work

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-90141020422680402022008-05-08T09:21:00.003+01:002008-12-09T23:54:01.832Z

My April Arch at Textile Challenges was for Anna.Anna likes Klimt, so do I. Anna loves the same colours as me ;0)I had made a piece using Gustav Klimt as inspiration a while ago and was pleased to be able to do another.I started out with purple felt and squares and oblong snippets from other fabrics I had made. I covered them with a piece of organza and my initial idea was to use my soldering

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-73678735060452037792008-05-06T09:29:00.004+01:002008-12-09T23:54:02.216Z

The theme for April at Unlimited Textiles was Nature inspired. We were swapping a 5" square quiltie and a bag.I love nature and most of my work is inspired by it one way or another.When I went to the Quilt Exhibition in March I took a mini class on needle felting so decided to use what I learnt on my little quilt.I used clematis as my inspiration.I roughly drew the flowers and leaves to the navy

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-16940164647227085972008-05-02T14:17:00.003+01:002008-12-09T23:54:02.532Z

I love Terri of StegArts work, it always makes me smile. So when I found out she was doing an online class on Paper Quilting I just had to sign up.I have just finished my week one assignment and here it is ;0)It was so much fun to do. The first part is lovely and painty and gluey and messy - just perfect. The putting it all together was a blast to see the picture take shape.I only could find

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-76125883788786098762008-05-01T15:24:00.003+01:002008-12-09T23:54:03.452Z

The journal class is finished now ;0( But these will not be the last journals I make.This class has been such good fun and the journals from the other students have all been so different.You should be able to see them here: JournalsThis brown journal is made from brown paper. It honestly looks and feels like leather.Needless to say Roger has claimed it for his very own. He picked the button

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-63847742631151736592008-04-30T09:45:00.004+01:002008-12-09T23:54:03.860Z

I love to use vintage ladies in my art, mostly unclothed!These two lovelies were for special presents for two special ladies.The first was for Maz's birthday. It is a Skinny Book Page measuring 3 x 5 inches.Maz is our leader at AlterNative UK. The ongoing swap this year is these Skinny Pages so I thought she could add this to her book.I know she likes rudey nudey's too ;0)The second is a Chunky

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-29845585746166213402008-04-29T09:17:00.005+01:002008-12-09T23:54:04.789Z

Just recently I have been on an on-line course with the most excellent Sue Bleiweiss.This class was Journal Making for the Fibre Artist.As usual I found Sue's class informative, clear to follow, fun and absorbing.These are the first 3 journals I made on the class.The first measures 9ins high and 8ins wide when closed.There are three signatures each with a pocket on the front of each to hold tags

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-86078388237437391892008-04-24T11:11:00.004+01:002008-12-09T23:54:04.981Z

Pamela of Magdalene Jewels started a project on her blog in January called Triumph and Tragedy.Her idea is to make 2 quilts with blocks from various artists on the triumphs and tragedies of the 20th century.You can read about it here Triumph and TragedyI am proud to say that I am part of this project.The subjects are varied, from global tragedies such as 9/11 and hurricane Katrina to personal

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-85281325016662361482008-04-22T10:18:00.002+01:002008-12-09T23:54:05.309Z

I am a member of a great Etsy team called Boomers and Beyond.During the month of March we had our first swap. It was great fun.This is the piece I made for Sharon of Night Sky Jewelry.I wanted to do a dragonfly but couldn't think of the best way to do it. I could see it in my minds eye but could I get it out of there in into reality - not for ages.So right on the last moment out of my mind flew

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-1275835074449465872008-04-21T10:08:00.006+01:002008-12-09T23:54:06.135Z

Well March went the way of February and April is going the same way! What happened to them?Time just seems to be slipping away from me at the moment. The fact that my Muse has gone on an extended holiday doesn't help matters but, I keep hoping she will come back soon.March was definitely an Egyptian month for me. I love Ancient Egypt so was happy to play with this theme.The first piece is and

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-84444135397167285442008-03-31T11:32:00.005+01:002008-12-09T23:54:06.704Z

At Alter-Native UK in March the Skinny Book Page theme was Circus.I wanted to use some fabric that I had used before for a Circus theme. It is bright and fun, but I didn't have quite enough for the 5" x 3" pages.I printed some vintage circus pictures on to iron on cotton and fused them to the fabric and ran round the edge with a zig zag stitch.As the pages are going to make a book of collages I

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-57836837697640199462008-03-13T11:46:00.003Z2008-12-09T23:54:07.786Z

ATC's with holes in was the theme for a swap on AlterNative UK.What a fun theme to work with. I had lots of ideas but went with a geometric theme using photograph slides, various backgrounds and seed beads.I threaded the seedbeads onto wire to suspend them across the holes.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-57582973993523522952008-03-12T11:19:00.003Z2008-12-09T23:54:07.974Z

My partner for the arch swap on Textile Challenges this time was Patsy.Patsy loves vintage and tea dye colours.I used rust dyed fabric for the background and a printed chiffon scarf as an overlay.I printed the image of the lovely lady onto silk, as I wanted a dreamy look to the piece, and stitched it on the arch.It still needed something so a good root around in my stash drawer was rewarded with

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-13956937825748993622008-03-11T09:39:00.002Z2008-12-09T23:54:08.371Z

Everybody needs a bit of passion in their lives don't you think.The theme for February at Unlimited Textiles was "Passion" and these were my pieces for the swap.Both the brooch and quiltie were made from the same fabric.I used lots of layers of velvets, satin, brocade and organza's to create it and covered it in free motion machine embroidery.On the quiltie (measures 5" square) I stitched a photo

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-83592946211971604192008-02-28T11:38:00.002Z2008-12-09T23:54:08.830Z

These are a couple of birthday postcards for some friends on Fibre Art Friends.The backgrounds are painted felt and I used strips of fabric to add interest.The first one has Japanese style fabrics so went to Mags with the Garden Gate (previous post) as they matched.The other with some of my own painted and stamped fabrics went to Lynda.Postcards are such a great size to work on.

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-33141051729211662732008-02-25T10:53:00.002Z2008-12-09T23:54:09.239Z

The last page for the swap on Fibre Art Friends is for Mags.She asked for doors, windows and garden gates.I chose garden gates.The background fabrics are some lovely Japanese style fabrics that I thought were just perfect for this project.I printed the photograph (of the rose garden where we spent our hols last year) on to iron on cotton and ironed to the background fabric.This was layered on to

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-76310578656935940262008-02-18T10:15:00.002Z2008-12-09T23:54:09.618Z

My partner on Textile Challenges in January was Lyn.She expressed a preference for blues and greens and loves the ocean.A woman after my own heart ;0)I've been gathering things together on this theme for a while and not done anything with them so this was the ideal opportunity.The background is hand painted cotton. I used Dye-na-Flow paints. I love the way they dye the fabric without all the

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-2443068571361777342008-02-06T10:27:00.000Z2008-12-09T23:54:10.173Z

The theme for January's swap at Unlimited Textiles was Art Nouveau.Well new year, new art.I love this style. It flows and grows with spirals and curves and is just beautiful. With my love of flowers it was certain what I would choose as my focus.I had some lovely pieces of green silk that were too small to do much with but made great backgrounds for my flowers.The flowers are organza. I cut out

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-31434040576016702162008-02-04T09:48:00.001Z2008-12-09T23:54:10.433Z

My January fabric page on Fibre Art Friends was for Kim. Her theme is African Masks.Now if you remember when I made the India page I struggled to get my idea to work and I thought I would have the same problem with this.But thankfully the mask was in a good mood and played along beautifully.The picture doesn't really show that the centre of the mask is quite padded and is quilted over the

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-50946582482118183942008-01-31T09:40:00.000Z2008-12-09T23:54:10.719Z

This is my work in Maz's Anne of Green Gables altered book.I have a confession. I never read the book. Everyone in my class did - all at the same time. See I never did go with the flow ;0)When the book came I had a dilemma. To read or not to read.I intended to read. We got the book and Roger read it and loved it but I did not get round to it, always something else got in the way.So these

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-34009655626016790972008-01-30T10:22:00.001Z2008-12-09T23:54:11.198Z

The yearly swap this time on AlterNative UK is to make and collect pages for a Skinny Book.The size is 3"x 5". Not too skinny and a really good size too work on.The theme for January is "photographs".Well of course I have lots of photographs of lovely vintage ladies and I do a bit of scrapbooking so this was a great theme for me.The background papers have been painted with acrylic paints using

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29702907.post-51866343511767074682008-01-24T11:31:00.000Z2008-12-09T23:54:11.563Z

Well one step forward two steps back with my health has made me very late with this fabric page for Helen.This is for a swap on Fibre Art Friends and is a fabric page measuring 7 inches square.Helen's theme is India.I had some wonderful ideas using elephants and birds but they ended up on the studio floor!I may try to get them to work at a later date.So this quilted page is based on Banjara

Alis Clairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676603374331902940noreply@blogger.com9