The Friday Review

A collection of this week's notes and a bit more

The Friday Post
Well I better start with answering the burning question! Who's jacket is it? 🤭

The simple answer is Jimini's. If you've been following me that name maybe familiar, as it's my son's nickname. However, in this case it belongs to a rather cheeky monkey! To be precise an ape, an orangutan.

My son is a big fan of orangutans, I know he follows a rescue sanctuary that post reels of some of the apes, it might even be a YouTube channel. He occasionally shares them into our family chat

I recently discovered that there is a questionnaire when you subscribe to my publication. It must be a standard thing, I didn't actually put it there myself! Anyhow it tells me the main reason people subscribe is looking for inspiration.

I get my own inspiration from loads of things but one thing that I like to do is go rummaging in the charity shops. I think they are called "Thrift Shops" in the US? These are treasure troves of 2nd hand stuff. I buy old jeans and jackets for the denim mostly but I also come across other things like pumps, hats, ties etc.

On one occasion I found this orange/brown rather moth eaten thing in a discard bucket, when I pulled it out it was an orangutan puppet! I just knew it would be perfect for my son. I dove a little deeper & there was a 2nd one! It was a couple of weeks before my son's birthday so I made them both outfits one for James & one for his girlfriend Faye.

It is funny where you can find inspiration, for me it is often the materials that can guide me , in this case, in an unexpected direction! 😊

I started this week with another note post of my series of "Pride Month." I used the lesbian symbol and tried to incorporate the lesbian flag colours. As a piece I liked the shape & colour. I shadowed the symbols with dark thread to try and give it a 3D look. I tried listening to a couple of lesbian podcasts to learn a bit about the culture. I don't think I chose well as they ended up being mostly "gossip" about people I'd never heard of (celebrities) & that's not really my thing.

The leaf cutter bee video seemed popular. I love watching these amazingly industrious creatures. There is "Jasmine's" pink rose just by the front door and they seem particularly fond of those leaves.

You probably saw my Sunday Stitch Post about BJW's Hat. I got a few enquiries about making hats for people off the back of that. Making a hat from scratch is a major job, for a molded hat I only have 1 size block, so I won't be making any of them.

People have sent me hats that I've stitched and that way I know it will be the right size. However, the postage for these can be expensive and there's a lot of work in them, $1000 would only be a starting price.

I posted my Rick Griffin tribute piece this week. The surfing flying eyeball. I think RG was the 1st time I engaged with a named artist. As a kid my parents would takes me to art galleries. The National Portrait Gallery in London was a popular one. I liked seeing the historical figures, but I couldn't have told you the artists names.

My granny talked about the likes of Turner & Constable, & I liked Blake, but I always felt that was for the "adults," while RG spoke diectly to me on my level. He later became my "feature" artist when I was at college. One of my Tutors tried to dissuade me and to pick a "proper" artist! It was the only part of my course where I got below an A grade, but it was worth it.

As for "inspiration," I live in such a beautiful part of the world, especially when the sun comes out. I would like to think even if I lived in a city I would continue to be inspired by the natural world but the last 2 times I've spent any time in a city I've ended up stitching geometric grey and red brick.

I also posted a photo of some of my stitched fabric prints this week. I love doing my "Fabric Project," I think of it as a spin off from my main work. I have been dabbling with it for years producing one off prints for various projects & presents for family & friends.

I have often been asked if I'd make some of it available to the public. I still have to investigate this further as I only really want to do it small scale & I like to use recycled cotton and I haven't found a reliable source yet. I am thinking of having some stuff on my website but it is expensive doing it on a small scale.

I have ordered an oil cloth for our kitchen table and I'm looking forward to seeing what that turns out like.

I did another in my "Pride Month" series. This one was "Ally." I won't write much more about it here as I think I covered most of what I wanted to say in my original note. It was thought provoking work and I am still thinking about it. I find stitching something of this nature gives me an opportunity to "deep dive" emotionally into a subject that sends out ripples into my life.

I need to "clear my palette" regularly. I do this with my Procrastination Patches. I find comfort in doing knotwork pieces. They are freehand at this stage but there is something I like in the regularity.

Then there are my "Flow" pieces. These are a complete contrast. Someone described it as "fearless." That resonates with me. It is very much stitching "in the moment." Letting the mind off the leash & witnessing the creation. I find it an excellent way to refresh my mind and process. To play with colour, texture & form without constraints or preconceived notions. A dive into the cool waters of creativity and paddle about!

I better stop there, I'm getting all cosmic and stuff. So, that was this week in review. I hope you enjoyed it. I certainly loved sharing it and reading the comments. I do prefer a two way dialogue. Please restack, like or just do what you do & I should be back with another project for my Sunday Stitch. 🤠👍