Fen is my name in short and folio means "a sheet of any written or printed material".
Monday, 23 December 2013
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Fabulous Fabric : Handmade bags (1)
I have always been inspired by the amazing designs and textures of fabric. As a matter of fact, when I was a teenager I made my own clothes on an old sewing machine I got from my mum. It took about 25 years but one day earlier this year it just happened; my love for sewing came back and I was eager to pick it up again! The old sewing machine was taken down from the attic where it was stored for such a long time. After reading the manual, I started to remember again how the machine worked (it really is like driving a car) and tested some stitching on some cloth. But suddenly, smoke came out of the motor!!! I thought that was the end, but couldn't give up yet. I thoroughly cleaned and oiled the mechanical parts and....it worked!!!
My first project was making a purse. I bought an instruction book about making handbags "Sew Serendipity Bags" by Kay Whitt, funky fabric from an American supplier via www.etsy.com. Other haberdasheries like closures and interfacing I purchased online too.
Although the machine was able to sew fine through thin layers of fabric, it was unfortunately not coping well with multiple layers of fabric and interfacing together (e.g. handles). I finished some parts off by hand and this is the result!
Realising I wanted to sew more and that my birthday was coming up soon, I asked for a new sewing machine: Janome Excell 5024. Oh, what a difference with my old one. It was just a breeze to sew through many layers now!
My second project was born quickly; another handbag but this time bigger and a special one for my mum who is a musical talent (oratorium and piano). I had already found some gorgeous fabric of music on Ebay and with some scrap fabric I found at Aberdeen Forward, golden coloured fabric at my local craft shop Meg's Attic and grommets from donated curtains at the local Red Cross shop, I just had to assemble it with the clear instructions in the book.
I'm really pleased with the result and had raving reviews on my personal Facebook page. The biggest compliment however was when I gave it to my mum; she was very emotional and touched when she saw it! She didn't expect something like this at all and could hardly believe I made it myself.
I have already started two new projects again; aprons (for myself and as Christmas present) and my evening dress. As soon as I have finished these (bare with me because the evening dress has already proved to be a challenge!) I will post it here again.
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| Vintage sewing machine |
My first project was making a purse. I bought an instruction book about making handbags "Sew Serendipity Bags" by Kay Whitt, funky fabric from an American supplier via www.etsy.com. Other haberdasheries like closures and interfacing I purchased online too.
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| Instruction book I used to make my bags |
Although the machine was able to sew fine through thin layers of fabric, it was unfortunately not coping well with multiple layers of fabric and interfacing together (e.g. handles). I finished some parts off by hand and this is the result!
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| Purse |
Realising I wanted to sew more and that my birthday was coming up soon, I asked for a new sewing machine: Janome Excell 5024. Oh, what a difference with my old one. It was just a breeze to sew through many layers now!
 |
| My new sewing machine |
My second project was born quickly; another handbag but this time bigger and a special one for my mum who is a musical talent (oratorium and piano). I had already found some gorgeous fabric of music on Ebay and with some scrap fabric I found at Aberdeen Forward, golden coloured fabric at my local craft shop Meg's Attic and grommets from donated curtains at the local Red Cross shop, I just had to assemble it with the clear instructions in the book.
I'm really pleased with the result and had raving reviews on my personal Facebook page. The biggest compliment however was when I gave it to my mum; she was very emotional and touched when she saw it! She didn't expect something like this at all and could hardly believe I made it myself.
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| Shoulder handbag |
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| Curtain grommtes have been used for the handles |
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| Interior of scrap upholstery fabric |
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| Magnetic closure inside |
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| Side view of bag |
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| The bag has been enforced with interfacing on the side and bottom |
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| Stitched handles with golden thread |
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| Quilted stitches on top of wadded fabric |
I have already started two new projects again; aprons (for myself and as Christmas present) and my evening dress. As soon as I have finished these (bare with me because the evening dress has already proved to be a challenge!) I will post it here again.
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Art Studio
It took about 5 months all together but my art studio is now finished! With thanks to my lovely supporting husband who stripped the bothy, made frames for the walls and insulated them, put in new plasterboard, made the shelves and hung the lights and roller blinds. I painted the walls, ceiling and furniture. We only used a taper for finishing off the walls, a plumber to connect our old kitchen unit and an electricien for the wiring.
What a transformation! With the new electric heating it's also very cosy inside, just in time before the winter comes.
Right after the studio was finished I had my first visitor; my father who wanted to learn more about how to use mixed media in paintings during a two day one-to-one workshop I organised!
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| Front of bothy/art studio with new door and window |
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| Hubby working hard for me! |
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| Insulation is in place |
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| Walls have been professionally taped |
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| Pimping my old yellow bookcase |
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| I used special crackle glaze to create this effect on my furniture |
What a transformation! With the new electric heating it's also very cosy inside, just in time before the winter comes.
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| Lots of storage and plenty of space to create art |
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| More storage for my mixed media materials |
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| New vinyl floor |
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| View towards house |
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| The office chair will soon be reupholstered by myself |
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| Shortened and pimped old kitchen unit |
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| Leftover tiles from sunlounge as splashboard |
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| Nice light even when the rollerblinds are down |
Right after the studio was finished I had my first visitor; my father who wanted to learn more about how to use mixed media in paintings during a two day one-to-one workshop I organised!
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Art workshops (2)
During my NEOS exhibition I received a lot of interest in my upcoming art workshops. The mixed media art workshop "Text & Texture" took place last week and was fully booked. In the morning I set up the big room in The Creamery with working tables for the participants and to display the various art materials we would be using. Just before 10 am I welcomed the six ladies with a cup of coffee or tea. The age varied from 35 to 75 years old. Some were complete beginners, others had already some painting experience. Some were relaxed, others a bit nervous. With my introduction talk in which I told them it was all about experimenting, enjoying the creative journey, keeping an open mind and not having a picture in the mind they were all relaxed and keen to start. Showing them the creative quote I'm inspired by and which I used in one of my own art pieces really got through them;
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun.”
(Mary Lou Cook)
Then I explained all about the various materials; acrylic paint, ink, stamps, stencils, embossing machine, handmade paper, tissue paper, scrapbook paper, vintage music sheets, fabric remnants and leftovers from material packaging.
It was as if they were kids in a sweetshop, they were sooo excited! One of the participants was even in her own world and "diving" in all the baskets while I was explaining. Just wonderful to so much enthusiasm.
After choosing a quote they are inspired by (a handout was given with a selection of quotes but they could also use their own or just even words) and various collage materials, they set off their creative journey. With a short lunch break everyone worked very hard, in their own speed and very focussed on their project.
After 4 hours most had (almost) finished their piece and it was time to take some photos of the proud artists with their creation. The feedback I receivedafterwards was overwhelming, thank you so much ladies!! The next workshop planned on the 2nd of December is now already fully booked with other participants and the weekly course I'm starting in January has almost three full groups!
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun.”
(Mary Lou Cook)
Then I explained all about the various materials; acrylic paint, ink, stamps, stencils, embossing machine, handmade paper, tissue paper, scrapbook paper, vintage music sheets, fabric remnants and leftovers from material packaging.
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| Display of various papers |
It was as if they were kids in a sweetshop, they were sooo excited! One of the participants was even in her own world and "diving" in all the baskets while I was explaining. Just wonderful to so much enthusiasm.
After choosing a quote they are inspired by (a handout was given with a selection of quotes but they could also use their own or just even words) and various collage materials, they set off their creative journey. With a short lunch break everyone worked very hard, in their own speed and very focussed on their project.
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| Artists at work |
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| Artists at work |
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| Finished art piece by one of the participants |
After 4 hours most had (almost) finished their piece and it was time to take some photos of the proud artists with their creation. The feedback I receivedafterwards was overwhelming, thank you so much ladies!! The next workshop planned on the 2nd of December is now already fully booked with other participants and the weekly course I'm starting in January has almost three full groups!
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| Proud artists with their art piece |
Sunday, 29 September 2013
North East Open Studios (5)
Our exhibition during North East Open Studios at The Creamery was a great success!
Thank you to all who came along. It was lovely to catch up with friends and meet new people from the local area and further afield. I'm still overwhelmed by your wonderful and positive feedback. Thank you also to those who took part in my drop-in workshop and who have signed up for my upcoming mixed media art and Ipad workshops (www.fenfolio.com/workshops). The 7th of October is now fully booked, there are just a few places left for the 16-week course so I will be very busy this winter!
Here are some photos I took just before we opened our exhibition to give you an impression:
Thank you to all who came along. It was lovely to catch up with friends and meet new people from the local area and further afield. I'm still overwhelmed by your wonderful and positive feedback. Thank you also to those who took part in my drop-in workshop and who have signed up for my upcoming mixed media art and Ipad workshops (www.fenfolio.com/workshops). The 7th of October is now fully booked, there are just a few places left for the 16-week course so I will be very busy this winter!
Here are some photos I took just before we opened our exhibition to give you an impression:
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| Sculptor Sarah Gordon creating a sign in wood |
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| Homemade cakes and biscuits |
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| Paintings, digital art and notecards by Fenfolio |
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| Paintings, digital art and notecards by Fenfolio |
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| Sculptures by Sarah |
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| Fish made from driftwood by Sarah |
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| Paintings (Fenfolio), installation (Sarah) and photography (Leonie) |
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| Objects and table wrapped in wool by Sarah |
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| Handmade Book Thongs" by Iain Gordon |
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| Participants during one of my drop-in workshops |
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| Participants showing their art piece made with kitchen foil |
Friday, 30 August 2013
North East Open Studios (4)
Most of you who follow my blog already know that I take part in North East Open Studios every year. This time I've found a different venue, The Creamery, where I will also run my art workshops from October this year (more info on my website www.fenfolio.com).
The poster I designed is now being distributed. There is still lots to do, even finishing some new work, but I'm really excited about the event and I think it will be as successful as previous years! I know some of you won't be able to make it along but I will post some photos afterwards to give you an idea how it was.
The poster I designed is now being distributed. There is still lots to do, even finishing some new work, but I'm really excited about the event and I think it will be as successful as previous years! I know some of you won't be able to make it along but I will post some photos afterwards to give you an idea how it was.
Friday, 9 August 2013
Artistic Explorations: Colour & Texture (1)
Every year I look forward to the Fabric of the Land exhibition which takes place in the Geology Faculty of Aberdeen University. It explores the link between art and science and gives artists the opportunity to create pieces inspired by characteristics of the physical landscape. This year I submitted a painting which was derived from the colours and textures of minerals. Before I started though, I did some research and found some excellent pictures that would be the perfect reference during the creation process.
For each MDF panel I used metallic acrylics from Old Holland and different acrylic mediums from Golden to represent a particular texture. Unfortunately the beautiful iridescence of the paint can't be seen from a monitor.
This is my final piece "Mineral Series". It hasn't been selected for the exhibition unfortunately, but it will be shown during my own exhibition at North East Open Studios which will start 14 September.
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| Iridescent Hematite/Goethite Copyright: Mark Streeter |
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| Petrified Rocks Copyright: Frank Townsley |
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| Fluorite Copyright by DansPhotoArt |
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| Labradorite Copyright: Unknown Source: Pinterest |
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| Iridescent Goethite Copyright © C.R. Carnein |
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| Iridescent Hematite Copyright: Unknown Source: Pinterest |
For each MDF panel I used metallic acrylics from Old Holland and different acrylic mediums from Golden to represent a particular texture. Unfortunately the beautiful iridescence of the paint can't be seen from a monitor.
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| Mineral Series, Top Left Acrylics and soft gel gloss ©Fenfolio2013 |
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| Mineral Series, Top Right Acrylics, molding paste and crackle paste ©Fenfolio2013 |
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| Mineral Series, Bottom Left Acrylics, molding paste and clear granular gel ©Fenfolio2013 |
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| Mineral Series, Bottom Right Acrylics, molding paste and extra coarse pumice gel ©Fenfolio2013 |
This is my final piece "Mineral Series". It hasn't been selected for the exhibition unfortunately, but it will be shown during my own exhibition at North East Open Studios which will start 14 September.
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