Cheep cheep....

I've been busy recently. Well, for the past 33 years but there you go! I'll re phrase that...recently I have been particularly busy making things. It is an addiction, I must confess! I've been drawing a lot and birds are especially lovely animals to draw. I have a budgie named Clarence. He is a bit nasty and hates people. In fact I think he only tolerates me...but he does make a good subject to draw, so, I drew him but just so he didn't get a big head I coloured him in blue rather than green!

I wasn't content with this so made it out of fabric too. It would be rude not to! There is much satisfaction in working with fabric.

I find stitching incredibly relaxing. I think it's actually good for the soul and calming for the mind. A stitch a day keeps the blues away. Isn't that how the saying goes? It's how my saying goes anyway.

Can you ever have too many badges?...

I know the answer to this question already. You can never have too many badges. This is just another item that I collect. I try and get a badge wherever I go. There just such nice things (I realise nice is the worst descriptive word but it just felt appropriate.) They're the perfect size and not expensive so if I see one I like I have to get it. I generally wear at least one badge everyday. In fact, I don't limit it to badges. I love brooches too. I decided that I just have to make my own badges.

Life through a lens?...

As you probably know by now I am a hoarder and a collector of all things, bits and bobs that interest me (which is pretty much everything to be honest!) My camera collection has increased considerably during the past year. I don't know why but they appeal to me so much. I love the look and feel of them and it's even better if they actually work. Then I get a little time to work with film too...I honestly don't do that often enough! Anyway, I'm going off track now. What I mean is I've started to document my cameras, firstly through drawing them with a fine liner and then transforming them in to fabric pieces. Currently I have three but as I enjoyed them so much I'm expecting more to be created pretty soon!

...and don't forget the film!

The cabinet of curiosities...

 

It took some time to source a cabinet that was just right but I'm very pleased with the one I eventually ended up with. If I was to be a cabinet I would be this one so I guess it says all I need it to say! It is filled with many delights from my little world, including a fabric interpretation of myself and Judy and Terry Baker (the parents!) It was quite frightening that fabric Judy looked particularly like the actual Judy. So much so that my behaviour dramatically improved whenever fabric Judy was about! I included my numerous sketchbooks and some badges (who doesn't like badges!) The cabinet was locked and I only opened it when I felt safe and that the people rummaging through my inner most thoughts either knew me well or had no clue who I was and so I was unlikely to see them again. Well, at least I'm being honest. It did feel good to lock it up again though and know that everything was in its place again! Phew!

A little update for you...

So, it may appear that I have abandoned you for some period of time!...This is not the case. I have been busy documenting things in one form or another. I thought I'd probably better show you the fruits of my labour and the actual exhibition as it looked on the night.

 

Is this the beginning or the end...

Although this is the last entry in my reflective journal before the hand in date it feels very much like the beginning of my journey. I can't stop now! My obsessive personality won't allow it. Although I'm working on pieces for the final exhibition I feel like I'm actually working on something on a much larger scale as I continue to build my collections. I envisage this will take up my entire life for however long that may be but fear not...it shall all continue to be documented in one form or another. I feel like I'm on the verge of something. Here's to the next 15 sketchbooks!

The curious case of E.V.B...

I am currently on the look out for an old display cabinet. I love the idea of displaying my sketchbooks and three dimensional work on shelves in some kind of cabinet, similar to the vintage 'cabinet of curiosities' idea. I'm trying to source a cabinet with a glass front similar to that of a museum. The objects inside are all aspects of my life. By putting them behind glass I'm still protecting them and myself slightly. On the opening of the exhibition I will be able to open the glass and people can look through the sketchbooks but I then have the option of closing it again afterwards. It's also very important to me that the cabinet is second hand and preferably has some age to it. I love antiques and vintage items and everything I surround myself with, including my house, fits in to these categories. I like the objects I collect to have had a previous life before I obtain them, therefore I feel that the display cabinet should also share these qualities.
I shall continue scouring the antique shops until I find a cabinet to contain 'The Curious Case of E.V.B.'