Monday 28 September 2009

Seeds and Grasses.



When will I learn that it really doesn't pay to leave product photography for another day when the conditions are pretty much perfect at the time of making said decision? Yesterday there was soft, golden sunlight where today there is only a dull, flat light which makes it so difficult for a very amateur photographer such as myself to get the product images I need for my website. Hey ho, no doubt such things will eventually stick in my mind and I won't allow myself to be seduced by the thought of lazily quaffing wine on the courtyard as the sun descends possibly not to return for far too long...hmm, or maybe I won't.



So, here is the Grasses Lavender Cushion, the first of my new range. It is one of two lavender cushions inspired by the grasses and seedheads I see everywhere I go at the moment. Whether I am in our garden, roaming around the lanes or by the sea the colours and textures of autumn seem to leap out at me and this is my interpretation of what I see.



I have changed the way I work slightly for these pieces using a mix of freehand machine and hand embroidery to get the effect I was after, that of wispy grasses waving in the breeze layered with the bulkier, denser forms of seeds and seed cases.



The second cushion - aptly named Seed Lavender Cushion - also has a little applique, my working of the granite rocks glimpsed as a backdrop to so much of the landscape in Cornwall.



A little close-up of embroidery detail.



Each cushion is approximately 12cm square, quite small to be called a cushion really, but somehow sachet or pad didn't fit with how I feel about them. I have given them each a string handle to enable them to be hung if desired rather than tucked away in a drawer(far too pretty for that methinks!) My hope is that whoever sees them will view them as miniature pieces of art (if that doesn't sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet?), something which will add to their home and be a little heirloom in the making. Well, that's my hope anyway.



Each one will obviously vary slightly due to the nature of handmade items, but that is the charm of something handcrafted isn't it: something unique and worked from the heart, which these certainly were. More items to come over the next few days - if the light returns that is!

17 comments:

  1. Well, the pictures above look pretty good to me! I love that cushion - very autumnal.

    Pomona x

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  2. pomona has taken the words from my mouth!! x

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  3. Beautiful Pipany, you paint such a lovely scene with your needle and thread.
    Bertie x

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  4. Far too pretty me thinks too Pip!

    They are gorgeous (even with the dull light) and I love the combination of freehand machine stitchery and embroidery.

    take care,

    Nina x

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  5. Gorgeous works of art indeed. So much movement in that lovely embroidery. Exquisite.

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  6. Lovely! I'm a big fan of mixing up machine and hand stitching, it creates such a variety and texture to the lines ;0

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  7. gentle, drifting, warm and mellow....
    simply lovely x
    a perfect taste of Autumn in Cornwall
    well
    done
    you!
    hope you are happy lovely lady
    t x

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  8. Even blokes can see the art in these! A painter friend of mine mixes textiles (usually silk) and paint in her work - fantastic textured landscapes of the Pembroke Coast

    As they are small, the motif is of grasses and lavender, and they can be hung up, I wonder if they might be scented too.

    Absolutely honest opinion on the photos - I'd take the them again as the work deserves the better light and you'll be annoyed about it if you don't.

    M

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  9. Hello there!

    I am SO glad you found my blog, it meant I found yours and Im truly in love with your fabric art - I share the same fascination with seedheads, I cannot believe how beautiful they are and I often collect them on our walks and ambles to draw and gaze at. Your cushions are divine, Im off to visit your website and I will come and visit you again very soon.

    Love from up north
    Julia xxx

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  10. just lovely...your cushions are definitely works of art...I very much like and identify with your relaxing with a glass of wine and enjoying your moment rather than taking photos...in fact, it's a lovely warm afternoon here..I'm off to the garden to enjoy it!

    Jennifer X

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  11. just lovely...your cushions are definitely works of art...I very much like and identify with your relaxing with a glass of wine and enjoying your moment rather than taking photos...in fact, it's a lovely warm afternoon here..I'm off to the garden to enjoy it!

    Jennifer X

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  12. Love the new stuff Pip - photos are lovely too.

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  13. Lovely designs, Pip, I honestly don't know where you find the patience to make them. Heirlooms? I should say.

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  14. Hi Pip

    I do love you new designs, they capture the seasons beautifully. Great idea, there's real beauty in the turning of the year I think.

    Stephx

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  15. They are fabulous, I especially love the seed lavender cushion,you've captured the delicate grass to perfection.

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  16. Really lovely Pipany. The colours are perfect and I love the combination of hand and machine embroidery. The colours are so perfectly autumnal too. BOund to be a hit!
    CKx

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  17. Hi Pip,

    I've been over to your site and have to say that I think it's easy to navigate. The photos and styling of the products is really attractive and I think represent the products really well. Hope this helpful.

    Tracey

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