Finished !!!!

The last few months have been busy, busy, busy with my head down and bum up, working on finishing my Level 3 - Embroidery City and Guilds course, and ..... I've done it!  Module 12 is on its way to the UK as we speak (or read) and hopefully I've submitted enough for the final EV's assessment on 18th June.

What a relief, after 7 years of studying.   Yes, I know I'm slow, but sometimes life just gets in the way, and thats the beauty of distance learning, you do it at your own pace.  I've thoroughly enjoyed it, although there were times when I struggled to think outside the box, and the down side of distance learning is that you've no-one to bounce ideas off, so you're really on your own, and at times I wondered if I was on the wrong track, but all that is par for the course.  In the long run thats what determines your own style of work. 

I haven't yet found a particular "style" that I could say is "me", but I know what I'm comfortable with and what I enjoy doing the most.  I'm not a very loose artist, I find it hard to be very free in my designs and way of working, I'm more constrained and like to work in a precise way, but thats just me.  On saying that, the loose methods and designs I did do, pleased me, and probably surprised me in the end as well, so who knows, now I'm free to work at my own pace I might loosen up more. 

The other night my hubby was looking through my work from the very beginning and asked if I could believe I'd done some of the work, and I have to admit, some of it surprises me, but it also shows how far I've come and what I've learnt.  I have a better understanding and appreciation of modern art, varying techniques, how designs evolve and come about from primary sources, history - not just in textiles either, and a whole load more.  I don't regret it for one second and would encourage anyone who's considering undertaking such a course to go forth and grab the chance, because you won't regret it. 

I've included photos of some of my note books I created ... the first one was my notebook on Fabrics, Conservation & Laundering Methods.  I used up hubby's old shirts to create the cover as a little bit of a tribute to wonderful man who has supported and encouraged me throughout.

The second book was all about my white work techniques and was made with layers of fabric and net, free machined around the contours of a layer of lace to give it dimension. 

Next was a sketchbook, covered with pva glue and tissue paper, and washes of acrylic paint and wax.  Makes a good hardy cover, idea for a lot of handling.

The last one is my notebook on Patchwork Quilting and Applique and consists of brown paper, vliesofix, scrim, hand made felt and some hand stitching.

 And finally ... you can see the aftermath of all my work in my studio ... yes, I've a LOT of cleaning and tidying up to do, but thats for another day ... for the next couple weeks I'm putting my feet up and relaxing.