"I begin with an idea ... and then it becomes something else"
~ Picasso

Thursday, 12 August 2010

Cornish cobbles

Hello! It's been a while since I blogged here, a bit longer than I intended, so I'm jumping right in with more pebbles and pebble shaped inspiration. I'm thinking cobbles, rocks and sparkly Cornish granite too ...






















Pebbles, rocks, granite, cobbles and stones ... found in and around the harbour of St. Ives, Cornwall

1. The Digey 2. Rocks on the little beach behind the lifeboat station 3. Smeatons Pier 4. Wet cobbles on a rainy evening - Fore Street 5. The Digey 6. The Wharf 7. Ink and salt patterns from my sketchbook 8. The Digey looking towards the famous green door 9. Lichen patterns on granite

Cobbles featured recently in my St. Ives quilt for Festival of Quilts



















The cobbles are reverse applique made by free motion stitching over several layers of fabric and then cut through to the layers underneath

I show more pictures of how I did it here (apologies if you have already visited)













I've always been drawn to the cobbles and cottages of St. Ives


















This is a page from my sketchbook with part of a painting by Biddy Picard






















I was inspired to create a new page using acrylics, paper, chiffon and machine stitching
















I used metallic oil pastels to highlight some of the cobble shapes


















Back to my pebble shapes. Playing with watercolour on a colour washed page. The right hand side is covered with acetate which I painted and stitched into

















This is hand made wet felt using curly wool tops to create the lines found in pebbles and outlined with silver stitching

















These are just samples from my sketchbook
















My silk painted pebbles stitched to silver grey silk dupioni

Yesterday I received lovely snail mail from Gina ... several postcards of her beautiful work which I will show on my other blog soon and this postcard of the mixed media textile art work of Liz Harding featuring stitched pebbles with inspiring lines

Stone Journey by Liz Harding

















Isn't it gorgeous and inspiring?

More wonderful post came from one of my flickr friends Dawn Brimicombe who contacted me to do an ATC swap

Dawn combined two of my favourite things, my love for blackbirds and pebbles, on these beautiful collaged and stamped ATCs. My ATCs will be on their way soon ...

The blackbird's song















Seaside















August is a very busy month for me with visitors and not having much space or time to work but it's good to be back blogging again. I've got lots of stuff in the making and lots of little gifts for blog friends that have been very patient with me while I've been busy. Hopefully things will settle down soon ...

Have a lovely weekend coming up
Carolyn ♥

30 comments:

Pom Pom said...

Oh, I love glimpses into your sketch book. Love the pebbles and the row of cottages. I've missed you!

Sharne Gregory said...

Lovely to read your post, I was wondering how you were.I was hoping to spend more time in St. Ives than I managed last week when on holiday. I have collected some pebbles to do some drawing and painting, but not had time yet. I am thinking of going back to Cornwall
(alone) in the half-term to do all thge things I didn't get a chance to do and see.

Julie Shackson said...

Your rocks rock! Fabulous work; so inspiring. Just lovely.

Julie said...

Your sketchbook work is beautiful and fascinating. The Biddy Picard inspired pages are super. Love the stitched pebbles too and the birdie cards. Good to see you back. Hope you get some rest in August!

Emma said...

Fabulous, just fabulous!

Jensters said...

Great pebbles Carolyn......and what wonderful postcard swaps you received....i love the blackbird on Nanny Mcphee and the big bang...lol

ju-north said...

Such a wonderful mix of colours and textures!

Clare Wassermann said...

Just a lovely inspirational post - thank you. I'm so drawn to Cornwall...one day I shall live there x

Deborah said...

I love getting to see your sketchbook. You've accomplished quite a lot.

Chrissie said...

missed you!
always love the way you have with a pebble!

Caroline said...

Lovely to get a peek into your sketchbook! I like your felting - the colours and textures are super. I also like those ATCs from your friend - perfect for the post theme!

Becca said...

Simply beautiful!

Anonymous said...

As always, jaw droppingly gorgeous. We share very similar interests I think. Love looking at your sketchbook and the Liz Harding work is inspiring.Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend,
Penny

Gina said...

Your work is so beautiful and inspiring as always Carolyn.

Jasmine said...

A beautiful post. Its so good to see how you work.

mano said...

what a wonderful post - I love every single picture! Your sketchbook is really unique! have a beautiful and sunny weekend!

martha brown said...

I just swoon every time I see your pebbles :)

JP said...

love your work

Jensters said...

lol...what i said was wrong its not a blackbird in Nanny Mcphee...well it was black anyhow x

Jane said...

thoses stitched sketches are to die for!
Wonderful work as aways Carolyn x

Anonymous said...

I love these! Wonderful textures! I've never been to Cornwall, but Clovelly has the most wonderful cobbles! Have you been? And a sea wall with great textures. We loved it there.
Thank you for sharing these works of your art.
Diane

Unknown said...

Really lovely Carolyn!

MILLY said...

I saw your quilt at the show yesterday, it was lovely in real life. I thought the pebbles were great, and after seeing how you did them. The quilts were amazing! .Thanks for your comment.
Milly

Unknown said...

Such beautiful work! Have a sweet day!

Alexandra MacVean said...

Wow, you are an incredible mixed media artist. I have never dabbled in that arena...too afraid to! :) hee hee

I am glad I found your blog. What an inspiration. I see that you are doing the sketchbook project. So am I! You can join a special blog here that I just created today:

http://sbdoodleheads.blogspot.com/

I will add you as an author (look for an email invite) and you can post your own updates, questions, thoughts, ideas. etc. Don't forget to "follow" as well, so others can find you and visit you. There are so many wonderful artists/dollmakers out there.

Zue said...

I have just discovered your blog and I love looking at your work. These pieces with the theme of pebbles are stunning.

You have made me more determined to pick up my fabrics and be more creative with them!

Sue A xx

Brunel Broderers said...

Hi Carolyn
Susi from the Brunel Broderers here!
Browsing through your fabulous blogs - so visually rich - sent Liz Harding a link so she could see your post with her work Stone Journey! We would love to link as we have a blog too - www.brunelbroderers.blogspot.com
Look forward to hearing from you!

Valerie said...

A lovely stumble upon your blog tonight... I just love the cobbles of St. Ives and the bird images. I have a friend who lives in London and she's always wishing on about St. Ives. If the cobbles are like your quilts, well, I've just GOT to get there! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.
-Val

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Carolyn, It was nice to revisit your blog after my long break from blogging. Your sketchbook is incredibly creative and I love all those pebbles shapes. Your impression of Cornwall is lovely. Carolyn you art is always very inspiring. Hugs Judy

Katie said...

I stumbled upon your blog today because I love those Inchies. You are doing so many wonderful things with fiber/ fabric. Very nice!