história primária

A sneak peek into História Primária.

the story about the book

about a month ago he calls me:

"...you know how Mary is always saying I should publish my stories? Well, her birthday is coming up and I want to surprise her with a printed book of my short stories. Can you illustrate the cover?"

meanwhile...

about a week and a half ago she calls me:
"... you know how I'm always telling Alex that he should publish his short stories? Well, his birthday is coming up and I want to surprise him with a printed book with his stories. Can you illustrate the stories and mount the book?

I said yes to both... but they don't know it!!

the mess

I know I've been away, but I have a great excuse for it. I'll be posting it tomorrow... can't wait!

PS: to my flat-mates: I'm sorry about the mess. I'll cook a nice dinner to compensate for it!! 

Las manas

It's obvious: I enjoy transforming photos into embroidery projects!

Las manas was inspired by this pretty photo of me and my sisters.

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Welcome....

Here it is: the Apple Tree Shop and the Apple Tree Etsy Shop!

It's been a busy week cause, even though I have done a lot of reading on how to run a blog/shop, there's so much involved! But, I'm having so much fun with the whole thing! Of course friends and readers are being truly wonderful and supportive, encouraging me to go ahead. Very thankful to everyone!  

Since the beginning, I've had a conflicting dilemma about what I would be doing: embroidery, pins, photography, book biding, drawings... I've decided to explore a bit a each and see how things work out. I've started with some pins and embroidery hoops and hope to be posting new items in the shop on a regular basis. I've got so many ideas!! So please... I need your feedback! 

And because virtual inaugurations are so boring (no food or drinks), with every purchase from today to the 23rd of April, I'll be placing a special surprise in every order! 

PS: # 48 - start my own business (this counts as a business, right?!)

sleeping beauty

...at 1:13 am

Susette en Paris

almost...

busy...

I've got butterflies in my belly....
There is still so much to do before tomorrow!

the process

step #1 Choose a photograph from one of my favorite books: Paris, mon amour (bought in Paris, of course)

step #2 Draw the pretty lady 

step #3 Embroid her with my favorite yarns on hand dyed linen.  

# 101 dye textiles

On our trip to Lazarim, my eye caught trees covered in with lichens (a fungus). This post immediately came to mind and we stopped the car to pick up a bag full. Two days later the lichens were tossed into a pan and boiled for about an hour, after which I stained the water, put a piece of white linen and boiled slowly for about  another hour. It led out a strong earthy smell. I did this rather instinctively, without a mordant and without much knowledge of textile dyeing techniques, so the piece of linen came out in a raw beige color. 

before and after

What I'm really looking for is a way to dye linen in greys and blues! I bought some potassium ferricyanide crystals or Prussian Blue, (it's the blue in the cyanotype process), but I haven't found much information on it's ability to dye textiles. I think I'll just do the same: toss it in a pot and see what comes out!