Paper, Paint, Stitch and More ...

 Welcome 

I just want to take a moment to welcome you to the CEG Zoom class, Paper, Paint, Stitch and More …

We will be meeting at 7pm on September 25, October 9, 23, November 13, 27, and December 11.  I will usually open the Zoom class a little early to get set up.  We have a recurring link so it will be the same one for each class.  I will send out the invitation/reminder for the class on the Monday before the class.  I usually send any handouts for the class on the day of the class, and I will post them on my blog so that you will have continued access during and after the class. 

As the name indicates, we will be exploring paper as a vehicle or medium for a variety of techniques and be inspired by a multitude of paper artists from around the world to stitch into this very versatile substrate in any number of amazing and creative ways.

In preparation, start gathering your supplies.

• Paper – different thicknesses and types (whatever you have on hand)

o   As I’ve said in the past, Sarnia has great $ stores – our Dollarama sells pads of 20 sheet 140 lb. (300 gsm) watercolour paper for $3.25  --- that is very sturdy paper and will hold up to a lot of abuse and thread/fibre tension.  You can add paint, watercolour and layers to it.  I use this for my bases a lot.

o   Tissue paper

o   Printer paper

• Paint – water colour and acrylic.  You don’t have to try both, but you should try at least one.  Ink is also an option if you have it.   You want to put colour on the paper in some form.
• Threads and fibres.  I use a lot of #10 and #20 crochet cottons and #12 perle cotton because I like the size of the threads.  They can be a bit of pain to thread into a needle though.
• Needles – ideally you want needles that don’t have a rounded eye.  You don’t want the eye of the needle to make the hole in your paper larger than it needs to be.  You are looking for a long eye rather than a round one (if that makes sense)
• Awl or paper piercer – these can be as simple as a push pin or can be purchased from craft stores.  Sometimes a large upholstery needle will be just the right size and quite a useful piercing tool.  My local $store now carries paper piercing tools.
• Piercing Mat – it can be a piece of foam, an old mouse pad, a piece of felt, wool press pad, cardboard, newspapers, etc.  You need something with a bit of give to put under your paper so that you can pierce through the paper without damaging your desk or tabletop.
• Grid paper – graph paper or dot grid paper can be very useful and saves you from needing to use a ruler to get a regular measurement (great for planning designs) If you have the Alabama Chanin (Geometry of Hand-sewing Book) there are wonderful hole stitch templates in the back)
• Ruler
• Adhesive – glue stick, double sided tape (whatever works for you)
• Cutting tools – scissors, exacto knife and cutting mat
• Heating tools (optional) – soldering iron or incense sticks – for burning holes and edges of paper

 

Kit:  I will be sending out your kit with some specialty papers for experimentation and ephemera for you to play with. The dark zip lock envelope in the kit contains cyanotype paper (do not open until you are ready to use the paper – It should not be exposed to daylight)