Mannequin ATC

Smellihelli is hosting a mannequin themed swap on the DoCrafts forum. This is my first ATC for the swap. I don't know what's wrong with me at the moment, but I keep doing things that are pink and pretty, which is not my thing at all! Anyway, I decided that as this is a mannequin swap I should incorporate some fabric. The torso is moulded from Makin's clay which I painted with gesso and then transferred the image onto it using Mod Podge. I added the wings and attached the beads using wire. I did the background using a piece of book page and a music score print, which I stuck on and then coloured using ink and drew some stitching around the edges. Then I cut the piece of fabric and roughly hand stitched around the edges. I layered on the fabric and lace and then added the torso to make my mannequin. The pole is cut from black card and the legs are hand drawn in black indian ink. Finally, to stick with the mannequin/fabric kind of theme, I tied some fibres through the buttons and stuck them on.

I am very excited, as I went on a bits and pieces buying mission on my lunch hour yesterday. I've found a FANTASTIC fabric swap, Abakhan fabrics in Manchester, where you can buy some great fabric offcuts by the kilo and it's really inexpensive. I didn't have chance to look upstairs so I'm going back again next week! I also called into the Oxfam shop on my way back, where I bought a book to alter. I've never done one before and I know I'll find it difficult as I was brought up in a household where books were treated with as much respect as people, and I still really love them. The thought of cutting into a book or drawing/painting on it makes me feel very uncomfortable indeed. I've also decided that I need to spend at least half a day exploring Manchester's Northern Quarter, as there are lots of arty/crafty/junky type shops which are just my kind of thing!