Hoppo Bumpo (n): A children's game. Played by folding one's arms and hopping on one leg. Aim is to bump opponents, so that they lose their balance. Last person standing wins.


September 13, 2010

The cover-up



Cover-up: (n) concealment of evidence of wrong-doing, error or other embarrassing information

I love a good cover-up - especially if its in the creative domain. So when I saw a craft idol discussing the judicious placement of a faux cabbage rose or spray of feathers to disguise a millinery mistake, I was full of admiration.

In my mind it completely legitimises the use of the cover-up.

For most, "quick, hide the evidence" is a last resort. For me: a personal mantra. If I had a dollar for every sunken cake back-filled with icing, or decorative applique sewn over a scorch mark, I'd be a wealthy woman indeed.

Of course, not every cover-up is a success and there are many traps for the young player.

Take this early sketch, for example. Following a number of failed nose renderings, the furry marsupial got a ... leaf.

Its all about the context, people. Hat with cabbage rose: good. Possum with naso-mandibular-foliage-substitution ... well I'll leave you to decide.


How about you? Do you engage in the creative cover-up? Do tell - it will just be our little secret. I promise.

15 comments:

  1. I paint . I paint possoms too . I use leaves a lot but don't tell anyone !

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  2. I just think it's the most beautiful possum sketch I've ever seen, leaf or no leaf.xo

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  3. I think it is good. Are possums shy? Do they hide their noses especially in the winter? I don't know but it is still cute. I'll do the cake cover up but haven't done so much of the sewing kind. but I think innovation is one of the best sources of individuality. Cherrie

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  4. I am totally in awe of your use of the little know wording..."naso-mandibular-foliage-substition."
    Truly you are an outstanding wordsmith and I raise my cap to you!

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  5. Honestly, leaves are so versatile. From spectacular Renaissance sculpted modesty to entirely-as-important naso-mandibular-foliage-substitution for a possum...

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  6. Oh yes. The cover up is a completely legitimate part of the design process. Many a design breakthrough was made in the strategic placement of applique or cabbage rose.... or leaf.

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  7. It's not a mistake, it's 'a design opportunity', aka 'do it twice and look like you meant it.

    Cute wee guy - in a softie this might be worrying for a lovely drawing, just the proper thing.

    Cheers,
    AJ

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  8. Once upon a time, in a faraway land a man named Adam used a strategically placed leaf to very good effect. You are obviously in good company.
    I could tell you about a particularly fetching coat dress which I made in the '80s and the strategic use of a brooch which helped the wide lapels lie evenly but maybe I should just keep that filed with the other 'fashion disasters' of my younger days.

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  9. Is he of the reknowned 'snub-nose possum' genus? Or is it a particularly wide leaf?

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  10. Don't judge yourself too harshly, now! I think you deserve a lot of credit just for the term "naso-mandibular-foliage-substitution."

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  11. Of course I do...only the other day I made a pair of Dortje Trousers and sewed the wrong sides together so the seam was on the outside. Out came the ribbon box and I just sewed some on to cover it up. There was no way I was going to undo a perfectly good seam!

    I love the leaf over the nose cover up. Looks like it's meant to be there.

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  12. All the time... except I'm so good at kidding myself that I don't even think of it as a cover-up rather destiny or the way it was meant to be!

    I like your possum drawing. It is cute.

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  13. You have reminded me of the famous words of one of our staff members trying to explain an ICT problem with the new equipment he was demonstrating - "It's not a fault - it's a feature". This quote has been well utilised by the staff ever since and proven very handy to get out of some 'leaf over the nose' situtations since. Remember - the nose isn't a fault - the leaf is a feature!
    (Not so anonymous - your sister!)

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  14. When I stuffed up a calligraphy piece, you can bet it'd be covered by a butterfly. Altho I have used a star, on occasion. Can't look too perfect, or people would think everything's been made in some factory in China. That's what I think. Yay for possums and leaves!

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  15. Perfect leaf placement!

    Oooh my word verification word is nunosigh. I may have to start using it.

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