Friday, October 22, 2010

Ticking some more boxes

I finally managed to tick some more boxes this week, finishing a few little things I've had on the go.  Thanks to some gentle prodding/encouragement, and advice from my friend Isabell, I've finally got this little stitching experiment made into something.  I am so pleased I went with the gold lining [thanks again Isabell].

This began simply as an experiment using one stitch for texture.  I've used a variety of chain stitches and threads, but I am not sure if they can all be clearly seen.  The starting point was a simple A4 sheet of paper, several wavy lines drawn, paper cut on those lines, and then each segment was flipped, etc., prior to using as templates for marking the stitching lines.  I added a few beads in several voided areas, just for my usual BLING.  BTW, there are still lots of chain stitches that I have not used!!  I particularly love the look of the cable chain, done in black perlΓ© thread.



Some time ago I posted a picture showing a journal I'd made using brown paper shopping bags [courtesy of an online lesson by Sue Blueweiss].  I wanted to try another with a different colourway, and I've not long finished this one.   I really enjoy making these, and hope to make a few more before Christmas.  I put concertina pockets into the inside of this one, and added some decorated shipping tags.  Perhaps these would make excellent travel journals.  The old map image I found on the Interent, and thought it suited the brown and gold outside colour.

I've almost finished my October needlecase, so should be able to post it next week.  Not long now and the Twenty/Ten Challenge will be done and dusted.  I don't think I'll commit myself to such a discipline in 2011.  It has been fun, but perhaps it would be sensible to have a break next year and work on things that take my fancy 'at the time'.  That sounds like a spoilt brat talking, sorry!! 

8 comments:

Vicki W said...

Beautiful finishes!

Sharne Gregory said...

Lovely stitching! I find that I work better with a deadline to get work done by, otherwise I end up producing absolutely nothing!!

Robin Mac said...

Beautiful stitching Linda. I agree with Sharne - I need a deadline or I procrastinate and fiddle! cheers, Robin

Iceni UK said...

Linda, you are one talented lady, :) I love the black and gold bag, so elegant and chic.
As for the journals, wow, just brilliant.

Over the past year I have worked to deadlines then I lost the urge to stitch, nothing was done for several months. Only now am I getting back into the swing of it. Sometimes it better to pace oneself and enjoy the moments of total joy of stitching for no other reason than you want too.
Good luck with whatever you chose to do in 2011.
x

Radka said...

Beautiful bag, Linda, lovely photo, perfect as always:))

DIAN said...

Oh Linda, this is gorgeous as usual. I love the way you explain how you managed to design the stitching on the bag.

Stitching Lady said...

Hi Linda, I just discovered your page through Shirley B - beautiful. And I saw now the black cable stitches on your drawstring bag.I admire it!
Anneliese

Karyn said...

Linda, your bag has turned out really really well. I love that you can experiment and turn out such lovely treasures.