I am thrilled to share my August needlecase [and August is still not quite finished]. Another 'A' word had me puzzled until one day whilst browsing StitchinFingers, I noticed a beautifully worked bookmark stitched by one of the members who I am now pleased to call my friend. Cindy Brown showed us a piece worked in Aztec Stitch which I had never seen. You can see some of Cindy's work on her blog here After a little Google search, I was fortunate to find a PDF download with suitable instructions.
Basically, you are working on a withdrawn grid. Again, the only 'new' purchase for this project was the wool felt. Somehow, in all of my stash, I found just the right shade of evenweave to match the shading in the multi-dyed fabric, and I knew I remembered buying some lovely NeedleWorX overdyed threads at some stage. It just took me a little time to find where it was hiding.
I hope these photos do the lining fabric and the stitching justice. This project really didn't take me long to complete. I am extremely happy with it and would most definitely use this Aztec Stitch again, as I found the wrapping/carrying quite relaxing.
I must thank Cindy for sharing her work and bringing this to my attention, and I really have to think about making some sort of start on September's effort................
There has been great excitement this week. I won't make this a long post, but thought I'd share this photo of one of the foals which arrived a few days ago. Our son and daughter in law are very much into country horse racing, and all that goes with it of course. It keeps them very busy, but they enjoy it so much. They both have full time jobs, and I honestly don't know how they keep up the pace. Not sure on this little one's 'racing' name, but it appears her 'stable' name will be Zara. This photo arrived via my Inbox this morning. I believe another is expected any day and may have arrived overnight. Don't you just love baby animals!!!!!!!!
I have to show off this little box that I've just completed. This was a fun project and I have more of the 'fabric' left over to make a journal cover and some bookmarks. You can find a free PDF download here
I am enjoying some of these paper and fabric projects, and can't speak highly enough of the excellent instructions given by Sue Blueweiss in her notes. This little collage was created by printing out images of old maps, which were then torn apart and fused to wool felt. I then covered the 'fabric' with a small amount of crystal shred, covered with a fine blue chiffon scarf. Some straight stitching was done to represent 'roads'. I didn't make as many layers as Sue stated in her free project sheet. The lining is a crinkled polyester evening fabric that I had from my dressmaking days, and I thought I should put the little spiral sequin trim on the top, as it looked a tad bare to me.
I do hope you enjoy seeing this, and I shall try to make up the remaining fabric soon into the above mentioned projects, which of course I will share.
I've been wanting to try my hand at textile bead making for quite a while, so yesterday I decided to just do it, and continued with some more this morning. Those of you who know me, know I really don't like anything to do with glue, so it's not easy for me to get into this sort of thing. However, I have to say, I had some fun, and I've made a few little textured pieces that might be useful for some mixed media projects. I took the easy way out and made some paper ones first. These are made from heavy brown paper [almost card stiffness], which I coloured with crayons, painted with metallic folk art paint, with glitter added after rolling. They have been sealed with ModPodge. I think a much brighter result might be achieved by using lighter coloured paper, where the colour will be stronger.
The next experiment was using Kunin felt, stitched with metallic thread. It was then rolled onto a satay stick with some purple silk dupion. I like the broken/crackled surface, which was also painted with glue prior to rolling in glitter. These are really cool.
Okay, so now I'd found my sea legs, I was off!!! The next thing to try was Tyvek. I painted several strips with iridescent folk art paints, and Lumiere metallics. This batch was done using Lumiere Pewter on the Tyvek, and rolled with black wool felt, later rubbed with Sapphire Treasure Gold, and the obligatory glitter to finish off.
The last batch I'm quite pleased with because I managed to be much more judicious with the heat gun. These little gems are painted Tyvek, rolled with purple silk, distressed a little, and rubbed with Rose Gold Treasure Gold, but I stayed away from the glitter this time!!!! They are a much tighter and neater roll for my liking.
I want to try more with Kunin felt stitched prior to rolling with contrasting coloured silk. I like the look of those, the way the stitching is left after the felt is pulled away by the heat.
Once again the ladies on 3CS organized an interesting experimental technique for us this month, well, in a day or so we'll be onto the next one!!! However, this sunprinting was fun. I'd never done any of it before, so welcomed the opportunity to play. This piece was painted with a yellow/blue Setacolor mix, then masked with a thread doiley and some string. I have to confess, I didn't really like the shade of green, but hoped I'd manage to camouflage that when the time came to use the created piece.
This week seems to have completely disappeared on me!!! Thank you all very much for the positive comments on the July needlecase. I am pleased to report the grey felt turned up, along with the lovely apple green ordered at the same time. Somehow it just disappeared. I have to say a special thank you to Catherine [Catherine's Place] for getting to the bottom of the dilemma and organizing a second order for me. She has some very nice products and I will be putting in another order ASAP. I have to admit though, after the grey felt arrived, I am happy that I used the black felt in the July needlecase. I think the contrast is more striking.
I have made a start on August's needlecase, but I find I've been needing something to do at night, something that is not so taxing on my eyesight. These little toddlers' beanies are quick to make and use left overs.
I thought I might also share this pram cover with everyone. I knitted this using homespun wool. It's not the 'softest' cover I've ever come across, but it should be very warm. This little 4-row pattern creates a waffle effect, and was very easy to knit. I do hope the close up is clear enough. Both this and the beanie pattern are in a book I've had for years - All you can Knit and Crochet for Babies [Golden Hands publication]. I really like the styles in it, despite it being quite old.
I thought I might also share this pram cover with everyone. I knitted this using homespun wool. It's not the 'softest' cover I've ever come across, but it should be very warm. This little 4-row pattern creates a waffle effect, and was very easy to knit. I do hope the close up is clear enough. Both this and the beanie pattern are in a book I've had for years - All you can Knit and Crochet for Babies [Golden Hands publication]. I really like the styles in it, despite it being quite old.
