Weekend Workshop 2

More of my samples---------------

The first sample was to get us into the mood and it is 19 cm x 15cm



The second sample is 21cm x 17cm I will do some hand stitching on this later--it is all wool except for the shiny threads which are silk.




This sample has pieces if silk felted into the squares--it is 19cm x 24cm.




This sample is a pieceof silk fabric which I used as the base layer -then I put the wool on top and felted it knowing that I wanted the fabric side as my sample.
It measures 32cm x 24cm

Some of these samples I will us as Postcards and ATC's .

Gift for Ebony and that Tree

Yesterday I showed you the gifts that Joanna sent me and this is the book that she sent for Ebony.
It is a beautiful book about fairies and the fairies are cut out paper dolls that have dresses for the girls and suits for the boys.
Ebony just loves it as she is a lover of all thing Fairy.





Here is a photo of her and the paper dolls-- aren't they just gorgeous and is she happy or what.

Last week I showed you the tree outside our front door with lovely red spikey flowers.

Well last night we had a big downpour and this is what the tree looked like this morning----

And this is the red carpet under the tree which was the spikey flowers on the tree last week.

Oh well off I go with the broom to sweep the path.

Cards and Gifts from and for Joanna

These are the last card swaps for the year that Joanna and are doing.
We decided to do Christmas cards that were to have fabric on at least one of them.
The first cards are from Joanna and she has placed one of her delightful Fairies onto a pieced fabric with beads--this is so beautiful-I just love the fairies that she uses.
The one with the blue background has stitching on the leaf--I think it is free motion stitching.
the small one folds out to display as nowman and some writing and it has a delightful little clip on the front.

These are the cards that I sent to Joanna-and I have used Christmas paper as the background with embossed cardstock for the centre piece with a red fabric flower to finish it off. I'm sorry they are so dark -I placed them on black fabric hoping it would force the flash-but I am not so sure now.

This one is on a striped paper background with a white Embossed panel in the centre.The Christmas tree is a diecut- which is the piece that is removed when you get those cards with cut-outs in the centre.I then wound metallic thread around the tree and glued sequins over it to look like lights then I dabbed glitter over the tree to hilite it.

This last card has cutouts around the border and an oval cut out in the centre.

I made the fabric centre piece by chopping up fabric and layering it onto gossamer fuse ironed onto calico then a fine tulle was placed over it and I stiched patterns over it from the machine

This last photo is the gifts that Joanna sent to me and a gift for Ebony as well.

There is Christmas fabric-Christmas wire edged ribbon some beautiful threads some rub-ons and the most gorgeous book from hand made paper.

You spoil me Joanna.

Thanks again for the swap.

Postcards sent and Received

I received these 2 postcards today the blue one is from Gunnel and was her Christmas postcard swap with a yo-yo on it which was the theme of our swap.
The black one was from Joanna and it was a complete surprise to me.
Lovely P/Cs ladies.
This is the one that I have swapped with Gunnel -- just close your eyes Gunnel and pretend that you haven't seen it.
The little yo-yo is down the bottom

Challenge from Anna

Once again I have risen to the word Challenge.
Anna had written that if people commented on her blog that she would send some of her rusted fabric for them to make a piece of art.
We were not to use all the fabric on her piece of art but that we should keep some for ourselves.
Anna also included some metal beads that she had made.
These can be seen on the fabric.I know what I am going to make but you will have to wait a few days for that.

Book received and Book made

This is a CD book that I made at a class last weekend.
We used 2 blank CD's and we used a special Craft tool to punch the holes in it to hold the coil binding and for the life of me I can't remember what it is called---I know I know I can hear you all shouting out the name but you are just too far away for me too hear.
After we had the holes punched in we then stamped the images on and coloured the butterfly in with Twinkling H2o's--we then embellished the back as well but I haven't shown you that.
There are 5 pages of card stock inbetween the CD's to form the pages.
When this was finished we inserted the coil and added ribbons.
A great little project for Christmas -you could add your favourite recipes or poems to give to a friend-oh and the blob in the bottom left hand bit is UTEE .

And this book that I ordered from Dale at the thread studio arrived as well but I haven't had time to read it yet.

TAST Week 47 Thorn Stitch

This weeks stitch is Thorn stitch and oh thank goodness it was an easy one(thanks Sharon)Today was our Workshop on the Web groups day at the Embroiderers Guild and I thought I would take my TAST sample piece along to finish instead of my sewing machine --I really wasn't in the mood for the machine today.
Well I stitched away merrily creating my version of Corin Forest in Canberra (before the bushfires in 2003 that is) and this stitch says trees-trees and more trees.
I had a great piece of hand felted fabric that made a fabulous background for it. Well we only have 5 more weeks left and if you want to know what Sharon is planning for next year just read my previous message.

A new Challenge for next year

Sharon Boggan is working on a new Challenge for next year as the TAST challenge draws to an end in 5 weeks time.
I have enjoyed the TAST challenge and have learned a lot of new stitches that I had never heard of before.
Sharon has asked us to give our opinions from two options that she has suggested--so if you would like to see what they are and maybe take part next year visit the link listed below and leave a message on her blog
http://sharonb.wordpress.com/2007/11/20/take-a-stitch-tuesday-week-47/
If you haven't visited Sharon's blog before it is well worth a visit and I hope you like what you see and join me next year.

TAST Week 46 Chain Braid Stitch

By George I've got it----Chain Braid stitch that is.
This is not a stitch one would want to do in a hurry and one that I will probably never attempt again.
I imagine like the chain stitch sewing machine if you pulled the right thread the whole thing would unravel but in saying that I am not game to attempt it.
I did manage to get the last row with the pink and green thread to look nice and tidy but I nearly tied myself inside out getting it that way.
I used Perle 8 cotton thread on an even weave linen.
Thanks Sharon for introducing me to a lot of stitches that I would probably never have learnt before.
It has been a very interesting and enjoyable journey - One that I am glad I went on.

Trees and Squares

Outside my front door is this magnificent tree and it is in full bloom at present.
It is a native Australian tree commonly known as a bottlebrush(I think it's a Callistemon) and my husband says it's name is Captain Cook and who am I to argue- all I know is that it is beautiful.(I'm no gardener and I will be the first to admit it)
This is a close up of the flowers--there is only one problem with this tree and it is that when the flowers are finished it drops the spikey bits and leaves a carpet of red all over the path leading up to the front door and in through the front door if I am not careful.

I can now show you the crazy patchwork square that I did for Sandy because she has contacted me to say it has arrived as well as her "I've found it" postcard.

I enjoyed doing this square as I haven't done any crazy patchwork for years--I think I will do some more next year---

More Gifts in the Mail

I recently answered a posting on Anna's blog whereby she would give one of her pouches to the first 10 people to leave a comment.
Well you know me never one to be backward on the opportunity to get a freebie and especially if it was a piece of Anna's creative work.
The pouch is made from silk pods and is one of the class techniques that Anna teaches.
Thank you Anna I love it.




Next is the Crazy Patchwork square that Sandy and I swapped with each other.
This is my square that Sandy pieced and embroidered.
Honestly I have never seen so many stitches and beads on one square.
I don't know how long it took but I reckon her hands were sore by the time she finished.
I can't show you my square that I sent her as she hasn't received it yet.
And Sandy doesn't have a blog yet so I can't link you to her.

And I also swapped a postcart with her from the "I found it" fabric -I don't have a photo of the one that I sent to Sandy but it is the same as the ones I posted several blogs ago.
Sandy also included this lovely Tag as well.


Thank you Sandy--as usual you have given me much pleasure with our swaps.

A great day today

Today I went to my favourite shop again and spent the day making Christmus stuff.
This morning we made Christmas cards and this afternoon we made decorations..
All the Christmas messages on the cards came off one sheet of 12 x 12 paper which meant there was no stamping involved.
These cards were quick and simple to make and the idea was to show us just how easy it is to make your own simple Christmas cards.


The ornaments were made from a kit with all the craft wood pieces for all 3 ornaments included in the kit.
The first thing we did was to paint the embellishments that went on the baubles and the back of the baubles as well.
Next we put Gesso on the unpainted side of the baubles and covered them with the papers.
When these dried we used a foam distressing pad to make the edges look aged.
We then assembled the embellishment pieces and glued them together and when these dried we glued them to the baubles.
The last thing to do was to tie the ribbon through the small holes at the top of the bauble.

Another very successful workshop with lots of good ideas.

TAST Week 45 Pekinese Stitch

This week we are doing Pekinese stitch-- I have heard of this stitch but I have never done it before.
The base row is backstitch and then the loop stitches are formed around the backstitches.
In the first two rows I have worked a single row of back stitch and I rather like the look of these two rows.
The third row has two rows of back stitch and then the loop stitches are worked between these two rows.
In the last one I have worked two lots of three rows of back stitch separated by a couple of rows of linen thread.
I then did the loop stitches over the three rows of back stitch which formed two braid like rows of Pekinese stitch.
I then laced them together in the lime green thread.
I know this looks different from Sharon's sample but this is how I interpreted the lacing when I read the Batsford Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches that I borrowed from the Embroiderers Guild Library.
To me it looks upside down to Sharon's but I don't think the Stitch Police will come and take me away--well I hope not anyway.

I have used a linen fabric and Perle cottons.

"I found it" Postcards

I decided to make the "I found it" piece of fabric into postcards as it was only the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
I managed to get 3 postcards and one ATC out of it.
I have sent one postcard to Sandy and these two are for Dianne and Lynda and the ATC went to Dot.
I didnt add any further embellishments to them as I thought it would detract from the overall piece.
I know they haven't received them yet but they already
know what they will look like so I thought I would put them on my blog now.




I hope you like them girls.

A bit of this and a bit of that--but not much at all

I have been making lots of things this week but unfortunately I can't show you any of it because it is for other people and I will put it on here when they receive them.
So I have decided to show you Ebony's Potato man.
While I was preparing Saturday nights dinner she was busy making this creature all done by herself.
He has coloured head pins for the mouth etc. and wool scraps for his hair and I think he is held together with tooth picks because she asked me for some.
The stick goes completely through the body for his arms - but no legs--you could say he doesn't have a leg to stand on.




I think she did very well..........

Wonderful Art in the mail

Recently I have been involved in several swaps and I received in return these great treasures.
Firstly this beautiful postcard from Barbara in Germany.
It is made from Lutradur and lace and is painted/dyed blue and has gold painted sections as well as gold glitter sprinkled throughout it.
The texture is amazing----Thank you Barbara.


Next I have this absolutely outstanding piece of art from Julie.
I swapped her two of my tassels for this masterpiece--how lucky am I.
I forgot to take a photo of the tassels but if you visit Julie's blog you can see them.
The depth of the embellishments on these ATC sized pieces is incredible and I can't stop touching them.
Thank you Julie you are indeed a wonderful artist.

Great Reading

I picked up these two magazines today from my local Needlework store and wow they are fantastic.
The Quilting Arts Gifts magazine is loaded with wonderful ideas on making fabulous gifts by some of the most talented artists around.
Then there is the latest Cloth Paper Scissors but I must admit that I haven't looked at it yet because I can't put the other one down.
Oh well there goes my creating for a couple of days.

Sorry about the poor photo but you get the idea as to what I am talking about.

Crazy Corner

Back in May My friend Sandy from the US sent me in a parcel that included some fabric scraps.
I suggested to her that I could send her some of my pieces and that we could make a crazy square and embellish it and then send it back to each other.
Well Sandy has had her crazy square finished since June and has been waiting for me to do mine so we could swap--so don't faint Sandy it is done---but I'm only showing you a tiny section so you can see that it is finally done.



I hope you like it Sandy (when you get it that is)

TAST Week 44 Zig Zag Spanish Knotted stitch

I can't believe it but I am a week early not a week late.
Sharon B is away in NZ for a short time and has posted both week 43(this weeks stitch -see below) and also week 44(which is next weeks stitch) and I have finished both of them.
I decided to do this sample while I was in the mood and it was no use keeping it to post next week so here it is.
No matter what I did I couldn't make it look neat and tidy and I tried to keep it even but to no avail so what you see is what you get.
I also found there wasn't much I could do with it as well.

The fabric is a pale blue linen and the thread is Perle Cotton

TAST Week 43 Drizzle Stitch

This weeks stitch is Drizzle stitch.
I think that I have done this stitch before-once- when I had a day with a friend who was trying to teach me Brazillian embroidery.
I find this a fun stitch to do but I have problems using rayon threads-they seem to find every little piece of skin that may be sticking up on my hands and I am forever pulling the threads.
My sample of the cluster of stitches is worked in Broder Cotton- and believe it or not it measures only 4 cm---the single stitches to the right were worked in a thick silk and I used a chenille needle with a bit of effort to pull the needle through the stitches--just to see what they would look like.
Altogether I am pleased with this sample.