Craft Fair

22nd July 2013

Just to let you know my first Craft Fair was a very enjoyable experience. It wasn't very busy but amazingly I sold 2 pictures and both my cushions as well as a selection of cards. It was such a great feeling when people liked my work and I could chat about how the pictures were made!

These are the items that sold, I was surprised how popular the blue/green pictures were.

Tomorrow I am trying wet felting, I must remember to take photos and show you the results.

Cushions and Cards

19th July 2013

I had a lovely 2 days in the Lakes and was really inspired by all the beautiful crafts.

I arrived home to find my machine!  I have been sewing and making cards ready for Sunday.

I made these cards using needle felting, a little hand embroidery and some beads.

The first cushion is made from silk. I printed a tree design on a smaller piece of fabric then hand embroidered the 'cherry blossom' using french knots.

I had some linen and viscose fabric and decided to do some needle felting and machine embroidery.

I like the effect of the wool fleece on the fabric.

                                            Before stitching

 After stitching in straight stitch in a circular motion, I intentionally went over the fabric with my stitching to create a more abstract design.

                                         

                                           Finished cushion.

I also finished a picture which I had prepared when my machine was being repaired!

I used fabrics that I had dyed. I backed small pieces of muslin, silk, linen and some organza with bondaweb.

Unit 3 requires the use of hand dyed fabrics, bondaweb and some layering of the fabric. This piece meets some of the criteria! 

I used my flower design  from the beginning of the unit.

                                         

I used rolled, printed scrim for the stem and leaf then free machined all pieces onto dyed muslin backed with felt.

                                                        Finished framed picture.

I have a very busy weekend coming up so will blog again on Monday!

Hope you all enjoy this beautiful sunshine.

Experimenting with dyeing

15th July 2013

No news of my machine yet-I do miss it-so have been preparing more fabrics and colours for future projects.

I have bought some more Procion dyes and decided to try them out in the space dye method in the cat litter tray. I used purple, scarlet and ultra blue. Previously I had used magenta and cobalt.
I used muslin, calico, cotton velvet, linen and scrim. From now on I shall only use the scrim with fabric paints as it always looks a' bit muddy' when I dye it but I do like the texture. I also used 100% Egyptian Cotton yarn that I had left from a baby blanket and it took the colour well.

 I was a little disappointed as the red seemed very orange to me, and think next time I will use the scarlet with yellow, should give a lovely orange.

Wet fabric and yarn

Ironed and ready for a project

The paler colours remind me of Sweet Peas and the muslin is so delicate, lovely.

I had dye left and didn't want to waste it so put some cotton and muslin in the pots.

I left this overnight.

I had watched a You Tube video on Ice Dyeing. Looked interesting so thought I would have a go!!

Pieces of fabric were soaked in a soda ash solution.

A piece of fabric was then placed in the bottom of the jug and covered with ice cubes. 

A dry paintbrush was dipped in the dye then tapped gently against the side of the jug. 

I used ultra blue, magenta and purple-just a sprinkling of each.

 Continued until all the fabric was used then left overnight. 

The fabric was then washed in a fixer solution and rinsed. 

                                         Cotton velvet in different positions in the jug!

Muslin, calico, linen and cotton

                                       

The ice has made lovely patterns on the fabric and the colours are really vibrant.

I am off to the lakes tomorrow for a couple of days with friends, we are going to visit lots of craft shops. So looking forward to it.

Felted Key Rings

11th July 2013

This weather is glorious!!
Took the dog out for a long walk along the promenade this morning before it became too hot, a great way to start the day!

This afternoon I have been sitting in my garden needle felting with my lovely hand dyed Merino Fleece. I have been making key rings for my stall next weekend.

My machine was collected by Singer yesterday and I am not sure when it will be back-I am suffering withdrawal!!!

This morning I booked a course with Jonathan Korejko on paper making with flowers, seeds etc.
 I met him at a Craft Fair and he was really passionate about paper making so am really looking forward to' having a go' at the end of August.

I went round the garden picking flowers and they are now in my flower press.

These should look lovely in my silk paper.

Sad news!!

8th July 2013

The sad news is I have a problem with my machine-the top thread isn't catching the bobbin thread.

I was free machining and the top thread decided to wrap around the bobbin(it has done this before) so I pulled the fabric and snipped the threads, re threaded the machine and nothing!

Of course this happened at 5pm, after the Singer helpline was closed so will have to wait until tomorrow before I can contact them. I am gutted as I had been intending to try new ideas!!

Not to worry, I finished my Cow Parsley picture and framed it and am going to make some more silk paper with some purple flowers from my garden that I pressed a couple of weeks ago.

                                                       Silk cocoon and dried flowers

                                         Silk paper with lovely dried blue flowers from my garden!

I think I will use this paper to make packs of note cards for my stall.

A very enjoyable day

2nd July 2013

Went to the V&A and saw the David Bowie Exhibition. It was brilliant, what a talented guy!!

Then a little retail therapy, I bought 4 more variegated threads and can't wait to try them out and saw some interesting  ideas for cut away work in fabric - the ideas are now in my notebook for use at a later date.

Up-cycling!!

1st July 2013

Hello from warm and sunny Richmond. I am staying with my sister and catching up with my family this week.

Last night I decided to make a bag using a lovely, soft leather skirt that I had bought in my local charity shop for £4.50. I hadn't stitched leather on my machine before so wasn't sure what the outcome would be.
 I used the bag today and am pleased with it but think I need to strengthen the straps. It was certainly a bargain as the completed bag cost about £6 including the buttons.

I travelled by train today and embroidered some white french knots on my Cow Parsley picture.

I need some more detail before it is complete, maybe I'll finish it on the return journey!