A Parcel in the Post!

10th January 2014

While I was staying with my daughter at Christmas we went online to find a jacket/cardigan pattern and yarn. It arrived today....

..I do hope she likes the finished garment!

Next I had a call from my local library to say 3 of the books I ordered have arrived.....

...and I am also 'brainstorming' for my assessment project as well as preparing my extended sample file and Unit 5 file ready for posting!! 

Must get started......

Final Extended Sample for Soft Edge Applique

8th January 2014

I have spent a very enjoyable 2 hours free machining using a variety of threads including variegated and metallic.

I started by backing a piece of black  cotton  velvet with a medium weight Vilene then ironed on 4 circles of my dyed fabric backed with the wonderful Bondaweb!!

A poor photo as the velvet is really black!

Next I stitched in free motion using both straight and zigzag....

..we had some brilliant fireworks on Boxing Night and that inspired was my inspiration, just pleased it worked!!

I think this idea would look good on a book cover or to decorate a cushion or bag and it was great fun to do!

Now I have to put all my samples in my book and prepare for my 2nd and last assessment.....

My First Crochet Granny Square!

7th January 2014


Remember I wanted to learn to crochet and eventually follow a pattern?

Yesterday I found a video on the Deramores site and after numerous tries and rewinding the video I managed this...

..first attempt, a wonky square!!

After another half hour my second attempt...

...fairly pleased with this one and I enjoyed doing it!!

These are the materials for my next experiment....

..hope it works for my final extended sample, fingers crossed, will share the result tomorrow!

Unit 5 Book Cover

6th January 2014

As I have nearly finished Unit 5 I decided to make a cover for my work book.

I used a double layer of black felt fabric, needle felted then stitched the flower on the front....

...made cords using green and red Merino fleece to match the flower...

...then decided to make  'buttons' from the red fleece using a single felting needle....

..stitched some black seed beads and attached the cords and 'buttons'...

...my bulky file is now secure!

When I was looking in through my numerous craft books for ideas and inspiration I came across a sheet of my handmade paper with the imprint of a large leaf.....

...I followed the leaf shape and veins with free motion stitching in a lovely green variegated thread.

A reminder of a very interesting and enjoyable weekend!!

More Shadow Samples.

5th January 2014

Greetings from a very wet and windy Blackpool!!

I decided to work in bright colours today because it is so grey outside.

In Unit 3 I made this using paper and cling film....

...I had used the flower design to make a picture which I have in my home....

..and decided to make a shadow 'picture' using this idea.

I chose red and blue organza and cut out petals using a variety of my dyed fabrics and organza as I wanted to see if I could create texture in  shadow work....

...petals, leaf and stem backed with Bondaweb and ironed in place....

...covered with red organza and ready for free motion stitching...

..hard to see the petal stitching in this photo, I used bright pink thread for the petals and dark green for the stem and leaf....

...against the window...

I was pleased with the result when I saw it against the window. 

Next I tried a similar experiment with squares....

...covered with white organza...

...and stitched with a programmed stitch and feed dog up....

..against the window...

..a disappointing result!! 

I think it would have been better with spaces between the squares.

The photos aren't very good either!!!

I think I just have a soft edge applique extended sample to do then put all the samples in a book, decide and plan my 2nd assessment piece and I will be ready for the final unit!!!!

2nd Attempt at Honesty Shadow Sample

4th January 2014

Just finished my first book in 2014 challenge, only 51 to go!!!

Also just finished another baby blanket....

...and another honesty sample....

..against the window.

Organza is really difficult to cut with scissors as it slips so I used my soldering iron as it produces a much neater edge!

Cut Away Extended Sample

1st January 2014!


HAPPY NEW YEAR from a BLUSTERY BLACKPOOL!!


My hopes for 2014:-    health
                                    joyful family times
                                    develop computer and embroidery skills
                                    read 52 books!!
                                    try 2 new recipes every month
                                    learn to follow a crochet pattern
                                    cycle
                                    make a monthly 'to do' list!!

Well I've made the January 'to do' list-just need to do the jobs!!!

I have really enjoyed using my soldering iron in my cut away sample.

I chose a spray dyed piece of linen scrim as the base layer, a light natural cotton scrim, printed Evolon (a soft, non woven polyester and nylon fabric) and patterned organza.

Evolon, fabric paints and an acrylic block...

..ready to mix..

...printed fabric, swirl design is made with a wide, flat brush on the block...

...then mixed a much lighter orange and dabbed with the brush.

While this was drying I used a square metal template to 'cut' 2 layers of organza..

...the flower pot is a great safe way to store the soldering iron when in use!

Fabrics ready for layering and stitching....

....I used a narrow satin stitch in a variegated thread to bind all the squares and my twin needle to form the grid...

..heat cut a smaller square from Evolon....

..then the light scrim was cut away using a small pair of scissors revealing the base scrim.

Finally stitched all raw edges, added some little circles and fringed the two scrim layers.

I like the colours and different textures in this sample, just wish the bottom right square was straighter!!

Think I will have to make the Honesty sample next.....