Weekly Catch-up....

10th September 2016

I am in London visiting my family and enjoying lots of cuddles with Alba...

....she is an absolute delight!

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On the train journey I was reading a book I had ordered from COOLCRAFTING....

...there a many patterns in the book, including Luna Lapin, lots of clothes for her and even an arm chair, I am so looking forward to making a whole wardrobe of clothes for when Alba is older...

....I bought the original kit at the Harrogate Show which contained a lovely wool felt used  for the body but as this couldn't be washed I decided to use some of my old linens to make another....

.....fabric from my stash to make a dress...

.... a coat made in DK yarn using a doll's pattern. 

The book is beautifully presented with easy to follow patterns and enchanting stories about Luna.

http://www.coolcrafting.co.uk

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Today I booked tickets for my sister and I to go to the Handmade Fair at Hampton Court this Friday so am really looking forward to being 'inspired'!

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I used this sample for a card, rather like it!

Free Machining on my Embellished Samples....

4th September 2016

Had a lovely beach walk with Jack this morning, even had a paddle, a great way to start the day!

This afternoon I enjoyed some free machining on my samples from last week.....

....this fabric was some of my hand dyed muslin stitched onto a heat shrink fabric which gives a lovely texture, love seed heads and am pleased with the result....

....rusted fabric strips embellished onto cotton wadding gives a pleasing background....

.....embellished wool and silk with stitch detail....

...I like the frayed edges on this piece, might mount onto a card!

A Great Saturday!

3rd September 2016

Such a busy day...

....collected my sewing machine but the guy said he never wants to see it again as it was a 'nightmare' to fix!!! So disappointed with this machine, only 3 years old and needed 3 repairs, I had my last machine for over 30 years with only a couple of services needed!

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Next went to the local home for the blind at the invitation of Alan Hulme, Organic Gardener, who helped us with the willow dome project in the park...

....Alan started a project in the grounds of the home to involve residents and daily visitors in  gardening.....

.....with the help of volunteers he built raised beds and erected a poly tunnel....

......2 helpers preparing windfall apples for juicing....

....we had the most amazing chocolate cake cooked by Alan, I have asked him for the recipe!

Alan placing the bag in the juicer...

....apples poured into the top and the handle turned...

...Gary, the chairman of our park friends group turning the handle....

....pressing begins

....the juice was DELICIOUS!!!

A film was being made to show Alan's work in the community and I was in it pretending to buy a jar of honey, such fun!!

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This afternoon we had the first meeting for our yarnbombing in the park 2017.....

....we had a very productive meeting in a local coffee shop, coffee, cake atmosphere was brilliant.....

.....finally finished my vase cover by free machining leaves and hand stitching  using hand dyed curly yarn...

....I don't often say this but I am quite pleased with my vase cover creation!!!

More Playing on my Embellisher...

31st August 2016

A busy couple of days, my Dyson vacuum motor died and so did my Vax! 

Replaced both yesterday and my carpet is so clean now!!

I have to lock Jack in the kitchen when the vac is out as he attacks it, told you he was weird!

A piece of handmade felt and cotton scrim....

....embellished from the back, gives a lovely muted effect...

....I bought a packet of recycled silk threads at a show a long time ago and added some to my embellished piece...

....embellished on the front this time, rather like the effect of the background, think this is asking for stitch...

....another small piece of felt, silk and silk scrim....

....silk is placed on the backing felt...

....silk scrim on top....

...embellished  on front to secure fabrics...

....after embellishing from the back....

....more vibrant silk added...

...silk scrim frayed, another wanting stitch...

....this time the base is tea dyed velvet, silk threads and organza..

....embellished from the back which gives a wonderful texture from the velvet...

.....organza trimmed away and more silk added and placed on linen scrim...

....no machine so used embellisher to attach around the edge and frayed backing. Think I might hand embroider stems and leaves to make flowers.

Strips of eco dyed fabrics embellished onto cotton wadding...

....am pleased with the effect of the embellisher on the cotton, again a good background fabric...

.....a friend gave me this strip of felt which is a factory strip off-cut...

....this was produced by embellishing the recycled silk onto the felt, another good background....

.....think some of these samples would be good on a greeting card...

.... watch this space....

Another very enjoyable day....

29th August 2016

Greetings from a sunny, breezy Blackpool...

....I tried to take Jack with me on my walk, but despite the efforts of myself, my neighbour and his dog, Jack just bared his teeth and snarled so went on my own....

.....so many shades of blue in the sea and sky....

....gliding gulls...

...fluffy clouds and sparkling water...

......the hills in the distance are in the Lake District....

.....signs of autumn...

....loved the shadow on this wall....

......finally I mounted some of my eco dyed fabrics and this is now in my hallway!

Hope you have all had a relaxing weekend.....