Clothed Alfie the Rabbit

I've been struggling with clothes for Alfie in the last few days.  Not easy making something so tiny.

The shirt was the hardest to get sitting on his body properly.. 

I have now begun boots for him in felt, a little easier than fabric.

FESTIVAL CHRISTMAS TREE

Practice assembly at home for the tree.  I did look at other trees but most were 6 foot high and I would have had difficulty reaching the top of them at the church when dressing them, I decided on this one at 1.2 meters.we have a good selection of cats to decorate it, everyone worked very hard to produce them. Thank you to all members of CATs.  The festival begins on Saturday 2 - 10 December daily from 10 until 4.  I'll be there a couple of half days stewarding, it's well worth a visit, getting everyone in the mood for the festive season.

WILD WOMAN DOLL

On Saturday at Creative Adventures with Textiles (CATs) we began a workshop to make the doll, with Linda leading us.  None of us progressed very far as stuffing the limbs and body took ages and was finished at home.  I have stitched her together this afternoon the body is okay but I'm not sure about the colour of the hair maybe she's a bit too wild.

The face looks a bit startled too!

BOOKMAKING SUNDAY

Yesterday we did a soft backed Coptic book.  A new book for Joan but she was not impressed with the process or the completed books, I don't think she will be doing it again from her comments.

I think it's ok to pop in your pocket if you are out walking and want to record.

This was covered in tissue paper bonded to abaca paper which was bonded to calico, a lengthy but satisfying process.

Black Friday was spent at the Knitting and Stitch Show making many purchases in addition to looking at the wonderful exhibits.when I got home the spending did not stop as I found a bargain with Derwent Inktense blocks which were delivered yesterday. Lots of colours now to experiment with, I think I know someone who will enjoy using my first small tin of blocks.

PATELEY BRIDGE BOOK MAKING 26 November

Working hard today making soft backed Coptic Books, there were lots of laughs throughout the day as we stitched our books.  As I missed two sessions I was concerned that I would not be up to speed but I need not have worried!  We all became stuck at some point and had fun sorting out our problems. My book so far:

Front and back covers,  I've drunk too much wine tonight to complete the stitching, tHerefore tomorrow's target is to get the sewing machine set up to stitch the edges.

BUSY MORNING

I had a very productive morning with Janet catching up with making cover papers for our next session with Joan.  Lots of acrylic paints, tissue paper, bondaweb and calico plus Gelli plate and the following pieces were produced ready for next weekend.

May stitch into these if time permits during the week followed by waxing.

Many thanks to Janet.

NEW BOOK

I have had lots to catch up with after missing two workshops at Pateley Bridge with Joan.  The first one was missed because I had the Anne Brooke workshop booked in Garstang, results published earlier.  The book I needed to make was fastened with posts giving space to add more pages as time goes by.  

After advice from Janet I came home and made this book, I had a few problems even after making jigs for both the cover and pages, success eventually. It now needs A seal on the cover paper to stop smudging of the Brusho colours..

Drawing Attempts

First few pages in book filled so far.

My sketches of the abbey, done under very windy conditions.  They wouldn't look much better in the calm!, 

Special Sketch Book

To prepare for my week in Whitby I made a long sketch book at my class in early October.  

I designed the pattern on the cover using Walnut ink followed by Brusho powder spritzed with water. 

Later stamping with my ammonite stamp using Stewart Gill metallic paints.

It is the first time I have used beads on the Coptic binding on both back and front of the cover.

I finished off the cover using wax hair spray which has sealed the Brusho. I've spoiled the Brusho in the past using acrylic wax by smudging the colour.

The pebbles in the background are from beach combing at Sandsend, a lovely morning with friends wandering the sands. 

A Week in Whitby

Last week between Monday and Friday I visited Whitby with a group of like-minded people, staying at Sneaton Castle, stitching part of the day and exploring the town and abbey too.

I set myself a challenge of hand making a felt rabbit for a baby due in the New Year. I was surprised by the result and managed to keep calm with this small item after a few minor hiccups around the head.

As the baby is a boy I will make some clothes for Alfie the rabbit.

I also began the top of this quilt made from a Lewis and Irene charm pack I bought at the Quilt Show in September.  Since returning home I have finished joining all the strips together and found a suitable length of fabric in my stash for the back.  Hope to get it all together later this week.  The stash is gradually reducing, hurrah!!! But I must not buy any more fabric.

Christmas Gift

On Sunday as well as finishing off the quilt I also made this apron from fabric bought at Doughtys when I was in Hereford.  I think the contrasting fabrics sit well together.  

Anne Brooke Workshop

Garstang was the venue for our workshop with Anne, making a paper collage picture using pieces of wallpaper, tissue, wrapping and map papers.  My two efforts are illustrated below, not always easy using machine stitching with paper, needed to take care not to overstitch and the paper separating.  Lots of different ideas from all those who attended. Thank you to Linda from Creative Threads who organised the day with plenty of tea, coffee and home made cakes.

The first to be completed using lots of different papers.

My simple bird using less paper, I love the simplicity of this one.

The last two were created by other member in the workshop.

Julia Triston summer school

PI have been busy since Thursday evening attempting to complete the work started at the summer school.  My sketch book now has almost all of the exercises in it.

My isolation piece is illustrated below next to the paper collage, I don't feel it's finished yet, needs more colour for me.

I have added old hooks and eyes to add to the rows of lace, possible titles 'scraps from the attic' or 'remnants of granny's drawers'.

Military Wives -Stitched Together

For over a year I have been volunteering at Dishforth helping and guiding Army wives with various textile projects under the guidance of Dionne Swift and Carol-Ann Allen.  Our final meeting will be on Thursday, as the funding has now ceased, we have all made a messenger bag from the frabrics dyed and screen printed in our sessions.  The bags are to be exhibited at the Green Howard's Museum in Rchmond North Yorkshire from November for a couple of months and then going to the NEC in March and to the Knitting and Stitch Show later in the year.

I hope you like my effort which I completed at the weekend.

Buttons etc came from old uniforms supplied by the museum.

Dye Day

A group of us got together on Tuesday to dye fabrics, my samples are very interesting with lots of deep colours in addition to more muted tones.  I hope everyone else was as successful with their fabrics.

Bookmaking Workshop

My latest book from class on Wednesday using Coptic and French stitch, a few mistakes when I finished off at home but happy with first attempt.  I didn't know I was doing the workshop until Monday therefore papers were a mishmash of colours and the cover paper has been used before.  I need a shopping trip for mor paper. 

Mandy Pattullo Workshop

Last weekend I travelled to Garstang to do Enchanted Woodland Animals with Mandy through Creative Thread.  We had a full day working through the techniques Mandy uses to create her animals.  Starting with a basic outline then building up coloured and patterned fabrics to shade the creature.  I chose a squirrel using my favorite orange and red colours, finishing off with green foliage on my return home.

Mandy supplied the old quilt as background.

I stayed a a very nice b&b called Middle Holly Cottage at Middle Holly a couple of miles from Garstang, I recommend it to anyone wanting to stay in the area. Run by a lovely welcoming couple with home made bread and biscuits, local honey and a delicious breakfast, my room was very comfortable too.

Saltire Arts Trail

Visited Saltaire today for an exhibition of 200 postcards, a great variety of techniques used from paint, felt, embroidery, printing.  Lots from children as well as local embroiderers guilds as well as individuals. They were for sale at £5 each and my friend and I both bought textiles. See mine below by Brenda Craig from Airedale Emb Guild. 

Areas of padding with fly, blanket, running, detached chain, feather stitch & bullion knots.  

It is Saltaire Arts Trail this weekend very well organised and lots to see, Victoria Hall full of makers with their products on sale, many looked bored as I don't think they were selling very much. I did buy an apron pattern to make for my mucky days using paints and dyes,  I'll probably use calico to make up first before finding a patterned fabric. 

MAKEUP BAGS

Using up scraps of curtain fabric to create these bags.

Rope Bowl

Whilst helping at Dishforth I have had the opportunity to make the rope bowl below. Surprising how long it took to complete with 10 meters of clothes line.  My usual colours.

Watercolour class with Marriette

My friend took me to a lovely afternoon class during which I produced the feathers. I thoroughly enjoyed the class after not doing any painting for over a year. 

Bookmaking

My recent workshop at Pateley Bridge took place in 1 April and we had a wonderful day creating a Coptic binding stretching my imagination to enhance the basic design. It's not complete yet as I intend to make a cord to wrap and tie it together

My Egyptian theme, as usual.

JOURNAL

Began work today on a page for our Creative Textile Group. Using my theme from C&G course, lots of materials available.

Water colour and graphitint for my artwork.

Textile using silk floss machine stitched onto water soluble fabric.

Hoping to get more inspiration now I have finished blinds and cushion covers!

MY DISTRACTION FROM STITCH

The new resident in my house is keeping me away from my craft room but I must get back to creating.

This is Riley, he's 16 month old Labrador retriever, a bit of a rescue dog, house trained but not good outdoors!! He's having a training session in the park on Monday hope I don't loose him.

He picks up lots of things in his mouth especially tissues and anything white, disappearing into his crate to hide them.  He's very loving and loves to cuddle up to me in the evening.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

I must complete the items I start.  These table mats were only finished yesterday but I did complete four by Christmas Eve.

One more grey/silver to complete, giving me 4 of each design.

I must blog more regularly.