Sampler Quilt

Our first six sample squares from Nicola’s workshop.  Tomorrow we have Cathedral Windows to work and I need to get my homework done today but I also want to go out for a walk.  Maybe I need to get dressed and begin the day!  

We have a break after tomorrow’s workshop until the New Year when we have another 4 sessions to complete the quilt.

Bookmaking workshop in october

Joan’s first classes this session are based on making papers and next weekend on rusting.  The results of our painting session attached

These sheets are to be cut across and made into zigzag books, i must do that this week.I need to gather all the requirements for our November meeting too,  thinking of going over to Empress Mills for Synthrapol.

Current Work

Another Minnie Mouse is in progress, this one is for a friend to give as a gift at Christmas.  She still needs her shoes and a bag to complete her outfit.

BAck after a few months

Too busy since May enjoying life, workshops, holidays, alterations have got in the way of posts.  I hope to make up for that in the next few weeks.
The alterations to my kitchen have been the biggest delay but it’s not complete yet.  The latest pictures below.

A few bits for the builder to complete before the decorator arrives.

I returned from the Lake District last week after 5 days of stitching and drawing at Rydal Hall.  13 of us had a productive week, the weather was kind to us most of the week and I visited Grasmere twice and walked into Ambleside one day to stretch my legs as my back was aching after 2.5 days sitting stitching.  I challenged Richard to draw each day, after he said he had given up on his resolution to sketch for 10 minutes daily,  this helped both of us to focus.

View from the garden at Rydal Hall

Minnie Mouse

I've been busy making another felt animal in recent weeks, I managed to complete dressing her, including shoes, handbag and French knickers.

I have just cut out another body in pale grey/blue to be displayed in our exhibition in August.  In the past I did not enjoy working with small items but I have become hooked on them.  The collar on the dress was a bit of a fiddle but I made it in the end.

Weekend Entertainment

Amongst doing other things I have used to poor weather days to produce these dandelion pieces for our group journals. It began with one two months ago on the same theme, progressed to a second month, when I reviewed my fabrics and decide to continue with the designs. They are not all going in journals I am considering put some in our summer exhibition, possible taking photos of some for cards.  Each design is slightly different and of. Course I have sneaked in my favorite colour in some of them along with green the other one.

I thoroughly enjoyed doing these once I motivated myself.there is another piece of space dyed fabric so there may be more on the horizon.

I must get down to preparing my Bookmaking papers for Saturday now!

Evening Amusement

I have decided I must try harder with the items I put in the C.A.T.s travelling journals. Therefore I've been busy stitching for a couple of evenings with the following results

I have been using Effie Mitrofanis's book Needleweaving and Embroidery Embellishments as inspiration and a guide.

I now need to find or do some artwork to accompany this pieces.

Playing Sunday

I've been busy in recent weeks painting and drawing moving on to Lino cuts which I have printed today

With the following results.  Not sure about the birds may take a bit more away from the background.

The houses are getting stitches next with a fence in front and some machine stitches.

My inktense painting of a small business card. Picked up at craft at Christmas in Skipton.

Must get on and do some stitching too as I have a Coolcrafting mouse to make and two journals to complete this month.

SMALL WOODLAND QUILT

One of my friends became grandparents last year and I have just completed a cot sized quilt for her. I began it in December and did most of the construction in January.  I also managed to make a label for the back.

The squares are in a Lewis & Irene fabric mix. I added the spotty material from my stash and the backing was also from the same source. I delivered it yesterday as I love it so much I had to part with it immediately or it would have stayed here.

COMPLETION OF WORKSHOP

My workshop at the weekend to make a clam shell box was very interesting with all the measurements to fit around my book.  My cover paper was only A4 size therefore not quite big enough for my small box on all sides. I had to glue the papers together but it is a first attempt , if I do another I will make paper large enough to cover entirely.

 My book within the box. I have used book cloth to line the inside and two different but similar papers on the outside. I did go wrong with the measurements for the top cover as it is too deep.  I'm not sure if I will attempt another one.

Coke Pens - I was reminded of these pens by my friends blog, which we first came across at an Amanda Hyslop day. I had a small tonic water can in the recycling and found it was ideal to make 4 pens.  My afternoon will now be to practice using them in a sketch book.

Maybe I should have the can design on the inside of the pens?

WILD WOMAN DOLL

The doll began its creation in November at our textile meeting, the stuffing of limbs and body took ages at home before I could move on the making the full doll.

January has seen the jewellery appear and finally a small tutu.

She has very shapely legs like a dancer.  The face is a bit basic with the gel pens bleeding into the fabric but not bad for a first attempt.

NEWEST BOOKS MADE THIS MONTH

L

A larger version of the concertina Coptic bound book made in class and a large soft backed book.

Doing practice books to ensure I remember the process and hopefully improve with each one.

The larger one worked well but the stitching on the spine could be straighter, either I misjudged my jig or my paper sizes varied fractionally.

I have added the trimmings to the top right hand corner of pages to make a little extra decoration matching the cover papers.

The papers were created using Brusho powder, I love the effect I get from this technique.

Next class at the weekend making a clam shell box for the new book.

Concertina Coptic book

Our last class with Joan was interesting as we did not prepare any papers or grey board beforehand.  Her suggestion was to make a small book which most of us did, measuring 3 X 2.5 inches.  I had cover paper prepared which was only A4 therefore the siz was ideal.

We cut board then 4 papers. Concertina the paper and made a jig for holes ready to stitch. We were shown books with two rows of stitch but three made the book stronger.

I hope to make another before our next meeting.!!!!