All Stitched Up

What do you do with a box of rubber washers?

Stitch them of course.

I started this project thinking of bubbles and foam and this is  the project so far. 

I haven't simply wrapped them I have used buttonhole (or blanket)  stitch  like the  first stage of making dorset buttons

I had been thinking about making a bowl - What do you think they should become?

Happy stitching

Bev

Paperclay Texture Book

This morning I am looking at textures for the City & Guilds courses.

I am busy looking round the house for more things to make wax rubbing's of, but have taken a moment to share my paper clay book with you. I was introduced to Paperclay by Pam - thank you. 

Using Creative Paperclay I found lots of texture around my home to make this texture book

There are placemats, the bottom of baskets, shells, old toys anything with an interesting surface which could be transferred to the paper clay.

Paper clay is an air drying modelling clay.

By rolling small pieces out and pressing it into the textured surface I could make "textured images"

When dry the paper clay can be painted and stitched. Although I found that if I wanted to stitch them it was better to make holes using a blunt needle whilst it was soft.

Here are some of the pages from the book

Just found this link for UK visitors Art from the Heart

Happy Stitching

Bev

SIX and Friends - Orientation Exhibition

I am a little late with the blog today as I took the opportunity to visit The Bramble Patch in Northamptonshire. I was eager to see the "Orientation" exhibition by SIX and Friends before it finishes tomorrow.

I have to say that I was not disappointed. The work was stunning and of a calibre I just dream of  and aspire to. I am not posting  photos of the work on display but the links will take you to their blogs

I have been following Annabel Rainbow's Blog for a while, but to see her finished quilts was wonderful. 

The depth of feeling in Shall I be Mother? is exquisite. The link takes you to the story behind the quilt.  

Both Laura and Linda Kemshall were showing work with an Oriental theme, and I am always pushed to think about my designing when viewing their wonderful work.

It made me get out my old sketchbooks and have a look at the work I did with a Japanese theme. 

Here are a few pages

I can see me revisiting these in the not so distant future

Happy Stitching

Bev

Crazy for Patchwork

Over the last year or so I have discovered  a love of  Crazy Patchwork, making panels and personalising hessian bags for my friends.

I am currently working on one for my mother.

Current panel

detail

Gallery of crazy patchwork bags. 

I had asked my friends for fabric for my stash for my birthday, I told them that they had to choose fabric they liked. Little did they know they would be getting a bag based on their choice. The bags are lined with some of their fabric, (but I still have enough for a friendship quilt)

Hope you enjoy the gallery

Happy stitching

Bev

Looking towards the Summer

My family know that I take photos of the strangest things. This is the weathered top of a gate post that caught my eye.

After some sketching I developed a line to be used for quilting. 

My garden chair is made of a black netting type fabric. Very comfortable but if there is the slightest breeze I feel it on my back. 

I chose denim for its durability and have quilted the line in repeating patterns, both by hand and by machine. This added texture to the chair cover. I now need to make a cover for the head rest and keep my fingers crossed for a warm summer.

Happy Stitching

Bev

Rag Rug workshop

Another generous workshop at Stitching for Pleasure at the NEC was Rag Rug introduction at the Pots & Pancakes stand. Pots and Pancakes. I have never made a rug before so was interested to have a go.

I have just finished my mini rag rug - In true Rolf Harris style 'Can you see what it is yet?'

They were very generous with materials letting us take a bag of fleece to finish the project. We use multi coloured fleece which doesn't fray, and is very soft. I can see that it would make a lovely soft, warm rug.

This is a proddy type of rag rug made by prodding strips of fabric through hessian backing using a prodding tool or stick.

When finished it was very therapeutic to trim all the strips to make a level surface and reveal the pattern.

Happy stitching

Bev

Printing with Maggie Grey

Yesterday I looked back though old sketchbooks and folders, and came across these wonderful fabrics. I had completely forgotton about. I love Celtic patterns and designs. The source picture was two interlocked people. 

New fabric stash

richly coloured fabric

A day school with Maggie Grey prompted a great day of printing, with a stamp made from a polystyrene pizza tray  and a sharp pencil. A loop of masking tape on the back to help lift the stamp and I was away.

Acrylic paints

expandaprint

Acrylic paint and black cotton fabric made  rich textures and colours. Printing with expandaprint and heat treating the surface has given even more texture.

If you are a regular reader you will have seen that I have several projects on the go. These have now added to the pile. I can't wait to embellish them. 

Happy stitching

 Bev