Playing with stitches...

Because of the way I seem to be working these days...

...I thought it would be a good idea to have a little bit of "playtime" with edging stitches...

...trying out stitch and colour combinations...

...and building up a "library" of different styles to use on various projects.

"Page" number 1 has been finished...

...and I'm eager to make a start on number 2 so enjoyable was it to do!!

I've used various threads from Oliver Twists; Stef Francis & 21st Century Yarns...

...plus some of my favourite Empress Mills Machine Metallics.

The background fabric (as usual) is Wool/Viscose felt from Empress.

Happy Sunday folks!!

x C

Rusty Silk Paper

I laid down the silk laps...

...put some of the throwster's waste on top...

...sprinkled it with Angelina fibres...

..and waited for it to dry overnight.

The results were even better than I expected!!

I've backed it with black lightweight iron-on interfacing...

...and the machining with copper metallic thread has now begun!

The paint boxes have been thoroughly trawled...

...and beautiful shades of copper and rust have taken up residence on my work-table.

I'm loving this!!

:-)

x C

..adding a bit of sparkle...

...to the silk paper that I showed you yesterday.

I've used my favourite Empress Mills Metallic Machine thread...

...but not the usual "Antique Gold"...

...but M9961 "Black Gold".

It works perfectly....and is a dream to work with...especially if you don't want stripey lines in your face!

This one is more subtle and suits my purpose exactly today.

Simply wiggly running stitch with the stitch length set to 1.5.

Metallic thread through the needle AND in the bobbin.

NOTE

Because this thread is super fine I find that I have to be very careful when winding my bobbin. It winds on so tight that I've had a few bobbins "burst" apart because they couldn't take the pressure. Not the fault of the thread....but some plastic bobbins can be a bit "temperamental" shall we say. Just saying.....


ps.  I backed the silk paper with some Vilene Softline Superlight Iron-on to stabilise it before stitching.

It'll help later when I take a scissors to it as well!

After yards and yards and yards of stitching I've ended up with a beautiful surface to play with :-)

Now I'm off to the gloop jar again!

x C

Stages 1....2....3....4....

Just starting a new project...

...with my wonderful Colouricious Paisley Set of wooden print blocks.

Stage 1 - printing...

Stage 2 - adding colour with Spectrum Noir pens...

Stage 3 - shaping, cutting and applying to a felt background...

Stage 4 - machine stitching...

Now for the hand embroidery :-D

Happy Sunday

x C

(Klona Cotton fabric and metallic threads from Empress Mills....of course!!)

"A La Mer" workshop sample book WARNING - picture heavy!!

I've been a busy girl lately...

...having lots and lots of fun making some more sample books for my workshops!

This one is called "A La Mer".

It's a ring-bound book, using a Prima Marketing 6 x 6 paper collection entitled "French Riviera" ...

...and some others from paper stash pads that I got in The Works.

Pages were made out of leftover 6 x 6 envelopes...

...and I made little pull-outs for each one so that personal memories can be added in.

There are lots of little pockets and storage spaces too. Ideal for all the printed photos and ephemera.

Because I'm a stitcher I also had to include some stenciled and stitched pieces...

...shells and sea-horses...

...done with Markal Paintstiks and my favourite Empress Mills Metallic Thread.


Lots of piccies coming up!

It's not quite finished yet...

...I want to include more personal extra bits and bobs....

The next two are already on the worktable though!

Oh Happy Days!!! :-D

I hope you are all as happy as I am right now

 x C