How big?

Yesterday, in my post, I mentioned fabric postcards. These are sent through the mail and are usually 6 inches by 4 inches. I came across this today (scroll down for details and the dimensions). Now that really puts fabric postcards into a different perspective.

Forgive me

Forgive me if I wax lyrical about a fabric that isn't only useful as a background for the embellisher! I am having so much fun with it at the moment that I couldn't resist adding these pictures to the blog.

I am in the process of making some bookwraps, for a workshop I am teaching later this year. It stitches like a dream, by hand and with the machine, and can be used for both the cover and the inner pages.

The first picture shows part of a left over scrap after painting. If only the colours were as vibrant on screen as off.

This one was coloured using a different process. Can you see the angel?

And the name of this mystery fabric? Well, you will have to wait just a little longer to find out, however, if you are at the end of term Exhibition tomorrow evening (Wednesday 20th June) at Fareham College, or at Open Day, Missenden Abbey on Saturday 23rd June, you wll be able to buy some. Winifred Cottage will be at both venues with an exciting sales table.

Just tell them that I sent you LOL

And I can't wait to use it for ATC's and postcards, I know it will work like a dream.

Lutradur

I have often used Lutradur as a backing for fibres and fabrics on the embellisher, however I thought you might like to see this layered sample. It has given a lovely scruchy effect, just needs more stitching now!

Stitching

This is an ATC that is off in the post today. The theme is garden, and the background is hand painted.

The one below is another. I wanted them side by side, but must have uploaded them wrongly!

Blue Inchies

Nine blue inchies on their way to a swap. The background is embellished, the buttons are hand made and those are cross-stitch kisses! I think the cross stitches qualify them for TAST too!

Roseland Mews Studios, Liskeard

Details of workshops in Cornwall - follow the link

Missenden Abbey

If you followed yesterday's link to information about the courses at Missenden Abbey you may like to know that I have updated it with further details.

The Bramble Patch

Full details of this, and also to book, can be linked from here

Husqvarna Studio

Four dayschools have been arranged for Husqvarna Studio. Further details are here. They are each individual workshops, but they will be progressive, so don't be afraid to sign up for all four!

Missenden Abbey

There are several courses arranged between now and summer 2008. You will find more information here.

Grayshott Workshops

These workshops have been running for a while. If you are interested in these there is more information here. There is a break over the summer, more dates for the autumn and there will be more dates soon for 2008.

More information on courses around the country following shortly, including Busy Bees, Newport, Missenden Abbey and Husqvarna Studio.

Help find Madeleine

Bloggers are international. If you can post a picture on you blog someone may read it with important information.

You can find updated information on the BBC website

Oranges and Lemons

This challenge got me thinking. How could I display oranges and lemons without the inevitable shapes. Read how it was done, then have a go and see what you come up with. Leave a comment below if you do do something. (The theme can be anything you like, the object is to try the technique)

The background is black felt, the squares are orange and yellow felt. These were cut at random and well worked onto the black so that it appeared to be just one fabric. I counted out the letters first, applying just enough squares to complete the phrase, but remembering to add one between each word to act a 'space'.

When turned over the shapes were clearly visible from the back which helped. Now to write the message from the back - working from right to left, and remembering to reverse all letters!

As I hadn't written the letters first I just traced each the right way with my finger and then reversed the action with the needles. Tracing it first made sure that I got the letters the right way round. Some were easier to do than others, especially as the space was quite small.

This exercise took about 20 minutes. It was done freehand, and could have been more neatly done if I had drawn the letters on the back before meshing. Have a go and let me know! Any questions - either leave a comment or send an email.

Go with the flow

On Saturday we were at a Quilt Exhibition (we were actually there on Sunday as well, but this relates to the Saturday). The morning was quiet, and I just happened to have the embellisher with me! Working was obviously a little disjointed as it is difficult to serve, talk, discuss and embellish all at the same time, but the above picture shows the result of pulling apart roving and other fibres and just laying them on a background. There was no real thought to their placing, this 'just happened'. So, if you haven't got the machine out of the box, or if you have but are scared of trying something new. Don't be! Just go for it and 'go with the flow' The above needs more work. It will have hand and machine stitching in the end, and will be a bag - probably. At the moment I too am just going with the flow.

There is another prize draw on the dyeing blog. Don't forget to enter. The prize this time is 2 Yarn Twists. They are worth having - I will be using one to hand stitch on the above.





























































































There is another prize draw on the Dye-a-Lot blog, don't forget to enter.

A bit of fun

I needed a card in a hurry! Out came the embellisher and this is the result.

The background is fibres meshed onto net, added yarns and then reapplied to previously made felt.

The knitting is with Sassa Lynne Coton a Broder

And now for something completely different

I have a 'thing' about teapots. I think it is the shape. They are comforting, and there is nothing quite like a cup of tea.

This is part of a hanging. It is machine stitched and has nine patches altogether.

Just to let you know that I do sometimes do things other than use the embellisher!

Hearts and Flowers

This was particularly easy to work on. The background and square are woollen blanket, the flowers, pre-felted wool, and the hearts wool/viscose felt. The needles loved the fabric and worked very quickly and easily. Well worth a try. I used the Pfaff again for this challenge.

Enter before it's too late

There are only a couple of days to go before this prize draw will close. It is open to everyone, so have a go if you haven't already done so.

A new bag

I had such an exciting delivery today. I was browsing Etsy last week when I came across this bag. There was something about it that said 'buy me', and so I did. I have to say that it is even more vibrant than in the photograph, and I love it. It's even got a little heart bead over the 'popper fastening.

The best part is that I had already had contact with the maker, so it is from someone I know! I couldn't see any more bags on there today but here is the link to her Etsy store. I'm sure the situation will soon be remedied and there will be more there.

Another stitched sample

The fabric shown in the previous post was such a joy to handle

that I have used small pieces to stitch two more samples. Just tiny

ones, and aimed at My Efforts blog!