Wednesday 27 June 2012

Packaging and labels day

I've spent a good part of today sorting out packaging, labels and bagging up.
After a few tweaks, the labels have been done and I'm quite happy with the presentation now.
It was a little bit laborious but having a three big boxes full up with items to sell gives me a little pride. Now all the 'bread and butter' stuff has had its back broken I can devote more time on a stitched picture that I've had my mind on for a while.
Friday is the day that the stuff will be put on etsy and then we will see.
And then hopefully to begin all over again and again....

Monday 25 June 2012

A busy busy busy day!!!

Wow I'm shattered after such a busy day-I didn't stop long for lunch today and before I knew it Reuben was home from school-still I got ever so much done.
The labels for the packaging are now designed, corsages are now finished and the larger stitches pictures are really coming on well!
I really like the floral wrist corsages as they look so feminine and girly. They have the most beautiful antique lace and velvet ribbon.
I have lots to do tomorrow afternoon to get items ready for photographing and then...items put on Etsy to sell-EEKKK!!!!

Friday 22 June 2012

A mass of flowers and wool.

This week I have focused on an idea I have had for a little while.
I wanted to develop a way of using felt flowers for a variety of different items.
It was a bit tricky working out the best way to fold the flowers, But after lots of fiddling around and a few grumpy moments, I was on a roll.
I have had some beautiful natural wool felt for a long time and was so happy to use this and give the flowers a natural look.
I was asked to produce a heart in cream wool felt and plan to do more of these as I'm do pleased with the results.
I finished a picture this week using natural felt roving and a wet felting technique. It is wonderful stuff to work with and a very tactile process, some times the result is not always what you expected but that is the nature of the wool and using a natural product.

Sunday 17 June 2012

Fiddely sewing ideas

The last few days I have been working on some very fiddely items.
I made quite a few miniature owls that are either key rings or mobile phone 'friends'. The really are cute and I'm hoping others will feel the same way too.

I have also been working on a number of different floral items in a pale colour scheme.
I have been using the most beautiful silks and Cotton lawn fabrics so they look delicate and feminine.
I have cut out some wonderful felt to begin so roses too-I can't wait to start those tomorrow.

I have a whole range of flowers or floral ideas in mind, some of them I have had for a number of years but I never got round to starting them-so more to come.

I gave spent quite a bit of time today tidying up and organizing my room or 'studio'. I'm a very happy teddy, now I have everything where I want it and most importantly, fill find it!!!!

Tuesday 12 June 2012

A very busy day

I have been doing a number of different things today.
My first task was to finish of a number of little pictures using black thread on linen. I'm really pleased with the results and will do more like this, they work because of their sketchy nature but also because I have kept them simple.

The second job if the day was finishing off a whole bunch of IPhone, IPad, Blackberry and Kindle cases. I wanted to use different fabrics in side and out.
I have used some lovely vintage buttons to hold them closed and some truly beautiful velvet ribbon on them.
I haven't decided what to do with them yet but I think putting them in Etsy is a good idea.

Sunday 10 June 2012

A visit to Saltaire, Bradford.

I had quite an inspirational visit to Saltaire today.
The country side was stunning and I took so many photographs to prod me, if I forget and my sketch book is not enough.
The grand scale of the old mills was overwhelming and I didn't tire of the stone work or the repeated patterns on different buildings. Some of the domestic houses were just wonderful-imagine living in a World Heritage Site.
Not only was the municipal park, canal way or public building magnificent but the David Hockney permanent exhibition in the 1853 gallery was...well awesome for want of a better word!
It was like going in to a church for surface pattern, paint, iPad images and not to mention his truly splendid photographs of trees.
But now I have so much in my little head, I'm not sure where to start...maybe at the beginning?
Images from the inspiration to follow!

Thursday 7 June 2012

More work on the birds

I have been working on one of the bird pictures today, adding details and shading.
Starting with a lighter mustard coloured thread, moving on to a tan and then a deeper brown.
I also decided to add similar shading to an image of bird houses. I love bird houses and did a sketch during a family day out.
They both still need LOADS of work but I'm pleased with the results so far.

Saturday 2 June 2012

First Blog Ever

I've been working on some drawings and transferring them in to stitched images. I have so much more work to do on them but I'm actually quite happy with them.

I have done a number of studies of birds and thought this was a good place to start. I always seem to go back to stitch. Some how I feel comfortable with this medium and as it 'works for me' I'll stick with it.