An early Spring

How often have you been looking in your fabric stash, or searched your studio looking for a specific item only to come across something that just had to be taken off the shelf and completed?  I know you've done, and so have I, many times.

This time while searching for some "mug covers" fabric (that's another post), I came across a little box kit from "Whole Country Caboodle" that had been given to me as a gift.  I mean, this had been sitting in my stash for so long that I'm surprised it didn't sprout roots.  Isn't it the cutest thing?  It's a little wall hanging that will work perfectly for the front door.  A little bit of fusing, a little bit of decorative stitching, and it only took an afternoon to complete.

The word "Spring" is actually done in white batting, something I have not done previously.  You can't see it in the picture, but it gives the word a bit of dimension.  I managed to get the blanket stitch working in the correct direction this time.

I know, I know, we're coming into autumn here, but rather than thinking of this as "being behind the times", I like to think of this as "being ahead of the game"...ready for Spring 2015.

Till the next time, may you avoid any "frog stitching"...you know..."rip it, rip it".

Thread University - Part II

I've been busy finishing off some more projects from Superior Threads' "University".  If you recall I initially posted the first few projects here.

Now I've completed a few more.  Here is a project that provided an exercise using fusible thread. Yup you heard right; fusible thread.

This little wall hanging was created with Superior's Monopoly thread and Charlotte's Fusible Web (which is actually a thread).  You use the fusbile thread in your bobbin.

After drawing out your applique pieces on your fabric and before cutting it apart, you stitch just inside the seam line of your applique pieces with the Monopoly.  The back of the fabric with the fusible thread looks like this.

Now you cut out the applique pieces, and press them to the background, and the Monopoly thread comes away from the piece leaving them ready for decorative stitching.  I used a blanket stitch.

I realized afterward that I had the stitch working in the wrong direction.  Oh well, I'll call it "a happy accident".

The next project involved working with their So Fine trilobal polyester line of thread.  Using So Fine #50, the project was to create a memo pad cover. Instead of batting, Soft and Stable was used to give the cover some "substance".   Here's mine.

             

I got to try So Fine #30 in the next project, a "crafter's apron".  I had used a heavier canvas for this piece so the heavier weight of this thread worked out beautifully for the decorative stitching on the perimeter.

Next up projects include playing with Texture Magic and Superior's Masterpiece line.

Till the next time, remember to measure twice and cut once.

For a Guild Boutique

Blue Mountain Quilters Guild's show will soon be underway in October and along with it a boutique offering articles produced by its members.  Hmmm....I had to think about what I could make to donate to the cause.  How about a small pouch that will hold tools for hand work or other small items?  Ahhh!  Yes these will work.

They are just the right size for holding all those little things you use when doing hand work.  Here is a better view.

Just a few flying geese, some stuffed yo-yos, matching buttons and voila!

What do you think?  I'm also going to add some quilted "pot pads" with these.  No, not pot holders, but the pads that sit between nested pans so that any coating does not get scratched or damaged.

Till the next time I leave you with this quote:

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ― Maya Angelou  

Felting

Have you ever done any wet felting?  I had a chance to do some with a group from my local Guild.  We spent a day in a small town's hall with Ellie Wilson.  She supplied everything we needed to produce samples that illustrated various techniques.  Here is what I managed to create.

This first one was layer upon layer of wool roving.  To those layers were added contrasting pieces of wool and then the whole mass was dampened and rubbed until it formed this layer of felt.  I wish you could feel this.  It is very pliable and soft.

Next exercise we layered wool roving and silk .  This was a bit harder to do because we had to get the wool fibers to migrate through the silk.  

Our next attempt used wool and silk "slubs".  That's not what the silk is called, but I have forgotten already the correct name.  This is what happens when you don't take time to make complete notes.

Notice that tail-like piece on the right?  That was an exercise in creating felted tassels or rope.  Our final exercise was to create some dimension.  It is surprising what you can create with a bit of water, wool and bubble wrap.

Looks like a honeycomb.  Here is a side view.

Until this workshop I had not attempted any felting, wet or otherwise.  I enjoyed it, but will have to try needle felting to make a fair comparison.

Till the next time, create like no one is watching.