Thread University

I'm finally able to get to the project envelopes I've received from Superior threads.  They have set up a "university" in which various "courses" give you the opportunity to try out the various threads that they have to offer.  I love their sense of humour.  They've named their courses "Course 101, Course 102", etc. just like the listings in some university course calendars.  I've completed the first three and have been left with these envelopes to work through.

Course 101 gave me a chance to work with their Razzle Dazzle brand.  A bit of bobbin work and I ended up with these cute little coasters.

Course 102 involved a bit of thread painting with Superior's line of Rainbow thread.  The project this time, in addition to the thread, provided card stock to produce a fabric inspired greeting card.  Using some of my own fabric, I was able to create this card.

Here are a couple detail shots.

 

The next one, Course 103, sent along a spool of King Tut thread along with instructions and pattern for creating a pincushion.  The thread was used for decorative stitching; the suede for the ears was also supplied by Superior.  So what do you think of the little hedgehog?

Now I'm working on completing the next course which includes Fusible Thread and Monopoly filament.  I'll post the resulting project when it's done.  In the meantime, why not check out Superior University, and give it a try.  You have nothing to loose and spools of thread to gain.

Till the next time, if I stitch fast enough, does it count as aerobic exercise?

Back from the edge

Yes it has been a long time since I posted.  With some unexpected life happenings, it took some time for me to come back from the edge of an all consuming "I-really-don't-feel-up-to-it" syndrome.  With the recent loss of a family member, I had been putting things on hold.  Waiting to see what would happen next.

Last week a friend stopped by for a visit, and she reminded me that regardless of what may or may not happen, and wherever I might be, I would still want to create.  She was right!  I had worked myself into a "funk" of indecision and complacency!  Well enough of that!  I needed to get my hands on some fabric, some thread, some beads, some lace...anything that would get the juices flowing.

So let's get caught up.  They are small steps, but here is what I have been up to since I last posted. Remember those dyed pieces of felt and thread?  After some stitching this is the result.

I bound all of the felt pages together after the stitch samples had been completed.  Here is what the binding looks like.

It was challenging creating some of the stitches that I had not seen before, but once I got the rhythm of each of them, it was relaxing and in some instances, meditative.  Here is a look at some of the stitched pages.

 And a closeup of the Interlaced Back Stitch.

In addition to creating a stitch book, we also had to create a sampling of different knots as a requirement for the class.  So here is a look at how many different knots and knotted stitches I was able to come up with.

So now on to the next thing.  I have to get going on my Tangled Textiles challenge.

Till the next time, thanks for stopping by, and stay creative.

Treasure Bags

I haven't been completely quiet.  I've been making some "treasure bags" for the folks organizing the Canadian Quilters' Association conference taking place in Penticton BC this year in May.  This is the result of some of the stitching.

 

Below is a detail of one of the bags.  I used some of the decorative stitches on my Pfaff.

 

Now I just need to get them into the mail so that they arrive on time.