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.

A few different things

Since the last post, I have been working on a few different things.  For example, I recently learned about Kantha stitchery.  There are a number of images on the web so I won't bother to put some here. However, after a good tutorial and demo from Catherine Nicholls, here is a picture of my first attempt.

 

I used a variegated 12wt thread and rather like the effect of the colour changes.  It may be hard to see in the photo, but the idea was to create ridges that eventually create a dimensional design.  After a bit more practice, this was my second piece.

It may be a bit easier to see the patterning in this one.  What I found the most difficult was that the stitching of the pattern is worked from the outside in.  You had to pay very close attention to the tension and maintain the tension's consistency.  This will be a wonderful way to embellish small quilted gifts.

I have also finished up some small cross stitch pieces that will eventually end up as gifts for friends. 

They still need some pressing and dressing up, but won't they make lovely gifts?  With Christmas just around the corner, it's a good idea to finish up these small items.

I've also tried my hand at rust dyeing.  Some pieces turned out wonderfully, some not so much.  I used a ratio of 1:1 vinegar to water and let the fabrics soak for two days.  Perhaps next time a longer soaking period may help.

This first one was done with a chain.  I discovered too late that the chain, although it looked rusty, wasn't.  It was actually galvanized so it didn't produce the image I was hoping for.

This second one was done with rusted rebar.  You can see the imprint on the upper portion of the fabric where it was wrapped the closest to the rebar.

This last one was an impression created by a rusty wrench.  This one turned out the best.  Unfortunately the picture does not do it justice.  The colour is a more burnt golden that the brown-black you see here.

Now I'm off to use one of these pieces in a journal quilt for a challenge.  Let's see what I can come up with.