Dog-Face Close-ups

Dog Face is pattering along.

Lots of little stitches akin to hair.

The original base for this was newspaper stitched to a medium weight calico.

Then the whole piece is dunked in water and the paper scrubbed away, to leave a very interesting base with paper

to add a delicious extra.

Stitching Slowly

Phillipa

Stitching on Paper

While coffee dying a while ago, I also splotched some of the liquid thru an old novel I had.

Pages are just the perfect weight to stitch on.

 I stitched a line of poetry and glued it to a journal page.

Perfect as a stash builder for your journalling or even just frame the page.

Just print in your own handwriting and backstitch.

Be gentle as you stitch, and I used 3 strands of embroidery thread.

Happy Stitching

Phillipa





What is it about the Back

Why do they have white gloves available at Quilt shows?

We JUST have to check out the back of things.:)

Be it a quilt, or an embroidery.

What is it that drives us to do it.

The same can be said for boxes.We've gotta look in them..lol. Even when we know they must be empty.

Is it our inate curiosity, being nosy?

Or are we all programmed to check out the "finish" of a piece.

Soooo here's the back of a piece for you to check out for whatever reason you use. :)

Happy Checking

Phillipa

Do you Have a Board?

A very handy item to have.

Years ago I had this made and it has seen many many projects.

The odd shape is because originally it was nailed to the side of an old desk that I used as a sewing table.

An old blanket glued to a piece of plywood.

Just the right size for a quilt block and the iron.

For when I use the stitch n flip method for crazy quilt blocks.

Its also a good firm surface for heat transferring embroidery patterns.As I find the ironing board too soft.

I would thoroughly recommend getting your own.

Stitching Always

Phillipa

Op-Shop Finds. A $2 Score.

I love the fact that you never

know what you will find at the Op-Shop/charity Shop.

For $2.

A piece of open grid fabric that is glittery gold.

(Darn the camera didnt pick that up)

A jar of black buttons.

A dibble. (Maybe use as a tassell head)

And long strings of black and silvery seed beads.

Loveit, Love it.

More loot. :)

Happy Stash building

Phillipa

Flowers on Headbands and A Hat

I made these textured flowers a wee while ago and heres

a use for a couple of them.

Onto a stretchy Headband

Then on a store bought hat that already

had a beaded bow on it.

Happy Stitching

Phillipa

Clutch Purse with Flowers

Bright n Sassy,

Another Over the Top Purse.

My handmade background cloth, velvet ribbons and wooden beads,

all topped off with shiny flowers.

All of these are upcycled except the lining fabric.

Texture, texture, texture.

Happy Stitching

Phillipa

More Felt Flowers.

You know me. Why make one, when you

can make a bunch.

Enjoy.

Happy Stitching

Phillipa

Patterns for your little Pirate or Spaceman

Dear Stitchers,

2 more patterns for you to stitch up for the littlees.

Pirate

And a cute Spaceship.

Scoot on over to my Etsy.

Happy Stitching

Phillipa

Silk Ribbons

There are some items I can't upcycle for my stitching and thats

silk ribbon.

So when I spotted these silks at a local craft show, I just had to indulge.

The lovely ladies from Ginnys Bunka had a huge part of the range of

River Silks there. I WANTED them all..lol

Arn't these yummy.You will see them used very soon in my

new shabby collage project/tutorial.

Coveting the whole Range.

Happy Stitching

Phillipa



Pattern in Progress for your Little Pirates.

Ahoy me hearties

Happy Stitching

Phillipa

Splitting the Thread

Tip:

When you need to split a thread from 6 strands to 3.

Start in the middle.

I find this is the easiest way.

I cut my threads about 18" long, then gently tease apart the threads at about the middle and slowly pull apart.

It will twist and turn as you go. If it stops parting then hold the closest end with your teeth to put some tension on and continue to pull apart.

Then hold each section up by one end and it will untwist as you run your fingers down the thread.

This is the method I use. Hope this little tip is helpful

Happy Splitting and Untwisting

Phillipa

A Stroll at The Groynes In Christchurch

Was a lovely spring-like weekend, so off to visit another park in the city. This time  The Groynes.

So now you get to see me ;).

Time for a haircut me thinks.

And I get him ;)lol

We will go back as we only got halfway round, with all the stops we both did for photos. He, flora and fauna and me with macro of logs n bark etc.

Happy Stitching

Phillipa



Flowers No. 3 is up on Etsy

Over on Etsy is a new pattern of mine full of dainty flowers.

Check it out here.

Now these flowers are perfect for doing patches for a crazy quilt.

So what Ive done is transfer them all to a piece of vintage linen I had.

I'm stitching in a random assortment of Spring colours.

Finally we are starting to see some bulbs and new growth for the onset of spring.

When Ive finished the stitching, these will be randomly cut apart and will go into a new idea (for me), that I hope will inspire you to do your own.

I will keep you guessing for awhile ;)

Happy Stitching

Roll on Spring

Phillipa