Friday, April 01, 2011

Another Crazy Block Finished

A few posts ago, this block featured. It is now beaded and into the finished block pile. :)
This is definitely a long term project.
Many many distractions along the way.
Roses embroideries done back in the 80's.
I bet I'm not the only one to take forever on some projects. ;)

Regards Phillipa

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Stamping Block.

I showed you the other day a stamping block that Id bought from the op-shop.
The braid glued on really well and this is the print it makes.
I just rolled on some gold acylic.

I really like how it turned out.
Meanwhile I also did some basic mark making on the star shapes using some 3D paint


Then did a rubbing using some dye sticks Ive had around for years.
I just used a scruched up brown paper bag
Rubbed the sticks over.
Then its just a heat set transfer onto fabric.
A fairly pale transfer as I didnt rub on the dye sticks very hard.
But not as pale as a try to get a second print.
This also shows the type of dye sticks I used.

A simple straight-forward exercise that I will definitely be repeating over time.
I wonder what others use for simple transferring.
Regards
Phillipa

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Paper Collage

Good Morning all. :)
Over the last few days I've been
following the creative urge to get into my paper
collection and throw some glue around.
These 2 are straight ephemera pieces.




And this one is mixed media
with some stitching, of course.


I've had the little souvenir Poi brooch
for years.

I have many many pieces of art-work finished, in paper , and fabric.
But when it comes to mounting them for display or sale, I run into a brick wall.
Do I mount them onto a solid background (paper and small fabric pieces) or display "soft" like a quilt.(Fabric pieces).
I have trouble at this stage as I'm more interested in the process than the finished item.
How do others work thru this dilema. Thats if its your dilema at all..lol
Happy Creating
Til next time
Phillipa
(The procrastinating Finisher)



Friday, March 25, 2011

Charity Shop Finds

Went for a stroll down the road to the Charity Shop to drop off a few items, and you know me. I cant come home empty-handed..lol.

A yummy roll of very textured wallpaper.
A small blue box for storage.
A pile of student flash cards.
2 star wooden shapes.
A large handmade stamping block.
And 2 pieces of fabric with temari designs on them that
were in napkin rings.
A great haul for $6. :)

The stamping block is a good size
so I glued on some heavy braid that I had rescued off
a duvet.
Hopefully there is enough of a pattern to get a clear impression.

Happy Creating
till next time.
Phillipa

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Vintage Linen For Sale

Hi all.
Have been having a tidy up and Ive had these domestic vintage pieces in
storage for a looooonnnggg time. 13 years to be exact.
I wont be adding/collecting any more so they are up for-sale on
trademe here.


Those teeth are scary




Hopefully they will find a nice new home :)

Happy stitching

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Textured Purse

One of my contemporary pieces I made into a small zippered purse.
I just love the feel of it. :)




On a Calico base I laid out square cut scraps of silk,
machine basted, just to hold,
then covered with a fine tulle.
Some scrappy loose weave hessian was placed haphazardly,
and then I embroidered in random rows of running stitch.
Finished off with large circles in buttonhole stitch, with button centres.
then the whole piece was
made into a zippered purse.
I use it to take my sewing tools to Stitching Group. 

Friday, March 11, 2011

Beside my Chair.

I always have many different works beside my chair in the lounge.
So I thought I would share what is here at the moment
Its an eclectic mix which show that I'm not stuck on one particular style of embroidery. :)

First off My stitching area.
Then Tools and beads.

And the eclectic mix of projects that have actually got to the handstitching stage.


                                                             An Art doll, snuggle dolls,
                                                              a crazy quilt block, ready for beading
                                                                     and 2 contemporary pieces







Regards
Phillipa

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Snuggle Dolls for Knitting.

For those who would prefer to knit a doll, I came up with this very simple design made from 2 rectangles.
Either as 2 rectangles or 2 tapered rectangles.Stitch the face and the wording on and decorate as desired.
Stuff so its soft n squishy :)

Another Snuggle Doll Idea

Using fine tip pens I played with the design on the doll.
Would probably be better with the "normal" sized felt pen.
I also added The date. Another possibility. The fine tip pens wrote on the calico quite easily. :)
With a calico back there is heaps of space for messages.
Hugs n snuggles :)

Christchurch Cuties. Snuggle Doll. First are made..

Between the shakes Ive finished the first 2 of Snuggle dolls.
This photo is pre-stuffing.


This basic shape lends itself to many different decorations, but each will have the word
"hugs" on it.
I did a fairly soft stuffing so the are squishy and  Huggable. :)





The process of stitching is very soothing. The distraction of picking colours and trying to be neat.
I know this is something that others may help in making . Something tangible. Money is always needed in a disaster , but also a small gift made with love for each and every one ,
  Children could make them for fellow canterbury children ?..
Decorate using felt pens , paint, crayons, etc etc. The options are endless.
Glue, stitch paint, draw. Then a soft stuffing for the squishyness. :)

A small idea for Hugs to all.

My email is stitchingalways@gmail.com if you would like to join me. :)

Monday, February 28, 2011

Rust Cloth

On the morning before the quake struck I had put this cloth outside to have a go at my own cloth.
Id found the 2 pieces of metal down the block at a good old fasihioned junk-shop.
So over the past week while we have been rattlin and a rollin I have printed this piece.
I'm really pleased with it.

The darkest areas are the ones that were left for the 3 days while the quake did its thing.Then I just moved the metal whenever I remembered.
Has anyone else had a try. What results did you get?

Regards Phillipa

Christchurch Cutie Snuggle Doll

Ive stitched up a couple of fronts for the dolls and added the word "HUGS".
Its not the clearest. Sorry. Hopefully will look better once I've stitched them up.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Christchurch Cuties. Pattern ideas

I made a cardboard
template and drew around on an appropriate sized piece of calico that could be folded to fit the back as well.
A different fabric could be used for the back to make it more colourful.

I then drew around the cardboard on the doubled fabric creating a stitching line in pencil.
Then freehand drew very simple eyes and a smile. :)
Randomly put dots across the body which will be the centre of some flowers.
I wont cut it till its decorated as it will be easier to handle.

Come join me. :)
My email addy is in a previous post if youd like to say hello.
Happy Stitching in these wobbly times.
Phillipa

Christchurch Cuties.

OOps...Add a half inch seam allowance to the pattern. :)

Christchurch Cuties. Snuggle Dolls

Have been thinking bout construction . The doll could be Drawn on with felt pen or bright crayon on calico, if kids would like to get creative.And stitched up. Right-side out. Leave the seam allowance showing and therefore would need less stuffing.
Will post pix when I have made a couple. :)

Christchurch Cutie

The thread on Trademe to follow now is "Christchurch Cuties or here, if you would like.
Next thing I will need eventually is some stuffing. As I said on trademe, i cleaned out all extra fabric linen and clothes before i moved down to Christchurch. I have heaps of laces and embroidery thread and beads as those who know mew can confirm.  ;)  lol. Its the fabric Im short of.Im sure theres some around the city .

I can be contacted at my email
freeone@inspire.net.nz

Regards Phillipa

Scan of the Doll. " Christchurch Cutie "

I had written a thread in http://www.trademe.co.nz/  to get my brain kick started. And I mentioned this doll for me to make. here is an image of my sketch.Im not sure if yu can print it out or not but it is fairly straight forward. A circle and and an oval joined. So if anyone wants to join me. :).
I did find a similar doll on the internet a couple of years ago that I drew this from and I cant find/remember where I found it, to ask permission from the original designer. If anyone know who that is, please let me know.
Regards Phillipa

Saturday, February 26, 2011

New Crazy Quilt magazine

Ive jus downloaded this new magazine called Crzy Quilt Gatherings.
Perfectly easy to download and now to settle in for a jolly good read between aftershocks.issue previewThere are 40 pages so this is just what the doctor ordered. :)
The author Pat Winter has a blog that is well worth following

Regards Phillipa

Friday, February 25, 2011

Wearable Art pre-earthquake by Jenny Gillies

Hello all from Christchurch.

When we went for a walk thru the central city of the Sunday evening before the quake, We found all these outfits on display in the Ballantynes windows.
I dont think they have survived.???
They had been created by Jenny Gillies, a local Fabric artist.And were on display until a fashion show was to be held in early march.
Many many hours of work went into these.








Hope all is well with others here in Christchurch.