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Showing posts from February, 2014

More 'coral'

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I am really enjoying having my crochet hooks out again.  It has been many years since I have used them and I am thankful that my hands still remember how to crochet!  I have been experimenting with some different hyperbolic shapes and I quite like them.  I also have been adding some chain stitched frills to the edges.  I think it works quite well.  I am getting closer to having my whole coral reef ready!

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I had really hoped to have this  'skirt' finished for today.  It still needs a fair amount of work though.  Eventually it will be attached to my crazy quilt bodice.  I see it as a winter fairy dress.  I am excited to get it all finished. I am linking with http://pintangle.com/ and http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/

Take a sttich Tuesday

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Thanks to Sharon B at  http://pintangle.com/  for the instructions for this stitch called Triangular buttonhole stitch and Beaded Triangular buttonhole stitch.  The top photo is my first attempt at it.  I added it to my crazy quilt project from last year.  I have all the blocks sewn together so now the seams need to treated. The bottom photo is the beaded stitch added to my bead journal project for March.  The beads I used are a bit too large for the thread but it doesn't bother me enough to redo it.  I would like to experiment with the beaded stitch a bit more.  I think it has interesting potential.

Pan Pastel experiment

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So I had to try my metallic Pan pastels on black paper.  The shimmer really shows up well!  I am pleased.  I heard somewhere that you can use Pan pastels like a paint.  Of course, I had to give that a go.  I used a water brush and picked up some color and then painted it on this piece.  It goes on a lot thicker and therefore shines more.  Definitely need to play with this some more!

New Pan Pastels

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Oh my!  The shimmer and shine makes me giddy!  My new treat is so lovely!  The metallic colors are so smooth and creamy to use.  I used them in an altered book but I doubt I can get a decent picture of the shimmer.  I must try them on dark paper.  They are on sale right now at Currys.com

Work in Progress Wednesday

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My crazy quilt 'block' for February is just about finished.  Well, the 'block' part is finished.  I just need to add the skirt to this piece.  There are hours and hours of hand stitching done on this piece.  I am pleased with it. I am linking with http://pintangle.com/ and http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/

Another snowflake finished

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This looks quite similar to the one that I posted a while back.  However, it is different.  It is a photo kaleidoscope printed on silk then hand beaded and hand quilted.  On the left side there is a bit of a yellowish stain..  I have no idea what it is.  I tried using a Tide to go pen on it but it did not remove it.  I am not sure what to try next.  Any ideas?

Hyperbolic crochet

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I have been playing with crochet again.  This is hyperbolic.  The same piece twisted and turned in a different way can you so many different looks.  It is great fun.  I am excited to do more!  I have a project in mind to use them so I better get at it.

February bead journal project

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Again, I am working on a needle felted base.  The wool is absolutely lovely to stitch into.  I am really enjoying it.  This month I wanted try something new or different to me.  I used three large beads and then embellished each of them with more beads.  Each in a different way.  I beaded on wire to make the dragonfly.  I also learned a new beaded embroidery stitch which I used around the edge.

I think I am done experimenting with this piece

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I added some more beads to this and I adhered it so some hand painted fabric.  There is likely more that could be done but I feel done with it.  Time to move on to something else.

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I am really pleased with the two beaded seams I did this past week.  This piece is really coming together for me!  I am getting excited to see it finished. I am linking with http://pintangle.com/ and http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/

Take a Stitch Tuesday Eastern stitch and Beaded Eastern stitch

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These stitches were pretty easy to learn.  I always like that!  These stitches are not my favorite.  I doubt that I will use them again.  I prefer a round, curving kind of stitch.  I stitched the Eastern stitch, top photo, in a line as per the instructions from Sharon B at  http://pintangle.com/   The beaded stitch, bottom photo, I stitched individually.

Explorations

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I have been exploring again.  I printed two of my photos from the auto wrecker.  Pealing paint is wonderfully textural.  I wove the two together and then I did a zig zag stitch over the piece.  I used metallic threads but they are quite difficult to see.  Now what?  Is it finished or do I add more stitching and possibly some beads? The photos were printed on paper so I do have to be careful how much stitching I add to it.  I suppose I could mount it on an interfacing to making it stronger.  

Freeform crochet

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I read about the Coral Reef project and saw a TED talk about it and it got me interested in crochet again.  I learned to crochet as a young girl.  I never really made much with crochet, a baby or two.  I always enjoyed keeping my hands busy though.  I am excited to create more artistic forms with it now that I have learned about hyperbolic crochet and freeform crochect.  So fun.  Pictured above you can see my humble beginnings.  The white piece twirls and curls in on itself and I REALLY like that.  I am keen to experiment with it more.  One thing I have learned so far is that the funky yarns don't work all that great.  I think I need to stick with the plain jane type yarn for now.  At least until I learn a bit more.

Work in Progress Wednesday

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My crazy quilt journal project for February isn't a block.  Obviously.  It is a bodice.  I hope that everyone can see that.  I am excited to work on something a bit different.  I have some stitching and some buttons done so far.  Still lots to do! I am linking with http://pintangle.com/ and http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/

Take a stitch Tuesday

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AACK!  I am falling behind on the stitches.  I try really hard to stay on top of them and it is making me a little stressed that I am behind.  Breathe deeply, it is just a stitch.  I wasn't expecting Sharon B at  http://pintangle.com/  to show a new stitch today.  I was going to push through and try to get it done today but that is stressing me worse.  So here is the beaded shell chain stitch from last week. I really like the beaded stitches.  I am using them on my bead journal project.  I will get to the new stitch before next Tuesday but right now I have to concentrate on preparing some class samples for a teaching gig in May.

Further on

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I have added some stitching to this experimental piece.  I am liking it and want to add some more.  This piece isn't so very difficult to stitch through even though it is pretty stiff.  In this photo I have the piece resting on a piece of transparency that I have colored.  I am debating on using that as a backing.  I also have a bunch of gelli prints  that I am considering using.  Decisions, decisions?