Trying not to panic! The gazebo should arrive any day now, and cards (greetings and business variety) are on order. Just got to make more stuff to sell! The driftwood cottage with washing line created a lot of positive interest on my Facebook page, so I want to make a couple more like it.
Anyway I've been stitching some more pictures to sell....
I sewed some glass beads on for this handsome fellow's 'crown'...
I seem to have accumulated polka dot cotton in every single colour!
Any stitchings that didn't make the grade or were too small for the frames have been made into one-off cards.
I just collected some work from the framers: above is my latest collage...
...and finally - remember these? I got them framed at long last! And pretty pleased how they turned out too!
So I've been busy making love birds...
in some new colours...
No two will be the same!
Which is your favourite pair?
Thought that subject matter like this may go down well!
They will be framed and displayed with similar stitched pieces.
This is my favourite so far.
At some point, most designers/artists/crafters will get a special request for something that pushes them way out of their comfort zone. This happened to me this week when a friend of mine asked for a freestyle stitched piece for her husband - a cycling fanatic!
This was the photo she gave me to work from - I gotta tell you, I wasn't inspired!
But actually, once I'd got started, I quite enjoyed doing it! I drew a rough outline on the fabric first, and despite being very out of practice, it turned out ok!
I'd run out of black thread, so I started with grey -with a bit of silver thread for the chain...
It wasn't bold enough in grey though, so I went over the main parts with some new black thread
And added a few finishing touches, like these steel cog washers...
And of course, a bit of polka dot (I can never resist!!)
...stitched freehand on the sewing machine and taken from these old sketches...
I've got a pitch booked at the Royal Cornwall Show in June, thought I'd frame some stitchings and see if I can sell any! I'm going to frame the top 3 together, ie in a triple frame.
Take a look at the author's website here. She also writes a great blog here. The book includes patterns and instructions on making all manner of birds. I can't wait to get enough time to have a go at this beautiful swan...
Before I go, I must tell you that another Homespun Fair is fast approaching!
Really hope to see you there!
This one was sold from my Folksy shop at the weekend, but I am sure to make more!
Here's a couple of sketches I did on the sewing machine. As soon as I saw the fabric in the picture above, it said to me 'Peacock Tail'!
This one is sold - yay!
And some of my driftwood pieces - these look great in groups I think - maybe 3 in a row?
And finally (I'm quite excited about this) I just picked up my Polperro collage from the framers! You can probably see it's still wrapped up! I've listed it in my shops here and here....but to be honest I kind of like it in my bedroom for the moment!!
Have a great week folks!
It's based on some cottages in the Cornish fishing village, Polperro. Perhaps you know it?
A little detail...
Available in my Folksy shop now!
Gawd, it's been an absolute age since I attempted any freestyle stitching, but I've taken a break from huge shop orders to make this card for the best dad in the world!
Happy Father's Day!
I found an old sketchbook the other day. Back in my college days I used to fill loads of them with drawings like these - usually of birds - and then use them as a basis for making lino and screenprints.
I thought they would translate very well to a bit of freestyle stitching...But it is soooo difficult! Not only am I completely out of practice at drawing anything, you have to move the fabric (rather than the needle, obviously) so it's like learning to draw all over again. I kind of like that though.
Just a short post today! Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Easter - enjoy the weekend!
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