Showing posts with label jellyfish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jellyfish. Show all posts

Friday, 9 September 2011

Hello Autumn

There has been a definite change in the air over the last week or so, and the start of the new school term means that summer is over once again. The next few months are usually the busiest for me, so I am trying to cram in a few new pieces before I get wrapped up making robins and penguins - plus a different Christmas design for 2011 that is in the pipeline!

I had a lovely commission for a customer a couple of weeks ago: she wanted 9, yes 9, hanging jellyfish for her little boys room. The only specification was no pink...so I could really go to town!

I had plenty of bright fabric to choose from...

And here is a shot of them finished!
While it was most enjoyable using a vast array of colours, when I chanced upon some gorgeous cotton lace fabric on eBay, I knew I would like to have a go at a neutral one...

And here it is: has a kind of vintage look to it, wouldnt you say? I used cotton lace trims and (get this) sequins as well as satin and organza ribbons. Very dreamy! If you fancy having a go at making your own jelly, you can find a tutorial here.

I have been thinking about doing some mixed media pieces, combining driftwood with painted canvasses: here is my first attempt....

What do you think? Hoping to do some more (I have a bit more time now that the boys are at school).Speaking of which, my baby started a few days ago! He was most excited (long may that last!) Here he is on his first day...

....with the obligatory too-short fringe!
Have a great weekend lovely people!

Saturday, 15 January 2011

Jellyfish

Just before Christmas a colleague of mine gave birth to a baby boy, and I made her a brightly coloured hanging jellyfish. I didn't manage to get a decent photo of it, but it was similar to the one I designed for the sealife mobile below...

I suppose really a jellyfish is rather an odd baby gift, but I thought he might like to watch the ribbons floating above him! Herbie was most taken with it anyway, so I agreed to make another just for him, and with his help too - and then I thought I could do a little tutorial on here.

Difficulty rating is 1 - is really is easy peasy lemon squeezy!

First, choose 2 contrasting/matching fabrics. Ours HAD to be orange!

Next draw round a small bowl and with right sides of the fabric facing each other, machine or handstitch on the pencil line, leaving a few centimetres at the end. (Ours measured approx 15cm diameter.)

Turn inside out and press.

Fill with polyester stuffing and stitch up the gap.

Next, take a mixture of ribbons, measuring approx 60cm-70cm in length and criss-cross at the half-way point (see above)

Stitch to the underside of your jellyfish. Then stitch a further piece of ribbon to the middle of the top-side and hey presto!!
Your jellyfish is complete! It looks great hanging above a bed or in the window!

And here's a glimpse of my little assistant (he operated the foot-pedal!)