Stitched Butterfly Card

This card is very similar to my recent Hearts Anniversary Card, but with a few changes!

There is a layer of pearlescent paper, with white machine stitching over it, in varying stitch lengths. The butterflies are punched (yay for not having to cut them out by hand!) and then hand stitched, however I use my sewing machine to mark the holes for me to stitch through! And it is finished with some glitter :)

Work In Progress [Sparkly]

For the first time in over a month I have been able to pick up my needle and thread - it feels lovely! Just thought I'd share a few sneak peaks of what I'm working on at the moment...

Lovely colours, yummy felt, and lots of fiddly stitches, beads and sequins - perfect work whilst watching the TV :)

Tried and Tested Tip Number 29 [Ornate Crochet Butterfly II]

Following on from my previous ornate crochet butterfly, this is pattern #7002 from the butterfly section of My Picot.

Like the previous butterfly, I crocheted this with fine wool and a 2.5mm hook, but the finished size is 22cm wide by 20cm high! Not only is it larger, but it was also more complicated! The only major change I made to the pattern was to use magic rings for the circles, instead of loops of wool.

 

I also had some issues with the wings looking correct. I'm not sure if this is an issue with the instructions or simply how I followed them, but the right side of the stitches is not always showing in the same place on each wing, and small details like that do bother me, even if it isn't noticeable!

These patterns aren't quick and easy, but I do think they are going to make for a beautiful display of butterflies :) And My Picot do have a useful glossary of the different crochet terms and symbols you will need.

Click here to see my previous butterfly :)

 

A Study Of Leaf Skeletons

I have looked at a lot of nature's skeletons lately, I feel inspiration flowing through me.

The bad stuff of today is over, and I am on new medications. I just hope that this is the beginnings of better times and more creativity!

Hearts Anniversary Card

The inspiration for this card came from a felt iphone case over at Do Small Things With Love. Whilst the finished card is nothing like I how I originally intended, I really love how it worked out!

All the larger hearts are hand cut (!) due to not having the correct sized punch, but all the smaller hearts are (thankfully!) punch outs. I love the different shades and textures of the red papers, and it was gratefully received :)

Bloglovin'

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

With all the Google Reader changes, I just wanted to let you know you can now follow my blog with Bloglovin', if that's how you roll ;)

A Snowdrop of Absence

[Available as a print.]

Of Spring.

Of health.

Of regular posting.

Even of creativity.

I will be back.

Tried and Tested Tip Number 28 [Removing Extra Foundation Chains in Crochet]

When I saw this tutorial for removing extra foundation chains when crocheting over on Maybe Matilda, I knew I just had to try it. It's so obvious when you see it that you wonder why you've never thought of it!

Normally when I'm creating patterns I am constantly unraveling my work to ensure I have the correct number of stitches - this will certain lessen my unravelling!

The only change I made was to thread the wool back through a stitch when I had finished unravelling - but that may just be because I got carried away!