Bead Embroidery - 'Tranquil Sky'

An acquaintance of mine was recently clearing out a large stash of craft supplies she had inherited. Within the bundle I claimed was this bead embroidery pattern. It is from the Mandala Series by Amaryllis Artworks, and little did I know at the time that they're actually quite hard to find in the UK! Not only that, but the previous owner had gone to the trouble of sourcing the specific recommended supplies to make the finished piece! I tend to just make do with what I've got if it's close enough, but everything included here was exact.

The embroidery is worked on lilac linen using various threads and beads, and the booklet not only contains the pattern but the instructions for each of the stitches used. I'm hoping to use and adapt both the pattern and the stitch instructions into further designs, as I really enjoyed working on this. It has sat around in the art studio for a while as I have pondered how to finish it off, until I noticed it was the perfect size to wrap round a small square canvas. I attached it to the sides with spray mount before tacking the back into place. I intend to hang it so it appears as a diamond, and hopefully I'll add more to the collection soon. Can anyone recommend any resources for embroidery designs and stitches such as this?

Bunny Rabbit Birthday Cake - Smudge

It was my Birthday last month! For me, this means a chance to bake something way too over the top to justify at any other time :) This year, I decided on a 3D rabbit... The cake is chocolate, and made using Whisk Kid's amazing recipe. The head was baked in a bowl, the body is three round layers (carved), and the feet and tail are cupcakes. Standard chocolate buttercream and fondant icing... The arms and ears were shaped using "cake truffle", that is a mix of cake crumbs and ganache, as if making cake pops (it tastes AMAZING). The tail is covered in mini marshmallows, and I attached the fondant in pieces so it looks like a stitched teddy. I used my sewing tracing wheel to get the effect! And I merged some coloured fondants to add interest to the paws and ears, using plunger cutters. The whiskers are spaghetti (!), and like Uncle Bulgaria I included a mini cake for candle celebrations, complete with a carrot - well, he is a bunny! And because every rabbit must have a name, he's called Smudge. Lessons learned? Use a fondant smoother - the body looks lumpy; sterilise cake dowels before use so they don't introduce bacteria - d'oh! But, he was very sturdy structurally, and the fondant was easier to work with when I didn't roll it too thin!! The adventures in baking continue...

Mixed Media || Dandelion Clocks

Yeh, so I basically winged this piece of art, but I love it!! It is so very unique... If you follow me over on Facebook, you will have seen this come together, I hope you enjoy seeing bits of the process :)

This idea started out when I was creating some abstract paintings, and I wondered how it would look if I applied paint in the same way to aida fabric - turns out, it looks great! I also painted an embroidery hoop, and wrapped some appropriate threads around a section of it, secured with double sided sticky tape - just to add some extra interest and texture.

After securing the aida to the embroidery hoop, I started working into it, freestyle, with a needle and thread. I started with some half cross stitches, using scraps of thread I had left over from other projects. I stitched some zigzags over the top - it's a technique I've used in a kit before, and I really like the effect. I also stitched some dandelion clocks on with some feature beads, before applying felt to the back for support, and tying the top with a ribbon. I think the combination of colours and textures is unique and exciting, I really love it!

Crochet Owl

I'm not sure when I came across the Jip the Owl pattern originally, but I found it in my crochet patterns folder on my desktop recently, and couldn't resist making it as a little gift for a friend.

Did I mention I am currently obsessed with pairing grey with bright colours? Had you guessed?!

The stitching on the owl's tummy is done with embroidery floss and a strand of sparkly thread.

The legs have pipecleaners in them to make him a bit more poseable, and the tale acts as his support.

I actually made the wings a little bigger than the pattern. The entire owl is made in double knitting wool, and I just felt the original wings were a bit too small proportionally.

 

I think he's a fine feathered friend!

Felt Patchwork Christmas Stocking

After making my husband his Star Wars R2D2 Christmas stocking last year, I decided to make my own personalised stocking this year :)

You may remember seeing sneak peeks of this earlier in the year, piecing together the patchwork and these detailed sparkly sections.

The back is made from white fleece, and the front is made from a patchwork of felt. The different elements on the front involve beading, sequins, felting, hand stitching and ribbons.

I love it so much, and can't wait to (hopefully!) find it on Christmas morning...!

Camper Van Wallet

If you've been on my Facebook page over the last few days, you will have seen sneak peeks of this fabric, and my excitement at having sewn my first zip! So, now to share all...

I seriously LOVE this wallet, and I am so proud of myself!

The basic tutorial is here at All Wrapped Up, however I also followed Colour Me Domestic's modifications. These modifications included the extra flap with button closure, and extra fabric inside the zip pocket. I also made a couple of modifications myself - there are actually two buttons layered up on the closure, to help the elastic slip behind (although I'm not convinced it was necessary!), and I sewed it up leaving the pointed flap til last, and I really like this look.

I love that it has 12 sections for cards (which can each hold between 1 and 3 cards), a zip pocket for change, and 2 open sections which I can even fit my medications and my phone in, meaning it can be used as a mini bag as well as my wallet!

There was only one bit where I got super confused, and that was trying to assemble the card slots with the inner and outer fabrics... I ended up with it looking like the picture below: extra flap on the right (at about 10-12cm, I think), card slots with excess stitched down (at the same depth as the others), a gap allowing room for the wallet to bulge, and the the other card section placed with the excess fabric over the edge, again at the same depth as the other slots. The three sides I stitched up are (looking at below picture again) top, left and bottom, leaving the extra flap til last, and meaning there isn't an row of stitching on the left hand card slot at the bottom. I also did each seam with pins, then tacking, and then on the sewing machine, for a neater finish.

I managed to complete this in a week or so, which is really great for me, bearing in mind I can only do small amounts each day! But I really, really enjoyed the process, and I love using it. If you're loving this fabric as much as me, it's available on eBay here.

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 :)

Mr Skittles [The Giant Sock Monkey]

I may have made a lot of sock monkeys over the years, but I have never made one for myself...

I loved the socks I wore on our wedding day, and knew that an identical pair would make for an epic sock monkey, and with a special meaning.

I used a sewing machine for the long seams of the legs, arms and tail, but handstitched him together [though I cheated slightly and glued the eyes on!] I also handstitched a heart and our wedding date next to his tail :)

Whilst a pain to photograph, his limbs make him feel like an octopus, and he can wrap himself round everything!

I wanted a colourful name for him, and Skittles sprung to mind, hence his name, Mr Skittles!

Freestyle Embroidery - Dog Handkerchief

I haven't done a lot of completely freestyle embroidery before, but I've always wanted to stitch a design on to a handkerchief, and this made the perfect Christmas present for a relative!

I based the design on my in-law's dog, Millie. The stitching took a lot longer than I expected it to though haha, but then it's not surprising given that the white fur alone is created from 5 or 6 different shades of thread! I love the result, but I might need some time before I do any more, certainly with this level of detail!

Felt Heart Ornaments

I think the lovely thing about these little felt hearts, is that not only do they look lovely on the Christmas tree, but they can be hung up all year round too :)

They are quick, simple, and satisfying to make - who doesn't love working with felt?! And I really enjoy delicate stitches and beading.

These would work lovely without the ribbon too, just to pile up in bowls around the house, and to cradle in your palm when you need reassurance.

When adding the stuffing, other items such as lavender and cinnamon can also be added, creating lovely fragrant decorations.

The beading in the blanket stitch around the edge of this one was inspired by this brooch. I love the way the beads catch the lights on the Christmas tree.

Why not have a look at the other crafts in my Christmas category...

Printers Cloths

You may remember earlier this year I made a selection of Printer Cloths for my Dad? Well, he loved them so much he asked me to make a few more sets for him!

I decided to mix things up and create a blue set as well, but I used all the same designs. I'm so happy with them! But it's also nice to now have a break from fiddly stitching for a little while ;)

Find loads more info on making these on my original post!

Stab Stitch: Textures

You may remember the Tried and Tested Tip where I suggested keeping a sketchbook in your bag for those quiet moments where you would normally fiddle with your phone, to help keep yourself creative.

If you're looking to mix up your creativity even more, a book like this will make a huge difference. Every page is a different type of paper, a different texture, and will give you small challenges each time you go to draw.

If you make a book yourself using my stab stitch tutorial, the possibilities of textures and surfaces you could include is huge. Here's some of the things I used in this book...

masking tape paper • sandpaper • cellophane • envelopes • tracing paper

newspaper • pizza box • brown paper • sugar paper • tissue paper • wrapping paper

corrugated card • watercolour paper • calligraphy paper • cartridge paper

So why not try one yourself? They are such fun to draw in :)