More Postcard Swaps

My latest swaps for the Fun Friendly group I belong to was entitled "Leaves are FALLing" I just love the Autumn (Fall), probably because I was born bang slap in the middle of the season. I have created many pieces in the past based on Autumn colours so I jumped at the chance for this swap.

Yet again I started with Needle Felting, this time on to a batik from my stash with a leaf design in autumn colours. I felted fibres, felt, and fabric plus a bit of Angelina which didn't really turn out as I had wanted. I then made some leaves by sandwiching Angelina between two layers of organza, machining the leaf shape and then cutting it out. I then machined them over the felted background. Just had to add a few buttons - my work isn't complete without a button or a bead.

Creative Sketchbooks

Last month I finished a City and Guilds Creative Sketchbooks course with Janet Twinn at Leatherhead. And what a great time I had!

I decided to do it as I would love to design my own art quilts but thought I lacked the artistic skills to do so. The course included many materials, media and techniques which were new to me and hopefully have given me the knowledge on which to build into my own designs.

Here are some photos of one of the Sketchbooks which had to be Freestanding with some 3D construction. The photos show the sketchbook closed up - a greenhouse full of cacti and succulents which were the sources for my designs. Another photo shows it opened out and then there are some of my favourite artwork. I also used up odd pieces of painted paper by making little seed packets based on the real thing.

More Journal Quilts

Had a productive few days catching up on more Journal Quilts and have finished June and July.

June's theme was "Decorative Stiches" but as I don't have a huge range on my machine, I only inlcuded a few. I used some fabric I dyed a few weeks ago and went for the yellow and orange to represent the heat wave we were having in June. It now turns out that was our summer!

The July theme was "Thread Painting" so I used my new needle felt machine to felt some dyed felt scraps on to a base of batik fabric and then free machine stitched in matching thread. I then added a'bead soup' to the central area.

Inspiration

I've had a busy few days as our eldest Granddaughter Eloise has been to stay. Not much creating going on but I managed a few photos from the beach which will hopefully be an inspiration sometime in the future.

Also finally go round to rinsing off some fabric I had left "rusting". A friend of mine found on a beach what we think is a metal band from an old groyne. I wrapped some fabric round it and wet it with a vinegar/water mixture and left it to rust for several days. Also left another piece of fabric rusting with some iron filings and other bits of rusty metal. Not too sure what to do with them yet but I will post any creations as and when they materialise.

This is the metal band

Fabric wrapped round band Fabric with rusting metal

Journal Quilt

Earlier this year I signed up for a Journal Quilt challenge on International Friendship Quilters - one a month with a specific technique. Everything went well from January to April then I hit a busy patch and didn't have time for the Journal Quilt, although it was only A4 size!

I've now got the time so I will be catching up on my missed months. The challenge for May was folded fabrics and this was my offering.

I've done various pleats which were twisted and stitched, use a twin needle to give a slight pleat, a piece of fabric chenille and finally praire points. All the fabric was batik which I always feel does the work for you. Now on to June - Decorative Stiches.

Needle Felted Postcards

I've recently bought a Husqvarna Viking Needle Felting Machine and have had fun experimenting with it. With the fibres, fabric and felt I bought at Stitchfest I created these postcards for a swap I am taking part in at the moment with FunFriendly. The theme is Applique so I hope they meet the mark!

Another resolution to tick off

Well! I've finally gone and done it! I have been planning a blog for some time now and here it is.
This is where I will be sharing my creative moments in a busy life.
As a start here are some of my purchases made at Stitchfest a few weeks ago. So far I have created some postcards which I will post as soon as the photos are taken.