Machine stitching

I have been getting a lot of enjoyment out of my sewing machine this week.  I have been using the decorative stitches to embellish this hand-dyed silk.  This photo doesn't capture the sparkle of the metallic threads that I have used.  This started as practice for another piece that I am wanting to do.  I think it will take it further with some couching, beading and hand stitching.
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Work in Progress Wednesday

Learning and using up bits and pieces. I have not learned to do free motion quilting and therefore need to practice.  I put together lots of little scraps as I love to upcycle. Then I tried free motion quilting over this.  It doesn't look like anything really but at least I wasn't concerned about ruining a piece of good fabric.   I actually think that I can use this as a journal cover.
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I heart Macro

You know you are on the right track when you become uninterested in looking back.  anonymous

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Dream

Our fibre guild has decided to continue our monthly 'sinchie' challenge for the coming year.  Previous years the challenges were based on color.  This year we decided to focus on a concept/idea.  I think this will be very interesting.  For September our word is dream.  So many possibilities for that one!  Pictured above is my start on it.  A friend gifted me with some Angelina fibres so I created a base with them.  Actually, my friend gifted with a big box of supplies as she is preparing to move.  I have used some ribbon from that box.  It is sheer in areas but it has not adhered properly in some places so I need to hit it with the iron again.  Also in the box was some sequin waste ribbon.  I have cut out a little star shape from it and plan to cut out more and stitch them onto this.  In the past, I have always made my 'sinchies' perfectly square but not this one.
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Work in Progress Wednesday

My August bead journal is finished.  This one is quite different from what I have done in the past for my bead journals.  It was really enjoyable to do.  I plan to mount this on black fabric and quilt along the black lines.
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I heart Macro

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.  Thoreau

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Slow Stitching

Adding stitch to this piece is so relaxing for me.  Taking the time to pick out the right thread and ponder which embroidery stitch will work best on each of the flowers captures my soul.  At times I feel myself rushing and wondering how soon I will get this done.  Then I remember there is no need to hurry.  This piece is not a challenge that requires a finish date.  I love how it is progressing!
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Bead Journal progress

There is not a lot of beading left to do on this piece.  Some star sequins are definitely going to be included.  This piece feels light and fun to me and I quite like it.  What a great feeling.  Do you think one likes their art more when you have grown to love and accept yourself more? 
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Work in Progress Wednesday

I have taken my Monthly Art Project a step further by adding some hand stitching.  I feel like that is just what was needed.  These six-inch blocks do not take a lot of time but they are definitely a challenge that I am enjoying.  I get excited thinking about putting all these challenges together.  I am not completely sure how I will do that, possibly a book form.
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I heart Macro

I was gifted an orchid almost two years ago.  I really am surprised it is still alive!  What is even more surprising is that it has bloomed again for me! 
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Now what?

This is the start of my Monthly Art Project.  The parameters I have set are pretty wide open.  Choose something from my pile of experiments and take it further.  I will likely keep it to 6x6 inches as I have other challenges that size.  I find it to be a manageable size plus some or all of them may come together into a larger project some day.

This piece is painted felted from my stash.  I have machine stitched on some sheer fabric and used a heat gun to melt some of it away.  I feel it is a good start but I am unsure as to what the next step is.

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Work in Progress Wednesday

 This piece has been sitting around for a couple of years.  I wasn't sure what to do with it.  Finally, I added a bit more stitching and landed on a use for it.   This little piece is going to become a journal cover.   I am participating in the New Hamburg Studio Tour again this year so it will be available for sale there. 
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Take a Stitch Tuesday

I really like the Bullion Knot Stitch.  I don't often remember to use it, unfortunately.  I added the Bullion to this seascape and think it works well.  I guess you can't really tell that from this photo as it is so close up.  I used some hand dyed silk thread and some regular cotton threads. 

I heart Macro

Finding the beauty in the warn, the broken, the decayed.
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Slow Stitching

This 'garden' is really coming to life.  I loved the way the surface treatment turned out and wish I would have made a colour of copy of it.  Oh well.  Adding beading and stitch has made it even better.  I am completely enjoying the process of making this. 
I am linking to
https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Burlesque Challenge

This Burlesque Challenge with the San Fransisco School of Needlework and Design seemed the perfect time to unleash my love of all things sparkly.  Anyone who knows me knows that I love glitter and glitz.  In most cases, I try to keep the shine under control and balanced.  However, I felt that over the top sparkle was what was needed for this challenge.  Kreinik supplied beautiful shimmering threads for us to use.  What fun to stitch with them!  Going through my stash of fabrics to create this crazy quilt block was also a joy.  I am looking forward to the next challenge!

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http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

My bead journal for July is a bit of an odd combination but I think it works.  I am so happy to have finally come up with a way to use the piece of indigo dyed cotton that was gifted to me.  Even though the tatted doily is a failed experiment with surface design I love the riot of colour.  The beading isn't exceptional but good enough.  This will eventually be quilted. 

I am linking to
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