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Showing posts from February, 2020

My February Bead Journal

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The beaded edge of this is a bit wonky.  I believe once I can fix it a bit when I stitch this down but I have to decide on a substrate onto which to do that.  For now I am calling this done.  I enjoyed the process as usual but particularly because I took a mixed media approach.  I am keen to do more mixed media beading and embroidering.  I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Mandalas

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It is easy for me to get carried away creating mandalas.  I get lost in the process and have so much fun using different media/supplies.  This one I had adhered to one of my altered books.  After doing so I realized it wasn't quite up to snuff.  So, I am taking it further. I have added some 'gem' stones and think that works well.  I still feel like more could be done and will see what speaks to me next. I am linking to http://mybijoulifeonline.com

Work in Progress Wednesday

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Sorry for the not great photo.  I am handicapped with technology this week.  It is so inconvenient to not have my computer working.  It does make me think of new ways to do things and that isn't bad but also not fun.  Anyway, I have resurrected this piece and have been doing more stitching on it.  I also removed some bits that weren't working.  I am happier with it now but also know that there is a lot more stitching I want to do on it.  No deadlines though and that feels good. I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Progress

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I am making progress on this piece.  I am calling it My Boho Garden.  There probably isn't much more embellishment needed.  At least I don't see any obvious places to add stitch right now.  I am planning to do a button border around the edge.  It might end up weighing five pounds! I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Mandalas

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I was asked for a tutorial on mandalas.  I honestly have no clue what the proper way to do a mandala is but I can explain the way I do them.  I purchased some mandala stencils last year and I am so glad that I did.  I use them regularly.  I believe I found them on Amazon.  I start with a white coffee filter and add colour.  I have numerous ways of doing that.  I use markers, watercolours, food colouring and anything else that grabs my attention.  I often do them in batches so that I have one dry and ready to go when I am.  I then choose a stencil and fill in the lines.  Again, there are many choices for this; coloured pencils, gel pens, markers etc.  Now that the basic design is started I let my imagination go wild to finish it.  I keep my marks fairly simple by using dots, dashes, Xs, C shapes etc.  I like to use a variety of markers, gel pens, pencil crayons, shimmer paints etc.  When I want to take a mandala even further I will stitch into it or glue on sequins etc.  The possib

Work in Progress Wednesday

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My February bead journal has been fun so far.  The base is a painted coffee filter adhered to fusible interfacing.  Coffee filters are quite durable and the interfacing makes them even more so.  I am not exactly sure what comes next for this piece.  I need to go digging through my bead stash to figure that out. I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

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Sharon B shows the  Raised Close Herringbone Stitch  this week.  Love it!  It is such a pretty stitch.  I have never done this stitch and really hope that I remember to use it from now on!  It makes such a nice leaf and since I have so many floral projects that I am doing it will be very useful.

Slow Stitching Sunday

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I am not much of a gardener but I do love flowers.  This piece is progressing slowly but pleasantly.  It is cheerful to work on my colourful little piece especially when all is white outside.  I am thinking I will take this piece on holiday with me.  I can just picture myself by the pool stitching! I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

An Experimental Approach

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This is the beginning of my bead journal for February.  I have painted a coffee filter with acrylic paints and while they were wet I added some thread bits.  I have fused the filter to interfacing and I am ready to start beading.  At the moment I have no clue as to how I am going to bead this.  I am confident that it will come to me though. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Mandalas

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O kay, I am officially addicted to creating coffee filter mandalas.  The process is incredibly relaxing to me.  Not only that but I feel like I have learned a lot.  I can stop a project too soon.  With these coffee filter mandalas I just keep pushing.  I am not afraid to ruin them by going too far.  It is helping me be more courageous/daring in my other projects. I am linking to http://mybijoulifeonline.com/

Work in Progress Wednesday

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I have been revisiting some work that I had considered finished.  I had stopped working on them before they were truly finished though.  I think I lose interest and need to move onto another project.  Or it could be that I just don't know what to do next and it is best to wait until I know for sure.  So, I add more stitching to this block and I am liking it better.  It still isn't finished but I am making headway and that feels good. I am linking to https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/ https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

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Sharon B showed us the  Feather and Chain Stitch  this week.  I decided to resurrect my stitching on hand made paper project.  It has been a while since I have stitched on these pages.  I think this stitch worked well.  This project has been going on for a long time and it is about time that I concentrate on finishing it. 

It is fun to win art supplies

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I follow Koh-i-noor and Grumbacher (different brands but one company) on Facebook.  They often do contests where you can win art supplies.  Last week I won and supplied them with my mailing address.  Today this is what arrived.  I have never used woodless colour pencils but I am excited to try them out! 

Slow Stitching Sunday

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I have really enjoyed adding more hand stitching to this.  It is fun to do at my job, which is basically babysitting a door.  I get the most wonderful comments from the people that come through and see it.  Nice comments are always gratifying.  I think I am getting pretty close to finished on this one. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/