Week No 3

Thanks so much for all the helpful advice last week. I have free machine stitched & love that freedom (altho sometimes I'm running along & wonder where exactly it is I'm going!) I discovered that, in trying to get the bobbin thread up so many times, the screw that holds the needle in became loose from the little 'arm' that's on the embroidery foot & I guess because I didn't notice, it's actually bent the needle holder 'shaft'. Or something in there did! So the needle isn't straight. Still stiches fine. Something to fix next time I can be without my machine for a while....!

This week's collage is a simple one. I made these first for last year's (09) Christmas Craft fairs & they did well, & in the studio during the season. Everybody likes 'smalls', something affordabe, a nice little gift. I also need to justify the beautiful plants in my garden, as I probably said when I showed the other variations last year! *(edit - just not the rose petal one!)

Compile all your bits & pieces - you can have as little or as much as you want.

An oatmeal & a terracotta colored piece of Lokta paper, burgundy acrylic paint, you coud try mixing that with a little bit of Alizarin Crimson (;) )  & gold thread & your chosen leaf or flower.

I've found that dried flowers - rose petals, hydrandgea & Acer leaves fade quite quickly & hope that by sealing with gel medium helps. It's also possible to paint the original color back in once you've seal it with the gel medium - the paint takes better. You could also seal the paint with more gel medium or acrylic wax.

Meanwhile prepare the background by stitching down either side of the terracotta paper & then the silky fabric. I used gm again to stick the leaf to the fabric & pressed it  over night under books, first placing a non stick plastic over the leaf. (remove very carefully)

Then stitch the leaf down, either loosely following the veins as here or outlining the shape. If you haven't used enough gm the leaf can crack - if you use too much it lifts/bubbles by the stitch & turns white. I find colored rubon waxes gently brushed in helps.

This is a commission from '10's craft fair, to pair up with the 3 rose petal one*; hope she likes it!

So, I'd better go & work on my plans for the workshop I've been asked to do at Rag Tag n Textiles, based on recycled fabric, of course & we get the use of their machines. I'd like it to something functional & frivolous, a notebook cover, a cuff & a brooch, all in one. Any tips on what makes a good great workshop would be appreciated! I know I need a sample or 2 to look at & touch & a materials list 'you will need' so I'd better get on with it!