... back to stitching ...

Tast 2007 revisited

I finished the Tast 2010 challenge three months ago but left working on the 2007 rerun as my arm and shoulder were so painful - now I'm attempting a little stitching at times.
I have missed the needles and threads!
This is 35 Sisha Stitch - attatching discs, and 36 Cable Chain Stitch, with filler Feather stitches.
The frame is virtual, from picnik, for display.
I found the Shisha challenging - neither disc is stitched correctly, but they are attached! Maybe I'll get it right one day.
Anyway, I'm pleased to be back stitching a little in between the Fabric Beads and 1000 Flowers sort out projects,
.... and tablets, rubbing gel and heatpads for my arm!!! LOL.

1000 Flowers

When I retired in 1996 I came upon a quote, "Let 1000 flowers grow." (Mao)
As we had always lived in the same house and had a flower garden I knew I had done just that over many years.
But I decided it would be a theme in retirement, in art and a variety of crafts. This was before I had a PC so all drawings, paintings, doodles and scribbles were in various sketch books and a fat A4 file - some pictures, textile art, and stitching were framed, most put into drawers or boxes. Now my craft room, well everywhere, is a chaotic mess of my collections and I must do some sorting and weeding.
So - a new project starts today - keep some drawings etc on disc, maybe add new ones, and discard lots. ("discard" is not usually in my vocabulary - it's going to be a challenge!)
Above is an early sheet of outlines, used for reference in making many greetings cards, which I sold for charity.

Some of the ideas were drawn onto small wooden tiles with felt pens. The squares are 'inchies' and ovals are 2x1 inches. I still have a few, although not varnished the colours have stayed bright



I doubt I'll really tidy up or reduce the clutter, but I will enjoy going through things - including re-reading many flower quotes I have saved ....
"Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words" (Lydia M Child) -
.... very true!

WIP - Fabric Beads

Kristal Wick's lovely book 'fabulous fabric beads' arrived this morning and after a quick look through I had to try the basic rectangles - my first attempt at bead making.
They are easy to roll and glue over a drinking straw and tomorrow I'll know how substantial they are when the fabric is completely dry.



I took out the straw but I think light fabrics and ribbon will need a straw stiffener inserted.
Maybe I'll varnish them if I decide to carry on with these colours to make a chunky necklace. Mostly I craft for the pleasure of 'doing' so may not make anything.
Next I'll try triangles and then round beads - they will challenge me I'm sure...
Anyway, I'm more motivated than I was yesterday!

Mosaics

I can't believe that March is nearly over - and not a blog from me!
No blog, no stitching, not a lot on Flickr - well I have been reading and watching TV
(that's sad!)
I have made a few on line mosaics, manipulating photos with GIMP, like this version of a Dahlia, and making several photo collages in Picasa, like the one below.






A couple of sunny days made me think of Spring, but it's cold and dull again today -
maybe I'll feel better in April, Spring will really arrive and I'll get into a more positive mood - I hope so!

GIMP week 2 - 'Spring'

I'm enjoying Sharon b's course 'GIMP for Textile Artists'.
It's challenging me but I manage to practice, albeit with my own slant on some things!
This was good practice - enhancing colour, layers, selecting the oval tool, and lots of copy and paste.
The original embroidery was a fabric ATC from a photo taken in our local park, printed on fabric and over stitched mostly with French Knots.
I'm not doing embroidery just now - giving my arthritic arm a rest, but later I may print this on fabric and add even more knots!

GIMP Week 2

'Squinting In The Sun"
I managed the first task - setting an old fashioned look colourized photo into an oval with blurred edges, though I'm not sure I really want to look older than I am! LOL.
Next is intro to using layers in graphics - with a few do and undo attempts I managed to do two layers. It took me a time and at the end of it all I didn't like the colour I chose for the background layer and I had difficulty in saving in GIMP so I saved as JPEG as I always do.
Then I changed the background in Publisher as I can do this quickly.
As I'm a picnik frame addict I added a pretend frame too.
I musn't sit any longer or I'll 'lock' all my joints, so I'll go into GIMP, change the background there, and continue the lesson another time.
I'm enjoying the lessons - time flies and I only hope I can remember what I'm doing for another time!

Learning Curve ...

My learning curve has taken a new direction, after receiving an email from our son Neil, who works in the travel industry.
He is in Cambodia - impressed, and knew I would like to see and read about the amazing ancient temples, Angkhor Wat & Angkor Thom, dating back to 802AD.
Yes, I loved browsing pictures and info, via Google, and wish we were able to jump on a plane and get to see them!
I try to 'learn something new each day' - today I have, and I've sent for a book about Cambodia, a place I knew nothing about yesterday.

Even when we get a bit housebound there's plenty to enjoy!