tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24715714341466180412024-03-13T02:23:43.331-07:00Dotty TextilesBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.comBlogger1248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-81404554721523938672024-02-26T13:43:00.000-08:002024-02-26T13:43:22.569-08:00Barton in the Beans Stitchscape<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32iO4qhJZoCitzLwUcDzmmAuxBc8Q11tKnL8o3SAoE26s3X61Vh4OedWIm2EjfCXkCFQI4dpOYI-yOOpeNHcDlep2tQpmLxdUb_wo_dtRffH1OjwgIaJXuQrw7WHo5UcEFdwZ9dneBTKdNu8qqpQktrEb1lWV3nXt6lIeysY9qteqUL-Y6v6iZcK4EGU/s6000/DSC_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32iO4qhJZoCitzLwUcDzmmAuxBc8Q11tKnL8o3SAoE26s3X61Vh4OedWIm2EjfCXkCFQI4dpOYI-yOOpeNHcDlep2tQpmLxdUb_wo_dtRffH1OjwgIaJXuQrw7WHo5UcEFdwZ9dneBTKdNu8qqpQktrEb1lWV3nXt6lIeysY9qteqUL-Y6v6iZcK4EGU/w640-h426/DSC_1076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>In desperation I have turned to Googling interesting place names in England to find new and exciting names for my Stitchscapes. They are harder to come up with than the ideas for the pieces themselves - not that they especially need names but it's nice to be able to call them something when you want to refer to a specific piece. </p><p>Today the name that stood out to me was Barton in the Beans, which is apparently a hamlet in the parish of Shackerstone in Leicestershire. According to Wikipedia (font of all knowledge) it has no shops or a pub (gasp!) but does have a church and a post box. So that's ok then. </p><p>The reason Barton in the Beans stood out to me was because the petal beads I have used at the bottom of the piece do look a little bit baked bean-like when viewed from afar. They are really interesting beads from a newly discovered shop called <a href="https://obsbeads.com/" target="_blank">Old Bicycle Shop</a> who seem to specialise in slightly unusual ones in all sorts of odd shapes. The ones I've used here are called tulip petal beads and have the hole at the bottom, with a slight curve upwards like a petal. There are different types and shapes of petal bead which you can see in magnificent detail on the Old Bicycle Shop website - it's a dangerous place to look if you wish to keep your bank balance intact. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSwcIdXN-NOH7_s3aUGQolvJWt1cEDYs_Dj_Wlz0unULKQ9cnfAtPPYSrWe04nRWyTEN87uqyaqKIhrUl9soIUtSwv2VUQCmuoClliAFlF_NJ5TP6nTiTqZDWEfUEm5JUgP0Tr1Imv1W-E2p8T7FEDjpKFHagFs0RP_KDhgON028nTeFcPgFOtoRm7zk/s6000/DSC_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSwcIdXN-NOH7_s3aUGQolvJWt1cEDYs_Dj_Wlz0unULKQ9cnfAtPPYSrWe04nRWyTEN87uqyaqKIhrUl9soIUtSwv2VUQCmuoClliAFlF_NJ5TP6nTiTqZDWEfUEm5JUgP0Tr1Imv1W-E2p8T7FEDjpKFHagFs0RP_KDhgON028nTeFcPgFOtoRm7zk/w640-h426/DSC_1077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>I liked these ones because they almost looked like little marbles on the inside, with some areas clear and others milky. The curve makes the beads sort of fall and cower over but they perk up if you poke them with your finger so that's good fun. </p><p>I have surrounded the petal beads with drizzle stitches to add height, and stacks of little green/petrol coloured matte seed beads to help add more texture. Any visible blotches from the batik fabric below have been filled in with satin stitch to give padded areas and the whole section is just a mish-mash of different things going on in a sort of haphazard way which I love. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVe6XRcFY4fJZOzh_wmWVSxE8cq2Vq21Lo0NYFyqgnTXmJ7oiTXQjfdA5XbY5PNZyqJjTv0FDsL8dgt5ujCGu-tGuqgvA_Y5mO4vJd3Hlh4QrT3J8W-tTZux3dcdfqbXESDIrwkBwz3Nci_bFV0FnbDXdBio_hbQgaSRQDu6FrbdBl6VDGOpReDIW5Hw/s6000/DSC_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVe6XRcFY4fJZOzh_wmWVSxE8cq2Vq21Lo0NYFyqgnTXmJ7oiTXQjfdA5XbY5PNZyqJjTv0FDsL8dgt5ujCGu-tGuqgvA_Y5mO4vJd3Hlh4QrT3J8W-tTZux3dcdfqbXESDIrwkBwz3Nci_bFV0FnbDXdBio_hbQgaSRQDu6FrbdBl6VDGOpReDIW5Hw/w640-h426/DSC_1079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This piece was initially put together following a workshop as it was a leftover pack, and you can read more about the origins of the fabrics and the beads too, on a previous post of mine, <a href="https://dottytextiles.blogspot.com/2024/02/tiny-hoops.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has quite a few layers but actually only four fabrics in, but with two fabrics put on as layers using both the front and back of the fabrics to see what the difference is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As all of the layers have been treated differently, I'm not sure now you would be easily able to tell that they were the same fabrics but it's an interesting exercise to try. Sometimes the back is more what you are looking for than the front is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENrnx10IaIif9ExocLdrzNyN74Tj5MjtZnA-nHlnP7w5K_nNxsAXaeMd_k774BpJa2ZP49QRvvha84MZvrfsHeDF0Bqb5Gptx27vTpeinTyYj0lxbDyt54hG42BeVy96drwLp_e5JyxSsn61msC-h90httsHHfAmBrv3a6Lv0-W6QKOdDmq6HfGCWD9Y/s6000/DSC_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENrnx10IaIif9ExocLdrzNyN74Tj5MjtZnA-nHlnP7w5K_nNxsAXaeMd_k774BpJa2ZP49QRvvha84MZvrfsHeDF0Bqb5Gptx27vTpeinTyYj0lxbDyt54hG42BeVy96drwLp_e5JyxSsn61msC-h90httsHHfAmBrv3a6Lv0-W6QKOdDmq6HfGCWD9Y/w640-h426/DSC_1080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Edging my bottom layer with the mad textures is a corded fancy trimming, which has caused some comments on a Facebook post I made saying that it reminded them of barbed wire fencing - not exactly the look I was going for. Personally I think of those woven living hedgerows made using willow branches or similar, and someone else commented saying that it looked like little decorative scalloped wire border fences that their grandparents had in the garden to separate the flowerbeds from the lawn. </p><p>Everyone can always see something so different in these pieces and that's what art is about. It doesn't matter what I say it is, art is personal to everyone and you'll all look at it differently. Are you in the barbed wire fence, scalloped decorative border or woven living hedge camp? Or are you in a different camp entirely?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjRccblZ8C5uFtPIok-maDlKB97Gx_e_UExplEEffcnaBUu47S6869iySs5leq586CdWoRQZbN_XPXwW2xs75XBjy7H16G_pkTcAWXsndL9Y9F50Kvg-_2LI1RUz_lAgNMboZaCoPASkx-24u7zauOSjUxJcL8R24QYL0-Y48skCuEvKjDBDiSjI2U4E/s6000/DSC_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjRccblZ8C5uFtPIok-maDlKB97Gx_e_UExplEEffcnaBUu47S6869iySs5leq586CdWoRQZbN_XPXwW2xs75XBjy7H16G_pkTcAWXsndL9Y9F50Kvg-_2LI1RUz_lAgNMboZaCoPASkx-24u7zauOSjUxJcL8R24QYL0-Y48skCuEvKjDBDiSjI2U4E/w640-h426/DSC_1082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>I've kept the fabric above quite simple and just used the lines that were already in the pattern, going around each of them with a single strand back stitch. To edge the fabric I've used a lovely hand dyed yarn from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LamingtonLassYarns" target="_blank">Lamington Lass</a>, which appears in quite a few of my pieces at the moment, the colours just really speak to me and different bits of it work with different projects. </p><p>The little snippet of fabric above that to the left is the same fabric but turned over. It's a much paler version as the print was only one sided on the fabric, but the tone kind of sits nicely with the other paler fabrics and mirrors more the paleness of the sky. To this I've blurred any remaining pattern lines with seed stitch and edged with french knots. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9wASQmA8-PAN9Ot3yzAR8WmFFeFsZyS-yV6xyxo7fGwH6UT9JdP4U4ekZuk5u7nEmM5gQcc9uo_Y6Vg1JZySO5nffLUd3i9weJoJShtqAPm8f2AJ1e4THO_vlem1P0Lk4ELWG6nlIjGkG-VY9ApL8ZzQSUx_ad77gHLB3j0gdV6VpXD259Y-Oftj4OU/s6000/DSC_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9wASQmA8-PAN9Ot3yzAR8WmFFeFsZyS-yV6xyxo7fGwH6UT9JdP4U4ekZuk5u7nEmM5gQcc9uo_Y6Vg1JZySO5nffLUd3i9weJoJShtqAPm8f2AJ1e4THO_vlem1P0Lk4ELWG6nlIjGkG-VY9ApL8ZzQSUx_ad77gHLB3j0gdV6VpXD259Y-Oftj4OU/w640-h426/DSC_1085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>My first big mountain took ages to do. I'm not sure why I fancied so many little seed beads on there, I was obviously having a blingy moment but I do really like it. The beads actually went on first, before any other stitches in this layer and I've tried not to be too uniform with it but to give a fairly evenish cover. Once the beads were on I've used a two different green colours to roughly fill in patches of the batik with satin stitch, concentrating on the larger splotches otherwise it would be too much thread and endless hours trying to cover every little pinprick. I like the effect that using two colours has - especially as it has coincided with a lightening of the fabric colour as well. It's like the sun has just peeped through the clouds on that one spot and lit it up. </p><p>I've used two different colours of embroidery thread, split up and put back together to couch down on the edge of the fabric to finish the layer off. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVum7N5Il2PXWtdC6GWpwIsmFBmOJXqTfzk3ph47GKfz0bNG3Qk22lmrZuHpryQrlza49jBNla0AFfx6zOsySfFKvk8wlRk_fnXFv0vTb0rXq4TApKyaWm4N-JOo83nlnDYDYrNDId5-nd1WbRksIzRJPs6QUlszn9Edt8Hq5JzJGfAC4kOa4sq2P4q6U/s6000/DSC_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVum7N5Il2PXWtdC6GWpwIsmFBmOJXqTfzk3ph47GKfz0bNG3Qk22lmrZuHpryQrlza49jBNla0AFfx6zOsySfFKvk8wlRk_fnXFv0vTb0rXq4TApKyaWm4N-JOo83nlnDYDYrNDId5-nd1WbRksIzRJPs6QUlszn9Edt8Hq5JzJGfAC4kOa4sq2P4q6U/w640-h426/DSC_1087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96ajGSC0A1jA9RvxcUWh78w8oRgSWjJF0OQC2kVP6paYCzCogrzW7twtCPuZHhtDuAcQyKHG6Bp8fzE2XN69j6GqcUyrHH3TO7lu0vZUN0EYYsuTjGX57SFekDAR4pHpmhmPvlV_BtRgRkOthp9zb0HIv9lxQcIMNurQUmJcCNyCJXXJWjkfGNAi7k7w/s6000/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96ajGSC0A1jA9RvxcUWh78w8oRgSWjJF0OQC2kVP6paYCzCogrzW7twtCPuZHhtDuAcQyKHG6Bp8fzE2XN69j6GqcUyrHH3TO7lu0vZUN0EYYsuTjGX57SFekDAR4pHpmhmPvlV_BtRgRkOthp9zb0HIv9lxQcIMNurQUmJcCNyCJXXJWjkfGNAi7k7w/w640-h426/DSC_0001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewcS_QRLJPh4U13eJ_yzVkf4YgLsAn0xZQr99RhefJ_mQsbYs5NhXAY_D4g5PaC0KAVeUlH-sxVC7aSg5nGmTAT8ymlkeNvl43qEMTyhga6ub9xH5cVZhT82dvUCu9O0EYgXc5NLdaOhHuceyqt_pekAk8EFqp8DXzZBpVoMSkS9hqgrl-8noXXHlYLM/s6000/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewcS_QRLJPh4U13eJ_yzVkf4YgLsAn0xZQr99RhefJ_mQsbYs5NhXAY_D4g5PaC0KAVeUlH-sxVC7aSg5nGmTAT8ymlkeNvl43qEMTyhga6ub9xH5cVZhT82dvUCu9O0EYgXc5NLdaOhHuceyqt_pekAk8EFqp8DXzZBpVoMSkS9hqgrl-8noXXHlYLM/w640-h426/DSC_0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Batik fabrics are just so lovely. I have a real addiction to them and their colours and uniqueness. There are off course the slightly more twee versions which depict butterflies or elephants in slightly startling colour combinations but I favour the ones that are just different types of mark making and texture with more muted and relevant colours. The top mountain fabric I've used is very different to the lower one, it's less busy which makes it excellent to depict a mountain further away in this instance where you wouldn't see so much detail anyway. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdMZ5zsYOjCTYlLj-eWTKoTkkX7D1HvR9zb1ABqa7noz4dA-Exug5eTSyR43QCNw8wK1Lk8mIQilXqoomE-Y80Ul2QeKOQR1ngkQdhzfLTD5IHOD2_Q9P_CWH_cuHncs98pFg6QvKw-DLFYOkqKoCK2pNlxg875MrK-aRBVRhzjHhyRSFmt7wyhl5eGw/s6000/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdMZ5zsYOjCTYlLj-eWTKoTkkX7D1HvR9zb1ABqa7noz4dA-Exug5eTSyR43QCNw8wK1Lk8mIQilXqoomE-Y80Ul2QeKOQR1ngkQdhzfLTD5IHOD2_Q9P_CWH_cuHncs98pFg6QvKw-DLFYOkqKoCK2pNlxg875MrK-aRBVRhzjHhyRSFmt7wyhl5eGw/w640-h426/DSC_0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>I have simply gone around the blotches with a single strand back stitch, and evened out the line by going over it again with a single strand whip stitch in the same colour. That's all this layer needed really, a step back from the mayhem going on in lower layers. </p><p>To keep a clean edging I have again couched down embroidery thread, but this time using the same colour throughout and the same colour as the stitches within the layer. </p><p>For my white sky I have used a single strand seed stitch on the lower level, edged with bullion knots (using two strands), and single strand running stitch on the upper level, edged with french knots (again two strands). Although the fabric is the same the front and back were slightly different colours so I have matched this with my threads as well - not that I'm entirely sure you would notice unless in good lighting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BSZs-8FCqKCWAWCGcxTxFy56F4PIyBi0ealqbeEhYSIk4M8Ncs20MzUxnqVQmXnQ1pfLp0DjaY9oC_hJJvpXzhJUoKbJEUf6RZCEpmK9wU59-RJ5dvePMx4KdfdG23o5TtZXNAbz1UStQT2BBxv_02TTCoBTKAfP53c-87bP3Il0qSoOyxQektH1qyY/s6000/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BSZs-8FCqKCWAWCGcxTxFy56F4PIyBi0ealqbeEhYSIk4M8Ncs20MzUxnqVQmXnQ1pfLp0DjaY9oC_hJJvpXzhJUoKbJEUf6RZCEpmK9wU59-RJ5dvePMx4KdfdG23o5TtZXNAbz1UStQT2BBxv_02TTCoBTKAfP53c-87bP3Il0qSoOyxQektH1qyY/w640-h426/DSC_0009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZ0y6xTLHbpFSpvWMhVwnsL27kad5cb4_6Ld-mzo9YvdvGcMGT2rGTTSDmVSH09MaqkwiIQyhf8X57HvVwdHxXOAePOFYnmM2eQOOsFXnZ9NLgiABYiY9fGqFMKrkbhwyVIk6K_DTnK5KsKsnw_EFH04qoZMUwvaowNcQzpAsvQxPSMBywHAUNuN6OD8/s6000/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZ0y6xTLHbpFSpvWMhVwnsL27kad5cb4_6Ld-mzo9YvdvGcMGT2rGTTSDmVSH09MaqkwiIQyhf8X57HvVwdHxXOAePOFYnmM2eQOOsFXnZ9NLgiABYiY9fGqFMKrkbhwyVIk6K_DTnK5KsKsnw_EFH04qoZMUwvaowNcQzpAsvQxPSMBywHAUNuN6OD8/w640-h426/DSC_0013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>So there we are! My little Barton in the Beans Stitchscape. If you live in Barton in the Beans, I would love to know if there are any places around you that would resemble this little landscape scene or if it is just complete fantasy. </p><p>My stitch run down for this one is; french knots, running stitch, bullion knots, couching, seed stitch, whipped back stitch, back stitch, beading, satin stitch and drizzle stitch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5IlUKoi5syXZparsfhAxTc6GwvE03ZbMhNpUBsSkVKUrBNKZzAvjjyedtvViTBpN7kcvuprjPPfgjk_EPoJVl6aowWIKKkpdSevGoaTGgyPG6MnxSeFuwEfup-pMm-rQjXYqQR8kl1NRBFSdcgTarFuPMIbK4ohf2Xcl39eoeJU0WgpF3hF3rynDCl8/s6000/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5IlUKoi5syXZparsfhAxTc6GwvE03ZbMhNpUBsSkVKUrBNKZzAvjjyedtvViTBpN7kcvuprjPPfgjk_EPoJVl6aowWIKKkpdSevGoaTGgyPG6MnxSeFuwEfup-pMm-rQjXYqQR8kl1NRBFSdcgTarFuPMIbK4ohf2Xcl39eoeJU0WgpF3hF3rynDCl8/w640-h426/DSC_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-48318027423935108852024-02-24T11:47:00.000-08:002024-02-24T11:47:55.879-08:00January Boundary Lines Swap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqx8KCPGuyq6F8qln5b5Ach6GAJYmRJZWSzdy3XNt4_4qvqPPv_0nEWGvnhyRI2-NPkNTHeSWwevIq8bMXqoeJDTeUyrWPp9MVDnt8lZitp6c39bunM44r1ErEXLjikdlziCr4tpuDccY3RH6s_ySsizTas1UglOzTX8jdENEc2ebfft3WSkyqpclh4DE/s6000/DSC_1040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqx8KCPGuyq6F8qln5b5Ach6GAJYmRJZWSzdy3XNt4_4qvqPPv_0nEWGvnhyRI2-NPkNTHeSWwevIq8bMXqoeJDTeUyrWPp9MVDnt8lZitp6c39bunM44r1ErEXLjikdlziCr4tpuDccY3RH6s_ySsizTas1UglOzTX8jdENEc2ebfft3WSkyqpclh4DE/w640-h426/DSC_1040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>*Edited to add, this has been sitting in my drafts since the 7th February waiting for me to press publish!</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What a cracking start to the 2024 Stitchscape Swap. There are some familiar faces/styles, and some shiny new ones too which is rather exciting! It was actually quite comforting to see the envelopes plopping on the mat and recognising the handwriting; amazing how much of a kinship can be felt with someone that you've never met. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I always hold my breath at the start of a new year in case no one wants to join in any more. The first few months and the last few months seem to have less participants in, but then it grows bigger in the summer when the days are longer and creative juices are pumping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These cards are amazing though and do exactly what it says on the tin - represent boundary lines!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The prompts for these cards included: Walls (through fields, buildings, up-close detail),
fences (picket fences, chain-link etc), map lines,
country or county boundary lines.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some of these are more transient than others. There's nothing that says "a boundary" quite like a wall, so that's super obvious, but then sometimes if you are visiting in Wales, you can accidentally slip over the boundary into England without even noticing! Which happens to us fairly often when we go on family holidays down that way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jwJYZDricw8wm-_CC13CiKOyVHdI_C-fs8ERBoM9agiMty8X83mr5TUroZ8fdX0JxKEHU_DnacWDFUE7NaNybqTUiQErkh2dHcJqyjpPi9RYAq6xgnWu4QA9j87CAF8hiYguyihyKFCNkC5JFrLg3_JF4jEPsSDOluWuxRd_cHiy4-pjHXQe61s7CbY/s6000/DSC_1041.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jwJYZDricw8wm-_CC13CiKOyVHdI_C-fs8ERBoM9agiMty8X83mr5TUroZ8fdX0JxKEHU_DnacWDFUE7NaNybqTUiQErkh2dHcJqyjpPi9RYAq6xgnWu4QA9j87CAF8hiYguyihyKFCNkC5JFrLg3_JF4jEPsSDOluWuxRd_cHiy4-pjHXQe61s7CbY/w640-h426/DSC_1041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These cards seem to cover all of those topics, we have wonderful chain link fences (made with chain stitch!), big stone walls and little stone walls, rough field boundary fences, houses and their hillside garden boundaries and an embroidered map! I wonder if the map was based off somewhere real or if it is made up? I love the little pine trees on it, it's almost like a treasure map - you can imagine Jack Sparrow saying to turn left at the group of three pine trees, wade through the river, then turn right towards the clump...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-9mdgYF8q65h6kAB8PAU47mb3mHoe1cQDHN5O8_brORbBSqsHahTOjE2aVhsnPZyCv7DOITv8DXI_ZXpW5MBkRu1qQHO62QQg9RBzOEMWeqTS_l4TM1ZEsA7MIJQS4BizvmVPWy55tFcyhGywiaCUriSIuE0LEG5HPQNCcZ6LiieQ57g3b8mb9ibqXQ/s6000/DSC_1042.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-9mdgYF8q65h6kAB8PAU47mb3mHoe1cQDHN5O8_brORbBSqsHahTOjE2aVhsnPZyCv7DOITv8DXI_ZXpW5MBkRu1qQHO62QQg9RBzOEMWeqTS_l4TM1ZEsA7MIJQS4BizvmVPWy55tFcyhGywiaCUriSIuE0LEG5HPQNCcZ6LiieQ57g3b8mb9ibqXQ/w640-h426/DSC_1042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There are some lovely textures in these cards too, and lots of different stitches. I can spot fly stitch, bullion knots, running stitch, chain stitch, french knots, seed stitch, straight stitch, detached chain stitch (lazy daisies), blanket stitch, couching, back stitch and one which I'm sure is a named type of stitch but I can't think what it is, for the fence posts in the card below. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqXCfBifM0xv9iHRoAptThX34SRfoUcGMRM0sfbP4tW-3rE7Fw0QeO2-xDXURarujqA5dRvBJsItxrYqw0gD2NWggRngUhLE9TBfaIgbweMfpKV_4kbA8FzE9ZN3KAoycWBM-PuTpZlEKn6IwDJKvaG_fRGXfHHwOAfN_Ms4v0nu_4voBmS1vJ6To3og/s6000/DSC_1052.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqXCfBifM0xv9iHRoAptThX34SRfoUcGMRM0sfbP4tW-3rE7Fw0QeO2-xDXURarujqA5dRvBJsItxrYqw0gD2NWggRngUhLE9TBfaIgbweMfpKV_4kbA8FzE9ZN3KAoycWBM-PuTpZlEKn6IwDJKvaG_fRGXfHHwOAfN_Ms4v0nu_4voBmS1vJ6To3og/w640-h426/DSC_1052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>They're lovely, absolutely lovely!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6psxwZeoI1zQoGGQBOr1gaVKg5e6MIu4ieF4PmYEp8wZQncu231bf7a1uoT2DBv3dPAXBBPRiDCrQ3HMP1VRW6Q6o4nH4KUskHk-f1cbTyh5Sw0V9j7zID2w39HuBa9cG9zZ1d0sfn6kI3iWYObd0FbwOJg0ZjSKeW2TylZ-QJgBMsP9ZSNyRRxrIW4/s6000/DSC_1050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6psxwZeoI1zQoGGQBOr1gaVKg5e6MIu4ieF4PmYEp8wZQncu231bf7a1uoT2DBv3dPAXBBPRiDCrQ3HMP1VRW6Q6o4nH4KUskHk-f1cbTyh5Sw0V9j7zID2w39HuBa9cG9zZ1d0sfn6kI3iWYObd0FbwOJg0ZjSKeW2TylZ-QJgBMsP9ZSNyRRxrIW4/w640-h426/DSC_1050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK3-GGfJ1xXtM8KgVOAzxK5ONhMBWLe-qnK0QzZJUWEKrKGRhLv-IriVci_VDLsiNgSqoM5FbGEWzp7QYZKpZAlyn7fOvRu0b7hHUM6_MCdy4IB-KjcYcOs3-MMYIUST-_qeGR6ZjwE0LueFJG07a0A_QNuYsJ0XE8CfmdiRZW4J_wprV3Jo-otBLbNs/s6000/DSC_1048.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK3-GGfJ1xXtM8KgVOAzxK5ONhMBWLe-qnK0QzZJUWEKrKGRhLv-IriVci_VDLsiNgSqoM5FbGEWzp7QYZKpZAlyn7fOvRu0b7hHUM6_MCdy4IB-KjcYcOs3-MMYIUST-_qeGR6ZjwE0LueFJG07a0A_QNuYsJ0XE8CfmdiRZW4J_wprV3Jo-otBLbNs/w640-h426/DSC_1048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>How tiny the back stitches are in the above card! It is such a fabulous texture though if you run your finger over it. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpYp-3JI2yYZ6pasYM8wiB4WfM8SmgTO2hQlPPeF9I1-MxUzRfpqhPMQwjHJpboxq4Pw19zSwpzZMoYpBWs-PZvLEbq6MP_PYKtIdqu_R1ah3cCiaqE_dftJTcgiCgd0tIR5j6GTl70xNSx3EGT_WvzXEVa-JrM6p0t-4LqzGbWilSsz-YFhrmFzpf0M/s6000/DSC_1046.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpYp-3JI2yYZ6pasYM8wiB4WfM8SmgTO2hQlPPeF9I1-MxUzRfpqhPMQwjHJpboxq4Pw19zSwpzZMoYpBWs-PZvLEbq6MP_PYKtIdqu_R1ah3cCiaqE_dftJTcgiCgd0tIR5j6GTl70xNSx3EGT_WvzXEVa-JrM6p0t-4LqzGbWilSsz-YFhrmFzpf0M/w640-h426/DSC_1046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I wish I had put in a gate. I saw this card come in the post and immediately got gate envy. It looks like it has been made with strips of dark brown felt which have then been stitched over to couch it down but also create a kind of wooden grain effect which is fab. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNhECkaEHNqUrCi16u5CR1NHAExqfTjfJXDRaH7BfpKrr2EyRv4L8mKUHZGmqtlMHTIDJjIvLSJABLV3yXKZURqS619Mx3O4wUmDbm6KeO_lggLF85Gmm1APFWSwWpky0hoXFpK4l3nQbeTpertQDR_ZhzEzNj5jF0mna4w0xfVYeJintzOXVwUM39Bk/s6000/DSC_1043.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNhECkaEHNqUrCi16u5CR1NHAExqfTjfJXDRaH7BfpKrr2EyRv4L8mKUHZGmqtlMHTIDJjIvLSJABLV3yXKZURqS619Mx3O4wUmDbm6KeO_lggLF85Gmm1APFWSwWpky0hoXFpK4l3nQbeTpertQDR_ZhzEzNj5jF0mna4w0xfVYeJintzOXVwUM39Bk/w640-h426/DSC_1043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Abi's card is so sweet with the little houses. She always has such wonderful little snippets of fabrics to make her cards with and I love that fancy yarn she's used for the bottom boundary and fabric edging. The sections of squared fluffy ends make fantastic hedges or Rhododendrons or something, and then the cord they are stitched onto or within is a great clipped edging. It's such a brilliant feeling when you have the perfect fabric or trimming for a project. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally, Jackie's piece below looks almost like an oil painting in a National Trust house. The stitches and colours wash into each other and it merges and blends beautifully, but actually is quite intricate when you look up close at the tiny stitches. You can imagine it as a giant painting hanging on the wall of one of those massive swirling staircases can't you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As always, individual photos are available to view on my website on the <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/stitchscape-swap-atcs" target="_blank">dedicated ATC page</a>, as well as future themes and prompts if you need them. I hope you'll be inspired to have a go at next month's theme; Stepping Stones!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSyGr2EaA2PCbEJB8-LXn9S3APbmoJbUPlUr8dQiV4oOFhY2B_Eh6b4BQchQSpuH_PtUOIbXyf04Ys05DKofJ3Ti4qdfBTM7WGDjwhHc1YLKo6WcZJQs-Fku0DpwgjB9su6lsvYSZMtsNn4ARAx4iO9qQvpNs2yuY3x9y3QdDLyZVIX284oGuDwSTDvM/s6000/DSC_1053.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSyGr2EaA2PCbEJB8-LXn9S3APbmoJbUPlUr8dQiV4oOFhY2B_Eh6b4BQchQSpuH_PtUOIbXyf04Ys05DKofJ3Ti4qdfBTM7WGDjwhHc1YLKo6WcZJQs-Fku0DpwgjB9su6lsvYSZMtsNn4ARAx4iO9qQvpNs2yuY3x9y3QdDLyZVIX284oGuDwSTDvM/w640-h426/DSC_1053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-34347241337134353972024-02-24T11:26:00.000-08:002024-02-24T11:26:03.824-08:00One Step at a Time<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX34hRhmwdDqJl9Qj73MBySg4NMFdSp3Rj9aC3y8rjXGquqkXS8s-Dc5PV0WziyNk1M4Es1cVTGXNOzg3TYq4b0axtSvarZc8_EfJNEf0RQzJRdhzGfjzFDLbmfFo9Wm2lww_iiOx1BthPXEZ2aGOgkcbPLCZT4VQCfMGwjdXIipv16JBYxeIFDE6o2w/s2048/IMG_0270.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX34hRhmwdDqJl9Qj73MBySg4NMFdSp3Rj9aC3y8rjXGquqkXS8s-Dc5PV0WziyNk1M4Es1cVTGXNOzg3TYq4b0axtSvarZc8_EfJNEf0RQzJRdhzGfjzFDLbmfFo9Wm2lww_iiOx1BthPXEZ2aGOgkcbPLCZT4VQCfMGwjdXIipv16JBYxeIFDE6o2w/w640-h480/IMG_0270.JPEG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />We've been feeling a bit under the weather in our house lately - lots of coughs and sniffles which just seem to be lingering forever. I can't work out whether these are new colds or the same one as before that's still hanging around. This time of year I just always feel so tired and this year I've got even more on my plate than usual which isn't helping but I find that I'm struggling to relax and take it easy when I can because the to-do lists for various things just never end and I feel guilty for not doing it and just overwhelmed by it all. </p><p>As my lovely OH says though, you can only do what you can and just take things one step at a time. Which seems apt as February's Stitchscape Swap theme is Stepping Stones. </p><p>I've gone for calming blue tones, using up some little mini samosas of fabric I picked up at the Ardingly Quilt show with The Mother at the end of January and the plan is to make my stepping stones from felt to meander through the water and lead you to the grassy bank and beyond. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc4xQ6qAHt5Zz1YaBm9jCpUXL5CEzzos55_B2XgnYnlfbVp-BVAzQVmZluLieWI6frZH0FWLGu4MDpx-rGAZX1dK4hOfGWMQuK4uZIlY-83do9cG6N8foQhOYNQqAH5ypux0NfS7rlsgUxZK9RP3KsPdWwkBqm-SpXWxHyTiIYARKtp4_EBL2p5wvE2c/s2048/IMG_0271.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc4xQ6qAHt5Zz1YaBm9jCpUXL5CEzzos55_B2XgnYnlfbVp-BVAzQVmZluLieWI6frZH0FWLGu4MDpx-rGAZX1dK4hOfGWMQuK4uZIlY-83do9cG6N8foQhOYNQqAH5ypux0NfS7rlsgUxZK9RP3KsPdWwkBqm-SpXWxHyTiIYARKtp4_EBL2p5wvE2c/w640-h480/IMG_0271.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qE6PJfjUzAXUXG4IHakStLItejG5LQEkeuYHB-xwYZn2w54O9WBdjH8QIZgWdHBoG_ffWeytYQEcKi_2pHxbn1JG2dhp9No2CG1icBay4kvt8f72KL7DcS6CfGC3mTcQVhfhu0iUpAMPLHLl2_Bmu5u5dCyQQa7cesXTLNGAjshr2jeI7Ag_Ij1xQIM/s2048/IMG_0272.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qE6PJfjUzAXUXG4IHakStLItejG5LQEkeuYHB-xwYZn2w54O9WBdjH8QIZgWdHBoG_ffWeytYQEcKi_2pHxbn1JG2dhp9No2CG1icBay4kvt8f72KL7DcS6CfGC3mTcQVhfhu0iUpAMPLHLl2_Bmu5u5dCyQQa7cesXTLNGAjshr2jeI7Ag_Ij1xQIM/w640-h480/IMG_0272.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love these colours together, and the grass print fabric works really nicely here too! I'll add more greens at the bottom as some kind of water rush type thing which will help balance the colour out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even my stepping stones are blue! I have a large stash of small wool felt squares which I ordered online as a bundle from <a href="https://billowfabrics.co.uk/collections/wool-blend-felts" target="_blank">Billow Fabrics</a>. They have really lovely colours, lots of soft tones, and you can pick up a mixed scrap bundle from their website which has stood me in good stead for a couple of years now! The range of colours is so broad that there is bound to be one in there that suits your project at any given time. I could do with another bundle now though to refresh some colours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yMzwc5dqCHj1y5oKVsi9_fNpIqAijdP8qB0hgs9j0AT0jyTpnkXyZg0hvrzZtX2Q1wxze-o6AtsX-cJL7xzCa9SJwnBuAtYFDcXi3bqz4GoZKr4poh8u8ZoHPH05FuKdTcP69IZfY3R6XCn1yD-GnXvcMZr8YQxu2a97L9XSLuZf4BoeM1Si6-Ly5Bo/s2048/IMG_0274.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yMzwc5dqCHj1y5oKVsi9_fNpIqAijdP8qB0hgs9j0AT0jyTpnkXyZg0hvrzZtX2Q1wxze-o6AtsX-cJL7xzCa9SJwnBuAtYFDcXi3bqz4GoZKr4poh8u8ZoHPH05FuKdTcP69IZfY3R6XCn1yD-GnXvcMZr8YQxu2a97L9XSLuZf4BoeM1Si6-Ly5Bo/w640-h480/IMG_0274.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not planning on doing lots and lots of stitching in this one (she says!) but let the composition do most of the talking. There's no point my stitching in any water until after I've done my rushes at the bottom anyway so I'll see how it goes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've started adding a little bit of a glimmer by using the shiny section of Stylecraft Moonbeam yarn to couch along the top edge of the bottom blue fabric. This is going down first and then I'm stitching my stepping stones over the top to blend it more into the background rather than it being a prominent edging. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each stepping stone is having different stitches in as well. So far the big bottom one has seed stitch all over it, the middle one is edged with blanket stitch and the top little one is just stitched down with a border of back stitch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'll see how they turn out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwKckp0xnJKf8lePQZkQ_V66PmP3M6WhkOpC_5F_AK3JkRyFG9TgJcXvwhTxUD2ik64csTCD_GxgDW_GjIozfwr3pEVTswKcwDIJxqRmrkAfSoJxsvPQZFYv56KFfQJubL8RdwXR8XEkzAXMpQUYrqHQZZHlZ6IC2R1qhlPtu6HYqSwrc5H8JjP8YRcw/s2048/IMG_0275.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwKckp0xnJKf8lePQZkQ_V66PmP3M6WhkOpC_5F_AK3JkRyFG9TgJcXvwhTxUD2ik64csTCD_GxgDW_GjIozfwr3pEVTswKcwDIJxqRmrkAfSoJxsvPQZFYv56KFfQJubL8RdwXR8XEkzAXMpQUYrqHQZZHlZ6IC2R1qhlPtu6HYqSwrc5H8JjP8YRcw/w640-h480/IMG_0275.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-11542401547684839572024-02-09T11:27:00.000-08:002024-02-09T11:27:32.310-08:00Boundary Lines ATCs<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSYcjdqgJNt62bJoXvqgcBGCwWi7ozqX6LGG-wCqmBC7LLs48v02YI2ZjtztlPeF3fpa9Ktf2C9Or1t6vKJS0xVoJQ-KSGYfk0ailugvKlf9RWTgeTSNIg8dnfS4YaeblW7Tgcd_xIRNRTjkwHd2nSs2hkRsagaeSyu_3gnGgOxaGvPgpNCMuhvK-5xE/s6000/DSC_1007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSYcjdqgJNt62bJoXvqgcBGCwWi7ozqX6LGG-wCqmBC7LLs48v02YI2ZjtztlPeF3fpa9Ktf2C9Or1t6vKJS0xVoJQ-KSGYfk0ailugvKlf9RWTgeTSNIg8dnfS4YaeblW7Tgcd_xIRNRTjkwHd2nSs2hkRsagaeSyu_3gnGgOxaGvPgpNCMuhvK-5xE/w640-h426/DSC_1007.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What would you think of if I said to you to draw a boundary? Would you go for brick walls and high fences, no entry signs, parking bays or a leafy green hedge? Perhaps it would be something less tangible like map lines or contour lines, invisible sectioning off of the world to make sense of it and take ownership. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe you're a sporting person and a boundary could be the rope around a cricket pitch, or lines drawn on the floor for football and basketball?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The official definition is "a line which marks the limits of an area" - which could be anything really! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs9O5Sx2RoyopV2nB1VQ2Hoend2dcbYBnCfs-Cva6FGCwdV098RUzujQnUb7ko0yqjA4-QpLFo-yuQ1fAHCghTE7x7FcfG0gBKM4nSTXp1k5gKpb26KKjZDskS_XHLs57zVR9fTAStGQWyZ29HkiLNDTojcuHjwZ-h__yeQ6xY5PPPhVI2sTBV0IeeaM/s6000/DSC_1008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWs9O5Sx2RoyopV2nB1VQ2Hoend2dcbYBnCfs-Cva6FGCwdV098RUzujQnUb7ko0yqjA4-QpLFo-yuQ1fAHCghTE7x7FcfG0gBKM4nSTXp1k5gKpb26KKjZDskS_XHLs57zVR9fTAStGQWyZ29HkiLNDTojcuHjwZ-h__yeQ6xY5PPPhVI2sTBV0IeeaM/w640-h426/DSC_1008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I decided to go for a rolling hills landscape (no real surprises there) with hints of different types of field boundary. At the top I've used a beautiful hand dyed wool from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LamingtonLassYarns?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search_UK_DSA_GGL_ENG_General-Nonbrand_Shop_All&utm_ag=UK-EN_DSA-Shop%2BPages&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAiAt5euBhB9EiwAdkXWO1zN6UMj00dFWnF6lga5I40ohGJoM_V87H7qiYraS-DWeWsH5JtO2BoCgYMQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_18703174223_143897663418_630555251738_dsa-1640180280716_c_&utm_custom2=18703174223&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAt5euBhB9EiwAdkXWO1zN6UMj00dFWnF6lga5I40ohGJoM_V87H7qiYraS-DWeWsH5JtO2BoCgYMQAvD_BwE#about" target="_blank">Lamington Lass</a> doubled over and couched down to kind of represent a hedge line (maybe one of those living hawthorn woven hedges?), then the next level down I've used a skinny strip of dark felt to be more like a fence, and at the front I've used more felt to be a stone wall. I wish now that I'd also thought of putting in a gate, but the cards have already got quite a lot going on so perhaps it would have been too much anyway?<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArVHtU-gSJKxgkwv4Fv0cE4SoUu7yYic1ri-z46EpUxiTK5frBCKiXgI2LmD1zJVxWf_6YBPz-wsjTzYB9KYl2PgY1C8vefadxw7gkPt5CZk5_LZIxyOqJF5yZLUlqFMbnFUzkJU4z6VXoAQIUuMJiOvyvpxl37wZm_I2Sdy0xsy04-JnAzr93Xcfmgk/s6000/DSC_1011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArVHtU-gSJKxgkwv4Fv0cE4SoUu7yYic1ri-z46EpUxiTK5frBCKiXgI2LmD1zJVxWf_6YBPz-wsjTzYB9KYl2PgY1C8vefadxw7gkPt5CZk5_LZIxyOqJF5yZLUlqFMbnFUzkJU4z6VXoAQIUuMJiOvyvpxl37wZm_I2Sdy0xsy04-JnAzr93Xcfmgk/w640-h426/DSC_1011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Starting at the top I've added some bunny runs by working a single strand running stitch following the line of the below fabric layer, then a single strand whip stitch perpendicularly across the rows. I love this technique and use it all of the time to make additional textures and jazz up a plain fabric. To me it represents animal tracks or a ramblers path, even the wind blowing grasses in different directions.<div><br /><div>The next fabric down is actually a green trees print and I've vaguely followed the areas of brighter green with messy french knots. By messy I mean that I've deliberately not tensioned the knot as I made it, letting go of the thread before I pull the needle through so that loose loops or 'bunny ears' have been made and the knots look more like little bubbles (great for seascapes). </div><div>It's a different look to the knot than, for example, the pink flowers at the bottom of the card which have been made by tensioning the thread during the making of the knot, tightening the thread around the needle and sitting the knot on the fabric before pulling the needle through. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCI2B0CvlFxMtPtpgQdom2OyzkMs3zZ7vIwMgFGb2mm8pwQTdBps2yUbMeowfA_cYXvBUVRpRCl4FWCRIiPM33IDFXOwUDk5dKPz44EaNWMdztyV2cvSLb5UJw3X9JrTKdmc6R1Welve4uIFA6R133St9QfamXqXBqi1oxBrKMYtM6JmO2LWYRrqY4PE/s5650/DSC_1013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="5650" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCI2B0CvlFxMtPtpgQdom2OyzkMs3zZ7vIwMgFGb2mm8pwQTdBps2yUbMeowfA_cYXvBUVRpRCl4FWCRIiPM33IDFXOwUDk5dKPz44EaNWMdztyV2cvSLb5UJw3X9JrTKdmc6R1Welve4uIFA6R133St9QfamXqXBqi1oxBrKMYtM6JmO2LWYRrqY4PE/w640-h270/DSC_1013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>To add texture to my felted fence I've stitched it down just by working straight stitches across it and I like the effect of the slight shine of the thread against the matte darkness of the felt. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the spotted fabric I've gone over each of the spots with satin stitch which gives them a raised, slightly padded effect. I always separate out all of my strands of the thread first when working a satin stitch, that way they don't tangle together so much in the needle and create a smoother stitch on the surface. </div><div>Small, single strand, fly stitches have been added around these to represent scrubby grasses, and also to push back the fence line and give more perspective as they sit over the top of it. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6ekxqbPW255hk2NtN95JwDoeAPzma_dXFgMK-SQckBngkXVeEQ_ql9l07C0-KkiOZuUfH6iR8H3wFkQ0F8e06qZoXDAGQBIdPt1hxeHkiyyR5zQq8YF_H-xZxjNmOlyEmjKxv4Vc5wO4vGc8oFZK-_5Cbb7csd0Ozx7OgHbAKT_C8eR_z3xVJb2CJ2A/s6000/DSC_1014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6ekxqbPW255hk2NtN95JwDoeAPzma_dXFgMK-SQckBngkXVeEQ_ql9l07C0-KkiOZuUfH6iR8H3wFkQ0F8e06qZoXDAGQBIdPt1hxeHkiyyR5zQq8YF_H-xZxjNmOlyEmjKxv4Vc5wO4vGc8oFZK-_5Cbb7csd0Ozx7OgHbAKT_C8eR_z3xVJb2CJ2A/w640-h426/DSC_1014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FQl3WhC3bgI_rVkaPSo9K9BuutMX8Y0VJr45XdGerzA3YEQpTPSJ9v1rqHqedtCciWCMIs74guqJLw_uv3rFtT3jrmXD8S9FA6Ve11qNTrW6kCB2Ss-lSBGGx9LfM1Z27uR-C1Iuv19gcaEaTe7EvRYIjTx81pXOv_q0J3WB975Z8GkQp4PMpYB50Nc/s6000/DSC_1017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FQl3WhC3bgI_rVkaPSo9K9BuutMX8Y0VJr45XdGerzA3YEQpTPSJ9v1rqHqedtCciWCMIs74guqJLw_uv3rFtT3jrmXD8S9FA6Ve11qNTrW6kCB2Ss-lSBGGx9LfM1Z27uR-C1Iuv19gcaEaTe7EvRYIjTx81pXOv_q0J3WB975Z8GkQp4PMpYB50Nc/w640-h426/DSC_1017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXqmFp3buovSxB8WpDMM1mTz3g_BeorTr2u1TcnJYlh0OknRjTqK7FcQ_8FxOX_NuDAaJZBeKnU8I1CZryBzowEs4KwO8meCY0YJEihwpCM88yqPeOf64eH3zKrZqlxEcc3TJOT_B87EavaU2zktTEusEh5F2tvt0JkmXxT0ic5Dk4f3VG0VYVgGmvEc/s6000/DSC_1018.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXqmFp3buovSxB8WpDMM1mTz3g_BeorTr2u1TcnJYlh0OknRjTqK7FcQ_8FxOX_NuDAaJZBeKnU8I1CZryBzowEs4KwO8meCY0YJEihwpCM88yqPeOf64eH3zKrZqlxEcc3TJOT_B87EavaU2zktTEusEh5F2tvt0JkmXxT0ic5Dk4f3VG0VYVgGmvEc/w640-h426/DSC_1018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUI0IlYBMX5hHSJ7WoSLdJKOk9HbZigYrrn9Mb4CPyrU7F0bo9qZxAKogc4Z8djx5eZoEKYmqCXomHPX54GuPdGwlJp6WsB62fMpjxRWAGdRxI8XGrCsQRm25QOzqpHGUQnaFArEHnz5wK3uK8oubU_NG-Uy2AWWl_wXX9QCBxGSu-cpILIpSHhNbV4w/s6000/DSC_1019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUI0IlYBMX5hHSJ7WoSLdJKOk9HbZigYrrn9Mb4CPyrU7F0bo9qZxAKogc4Z8djx5eZoEKYmqCXomHPX54GuPdGwlJp6WsB62fMpjxRWAGdRxI8XGrCsQRm25QOzqpHGUQnaFArEHnz5wK3uK8oubU_NG-Uy2AWWl_wXX9QCBxGSu-cpILIpSHhNbV4w/w640-h426/DSC_1019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqU1EfQlGE6zIWbgmEhwqw21qrCOzy__zG2QiWzFnAloPGbwtqOAWvdXiBoa8YJPZHatgRT3Z0SfAg5qlgZIQWD1gsv-c03StJ3De7-TfY-s3ceMFtmyXsoEYlE__EOuPiA6i909DFYHaxtA6bHv-Tvbrk9rXeFFanhNhqMF2AWKUyF4CjbkB_SAy1tlk/s6000/DSC_1024.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqU1EfQlGE6zIWbgmEhwqw21qrCOzy__zG2QiWzFnAloPGbwtqOAWvdXiBoa8YJPZHatgRT3Z0SfAg5qlgZIQWD1gsv-c03StJ3De7-TfY-s3ceMFtmyXsoEYlE__EOuPiA6i909DFYHaxtA6bHv-Tvbrk9rXeFFanhNhqMF2AWKUyF4CjbkB_SAy1tlk/w640-h426/DSC_1024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For my stone wall I have free stitched some back stitch stones into the felt, pulling fairly hard as I did so to try and give a quilted look to the wall. To bed this in and make it look like it's been there for ages, I have stitched some long straight stitch grasses (mixing two thread colours in my needle at once) which work their way up and over the stones. French knot tapers in pink give a different floral effect than my detached chain stitch daisy flowers; I have no idea what kind of flower they might represent in real life - probably not any that live in fields next to stone walls - but they look nice together. </div><div>I've added little glass seed beads to the centre of each lazy daisy, and a more transparent type of bead to blend in more with the grass print background fabric, but to act as another type of little flower. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp8cBD-k3JH5_Vos7dQj2CS0hIChPhDyjj0ic9IVZ7BuJVjDFvC98DQ3cr7pAn4tAQtmyoPWMb1khCwxe_799LwOooyFib25TGTWyUBwfmDRjs8xyX_jDNytIbE01_fR9iW0X0e9TiJT9BGQeAuBLQiuKVS1zhMevhGlL41PedrzOIleAVA0nRGdfYvk/s6000/DSC_1021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp8cBD-k3JH5_Vos7dQj2CS0hIChPhDyjj0ic9IVZ7BuJVjDFvC98DQ3cr7pAn4tAQtmyoPWMb1khCwxe_799LwOooyFib25TGTWyUBwfmDRjs8xyX_jDNytIbE01_fR9iW0X0e9TiJT9BGQeAuBLQiuKVS1zhMevhGlL41PedrzOIleAVA0nRGdfYvk/w640-h426/DSC_1021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22Peqyu5jgJzeeChkibTjDbzykXvIvjgCner9dwY7jDtchBFs7SjLE18ZZu6ny1yvkedIF10H5a5MJXuYXIDNHNybM44svkBisXIdoesKr1qVT6THWwP7dHLio_Bh5aLbd7g-bZ7LZOccsmhFQ_4Yi5dJq_F7bKZFfDpDTOQlSb9Jw7WqBDDuzPxwVQU/s6000/DSC_1026.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22Peqyu5jgJzeeChkibTjDbzykXvIvjgCner9dwY7jDtchBFs7SjLE18ZZu6ny1yvkedIF10H5a5MJXuYXIDNHNybM44svkBisXIdoesKr1qVT6THWwP7dHLio_Bh5aLbd7g-bZ7LZOccsmhFQ_4Yi5dJq_F7bKZFfDpDTOQlSb9Jw7WqBDDuzPxwVQU/w640-h426/DSC_1026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The moss on the top of the wall is quite a dramatic moss! It sits fairly proud off the surface which doesn't quite work with my perspective of the flowers but I feel like a good stone wall needs a showy moss. I used three colours in the needle here and they are essentially a seed stitch (small and multi-directional) but the thread isn't pulled all of the way through the fabric and creates little loops. It can take some practice so get it even, and you will need to make a couple of normal stitches at the end to stop yourself accidentally pulling in all of your wonderful moss whilst knotting off the thread, but it's really fun to look at and touch. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bsnlfyBWMbcSCcvEwAvLHpjEEo-8TsRLwFdjpoBHPSFznESawF2HeU9ef5NeUOPJhjii7uF_s56Wb4lDAwsul7wcd6lpuWGazxNi_1zgZotIErwo-nO0zCY_k7zMdfQgftLURBMm_T3tkEQSOBwUy74wndfxnk5B25RfEmmdw28vlwbcVevxOmF2Jic/s6000/DSC_1028.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bsnlfyBWMbcSCcvEwAvLHpjEEo-8TsRLwFdjpoBHPSFznESawF2HeU9ef5NeUOPJhjii7uF_s56Wb4lDAwsul7wcd6lpuWGazxNi_1zgZotIErwo-nO0zCY_k7zMdfQgftLURBMm_T3tkEQSOBwUy74wndfxnk5B25RfEmmdw28vlwbcVevxOmF2Jic/w640-h426/DSC_1028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3QFN_SLy3MDJH_EUCvmkFHFdgqXhaiMdOMaW705Xbdb07GmL3qQOVlMDLuZQVpZNYJmBGqM3QzeP-NSjF_83ooDLY8gl-XCAnc8z7eeJeLdKMlTsPzjlr-68FI9l292Rh6Unzll_uZNKe04JwM7nE42iDuEY1uaU2AvCvcx7eWjl2_ue3PNju80dZlk/s6000/DSC_1029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3QFN_SLy3MDJH_EUCvmkFHFdgqXhaiMdOMaW705Xbdb07GmL3qQOVlMDLuZQVpZNYJmBGqM3QzeP-NSjF_83ooDLY8gl-XCAnc8z7eeJeLdKMlTsPzjlr-68FI9l292Rh6Unzll_uZNKe04JwM7nE42iDuEY1uaU2AvCvcx7eWjl2_ue3PNju80dZlk/w640-h426/DSC_1029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyMserz6EU5iWMeHZutiQaf_9oURzna2yYNRyFr1JPn7KCfj8jxcHATtt4SrYg751KLwyj9QJ3yFyYS7rtf2TTe7dpJPS4IioNGlEt9Eh4pkhpW_PZ1mHZ20FwLj81h_dGeQ1aczs5U3F1j3wt5hoA4TBSQGCA4CQ88XwRzoAQy61_eqkUPa7pZxTy1M/s6000/DSC_1032.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyMserz6EU5iWMeHZutiQaf_9oURzna2yYNRyFr1JPn7KCfj8jxcHATtt4SrYg751KLwyj9QJ3yFyYS7rtf2TTe7dpJPS4IioNGlEt9Eh4pkhpW_PZ1mHZ20FwLj81h_dGeQ1aczs5U3F1j3wt5hoA4TBSQGCA4CQ88XwRzoAQy61_eqkUPa7pZxTy1M/w640-h426/DSC_1032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So, overall the stitch run down is; running stitch, whip stitch, couching, french knots, satin stitch, fly stitch, back stitch, straight stitch, moss stitch, detached chain stitch and beading. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm quite pleased with my efforts for the first swap of 2024, and even more pleased that we still have lots of interest for there to even be a Stitchscape Swap 2024!! I hope you enjoy following along this year, whether you decide to participate or not.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_k93Jd0JDG2cN10RBJV0zmEoPk8hRvp7WSB-UBuvUSmYKoEfEnvuivgD9_DfyFXqGI91IJ8ku5dGA1kRQrhDgZ2MLfLfw0gXgXi5_jeuXQxyknoVBBvloFis-UbmwX84n_TBbc0xsft5o-JHqdhPgGJM360zPTkB6E36Px7AVWQifI8v3HBjeXpqAhU/s6000/DSC_1036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_k93Jd0JDG2cN10RBJV0zmEoPk8hRvp7WSB-UBuvUSmYKoEfEnvuivgD9_DfyFXqGI91IJ8ku5dGA1kRQrhDgZ2MLfLfw0gXgXi5_jeuXQxyknoVBBvloFis-UbmwX84n_TBbc0xsft5o-JHqdhPgGJM360zPTkB6E36Px7AVWQifI8v3HBjeXpqAhU/w640-h426/DSC_1036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-22053746003170741912024-02-07T03:37:00.000-08:002024-02-07T03:37:54.312-08:00Tiny Hoops<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnJngJXkbH3PTC5H6ptet4dC2gkj4BfvMnYRhYqmxZ4he0DXe4lGt2znDdCHi-oT21M10Ap1LXVWwbSZ2srueg0_QQktCyrS0i7qpZgcv4R7-_MI62vvGre1AtIxdeaOUSCrB2LFwxRWqgnzG5qCEBj_fd_Q_sBjl3qR_hdfYeEBrYdEl-tYvuI3dD7Q/s2048/IMG_9962.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnJngJXkbH3PTC5H6ptet4dC2gkj4BfvMnYRhYqmxZ4he0DXe4lGt2znDdCHi-oT21M10Ap1LXVWwbSZ2srueg0_QQktCyrS0i7qpZgcv4R7-_MI62vvGre1AtIxdeaOUSCrB2LFwxRWqgnzG5qCEBj_fd_Q_sBjl3qR_hdfYeEBrYdEl-tYvuI3dD7Q/w640-h480/IMG_9962.JPEG" width="640" /></a></p><p>It was back to workshops at the end of January and I revisited Heffle Quilters in Punnetts Town, East Sussex, to work on little 10cm hoops for the day. They had no set theme requested but had previously been interested (at a talk given last year) in my Stitchscapes with shells in so had asked me to bring some along for the workshop. It's slightly tricker to put together packs of inspiration for workshops without a specific theme but I mixed together a selection of sea and coast and hillside fabric combinations in the hopes that there would be something for everyone. </p><p>I enjoy making these packs. My system is to pull out fabrics from various stash sources which fit the bill, cut up lots of little pieces in the right size and then lay out all of the hoops (pre-backed) and start laying the fabrics on top, almost randomly, until the fabrics build up to the right quantity. Without thinking too much about it you can put together some interesting combinations which have different stories to them so, even though you've used the same fabrics, there is a different idea that could be interpretated in each. </p><p>Of course, these combinations aren't set in stone and at my workshops I take round two big boxes of scrap fabrics (with the ultimate goal of making the scrap pile slightly smaller but it doesn't seem to be working as a stash busting method!) which can be substituted for or added in, and they can always swap between themselves. Sometimes people will also bring their own fabrics along if they've been inspired so it's a creative free-for-all with a little bit of initial direction. Half the time the packs are picked over with the same enthusiasm as seagulls around a sandwich and the ladies have got stuck in before I've had a chance to really explain what to do. It's nice to see such enjoyment from everyone and always bodes well for a creative day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6yspYQf5r0xO-aVN1ZQOY79ePNyK1yDUCmQyWTINhbZVN57VOXiveKalfvCODjuZa1v6K7N4gDr_kgqQGoPCYPaed9SfdWmH2CcuLusk0EgZR9djvcY9Kb7tSkGtEz_cTMlH-uFmSRgyB3Cngt4PS6xPV5xyd6uXs4TXZ3SrUw3haBJABmloHy-08V4/s2048/IMG_9953.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6yspYQf5r0xO-aVN1ZQOY79ePNyK1yDUCmQyWTINhbZVN57VOXiveKalfvCODjuZa1v6K7N4gDr_kgqQGoPCYPaed9SfdWmH2CcuLusk0EgZR9djvcY9Kb7tSkGtEz_cTMlH-uFmSRgyB3Cngt4PS6xPV5xyd6uXs4TXZ3SrUw3haBJABmloHy-08V4/w640-h480/IMG_9953.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'd put together this little example piece for the workshop, and there's a rather embarrassing Instagram reel which you can find on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/power.beth" target="_blank">Instagram account</a> (and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dottytextiles/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> I think) of me putting it together if you wanted to watch it. I've used the same fabrics as from the selection provided to the Heffle Quilters and the same size hoop but it's always nice to show someone what you can do and the scale that can be achieved. Oddly, I haven't actually started stitching this one yet but I have started another piece which I began after the workshop as there was a fabric pack left over and I felt bad for it being unloved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1WnDzA6sZl9JCnbm9tbIm2Hwl5oYb2GkvBVm6S36gmbN4MoOM_fOt5JaOWheKiaCGa_7uXVxAonFYEBy93PzwOu_n2QCOQ9b9tClKkEGLeS_QvtOVvKBBCElTKnbVNsFImH8tk0kEQ7l4kI_W6bnqbu7mPAy1r3kx9p-8OVN-IpSV3xy48ZjcwuLweM/s3087/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3087" data-original-width="3087" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1WnDzA6sZl9JCnbm9tbIm2Hwl5oYb2GkvBVm6S36gmbN4MoOM_fOt5JaOWheKiaCGa_7uXVxAonFYEBy93PzwOu_n2QCOQ9b9tClKkEGLeS_QvtOVvKBBCElTKnbVNsFImH8tk0kEQ7l4kI_W6bnqbu7mPAy1r3kx9p-8OVN-IpSV3xy48ZjcwuLweM/w640-h640/IMG_0151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the second 10cm hoop I've been working on, and I've been experimenting more with combining the front and backs of fabrics. There are more fabric layers in this piece but it still only uses four fabrics. The top white fabrics show the correct side (with paste printed ditsy flowers) at the very top, and then the reverse underneath which is a slightly different colour and with no visible pattern as the paste print tends to be surface only and doesn't sink through the fabric. <div>I've also used the zesty green circle print twice, cutting them into rolling hill shapes and layering them together, bringing the paleness of the creamy sky down a bit with the lighter shade of the reverse. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzzYpvkdOMIAovWfUq7mkyB_cMvdo7Mr4jho3qMdgFKnBnSEjqyMs4RYrzkKItY6E10hX3ZQ84wBh5ylfk07waoIh1ma5QTHw-cJ-vPeAG7Vb-i7X1iXzHoFZvEshyphenhyphenGBXRWcUe9f-XKKsPinuO2x9PHVLQZTd32D2v19pbubGjOCW_QQrZfulmCmuajg/s1536/IMG_0153.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzzYpvkdOMIAovWfUq7mkyB_cMvdo7Mr4jho3qMdgFKnBnSEjqyMs4RYrzkKItY6E10hX3ZQ84wBh5ylfk07waoIh1ma5QTHw-cJ-vPeAG7Vb-i7X1iXzHoFZvEshyphenhyphenGBXRWcUe9f-XKKsPinuO2x9PHVLQZTd32D2v19pbubGjOCW_QQrZfulmCmuajg/w640-h480/IMG_0153.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Scrolling through Instagram the other day I came across an image posted by another textile artist who had just received an order of the most amazing looking beads. I followed her link and discovered <a href="https://obsbeads.com/" target="_blank">Old Bicycle Shop</a> who have fantastic shaped and unusual beads in the most amazing colours! My order arrived a few days later and I was keen to try out these glass petal beads. I think you're meant to use them to create beaded flowers but I've always called them pebble beads and used them in seascape type Stitchscapes as little rocks because they add such a wonderful texture and dimension. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was too excited to wait until after working on my stitching to add the beads so popped them in first which looks a bit odd in the below photo but it will be built up around those to help keep them upright and make them look less random. If you are a lover of beads, definitely check out Old Bicycle Shop!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxLJ0lOc9BdzcTckLbtMw5fYgIjH3Rd3t38wbbpUk7DRfNN_-OSohj0zuuhI49OpGyBV1HF_nINVVON7a-mMzxuMchR-2BbrDkrtwsJmXfWv91WBIjCTApXQgLwVz-yMKwuOCDHGfXmOoZly7xEsUGNK0zkbSVW-RATUO2lfciHvzN2AkHTLJmzEbN8Y/s1536/IMG_0154.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxLJ0lOc9BdzcTckLbtMw5fYgIjH3Rd3t38wbbpUk7DRfNN_-OSohj0zuuhI49OpGyBV1HF_nINVVON7a-mMzxuMchR-2BbrDkrtwsJmXfWv91WBIjCTApXQgLwVz-yMKwuOCDHGfXmOoZly7xEsUGNK0zkbSVW-RATUO2lfciHvzN2AkHTLJmzEbN8Y/w640-h480/IMG_0154.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWE-c-raUx0zo04I7HAOss5bDAqRoSCYbEcOzlx01Gv_uQhIHLmZxnqN-jdrgOjI3yXzudOOYQsP8eiU6xx2T2YYyapZq5Yf-lJ8zoWWsP9tkCb4dTiimDOo5YlcM_i9nKJXZLTyO-AjxkynxUK14lZ4oY8EC24c_-jOOuM1RXsrIVZnCnGBBgOiRgR0/s3087/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3087" data-original-width="3087" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWE-c-raUx0zo04I7HAOss5bDAqRoSCYbEcOzlx01Gv_uQhIHLmZxnqN-jdrgOjI3yXzudOOYQsP8eiU6xx2T2YYyapZq5Yf-lJ8zoWWsP9tkCb4dTiimDOo5YlcM_i9nKJXZLTyO-AjxkynxUK14lZ4oY8EC24c_-jOOuM1RXsrIVZnCnGBBgOiRgR0/w640-h640/IMG_0231.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I've finished this little piece I'll go into more detail about what I've done on each layer - with better photos too, these have just been snapped on my phone at random points. I've been using it as my bus project so it's been stitched on my hour long Friday night bus journey, and accompanied me to Costa for my hour long early morning Costa stint on a Tuesday. (I end up doing admin on my phone for the other journeys.) I really treasure these two hours of the week as currently they're the only time I can stitch in the daylight. My occasional snatched moments of stitching in the evenings if I can get them are lit by the dayglow lamp and it's just not the same!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last Friday I even managed to have a brief five minutes of the golden glow moment (which would not have reached me if I hadn't been sitting on the top deck of the bus). It made the beads in this little hoop sing and glow from within - how amazing!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WgcGDG-aKAUlgcLdCoQg_fJmAsxMW18l_moX4ym7FikFgHOjX8H63DJz-OmFaA5wGgxv7eSv0_VfsXg9CuaGPmz1DSJm4fswjrQfV_Woxa8RjMeeCSt6AQikEFN9u0xwBUlpgXrfYcMBrLHC1K1zYfbAs99Dj6McvW3y55GMcIU2y51yUOrOwz5fl1k/s1536/IMG_0238.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WgcGDG-aKAUlgcLdCoQg_fJmAsxMW18l_moX4ym7FikFgHOjX8H63DJz-OmFaA5wGgxv7eSv0_VfsXg9CuaGPmz1DSJm4fswjrQfV_Woxa8RjMeeCSt6AQikEFN9u0xwBUlpgXrfYcMBrLHC1K1zYfbAs99Dj6McvW3y55GMcIU2y51yUOrOwz5fl1k/w640-h480/IMG_0238.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-74010352225833746292024-02-02T13:49:00.000-08:002024-02-02T13:49:30.459-08:00The Stitchscape Shop<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUkZo75-0G9bjXyDMmZNLJ_o1CdCSMgRA8svTvgP0gSvulHWjIfPeJoMD1uZwhlstKsJZcWsQtnHwq17A254vBe5AxkmdtSX7txpuHSdNH5UZZcdgnUL9DEcNAmllhDe75Lv7QVwq9EIur5s9IB9jcoHGhQKYrLD6K_haKOLduCOz_rA6KgNiOAVJjbA/s2016/phonto%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUkZo75-0G9bjXyDMmZNLJ_o1CdCSMgRA8svTvgP0gSvulHWjIfPeJoMD1uZwhlstKsJZcWsQtnHwq17A254vBe5AxkmdtSX7txpuHSdNH5UZZcdgnUL9DEcNAmllhDe75Lv7QVwq9EIur5s9IB9jcoHGhQKYrLD6K_haKOLduCOz_rA6KgNiOAVJjbA/w640-h480/phonto%20(4).JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>After a lot of late night slogging to choose products, compare prices, place orders, unpack and check in, cut fabrics to size and fold them neatly, photograph all products, load the products onto my website, work out prices, write descriptions, and start advertising it .... my Stitchscape shop is open!! </p><p>But, I hear you say, you've had a shop for ages, why is this so special? Well! This is a branched out, extended shop which will now also have tools to help with your embroidery, not just Stitchscape kits and printed Stitchscape products. I am asked all the time to recommend needles, or overhear comments about people's struggles to find pretty things or specific tools so I am hoping to fill that void a little bit with my selections. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJCIGRBjp7VLVPXHRp0V2wGxY0uIOJNbkbqAAlX5RjCS7BfTcmQpUofAly4mROyXVo_f4LqiqDAgEujULPlQF-aalOUjtIitEjFG9gzwNIhgQCLn7p3aqNWUE1yqMQBJ7gexDB28AcVDL42fbv140egocTwANn3qZtyoQLvpeokbCCdpKeCxctUpt1gc/s6000/DSC_0539.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJCIGRBjp7VLVPXHRp0V2wGxY0uIOJNbkbqAAlX5RjCS7BfTcmQpUofAly4mROyXVo_f4LqiqDAgEujULPlQF-aalOUjtIitEjFG9gzwNIhgQCLn7p3aqNWUE1yqMQBJ7gexDB28AcVDL42fbv140egocTwANn3qZtyoQLvpeokbCCdpKeCxctUpt1gc/w640-h426/DSC_0539.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A big discussion I have with people is about being able to see the needle and thread it. At every workshop or event someone will say that they have had to stop embroidering because they can't see to thread the needles or have trouble keeping their hands steady enough to poke the thread through. <div>I have found these really nifty <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/led-beetle-needle-threader" target="_blank">little beetle gadgets</a> which will hopefully help a little bit with that. They are essentially a common needle threader with that little bit of wire that you poke the thread through, but the pretty casing means that the wire is protected (because you can easily damage a cheap threader), and it also houses an LED light which lights up as you push up the wire so the needle is illuminated! Plus it looks really sweet. Baby F is very taken with these, presumably because of their bright colours, and I have to keep reminding him that he can't have one. </div><div><br /></div><div>For smaller threads and needles I also have these <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/hummingbird-needle-threader" target="_blank">hummingbird threaders</a>. They have a protective cap, and the threader is more like a little crochet hook which you can fold the thread over to draw it back through the eye of the needle. It isn't a one size fits all threader as it won't help with anything chunky but for single strand work it's ideal!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFY1RcjVg9YX1uepBNlB3UAUhRA44z9yBSIMSHGD5jhOYI8xdC-xaUVORZoxP5xh5S3Y3GV10GqfF0sX6AThEv2u7ModiBQNkWSxhcz6tren9q-31h5Lor_KUfZ_Bg5nDAVhhHsx-0O8O1Bne00pIjp1-UwLj99aTotL-dkHOigI8W9lDWVNtbFssh60/s6000/DSC_0572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFY1RcjVg9YX1uepBNlB3UAUhRA44z9yBSIMSHGD5jhOYI8xdC-xaUVORZoxP5xh5S3Y3GV10GqfF0sX6AThEv2u7ModiBQNkWSxhcz6tren9q-31h5Lor_KUfZ_Bg5nDAVhhHsx-0O8O1Bne00pIjp1-UwLj99aTotL-dkHOigI8W9lDWVNtbFssh60/w640-h426/DSC_0572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmqRxUlzO6kqM_sSH1CdaTwlUZpfAabEmPuGc4D7l7JaPImyOoOx9xg4_XfugIrWojW5TJ6bRb-Sq_zKJ5gka_rYdKkj_x7D0uWkCJU0xIQsHm2G0224G3qDbW2drvITLFakhfUAg5hyMouJwjIMBDPj04sEF1WPHMekl3-tlTa4yOguWLxQTwnOJqxE/s6000/DSC_0581.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmqRxUlzO6kqM_sSH1CdaTwlUZpfAabEmPuGc4D7l7JaPImyOoOx9xg4_XfugIrWojW5TJ6bRb-Sq_zKJ5gka_rYdKkj_x7D0uWkCJU0xIQsHm2G0224G3qDbW2drvITLFakhfUAg5hyMouJwjIMBDPj04sEF1WPHMekl3-tlTa4yOguWLxQTwnOJqxE/w640-h426/DSC_0581.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I saw these gorgeous little <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/parrot-pouch-embroidery-scissors" target="_blank">parrot pouch scissors</a> whilst I was 'shop' shopping and they popped into my basket as well. The blades are only small but would be fine for snipping threads and small bits of fabric - a great little travel pouch to keep your scissors secure if you're stitching on the bus (like me) or on the go. I just think they are super cute and I hadn't seen anything like them before. Available in two colours too!</div><div><br /></div><div>Baby F is very intrigued by the whole photography process - I spent several evenings taking over the whole dining table with my light box trying to get the right angles of everything. I snapped a picture of him too and it's very exciting actually because he's only just started to pull himself up to standing and wanting to stand up - he's been a bottom shuffler all this time and not at all fussed with walking. Now he's just discovering a whole new level of things and our baby proofing is moving upwards like a tide line. Look at those gorgeous baby blues. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LjnhEgWIFZ_SrRV7eyuWqJJ-ardPw6ptJC31R1X4X15EMB_V7b3c52NBOpFAuwXP9z4ThyCuxYMjqx3MlL9wz8twUO5iTKDVE2cuVuI4d26poeO9AUW_MmonOwfBkPgrjW-nDv3N5JLvtlVl9xrfVF8lX_dL1ThGPC-74q2f0EaFQoBORfr411Slk1o/s6000/DSC_0602.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LjnhEgWIFZ_SrRV7eyuWqJJ-ardPw6ptJC31R1X4X15EMB_V7b3c52NBOpFAuwXP9z4ThyCuxYMjqx3MlL9wz8twUO5iTKDVE2cuVuI4d26poeO9AUW_MmonOwfBkPgrjW-nDv3N5JLvtlVl9xrfVF8lX_dL1ThGPC-74q2f0EaFQoBORfr411Slk1o/w640-h426/DSC_0602.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVjv2yv9LjkMQZR5JO-J5ewm-8ShU6tyfz55O8tCPhCDX-EcASO6Oe-JUYotXZQok2sEmqGUmD23X_0l5Dh36sfCOv5oDMdwB-KoMnKZb0h9CwXTHpvyAr9AF5frZgQeccBMvqctJQ6A2zIYvjyAxqqsZvA2jC4NYCeoZ0nlNRT2Rvkce0QKLcb4Lp4U/s6000/DSC_0606.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVjv2yv9LjkMQZR5JO-J5ewm-8ShU6tyfz55O8tCPhCDX-EcASO6Oe-JUYotXZQok2sEmqGUmD23X_0l5Dh36sfCOv5oDMdwB-KoMnKZb0h9CwXTHpvyAr9AF5frZgQeccBMvqctJQ6A2zIYvjyAxqqsZvA2jC4NYCeoZ0nlNRT2Rvkce0QKLcb4Lp4U/w640-h426/DSC_0606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These beads are really pretty too. I've got a matching set of either <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/flower-bead-tubes" target="_blank">little flowers</a>, which are so sweet, I might pilfer some for my own stash, or the bigger individual <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/pebble-bead-tubes" target="_blank">'pebble' beads</a>, which I think are actually called petal beads but I tend to use them as rocks so I've compromised on the name. What's nice is that you get two different colours (one opaque and one slightly clear) per tube so it's a nice variety. </div><div><br /></div><div>Similarly with the <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/candy-cane-bead-tubes" target="_blank">candy cane bead tubes</a>. The beads are all glass but there are different sizes, some are lined, some seed bead, some bugle beads all mixed in together. I've picked out colours which I commonly reach for in my bead box, the greens, blues, autumn tones and bright yellows for flower centres. Rather than spending lots of money on one pack of a single bead, these are a great option to build up a little collection quickly. The tubes can be recycled afterwards as storage for your other beads too!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVGvoF78aHa3UhrDaS3Qt4JX9k11cEyhsYsro_4bLAfCMEnexqNCks5hrFBARpnxugu4mLuYgWvShX-INYnojgYZnZpJCQ8acWpwnlK0ALRLIoLBWbOlt2sXhi60LTY5fCMfGBW0p6ZF__RliFlwHddH33OJJfvt_zPEG1lZOpGTYRWBKQSbDc8HKT60/s6000/DSC_0744.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVGvoF78aHa3UhrDaS3Qt4JX9k11cEyhsYsro_4bLAfCMEnexqNCks5hrFBARpnxugu4mLuYgWvShX-INYnojgYZnZpJCQ8acWpwnlK0ALRLIoLBWbOlt2sXhi60LTY5fCMfGBW0p6ZF__RliFlwHddH33OJJfvt_zPEG1lZOpGTYRWBKQSbDc8HKT60/w640-h426/DSC_0744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimikY4ZBo6Aqo6LhPhJgMWXVaMjZWq2Q64iEQRv-04v_NVx82oiS5x4MCP3zm3-vjUMQ0yKqOz2rbXsQTUtwgjRTo1KLlYtGZ63bV79H5W8x9rf0G23TCUhpHc4muAbVMHGxAXPyKPRCY2D-X00PYoLD0wfd5M5ARGN_v73MjZg8ULITVy6dmRPrMauL4/s6000/DSC_0680.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimikY4ZBo6Aqo6LhPhJgMWXVaMjZWq2Q64iEQRv-04v_NVx82oiS5x4MCP3zm3-vjUMQ0yKqOz2rbXsQTUtwgjRTo1KLlYtGZ63bV79H5W8x9rf0G23TCUhpHc4muAbVMHGxAXPyKPRCY2D-X00PYoLD0wfd5M5ARGN_v73MjZg8ULITVy6dmRPrMauL4/w640-h426/DSC_0680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I tend to buy in lots of <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/shop?Category=Tools+%26+Haberdashery" target="_blank">different trimmings</a> and laces which might work for kits (tricky buying online as you'll appreciate!), but they don't always pan out for my intended design so I've added them to my shop. There are some french cotton guipure laces, lovely floral detailed ones, picot edged ones... I've got other trims too, all of which can be used as they are, deconstructed into other things or layered on top of each other. Have a play, see what you can create. </div><div><br /></div><div>All of the things in my shop are either useful, used or just really pretty, and one thing I knew I wanted to offer was little bundles of felt. I use felt a lot in my pieces, either as part of the design like tree trunks or flower stems or buildings, or to pad out areas (filling in shells), or to create stuffed rocks which can then be further embellished. </div><div>These rolled <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/wool-mix-felt-bundles" target="_blank">wool mix felt bundles</a> have also been chosen for their colour themes. I've gone for autumn (tree trunks), coastal (rocks or fluffy waves), moorland (heather) and more of an urban one which could have houses with red rooftops. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9amdj1wzjDpgnunPz1XmsoMH5rXYyoB0fyBpiGXKGhw5hC-Gfd-XzEWA3oBTV6_dMmFYvJCdulUZaSCLOBCvyXtooZXnik6CC2hBF2bK1gSgj554sS56g4xmHW1z0oyG7VrOVSl0gnbLOCq5DbGPN2i97d27g2rxqc5i3EKGRm-M3Gv7vFf6KNKpriQ/s6000/DSC_0737.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9amdj1wzjDpgnunPz1XmsoMH5rXYyoB0fyBpiGXKGhw5hC-Gfd-XzEWA3oBTV6_dMmFYvJCdulUZaSCLOBCvyXtooZXnik6CC2hBF2bK1gSgj554sS56g4xmHW1z0oyG7VrOVSl0gnbLOCq5DbGPN2i97d27g2rxqc5i3EKGRm-M3Gv7vFf6KNKpriQ/w640-h426/DSC_0737.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have got more practical things; a <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/sewing-needle-packs" target="_blank">selection of needles</a>, which isn't the full range of ones I'd like to offer but lean more towards the bigger eyed needles like crewel and tapestry. Personally I prefer smaller needles like sharps or betweens so I'd like to have those too as an alternative eventually. Having a variety of needles is a good idea because it can depend what you are stitching through, or stitching with, or even what embroidery stitches you are making, all of which might need a different needle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymLszzHJ_KJE9GEG8vo6D624pQ3UTSSfIL9bGqLTJsXr9mrsHMzHVACVU6GbKk6J8ypjySfV_Ot6dZR-SbZHzKfMEvYoobriOSr_61GrAWiR92Papm8XG7GrDHOaAULc4V-E7Cq9Txgekm0nCW81W42_DHFBP7OGJX24CYanJtMdu4zQKVQSK0HH7Zv0/s6000/DSC_0766.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymLszzHJ_KJE9GEG8vo6D624pQ3UTSSfIL9bGqLTJsXr9mrsHMzHVACVU6GbKk6J8ypjySfV_Ot6dZR-SbZHzKfMEvYoobriOSr_61GrAWiR92Papm8XG7GrDHOaAULc4V-E7Cq9Txgekm0nCW81W42_DHFBP7OGJX24CYanJtMdu4zQKVQSK0HH7Zv0/w640-h426/DSC_0766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Previously I've always only sold hoops with kits (apart from in 2020 during the lockdown where I put them in my Etsy shop as people were taking up new hobbies and they went bonkers and got posted out to all sorts of countries! </div><div>Eventually I took them off again, as the hoops were selling by the bucketload and I couldn't keep up, but it seems about time that I offer <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/product-page/wooden-embroidery-hoops" target="_blank">hoops on their own</a> - this time with a bigger range of sizes, from 7.5cm to 20cm. They are my favourite brand, a UK make called Elbesee, with screw top fasteners which make the hoops really easy to tighten, and a nice quality finish. (Apart from the smallest hoop which is an interloper and a different brand - but still very nice!)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5ilolaHmcBtTg8cXaetac1jPlIxt_sBHiCxARzneDaZoka8B7z02S80EDN3n6v-lmkvqy32PMuK0ikEqrQbfdraAvAWEfgPgd3pDiohPKRCmULaYtIpk3mWyGsm-_BGZX5OtAkjofd1ryucaRgcuMj97bk9Kk1yQETFFW_vrWQRULxK5gG4PTQWcYFw/s6000/DSC_0786.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5ilolaHmcBtTg8cXaetac1jPlIxt_sBHiCxARzneDaZoka8B7z02S80EDN3n6v-lmkvqy32PMuK0ikEqrQbfdraAvAWEfgPgd3pDiohPKRCmULaYtIpk3mWyGsm-_BGZX5OtAkjofd1ryucaRgcuMj97bk9Kk1yQETFFW_vrWQRULxK5gG4PTQWcYFw/w640-h426/DSC_0786.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYk8-UtTQ3CgyyGJfMNy476GyT4sphPCdgszXi0BOdlKF6rvH8LkYuGJ1bO7rz9Wwfn-QO-QmtXT5dbatj2cG3hVVppju7eo_aFxSqnm6K8HEg0yAKkNLiZV1op4jYzmvdBA6NDtQiIo8cTP4ctH1NGEV22eIngP3e2uDQdak_Vh7uQezqo9bqWrr-7us/s6000/DSC_0830.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYk8-UtTQ3CgyyGJfMNy476GyT4sphPCdgszXi0BOdlKF6rvH8LkYuGJ1bO7rz9Wwfn-QO-QmtXT5dbatj2cG3hVVppju7eo_aFxSqnm6K8HEg0yAKkNLiZV1op4jYzmvdBA6NDtQiIo8cTP4ctH1NGEV22eIngP3e2uDQdak_Vh7uQezqo9bqWrr-7us/w640-h426/DSC_0830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've also decided to clear through my stash of fabric bolts. I'm a terrible fabric hoarder, especially of batik fabrics, and my eyes are bigger than the size of my storage space. I had more bolts of fabric sitting unused waiting for a moment in the sun than I realised and they are no good going unappreciated. Quite a lot of them are my soul colours, blues and greens with the odd purple and orange for contrast. </div><div>I just love the variety of them! </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxtPVgUuETXDqGydpplV-iQ0s-kbGI6JcsrOqhaVJQXkb_DE9vgqqOrO0f-s3AhOF5YOG8GyV12XGSs7EMII8jfUG5U8R8VR_WGWFxb0JjgzjLETzqODxBK5DVDSTD4kpLerLJTzj-37nw0e9hmxtgq9L4Xzd-EZB4km6-F147VnSkJf-5Btsk9An-wo/s6000/DSC_0842.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxtPVgUuETXDqGydpplV-iQ0s-kbGI6JcsrOqhaVJQXkb_DE9vgqqOrO0f-s3AhOF5YOG8GyV12XGSs7EMII8jfUG5U8R8VR_WGWFxb0JjgzjLETzqODxBK5DVDSTD4kpLerLJTzj-37nw0e9hmxtgq9L4Xzd-EZB4km6-F147VnSkJf-5Btsk9An-wo/w640-h426/DSC_0842.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDk-ij8dkr_H0oXEPnCHr0YAuueMn2RRYd4hLNUMi552j3lkJBZFecch3Imxqm0M4ryeWwI5bGHM2mchnjnumEq7atbMVIUUe3lxGsY5AwNajqljhTkfRVI780PEK0AE05eeFWpaLArEAlA_XpldAuElPClF1ZRcC4Yza-EGNCUPeRgcDVWfRmMIn3II/s6000/DSC_0909.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDk-ij8dkr_H0oXEPnCHr0YAuueMn2RRYd4hLNUMi552j3lkJBZFecch3Imxqm0M4ryeWwI5bGHM2mchnjnumEq7atbMVIUUe3lxGsY5AwNajqljhTkfRVI780PEK0AE05eeFWpaLArEAlA_XpldAuElPClF1ZRcC4Yza-EGNCUPeRgcDVWfRmMIn3II/w640-h426/DSC_0909.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Anyway, they are available in <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/shop?Category=Fabrics" target="_blank">fat quarter sizes</a>, most of them folded up into pretty samosas. Some are longer and thinner than others because the fabric width varies but it's about the same square meterage for each. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwxJkHSCuwjr1oOddZQFXqeBwO7sNyixrCnryUoMclg8CSvcS2JO3ZGMza2bHauk9DiTcOH2kNlx2YwNx3Hzybe0Mn_73YEGlYl1mLvwcZyP5bC1l2smZVBdONLAbBfJQcURvu-9Kl83fv4hWo5YNIhi3JAV91mdAkVuoXvYvD9RUOEfJI3C6Asb7VuU/s6000/DSC_0923.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwxJkHSCuwjr1oOddZQFXqeBwO7sNyixrCnryUoMclg8CSvcS2JO3ZGMza2bHauk9DiTcOH2kNlx2YwNx3Hzybe0Mn_73YEGlYl1mLvwcZyP5bC1l2smZVBdONLAbBfJQcURvu-9Kl83fv4hWo5YNIhi3JAV91mdAkVuoXvYvD9RUOEfJI3C6Asb7VuU/w640-h426/DSC_0923.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm very excited and pleased about my little collection of goodies. They are all available on my website, and I'm going to keep it on my website (<a href="http://dottytextiles.com">dottytextiles.com</a>) rather than share it to Etsy. I will also have a little travel pack of items to take with me to talks and events as well so interested persons can build up a whole pack of goodies to complement a kit perhaps...</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xmmTzIk3nayfiGzRzjQfAte21OdHi54OzVMNjASf_PByZFczXnGyHNzadGLAKuGMuagpCtDbkQi9Rgh_xCFqKxZiywasfKfOmXSnW3jz89de_2ys8YXPRWBxTKpbQyAHiCLRIklrzCBRV7rgIn0aFkngZii_jqCZwMzcHrV8yLBvGpsjchZJZoLK9QE/s6000/DSC_0965.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xmmTzIk3nayfiGzRzjQfAte21OdHi54OzVMNjASf_PByZFczXnGyHNzadGLAKuGMuagpCtDbkQi9Rgh_xCFqKxZiywasfKfOmXSnW3jz89de_2ys8YXPRWBxTKpbQyAHiCLRIklrzCBRV7rgIn0aFkngZii_jqCZwMzcHrV8yLBvGpsjchZJZoLK9QE/w640-h426/DSC_0965.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Obviously it's all very new and shiny with only a small selection of items. If there are any items you think I should consider adding to the shop please do let me know, and I would really love it if you would have a gander through my online shelves and see what's on offer. <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/shop" target="_blank">Link here</a>!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPEf_jf2RrY979SEGH0x03UDhzaBX9bGDLqjwLpYAKbcY2aprJFJfZauslV1AnO_MzEAg2txGi_8CQaBXsh79VPyMKlo5jUoO5ZdU2T39jzoWIXkxvNdvlb5U6OlMGbz8RogpRxZj7IbNN6DNX7Bgyw_tR5seq3dNcab02Riz3VYhM2CTVI7YtVINQQU/s6000/DSC_1004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPEf_jf2RrY979SEGH0x03UDhzaBX9bGDLqjwLpYAKbcY2aprJFJfZauslV1AnO_MzEAg2txGi_8CQaBXsh79VPyMKlo5jUoO5ZdU2T39jzoWIXkxvNdvlb5U6OlMGbz8RogpRxZj7IbNN6DNX7Bgyw_tR5seq3dNcab02Riz3VYhM2CTVI7YtVINQQU/w640-h426/DSC_1004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-58211989758236356952024-01-29T03:32:00.000-08:002024-01-29T03:32:35.873-08:00The Full 2023 Stitchscape Swap Collection!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TvrkwlAQKeBwAzSypJSN0mKZRMLzrtGBD6OnKV-Y6Wl3fD50qYT0yU5utInmFfV6iaKzO9EDDn5Qmfg5s8JibXJNtQEJVpzwtz9Uta18DCP8qg9wqe37e1mOsXSR7I0jqesjVfDondqzmsRyTdbiF7zpuf3FM4qCF33KXaZAm9GlMZo01jXQ7yeFy8Y/s6000/DSC_0467.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TvrkwlAQKeBwAzSypJSN0mKZRMLzrtGBD6OnKV-Y6Wl3fD50qYT0yU5utInmFfV6iaKzO9EDDn5Qmfg5s8JibXJNtQEJVpzwtz9Uta18DCP8qg9wqe37e1mOsXSR7I0jqesjVfDondqzmsRyTdbiF7zpuf3FM4qCF33KXaZAm9GlMZo01jXQ7yeFy8Y/w640-h426/DSC_0467.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Well! How amazing is this? A whole year's worth of work, 12 themes, two cards for each theme, one made by me and one made by someone else, 24 cards in total! <div><br /></div><div>16 people contributed cards throughout the year, although actually only 4 of them (including me) participated in every single month. Some just did one month as a trial to see if they liked it, and others dabbled in and out as timing allowed. I don't mind that at all, it's nice to have lots of people sending cards in every month, and it would be absolutely brilliant if the swap were to grow and have hundreds of cards in but, with rising postage costs and people seeming to have less time again, I'll take whoever would like to join in and be grateful that they chose to spend their time making cards for my swap idea. </div><div>Similarly with international participants, the postage to the UK seems to be astronomical now and although there has been a lot of interest from people in the USA, it is just not worth it to post every month, or even every three months because of the cost. (Unless you do think it is worth it, in which case join on in!)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I've ended up with though, is 24 really lovely cards which make the most beautiful display. I did exactly this same photoshoot last year at the end of the 2022 swap (<a href="https://dottytextiles.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-full-2022-stitchscape-swap.html" target="_blank">which you can see here</a>), so my collection of other's peoples artwork is growing rapidly!! I'm not sure if I photographed all 48 of the cards together that you would actually see any detail in them though. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCkIo4YPrN-RSR9BM_xoBPN8kHI0B7KxFMx99hasWT-bqn3J8YGCE6_dKhY3xcxzDwxhDBikxMbJndrcHBmvoX1H5bCFbALiM1E8loXJlZsTezMfyQb_RMP8RsKAo3x1-Z3SCoHTCHfSj59jP6RycqSj5eMdaBkIfvJjaDbI9eXm6T37ezNAvVhgZlXo/s6000/DSC_0473.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCkIo4YPrN-RSR9BM_xoBPN8kHI0B7KxFMx99hasWT-bqn3J8YGCE6_dKhY3xcxzDwxhDBikxMbJndrcHBmvoX1H5bCFbALiM1E8loXJlZsTezMfyQb_RMP8RsKAo3x1-Z3SCoHTCHfSj59jP6RycqSj5eMdaBkIfvJjaDbI9eXm6T37ezNAvVhgZlXo/w640-h426/DSC_0473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A reminder of the themes for you: (working from top row, left to right, with my stitched cards on the left side of each pair)</div><div><br /></div><div>January: Frosted Dew Drops</div><div>February: Snowdrop Carpet</div><div>March: Morning Chorus</div><div>April: Butterfly House</div><div>May: On the Edge of the Cliffs</div><div>June: Waterlily Pond</div><div>July: Patchwork Fields/A Birds Eye View</div><div>August: The Allotment Garden</div><div>September: Rockpooling</div><div>October: Toadstool Treasures</div><div>November: Thunder & Lightning</div><div>December: Still Reflections</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ODUSY4ZWrWSnfQ-27-w7zNznkOA-3k-BeRlQvZEasea54YnyXVYPJaZgdQyIhR_nM35kgjxaxer5pY6PqSaEeLfB3O4xz5Zl_UB6bOCZESdxNU_cZlJc-Tp6ejBMjkqCLq8qyLUn7Z5kYHIhYXjggM611iTxx6wcUt9YRHUtlJzJklpf-oQhcw3wdy0/s6000/DSC_0477.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ODUSY4ZWrWSnfQ-27-w7zNznkOA-3k-BeRlQvZEasea54YnyXVYPJaZgdQyIhR_nM35kgjxaxer5pY6PqSaEeLfB3O4xz5Zl_UB6bOCZESdxNU_cZlJc-Tp6ejBMjkqCLq8qyLUn7Z5kYHIhYXjggM611iTxx6wcUt9YRHUtlJzJklpf-oQhcw3wdy0/w640-h426/DSC_0477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukBIYE2fG5_QO7FPGAjIkGmqZO9KwKMKUI8xetjAcGN1H1Cla0kx_cwA7DVmSg1QF8NJ0HWmagVPgvu47ILfBfg5I7RC5x7drpXKDW9qYLq82_BccOM4P5lMy0_P5GLpOtCyg2SycLV8hx3bYiDE5EwejYXx0bN53nzw5iv_RVq3ezet55rv_3tyVlWw/s6000/DSC_0478.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukBIYE2fG5_QO7FPGAjIkGmqZO9KwKMKUI8xetjAcGN1H1Cla0kx_cwA7DVmSg1QF8NJ0HWmagVPgvu47ILfBfg5I7RC5x7drpXKDW9qYLq82_BccOM4P5lMy0_P5GLpOtCyg2SycLV8hx3bYiDE5EwejYXx0bN53nzw5iv_RVq3ezet55rv_3tyVlWw/w640-h426/DSC_0478.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I wonder how many cumulative hours this represents? Some of the cards are so detailed they must have taken hours and hours to complete regardless of their size. And there are so many techniques in each of them!! Machine stitching, various embroidery techniques, collaging, mixed media, painting, fabric dyeing, beading, petit point, felting, applique, cross stitch, beading... </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-US3kM0nn7IXedNAooCQ6s-UJKeHEVYJ3S4nyW3zvUH_5Tic2xEvKnNwkjfnYvFqDSDD2kntCfZCKEDyYj_6GmqKvmaSTGs-9l_9kiv2xHg-VQqbAmg1SyNuQ_JADK0lU3QHbvBT5etvt5ibmikSsMmqbOM4ZK2btjSmWULn3R386Y-P071mnZkFpZY/s6000/DSC_0479.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-US3kM0nn7IXedNAooCQ6s-UJKeHEVYJ3S4nyW3zvUH_5Tic2xEvKnNwkjfnYvFqDSDD2kntCfZCKEDyYj_6GmqKvmaSTGs-9l_9kiv2xHg-VQqbAmg1SyNuQ_JADK0lU3QHbvBT5etvt5ibmikSsMmqbOM4ZK2btjSmWULn3R386Y-P071mnZkFpZY/w640-h426/DSC_0479.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6Ltqw_cJ7eCDRXkNlFGRDIncQdzKrlZIoHwq5MtwzW5OXteOPQXZnQHi3bUVC7C4SlktF8Ylbcpwm73sxV5qVLOyhQWXHksjT6Rct19jaSvMxnJWehD8-8BvSWBY6tp5lOvoFmwcZq1VbNpak-LmkWDsdbcCRCDF6UJJdigOcSOa25_MxqXR1N4MV4E/s6000/DSC_0480.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6Ltqw_cJ7eCDRXkNlFGRDIncQdzKrlZIoHwq5MtwzW5OXteOPQXZnQHi3bUVC7C4SlktF8Ylbcpwm73sxV5qVLOyhQWXHksjT6Rct19jaSvMxnJWehD8-8BvSWBY6tp5lOvoFmwcZq1VbNpak-LmkWDsdbcCRCDF6UJJdigOcSOa25_MxqXR1N4MV4E/w640-h426/DSC_0480.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The themes were again linked as much as possible to the seasons so that there would be inspiration striking at the right time as you walked around. They are usually linked to landscape themes but I try to broaden the theme title so that they could be more abstract depending on how you wish to interpret them. Some are broader than others obviously but we've always had such a wonderful variety sent in, different angles, viewpoints, sometimes focused in on an area, sometimes taking a step back and giving an overview, some making a specific technique fit the theme in some way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGZMr2wztmrA4ree3C_4dQDG-pQe7qX-CwYgAFcYk6PWVVcQyKz4hoPreZzbr6ZmWHIU6Snm087nn_RPdF6FqoP6w-x9BtPpWrohq7IXfPRFGWVtP5kHTiFvBkg1ERhOEct00_y9kdPm_PzK9JvKt2FGy8H6YZ4uQ79RPdkPzcTuTJxU27e2sLbRbhs8/s6000/DSC_0481.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGZMr2wztmrA4ree3C_4dQDG-pQe7qX-CwYgAFcYk6PWVVcQyKz4hoPreZzbr6ZmWHIU6Snm087nn_RPdF6FqoP6w-x9BtPpWrohq7IXfPRFGWVtP5kHTiFvBkg1ERhOEct00_y9kdPm_PzK9JvKt2FGy8H6YZ4uQ79RPdkPzcTuTJxU27e2sLbRbhs8/w640-h426/DSC_0481.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOeY81ujeoIOVM6vcAxBTanhwVyoYJ6H1Gs5BkiuhallBX1AVL8t6sMvwQU2FoR1EJahs1oKxbdk2cwjLFD07CJa-ongzX3C3eCQRoXQAGi6Kda6Y3uEURwfPWbTN-RgxhqDHnn8tzI_kFCW-E5BCBc9ZhN60GnnG84167u_a4LNX9U_Y2ZtlK0Ku-6o/s6000/DSC_0488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOeY81ujeoIOVM6vcAxBTanhwVyoYJ6H1Gs5BkiuhallBX1AVL8t6sMvwQU2FoR1EJahs1oKxbdk2cwjLFD07CJa-ongzX3C3eCQRoXQAGi6Kda6Y3uEURwfPWbTN-RgxhqDHnn8tzI_kFCW-E5BCBc9ZhN60GnnG84167u_a4LNX9U_Y2ZtlK0Ku-6o/w640-h426/DSC_0488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQc9bGexgqWfQlE_zjIpc2k6chDHfHBz5DE05d5bDq7Vfyv8qU-SnCAjJ6GXIYP-ODYAZTKpzHecNseoX4ZcQx8r7fL-IQcD2e043uRC-90bWhjjzLfjOvTaEfsBUx0pIm4HpWDJM-Y3Qw6Qd4LyxPPittoJwVvDFe-B6X8axe0_IjkF0T-Gvvld7H4g/s6000/DSC_0487.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQc9bGexgqWfQlE_zjIpc2k6chDHfHBz5DE05d5bDq7Vfyv8qU-SnCAjJ6GXIYP-ODYAZTKpzHecNseoX4ZcQx8r7fL-IQcD2e043uRC-90bWhjjzLfjOvTaEfsBUx0pIm4HpWDJM-Y3Qw6Qd4LyxPPittoJwVvDFe-B6X8axe0_IjkF0T-Gvvld7H4g/w640-h426/DSC_0487.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoIVIKjJVURLdNhXjeS21hGWyU_HwuNuvigKDvPogrOfaveEid29lj3PtBfJBO0bc2vBpfo5REFxEZZE3DWefMY584rTwpICkGhyphenhyphenj-jzbUlXtzU3oBvf8XMjQc8GygWvOqDZarOsbw7zJJn98FNfV3C0Q46flEYCcNLskHDeIl-gHL-jzDp02x3-dMBA/s6000/DSC_0486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoIVIKjJVURLdNhXjeS21hGWyU_HwuNuvigKDvPogrOfaveEid29lj3PtBfJBO0bc2vBpfo5REFxEZZE3DWefMY584rTwpICkGhyphenhyphenj-jzbUlXtzU3oBvf8XMjQc8GygWvOqDZarOsbw7zJJn98FNfV3C0Q46flEYCcNLskHDeIl-gHL-jzDp02x3-dMBA/w640-h426/DSC_0486.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34ejk26_0X5Ha30YcckG3Xh701Vxz2qjnH6rq0lBMG8yRZ939KAOoj4lVS8pEhSeeLaY25f-YGbZyfbc6yTkBuTfbhyphenhyphenh3xMIXkVW8j-3LRs6KlNAsdAQ-esMx18UxQhfoUvOZHye6CKSdWE6VI7YMxfKUZXUY8t1xp0sPtZr5OOnEvH-iaQkCtvtu7pw/s6000/DSC_0490.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34ejk26_0X5Ha30YcckG3Xh701Vxz2qjnH6rq0lBMG8yRZ939KAOoj4lVS8pEhSeeLaY25f-YGbZyfbc6yTkBuTfbhyphenhyphenh3xMIXkVW8j-3LRs6KlNAsdAQ-esMx18UxQhfoUvOZHye6CKSdWE6VI7YMxfKUZXUY8t1xp0sPtZr5OOnEvH-iaQkCtvtu7pw/w640-h426/DSC_0490.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In my embroidered collection I have some cards which I think have worked better than others. I was just about to try and pick a favourite but actually I do like most of them and it's easier to point out the ones I perhaps like least - the spider web interpretation of Frosted Dew Drops (mainly because I think it's too dark and didn't turn out like the vague image in my head), and the water lily themed card with the bridge. I'm not keen on the bridge itself and I think it could have done with more contrast. But overall I'm pleased with how the cards have turned out. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUuVuDMjpA2nUAGiwqZn2xYYur_bWTfhmrLhgWe7dXScrlRfpnZmQbnXquT2nd_YAK5X3i0zXbcp2JkzVGvcsJWeeJg1iiruhNYcNyt4C2n3GddzxfTtxmPmo_gkdb7GWbWMdVhk0TRc_BcG2fQwJqqqvN-99fJOaRG6I2NYksWJTEhAlvabOVOBrHT0/s6000/DSC_0505.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUuVuDMjpA2nUAGiwqZn2xYYur_bWTfhmrLhgWe7dXScrlRfpnZmQbnXquT2nd_YAK5X3i0zXbcp2JkzVGvcsJWeeJg1iiruhNYcNyt4C2n3GddzxfTtxmPmo_gkdb7GWbWMdVhk0TRc_BcG2fQwJqqqvN-99fJOaRG6I2NYksWJTEhAlvabOVOBrHT0/w640-h426/DSC_0505.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad2wMmsbxLguRcpD8-t4l0zP1hzcvSSbGEkfUo6tq3LG2we1N8_Ii8mPgX3HdWPy5QVbwaE8FZFHxNZpHr_8p3SV4hoodiIle08V_40kvxR2OQwWwhtoIJ_xfMg0HUhk2iSrFNC-1wjbLWTceu1uqf3LxNcyuAzA2D-Kpe6J0nVLR85WC_itjMJEPBR4/s6000/DSC_0515.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad2wMmsbxLguRcpD8-t4l0zP1hzcvSSbGEkfUo6tq3LG2we1N8_Ii8mPgX3HdWPy5QVbwaE8FZFHxNZpHr_8p3SV4hoodiIle08V_40kvxR2OQwWwhtoIJ_xfMg0HUhk2iSrFNC-1wjbLWTceu1uqf3LxNcyuAzA2D-Kpe6J0nVLR85WC_itjMJEPBR4/w640-h426/DSC_0515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I think the cards made by others are just so lovely though and, having received work from several of these ladies over the last two years (can you believe?), I feel I can recognise their signature styles and invariably know who the card is by without having to turn it over. It's been a real joy and a treat to see their beautiful pieces in person and to try and work out how they have been made, what techniques they might have used and have an insight into which techniques really make them tick. Also the things they hold in their stash!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT043MK2X03t7myYI2m52tT9G-z1T5LfKDjQeV84HvdCFDK5kK0WDySS-NRnNLfbfxIczzZepSdTjS1qlmMYuq7IEK-PkyCl8gTE3E_rTkYRZGGsqj3aAEaP0sAeovll2SNkd7LIRWt94QWyK93M82fi0wFOYVqwOQo-ZXdcJZbEmy6FmWsqCmdjcKXY/s6000/DSC_0520.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT043MK2X03t7myYI2m52tT9G-z1T5LfKDjQeV84HvdCFDK5kK0WDySS-NRnNLfbfxIczzZepSdTjS1qlmMYuq7IEK-PkyCl8gTE3E_rTkYRZGGsqj3aAEaP0sAeovll2SNkd7LIRWt94QWyK93M82fi0wFOYVqwOQo-ZXdcJZbEmy6FmWsqCmdjcKXY/w640-h426/DSC_0520.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6gj9Kj2W5VZcgyLFth0FAV92rvTZkXqlBYQPxgDJ_yj6LOPYW1UNmbxzS42k63_y0yNlEsN1tclD6cXtAqKZ8UCiW_pOAo7BOywbgL1-9Sc_Y8RFydafHoN_zQ7fUm8IZNDvr1GppDucAdT-mKstvljCvJtELUT_kWSK_vvwukTtygeTEmvoaX991QQ/s6000/DSC_0523.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6gj9Kj2W5VZcgyLFth0FAV92rvTZkXqlBYQPxgDJ_yj6LOPYW1UNmbxzS42k63_y0yNlEsN1tclD6cXtAqKZ8UCiW_pOAo7BOywbgL1-9Sc_Y8RFydafHoN_zQ7fUm8IZNDvr1GppDucAdT-mKstvljCvJtELUT_kWSK_vvwukTtygeTEmvoaX991QQ/w640-h426/DSC_0523.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I really hope that everyone who joined in with the swap in 2023 can also look at their collection with joy and awe. Both for the cards they've made and the ones they've received. Also that they are inspired to continue on for 2024 with the next set of 12 themes! </div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpcUBxRypgi0J-jAGU4GAG5xisTsY46cgeJmMnSbeoa_EjwkrDuaYzMR-5Ni2ZKsFt9Cfob6rVjrhrmkGJ3HPzz0eWMB1oEGinU79LmeIKEijo2cW0VI_roMaFsLrU2KRpe-inG17p804TXtMxP5b2SXyvmSIMRMTQIvvv1TO4se6nLB260ljMyVkqD8/s6000/DSC_0524.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpcUBxRypgi0J-jAGU4GAG5xisTsY46cgeJmMnSbeoa_EjwkrDuaYzMR-5Ni2ZKsFt9Cfob6rVjrhrmkGJ3HPzz0eWMB1oEGinU79LmeIKEijo2cW0VI_roMaFsLrU2KRpe-inG17p804TXtMxP5b2SXyvmSIMRMTQIvvv1TO4se6nLB260ljMyVkqD8/w640-h426/DSC_0524.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These cards will all be added to my Papermania trading card folder so that I can flick through them with ease and admire all over again. Spares that ended up not being used (I make 4 cards rather than the 2 everyone else makes in case there's an issue with the post or a late joiner) will eventually be framed and added to my Etsy shop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm intrigued to know how others are storing their cards, do let me know!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The full collection, with individual photos of each card sent in for each theme, is <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/stitchscape-swap-atcs" target="_blank">on my website</a> so you can go through and have a look. Or you can see all posts about the Stitchscape Swap cards for 2023 under the Category section on the right hand side of my blog, just scroll to the bottom of the right hand column and select ' Stitchscape Swap 2023'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three cheers for the Stitchscape Swap 2023!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkILKKoprNAC7Cp-TxOQTkd0wziq9i0XORXZVQLEz6mSEA60X5CheK2uvPjIL-BkxOeIMm-dH2uM6cZWTpnxYl8McszqwgnqwiNxhAsKz18M0knH1HA7GCZSXcGmb8nEpDbjqYp5Vr7I21dLVGVtfYDCO5TV0HjDoIxj2GiCU51uaRLBGG9fUbEUXBOfU/s6000/DSC_0530.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkILKKoprNAC7Cp-TxOQTkd0wziq9i0XORXZVQLEz6mSEA60X5CheK2uvPjIL-BkxOeIMm-dH2uM6cZWTpnxYl8McszqwgnqwiNxhAsKz18M0knH1HA7GCZSXcGmb8nEpDbjqYp5Vr7I21dLVGVtfYDCO5TV0HjDoIxj2GiCU51uaRLBGG9fUbEUXBOfU/w640-h426/DSC_0530.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-51263238548609299972024-01-25T00:16:00.000-08:002024-01-25T00:16:48.805-08:00December Still Reflections ATCs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFQZRXvQmh3pSsXtHQsOFQxDB6MIkgHo0Mqr0uCDbBFe1QOp034giJ768qpaVB32yQKPgxX6Ls5LDQ5-VWeHtdOQ5I1AcA8nrHJ4iZABYKWr-_kZtq5-5Jwwb4tbTn-lCIQK7dj4YsEtztdVyTg2j8dnCrHymnH7z4RzvTjPrST0qoswRFWk82RvuEUI/s2048/IMG_9608.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFQZRXvQmh3pSsXtHQsOFQxDB6MIkgHo0Mqr0uCDbBFe1QOp034giJ768qpaVB32yQKPgxX6Ls5LDQ5-VWeHtdOQ5I1AcA8nrHJ4iZABYKWr-_kZtq5-5Jwwb4tbTn-lCIQK7dj4YsEtztdVyTg2j8dnCrHymnH7z4RzvTjPrST0qoswRFWk82RvuEUI/w640-h480/IMG_9608.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was saying in my previous blog post about the different ways the theme 'Still Reflections' could be interpreted. In my information pack about the Stitchscape swap I like to add some starting ideas for each theme in case someone gets a bit stuck, and I sort of feel that in this swap each person took a different element of those inspiration points and ran with it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For watery interpretations we have both still lakes or ponds and also a beautifully calm sea, there's a really lovely take on a reflective Christmas bauble and also an abstract piece which appears to have a horizontal reflection. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is lots of muted blues and greens going on in these cards too which is rather interesting, with hints of yellow. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw13tGs1rXzctyKG4OROn7yeQzmKDbl1YP0FEp3dy7dF7ZpYHXXSv5x1FbAkz9YJ_OV6-Yw0W7_9ihDCtkGHYXi5o8knZ5mJOG7qbRCvie__tfxEk41ib9JEQXrHDZPCORySyuwY0VQf0b_xrIDK62KhPGHvcDfvF-uOwbswiQs8L9YULP0PdBYP20ghQ/s2048/IMG_9610.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw13tGs1rXzctyKG4OROn7yeQzmKDbl1YP0FEp3dy7dF7ZpYHXXSv5x1FbAkz9YJ_OV6-Yw0W7_9ihDCtkGHYXi5o8knZ5mJOG7qbRCvie__tfxEk41ib9JEQXrHDZPCORySyuwY0VQf0b_xrIDK62KhPGHvcDfvF-uOwbswiQs8L9YULP0PdBYP20ghQ/w640-h480/IMG_9610.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgZer085trMeH-GrzYijWS2PQHepuWig4comzjy3u6Py6oc4n8l0vHymAfHOMMGWpw46xfP1-2XHjk6Zugjtjut93S5vC_ki7go5ST_BjayDXf_1_6FxwQJfE1kOE-YZBC9P84rMz6lnMV0E2m82UE1u1_zFQq5L7uqVen2mdjnm9TCOvO8drjWjBcwE/s2048/IMG_9611.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgZer085trMeH-GrzYijWS2PQHepuWig4comzjy3u6Py6oc4n8l0vHymAfHOMMGWpw46xfP1-2XHjk6Zugjtjut93S5vC_ki7go5ST_BjayDXf_1_6FxwQJfE1kOE-YZBC9P84rMz6lnMV0E2m82UE1u1_zFQq5L7uqVen2mdjnm9TCOvO8drjWjBcwE/w640-h480/IMG_9611.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It's tricky to run a swap toward the end of the year because so many other things are happening. Creative people usually have lots of other projects on their hands; creating gifts for people, making homemade cards, crafting decorations or even frantically making costumes and outfits for plays, pantomimes and parties! Working part time in a haberdashery shop, I am fully aware of the range of projects that people have at the end of the year and we don't get as many people joining in with the Stitchscape swap in the darker months because of this. <div>I treasure the cards that do get sent in all the more so thank you to everyone who was able to join in with the last swap of the year. Even though we are continuing in 2024 it has an air of finality to it - or is that just me being maudlin?<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUT7g6M69aA7CxbqiTuK4K6GjVEGEkcUlvM1ke7UqrF3W2pl-yiTchYNBwVxGd37NrfneNPojyTlyM65X6_QrZRArQafti-9aihjEoGgkVg8iK4DYzqUn_q7qbJipeQwqGf5U2YM8u88GvEpDFe_oSSyR88Zv2ZWxOIrikOJuoyHVBarnLN6KPRW5-ws/s2048/IMG_9618.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUT7g6M69aA7CxbqiTuK4K6GjVEGEkcUlvM1ke7UqrF3W2pl-yiTchYNBwVxGd37NrfneNPojyTlyM65X6_QrZRArQafti-9aihjEoGgkVg8iK4DYzqUn_q7qbJipeQwqGf5U2YM8u88GvEpDFe_oSSyR88Zv2ZWxOIrikOJuoyHVBarnLN6KPRW5-ws/w640-h480/IMG_9618.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Suzi's beautiful blue card looks like it's frozen over. The print she's chosen with the snowy trees is really lovely, and combined with the glittery fabric for water it makes me think of newly frosted surfaces and that super sparkly look everywhere gets. You almost feel the cold looking at this one! I like the moon too, with the extra ring of darker light around it. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95OL7OvEk6Qy6qXqMTbG3hRQWNVLrPRzOwzfKF250tEAfIwz7XVgrO_i2_Vz2KPvDJEYPpN_V99AS7rNySzTNO4nAkdPVrY4LXoTdM1ZjoAdHwn0R083pElvH4NreIBtWAH8M1aFIIie4ZcT47w5eKkNdwbtwPGbemUcoB5b2K7wrUGp2lkcgXyJ0GNw/s2048/IMG_9616.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95OL7OvEk6Qy6qXqMTbG3hRQWNVLrPRzOwzfKF250tEAfIwz7XVgrO_i2_Vz2KPvDJEYPpN_V99AS7rNySzTNO4nAkdPVrY4LXoTdM1ZjoAdHwn0R083pElvH4NreIBtWAH8M1aFIIie4ZcT47w5eKkNdwbtwPGbemUcoB5b2K7wrUGp2lkcgXyJ0GNw/w640-h480/IMG_9616.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In complete contrast, I love Abi's seaside piece; the way the girl's hair is blowing in a soft breeze as she stands on a seed stitch sandy beach. The waves have been made in stem stitch I think, using a silky yarn so they have a little glimmer of light. It's so simple and effective. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqB7KLXzJE5gW69hov6tUun36pQgJ9XAAt5NDqZrXR9WVJXDnZwHLI8vUUnjFZaa9mRwmsgwVlzzvLPmrnVsrr_H2Qf3JV9luB1NsRknDcJ6Hirfy2oFsr2RCi7qARUnfJaGOmzZJpER7NnFzuL_UgUNnDqd1x96PX_KTE8pYBvCMaom8rEuRl9ss_xAA/s2048/IMG_9613.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqB7KLXzJE5gW69hov6tUun36pQgJ9XAAt5NDqZrXR9WVJXDnZwHLI8vUUnjFZaa9mRwmsgwVlzzvLPmrnVsrr_H2Qf3JV9luB1NsRknDcJ6Hirfy2oFsr2RCi7qARUnfJaGOmzZJpER7NnFzuL_UgUNnDqd1x96PX_KTE8pYBvCMaom8rEuRl9ss_xAA/w640-h480/IMG_9613.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Veronica's card is equally lovely and completely different again, although based on the same theme name. You can't see so well in this photo but the metallic bauble fabric is nicely padded (an extra stamp was sent in with this card for the post as it wouldn't fit in a normal letter size), and sparkle given with those holographic sequins. I love the holly and berry detailing with felt and beads, and know that the lady who received this card was thrilled to bits with it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfHwhRW9MSBheR8yH_wGu7tkVxlArR2VX9N1hA5qUA1rWncCz1Lgh9Mw7BkFgNRfDNPYwsPG3hHRDy60NepXgbD_-BsqTu5gm3mV71E4qlEVCSnR25xH3jUm3pZM2tRPZMR9uAoTlZnJDnCm4AFdsOgBOmJRNVchSbOHbHAVQt9zeK8trhHq03LC_pds/s2048/IMG_9620.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfHwhRW9MSBheR8yH_wGu7tkVxlArR2VX9N1hA5qUA1rWncCz1Lgh9Mw7BkFgNRfDNPYwsPG3hHRDy60NepXgbD_-BsqTu5gm3mV71E4qlEVCSnR25xH3jUm3pZM2tRPZMR9uAoTlZnJDnCm4AFdsOgBOmJRNVchSbOHbHAVQt9zeK8trhHq03LC_pds/w640-h480/IMG_9620.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I should have asked Liz about her card as I feel that this represents a certain type of technique or style but I can't place it. She's an amazing needleworker and all of her cards have been so beautifully neat, with the tiniest stitches and petit point work! As well as being a mirror image, this does also have a watery feel to it with those rows of running stitch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jacquie's card is serene and beautiful. I think she must have used a stamp to cut out the tree and house shapes (or maybe a cricut?) but the best bit for me is the light shining from the cracked open door and windows. How welcoming does that look? To be reflected in a paler way in the water as well is a really lovely touch, with the ripples being made with a multicoloured single strand of thread. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVUfYaB1_sjMXH5QP7l-DE_ShWHesXxQhR89Gh3kdIb6xfsPbhILiRJElw6zvuw2IsPHgn0H6t0awKaA9sNmOerNl6CA1wWO-Pmehr0gmupfczCpxBKAW0NVwQ1TvgUv3onkkc5p98HG7nq12G-76JF-BV_yaLnGsxtOiQJsJiIkYFUyO9CCyfB5v-kA/s2048/IMG_9622.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVUfYaB1_sjMXH5QP7l-DE_ShWHesXxQhR89Gh3kdIb6xfsPbhILiRJElw6zvuw2IsPHgn0H6t0awKaA9sNmOerNl6CA1wWO-Pmehr0gmupfczCpxBKAW0NVwQ1TvgUv3onkkc5p98HG7nq12G-76JF-BV_yaLnGsxtOiQJsJiIkYFUyO9CCyfB5v-kA/w640-h480/IMG_9622.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ladies really pulled out the stops for this theme and have done the Stitchscape swap, and themselves proud! I really hope that they are all able to join in with the 2024 swap themes because each of them has their own distinctive style and I'd love to see more of what they come up with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All of the cards sent in for December, previous months of 2023, and the 2022 swaps are photographed and in albums on my website. If you would like to have a look through them, please <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/stitchscape-swap-atcs" target="_blank">click here</a> to go to my dedicated ATC page. </div><p></p></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-3214179470656569102024-01-24T13:24:00.000-08:002024-01-24T13:24:43.936-08:00Still Reflections<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWooaSsGbA9N81DFXzBKpjV8BwjaYQmzLoFo4a5O14iiGqfkXOKKBhTyuHfR-gntmIK_k8m2ER_QHRp9U8YAoIxop1YeMmIbHKX-aQkh-5nC2lVuMiqL1198Q8ctBrHs3Gdp9u91WcRCHgziS0e-iRJIbDt6v5Bb3mBLck3V4sYUMjonQmfzM4LBSSbA/s2048/IMG_9366.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWooaSsGbA9N81DFXzBKpjV8BwjaYQmzLoFo4a5O14iiGqfkXOKKBhTyuHfR-gntmIK_k8m2ER_QHRp9U8YAoIxop1YeMmIbHKX-aQkh-5nC2lVuMiqL1198Q8ctBrHs3Gdp9u91WcRCHgziS0e-iRJIbDt6v5Bb3mBLck3V4sYUMjonQmfzM4LBSSbA/w640-h480/IMG_9366.JPEG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>The end of a year often brings lots of reflection on what happened in the months before so it seemed a good theme name for the last ATC swap of 2023. </p><p>The different interpretations could include watery reflections like puddles, rivers, ponds or the sea, shiny reflections like glass windows, glasses, mirrors or metallic baubles (considering the December timing), or perhaps something more abstract. Personally, I've really enjoyed working on some watery landscapes lately and have had great fun trying out different ways to represent the reflection of trees and skylines so that's what came to my mind when I was working through ideas for this. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWUg-UWdb1t1vpDfHsTPnoBfsG1tSbpwSckqPChZIAmZJWsebb64WqkZ-yZZv_Hbz1kEanVOqRRjXWuoFgSvT79AkZxyP17IDSEaruOBDaZSr7rZLnfkSkvH6WEIscTUZwg4-oANjyM1ci01IwidWSnXNZfeLTfqMnACb6s3FzmDbTG2ZOxzNULdM6Q4/s2048/IMG_9365.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWUg-UWdb1t1vpDfHsTPnoBfsG1tSbpwSckqPChZIAmZJWsebb64WqkZ-yZZv_Hbz1kEanVOqRRjXWuoFgSvT79AkZxyP17IDSEaruOBDaZSr7rZLnfkSkvH6WEIscTUZwg4-oANjyM1ci01IwidWSnXNZfeLTfqMnACb6s3FzmDbTG2ZOxzNULdM6Q4/w640-h480/IMG_9365.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I wanted to keep it quite wintry feeling though so the colours are very pale and muted; light greys, pale yellows and dark evergreens. I'm aware that the chances of waterlilies flowering in the winter are slim to none, but I'm taking some artistic licence on that because the water needed something else to make it....well...more watery!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SvBzfg8liJz_AS_YvDKu3xAdiXnECjUA72yNNHDmfQ_5hamBkXW6R8UprABfvLJ8ev4Cy-KnyGDyPsld_ySqbcJ6pdbMQYWsSNw_zQ6YGEmoz4L25yirDCPEOI4i4T9XsPN-UYUfgc6yh1ZQ-a0DXrQN56CGIwM1M2QThatm-Yf5pEQbzcsbDR2vhNQ/s2048/IMG_9364.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SvBzfg8liJz_AS_YvDKu3xAdiXnECjUA72yNNHDmfQ_5hamBkXW6R8UprABfvLJ8ev4Cy-KnyGDyPsld_ySqbcJ6pdbMQYWsSNw_zQ6YGEmoz4L25yirDCPEOI4i4T9XsPN-UYUfgc6yh1ZQ-a0DXrQN56CGIwM1M2QThatm-Yf5pEQbzcsbDR2vhNQ/w640-h480/IMG_9364.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the top fabric layer I have lightly added back stitch in a single strand of pale yellow where the watermark batik changes colour. It was a perfect fabric for the sky here and each card is different which, as you know, is always something I strive for if I can. The dark green really contrasts nicely with this colouring and I've edged the green with a simple blanket stitch that blends in, adding a discreet finish and a crisp edge. I often find that in winter the scenery is either muted and wispy when the mists rise, or stark and super clear. <br /><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOpmvEnQvlfBPyibRalFsBVbk2R-Emuaw8SvOldE8UbPTdo2nv7zdsHlj4Mefoe6zMyCIzVB20MDM5wWtnTBcLX_zhKbtxBInbvrJS68oooU5zW9x4SuvWDPow7puHtTKcpkNtPHkmfyHdq9W7_fYSbKZ2xB_9RXREAGbKDV3scLxn7999mtFXwObVbI/s2048/IMG_9588.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOpmvEnQvlfBPyibRalFsBVbk2R-Emuaw8SvOldE8UbPTdo2nv7zdsHlj4Mefoe6zMyCIzVB20MDM5wWtnTBcLX_zhKbtxBInbvrJS68oooU5zW9x4SuvWDPow7puHtTKcpkNtPHkmfyHdq9W7_fYSbKZ2xB_9RXREAGbKDV3scLxn7999mtFXwObVbI/w640-h480/IMG_9588.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The trees started out as long, two strand, straight stitches for the trunks and then each of the branches were built up with overlapping fly stitches culminating in two fly stitches at the top of the trunk to finish it. I really love how these look with the simple pared down lines. I was worried about overdoing it but I think that with the business of the pattern behind the trees lots of stitching would just be lost here so keeping the motif of the tree simplified down to separated lines works well. </div><div><br /></div><div>The shoreline has been made by using a thin yarn which matches the colour of the fabric but has little flecks of lighter colour in it and I've stitched this down by adding french knots through it rather than couching it first. I've tried to vary the height of the knots so that they aren't in a uniform line and to make them look more natural. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCsR-z0LG6da2jpO9x3cZSZRG9S-meytxDoNEUWny1jXossmtmRC27oq5zXMdT4vwo-dJ05JDiQbOBP2bnSZGyMqqp0oZHPNr4o0mhysyOZ1mp1vbBjlvMrCZT21F5v-bGB-DBYjW8UO5iQ0nB4CyV2MoSzHpXb3pXBaO6WwFxKT2syL-11_krf9jl_s/s2048/IMG_9592.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCsR-z0LG6da2jpO9x3cZSZRG9S-meytxDoNEUWny1jXossmtmRC27oq5zXMdT4vwo-dJ05JDiQbOBP2bnSZGyMqqp0oZHPNr4o0mhysyOZ1mp1vbBjlvMrCZT21F5v-bGB-DBYjW8UO5iQ0nB4CyV2MoSzHpXb3pXBaO6WwFxKT2syL-11_krf9jl_s/w640-h480/IMG_9592.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO_TfoW_uPfKGbEawfMOWGfWrgMCWcrcWStgbVgBEVgIIrT7eiEhtrsFwfFmi4e3fgNmTjuh4LUs-LyX8Sw0uejJzedeXpUZKoxjeUSiDy6Yej1fBF3hTyYx7lY2cu92ppJK50W-tNgqGsfa_0i-xKYpP7699QcTgVqB-SoHRHHD2s8SsPn1D1nzB0jk/s2048/IMG_9593.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO_TfoW_uPfKGbEawfMOWGfWrgMCWcrcWStgbVgBEVgIIrT7eiEhtrsFwfFmi4e3fgNmTjuh4LUs-LyX8Sw0uejJzedeXpUZKoxjeUSiDy6Yej1fBF3hTyYx7lY2cu92ppJK50W-tNgqGsfa_0i-xKYpP7699QcTgVqB-SoHRHHD2s8SsPn1D1nzB0jk/w640-h480/IMG_9593.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS15nZucaiU8eQNMGKDxHdcsGty1yNHdUQMygMPXGfqw4WonpTrQxF2qv7hthpkknsJuZLUBelFAQU85SI4LZF41KUv-YaCJ-y2yP99pcGOWVnDp2DEEp2j6V1BfFCB_r9lkJO_CGATmmdWxyPTgziFnKep4dOImzSN8cIfmOpm5Ff1NKJDFYUfX2BOks/s2048/IMG_9595.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS15nZucaiU8eQNMGKDxHdcsGty1yNHdUQMygMPXGfqw4WonpTrQxF2qv7hthpkknsJuZLUBelFAQU85SI4LZF41KUv-YaCJ-y2yP99pcGOWVnDp2DEEp2j6V1BfFCB_r9lkJO_CGATmmdWxyPTgziFnKep4dOImzSN8cIfmOpm5Ff1NKJDFYUfX2BOks/w640-h480/IMG_9595.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8lpSByOPr7xlk5dx-zQM31mR3Ud_tbbreQgr7i-7g4cP6TMhRxfsHGUrb3pi9Il0sz1DTiESFCvtwmURanMvYXxf1PblvgOq8lR7e1aCmlvx8WGhKMft64nU9tmxrA7tm-xonkQo6BqRHrukzYN3xF2f2UBGqPFOJnt3yVg1lQPN-jaZjjBhE6HZiq4/s2048/IMG_9600.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8lpSByOPr7xlk5dx-zQM31mR3Ud_tbbreQgr7i-7g4cP6TMhRxfsHGUrb3pi9Il0sz1DTiESFCvtwmURanMvYXxf1PblvgOq8lR7e1aCmlvx8WGhKMft64nU9tmxrA7tm-xonkQo6BqRHrukzYN3xF2f2UBGqPFOJnt3yVg1lQPN-jaZjjBhE6HZiq4/w640-h480/IMG_9600.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The reflection of the trees has been made with a single strand of dark green, trying to match the height of the tree above the water. The branches are also simple straight stitches working across just trying to match the width. I've not worried about getting them too straight, it's more of an impression of a reflection rather than an accurate one and too many straight lines start to look calculated. </div><div>I've deliberately stitched the trunk line before the rest of the water so that the lines of wateriness cover the stitch and blur it. </div><div>The water itself has been represented by lines of horizontal straight stitches, varying in length and distance from each other. Of course it had to be in a silver colour to match the colour of the sky and I've used two strands of a regular Anchor embroidery floss and a single strand of a metallic floss which will just catch the light and give a little sparkle without being overpowering. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_C-WItM7Pqr2s9rXS6N_6odC9d8yN-bswgG31iLLh3UQtco-FzrLxzS4FdvQV9OrjiR-jbG-3JVgN_j_N_jaIZkz12D3pAKaJ9su2vJBbIu-HcTBiycevFz0AlxvSdBGS6-f3dGLz4ehCsMI5tz-If26REbUu1KWAq_2WtYyaZmSKQmO3RFL9Nj5sH0/s2048/IMG_9601.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_C-WItM7Pqr2s9rXS6N_6odC9d8yN-bswgG31iLLh3UQtco-FzrLxzS4FdvQV9OrjiR-jbG-3JVgN_j_N_jaIZkz12D3pAKaJ9su2vJBbIu-HcTBiycevFz0AlxvSdBGS6-f3dGLz4ehCsMI5tz-If26REbUu1KWAq_2WtYyaZmSKQmO3RFL9Nj5sH0/w640-h480/IMG_9601.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3ndrS6Qn5vl2MsBf4d2O9n6TblL581SND9HOdEM5uEcssWofd6kVAjL3kHF9jDT4LNlnpsUpzTxk3jtcHZVB4zAFoTSnTlw8LTwbdwh4z3TNfiwp8r2eRBfiiYIbrzLtBk2VGXJAhyW81KOQzkIpWIO7kGYNRdcVFeIYFf4STjqQ0DVsS86KT_zh3fE/s2048/IMG_9603.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3ndrS6Qn5vl2MsBf4d2O9n6TblL581SND9HOdEM5uEcssWofd6kVAjL3kHF9jDT4LNlnpsUpzTxk3jtcHZVB4zAFoTSnTlw8LTwbdwh4z3TNfiwp8r2eRBfiiYIbrzLtBk2VGXJAhyW81KOQzkIpWIO7kGYNRdcVFeIYFf4STjqQ0DVsS86KT_zh3fE/w640-h480/IMG_9603.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It did look like it was missing something, and the design needed an extra layer to help push those reflections back into the water rather than them be the most prominent thing about the bottom half. The waterlilies I have done before in other 'scapes so I've added them here with a rough satin stitch for the pads and rows of three detached chain stitches to make the petals. I've tried to keep a sense of perspective by having one slightly smaller flower behind, with one row of detached chain stitches, and two larger ones at the front with an inner row of chain stitches to fill them out. The further away something is, the less detail you can see in it. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyz3-gQZw_HZOKfcME0pe6TqidriZLf6nGXu-hoG7vHe88kLu1lhSCbfz9D6cX3MIpOSEV8X3WyuWLejtJ-6xaONTeLpi57hMAN33JVqNptAs0uMr5TRHbFLFeNTsbqM4Aff8KZTnz9IgRaCUBsqi-s3ZMYIQxrAof2GRZhZqDYLoT5myJM9auzYc4UjA/s2048/IMG_9604.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyz3-gQZw_HZOKfcME0pe6TqidriZLf6nGXu-hoG7vHe88kLu1lhSCbfz9D6cX3MIpOSEV8X3WyuWLejtJ-6xaONTeLpi57hMAN33JVqNptAs0uMr5TRHbFLFeNTsbqM4Aff8KZTnz9IgRaCUBsqi-s3ZMYIQxrAof2GRZhZqDYLoT5myJM9auzYc4UjA/w640-h480/IMG_9604.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1gMjzGsoGJ9OsArTItzU151yU4OeIz5HEjlz3q0M0Yrb0_ZnLFmecOU1pwx_HxW8B9bkePwR86uVHq0IZ7F3oGncZdDXI8gPLxiUxdZGJHQ5iqY4kH3frRSD2BGJy2gv_lXQ5sN0V3-lksR71egEMn2xC5kQqNemnLUdEoYmDQ6FK41JT_-O1zJG9cQ/s2048/IMG_9606.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1gMjzGsoGJ9OsArTItzU151yU4OeIz5HEjlz3q0M0Yrb0_ZnLFmecOU1pwx_HxW8B9bkePwR86uVHq0IZ7F3oGncZdDXI8gPLxiUxdZGJHQ5iqY4kH3frRSD2BGJy2gv_lXQ5sN0V3-lksR71egEMn2xC5kQqNemnLUdEoYmDQ6FK41JT_-O1zJG9cQ/w640-h480/IMG_9606.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJOanDrD0OyA5IVNP-Hlbug8GPExQ-UX8q3rCvAk_9nTHsMPKNiaOpA4V9_qBgq5pxiye9f1uFwLOF8yNbPfjiitJPfqm6paPDCfM5AJMuYOFAtQUdYKQx8_4cAgMYGcevHXtWifMuCSEEPNUyLWjEQpimtwi89sO05splkaeTKGDMMeE0gFYPlQMkB8/s2048/IMG_9645.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJOanDrD0OyA5IVNP-Hlbug8GPExQ-UX8q3rCvAk_9nTHsMPKNiaOpA4V9_qBgq5pxiye9f1uFwLOF8yNbPfjiitJPfqm6paPDCfM5AJMuYOFAtQUdYKQx8_4cAgMYGcevHXtWifMuCSEEPNUyLWjEQpimtwi89sO05splkaeTKGDMMeE0gFYPlQMkB8/w640-h480/IMG_9645.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyw8zRcFdgY9YHdfKkvtXuVxQBTIdgAlwVRbJIxoDa6964Ct4BSUsI2g_aX7KI3Bc-4j6G7yifBmPGbSN6DCNHphSAAV1pKnd-u55gOR7gw80408Qv6SRwKpXYghcJ7wzcvi6f2xJazihiztl7NEUFj_FUrBq6cOMKW4Hc8tWeJPwFCFTKSvGSIl-SZg/s2048/IMG_9648.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyw8zRcFdgY9YHdfKkvtXuVxQBTIdgAlwVRbJIxoDa6964Ct4BSUsI2g_aX7KI3Bc-4j6G7yifBmPGbSN6DCNHphSAAV1pKnd-u55gOR7gw80408Qv6SRwKpXYghcJ7wzcvi6f2xJazihiztl7NEUFj_FUrBq6cOMKW4Hc8tWeJPwFCFTKSvGSIl-SZg/w640-h480/IMG_9648.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I couldn't resist joining them all up into one long shoreline. It looks really pretty. </div><div><br /></div><div>The stitch round up for these cards is; back stitch, blanket stitch, straight stitch, fly stitch, french knots, satin stitch and detached chain stitch.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobg82hiBDOpslSkWBzVeioJi_PPU9LsUUH2zpWn7w_U7_RTNGeXXIDZaSIAsALZ1XxpPbwlxK2zUlzT_olGO1124xhyphenhyphenJ-oafPdI0ElliBcLkQC6NxRjegWbpsL0xr1hA7XS6Nx416pfQZ9wU-a88NuRb4ll2wXngKBfVYbUucOlThIi1XfRCznl6OOQI/s2048/IMG_9650.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobg82hiBDOpslSkWBzVeioJi_PPU9LsUUH2zpWn7w_U7_RTNGeXXIDZaSIAsALZ1XxpPbwlxK2zUlzT_olGO1124xhyphenhyphenJ-oafPdI0ElliBcLkQC6NxRjegWbpsL0xr1hA7XS6Nx416pfQZ9wU-a88NuRb4ll2wXngKBfVYbUucOlThIi1XfRCznl6OOQI/w640-h480/IMG_9650.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-33383046959489877002023-12-29T11:48:00.000-08:002023-12-29T11:48:43.952-08:00Angus & Flora 2023 Week Four<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenS2vKmxoa9Xu1qrMqj9k7XlAPdGUORp9v_tpkRjIBIPwd9_HIT0mgpAo3nfPKk1h8gTBhypil6cIfGJd_Xdf9wRts08VVGgnQ51wy3A8EHpxDz6PDy78FoBbnxQ5Jz5hFJLwYONmDeheztpHDx4gJ40N_b8wVTe8CpyNq7Rk5z1fGWqNIBHmSZCO0KE/s1772/IMG_9112.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenS2vKmxoa9Xu1qrMqj9k7XlAPdGUORp9v_tpkRjIBIPwd9_HIT0mgpAo3nfPKk1h8gTBhypil6cIfGJd_Xdf9wRts08VVGgnQ51wy3A8EHpxDz6PDy78FoBbnxQ5Jz5hFJLwYONmDeheztpHDx4gJ40N_b8wVTe8CpyNq7Rk5z1fGWqNIBHmSZCO0KE/w640-h640/IMG_9112.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><p><i><b>December 22nd:: </b> The Elves discovered a stash of cardboard tubes in the bathroom and have been having a tree building competition. Flora's tree is very impressive and bedazzled with tinsel, Angus' is...barely a sapling!</i></p><p>It's the last few days of Angus and Flora! Thank you everyone if you have been following along, I hope these two characters have brought you a little daily smile and some festive cheer. I am absolutely sure that they have already booked their train ticket to return next year! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf27xgyHJ9jOTSMhMnjPxibdQMeRNcQ96kSr77CW1Fn9r0W8JIBgceyxDxg0vTUXtzzKrybLzzjm9tJ1ly8eVn1kKPZPgmBKFPSiADnjeAy5QLrk2YD9MYgJm66XidMiHAYsNxqaEwyzKtaIQ_WxvsLg2pK8O6JCeeTWRBwLD6LhUMMcNMVmv1vV9-ug/s1772/IMG_9122.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf27xgyHJ9jOTSMhMnjPxibdQMeRNcQ96kSr77CW1Fn9r0W8JIBgceyxDxg0vTUXtzzKrybLzzjm9tJ1ly8eVn1kKPZPgmBKFPSiADnjeAy5QLrk2YD9MYgJm66XidMiHAYsNxqaEwyzKtaIQ_WxvsLg2pK8O6JCeeTWRBwLD6LhUMMcNMVmv1vV9-ug/w640-h640/IMG_9122.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 23rd:: </b>Zipwire!!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee............................</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-nmnBrmK3lF_7eLlVz4TsYSWrY0faYmBDzUGrHLQsrBR56vQ3_ccOZ6qDOvpSkj6MQ-U1MoELIhyas0VoPdqHP8H-A1UqhhxU6P_zbAns-LIUgJUAhW2y3beo-fx8AWtcAJCIkJmlNj6sazd7whMtmIpELQx-DofJnkrWnNckjHj5SkArT3iPLLMIFQ/s1772/IMG_9234.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-nmnBrmK3lF_7eLlVz4TsYSWrY0faYmBDzUGrHLQsrBR56vQ3_ccOZ6qDOvpSkj6MQ-U1MoELIhyas0VoPdqHP8H-A1UqhhxU6P_zbAns-LIUgJUAhW2y3beo-fx8AWtcAJCIkJmlNj6sazd7whMtmIpELQx-DofJnkrWnNckjHj5SkArT3iPLLMIFQ/w640-h640/IMG_9234.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWlJNK91hgV0uzMr3OriuiioogKa7FAjNkJY4s1mSXi4FNfKpgi0BRcPvYJDQ3AoWhId86WlQUPOPrbArjRXe0sO1RU3Zy8b6a2g4KQIEVvtz0MDR2RfRrQRhdJkevjm6OZNB3Ydh3vmrMU7Mi48hCeTNwwzJNVwZATzsfpHvtnFm9PEFH6hUwC3TI7w/s1772/IMG_9236.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWlJNK91hgV0uzMr3OriuiioogKa7FAjNkJY4s1mSXi4FNfKpgi0BRcPvYJDQ3AoWhId86WlQUPOPrbArjRXe0sO1RU3Zy8b6a2g4KQIEVvtz0MDR2RfRrQRhdJkevjm6OZNB3Ydh3vmrMU7Mi48hCeTNwwzJNVwZATzsfpHvtnFm9PEFH6hUwC3TI7w/w640-h640/IMG_9236.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjLljmL_SSA_tle00sYgpENUrZhYtpV0fPVj03SGQPMYbvt-eZYkCFuxITeljiHDyyQdiJ7gB6kGddLrp8QSMfAJKuDrsuYk9_kFlqCBjaVisma4lKr6yKBvbHhoKnsFBso3WxfFX9degtIWVSdadY3t0sZ_WONjVyJd0CsoeDiNgEOfG6VKYdwrn0pg/s1772/IMG_9237.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjLljmL_SSA_tle00sYgpENUrZhYtpV0fPVj03SGQPMYbvt-eZYkCFuxITeljiHDyyQdiJ7gB6kGddLrp8QSMfAJKuDrsuYk9_kFlqCBjaVisma4lKr6yKBvbHhoKnsFBso3WxfFX9degtIWVSdadY3t0sZ_WONjVyJd0CsoeDiNgEOfG6VKYdwrn0pg/w640-h640/IMG_9237.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 24th:: </b>Happy Christmas Eve!! The Elves are celebrating at <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury/christmas" target="_blank">Bedgebury Pinetum</a>, enjoying the light displays, eating marshmallows, and Flora even got a Christmas kiss!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had such a wonderful evening at Bedgebury, it's an amazing light trail through the Pinetum with little food and drink stops along the way, a section to toast marshmallows, a Father Christmas stop and a couple of little old fashioned children's rides at the start (which Baby F went on twice and would have gone on many more times!). Reece and I have been a couple of times before but this was the first time with Baby F and he was beside himself with excitement!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lv6Qt7R3FQyFfO_D_m4sVf96jtYol-kr1MJC0mUHQ5YJwtI3XaU4MiOysQxEnlveXA49fg26gQ7vmDI1jQTtZetmir01c9n4EGg-Yp6xJj76vTomkAw0u8CBoz7ihyjItSxyQcZSmspqr1sUoUtWSlAkzotE7aIgvlZYtwgqRvi3OMkrDcvVgXnkVqw/s2048/IMG_9166.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lv6Qt7R3FQyFfO_D_m4sVf96jtYol-kr1MJC0mUHQ5YJwtI3XaU4MiOysQxEnlveXA49fg26gQ7vmDI1jQTtZetmir01c9n4EGg-Yp6xJj76vTomkAw0u8CBoz7ihyjItSxyQcZSmspqr1sUoUtWSlAkzotE7aIgvlZYtwgqRvi3OMkrDcvVgXnkVqw/w640-h480/IMG_9166.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPYE7IQUdS6s9_6-T854et533AhxJZocwb4_PdXV4_WdqyDV78LlmU-CEd1tnQGMUAxU1BvNGe7KqxhJpzhEELkAmOUnaC-saSUmPpXuCP58ycjdyqzkOOyyWvK5wx-ivr5UfJXXr7HDRMmNrfCpqZ0sKi5a4SajfobqZncfLarWx81U5T0oJleViDHU/s2048/IMG_9171.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPYE7IQUdS6s9_6-T854et533AhxJZocwb4_PdXV4_WdqyDV78LlmU-CEd1tnQGMUAxU1BvNGe7KqxhJpzhEELkAmOUnaC-saSUmPpXuCP58ycjdyqzkOOyyWvK5wx-ivr5UfJXXr7HDRMmNrfCpqZ0sKi5a4SajfobqZncfLarWx81U5T0oJleViDHU/w640-h480/IMG_9171.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFRR8jM8ufr-jh-7v3MJWj2i_wzptkzY00oMmgIanmAqpXBPYV5Y06BD1bDmnBYTkjrOAe8tiLXkugs57pMays0O52b_nQb6MZmMkzkq2IX9OgUk5NEAoJSTbDbNiAJqC-YBuepKuwE6esC4I-QeepO-cRrpa9tU-SKO4uipJXesIwA_5EjDFjSLazLA/s2048/IMG_9175.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFRR8jM8ufr-jh-7v3MJWj2i_wzptkzY00oMmgIanmAqpXBPYV5Y06BD1bDmnBYTkjrOAe8tiLXkugs57pMays0O52b_nQb6MZmMkzkq2IX9OgUk5NEAoJSTbDbNiAJqC-YBuepKuwE6esC4I-QeepO-cRrpa9tU-SKO4uipJXesIwA_5EjDFjSLazLA/w640-h480/IMG_9175.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMr5sXg6GbAHbNYIRUiX0LamnKZJPCtljQsLhcSSCnMvsGygj2IGEUsZ1GGCASTAuanpqZbJnBYOoE1_mAxa1aVQROxr8C86XZ2WWWIvVvGVd3nsiP2Su7vhvIKKcGWkyulQUqSMMemc9njxziAMmHSMES2sh8Egjdc7hjcMmXCWe0TVHSxms0nHKPVk/s2048/IMG_9182.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMr5sXg6GbAHbNYIRUiX0LamnKZJPCtljQsLhcSSCnMvsGygj2IGEUsZ1GGCASTAuanpqZbJnBYOoE1_mAxa1aVQROxr8C86XZ2WWWIvVvGVd3nsiP2Su7vhvIKKcGWkyulQUqSMMemc9njxziAMmHSMES2sh8Egjdc7hjcMmXCWe0TVHSxms0nHKPVk/w640-h480/IMG_9182.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Luckily it was fairly dry and sheltered as you walked around, although very windy in the carpark, and the little breeze you had made the lights dance all the more. We enjoyed loaded mac 'n cheese, mulled apple juice, hot chocolate and marshmallows on the way round which all just topped off the evening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pretty much all you say on the way round is "ooo", "wow" "look at that!", "that's amazing!" or "so pretty!" I think we might try and go on Christmas Eve again next year, it was a magical experience that really kick started the festive three days. Maybe next year Baby F will have decided to walk around rather than just bounce up and down in his buggy with excitement. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From my family to yours, I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas period! Happy New Year too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFdESMdeZmcUBZNlui0bW6UvuywjiAI1SKF1ddv-PQ__Ue43YXmnY0igB9ZWDkgREF9NuLaem_wiCGGcPtsyXfEGt1g0YQvt94B8cxPUSvSup9KqStEZ2_op2ZrewxBPpoByhKAv70gUrb_cYd-tBiJnXYi1bONRwPZ6Qh-FSMYMow8Us-_Q7AGxYRIs/s2048/IMG_9183.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFdESMdeZmcUBZNlui0bW6UvuywjiAI1SKF1ddv-PQ__Ue43YXmnY0igB9ZWDkgREF9NuLaem_wiCGGcPtsyXfEGt1g0YQvt94B8cxPUSvSup9KqStEZ2_op2ZrewxBPpoByhKAv70gUrb_cYd-tBiJnXYi1bONRwPZ6Qh-FSMYMow8Us-_Q7AGxYRIs/w640-h480/IMG_9183.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZQoByNmCWidxEbpDFi_nu1yetskJeUqenaU8ZbQJx2AJfP4-D5URfya2DS4-kcDn0RHwqquXWgb50kRr6cGDyKqQD2L_mkPKmv2y1rhg_umeMWOgsW-L_BT1RhwMNkpbZEOLtHAeTshnJpAxTYO7rwsHLMEfOKUmLp2l4oDbpDIwXsjaqqM2sQ4fZ3g/s2048/IMG_9219.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZQoByNmCWidxEbpDFi_nu1yetskJeUqenaU8ZbQJx2AJfP4-D5URfya2DS4-kcDn0RHwqquXWgb50kRr6cGDyKqQD2L_mkPKmv2y1rhg_umeMWOgsW-L_BT1RhwMNkpbZEOLtHAeTshnJpAxTYO7rwsHLMEfOKUmLp2l4oDbpDIwXsjaqqM2sQ4fZ3g/w640-h480/IMG_9219.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGkXJiwa8g41XgWdI6JS-8Yqh0586gAtB90M8h98II7rjGQTkT9MOQXuygs0XqIsEz_F4OwoXrACoXa4eXVnynN7Xja8ryn0rgrXv0KYi98f86eGBwOlSWppl5Ril_8UCGWD2l4f5rPYfpKEzhvhjm-NMip9-6d6Q4IT3OiFERdw8vnDM1xrM6eYDJC4/s2048/IMG_9227.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGkXJiwa8g41XgWdI6JS-8Yqh0586gAtB90M8h98II7rjGQTkT9MOQXuygs0XqIsEz_F4OwoXrACoXa4eXVnynN7Xja8ryn0rgrXv0KYi98f86eGBwOlSWppl5Ril_8UCGWD2l4f5rPYfpKEzhvhjm-NMip9-6d6Q4IT3OiFERdw8vnDM1xrM6eYDJC4/w640-h480/IMG_9227.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gqfBlZCG23SKBVu6ABh8FkONFu10P8qpZuE-yhyphenhyphen6dv0g0UO6OQjNgvRQWpRbcfYOX53phEMVqRNjUAMJ5aU4ECSkQxaGMt8n59vmMbJtX93j3nNE3ATgyfMsNaKNLnbzay2BUfqS_WAeSqtnMwRg07dPeOQtbDFXMVImU-iOcrhJkZTdJexy4q6IDRU/s2048/IMG_9232.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gqfBlZCG23SKBVu6ABh8FkONFu10P8qpZuE-yhyphenhyphen6dv0g0UO6OQjNgvRQWpRbcfYOX53phEMVqRNjUAMJ5aU4ECSkQxaGMt8n59vmMbJtX93j3nNE3ATgyfMsNaKNLnbzay2BUfqS_WAeSqtnMwRg07dPeOQtbDFXMVImU-iOcrhJkZTdJexy4q6IDRU/w640-h480/IMG_9232.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_xgysUWogxK5HoRQZVSgH6N-M1T7qSVZTLJW7COCRJRcSB8vjtb9ftyut8swfPAtudNyqJOVWYjsOfl0VThUSP0AXWvWgd9ZDgXVc54wr_m7m3HeneeLGRPUXvXwjE2Jc9BmIBar8mbpTVuO5yZDHrPmDtssbAXaPl2SFQT3NztF1v0KEnzvWIka-ss/s2048/IMG_9265.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_xgysUWogxK5HoRQZVSgH6N-M1T7qSVZTLJW7COCRJRcSB8vjtb9ftyut8swfPAtudNyqJOVWYjsOfl0VThUSP0AXWvWgd9ZDgXVc54wr_m7m3HeneeLGRPUXvXwjE2Jc9BmIBar8mbpTVuO5yZDHrPmDtssbAXaPl2SFQT3NztF1v0KEnzvWIka-ss/w640-h480/IMG_9265.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmVs-7fqvxQPbgUGyyG6Tc6awW4vNTnwCJG2XWKmlgWQSZMZ9M7eAE9tNSj6OHHWP4MwCsRusuHXjPLSG_pgEW7l8JDkd1id-acmxmTHOzEGyJ99X7-dBdRwF6G3rnCQsaonp_ik3QSExTypANa_WDhQlZcupUKJVAooZE5V0KuNqWZH5UH5eC2MMNpk/s2048/IMG_9267.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmVs-7fqvxQPbgUGyyG6Tc6awW4vNTnwCJG2XWKmlgWQSZMZ9M7eAE9tNSj6OHHWP4MwCsRusuHXjPLSG_pgEW7l8JDkd1id-acmxmTHOzEGyJ99X7-dBdRwF6G3rnCQsaonp_ik3QSExTypANa_WDhQlZcupUKJVAooZE5V0KuNqWZH5UH5eC2MMNpk/w640-h480/IMG_9267.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div></div><p></p>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-38892667787468467502023-12-27T11:59:00.000-08:002023-12-27T11:59:10.692-08:00Angus & Flora 2023 Week Three<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjjM9cFL9qM1v7rd0QRFec1pHukqA1FsO0PM7FVTQm6_wAbufQNO2QeQLEPckdezgoCch5TqGH5igrAOIFNm5uBm0Oz73jxtds7_55nObm5BozfBk6_uOH6XloS93VY5FQtWtzI23JVlvLOtxMtAlJh414yWrcJB75ZBxI6MCn_m7TUFoOW5meEjgJmQ/s1772/IMG_8923.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjjM9cFL9qM1v7rd0QRFec1pHukqA1FsO0PM7FVTQm6_wAbufQNO2QeQLEPckdezgoCch5TqGH5igrAOIFNm5uBm0Oz73jxtds7_55nObm5BozfBk6_uOH6XloS93VY5FQtWtzI23JVlvLOtxMtAlJh414yWrcJB75ZBxI6MCn_m7TUFoOW5meEjgJmQ/w640-h640/IMG_8923.JPEG" width="640" /></a></p><p><i><b>December 15th:: </b>As I understand it, the Elves are having a mulled cider bath in the slow cooker. What I don't understand, is why the cider is still in the glass bottle?</i><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPBV7dM4q-z-NP9bcT1yQgHn5mErAm5ItAGSzep9_SMDh0P5fdb5jETWIriebbVh4sODeBD3lOGfuJv4Hd6SphDxdWITNGSkAqbcSwpAhM2l0Gzfz-v-uMtTm1k3GFeUunxjQb4I30LNADUfUTXUOVcOzKUpS87t7QKzsFzu2fa0lYOomP09GXuPEvOo/s1772/IMG_8965.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPBV7dM4q-z-NP9bcT1yQgHn5mErAm5ItAGSzep9_SMDh0P5fdb5jETWIriebbVh4sODeBD3lOGfuJv4Hd6SphDxdWITNGSkAqbcSwpAhM2l0Gzfz-v-uMtTm1k3GFeUunxjQb4I30LNADUfUTXUOVcOzKUpS87t7QKzsFzu2fa0lYOomP09GXuPEvOo/w640-h640/IMG_8965.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 16th:: </b>Angus and Flora are having a tinsel party!! It's an immersive experience a bit like a silent disco but with more rustling and a sinking feeling as you wiggle further into the scratchy shininess.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlGC-vBRdnMkOrKCtgC_V91eabePzbKyVlaQyc_MM_I2vuKbV0Wmls5zvgCvALVnLAPUD6rbbd_5P0D2smMDGrt7CQhHJqogbMPZgHFf46_OleZi9ZIeS8sO9lqeajFylOtz4gB9WF8Yowu7T6PwW2yd8K_KvVhvsgEUrCHzkzJ2rxgamL2q3S5BIcv8/s1772/IMG_9012.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlGC-vBRdnMkOrKCtgC_V91eabePzbKyVlaQyc_MM_I2vuKbV0Wmls5zvgCvALVnLAPUD6rbbd_5P0D2smMDGrt7CQhHJqogbMPZgHFf46_OleZi9ZIeS8sO9lqeajFylOtz4gB9WF8Yowu7T6PwW2yd8K_KvVhvsgEUrCHzkzJ2rxgamL2q3S5BIcv8/w640-h640/IMG_9012.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><b>December 17th:: </b>New friends have been made in the kitchen!</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6R1xD0vH3e3TK4RIXmf2epu637EcEnZ3orFKVhLDAZH3WvvphN67AC8fNyYqxAMhrPaUAIRpxyc5prQBzXWz8J7AbcQm9-RLufR0jkuYP8aV-0kKEEHwEsYurOUso-c6DeUQmGa2KzJ4QYBC8TL5GYumBTDnrGF0r2foKoke4YO0ZOK7sxLn-RaHJ4U/s1772/IMG_9026.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6R1xD0vH3e3TK4RIXmf2epu637EcEnZ3orFKVhLDAZH3WvvphN67AC8fNyYqxAMhrPaUAIRpxyc5prQBzXWz8J7AbcQm9-RLufR0jkuYP8aV-0kKEEHwEsYurOUso-c6DeUQmGa2KzJ4QYBC8TL5GYumBTDnrGF0r2foKoke4YO0ZOK7sxLn-RaHJ4U/w640-h640/IMG_9026.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 18th:: </b> Angus and Flora are Christmas trees! Can you tell? They've made themselves into a woodland with some wrapping paper tubes and green tissue paper. I'm not sure how they get themselves down. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMWVJm7TkoAG4ZhpQpoiSw98W7zJHtg1RsyWo5EatGDnheJ18s0WXsBpk7p2PlBJd-JjxWbfnROLtEFbrKc6wYtIEuB4VPWgRwmSsqvCxYEXLqrro0BxTCUNMdBH1LPYkmxjGTindvi_LZf3GO3u0qMk9RJ5ydhyphenhyphenYTRpQJ8aaLLQTI0Dp-lfxStJ0Um8/s1772/IMG_9054.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMWVJm7TkoAG4ZhpQpoiSw98W7zJHtg1RsyWo5EatGDnheJ18s0WXsBpk7p2PlBJd-JjxWbfnROLtEFbrKc6wYtIEuB4VPWgRwmSsqvCxYEXLqrro0BxTCUNMdBH1LPYkmxjGTindvi_LZf3GO3u0qMk9RJ5ydhyphenhyphenYTRpQJ8aaLLQTI0Dp-lfxStJ0Um8/w640-h640/IMG_9054.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 19th:: </b>Busy little bees Angus and Flora have been cataloguing the Christmas presents currently under our tree for family and friends. They are being graded by weight, size, shape and how well they have been wrapped! No pressure. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj9J5K4OrGkVvGnt5ZDQBzoapLlq85adXwpcirkVmjFGr_CeOpRCy5GbzAZNxrr9sB6SCrs7mOaqRYqzHmb7UI2Hvyly-esXLVTivX6HUBSxANfwrCeyYZr54ZmlNATZ-L_NhrlIh_Yb-7dQlvsb7bc6NxsCCcCOLb-XVb_QHfar0te3J7QXGRdndP4k/s1772/IMG_9080.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj9J5K4OrGkVvGnt5ZDQBzoapLlq85adXwpcirkVmjFGr_CeOpRCy5GbzAZNxrr9sB6SCrs7mOaqRYqzHmb7UI2Hvyly-esXLVTivX6HUBSxANfwrCeyYZr54ZmlNATZ-L_NhrlIh_Yb-7dQlvsb7bc6NxsCCcCOLb-XVb_QHfar0te3J7QXGRdndP4k/w640-h640/IMG_9080.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 20th:: </b>The Elves love this game, they bring it with them every year and nag anyone they come across to join in! For once Angus has even been allowed to be the banker!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85AhRujp3yO1td8w7idHlT80ZRS8XjA6CmVrnsoOvn3yXEZw0cvDGfv15x1al27vf_Qch4iZQmvC7FhKb3oLDKQhAU04do9yD50oot_x597Gej6SMrxUxnapv_NIgPPt-FhsdNnhuqu4J11lFtm7kJUABFW9o7I2SpOORhBCUn1zYsoyZaXAQGmt4vjM/s1772/IMG_9085.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85AhRujp3yO1td8w7idHlT80ZRS8XjA6CmVrnsoOvn3yXEZw0cvDGfv15x1al27vf_Qch4iZQmvC7FhKb3oLDKQhAU04do9yD50oot_x597Gej6SMrxUxnapv_NIgPPt-FhsdNnhuqu4J11lFtm7kJUABFW9o7I2SpOORhBCUn1zYsoyZaXAQGmt4vjM/w640-h640/IMG_9085.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><i><b>December 21st:: </b>Angus and Flora are getting ready for a fancy dress party they've been invited to. Angus is wondering whether his Christmas Pudding outfit is a little too tight and Flora's plans of being Captain Underpants have hit a snag - she can't get the pants on!</i></p>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-85462696431507497452023-12-27T11:42:00.000-08:002023-12-27T11:42:40.992-08:00Angus & Flora 2023 Week Two<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGWImcHLYCOODEz_-Ekyf11ja_zSUzAbxwmMKeegpMri2GEcryeRtKFBmO9BleCzD1Nuh_WaXg34nofEjYGm3bjSb6MATQ8A3oGZl48s1eR_0zjHpnxAVBqDWOxat1MrB3A2cifoO1yCdnIKRf-rhfLpZoCWYU-nYQfCPhRJX6q-jCq3IOxwWMRHr9jE/s1772/IMG_8787.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGWImcHLYCOODEz_-Ekyf11ja_zSUzAbxwmMKeegpMri2GEcryeRtKFBmO9BleCzD1Nuh_WaXg34nofEjYGm3bjSb6MATQ8A3oGZl48s1eR_0zjHpnxAVBqDWOxat1MrB3A2cifoO1yCdnIKRf-rhfLpZoCWYU-nYQfCPhRJX6q-jCq3IOxwWMRHr9jE/w640-h640/IMG_8787.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><p><i><b>December 8th::</b> Angus and Flora felt that the computer and desk weren't feeling festive enough so have taken it upon themselves to decorate it and make it more jolly. They've used mini lights, tinsel, ribbons and wrapped chocolates....Although Angus appears to be cracking those open already so they may not last until Christmas!!</i></p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwDDi6QWgkwLQ5RF5pK5qdSfaoxzMiHVLzjHb8sdep1VYK5p-m2L4t_iMAaVMcEu90wYBgQ2O6pMy9QzeP3NStmuXfx6z1Bo6tPdj-OKqxXqq2IMGa7xdkra9zBZOkNLUaWkyBK4Jvedy6TcUGzeiMgPheQrZCpj49omgwwGABnFdnnq2RMUZRxRqawY/s1772/IMG_8823.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwDDi6QWgkwLQ5RF5pK5qdSfaoxzMiHVLzjHb8sdep1VYK5p-m2L4t_iMAaVMcEu90wYBgQ2O6pMy9QzeP3NStmuXfx6z1Bo6tPdj-OKqxXqq2IMGa7xdkra9zBZOkNLUaWkyBK4Jvedy6TcUGzeiMgPheQrZCpj49omgwwGABnFdnnq2RMUZRxRqawY/w640-h640/IMG_8823.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 9th:: </b>Fireman Angus is rescuing a good citizen from a burning building (one of those modern ones with big screens on the side) using his high tech fire engine and bubble wand fire fighting gadgets!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WOJWiIJbLlIG2ec7u1jsaUKyZOYMiJxZt1cd9QKsB5Ca3Z7z8fNVsgCQPl98TdTihocQpSf0loR8LBd2xoOBEPNbSh7ImxMI846GSteKmYfTzGU7eN2qOe8ThzMV9Bz1O6Xy_-6ZQO5sqPOsHR_Kt2QApg4Sa3FHRxxofLP29ZaAPspkIYA6RKctMYE/s1772/IMG_8825.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WOJWiIJbLlIG2ec7u1jsaUKyZOYMiJxZt1cd9QKsB5Ca3Z7z8fNVsgCQPl98TdTihocQpSf0loR8LBd2xoOBEPNbSh7ImxMI846GSteKmYfTzGU7eN2qOe8ThzMV9Bz1O6Xy_-6ZQO5sqPOsHR_Kt2QApg4Sa3FHRxxofLP29ZaAPspkIYA6RKctMYE/w640-h640/IMG_8825.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 10th:: </b>Angus and Flora are taking a relaxing bubble bath after their sooty rescue game yesterday. It will be good to get them smelling nice and clean!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9osONF38Y9aJQBJ_QSKppJQbiBjLF0419AyOI_ujKUWR4oL_Vup8GfLgwBrC4-NeNzMNFqFnU7d2qnHOM7pFuEJCoKguzrjdrVmzY34CxjUdFmu1dATi0nUjA3mzACxIqCx36eHkDU73yOnTKzVyIPyL8hxhjdDILcGIP4zZD9tgHkXVp1wPQs9fWGVg/s1772/IMG_8846.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9osONF38Y9aJQBJ_QSKppJQbiBjLF0419AyOI_ujKUWR4oL_Vup8GfLgwBrC4-NeNzMNFqFnU7d2qnHOM7pFuEJCoKguzrjdrVmzY34CxjUdFmu1dATi0nUjA3mzACxIqCx36eHkDU73yOnTKzVyIPyL8hxhjdDILcGIP4zZD9tgHkXVp1wPQs9fWGVg/w640-h640/IMG_8846.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 11th:: </b>Angus and Flora are playing a complicated elf game which at first appears to resemble Pick Up Sticks but is apparently not. (Partially because they aren't real sticks, they are sherbet sticks.) Flora is winning and Angus is miffed. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOybSQuVUqN-hBHGqTNYI_ftMnu75VXVDa3BRupt0uNpNgErtfRHBnhzC6euOSap5A58duYQ08aJzD9VTydZWokTRUFkNKHvzo9kL40PihNDUYAlHCRA5dLbvAFNQvgxcicXOazLY3JfvsSIef2qqd8PqR_pj19z1RsSTwJY5h1V8mCq_nixYjPOwR2w/s1772/IMG_8871.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOybSQuVUqN-hBHGqTNYI_ftMnu75VXVDa3BRupt0uNpNgErtfRHBnhzC6euOSap5A58duYQ08aJzD9VTydZWokTRUFkNKHvzo9kL40PihNDUYAlHCRA5dLbvAFNQvgxcicXOazLY3JfvsSIef2qqd8PqR_pj19z1RsSTwJY5h1V8mCq_nixYjPOwR2w/w640-h640/IMG_8871.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 12th:: </b>The Elves have been invited to a party and are playing Pin the Nose! It's been noses flying everywhere but now it seems Angus might be cheating and peeking!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ngKku8Tr-CD1_JMNTcq_Bk0ROq1segckoeVCLPc7xrZBT5cNDcB_-21zNVGvK6XwhytPrTdxhNHmcQqMH9vbxVPuEaug6Xx637khkWwRqqOzLKFJbjE9GFvIZwpcT3_u7WhOWsivNXWuVlXE5rJR71ea2OBExFd0RQEqXUmlDB14y95VOfMzGvOUI2A/s1772/IMG_8872.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ngKku8Tr-CD1_JMNTcq_Bk0ROq1segckoeVCLPc7xrZBT5cNDcB_-21zNVGvK6XwhytPrTdxhNHmcQqMH9vbxVPuEaug6Xx637khkWwRqqOzLKFJbjE9GFvIZwpcT3_u7WhOWsivNXWuVlXE5rJR71ea2OBExFd0RQEqXUmlDB14y95VOfMzGvOUI2A/w640-h640/IMG_8872.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 13th:: </b>After cheating in the game yesterday. Angus turned fugitive and became wanted by the Rozzers. Luckily he's been brought safely behind bars by Superflora the Superhero Elf! Thank goodness she's here to keep our hallway safe. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSCimXUwpQNwOocUZdfKuvEPdwfffxFh3VxnsDhI7eiJLJwnr__u9w8Vyy5dmddTF_MQd6nQnIzRRAIG-ier_MwoTZwrSbjahZlp2tR6XQtHOw6tkeoRzjg2lGIryTnhELHoS1bKrXHtd35uzkUJK3vuzM_vOIV-swTw8LtxM0n6cVzSnT1QkT5kZsI0/s1772/IMG_8911.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSCimXUwpQNwOocUZdfKuvEPdwfffxFh3VxnsDhI7eiJLJwnr__u9w8Vyy5dmddTF_MQd6nQnIzRRAIG-ier_MwoTZwrSbjahZlp2tR6XQtHOw6tkeoRzjg2lGIryTnhELHoS1bKrXHtd35uzkUJK3vuzM_vOIV-swTw8LtxM0n6cVzSnT1QkT5kZsI0/w640-h640/IMG_8911.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><b>December 14th:: </b>Angus and Flora have invited some of their friends into a special den they've made, to sit and tell Christmas stories around the Haribo bear campfire. Flora is mid-tale..., let's listen..."and then Rudolph said to the man in the pram, give us a lick of your lollipop..."</i></div><p></p>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-70114495424776097322023-12-17T02:36:00.000-08:002023-12-17T02:36:00.326-08:00November Thunder & Lightning ATCs<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqZ_xVQlKmfvUzT_aqFLsd9ZFRPuS1Vhb1dtyYAK7BaNpCA7g-xaZaYF6z1QmXzur7e7PZkUDQB0GApDG6VXvGvtllSpIEdlYdJ0gx1RJDEBfIJBJsM2x9iJSlPBqX9o8B3mcfr7atBxQACFVmqbRC3XHlcj9TbhavoWYFUvF5YwQZBqBoP8If4oh3Tw/s6000/DSC_0413.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqZ_xVQlKmfvUzT_aqFLsd9ZFRPuS1Vhb1dtyYAK7BaNpCA7g-xaZaYF6z1QmXzur7e7PZkUDQB0GApDG6VXvGvtllSpIEdlYdJ0gx1RJDEBfIJBJsM2x9iJSlPBqX9o8B3mcfr7atBxQACFVmqbRC3XHlcj9TbhavoWYFUvF5YwQZBqBoP8If4oh3Tw/w640-h426/DSC_0413.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BOOM! CRASH! GRUMBLE! FLASH!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can almost hear the thunder booming and grumbling in these cards. They are all so wonderfully evocative and totally unique. There's hammering rain, there's lightning strikes, there's starry night skies, even crashing waves. It's all very noisy looking - if you know what I mean. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JSrTGigtTTYBa7pqz718DuHskVEBLPMkY8YN57iWXIRReHBcbRxWOCII5uaZM-6dsYAx4Li6p8ykeNKI7zC-adQhdImwTNFB_ac5bM5T8NWrkHLv6ENVVh0G02_x-ADdiNgqoXON18LOsm3YhyKUb3S1eEYYYq04KvNlGE4zqNJf_Nb-5J86gzdDOHc/s6000/DSC_0415.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JSrTGigtTTYBa7pqz718DuHskVEBLPMkY8YN57iWXIRReHBcbRxWOCII5uaZM-6dsYAx4Li6p8ykeNKI7zC-adQhdImwTNFB_ac5bM5T8NWrkHLv6ENVVh0G02_x-ADdiNgqoXON18LOsm3YhyKUb3S1eEYYYq04KvNlGE4zqNJf_Nb-5J86gzdDOHc/w640-h426/DSC_0415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are fewer cards this month but the quality of each of them is exactly the same high standard. We had this last year actually where it dipped off towards the end of the year, it's totally understandable as the calendar fills up with things to be done pre-Christmas, then the usual festive things in the run up to Christmas. The calendar is busy for most, and for creative people who like to make gifts for loved ones it becomes even busier! We almost need to make two themes a month from June to account for it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvJhC3MGczLNogVNnb4g-WS71qHjjRzJhTE8rrcquEBNAHV-OKezpGjQgBNVR0JICTRMsvviA6FyiTyke-4-y3JYM4afPkjZ_NYEBxGmwsTMPS7kvCYPg7zE8xVwZzEqipknr0sSVeSYJtvbO-J3dQ5RVs-pYMGdQnIBT-65RpHEwcROXJY75c8bjsIQ/s6000/DSC_0416.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvJhC3MGczLNogVNnb4g-WS71qHjjRzJhTE8rrcquEBNAHV-OKezpGjQgBNVR0JICTRMsvviA6FyiTyke-4-y3JYM4afPkjZ_NYEBxGmwsTMPS7kvCYPg7zE8xVwZzEqipknr0sSVeSYJtvbO-J3dQ5RVs-pYMGdQnIBT-65RpHEwcROXJY75c8bjsIQ/w640-h426/DSC_0416.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like all of the blue that has been used in these cards. It's surprisingly more colourful than I thought it would be, but then I also plumped for a dark blue myself so I shouldn't be that surprised really. Lightning has been portrayed in both silver and gold which is interesting. I suppose the flashing of light could be taken in either way, it's both of them at the same time. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZaLtbuVfDROfYDsVBu2Wk2K9fo0gODte_MIGlgOCnsFXym7sJVIH9Kkmrdq8QyvhYe45Jqv-7p3RFV9zszkPjNlJ3ruhDXx9rP8WRi6aTAyYj48YVHzFmR1hZmimbdoRXzmxjSg0CXSOx2NPDL0J8WV0HgMQzkqdQC97Yit3zJwVyMHD3NJ9OGYb6Mg/s6000/DSC_0432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZaLtbuVfDROfYDsVBu2Wk2K9fo0gODte_MIGlgOCnsFXym7sJVIH9Kkmrdq8QyvhYe45Jqv-7p3RFV9zszkPjNlJ3ruhDXx9rP8WRi6aTAyYj48YVHzFmR1hZmimbdoRXzmxjSg0CXSOx2NPDL0J8WV0HgMQzkqdQC97Yit3zJwVyMHD3NJ9OGYb6Mg/w640-h426/DSC_0432.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The simplicity of the card above is very striking. The blue block stitching onto blue aida fabric is very subtle, but then when outlined in gold it becomes slightly more padded looking and fades into the background so that the attention is brought to that golden streak of light. It's very effective. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKzg6YrMd6R8zzYytM2aObFUbEwF5aClXbYhD4gNkkth5QsLgWIhTG6SsdP2ILuQ9SmdDljQme5qCDU9r8QoOJaitBNXjdXYzEjcr9g72FhwBgNDOGFhI7VOiKB1ZGLPXNhkVh2lPUTtzajdt1R90-0oyqDxRCEgvP8FZ6qZlh9M8WhPeTmsyjTTuP4o/s6000/DSC_0426.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKzg6YrMd6R8zzYytM2aObFUbEwF5aClXbYhD4gNkkth5QsLgWIhTG6SsdP2ILuQ9SmdDljQme5qCDU9r8QoOJaitBNXjdXYzEjcr9g72FhwBgNDOGFhI7VOiKB1ZGLPXNhkVh2lPUTtzajdt1R90-0oyqDxRCEgvP8FZ6qZlh9M8WhPeTmsyjTTuP4o/w640-h426/DSC_0426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Suzi's more textured lighthouse piece is really lovely, again lots of blue with the beautifully contrasting red and white of the lighthouse itself, beaming its light across the murky polka dot waters, topped with lacey waves. The lightning looks to be done in stem stitch for the thinner stranders and a satin type stitch for the bold streak. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTAwY0eVZqupW3oitCdUP7mty6KQf6tdhdzuAMxDnqEYKCTezPO5CbP6ohxmuZVrseARKwy5M8BojDoO-EwjEFuLXS_Zv955obiH_9ajw8dvCu07Kj2YplxTuR5I3jtQ2vYCOOQwsFUoHbi1GykAX7HZRl6t8RnXkn7vbgJGrEK1FgeKEhEcwxLpp0us/s6000/DSC_0421.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTAwY0eVZqupW3oitCdUP7mty6KQf6tdhdzuAMxDnqEYKCTezPO5CbP6ohxmuZVrseARKwy5M8BojDoO-EwjEFuLXS_Zv955obiH_9ajw8dvCu07Kj2YplxTuR5I3jtQ2vYCOOQwsFUoHbi1GykAX7HZRl6t8RnXkn7vbgJGrEK1FgeKEhEcwxLpp0us/w640-h426/DSC_0421.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I am thinking that the silvery stars on this piece have been added on by heat transfer. The background fabric looks to be hand painted or coloured, then with the stars perhaps ironed on to fix them and little metallic cross stars stitched in as well. The lightning streak also looks painted and edged with back stitch in a pale thread with metallic thread whipped through it. (I'm speculating on all of these really, if you have a different idea of how they were made do comment below!)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQkt7IIgQLzXKxQiilnhi-7SRpnXS2ylkQ-8oQ2_rEBKmhAfMJmSqrtez-lz8UQI5nO0OuJMwJiEyYBSJgKQcJ22pr80UvgjZaWeM7WHnxUbDMGeWvqhj32pYPc0bsWFHyM3WD2yAUcw7SGBO6W43kY0G9WCzgvbUeDU20DseFmiQzTNnpBaP3fpFvXA/s6000/DSC_0417.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQkt7IIgQLzXKxQiilnhi-7SRpnXS2ylkQ-8oQ2_rEBKmhAfMJmSqrtez-lz8UQI5nO0OuJMwJiEyYBSJgKQcJ22pr80UvgjZaWeM7WHnxUbDMGeWvqhj32pYPc0bsWFHyM3WD2yAUcw7SGBO6W43kY0G9WCzgvbUeDU20DseFmiQzTNnpBaP3fpFvXA/w640-h426/DSC_0417.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Abi has had a similar idea but I think has used a star printed jersey fabric, beautifully embroidering over some of the stars - look how neat they are! Such tiny stitches! The lightning is layered fabrics, each just couched down at the edges, with metallic threads couched onto the lowest grey fabric for some wonderful sparkle, and further detail added with a single strand back stitch through the middle of the streak. It's almost like a lightning bolt out of a comic strip with that bold yellow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTIzqw56Hd7Tv82nBknfgQ9ycESoGHWCMZiDeSkzd0wRu_XrENh0xWy2d02dIQ8yj8snv5ul1pOcgDarqE8gu6K1UJPMpNzWSZdCYPAEA4TMEafXaGNwImkU6PP_p2bnS1mU1jet48Ze6vAq-rTpU-CecJQjWe7p93EhruWWiX74ibq4rHrW57gN3VuE/s6000/DSC_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTIzqw56Hd7Tv82nBknfgQ9ycESoGHWCMZiDeSkzd0wRu_XrENh0xWy2d02dIQ8yj8snv5ul1pOcgDarqE8gu6K1UJPMpNzWSZdCYPAEA4TMEafXaGNwImkU6PP_p2bnS1mU1jet48Ze6vAq-rTpU-CecJQjWe7p93EhruWWiX74ibq4rHrW57gN3VuE/w640-h426/DSC_0428.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am really intrigued by the above card. I can't figure out whether the striped stitching has been done by hand or if it is part of the fabric design itself. If by hand it's so neat and straight!! The little beads catch the light really nicely and the whole piece looks like it's absolutely pouring down with rain. Sometimes the rain itself can sound like thunder. At my Guide hut we have an old metal roof which isn't insulated (terrible on the heating bill) and if it rains really hard you actually can't hear anyone speak - it sort of looks like that would be the kind of rain occurring here, crashing into puddles and flicking up sprays of water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXJwqpmt1c_wp5XoQEI46H4G-4kAWFtwBQyUvGjXOX92gIUPHYVPpMmdI6G5Ik_TQtti8Gv36jG6oUNuFowUUnOFkuYMLv5aTYps9AfKvuy3ShyphenhyphenGdOdc2IS_k1del7WrOt7S4k6qigxy2E8ebqm4zPFJz1aRFlfPTosfUvOz2c69wxv9CEVwfKrt261o/s6000/DSC_0414.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXJwqpmt1c_wp5XoQEI46H4G-4kAWFtwBQyUvGjXOX92gIUPHYVPpMmdI6G5Ik_TQtti8Gv36jG6oUNuFowUUnOFkuYMLv5aTYps9AfKvuy3ShyphenhyphenGdOdc2IS_k1del7WrOt7S4k6qigxy2E8ebqm4zPFJz1aRFlfPTosfUvOz2c69wxv9CEVwfKrt261o/w640-h426/DSC_0414.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazingly there is only one swap left for this year, and I think I'll have to make the deadline fairly flexible due to the post and bank holidays and everyone being busy around Christmas. Hopefully there will be a few moments where anyone who hasn't finished their card can sit in a cheesy haze by the fire and finish off their stitching to post in before New Year. I can't wait to see photos of everyone's collections and check through my own to see what they look like together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you would like to join in with next years' swap everyone is more than welcome. Pop me an email at sales@dottytextiles.com and I can forward you a PDF of more information. The themes are below for you to get the little grey cells whirring and inspiration building. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaylPRUuaLEDJhMMUGq92pYuQGibpv55O9k6E1ae_Q3fJGVS3hWTclA7cAY1l3F_DeU1nr8HFJNBvdtTZZU9vFWgGsSICahjezxXfpMBBX3bnNixwPRQJc2Eh3nhA4gSPqiQUTsE6Qo4vDlKhd4utfDgiI7cF18w1OeJWJLFDwUXyGEb3o74BydgwhgdU/s1080/Insta%20Promo%202024%20Image%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaylPRUuaLEDJhMMUGq92pYuQGibpv55O9k6E1ae_Q3fJGVS3hWTclA7cAY1l3F_DeU1nr8HFJNBvdtTZZU9vFWgGsSICahjezxXfpMBBX3bnNixwPRQJc2Eh3nhA4gSPqiQUTsE6Qo4vDlKhd4utfDgiI7cF18w1OeJWJLFDwUXyGEb3o74BydgwhgdU/w640-h640/Insta%20Promo%202024%20Image%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-20677044990040199882023-12-17T01:51:00.000-08:002023-12-17T01:51:04.148-08:00Angus & Flora 2023 Week One<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIrif2HAbtz_kCRqnN4-8qMqSvaDbPgM4i_iENk0m3G5yeCjfkEmS6Aa6uqmn7oM51KxnUMNLwd2wyvsfFtfoxyeV4Vf-ueef6_lQSmLEaC1qcZMZUWrvB3-wG9ousstfCL50C01UtzaAKY2-u2fDewSyhkouqYROJKRJFG5UOVfNRtf37d_C5ltjMHw/s1772/IMG_8594.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIrif2HAbtz_kCRqnN4-8qMqSvaDbPgM4i_iENk0m3G5yeCjfkEmS6Aa6uqmn7oM51KxnUMNLwd2wyvsfFtfoxyeV4Vf-ueef6_lQSmLEaC1qcZMZUWrvB3-wG9ousstfCL50C01UtzaAKY2-u2fDewSyhkouqYROJKRJFG5UOVfNRtf37d_C5ltjMHw/w640-h640/IMG_8594.JPEG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 1st::</b> Your favourite festive troublesome twosome are back for another countdown to Christmas! Angus and Flora arrived in the night in a flower pot! They brought with them advent calendars for each of us, a bag full of festive cheer and, a balloon pump?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had the striking realisation on the 1st December that I've had Angus and Flora since 2016 and that this is the sixth year of my creating silly little scenarios for them to help us count down to Christmas. They've been on sleepovers and camps, visited Rainbows and Guides, come on days out, been to Disneyland Paris and made a lot of mess! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully you are still along to watch their crazy journey (and don't think that I'm too mad!). Here is the first week of their 2023 count down!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWEmunmhF9f0koHXvLc_nJh143tkN7qu4No3HzrVYYYVDWsAuOPu5kCFGI_O8qiswSexuS-ldaR3XDrUnerOC8kk65l_dV_PG5qk35Kgo67rJQcfQS4YxYidTFnezk9mdHMI5BV3Css5wgjs9BOqI2CxBu7ltZ2EwE8dSaTtbd9jFvExUkT-c8583vLU/s1772/IMG_8621.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWEmunmhF9f0koHXvLc_nJh143tkN7qu4No3HzrVYYYVDWsAuOPu5kCFGI_O8qiswSexuS-ldaR3XDrUnerOC8kk65l_dV_PG5qk35Kgo67rJQcfQS4YxYidTFnezk9mdHMI5BV3Css5wgjs9BOqI2CxBu7ltZ2EwE8dSaTtbd9jFvExUkT-c8583vLU/w640-h640/IMG_8621.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 2nd:: </b>Sir Angus has bravely saved Lady Flora from the dastardly clutches of Baby F the Picklepants and is sweeping her to safety with the aid of his trusty steed, Fluffy. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Who knows what perils may yet lay before them in this epic adventure of good against evil?</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7dKK6JtFHvaMozWBXOjFIz6Tkr3RpKo_uERuKZMeASoyQmrtbw8FhpkAQNdpfcKXJKlsziEgMs0U9x8WkrGOsu2oZ4RXS3LF4HvfNO73-c4_K_SV5JR7u2Q_Lu_yikTT-ZhYVuF_i1EKMXdpInfR8MAuhrj1mh2FoSGRuhKWE4mZq5-FAjfEpIdRVbs/s1772/IMG_8671.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7dKK6JtFHvaMozWBXOjFIz6Tkr3RpKo_uERuKZMeASoyQmrtbw8FhpkAQNdpfcKXJKlsziEgMs0U9x8WkrGOsu2oZ4RXS3LF4HvfNO73-c4_K_SV5JR7u2Q_Lu_yikTT-ZhYVuF_i1EKMXdpInfR8MAuhrj1mh2FoSGRuhKWE4mZq5-FAjfEpIdRVbs/w640-h640/IMG_8671.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><b>December 3rd::</b> The Elves have surprised us with a little real Christmas tree!! I suppose decorating it will be today's plan - they've even bought a new tractor bauble for a certain tractor obsessed small boy!</i><div><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkNpcecXBKgIqNWTjsP7bSclF3HXAO6P18YyAttvFBQ2L8aZz3UK0umAzyUD0A9UW9WY_mmb_MniDqtY1sPtB0RFryMUYLkoKzoEk3lyCzIkX-YtiwoA1TmnqGlJJ9P4aFCKalvtZU5Loy4JgFXImWxet3wd21hJ43sVB7kA0f0SFvOjLcrypv48LYKU/s1772/IMG_8707.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkNpcecXBKgIqNWTjsP7bSclF3HXAO6P18YyAttvFBQ2L8aZz3UK0umAzyUD0A9UW9WY_mmb_MniDqtY1sPtB0RFryMUYLkoKzoEk3lyCzIkX-YtiwoA1TmnqGlJJ9P4aFCKalvtZU5Loy4JgFXImWxet3wd21hJ43sVB7kA0f0SFvOjLcrypv48LYKU/w640-h640/IMG_8707.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 4th::</b> Angus and Flora are making pompom snowflakes and a bit of a pompom mess quite frankly. There could be quite a lot to tidy up later!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYmkykvKJV50BpZ7mRaaVI2D8igoHxlPpMZe7-SJpqxzpn2GFq5lx2tYkxcYMPtojsTv5EiuCsZN55rozXJ560yREvPAVbm0ElMc0CcSd8_hJP225FK52rnL0R1hWlyNdWDRIPF4nzJ9XvRnerqFQwsr_hyphenhyphen5fDiesb6BWobSrNZBuBs3t9c2MzaNKSCI/s1772/IMG_8741.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYmkykvKJV50BpZ7mRaaVI2D8igoHxlPpMZe7-SJpqxzpn2GFq5lx2tYkxcYMPtojsTv5EiuCsZN55rozXJ560yREvPAVbm0ElMc0CcSd8_hJP225FK52rnL0R1hWlyNdWDRIPF4nzJ9XvRnerqFQwsr_hyphenhyphen5fDiesb6BWobSrNZBuBs3t9c2MzaNKSCI/w640-h640/IMG_8741.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><p><i><b>December 5th:: </b>It's the annual sack race! (Or sock race for some.) Blue Ted Ted is definitely taking the lead with Big Ted Ted lumbering behind at the rear. Can Angus or Flora catch up and steal the ribbon?! Who are you voting for?</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Pm1I2Y4hmP4e4naDGsokFcKnw33dmIG1yOfJPvRUuWKOqZhuedOGKcR9KnCXkv55LfAGx3qwqKoHm-oyJNYprBazhi7XL7XhcX6keOiBYaiJS4ukNJIW78HlmLRDxGsVdHqxSVGXzHgdHYuoT8zPyAmLsUIsAqQfd5pqkgbRAsfv8a26hD-OcyUp_O0/s1772/IMG_8743.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Pm1I2Y4hmP4e4naDGsokFcKnw33dmIG1yOfJPvRUuWKOqZhuedOGKcR9KnCXkv55LfAGx3qwqKoHm-oyJNYprBazhi7XL7XhcX6keOiBYaiJS4ukNJIW78HlmLRDxGsVdHqxSVGXzHgdHYuoT8zPyAmLsUIsAqQfd5pqkgbRAsfv8a26hD-OcyUp_O0/w640-h640/IMG_8743.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 6th::</b> It looks like Angus and Flora have been having a great time playing with Baby F's construction track! </i>(Baby F was not at all sure about Flora playing with his truck and quite swiftly stole it off her.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEY0gk8p1XorPWNceWE3-eiOe9uZqiBwlCY_cLyzHFQc4Vm9DvCJ-tqskWJ6cEJD6ieJcgw-zL2WG4DOUiepgVoff0_8dFfFGPmnt6LQCBRqbCpQwEbCGrXX7YmcpAgPwPDXtRPWH2VUa0ZGDFMnYH59WsihSPF-3JEv_BRjIJh35zRxaJB1J_lfn4MA/s1772/IMG_8786.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEY0gk8p1XorPWNceWE3-eiOe9uZqiBwlCY_cLyzHFQc4Vm9DvCJ-tqskWJ6cEJD6ieJcgw-zL2WG4DOUiepgVoff0_8dFfFGPmnt6LQCBRqbCpQwEbCGrXX7YmcpAgPwPDXtRPWH2VUa0ZGDFMnYH59WsihSPF-3JEv_BRjIJh35zRxaJB1J_lfn4MA/w640-h640/IMG_8786.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>December 7th::</b> Looks like hanging up paper chains has taken a turn for the worse!!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay tuned for more Angus & Flora exploits!! Or follow along on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/power.beth" target="_blank">my Instagram</a> stories where they have their own highlight button. </div><p></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-51566668767109487432023-12-13T04:10:00.000-08:002023-12-13T04:10:31.546-08:00New Naked Stitchscape Kits<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZHQYLj0Xc8uosyOkq2D1-pWjEg_CShO0J8dSfSs2XIKh5F8L6ACsoZbwl7hZQviR2Rwf_XU__iN2MdWh8gciEanP8UfXu4W6N_wS0nuwpzbiahDXiP9LRZ-8u_Qqb9GtSX6eUh_fTCQuztlheCrcwAAZ2Lh6pBLs7xfCN52ehp0efALALKhrTzg-xuo/s6000/DSC_0284.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZHQYLj0Xc8uosyOkq2D1-pWjEg_CShO0J8dSfSs2XIKh5F8L6ACsoZbwl7hZQviR2Rwf_XU__iN2MdWh8gciEanP8UfXu4W6N_wS0nuwpzbiahDXiP9LRZ-8u_Qqb9GtSX6eUh_fTCQuztlheCrcwAAZ2Lh6pBLs7xfCN52ehp0efALALKhrTzg-xuo/w640-h426/DSC_0284.JPG" width="640" /></a></p>I've been selling out of a lot of kit ranges in the run up to Christmas which is absolutely fantastic! I took the opportunity to make up some new Naked Stitchscape kits with some fresh new fabric combinations and I really love these! Quite a few of them have a slightly Autumnal feel to them, presumably inspired by the season, but each has a slightly different story about it. <div><br /></div><div>If you haven't come across these kits before they were inspired several years ago by a slightly snotty lady who came up to my stall at a craft fair just as I was venturing into kit making. I had about three kits at the time; Summer Sweet, #inthehoop Spring and a Christmas mini hoop. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Do these <u>all</u> have instructions in? I'm far too advanced to be following any instructions, these are way beneath my skill level."</div><div><br /></div><div>I was slightly affronted and felt that she was unnecessarily rude, and I've obviously taken it really personally but it has all turned out for the best because she inspired the Naked kit - a kit <u>without</u> instructions!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMA33jx4-rR7qmFVX211XYvuVaThUYbrY-x7jkOLYmq4YMYTeK09g5xTpcO9Zeefe2MV_sa-b_0RdaxqohTadk8_u7ns4Bp23ubFcyZjhApF9-6Fn_WSq_-0BJyNw9fLgt30Clk4Nahbpd_P_vEcLVY3FuGwSrXa4wA2BFDYfFQy4jkwmoqfMjKhkoPQ/s6000/DSC_0279.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMA33jx4-rR7qmFVX211XYvuVaThUYbrY-x7jkOLYmq4YMYTeK09g5xTpcO9Zeefe2MV_sa-b_0RdaxqohTadk8_u7ns4Bp23ubFcyZjhApF9-6Fn_WSq_-0BJyNw9fLgt30Clk4Nahbpd_P_vEcLVY3FuGwSrXa4wA2BFDYfFQy4jkwmoqfMjKhkoPQ/w640-h426/DSC_0279.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div>Instead, what you get in this kit is a booklet of <i>suggestions</i>, my go-to stitches and how to make them, ways of looking at certain types of print and suggestions of what stitches you could do over the top, and some of my developed techniques, should you wish to give them a go. There are no rules, no templates, no layering instructions. It is completely up to you what you make or how you use the items in the kit. </div><div><br /></div><div>A 12cm hoop is included along with a square of calico backing fabric, five strips of really lovely cotton prints, five different colours of Anchor or DMC embroidery floss (about 2 metres of each colour), a bag of mixed beads or sequins and a length of some kind of trimming (lace/fancy yarn/cord etc). </div><div>All of them have been colour co-ordinated together so it's up to you if you work the layers in the same order that I've put them in or change them up completely. </div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5w0BnT5pP5JSrWiSrgeeXmF1vqo2yfDpqrWrhmB4SrYOtYE9HiMRMaYIOqcLyb6GX8mgU-bZ2-mHHaxDEC4PyUFCsMpyPo1Q6UV35_ee1wVOAAWVGDuUC3z_f0r7FTAKClTvtXA5OOMIMWmsAprLE2pinkgGf0cuUgyLDCoyT0ycG8SALBqjwyxTHf9w/s5368/Fall%20Colours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3792" data-original-width="5368" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5w0BnT5pP5JSrWiSrgeeXmF1vqo2yfDpqrWrhmB4SrYOtYE9HiMRMaYIOqcLyb6GX8mgU-bZ2-mHHaxDEC4PyUFCsMpyPo1Q6UV35_ee1wVOAAWVGDuUC3z_f0r7FTAKClTvtXA5OOMIMWmsAprLE2pinkgGf0cuUgyLDCoyT0ycG8SALBqjwyxTHf9w/w640-h452/Fall%20Colours.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>It's a great way to easily get a range of colours that have been put together for you and you can concentrate on the stitching part. Obviously because the booklet only has suggestions in, you can use whatever stitches you like - if you are an afficionado at gold work techniques, why not bring some of that in too? Or if you've previously only done cross stitch, perhaps pick up a pack that has a gingham/squared or even polka dot print in it and work cross stitch over those patterns to build your confidence.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknF5FswU5AFtDpYaBVF3uWzMJEkz0ei3OSsX_jl6SUJwKDGQMLoZ13LQ0xMwQkqKwYxQxC2MFiiKC1K2OxG3Xqno0ZxSUGIuROqMn6ovH_CZ3-Ytjo9EaUi6c3rHIHRvaG08sNPWp3DrvjRLRTauAKSH3mPRLLkmD2OEY8-_9hqzZRgYkLDcVogNXC1Y/s5056/Lemon%20Grove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="5056" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknF5FswU5AFtDpYaBVF3uWzMJEkz0ei3OSsX_jl6SUJwKDGQMLoZ13LQ0xMwQkqKwYxQxC2MFiiKC1K2OxG3Xqno0ZxSUGIuROqMn6ovH_CZ3-Ytjo9EaUi6c3rHIHRvaG08sNPWp3DrvjRLRTauAKSH3mPRLLkmD2OEY8-_9hqzZRgYkLDcVogNXC1Y/w640-h434/Lemon%20Grove.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBbo5G-SokN64I-m1BQF6ZGyqW6kFZELPOCJdOTZbKtlNneCubsR1-OmydTc5bBIl_lJnZ5E2XOxMpRqFoLrRhuaNxmNZk_KIQUXlmNrIXRZ-TpeaTyc1kprD-1yeDOnmVgbJ49u_vxdJQBznXSS5jEXS9fiZjjuD70Esbl7VN1K826MR95PreuO6_GI/s5296/Morocco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="5296" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBbo5G-SokN64I-m1BQF6ZGyqW6kFZELPOCJdOTZbKtlNneCubsR1-OmydTc5bBIl_lJnZ5E2XOxMpRqFoLrRhuaNxmNZk_KIQUXlmNrIXRZ-TpeaTyc1kprD-1yeDOnmVgbJ49u_vxdJQBznXSS5jEXS9fiZjjuD70Esbl7VN1K826MR95PreuO6_GI/w640-h434/Morocco.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiPo_JyIb3RvKr7tQ4GY1ReIIH94bOvRn-aEu4z_i4uB0ka9X0XZJoqHS18xiN_U5bfmLyUZef8DgqZoGsFjFDEpviMt8-9Z7qTO_DLVvaziLsoxiFk-7eVxUSmnE0Y5KwDy6_Ov8j88t7o48k9wG8X50RMid4njomNjjFzIbkodGe9xMXiV3VLKINPc/s5240/Night%20Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="5240" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiPo_JyIb3RvKr7tQ4GY1ReIIH94bOvRn-aEu4z_i4uB0ka9X0XZJoqHS18xiN_U5bfmLyUZef8DgqZoGsFjFDEpviMt8-9Z7qTO_DLVvaziLsoxiFk-7eVxUSmnE0Y5KwDy6_Ov8j88t7o48k9wG8X50RMid4njomNjjFzIbkodGe9xMXiV3VLKINPc/w640-h432/Night%20Flower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2UIPZt0J5woT9N47QNkoPgC672WQCtkTATVR8UiP3s0mChciYe1bcM4fgjAkK6fBJ2sT2WnH4Io0L1WkK5c1peHihkSSHNLUWcm03-Mhyphenhyphenty_yEDNNFI3WhwPmTsdL4ts2-SCQZbYzIg9qYDLh7FiyYATydswbEarDeBXwdkOgFFSMYc6_SMY3tLJpX8/s5016/Summer%20Breeze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3384" data-original-width="5016" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2UIPZt0J5woT9N47QNkoPgC672WQCtkTATVR8UiP3s0mChciYe1bcM4fgjAkK6fBJ2sT2WnH4Io0L1WkK5c1peHihkSSHNLUWcm03-Mhyphenhyphenty_yEDNNFI3WhwPmTsdL4ts2-SCQZbYzIg9qYDLh7FiyYATydswbEarDeBXwdkOgFFSMYc6_SMY3tLJpX8/w640-h432/Summer%20Breeze.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've delayed putting these <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DottyTextiles" target="_blank">in my Etsy shop</a> so far as they have been coming around all of the craft markets and events I've been doing but I am just about the press the button on adding them to my Etsy shop now so grab one whilst you can! (Other Naked kits are also <a href="https://www.dottytextiles.com/shop" target="_blank">available in my website shop</a>.)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoYy9Tt1on6MGUE1cW3TQwGDya3OfrvORUD3ncIDRzoLwzAkHk0_ViVAfXDcmR_jtJOeF8Kw3zRN46HKCD9tSxk86rZNFSKqGlOmOcFyZx4BcQ3PJIdHK5GDKL4fpew4HHLXvtXOsa9r40b_ORtSTfjYXDXadjzYyBao9AOLYewmOKh9PQfpLAdRvUcg/s5344/Sussex%20Coast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3856" data-original-width="5344" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoYy9Tt1on6MGUE1cW3TQwGDya3OfrvORUD3ncIDRzoLwzAkHk0_ViVAfXDcmR_jtJOeF8Kw3zRN46HKCD9tSxk86rZNFSKqGlOmOcFyZx4BcQ3PJIdHK5GDKL4fpew4HHLXvtXOsa9r40b_ORtSTfjYXDXadjzYyBao9AOLYewmOKh9PQfpLAdRvUcg/w640-h462/Sussex%20Coast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-41319239184908498612023-12-13T03:30:00.000-08:002023-12-13T03:30:04.590-08:00Thunder & Lightning<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2DJ1wfmN7JCPkH8a815EAw6lTBoVHZEdNiRmdz-Pa6Bqsp7ie_tuNcOicEjhjCMQ7mv4CjJTj7btjRs36hBDzqSfgXhrCF71xL4OUcF8BDIMcaxxAXNS5Ql16cg8QzSfSHGAJJAsRLvGogRK_HeFdNlyLUxhj3ayvyi6RgZeGkK2lkIgZpkTmcpKyv4/s6000/DSC_0383.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2DJ1wfmN7JCPkH8a815EAw6lTBoVHZEdNiRmdz-Pa6Bqsp7ie_tuNcOicEjhjCMQ7mv4CjJTj7btjRs36hBDzqSfgXhrCF71xL4OUcF8BDIMcaxxAXNS5Ql16cg8QzSfSHGAJJAsRLvGogRK_HeFdNlyLUxhj3ayvyi6RgZeGkK2lkIgZpkTmcpKyv4/w640-h426/DSC_0383.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>I'm nicely coasting along about three weeks behind on my blog posts, and most other things at the minute!! I don't know why it always comes as such a surprise that the end of November/beginning of December is absolutely bonkers, with the calendar stuffed full of multiple events a day, household jobs and festive jobs and work jobs coming out of your ears... it happens every year. But I think I'm beginning to see the light at the top of the Christmas tree now and I have a little more time to sit down and go through the projects I've been sneaking in. </p><p>These, of course, are the Thunder and Lightning artist trading cards for the November Stitchscape Swap. It's another theme where I found a lot of the fabric ages ago at the beginning of the year at the Ardingly Quilt Show and have been hanging on to it for this very purpose. </p><p>And I'll apologise in advance for the dodgy lighting - the photos were done very late at night and I could only find one of my daylight lamps so used a show lamp with a different lighting colour... it seemed fine on the camera but is very strange on the screen with the two sides!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MGK-Sa09cUNHdbFLNX_7XMam4wnIS5czgFVBZbe11KOYC7NKfZ6jfKUcOOJe6-Vk3TtlWyPOeijWHVy2R8NN4H_xqmPcTZQm5HH3ons8e9hxrqQVQL3P14Vn0-TydhA-D1Dra9wzA47uQ5mTOnItym654oWcz_N8gTQejB4qI0GqoHcqhIs1i34WcD0/s6000/DSC_0386.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MGK-Sa09cUNHdbFLNX_7XMam4wnIS5czgFVBZbe11KOYC7NKfZ6jfKUcOOJe6-Vk3TtlWyPOeijWHVy2R8NN4H_xqmPcTZQm5HH3ons8e9hxrqQVQL3P14Vn0-TydhA-D1Dra9wzA47uQ5mTOnItym654oWcz_N8gTQejB4qI0GqoHcqhIs1i34WcD0/w640-h426/DSC_0386.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These are very busy cards. There's lots of pattern and juxtaposition (big word!) between light and dark here and I kind of wanted it that way. Lightning is easy to portray, you just do some streaks of bright slashes across the landscape and done, but thunder is more mysterious and less obvious so I have gone with busy and slightly overwhelming prints to make it very noisy, like the thunder. I hope it kind of comes across and doesn't just look a mess. Either way, they certainly aren't calm and peaceful cards!<div><br /></div><div>I don't know whether I should have made the lightning a bit bigger and bolder though? Perhaps the spikes disappear too much into my busy backgrounds. They have been made by couching on a full strand of embroidery thread, which I split into smaller strands going down. That was a bit of a faff to be honest, and I've ended up stitching single strand offshoots in gaps to fill areas out, but I think it worked relatively well. For additional sparkle, right at the last minute I added on a single strand of metallic silver thread backstitched just to one side of each of the thicker sections of lightning so that there was a sparkling element. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCA9fAqM1MCXjm3jnzEO6PO9U1RHC4graGfyK3ZvN-gO5AKOBXPLYdgpzCXxQb85OQhjfN8rzYAWYhUnH5XenFaVX5Z4NVgnD05IuqZnFMmxp3IXrdtHOiujUL8ItiUhGepWQUZ0WEA-9vhiSQOatyQ0Ic6zLekELhTn9th_CF1k5kX9x5hscOlRD_0o/s6000/DSC_0387.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCA9fAqM1MCXjm3jnzEO6PO9U1RHC4graGfyK3ZvN-gO5AKOBXPLYdgpzCXxQb85OQhjfN8rzYAWYhUnH5XenFaVX5Z4NVgnD05IuqZnFMmxp3IXrdtHOiujUL8ItiUhGepWQUZ0WEA-9vhiSQOatyQ0Ic6zLekELhTn9th_CF1k5kX9x5hscOlRD_0o/w640-h426/DSC_0387.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg___4LgpXE8nXzTZ5z07N2IyH-JsteyoERPk0fUjb5cDhQELXUxzw8C8-6rlDXLF8b_JdQiJcQ8PNzylTEiwBy7bQ85ge4i3IDn0IOgTGcxvT1uSkISBO7hyqJmpLniHHlPdWZTKag9PnCwGRPQRapK6KmT9b_VudeDXABEz0avXW829pW58Plt98B908/s6000/DSC_0389.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg___4LgpXE8nXzTZ5z07N2IyH-JsteyoERPk0fUjb5cDhQELXUxzw8C8-6rlDXLF8b_JdQiJcQ8PNzylTEiwBy7bQ85ge4i3IDn0IOgTGcxvT1uSkISBO7hyqJmpLniHHlPdWZTKag9PnCwGRPQRapK6KmT9b_VudeDXABEz0avXW829pW58Plt98B908/w640-h426/DSC_0389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've added in splashes of dark blue into this as well to give it some colour. The top fabric layer with its splash print pattern is actually a dark blue with grey and I've not stitched this layer other than to edge it. For this I mixed up a blue and grey in the needle at once to create mottled french knots which I think have worked really nicely there. </div><div>Underneath all of the layers I've used a pale grey fabric which represents when the whole sky lights up at the point of a flash, even if you can't see the forked lines from where you are. It illuminates the sky and turns trees and mountains into silhouettes, which is why this fabric layer was the first one to go down in the hoop, like a streak on the horizon. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1oHQevDxYZfqTWKnbKSnl83SqjvUGY_gGgV76tj1hYMmbhTJQxEFb3bZ61rLiAQBk9XxMw-WHlftM1-uzZxDdAezJCAlpdtj-mShZxJgEdnIYePhu4QnjfdSc0ILvCN9M5H-neJkRZ9xw2I32yxyCDanME3OPQfFC-JumTCbsoX2xiHgbhE0brLAqug/s6000/DSC_0392.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1oHQevDxYZfqTWKnbKSnl83SqjvUGY_gGgV76tj1hYMmbhTJQxEFb3bZ61rLiAQBk9XxMw-WHlftM1-uzZxDdAezJCAlpdtj-mShZxJgEdnIYePhu4QnjfdSc0ILvCN9M5H-neJkRZ9xw2I32yxyCDanME3OPQfFC-JumTCbsoX2xiHgbhE0brLAqug/w640-h426/DSC_0392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The mountain is a lovely black and silvery batik print and I've gone around all of the splodges in this with back stitch to give it some texture, then edged it with bullion knots for a fairly clean looking edge. </div><div>In my stash I have a wonderful two-colour ric-rac in blue and white, which I've used before as waves but here I've used it to match in with the sky and be a different texture. It could be a bush, a fence, a trackway...however you'd like to interpret it. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiGSjSaziXP-mJm50fAX8E11004Q5sYy5J-01tC9Xc4CMnvKruTaM53vnWbHhkyUmJhq7frQEEflweflxBLzs5UG14aYLupTxad63wW7iJRYQiofvhPVTVSm7wFZb_9V9QXoRg-8dxHX5XZi9BPZ7bWnAsPSkK4fc-b-lcW2xfQhSSjxzocozHW6g718/s6000/DSC_0393.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiGSjSaziXP-mJm50fAX8E11004Q5sYy5J-01tC9Xc4CMnvKruTaM53vnWbHhkyUmJhq7frQEEflweflxBLzs5UG14aYLupTxad63wW7iJRYQiofvhPVTVSm7wFZb_9V9QXoRg-8dxHX5XZi9BPZ7bWnAsPSkK4fc-b-lcW2xfQhSSjxzocozHW6g718/w640-h426/DSC_0393.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpXdp58YnCXFq-6qxdsc5QTUmVsNSpdQNZGMfMRgsuoFS8vxTVdRhbhgvC1RxkjI78edszYwzZ8SRZ6iKr1tDvKakHWLRaS-SUcVArpfqCWKpa6VgaGzXIwrQ0jEwJ1kz4kWrajhycVZjahw0o9AVUt99B4dOgWccHimaFiUYTaIsm3wrSZ8p90xCHn4/s6000/DSC_0398.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpXdp58YnCXFq-6qxdsc5QTUmVsNSpdQNZGMfMRgsuoFS8vxTVdRhbhgvC1RxkjI78edszYwzZ8SRZ6iKr1tDvKakHWLRaS-SUcVArpfqCWKpa6VgaGzXIwrQ0jEwJ1kz4kWrajhycVZjahw0o9AVUt99B4dOgWccHimaFiUYTaIsm3wrSZ8p90xCHn4/w640-h426/DSC_0398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The flowers are woven wheel stitch in black (which naturally has picked up all the small fibres so looks quite hairy in the photos!) so they are quite puffy and fun to feel under your fingers. I've added clear little beads into the centres to just pick up some sparkle as a reflection of the lightning, almost like little eyes that the flowers are watching the light show with. I've also popped in some detached chain stitches as leaves just to give them something to sit in rather than floating aimlessly around that bottom layer. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeAhMY9NiaFtkGUPqciA1arB9DIxnOLwkBXdqfFbefEWQZyUD3ttGltzZNg_F8APTxUok2b-nSDDX-iNup4iXrRxz2mBAZu1-4BI6jtM0ImTtTG7El88SoUTnF1plzVk_JuF6C6-Aieo5Ikth6bKz8iqZKqxVKFscNl38J63uC1qcLON7ANPXxvA1JWQ/s6000/DSC_0396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeAhMY9NiaFtkGUPqciA1arB9DIxnOLwkBXdqfFbefEWQZyUD3ttGltzZNg_F8APTxUok2b-nSDDX-iNup4iXrRxz2mBAZu1-4BI6jtM0ImTtTG7El88SoUTnF1plzVk_JuF6C6-Aieo5Ikth6bKz8iqZKqxVKFscNl38J63uC1qcLON7ANPXxvA1JWQ/w640-h426/DSC_0396.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBNxcOsg1Rl5zvAjKRyEfd3_f-el1Jr6YE-9EtebfnaIMV5wHpOmF8mRYULhVwCn4OB9KZQlM-yvexboaYAi6aLen-oGD018h_YjxLv09LndoXj-VKgjO8KJX8NDZ5Lb_PB-cOCZ_-ZroxQgPplogDi9vYr835JcQP4czbu1zZp2zJI-ca-n0hlOaqpk/s6000/DSC_0400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBNxcOsg1Rl5zvAjKRyEfd3_f-el1Jr6YE-9EtebfnaIMV5wHpOmF8mRYULhVwCn4OB9KZQlM-yvexboaYAi6aLen-oGD018h_YjxLv09LndoXj-VKgjO8KJX8NDZ5Lb_PB-cOCZ_-ZroxQgPplogDi9vYr835JcQP4czbu1zZp2zJI-ca-n0hlOaqpk/w640-h426/DSC_0400.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiilZzfdPZYBf5N1LFJdmANVck1S7RNNgM1jSGTprTNLdiID0BkItNu4cCwFovNtqehqjt7V5N9Uggd_4oQq3dDzb-DTbGDkMl9RxB0OLjOjFrRzUGsehZSYnAACFw9lswHrMiQN8y2FJYcpTPbPdlp0S1pGSDDmW4dY-gKF_yDQLb3q0kGfFx_KnLzVA/s6000/DSC_0402.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiilZzfdPZYBf5N1LFJdmANVck1S7RNNgM1jSGTprTNLdiID0BkItNu4cCwFovNtqehqjt7V5N9Uggd_4oQq3dDzb-DTbGDkMl9RxB0OLjOjFrRzUGsehZSYnAACFw9lswHrMiQN8y2FJYcpTPbPdlp0S1pGSDDmW4dY-gKF_yDQLb3q0kGfFx_KnLzVA/w640-h426/DSC_0402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think if I had another crack at these, I would use something else for the lightning that's a bit bolder or chunkier. Perhaps a shiny yarn? I don't really want anything woolly though, it needs to be something smooth and sleek and sharp. It could be combined layers of the DMC silky embroidery floss I suppose, with the slight sheen it already has in it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who knows, if you know of the most perfect lightning thread/yarn/material, let me know!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIJ0pCCLeW7k2FQ4rdNDsnxfvE7wdMURT9TQyCOX1UhVExZvuFz83fN7ggi3CzPsPCa2n00bi90WW4SORz0tB0p7yLwdyx8zxzD6tsNruLcHfoGxyhyphenhyphenqWat1_RNbyudYaiRY1TQt-PK_nQ6Q9fk5HV4TsSyNi0rEoSxuuwQAATwEEEXOyEMu8w4y9070/s6000/DSC_0404.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIJ0pCCLeW7k2FQ4rdNDsnxfvE7wdMURT9TQyCOX1UhVExZvuFz83fN7ggi3CzPsPCa2n00bi90WW4SORz0tB0p7yLwdyx8zxzD6tsNruLcHfoGxyhyphenhyphenqWat1_RNbyudYaiRY1TQt-PK_nQ6Q9fk5HV4TsSyNi0rEoSxuuwQAATwEEEXOyEMu8w4y9070/w640-h426/DSC_0404.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoMYGfP4oO4D0mJFEZEOa8XTHLhkb5prH2JBUQPV6MWvOI-d68PSG1NU9JbP-OrqzN0d6Ts9hpbjwKVgun-eHB9fEoZIRFWDw76VgGBXTT0KTkVzs-A8LTvxNoVIxis-1rEdvEJPzQGxKLZIOnU8F78USkyUeCKa-wIWVl0YOAa3Uge6_W84ydH3v_po/s6000/DSC_0407.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoMYGfP4oO4D0mJFEZEOa8XTHLhkb5prH2JBUQPV6MWvOI-d68PSG1NU9JbP-OrqzN0d6Ts9hpbjwKVgun-eHB9fEoZIRFWDw76VgGBXTT0KTkVzs-A8LTvxNoVIxis-1rEdvEJPzQGxKLZIOnU8F78USkyUeCKa-wIWVl0YOAa3Uge6_W84ydH3v_po/w640-h426/DSC_0407.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The stitch run down for these cards is; french knots, couching, straight stitch, back stitch, bullion knots, running stitch, detached chain stitch, woven wheel stitch and beading.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxGudkZqKvTjGh5Iry0O4TV8BfJBi3jEnwVUhqTP-vgT4Xi6a3dUBwRhZ5vuSKU4_Od3XxvVGWSKkorGqA5WycnTGBPlhgKkTYlQzV10wf97OGVq1hgCZSARBIZHGLFNXZlfLS1hiFqK0G19hg-uIyNIs7ljHHsi-drPOtUlNWUek2Odj_OisF9FSbDk/s6000/DSC_0410.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxGudkZqKvTjGh5Iry0O4TV8BfJBi3jEnwVUhqTP-vgT4Xi6a3dUBwRhZ5vuSKU4_Od3XxvVGWSKkorGqA5WycnTGBPlhgKkTYlQzV10wf97OGVq1hgCZSARBIZHGLFNXZlfLS1hiFqK0G19hg-uIyNIs7ljHHsi-drPOtUlNWUek2Odj_OisF9FSbDk/w640-h426/DSC_0410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMIJ3Rv2iESfBbXTF2NGugtapeNTvS6H7rbGNeQHYOE4D8G__q0vrcETxDxMCLymQGMvda9RQvTMlRXPyuU-4drktCoOIgXPnf8rP5t68pUNvrAv9K4OqYF5QhN-rThMrnNA7qEGbIrVvsc3JWQfra4VToLUYkVpqpGsYyhtqEykfGCvW14Bjv-nDdzM/s6000/DSC_0411.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMIJ3Rv2iESfBbXTF2NGugtapeNTvS6H7rbGNeQHYOE4D8G__q0vrcETxDxMCLymQGMvda9RQvTMlRXPyuU-4drktCoOIgXPnf8rP5t68pUNvrAv9K4OqYF5QhN-rThMrnNA7qEGbIrVvsc3JWQfra4VToLUYkVpqpGsYyhtqEykfGCvW14Bjv-nDdzM/w640-h426/DSC_0411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-26949795334516394472023-12-11T12:54:00.000-08:002023-12-11T12:54:45.852-08:00Rockpool Stitchscape<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje76GWqJcmtWkJu1evtvvw5s0C7qIqsa8WgLU3M7VBC4ObWpjPpSUqtNqnfJSYLCII4MEh1ej3owpNfwmflQ16tufNt_QoPilAk5nSNlUJywoWG2_-_ljg-CMCSjoCzqidkv0sXzj95CMsgI8hyphenhyphen-Crnlrd1-68H45_0c-yETbmaGbc3JZNoYaCDiu7GLA/s6000/DSC_0350.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje76GWqJcmtWkJu1evtvvw5s0C7qIqsa8WgLU3M7VBC4ObWpjPpSUqtNqnfJSYLCII4MEh1ej3owpNfwmflQ16tufNt_QoPilAk5nSNlUJywoWG2_-_ljg-CMCSjoCzqidkv0sXzj95CMsgI8hyphenhyphen-Crnlrd1-68H45_0c-yETbmaGbc3JZNoYaCDiu7GLA/w640-h426/DSC_0350.JPG" width="640" /></a></p>I <a href="https://dottytextiles.blogspot.com/2023/10/making-rockpool.html" target="_blank">started this piece</a> a little while ago, all in a tither because I'd found a really interesting type of frame that I'd not come across before and intended this to fit in there. As it happens, it hasn't ended up in that frame, but in a different type of one from the same maker, <a href="https://www.barton-studios.com/" target="_blank">Barton Studios</a>, which I actually thinks works even better for this piece. <div>The frame is completely round, like a porthole, and the embroidery hoop fits into the back of it so everything stays nice and taut in the hoop and just beautifully presented. Because my piece ended up being so three-dimensional, it almost looks best laid flat on a surface so that everything pokes upward like it would in a real rockpool!</div><div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOpD_4fjg4gdqrL5ZLqE3jk-P0fc0qbHTJSIzDEbG22c_I46ZBDjFylNOePNM9-5AAcsrpjSv7zc1Tq4Jj3Sy0Pqo_pLOKtWB9VwIUR6fVMHWwxB9NVFpaXH1wNnXAvKvy7GTNmilnhJDEspWIO5pt8EGVefUJV94cavVn4Md9lMFViLNOmQUVTykwDI/s6000/DSC_0352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOpD_4fjg4gdqrL5ZLqE3jk-P0fc0qbHTJSIzDEbG22c_I46ZBDjFylNOePNM9-5AAcsrpjSv7zc1Tq4Jj3Sy0Pqo_pLOKtWB9VwIUR6fVMHWwxB9NVFpaXH1wNnXAvKvy7GTNmilnhJDEspWIO5pt8EGVefUJV94cavVn4Md9lMFViLNOmQUVTykwDI/w640-h426/DSC_0352.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've had lots of fun with this piece. There's a lot going on, like a jungle of texture almost! An underwater one at least.</div><div>In the above image I've layered bugle and seed beads in different sizes on top of each other to make bead sticks which wibble and wobble when the hoop moves. There's also drizzle stitch, which I need to make a tutorial for as it's often requested in workshops, it's a wonderful twirly stitch, almost like a helter-skelter. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAUePKFY1hX0HOVQ6Ln4D9l2T5MB0bl_g_-_uDgUq_csYFfxihQ41GmwGyFnPlZfs0ARhAqV9t5pNYmjLdEvADT3mH4Cy34xAWow2S8ZBKFE_pyXWqZI682oj6NJFjE-TM7yyJ7Y-YgQd3OXqVBsz9orNdVfteF6RN48hFGuS8fN1gE7adfujsKjJ8q8/s6000/DSC_0355.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAUePKFY1hX0HOVQ6Ln4D9l2T5MB0bl_g_-_uDgUq_csYFfxihQ41GmwGyFnPlZfs0ARhAqV9t5pNYmjLdEvADT3mH4Cy34xAWow2S8ZBKFE_pyXWqZI682oj6NJFjE-TM7yyJ7Y-YgQd3OXqVBsz9orNdVfteF6RN48hFGuS8fN1gE7adfujsKjJ8q8/w640-h426/DSC_0355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>From this angle you can see satin stitch rocks, french knots, hints of the glitter tape I've cut out and stitched down, and moss stitch using two different colours in the needle at once to help build up a multi-shade patch of mossy seaweed. Basically it's a seed stitch but you don't pull the thread all of the way through and leave a little loop on the top. You do need to make sure that this stitch is properly secured though, and almost always run the risk of it catching and pulling the whole lot out. If it's being used somewhere that is likely to be pulled on, it might be worth ironing some fusible interfacing to the back to help secure the stitches there.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeeK1yvm2HD-noK1BV5PagwcCpvkMhrXzDZVm76DGOuumCqShsouIrIr2b16nw_OSWRwlf40i3g4afLyxv__DHdvsMuwkqCyyMGOv4btiBrtCrVK20H-4YJDfowAx2NXYsMoewzHgfGl9rut0bfKwMW8yc5nr02gy3S3v9pmwP7AuhzAFFm4t2GV_JoI/s6000/DSC_0356.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeeK1yvm2HD-noK1BV5PagwcCpvkMhrXzDZVm76DGOuumCqShsouIrIr2b16nw_OSWRwlf40i3g4afLyxv__DHdvsMuwkqCyyMGOv4btiBrtCrVK20H-4YJDfowAx2NXYsMoewzHgfGl9rut0bfKwMW8yc5nr02gy3S3v9pmwP7AuhzAFFm4t2GV_JoI/w640-h426/DSC_0356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Bigger and bolder sea anemone type creatures have been made by twisting together two different colours of furnishing tassel trimming and stitching them upright to create little puffs. I've given these a haircut to tone them down and it was mad trying to stitch everything around them - they went in fairly early because they were a major structural part. (I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, definitely try and put them in later if you can!).</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n6VdNmAZaFj1UiVzSYCK0TlSQMnYMqmYnJ1Zc968J5vnbmJBxKflI2M0vgwUz90kgRiYYOn_UgiqacRbKl3Hc8QsdqmA68HDzHmelJGsAwr1KcK_gIWIj-CK_LSPR7_mIAE9EGVEaJUdBx5qG8FT5cZzQY7K3lxwv-D39vRbeuRGdHuS4k2havhyg10/s6000/DSC_0359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n6VdNmAZaFj1UiVzSYCK0TlSQMnYMqmYnJ1Zc968J5vnbmJBxKflI2M0vgwUz90kgRiYYOn_UgiqacRbKl3Hc8QsdqmA68HDzHmelJGsAwr1KcK_gIWIj-CK_LSPR7_mIAE9EGVEaJUdBx5qG8FT5cZzQY7K3lxwv-D39vRbeuRGdHuS4k2havhyg10/w640-h426/DSC_0359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are five fabrics used in this piece and, unusually for me, it is a top-down viewpoint, with no calico showing! The watery batik fabric which flows through the centre of the hoop has got swirling rows of whipped back stitch in two shades, and then a single strand of metallic thread back stitched along each previous line of stitching. All of the fabrics on either side of it are intended to be different types of rock with slightly different personalities. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnvNwjFlAsY2kQpudhramC4cv3-c3npBzVS_CFSEiFmuKOR34sjNLz41gqTHo4CGktaZ7BQuqT_xkpvC2cHscj7OaqC5v3xl7Ywr5S1EWpgYcVMmBxz1b1s6lL0-NVHMpkYl8PYVlvbVNAz_ZzgYhIGYmqkxSZ32SFwpCrceljg8ofNmWg27hWPuCoMo/s6000/DSC_0361.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnvNwjFlAsY2kQpudhramC4cv3-c3npBzVS_CFSEiFmuKOR34sjNLz41gqTHo4CGktaZ7BQuqT_xkpvC2cHscj7OaqC5v3xl7Ywr5S1EWpgYcVMmBxz1b1s6lL0-NVHMpkYl8PYVlvbVNAz_ZzgYhIGYmqkxSZ32SFwpCrceljg8ofNmWg27hWPuCoMo/w640-h426/DSC_0361.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx_9MY2JW4SUsanu0btOHQtd2Kg7QYnuEPj9XKQDZaSXNFAyKdlFXAQ9KJsRn7cqjH9sW_yYGQ-rsu-nRJtgPKlf8bwu4Q5jc-QpkQKwpFAsr8iv1Z2fhJNE2LjvD076yYw5boai7LTrBuXwXhD8oZ4hlDCPrKGClfLVzmomKDzJ_Z4TGKd1lux0x8-c/s6000/DSC_0364.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx_9MY2JW4SUsanu0btOHQtd2Kg7QYnuEPj9XKQDZaSXNFAyKdlFXAQ9KJsRn7cqjH9sW_yYGQ-rsu-nRJtgPKlf8bwu4Q5jc-QpkQKwpFAsr8iv1Z2fhJNE2LjvD076yYw5boai7LTrBuXwXhD8oZ4hlDCPrKGClfLVzmomKDzJ_Z4TGKd1lux0x8-c/w640-h426/DSC_0364.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the point where I have my fabulous fringing, I've stitched down some clear beads to hint at bubbles. Although it's a rock pool, there is a bit of water flowing, hinted at by the linear rows of stitching, so there should be bubbles and breaks in the flow as the water squeezes through a narrower opening. It adds a really nice additional texture here I think, and a sparkle for the water. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AqXy895Pq4uSRgk7YDo5uAmghRNSt86Nu6i-CTEpF-YCMkUh2xWWtGD07zI2_PIV39d5scSELGWgUVD2XTVuqyg5Dvn79R-O9SZmX376nxJVKYwlxNsVfugH8ntomvyclwLnw0sXV0c5L6oVBoQ60qAqCI9QUu-uwfgpg4x53pjX-DmO1GOgb4bT5bk/s6000/DSC_0369.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AqXy895Pq4uSRgk7YDo5uAmghRNSt86Nu6i-CTEpF-YCMkUh2xWWtGD07zI2_PIV39d5scSELGWgUVD2XTVuqyg5Dvn79R-O9SZmX376nxJVKYwlxNsVfugH8ntomvyclwLnw0sXV0c5L6oVBoQ60qAqCI9QUu-uwfgpg4x53pjX-DmO1GOgb4bT5bk/w640-h426/DSC_0369.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Two of the fabrics have been basically treated the same, just in different colours. The striped greenish/grey batik on the left has been outlined in a single strand of backs stitch using a silvery thread, with french knots covering up the edge. Similarly the brown batik fabric on the right has had single strand back stitches in a matching brown, but with overlapping bullion knots on it's edge. They both have a piece of the glittery tape stitched over, with moss stitch and more french knots to help soften the edges of the tape. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG722Gq17UsvW4iMwBB_C6rC2VsMyftwbX18z5VNrDESh2Ui9h2jRoSlLw3uig6DK0Mz_nJZaY1axlm2R6uWweuwKHuN5YCcbBJcwXKNSzedKGJO4NtZPslrvGnyf8nksxIJVoBSlH21IfGBx10S6YkVFMLuxJEDJNAQ4w4edWd8Defq5E16osknCC_0/s6000/DSC_0372.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG722Gq17UsvW4iMwBB_C6rC2VsMyftwbX18z5VNrDESh2Ui9h2jRoSlLw3uig6DK0Mz_nJZaY1axlm2R6uWweuwKHuN5YCcbBJcwXKNSzedKGJO4NtZPslrvGnyf8nksxIJVoBSlH21IfGBx10S6YkVFMLuxJEDJNAQ4w4edWd8Defq5E16osknCC_0/w640-h426/DSC_0372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The other two fabrics both have bead stick sets on them, with the dark green batik at the bottom edged just with overlapping straight stitches, and covered in drizzle stitch on the darker splodges which has created nice gaps in those stitches. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF09reS9kVqphZADGBdQ2Y9z5nMTrM2hpLZ9rOozqFiKDMiGMKL5dVFg4A7_88mmU_MXqgSKt6hBTf0PPWKVdBfYIaRwPnC_r0yDKgllMxCLzo3mOHKFVDw_lyfRDBdUTokYTZiJJw3pO6a0sxKVVKHNJ-i4ManVpRz7zpiEGdHqgTwvfRSh7raGh7Q0/s6000/DSC_0373.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF09reS9kVqphZADGBdQ2Y9z5nMTrM2hpLZ9rOozqFiKDMiGMKL5dVFg4A7_88mmU_MXqgSKt6hBTf0PPWKVdBfYIaRwPnC_r0yDKgllMxCLzo3mOHKFVDw_lyfRDBdUTokYTZiJJw3pO6a0sxKVVKHNJ-i4ManVpRz7zpiEGdHqgTwvfRSh7raGh7Q0/w640-h426/DSC_0373.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRRn8xWPrMTpZOeNK3BzEra8VlE_QIrDv4i9mg8ddbuQuEd9bGbNHztvwoC6JnwKNApYpPJW-hq7V_CZPzFP2mjR1hjOX-ZAHAjqsgVGHujT_vweMuN4tL76CLUHzsM0z6xSPBxBKh8MggPFEUxz3L4jxJ0vk6_Stduaok7Hkg3jMuOe7Mt2bRNXqTiU/s6000/DSC_0378.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRRn8xWPrMTpZOeNK3BzEra8VlE_QIrDv4i9mg8ddbuQuEd9bGbNHztvwoC6JnwKNApYpPJW-hq7V_CZPzFP2mjR1hjOX-ZAHAjqsgVGHujT_vweMuN4tL76CLUHzsM0z6xSPBxBKh8MggPFEUxz3L4jxJ0vk6_Stduaok7Hkg3jMuOe7Mt2bRNXqTiU/w640-h426/DSC_0378.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>You can see how the back has been tidied up here. I suppose the only downside to this frame is that you would likely have to back the hoop with something but that's not an issue - and if you never take it off the wall it will never be an issue anyway!</div><div>There are two little pegs between the embroidery hoop and the frame, which you move in and out with an allen key (handily provided with the frame) so that it is secured tightly. I really like these frames!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, the stitch run down for this piece is; bullion knots, french knots, beading, back stitch, satin stitch, whipped back stitch, straight stitch, drizzle stitch, couching and moss stitch. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was so much fun to make - I may yet make some more!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gaHSIz6odTLCjM-2F_qOow8kVd8SwobNXmkb6F7yH8g5DgSzxWpknecRT8E1rYfqldsPAKkubF5C0SsTLd-kjc9EpN1N3tWwuGWbnipt3cTSjghwKHmPvmEb4PzIOrMb1ds1bED7IHIvR3xjo8D-w_NFO4BlUbdcgz3UgQ4sxlscSjtPMrIDodPRa2M/s6000/DSC_0381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gaHSIz6odTLCjM-2F_qOow8kVd8SwobNXmkb6F7yH8g5DgSzxWpknecRT8E1rYfqldsPAKkubF5C0SsTLd-kjc9EpN1N3tWwuGWbnipt3cTSjghwKHmPvmEb4PzIOrMb1ds1bED7IHIvR3xjo8D-w_NFO4BlUbdcgz3UgQ4sxlscSjtPMrIDodPRa2M/w640-h426/DSC_0381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-50873840841604078672023-12-11T12:31:00.000-08:002023-12-11T12:31:06.487-08:00October Toadstool Treasures ATCs<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu_B3U9WO2qpxGwu2adp6cClZCJxWtJEre_-CJafvcw44THLdckRCddsSHs4ukTSpfrKf8udgpgEnOsxsbTZsRDC6SZGC-YRoQ1NQf-2fYGjZnqYOuSCWnGtAwN-8AB7MIt_m_elz38vXCcTDas9Us4biOsfnN4UikHSm5DC4s6tPW5fFyvAP4H9dX50/s5620/DSC_0205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3647" data-original-width="5620" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu_B3U9WO2qpxGwu2adp6cClZCJxWtJEre_-CJafvcw44THLdckRCddsSHs4ukTSpfrKf8udgpgEnOsxsbTZsRDC6SZGC-YRoQ1NQf-2fYGjZnqYOuSCWnGtAwN-8AB7MIt_m_elz38vXCcTDas9Us4biOsfnN4UikHSm5DC4s6tPW5fFyvAP4H9dX50/w640-h416/DSC_0205.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>How gorgeous are these? I love that everyone seems to have been on the same page with the type of toadstool - especially considering how many varieties there are. I know these are possibly the most iconic but it surprises me slightly that no one in the group went down a different route. </p><p>What is different though is the way they have been represented and there's a wonderful selection of embroidery styles and techniques; fabric collage, petite point/red work (not sure there), realistic, cartoon-esque, stylised.... They stand out in every card beautifully and work together amazingly well as a collection. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCFff2NQIUhka6Y8RWPo7kJtguvTreiU2XxXQjRP9_W4Zi8TyVEt5YcvzP1ZvUsvVAcwOhukHsaiAPS-Hn7fEVKtsw47n5r52SLJ1Si4URKaxH4BC8JIoVV-HSQ6T9LHi0ld_bhOKm30MKGY4GnV1Ef1JkA965UKo8Ok93VZTalsAj0Zo5TjSzFehqvk/s6000/DSC_0212.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCFff2NQIUhka6Y8RWPo7kJtguvTreiU2XxXQjRP9_W4Zi8TyVEt5YcvzP1ZvUsvVAcwOhukHsaiAPS-Hn7fEVKtsw47n5r52SLJ1Si4URKaxH4BC8JIoVV-HSQ6T9LHi0ld_bhOKm30MKGY4GnV1Ef1JkA965UKo8Ok93VZTalsAj0Zo5TjSzFehqvk/w640-h426/DSC_0212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The piece above I'm not sure if it's red work or petite point, or neither - either way it's very tiny, intricate stitching with wonderful use of creating pattern to provide shading a focus to areas. Very clever! If you have a better idea please do let me know.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheagwh-rNn2MbTEiIXPkL1123lb1_UkIO4UqMSX4-1PnZX-GLoNE6YXQMjOUKvBTA3Rs5lcozT96PObabsZIhL5be6_3oA3P6yRLjHKHONAuArxP849a6TM9oEP6Gf5rl8HKdenmLK6h9_W_XCkczGRSryFBMIjmFg9W-v84WXH4zfmfq8At2KNRsglIU/s6000/DSC_0213.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheagwh-rNn2MbTEiIXPkL1123lb1_UkIO4UqMSX4-1PnZX-GLoNE6YXQMjOUKvBTA3Rs5lcozT96PObabsZIhL5be6_3oA3P6yRLjHKHONAuArxP849a6TM9oEP6Gf5rl8HKdenmLK6h9_W_XCkczGRSryFBMIjmFg9W-v84WXH4zfmfq8At2KNRsglIU/w640-h426/DSC_0213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_XH0gCya12h6fkkN3lcEKCth-NQEltNpJn_xO7tpkyCKhO4r2HVBeCpWVo4qUvevFz7N15G51akDG0rpF08WkpSxjpmwN5bOLZ0PeKIa84Z04n-4UDK_Fsz3IjMHodHFmSu8hK5lxOq0NKtuG1fUOSCIqi47Vax8qvG1CWeEYEpY-6ynZFLHXgZztyc/s6000/DSC_0215.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_XH0gCya12h6fkkN3lcEKCth-NQEltNpJn_xO7tpkyCKhO4r2HVBeCpWVo4qUvevFz7N15G51akDG0rpF08WkpSxjpmwN5bOLZ0PeKIa84Z04n-4UDK_Fsz3IjMHodHFmSu8hK5lxOq0NKtuG1fUOSCIqi47Vax8qvG1CWeEYEpY-6ynZFLHXgZztyc/w640-h426/DSC_0215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig_TGKg5rm4Wv1Mt7E-nBHONEmM0b7btwbThPFEagfcYC2fW_chjvmZ89eflRqpizzFCkQOcVqWmFKHDaAzihq9SylnlS9ONYX_CwP9NgFPZ_mZckP2zClWKndAa8SDVsW53FumJbJULL7i4vNR-wp8oxz4NuYVPbNr3aeBLQngPkjMX5XlwkQddFk1M/s6000/DSC_0221.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig_TGKg5rm4Wv1Mt7E-nBHONEmM0b7btwbThPFEagfcYC2fW_chjvmZ89eflRqpizzFCkQOcVqWmFKHDaAzihq9SylnlS9ONYX_CwP9NgFPZ_mZckP2zClWKndAa8SDVsW53FumJbJULL7i4vNR-wp8oxz4NuYVPbNr3aeBLQngPkjMX5XlwkQddFk1M/w640-h426/DSC_0221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I love these little felted caps with their french knot spots. They really stand out, almost glowing from underneath the dark green trees. I guess they do almost glow in real life actually - especially as they can sometimes have dew drops or condensation on them that gives a slightly more glossy appearance that would catch the light and be quite luminescent. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIncjcZ7odyOK2q3o0nctATopNU95_R2C6B-tR1Q8lWfpap3eEGX8bVkft1Jotybs2WDP3q8-Hdz2IMrXnaDNn-VcIJ88uzsmui66xGoCl4Dq7Ndo6708afulE3dVQJSX5DQOlqEiDpn_PmH7ohmMcsGkLE-7XN3_qj-6zDv54jsM7_9SWgbPOWh9iho/s6000/DSC_0223.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIncjcZ7odyOK2q3o0nctATopNU95_R2C6B-tR1Q8lWfpap3eEGX8bVkft1Jotybs2WDP3q8-Hdz2IMrXnaDNn-VcIJ88uzsmui66xGoCl4Dq7Ndo6708afulE3dVQJSX5DQOlqEiDpn_PmH7ohmMcsGkLE-7XN3_qj-6zDv54jsM7_9SWgbPOWh9iho/w640-h426/DSC_0223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This card is wonderful in its simplicity. Two fabrics for the toadstools with just some matching red thread to keep the red caps down, detail in simple straight stitches to create the gills and some black and white stitches down the stalk for texture. It's bold and stands out really nicely from the background. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KpbbVCWizLMguqa-SR_ZCgX_aLClYsxSGFXBt6SZbeXD2D9zvzPZEQUtB9kxPwQJstnpLcO43hZOEPmk95wltLme-C2Sxcp6UhBNJS24XNG9vai4W-VlXsDPp3CpBd44v6RCXVUtHSZ5KE9KF-OKV28xFyjxZoRgAJl0HvmICDoslyWC0RXiGXniBts/s6000/DSC_0225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KpbbVCWizLMguqa-SR_ZCgX_aLClYsxSGFXBt6SZbeXD2D9zvzPZEQUtB9kxPwQJstnpLcO43hZOEPmk95wltLme-C2Sxcp6UhBNJS24XNG9vai4W-VlXsDPp3CpBd44v6RCXVUtHSZ5KE9KF-OKV28xFyjxZoRgAJl0HvmICDoslyWC0RXiGXniBts/w640-h426/DSC_0225.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This one has a similar feel, although there is more embroidery creating the image with close stitches for the stems, blanket stitches around the two red caps and linking stitches on the brown cap. I can't decide whether these have been done as rows of blanket stitch or wide chain stitches? What do you think?</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicGZQPxUYJVebq_s-Tn0JjvYBqOvRoFxFZbASjBDw9OvkQ7W7lwYcBLvPQ7eCR14h3HhVr2PPTj4aK612SMb17m-PbHsG8reI-yslYKT_ATh5AuLqEjO3Sony_7nklB8H5Fe3rQMexYTt6acrNYdy2qIaPoLMmoDw1wmyYjpG1HfVakVK3sWMrfNn3pc/s6000/DSC_0226.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicGZQPxUYJVebq_s-Tn0JjvYBqOvRoFxFZbASjBDw9OvkQ7W7lwYcBLvPQ7eCR14h3HhVr2PPTj4aK612SMb17m-PbHsG8reI-yslYKT_ATh5AuLqEjO3Sony_7nklB8H5Fe3rQMexYTt6acrNYdy2qIaPoLMmoDw1wmyYjpG1HfVakVK3sWMrfNn3pc/w640-h426/DSC_0226.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The fabrics at the bottom of this card are really lovely. Very busy with lots of autumnal patterns that remind me of all of the fallen leaves littering the ground at this time of year. It is busy on the woodland floor, lots of colours from different types of leaf or the odd late flower, some creating little pools where the curled leaf shape catches rainwater or dew - hinted at here with the use of beads that catch the light. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK4WpqLKeDvpXoBcfzkUwqRQt09grzuyLnQO9ZEQZdg_QFMDCQ11lOo2X8DltUSxktaMctEL9Cuwxe5yyJh9x6hdtneXei5KPqONAZ3-5aYP5snoZTvkOHb9IE9GBcyGizwzcU2htmMruGsiTNNQQu7YC3CnV85vZf5WpOzOeFWtp_fQiwuHssstnWrg/s6000/DSC_0228.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK4WpqLKeDvpXoBcfzkUwqRQt09grzuyLnQO9ZEQZdg_QFMDCQ11lOo2X8DltUSxktaMctEL9Cuwxe5yyJh9x6hdtneXei5KPqONAZ3-5aYP5snoZTvkOHb9IE9GBcyGizwzcU2htmMruGsiTNNQQu7YC3CnV85vZf5WpOzOeFWtp_fQiwuHssstnWrg/w640-h426/DSC_0228.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Choosing the right fabrics can also really make a beautiful image. I love the crinkled fabric for the grasses and the little mottled red/white knitted fabric for the mushroom cards. It's a really sweet depiction and makes me think of Fairy rings the way the perspective curls the toadstools around the tree trunk. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56DieNQatH1YOJjlkv02p_wi6eIlcCavTaIyzaEKgDQribyTz0hHmx-r0-KBZTB0QoQ60xERY3UDsFmJ5XH1Ym8T1IEeKP9jrEgXyRhqV6EA_hDAkNMv7z5GfYbih3lDK72Ml-rgc31C32HDCUTHkcbePTNXZKjoHw3KvZx-HSVb0BhKjGQoSbWh95Bk/s6000/DSC_0230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56DieNQatH1YOJjlkv02p_wi6eIlcCavTaIyzaEKgDQribyTz0hHmx-r0-KBZTB0QoQ60xERY3UDsFmJ5XH1Ym8T1IEeKP9jrEgXyRhqV6EA_hDAkNMv7z5GfYbih3lDK72Ml-rgc31C32HDCUTHkcbePTNXZKjoHw3KvZx-HSVb0BhKjGQoSbWh95Bk/w640-h426/DSC_0230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I don't recall watching a lot of Noddy as a kid. Enough to know about Big Ears and PC Plod, and Noddy's car, but not really what they got up to. I love that the theme for this month has brought up potential memories for this person, I wonder whether it was them who watched it or their children/grandchildren?</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to everyone who participated in this month's swap! </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VF27N5wd7bFYq09GVOCQaae2yPpglYobhgXZ75ZjodAk8SrhtvTHFp-Y_p_dDIhQmFKyqpLxjulHXQxDfRpWPaIhfghHnuzpzDcYBKKta98rscowp6WB8XsxPLseJEvHjRZEGlZeog8ZlIqKaIFLJ-svJWLBatX-B2wG-omJNI70XH2atcLONZWM_Cw/s6000/DSC_0235.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VF27N5wd7bFYq09GVOCQaae2yPpglYobhgXZ75ZjodAk8SrhtvTHFp-Y_p_dDIhQmFKyqpLxjulHXQxDfRpWPaIhfghHnuzpzDcYBKKta98rscowp6WB8XsxPLseJEvHjRZEGlZeog8ZlIqKaIFLJ-svJWLBatX-B2wG-omJNI70XH2atcLONZWM_Cw/w640-h426/DSC_0235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-86138690129921906682023-11-23T10:34:00.000-08:002023-11-23T10:34:51.168-08:00Fabric Toadstools<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z6wj_fDpz6ol76BXXoCQVeX-Jnmdu_LslmByugZMhiOLCNoyMi9iw2ReqHB5hGGAsT96F_Tg2bgjWosVCpIMHLB8Uqt11BKIzvep_HUMbGv23puq3ZqJqta0y4Yl5SbIqhPsRZWWBIlRMFEhHdGiAvzq8f8sBIfyLtSmZOtfu2uMcMw4Saj4FOOvEms/s6000/DSC_0181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z6wj_fDpz6ol76BXXoCQVeX-Jnmdu_LslmByugZMhiOLCNoyMi9iw2ReqHB5hGGAsT96F_Tg2bgjWosVCpIMHLB8Uqt11BKIzvep_HUMbGv23puq3ZqJqta0y4Yl5SbIqhPsRZWWBIlRMFEhHdGiAvzq8f8sBIfyLtSmZOtfu2uMcMw4Saj4FOOvEms/w640-h426/DSC_0181.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>I've been waiting all year for this theme. It had to be in the right month though to fit in with my other themes and October seems a good time to start toadstool/mushroom hunting. I've got some tiny little brown mushrooms growing in my balcony pots outside, not that they are as impressive as the big red and white spotted Amanita Muscaria!</p><p>I'm not sure when it started, I've always liked hunting for different types of fungi (fungus?) when we go out, but one year someone bought me a decorative toadstool and then pretty much for every birthday and Christmas since then my collection has grown. I now have various types and colour of ornament toadstools made from wood, glass and ceramics, I have outdoor solar powered mushroom lights in my garden which make the balcony look like a magical fairy garden, and I even have a stylised toadstool bedside light in blue from John Lewis that I was given for my birthday this year. Baby F was purchased mushroom themed t-shirts because I would like them (they are very sweet designs and he wears them a lot!). </p><p>It's become "my thing" I suppose. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCjqMzjZaZcaBypDSdzMRLyJfi8IvfrpE9SUJSFUUcGbFtW8a44QvSKunzO9K4kbV-3l0OdSx7FTo2AP7TIAzUwQeKh0cK2MNxz4WGOFA2xcmL9t0yeWPaYWVKYBIJxAgkVWF1PjB-wC20mBsMktezsfg_yYj41wDEUt3L87waABsmMjcwVeXqQ0YXnA/s6000/DSC_0183.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCjqMzjZaZcaBypDSdzMRLyJfi8IvfrpE9SUJSFUUcGbFtW8a44QvSKunzO9K4kbV-3l0OdSx7FTo2AP7TIAzUwQeKh0cK2MNxz4WGOFA2xcmL9t0yeWPaYWVKYBIJxAgkVWF1PjB-wC20mBsMktezsfg_yYj41wDEUt3L87waABsmMjcwVeXqQ0YXnA/w640-h426/DSC_0183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>I bought the fabric to use at the Ardingly Quilt Show waaaaay back in January!! At the show I came across this fantastic red and white spotted batik, with some lovely complimentary browns and a grey floral batik which I thought would work for the stem. </p><p>From my stash I have used an actual mushroom print fabric (this is the first opportunity I've had to use it, one of those purchases because you can't leave it, but with no project in mind), a green batik and a strange small squiggle print which you can't see much of because I've used it for the frills and then stitched over it.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwBXvZE8Suop427sT-bbFsnlxtTzll4uAC_pvJk7skMZMvTt_z3_uyh9wDDpE_EoOlhWCUel-Xm57FuPKwLUQnufO4Hrl5OPfSMflXuWdmRxP1fi62a3kNsGO9XTPhMrrzZXAsk1ABoPr7Vlp7OY69BrbVyUqba3_DmvDmbkbxy376e-17yOOST00qZo/s6000/DSC_0185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwBXvZE8Suop427sT-bbFsnlxtTzll4uAC_pvJk7skMZMvTt_z3_uyh9wDDpE_EoOlhWCUel-Xm57FuPKwLUQnufO4Hrl5OPfSMflXuWdmRxP1fi62a3kNsGO9XTPhMrrzZXAsk1ABoPr7Vlp7OY69BrbVyUqba3_DmvDmbkbxy376e-17yOOST00qZo/w640-h426/DSC_0185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I did draw out some templates for the caps and stems so each card is pretty much the same on the mushroom front. It took far longer than expected to cut them out and tack them down!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The background fabrics were just hand cut wiggled strips tacked down around the outside of the shape to hold them in place. There are four fabrics making up the background - the lovely spotty green, a wishy washy space dyed browny/blue, a brown splodge batik and the mushroom print. I haven't stitched much on them really, just french knots to edge the green layer, bullion knots and a thin running stitch on the next layer down, a single strand of back stitch around the splodges on the brown batik and couched a lovely yarn on top of the mushrooms where there was space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTd9w4KU58wvPuG6w9z2sW8suzRMVukOo89DnI3e3cvo-tgG0fSRGPdmdG7hFDrsdyjDkOzLlrYkd3lHKFOlcz8mHu0tuwR-nHStTsxzh4q5xjibBCFDPoLgzYVwSwdkLXDIJr5XP-OqTgeywLiJfF4M2LLwchPboI1VB2ua04inXb-cVAILgBTXop5dE/s6000/DSC_0189.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTd9w4KU58wvPuG6w9z2sW8suzRMVukOo89DnI3e3cvo-tgG0fSRGPdmdG7hFDrsdyjDkOzLlrYkd3lHKFOlcz8mHu0tuwR-nHStTsxzh4q5xjibBCFDPoLgzYVwSwdkLXDIJr5XP-OqTgeywLiJfF4M2LLwchPboI1VB2ua04inXb-cVAILgBTXop5dE/w640-h426/DSC_0189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Most of the stitching effort has gone into the toadstools themselves. The top of the cap is blanket stitched to keep the edges nice and neat, and I've picked out some of the spots with french knots that are actually in a light pink colour to match the pinkish off-white spots. The gills have been stitched with two strand long straight stitches in grey (not the colour you would see in real life but has more definition here) and I did these in sections to keep them going in the right direction, marking out the centre line, then adding dividing lines between and filling those gaps in. Similar to how you would work the rays of a sun. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4awMnVFZbvaa0boyhTkNbhl2AG3sNflEDP84yJBoMEWDwDkqpKC-dbVqCgLOMo9SzygJ0f2ZROUbX9LdCGGXWYI8rfAwG9m-BSKAFjCxM7eQo9U3zbHplo9EPe7_iwYEkonJ1mWKuC8WOj3-athmqEpZF97mlHJOmtRxy4qcLHjMJsR36VoTu-kUN1I4/s6000/DSC_0187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4awMnVFZbvaa0boyhTkNbhl2AG3sNflEDP84yJBoMEWDwDkqpKC-dbVqCgLOMo9SzygJ0f2ZROUbX9LdCGGXWYI8rfAwG9m-BSKAFjCxM7eQo9U3zbHplo9EPe7_iwYEkonJ1mWKuC8WOj3-athmqEpZF97mlHJOmtRxy4qcLHjMJsR36VoTu-kUN1I4/w640-h426/DSC_0187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFemzjj5OK86xCgGJ1NHP3MrILSFGxE1QrE9VugjujEaJOEPhmVHKgp-tiUu_sPHOXQmyTymTZI5aInL6CJguH0xJ6RHyXQdL0fj41KxuKpNoHzZf5RoVY531l7LGKlBcNFGWzt7l4HIQEuKUeHYn1EvburyXDoJGmEs115ksBG4NKMMP_RB7Wkp1Gbco/s6000/DSC_0186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFemzjj5OK86xCgGJ1NHP3MrILSFGxE1QrE9VugjujEaJOEPhmVHKgp-tiUu_sPHOXQmyTymTZI5aInL6CJguH0xJ6RHyXQdL0fj41KxuKpNoHzZf5RoVY531l7LGKlBcNFGWzt7l4HIQEuKUeHYn1EvburyXDoJGmEs115ksBG4NKMMP_RB7Wkp1Gbco/w640-h426/DSC_0186.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the stalks I have stitched over what was there in the pattern, or added some extra stitches in to imitate other parts if there was no pattern. I've just used a single strand and either worked back stitch or straight stitches. I'm not sure if you can really tell but the large toadstool has been worked in a slightly more silvery grey thread and the two front ones in a warmer, creamier coloured thread. The same colour embroidery thread as used on the stalks has then been couched around the edges to give them a neat finish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaaCfh0ChO1N3h0amJuroTDiEGWc4FhocFtMXrTMD0ms1Oj8Ta6z0WyAKD4ceAR56QzE8zAGQcBM9AFJFJ0gBU4kCWlgEWuQEBXvupmY4AOM7oaG7Ks3NEjRBRoj_h737QFZC5_Os-_yjMe11dG9c39BXjBxl1WLlY9oU1Pi5Gg3k5SXZ34dDbayzJk4/s6000/DSC_0197.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaaCfh0ChO1N3h0amJuroTDiEGWc4FhocFtMXrTMD0ms1Oj8Ta6z0WyAKD4ceAR56QzE8zAGQcBM9AFJFJ0gBU4kCWlgEWuQEBXvupmY4AOM7oaG7Ks3NEjRBRoj_h737QFZC5_Os-_yjMe11dG9c39BXjBxl1WLlY9oU1Pi5Gg3k5SXZ34dDbayzJk4/w640-h426/DSC_0197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlz2qSjMwNNoKvq0qUrVzjaoPEMQkVExJsPgkETbr53BeEL_jkCrmIA8alzOTmQqfVTq3LFIXqbJZzJMTS6QNUH2a93ZIearpz7-vAJXGUuSFO07OtEpRuazBUBnhkzH-lFM2LbGV1bw2REJqajoMbFvfldpRFqgu5LXrn4hB_d7z1yIbhI7uOi9CL2Y/s6000/DSC_0191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlz2qSjMwNNoKvq0qUrVzjaoPEMQkVExJsPgkETbr53BeEL_jkCrmIA8alzOTmQqfVTq3LFIXqbJZzJMTS6QNUH2a93ZIearpz7-vAJXGUuSFO07OtEpRuazBUBnhkzH-lFM2LbGV1bw2REJqajoMbFvfldpRFqgu5LXrn4hB_d7z1yIbhI7uOi9CL2Y/w640-h426/DSC_0191.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm really pleased with these, I think they look quite lifelike (aside from the grey gills) and I love the texture on the caps. It is a real case of finding exactly the right fabric to inspire your work!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pNjYPZ7mrQ5vGYO0ZZWZzYVYlFPEZyuXnf0ZIxZiNXFcIfi6pM7FX2uSaPM4YQCLix8LHRu3cDF9Xa-bkBEcysSZ2D4AtqtNyFqooeorqpUkcbqEP1l0vV9ki_hil5rWsrQ5LxzM5vZHSyFW2VGKLSXp1ywiloaiTJ0I5i9s3HSXFAS9zoC_FsZNYI8/s6000/DSC_0193.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pNjYPZ7mrQ5vGYO0ZZWZzYVYlFPEZyuXnf0ZIxZiNXFcIfi6pM7FX2uSaPM4YQCLix8LHRu3cDF9Xa-bkBEcysSZ2D4AtqtNyFqooeorqpUkcbqEP1l0vV9ki_hil5rWsrQ5LxzM5vZHSyFW2VGKLSXp1ywiloaiTJ0I5i9s3HSXFAS9zoC_FsZNYI8/w640-h426/DSC_0193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The total stitch run down for these is; french knots, blanket stitch, straight stitch, bullion knots, running stitch, back stitch and couching. Not a lot in these ones this time!! They still seemed to take forever to make (possibly because I was late starting it the pressure was on). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UqDgPUY9JDF1yJPalqHE5tLeNDfJLJMkgcf-VZ6hEpv4_xbGmfwy_ij1yec84DKt4bNrzLGNJvhMGuo65H9x2TbLb2AOFB0vb2UPb15gnUiK3RKSE-gbDlVUz0-cwSDw_UeBz64J0A7HfSjQM3_WOZMCObxuO9xMED4_xxPa71VmvRxfo-cfbQ5xQTU/s6000/DSC_0199.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UqDgPUY9JDF1yJPalqHE5tLeNDfJLJMkgcf-VZ6hEpv4_xbGmfwy_ij1yec84DKt4bNrzLGNJvhMGuo65H9x2TbLb2AOFB0vb2UPb15gnUiK3RKSE-gbDlVUz0-cwSDw_UeBz64J0A7HfSjQM3_WOZMCObxuO9xMED4_xxPa71VmvRxfo-cfbQ5xQTU/w640-h426/DSC_0199.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-42380264309108807262023-10-30T14:28:00.003-07:002023-10-30T14:28:50.643-07:00Making a Rockpool<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpE5dpCE0P2GKJuGfapMqOkjBb2L6r2CTSv-pHk2CwB9SjN71O4-UEyEWHMa_THqRD8eb2l6fWF4ikeF3cWILjvM7imiJ5yq3WWhoyamYPeG46Rvj-Yw3cLd7TWtKvffoW9XY-hBdvpSZIsPrsCLbuswK-t7RdUR5WIe4pN5FFJVHxbqomr7QA8nzHhI/s3024/IMG_6987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpE5dpCE0P2GKJuGfapMqOkjBb2L6r2CTSv-pHk2CwB9SjN71O4-UEyEWHMa_THqRD8eb2l6fWF4ikeF3cWILjvM7imiJ5yq3WWhoyamYPeG46Rvj-Yw3cLd7TWtKvffoW9XY-hBdvpSZIsPrsCLbuswK-t7RdUR5WIe4pN5FFJVHxbqomr7QA8nzHhI/w640-h480/IMG_6987.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I have been inspired! I enjoyed making my <a href="https://dottytextiles.blogspot.com/2023/10/rockpool-atcs.html" target="_blank">rockpool ATCs</a> so much that I really wanted to make a little hoop with the same techniques. Plus, I came across a fantastic way to display embroidered hoops which I hadn't really seen before. A British company called <a href="https://www.barton-studios.com/" target="_blank">Barton Studios</a> makes frames which you can put your embroidery hoops into which means they stay nice and taut in the hoop, and the whole thing pops in with little peg screws that you tighten with an allen key so that the hoop fits snuggly into a specially made frame. <div>I purchased one of the frames whilst on the bus on the way home one evening, and then immediately started creating the hoop when I got home. I thought it would be nice to sit out on the balcony in the sunshine before it gets too cold to do so but it was a pain really - the wind blew my fabrics off the balcony into the carpark below twice!! I had to dash down our stairs to fetch them in my Christmas socks. (Although I'm always wearing Christmas socks so it wasn't that really, more picking through the carpark with no shoes on.)</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTLY7ofAyNqFLvjNccqypHklUoQlTiBNJVlaXoY6NWKQ34g49SX283mEFz6dSeWR7Ph4vuaV58BOT_ZzaIMN8yoIz6WgDosmTGbqtW3Ti5AieQDlCG06qqlW-6reEnk9cZdVsjVsZaI_-WLyvLRvkX9z9r443CgDFPyS_kD2rlvejjFjULP1GBkRnyMg/s4032/IMG_6988.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTLY7ofAyNqFLvjNccqypHklUoQlTiBNJVlaXoY6NWKQ34g49SX283mEFz6dSeWR7Ph4vuaV58BOT_ZzaIMN8yoIz6WgDosmTGbqtW3Ti5AieQDlCG06qqlW-6reEnk9cZdVsjVsZaI_-WLyvLRvkX9z9r443CgDFPyS_kD2rlvejjFjULP1GBkRnyMg/w640-h480/IMG_6988.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Some of the fabrics I have kept the same as the ones used in the ATCs and some were different ones I pulled out of my stash. There's a lot of batik patterns going on!! They are definitely one of my all time favourite types of pattern to work with. The fabric itself is always nice because the weave is so close that it doesn't fray when you cut it - although layers of the stuff can be tricky to stitch through for that very same reason. </div><div>I didn't have any kind of plans for this really, it was mostly a spur of the moment make and the viewpoint is different from my usual landscape scenes too. There is no calico (backing fabric) showing through and it is a birds-eye-view kind of scene with lots of rocks either side of a watery channel. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24aFfzABfyXBLfnSlKtXpf0L0iFvFoNHlGijcfkWnjNRp1Mwr9xeonU-aF-_SHPIRnLg-CZ4m_X4qPAOTYKjuV5aJlttp4-71kOb3gmrAt5naI7FHeEZsiOkLCerSPXAmQ2QPpzEctdty7iLh7-vGKtGtHF0AYB3yxvac_P1uNyYWCMkjJ3LCaD4CNmc/s4032/IMG_6990.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24aFfzABfyXBLfnSlKtXpf0L0iFvFoNHlGijcfkWnjNRp1Mwr9xeonU-aF-_SHPIRnLg-CZ4m_X4qPAOTYKjuV5aJlttp4-71kOb3gmrAt5naI7FHeEZsiOkLCerSPXAmQ2QPpzEctdty7iLh7-vGKtGtHF0AYB3yxvac_P1uNyYWCMkjJ3LCaD4CNmc/w640-h480/IMG_6990.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKWeyYpSnXr-7HZ8vsBuFV04rlQIwYgQPaN1SmZYL1QorjZbC68hsTia7DRr1LYCDfnzLjXPbOg-4sq9gV31B7tOE16cww3b7OFXH-kxeNAFnvD5peTGhcqKVBFJGG7tQI_K6rbqIPd2X0zE7ozEFHS5ZWBTJDUD4Kap8XrmqOPX5_HrM4Eh81YsClPE/s4032/IMG_6991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKWeyYpSnXr-7HZ8vsBuFV04rlQIwYgQPaN1SmZYL1QorjZbC68hsTia7DRr1LYCDfnzLjXPbOg-4sq9gV31B7tOE16cww3b7OFXH-kxeNAFnvD5peTGhcqKVBFJGG7tQI_K6rbqIPd2X0zE7ozEFHS5ZWBTJDUD4Kap8XrmqOPX5_HrM4Eh81YsClPE/w640-h480/IMG_6991.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was a relief to get the fabrics tacked down because I was determined to sit outside and the wind was just as determined to steal my fabric pieces! I didn't stay outside for much longer afterward though I must admit. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYGa7MEvua1csTH_-HI-0FDOHzb3ka1BCcfArCziQICENWE3-mUoUCZV-rlnf_edPtUgD-2nPzmGGkNLT7-jOOtJTM8apDEiGSHr5bcf1W4H83M1oNjAnBo8W0PG7NO_9jn3vWvRic72aGy92zm1NNq9GyCxBOG6zHIp5kGGrnd32udtmiCfZZzkzgrI/s4032/IMG_6992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYGa7MEvua1csTH_-HI-0FDOHzb3ka1BCcfArCziQICENWE3-mUoUCZV-rlnf_edPtUgD-2nPzmGGkNLT7-jOOtJTM8apDEiGSHr5bcf1W4H83M1oNjAnBo8W0PG7NO_9jn3vWvRic72aGy92zm1NNq9GyCxBOG6zHIp5kGGrnd32udtmiCfZZzkzgrI/w640-h480/IMG_6992.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAe54WHzFtIHchQVzz40-HqrowE-qOGK7KE-F-6ja3RCoSTgxSiWc483nXNMKi0fEAg8GvZmfD60e3iklVGbjBVo7UJDvS_XEDyeiYz7XlUXJAB6NmE4o41voxlAvzr7fx7qj7iM2OcjZwiyq-GuVsR7aTjgdTB3uBztgIphaH8ZCZcZqKauqbQLCeU0/s3024/IMG_7164%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAe54WHzFtIHchQVzz40-HqrowE-qOGK7KE-F-6ja3RCoSTgxSiWc483nXNMKi0fEAg8GvZmfD60e3iklVGbjBVo7UJDvS_XEDyeiYz7XlUXJAB6NmE4o41voxlAvzr7fx7qj7iM2OcjZwiyq-GuVsR7aTjgdTB3uBztgIphaH8ZCZcZqKauqbQLCeU0/w640-h480/IMG_7164%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The first thing to do was to make it textured! I really want it to pop from the frame (which has since arrived and I was so excited I've framed something else in there for now). The same glittery tape has been stitched down as used in the cards, and I've twisted together white and blue fringing to make these fun sea anemones. They will need a haircut but I should have added them on after the texture stitching really (I got too excited) so it's easier to hold their hair back if they are longer. </div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF1981uNfP0x8XE88hRtJQul1PwaYYcfSazGEXdxaBNPoY45vukipiteiUbEl9gte2HA2fhRDKKHiYgd6XvmUtHipyviafJNH1dqZHeaeWBF5XCX8C_0QJ21YHRGobM6scWuToDdOw9YdWmnPd3DWrENf4GgjW3MnuV3Xa-o_WzzVPMMk0jLK5GjAPEs/s3024/IMG_7165.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF1981uNfP0x8XE88hRtJQul1PwaYYcfSazGEXdxaBNPoY45vukipiteiUbEl9gte2HA2fhRDKKHiYgd6XvmUtHipyviafJNH1dqZHeaeWBF5XCX8C_0QJ21YHRGobM6scWuToDdOw9YdWmnPd3DWrENf4GgjW3MnuV3Xa-o_WzzVPMMk0jLK5GjAPEs/w640-h480/IMG_7165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stitching around them can be a bit challenging!! I would like to add lots more texture to this piece though and it'll be interesting to see where it takes me. And what it will look like bursting out of the frame! Watch this space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-scSWwf0d6n8rRDFZENhQWBO0wvtQvRTQF2fkj96iD5tYILoYNN95Xajan3FFeQZzLLls1o8If3_-fdxB2Yw1n0U-PfW24Ekzt-E469CVcYz2_K8b6-sNb55HB2-O0ljzmBvThWQGEk8EyqlrggnFH4oOrgXWxx8Skm4Y7iAHruQVL0JZyZA6BiSNm8/s3024/IMG_7166%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-scSWwf0d6n8rRDFZENhQWBO0wvtQvRTQF2fkj96iD5tYILoYNN95Xajan3FFeQZzLLls1o8If3_-fdxB2Yw1n0U-PfW24Ekzt-E469CVcYz2_K8b6-sNb55HB2-O0ljzmBvThWQGEk8EyqlrggnFH4oOrgXWxx8Skm4Y7iAHruQVL0JZyZA6BiSNm8/w640-h480/IMG_7166%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-24869792261195874112023-10-30T13:52:00.002-07:002023-10-30T14:11:32.929-07:00September Rockpool ATC Swap<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG-L_jjH9EdrP4ZA-6P019Vct1qgCnnh_ULj5IeHdBAQjgKbH-xM81zbGpJNrmFbG3akJbaxsahWI1ofSxJB8oxGw1nrMX3BJCM0vpD_nnoZwLnulLeOTcaqVHLOoEAz4Q-23wNXHKZmnydqjT_x8mgcZbxYOHaaBhRT-UcSEWmS8RLBqMpCdpFlcVco/s6000/DSC_0127.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG-L_jjH9EdrP4ZA-6P019Vct1qgCnnh_ULj5IeHdBAQjgKbH-xM81zbGpJNrmFbG3akJbaxsahWI1ofSxJB8oxGw1nrMX3BJCM0vpD_nnoZwLnulLeOTcaqVHLOoEAz4Q-23wNXHKZmnydqjT_x8mgcZbxYOHaaBhRT-UcSEWmS8RLBqMpCdpFlcVco/w640-h426/DSC_0127.JPG" width="640" /></a></p>This was a quiet little swap for September. Sadly we had several regular members decide that they weren't able to carry on anymore - all for very good reasons - so it was smaller than it has been in past months. If you sign up to the swap you don't have to do it regularly, there is no obligation sworn in blood to send a card in for every month but it was sad for me to see these ladies go, especially as one has been joining in since the start. Hopefully they might be back again next year!<div>The cards that were sent in though were the usual high standard of quality interpretations and executions. Again there's such an interesting mixture of realistic portrayals and the slightly more abstract pieces. I love the two focused on a particular creature, the detail in both of them is stunning. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FeqpvYf3m0kiW1ozuZJSLR0Iw6o_tKjbHWCrB0bjrGJclgAPuRYYgO5zzpY8q09GV37kFI5Brv6_j5lQSqeFy0eQMoZo0n0iSyuAXWJO8NUJu_DaF1PbRoomgSFwS9h1o9NdUKqjl9RMjCPvRCYN4SKUdMGmMON9h_p0pEIn21-AgADUP_iq7Mp5tYk/s6000/DSC_0139.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FeqpvYf3m0kiW1ozuZJSLR0Iw6o_tKjbHWCrB0bjrGJclgAPuRYYgO5zzpY8q09GV37kFI5Brv6_j5lQSqeFy0eQMoZo0n0iSyuAXWJO8NUJu_DaF1PbRoomgSFwS9h1o9NdUKqjl9RMjCPvRCYN4SKUdMGmMON9h_p0pEIn21-AgADUP_iq7Mp5tYk/w640-h426/DSC_0139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I thought Suzi's one (above) was particularly sweet with the toe dipping in and the red polished toe nails. I would never have thought of that! Do you think the crab is just about to give the person's foot a pinch? I'd like to think so!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Veronica's card (below) focuses more on Holiday Memories and has some beautiful Northern Light inspired fabric at the back with, I think, rocks and even snow interpreted in <a href="https://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/hardanger-embroidery.html" target="_blank">Hardanger</a>. I haven't had much experience with this particular embroidery technique but as I understand it you make the blocks of satin stitch (usually always in a geometric pattern) and then you can cut sections of the fabric away to reveal a lacy pattern. It's really very effective!!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvWYE52h9IKHrqVewKPe8a7SNrT8HaLFybveY8f5cZpRp2gkdg_eUvAZ39axh-3bgX1oEWaV4iti3lnu66PivGICAb7Y8Gz-rstPFRfysJ6PieaHDmQ4OiXgFsSDF9t3XJ5uQ1jlhCfAa5GV98-y-uhlDkXNtZIWey8unOoFVCoOMSCBxe-p6qKf9NiU/s6000/DSC_0137.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvWYE52h9IKHrqVewKPe8a7SNrT8HaLFybveY8f5cZpRp2gkdg_eUvAZ39axh-3bgX1oEWaV4iti3lnu66PivGICAb7Y8Gz-rstPFRfysJ6PieaHDmQ4OiXgFsSDF9t3XJ5uQ1jlhCfAa5GV98-y-uhlDkXNtZIWey8unOoFVCoOMSCBxe-p6qKf9NiU/w640-h426/DSC_0137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmvooU9goe9binf42XgJUqd-yEmiXGJgywpbHL6nUskFD-7EjS7OOwUF-psv2HTcze82yf0wgfBZKHEaprV-KX0ptqTTFIfYELYPBiB_tQloPvY27MCL3rpm27Oq4jb1o-YwDnNbLrqe6Xmp4Wvv3QbBKiJY1jT0r4B1bTBVCX_nON78TjtSEueYgCzs/s6000/DSC_0136.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmvooU9goe9binf42XgJUqd-yEmiXGJgywpbHL6nUskFD-7EjS7OOwUF-psv2HTcze82yf0wgfBZKHEaprV-KX0ptqTTFIfYELYPBiB_tQloPvY27MCL3rpm27Oq4jb1o-YwDnNbLrqe6Xmp4Wvv3QbBKiJY1jT0r4B1bTBVCX_nON78TjtSEueYgCzs/w640-h426/DSC_0136.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Jenni's lovely card I would assume has been made with free machine embroidery on a water soluble fabric for the green seaweed, then the fabric dissolved and the seaweed stitched over this wonderfully textured thread background. I don't know whether the background has also been stitched in the same way? I love the little embroidered starfish!</div><div><br /></div><div>Liz's wonderful sea anemone looks like it's been made with some very close together stem stitches to form the body of the anemone, with long stitches and french knots for the wavy top. Isn't the pink wonderful against the dark blue background? It really pops. </div><div>(I'd just like to point out that this is how I think everyone has made their pieces, it doesn't actually say anywhere how they have been created but I like to try and decipher the techniques. Do correct me if I'm wrong or you have a different thought!)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XriWKlKdHmF148nC_7kvrwlFoO0wT8K-0cuezOHArThmzDlE7i4RUeWOpgzDeNtQwLSSRr283ZI-75Lw6SgQz5cx4i5hPXddB3N9l_-gOCdO0KTLpUwaeGFtr8tklEaTaQJe2dGXr5l2NKye7UCmcuErBQGP4X6GMLXEIAnVR2Mq86lr3lBnnZ9Jyk8/s6000/DSC_0133.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XriWKlKdHmF148nC_7kvrwlFoO0wT8K-0cuezOHArThmzDlE7i4RUeWOpgzDeNtQwLSSRr283ZI-75Lw6SgQz5cx4i5hPXddB3N9l_-gOCdO0KTLpUwaeGFtr8tklEaTaQJe2dGXr5l2NKye7UCmcuErBQGP4X6GMLXEIAnVR2Mq86lr3lBnnZ9Jyk8/w640-h426/DSC_0133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJkSn2TtE03J7QbwDQVoGOsCGpmpV8fhETkO4Ob3zfjo5VoO1yXePYS9ZPvGTiyXltaGLi4ZsX8hUlsmjOJSVfInosNDXlfKLiZUhx39jRtw5SZ7vAZeV8AYZiUh8bnk41Hi0n9n1-O7lQ8njM46xcsxG3iC0exu3czFROhbswcQLaEfuromE6lHRbGU/s6000/DSC_0131.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJkSn2TtE03J7QbwDQVoGOsCGpmpV8fhETkO4Ob3zfjo5VoO1yXePYS9ZPvGTiyXltaGLi4ZsX8hUlsmjOJSVfInosNDXlfKLiZUhx39jRtw5SZ7vAZeV8AYZiUh8bnk41Hi0n9n1-O7lQ8njM46xcsxG3iC0exu3czFROhbswcQLaEfuromE6lHRbGU/w640-h426/DSC_0131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm not sure how Jacquie has made the purple seaweed in the background of her card. It looks like a heavy vilene (interfacing) that has been painted and ironed on? I think pretty papers or painted fabrics have been glued or stitched at the bottom, then feather stitch used to make the green seaweed and wonderful chain stitch fishes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love Abi's starfish, look at the detail stitched onto the arms! Is it arms for a starfish? Or are they legs? It was padded slightly too which was nice because it did really look like the starfish was just plopped on there and could almost be picked up from the pool. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4w8mCP8Jx72AZeiEuKAZ3Ng1wnUe0EWsnzBPruiI0bIKV-4-e1Y9Q_IXwSC0l5tm9wv92aUrBOGHz3t-E8LBUogAkhFVkDdOk3Lb5FF_WyaWH1e-B7Je3WeJyAcWwsSsSvYEGZghsFrEO9FlutIabiyiKFZoTLZzC47QudKY2cUjO2uTvjP77DZVikjU/s6000/DSC_0129.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4w8mCP8Jx72AZeiEuKAZ3Ng1wnUe0EWsnzBPruiI0bIKV-4-e1Y9Q_IXwSC0l5tm9wv92aUrBOGHz3t-E8LBUogAkhFVkDdOk3Lb5FF_WyaWH1e-B7Je3WeJyAcWwsSsSvYEGZghsFrEO9FlutIabiyiKFZoTLZzC47QudKY2cUjO2uTvjP77DZVikjU/w640-h426/DSC_0129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Such a wonderful little collection all laid out in the golden evening sunshine! Do you have a favourite? </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInN1-S-bwWBUr7i-1P-_-7_Qo7DKSbTr6miLuUkXDL2u7nWuJvXZxblTSr2dTZvSZ0krEAaA6t_N0skwAGiZ6lJ3-o6-vWdRatCcyB6SO64X3Zb6iVJeTACy20b6cKAVPzAJ6RTJu2lwIwaXnCPUUEkQVmWe-GlZ0fvzXQzGNBwaJJxTTHdpbFtrkC1Y/s6000/DSC_0128.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInN1-S-bwWBUr7i-1P-_-7_Qo7DKSbTr6miLuUkXDL2u7nWuJvXZxblTSr2dTZvSZ0krEAaA6t_N0skwAGiZ6lJ3-o6-vWdRatCcyB6SO64X3Zb6iVJeTACy20b6cKAVPzAJ6RTJu2lwIwaXnCPUUEkQVmWe-GlZ0fvzXQzGNBwaJJxTTHdpbFtrkC1Y/w640-h426/DSC_0128.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-41117392702056054982023-10-29T04:50:00.000-07:002023-10-29T04:50:00.745-07:00Piggington Stitchscape<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCctLAaPSUhlLeofQBtXEpH2CgufsRyOMggUDLEdmpvuUd5mo-4COwL3hbiknmnIms7yfk2aoeWjwtXTrIA-kbowqyNwZ2EETZh_r5YtixX93f38a5bVWWjdSIYFxokBRGDcCjY1kKrVlF53mq42EFyGo5GbwFP1ySxN3Ho0DCG-7jHoX0mGpWvJlnwwg/s4032/IMG_6820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCctLAaPSUhlLeofQBtXEpH2CgufsRyOMggUDLEdmpvuUd5mo-4COwL3hbiknmnIms7yfk2aoeWjwtXTrIA-kbowqyNwZ2EETZh_r5YtixX93f38a5bVWWjdSIYFxokBRGDcCjY1kKrVlF53mq42EFyGo5GbwFP1ySxN3Ho0DCG-7jHoX0mGpWvJlnwwg/w640-h480/IMG_6820.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Huzzah! Piggington is complete! I can't find the original post about setting this hoop up - but it was several years ago now. The pig fabric was purchased from Kelly at <a href="https://www.thestitchingpost.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Stitching Post</a> during her open day when she first set up her beautiful converted stables now creative studio and fabric shop, and I believe it's a <a href="http://www.makoweruk.com/collections/" target="_blank">Makower</a> print from a Village Life collection. At the time it was a fat quarter in an end-of-line section so I don't know if there's any left anywhere, certainly there isn't enough for me to make a kit from I'm afraid. </p><p>The pigs are so sweet though and I love the mix of Old Spot, Saddleback and Whites (or maybe a Tamworth?). I also hope you are impressed by my pig knowledge! It has been cultivated through years of attending country shows....although I did Google to check that my original theories were correct. </p><div>Each pig has been drawn around again with a single strand of back stitch. Where there are darker lines I have just tried to match the lines of colour in the print already so I haven't made them deliberately darker. The spots on the spotted pigs have been covered in satin stitch, and I've added some areas of texture to any gaps with single strands of straight stitch, either following the line of a shadow or filling in a section on the saddlebacks, just to make them slightly hairy and more interesting looking. The eyes are single strand, one twist french knots. </div><div>The water and food troughs are part of the print and I've gone around the edges with single strand straight stitches to give them some texture. For the water though I've used metallic thread in blue to give it just a little bit of sparkle, stitching long lines straight across the trough and then couching them in a little at the middle to make sure it doesn't spill over. </div><div><br /></div><div>Texture has been given to the ground with scrappy single strand straight stitches following lines of the print, and I've used some Stylecraft DK acrylic yarn (stripped down) to make the tall grasses, going over them again with some other long stitches to give other colours, trying to blend in greens and beiges to colour balance the piece. French knots using a variegated yarn have been added in as well to try and give an idea of mud piles around each pig where they might be rooting through the ground. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKunnl21CZ5J99uQfmHS3dzPRf0x5jNT9SHOT8dfSqO45jC4YcfQpDlCl8-RUZSBY-jkH7cHkjdKpFh-Ez_jh9D72WDinrFFvUK0W45zBbS6BQYEBiwqzx9iJeDQiPVlWJoGdXs5Y-deKUNP2J71V2s-HzkDdAIbAAXuLNQmjWlG-siwNBj3_a2xt8Y0g/s4032/IMG_6824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKunnl21CZ5J99uQfmHS3dzPRf0x5jNT9SHOT8dfSqO45jC4YcfQpDlCl8-RUZSBY-jkH7cHkjdKpFh-Ez_jh9D72WDinrFFvUK0W45zBbS6BQYEBiwqzx9iJeDQiPVlWJoGdXs5Y-deKUNP2J71V2s-HzkDdAIbAAXuLNQmjWlG-siwNBj3_a2xt8Y0g/w640-h480/IMG_6824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not 100% happy with the top of the pig layer where the trimming is, and I think it is pretty much down to my fussy cutting around the top pig you see in the above image, and then moving the trim over the edge to hold it down. It looks odd to have a fence go over the pig and, in hindsight, what I should have done would be to cut the fabric closer to the pig and make it look more as if the fence is behind rather than sitting on top of - it has upset the sense of perspective there. </div><div>I have no issue with my hessian looped fence though, it's a really gorgeous fancy trimming and I've blended this in with some scattered french knots and more straight stitch grasses. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEplEN9u1neaKeHlSdEKoxPit787t18Jjcxht_Nzy1shvulrOrm08dauaOaheMOLVtoAda1ViJEx6tWnM4pyrU2VTWtt5K2Mybs8kTmGUG-NlF-RkO4Lo0E4OZNg0VGn1Q-1q3cSQsvFouQ1s571QQn7hfkvwNnchQuuKvpUaUzgXv0Pl3t0Uj_Ni4fV0/s4032/IMG_6825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEplEN9u1neaKeHlSdEKoxPit787t18Jjcxht_Nzy1shvulrOrm08dauaOaheMOLVtoAda1ViJEx6tWnM4pyrU2VTWtt5K2Mybs8kTmGUG-NlF-RkO4Lo0E4OZNg0VGn1Q-1q3cSQsvFouQ1s571QQn7hfkvwNnchQuuKvpUaUzgXv0Pl3t0Uj_Ni4fV0/w640-h480/IMG_6825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The pig sties are all different and have actually been glued on with bondaweb, something I rarely do as it makes it so difficult to stitch through the layers. The middles have all been seed stitched just to give some texture and then the brick walls have been made by back stitching around the bricks on the largest pigsty, using a single strand of black and brown in the same needle for some variation; for the second pigsty it is again back stitch but using a single strand of a matching colour, and the third pigsty is long straight stitches woven together (so the long vertical stitches were made first, then horizontal stitches woven through as they were being made). All of the inner edges have been whip stitched, then the outer edges are couched with embroidery thread to give a neat finish, with a darker discreet single strand back stitch just tucking underneath to add shadow and definition. </div><div><br /></div><div>They popped out slightly too much though so I've also added feather stitch vines growing over the top to blend them in and make them look a little bit aged. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQD1L-5CSrHEOLtCuG4X_NIjpfa30rM_lF8cmLv_oz7837WtTwrBQblyHNIQ19XlH4whaNzx3CvzD3Y8JlRun7rGzcr-kWHr30JfrI1MZjvcJcr4-zbSQI7sSBJZKdSc0d_cF9E96CGoKzqlJ2NNMr79BDJJhBqicZd5_RvNMxT5YO5Je2aq7EgGKwjQ/s4032/IMG_6828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQD1L-5CSrHEOLtCuG4X_NIjpfa30rM_lF8cmLv_oz7837WtTwrBQblyHNIQ19XlH4whaNzx3CvzD3Y8JlRun7rGzcr-kWHr30JfrI1MZjvcJcr4-zbSQI7sSBJZKdSc0d_cF9E96CGoKzqlJ2NNMr79BDJJhBqicZd5_RvNMxT5YO5Je2aq7EgGKwjQ/w640-h480/IMG_6828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Working upwards from the pigs, one of my favourite bits is definitely this field of gold. It took for---ever to do and was totally worth it in my opinion. The pattern of the french knots is the same as the pattern printed on the fabric, lots of wavy lines of spots in varying sizes. I've used a variegated thread to get the different colours and create some movement, and worked different sizes of knot (more or less twists around the needle) depending on the size of the line I was covering. The tiny knots have been made with two strands and one twist, and the biggest knots are two strands, four twist. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've edged this layer with several lengths of a lovely hand dyed yarn from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LamingtonLassYarns" target="_blank">Lamington Lass Yarns</a> I picked up a while ago, which has the exact shades of mustard, ochre, khaki and brown that I was looking for. The beautiful variegation has worked well with my folding lengths together and it has given a nice puffiness to the top of the layer. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSog8741KBYx2hYVBYqrVQflDooMEhQHLBActeVmW_B9U4legroGgUgbiwNB0w5Rmo0ypvYe7_44vmva69FZAStDU8BGRn8_U6ofhi11Izr3VWr64jl8FKCBCgix0C2fisRGBReRKb7UWvhHp-CW-EfWi-8nOp1YtBnm0jFXPo5uCErDZvwWfSTlmJJo/s4032/IMG_6826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSog8741KBYx2hYVBYqrVQflDooMEhQHLBActeVmW_B9U4legroGgUgbiwNB0w5Rmo0ypvYe7_44vmva69FZAStDU8BGRn8_U6ofhi11Izr3VWr64jl8FKCBCgix0C2fisRGBReRKb7UWvhHp-CW-EfWi-8nOp1YtBnm0jFXPo5uCErDZvwWfSTlmJJo/w640-h480/IMG_6826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Above this was a lovely striped batik and I've not done much to this at all, simply following the spikey lines with two stranded straight stitch. The thread looks variegated here but actually it's a blue that was light damaged so I got it much cheaper - the light has bleached away some of the blue to give a dirty parchment colour that matched really nicely, and I've edged the layer with cream bullion knots. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbUqr710G_lbRI17o5xq25qo-UNV5Myxtid9BRn1gv-ZYJqK1etcn8df0lGZmfOMHDaY_IG8wc-aiR1F7G5pD6TOm9ULmII-vHyMMNtjIV65LGLmkjDFveQSkh_dJ4D0dmxjrXkYScgd3xT5UmJL0VQ4WRUYWDSkUxBcUUoJHMC2N6K_khARrT_Mdo0Y/s4032/IMG_6827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbUqr710G_lbRI17o5xq25qo-UNV5Myxtid9BRn1gv-ZYJqK1etcn8df0lGZmfOMHDaY_IG8wc-aiR1F7G5pD6TOm9ULmII-vHyMMNtjIV65LGLmkjDFveQSkh_dJ4D0dmxjrXkYScgd3xT5UmJL0VQ4WRUYWDSkUxBcUUoJHMC2N6K_khARrT_Mdo0Y/w640-h480/IMG_6827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my other favourite layers is the green seed stitch strip. The fabric has a quiet mottled texture printed on it but I've enhanced this by using two different colours of green to make my seed stitch, working them in distinctive patches. The little creamy french knot daisies were added later in an attempt to colour balance the piece out as it was light and creamy on the bottom but mostly green on the top and it didn't work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I often don't work chronologically through a piece and go back to add more on each layer as the scene builds up. In this case adding more green to the bottom with the acrylic yarn, more white to the top with french knot flowers and more gold/ochre with fly stitch stems further up. It has definitely helped!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've used the acrylic yarn again to edge this layer, using a technique which a student of mine came up with many years ago when trying to recreate a vineyard. Because the DK yarn has four strands to it, if you just carefully pull on one, the rest of the strands bunch up and make a wonderful texture. I've used it before with my <a href="https://dottytextiles.blogspot.com/2023/05/water-lily-lagoon-stitchscape.html" target="_blank">Water Lily Lagoon Stitchscape</a> and thought it would work really well again here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second problem I have with this piece though is that it is very linear and has strong horizontal lines at the top without much to break it up so this is almost a dividing line between the top and bottom and I'm not sure it has worked as well as I'd hoped. I like the texture, but perhaps it's too bold too far up the hoop?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUSc9C9vQ02h3LyqejJ0gcK2vM_7TfcFqWIlLeEteafhf1rGtGfwOBKekpR4nRtfV8L1mSU3hYABNqjOU1xwHvtDmO7XLiupkXy-p7FYi0fr1xXObNmsBtBUXOpnMGSb7mNaYpcQUIwEmtw9v22EMGeAzNyOo7JrP8PC1s5Lqdth-aHFA47rLsJ3da7Y/s4032/IMG_6829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUSc9C9vQ02h3LyqejJ0gcK2vM_7TfcFqWIlLeEteafhf1rGtGfwOBKekpR4nRtfV8L1mSU3hYABNqjOU1xwHvtDmO7XLiupkXy-p7FYi0fr1xXObNmsBtBUXOpnMGSb7mNaYpcQUIwEmtw9v22EMGeAzNyOo7JrP8PC1s5Lqdth-aHFA47rLsJ3da7Y/w640-h480/IMG_6829.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've used another Makower fabric above this with the lovely spots, picking out some of the pattern and working two strand, two twist french knots. I've again used two colours here to try and make it look more natural and break up the layer a little bit. As I mentioned earlier, I also needed to bring up more of that strong gold colour so I've used the same variegated yarn and made a row of single strand fly stitches, then gone back over with another length in two strands to build up the colour. The top edge has been neatened with bullion knots. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, the top blue layer has just been given a quick going over with single strand running stitch rows. I did at one point at in some fly stitch birds but there is just so much going on with this piece, it didn't add anything to it so they came out again. (More isn't always good!)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge8_eMI_ln9Qf_RaFgspkOsu0O-mJAhy2SVY9gOtTmpvNgUmGLUaLVhkAr2TL1hq6YCdBcOEzTaqchJnChgaVQMjhdBLKxcr9Yhgz_iYMEketxA3xSrnjl1Jw7KuZjIdSUBulM8O5swrXhFVd27X9obLHOEfq_HGQoiO5Iw-Lm2RfQ2A-NysBgJru3tY/s4032/IMG_6830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge8_eMI_ln9Qf_RaFgspkOsu0O-mJAhy2SVY9gOtTmpvNgUmGLUaLVhkAr2TL1hq6YCdBcOEzTaqchJnChgaVQMjhdBLKxcr9Yhgz_iYMEketxA3xSrnjl1Jw7KuZjIdSUBulM8O5swrXhFVd27X9obLHOEfq_HGQoiO5Iw-Lm2RfQ2A-NysBgJru3tY/w640-h480/IMG_6830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindSDTCvqskL3KGAVEUi9IS9tApgjVK-u49AkUnhI_upR-i0K0IVaG7_HLRPG0HFAD6o455-3SAw2V9Rohy3xqPPs0Wdgn3O08ybffhiyEbnu8cYvkgwgbEnvbkD2y1OO2Hvu8ijVra9PkqCC7E7zY1cc7pk6cCsfgzjQMday-kG2VzY_LrAsSOfDMVO0/s4032/IMG_6831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindSDTCvqskL3KGAVEUi9IS9tApgjVK-u49AkUnhI_upR-i0K0IVaG7_HLRPG0HFAD6o455-3SAw2V9Rohy3xqPPs0Wdgn3O08ybffhiyEbnu8cYvkgwgbEnvbkD2y1OO2Hvu8ijVra9PkqCC7E7zY1cc7pk6cCsfgzjQMday-kG2VzY_LrAsSOfDMVO0/w640-h480/IMG_6831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj1anWO_Qd3Q-6T1mtDanfmwECfvgfakmGQL5nemGwQUceqiJiecSYsyNRm7TIcTkE8SgnT5HJnnMEND_1s5hs03H85dI6zAg3_tDmvCzG3Nnb5gJlhjIWQuMT0NkXQST8d_o990vYbVaDYYfh2YfH43-Q7iLf3m3y-68UKZD92J_3U34ZQ5FZtfPS2Y/s4032/IMG_6832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj1anWO_Qd3Q-6T1mtDanfmwECfvgfakmGQL5nemGwQUceqiJiecSYsyNRm7TIcTkE8SgnT5HJnnMEND_1s5hs03H85dI6zAg3_tDmvCzG3Nnb5gJlhjIWQuMT0NkXQST8d_o990vYbVaDYYfh2YfH43-Q7iLf3m3y-68UKZD92J_3U34ZQ5FZtfPS2Y/w640-h480/IMG_6832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I feel like there were lessons learned here which is good. It's a nice piece as it is, and I won't make it again as it took so long and I try not to repeat exactly anyway, but next time the pigs crop up I'll try and remember what worked and what didn't!</div><div><br /></div><div>The stitch round up for this piece is; straight stitch, running stitch, back stitch, french knots, couching, seed stitch, feather stitch, fly stitch, whip stitch, bullion knots and satin stitch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interestingly, you can see the same image on the back as you do on the front!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JvUfX3IPNV4EpS2MwtfUg3_ljNq75w9KhvsbDvfKX_IeteCIQJ38gZ112yHDFVSQKL843hFAmEFOY4OgOTxxMDDIVuQb8qf0meeX7eFf2vw7YdJMWEC-AV8HXBaW73Ll9QH3U0-WdWiwtj2bLfvM2asDAvqZMzuLW90e1INoJ1kP8akYb2kS0a2QbSU/s4032/IMG_6833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JvUfX3IPNV4EpS2MwtfUg3_ljNq75w9KhvsbDvfKX_IeteCIQJ38gZ112yHDFVSQKL843hFAmEFOY4OgOTxxMDDIVuQb8qf0meeX7eFf2vw7YdJMWEC-AV8HXBaW73Ll9QH3U0-WdWiwtj2bLfvM2asDAvqZMzuLW90e1INoJ1kP8akYb2kS0a2QbSU/w640-h480/IMG_6833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QagjR4x442YJ9cet4BKMIZOtEu5crwTNXMBSYtiEiK6qYGRSSsn8eDhRQBRB6eRdi5wT7NY5DW5Gn0zOjEOaW30MCDRcMA4jFoFeDp6pgvQ8x_sVxdaVjo5lher4fGMxDAUKacnHx4gXHqCQkCdgqZxrNLGLdt0QYOEKjhBt9RBruBFqFP43-Azu8uU/s4032/IMG_6834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QagjR4x442YJ9cet4BKMIZOtEu5crwTNXMBSYtiEiK6qYGRSSsn8eDhRQBRB6eRdi5wT7NY5DW5Gn0zOjEOaW30MCDRcMA4jFoFeDp6pgvQ8x_sVxdaVjo5lher4fGMxDAUKacnHx4gXHqCQkCdgqZxrNLGLdt0QYOEKjhBt9RBruBFqFP43-Azu8uU/w640-h480/IMG_6834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-62753631054864927072023-10-29T03:49:00.003-07:002023-10-29T03:49:56.293-07:00Rockpool ATCs<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2MO1UamQcsMPrQ2GYoOugz0hcBxtv-4XEUNHtrDGoV28M4XEKNOcQP6e57qB7HgHxdQwvEBZ18nbEA7ztq4lCRgHrnTd6GxSlf2xsUz3OyrbvMNjgJpVvmUZgTKERBaFuWc8SCIS2Y3LZWiD9OVELWoIJeAxNTSLmJ94gZAIDJMW-Q7xrXBR_U0jDSc/s4032/IMG_6847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2MO1UamQcsMPrQ2GYoOugz0hcBxtv-4XEUNHtrDGoV28M4XEKNOcQP6e57qB7HgHxdQwvEBZ18nbEA7ztq4lCRgHrnTd6GxSlf2xsUz3OyrbvMNjgJpVvmUZgTKERBaFuWc8SCIS2Y3LZWiD9OVELWoIJeAxNTSLmJ94gZAIDJMW-Q7xrXBR_U0jDSc/w640-h480/IMG_6847.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div><br /></div>As usually happens, I didn't get time to write up about these cards when I'd actually finished them - and now we're nearly a month on and I should be writing about the next theme set! Even though I'm late, I still would like to mark the passing of the months for my Stitchscape swap and talk a little bit about how I made these cards. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB0dhXlRTQqDVUMgnmQyzrpPLt78Z5MizYcK3CZUFMXGYk6p6VDybNrFjNQArP_e5ah4sdKusOX13SiFG-G_rUZvu5Z8NLrL6EpHkyAtPFolJixgOiiz89Zca3sK2JLuNt68cGWvcMy7dVCCHbh-UDF8uDFWlj3UZxTF_BnqwaaEh2FVOd6eOuPaSSqE/s4032/IMG_6849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB0dhXlRTQqDVUMgnmQyzrpPLt78Z5MizYcK3CZUFMXGYk6p6VDybNrFjNQArP_e5ah4sdKusOX13SiFG-G_rUZvu5Z8NLrL6EpHkyAtPFolJixgOiiz89Zca3sK2JLuNt68cGWvcMy7dVCCHbh-UDF8uDFWlj3UZxTF_BnqwaaEh2FVOd6eOuPaSSqE/w640-h480/IMG_6849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The theme for September was 'Rockpooling' and I wanted my cards to be viewed from up high, a mass of texture and seaweed and greenery. I wasn't brave enough to add any little creatures in but there were bead bubbles so that would hint at something living at the bottom of my pool, right?<div>I thought the backs of the cards were quite interesting as well this time around - totally filled with stitches apart from the sections of stuck sequin tape. As always they took longer than expected and ended up coming on the bus with me a few times so that I could finish them off. On Tuesdays I get the bus in to my part-time job really early because it means I avoid the college kids and I end up with an hour or so sitting in a coffee shop eating breakfast, topping up my caffeine levels, stitching and eavesdropping on the coffee shop conversations. It's amazing how much can be achieved in that hour!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIT-sgZJIM7jEy_HU8gxi8YT8A6UI3UVSIpzuL5SJZfj0c4kDbBYd4SZFhhrOlZP9qW8fOnARyaCErA5JMJ5WD9-1OzlSxHYaTZ66KB0WrnFDKCOoLyje0GeYhN4c1aWn4O6CXQ1d3PVnzSNi8Z-JQvgEjZueLG9Ev0fHtn_Xbq1O97LmV7OsGneqzyLI/s4032/IMG_6850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIT-sgZJIM7jEy_HU8gxi8YT8A6UI3UVSIpzuL5SJZfj0c4kDbBYd4SZFhhrOlZP9qW8fOnARyaCErA5JMJ5WD9-1OzlSxHYaTZ66KB0WrnFDKCOoLyje0GeYhN4c1aWn4O6CXQ1d3PVnzSNi8Z-JQvgEjZueLG9Ev0fHtn_Xbq1O97LmV7OsGneqzyLI/w640-h480/IMG_6850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPz834RJMiA7MQhdfBD8NvLhIc-23ZtNQynGcc0gcY_HeORIEtWLe21dtrVx6B0YbRmCStmA1Q0HPw3DMddNSVbEDY0AZ1J8_m-r8jU8TIhnLoRtkQNyuLEqWmOjknfv_lRSv3DkV10wOy6BN8NAWfks75ES2tJaE03tZDT9teAdtzYxIeB0LONL_RkI/s4032/IMG_6857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPz834RJMiA7MQhdfBD8NvLhIc-23ZtNQynGcc0gcY_HeORIEtWLe21dtrVx6B0YbRmCStmA1Q0HPw3DMddNSVbEDY0AZ1J8_m-r8jU8TIhnLoRtkQNyuLEqWmOjknfv_lRSv3DkV10wOy6BN8NAWfks75ES2tJaE03tZDT9teAdtzYxIeB0LONL_RkI/w640-h480/IMG_6857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There's a lot more colour on the front of the cards than the backs, and I like to think that there are different levels going on. Each card has been overlapped slightly differently, and the pieces cut to completely random shapes. The constant is that the blue layer (the water) is always at the bottom but other than that the rock fabrics vary quite a bit, creating different shapes and tiers. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNzQF_3YXRaMdUAv9-ewrpCihSrIH13y4CDi0rv5MwB2Rt5NFXqHgDGQHqAYIIyVYQI8NmKAgzg5UF8mn-ARbYAszMp5wrZNMOzVRGjS-AZfEtrCHI14GT-aAvudOGsgDRxh3rqawOf6qtTsMP9c53le7kprv-7ZzzjzCkr6yERf4PJMPjRGoNyWSToA/s4032/IMG_6858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNzQF_3YXRaMdUAv9-ewrpCihSrIH13y4CDi0rv5MwB2Rt5NFXqHgDGQHqAYIIyVYQI8NmKAgzg5UF8mn-ARbYAszMp5wrZNMOzVRGjS-AZfEtrCHI14GT-aAvudOGsgDRxh3rqawOf6qtTsMP9c53le7kprv-7ZzzjzCkr6yERf4PJMPjRGoNyWSToA/w640-h480/IMG_6858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The fabrics have all been treated the same way though so they are consistent in that. The beautiful pebble looking fabric with the circles on is a great print that is just a mass of what could be bubbles or pebbles or circles in shades of brown. These I have picked out the most prominent shapes and covered them in different colours using three strands of floss to create a satin stitch which gives a slight padded texture that feels really nice. I've made sure to vary the directions of the circles though so that they catch the light differently and look more of a jumble - had I done them all in the same direction it would have looked strange and too uniform. Mixing it up adds a sense of movement and that they are wiggling around, potentially a slippery surface to stand on. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1wbYPqbGK7mwW9FrwU5GfIJvWFXy4mkgcN5PGVCG0CxtwiEubOWx4_7Hf5h0WvlzcSJDPmhP-dpoMbZ9dBg8xrzUtCR5SjDQQnl893A_ViVDc0EaM5NwilGo8kuteitsNEWH-59AH_pFfswsBy0iMRKMah6CLsuI51KuvLFl3Ck2BL2JAgvxRs8v5NI/s4032/IMG_6859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1wbYPqbGK7mwW9FrwU5GfIJvWFXy4mkgcN5PGVCG0CxtwiEubOWx4_7Hf5h0WvlzcSJDPmhP-dpoMbZ9dBg8xrzUtCR5SjDQQnl893A_ViVDc0EaM5NwilGo8kuteitsNEWH-59AH_pFfswsBy0iMRKMah6CLsuI51KuvLFl3Ck2BL2JAgvxRs8v5NI/w640-h480/IMG_6859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The beige, sandy coloured fabric has been given quite a craggy look by covering it with seed stitch, and then going over it again with whip stitch. The whip stitch adds cracks and bumps into the texture, and turns an otherwise plain fabric into a really interesting one! </div><div>Finally, the last fabric rock surface is much smoother, with just discreet lines of single strand back stitch going over the lovely batik pattern. There's less going on in this layer so it looks a bit quieter and safer to stand on - out of the three, this is the one that wouldn't be hard going on the feet. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgq2VuWEcf8wOM2HPcgzD67ZCrFuUZeRtAHy5tUBg1zVHqyfnHmHQI_bqW_lM8wlpR8gIZRioF2aRYu87UBR6PYik1clQXSWxUaXdk6qG4jaUUnbeJLEUfcVxcYMgv6x5IjNdzVZ5IKyerq6c0Bm5wJrcNNEX07OTSqVOsirmpE_MuZgZiB82LK62iWg/s4032/IMG_6863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgq2VuWEcf8wOM2HPcgzD67ZCrFuUZeRtAHy5tUBg1zVHqyfnHmHQI_bqW_lM8wlpR8gIZRioF2aRYu87UBR6PYik1clQXSWxUaXdk6qG4jaUUnbeJLEUfcVxcYMgv6x5IjNdzVZ5IKyerq6c0Bm5wJrcNNEX07OTSqVOsirmpE_MuZgZiB82LK62iWg/w640-h480/IMG_6863.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sparkle has been added by using a really lovely stuck sequin tape. It's a woven tape on the bottom but has lots of layers of teeny tiny solid hexagon sequins glued over the top. I haven't stitched too much through this ribbon as the little sequins can ping off so it's easier to find areas where you can sort of see the tape through the glitter to stitch through. It's so nice though, like finding a piece of shiny quartz on the beach. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Further texture has been added by adding some rolled up furnishing fringing to the watery edge (a sea anemone perhaps?), blue silk throwsters waste has been stab stitched on around the edges of the glittery tape for a little injection of some deeper colour and some soft wavy touchy-feely stuff. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZfMRFYLHOaicZCANBwMP1fwplcJdVGQkdTsNGviocIcAUE6ODdwecKM9Sk-x6EXl4fJUHaVI_ApqxCq5eoprCYflt3TY8xhUPUhQs4xON7ywmzmJQY2dJlymRfrBfhCwnGpDCo-kpGttJP9HZCvmzHFAcjD9tu2FXtNQZyQnBbUlwcaAqLK9CT0TEh8/s4032/IMG_6864.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZfMRFYLHOaicZCANBwMP1fwplcJdVGQkdTsNGviocIcAUE6ODdwecKM9Sk-x6EXl4fJUHaVI_ApqxCq5eoprCYflt3TY8xhUPUhQs4xON7ywmzmJQY2dJlymRfrBfhCwnGpDCo-kpGttJP9HZCvmzHFAcjD9tu2FXtNQZyQnBbUlwcaAqLK9CT0TEh8/w640-h480/IMG_6864.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've used french knots to edge any raw edges of the brown circle and plain sandy fabrics, and locked together bullion knots to edge the brown batik. Usually when using bullion knots to edge a fabric I would just use them as one single line so I've experimented here with using them at an angle to create a thicker line but also a different texture. What do you think of it?</div><div>Small bullion knot barnacles have been added on the water's edge, and I've used some leftover green thread from a different project to make moss stitch which stands up in loops (basically it's normal straight stitches but the thread hasn't been pulled all of the way through the fabric to lie flat, and has been deliberately left to form a loop on the surface). The little pop of green really changed it for me, funny how the beach still needs some green in it!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJPU_6XP6SVapnyLUuzYji3Ki03v4u6OAVcKZePMkx2wuF4cTWmKQyH1RJ6L9d0NlFyYX2fkYbZe2lqz8Z3QGazFDaTGO9qSduJ3x2OFjSOsTnuFXidf-oJec1g2ZVX92uyUvO3V_3qoKVEOMnae-UDCVf_LxYWRSyhs-csZpjO5BKWQGmetM5glL58Q/s4032/IMG_6865.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJPU_6XP6SVapnyLUuzYji3Ki03v4u6OAVcKZePMkx2wuF4cTWmKQyH1RJ6L9d0NlFyYX2fkYbZe2lqz8Z3QGazFDaTGO9qSduJ3x2OFjSOsTnuFXidf-oJec1g2ZVX92uyUvO3V_3qoKVEOMnae-UDCVf_LxYWRSyhs-csZpjO5BKWQGmetM5glL58Q/w640-h480/IMG_6865.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The water I've left fairly blank. It's not a running pool of water and, without lots of animals jumping around in there, the surface would be quite smooth and still so I've quietly added some stem stitch in a matching colour along any lines of the print (which was a leafy swirl type pattern), and added some little beads along the length to give it some shine and shimmer. I could have also done this with metallic threads but I didn't want that to be glittery really. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG217dFOXud5ZKJbsesMT9Le3-rXkAzKoUQQWEMHakD9zRsP4x4FmznNG9SRRgUvchYK6IwUJAqGg5WjrHo-XDfZuLxprODP86kPxXJdSkWMd-MJ73gAdGc1Vm1HMhED0HYWUu-bNfekPPhmiD4PbhdB3WA3LxvGneGMZ6tMi4Fzzihu7kO6ZQPJmUwBY/s4032/IMG_6866.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG217dFOXud5ZKJbsesMT9Le3-rXkAzKoUQQWEMHakD9zRsP4x4FmznNG9SRRgUvchYK6IwUJAqGg5WjrHo-XDfZuLxprODP86kPxXJdSkWMd-MJ73gAdGc1Vm1HMhED0HYWUu-bNfekPPhmiD4PbhdB3WA3LxvGneGMZ6tMi4Fzzihu7kO6ZQPJmUwBY/w640-h480/IMG_6866.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vFRck_vj0yF8bJYUu_QmgWHbmyI6w0x4wDdSDDrBITrOnIfF_Cgk_Co4PXcmFpuUmIk9hf9OAmQXgOTTecL-PPnBhGFPk5Uvnlp3-AVGKXYoRMTeyYCAt6UxpfpqBVn0Mlxj5B5ccxAagiOqGyyCYRz2zuD0IWxTXrWDDsSfse4nSwk5vT2znfhTN5U/s4032/IMG_6867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vFRck_vj0yF8bJYUu_QmgWHbmyI6w0x4wDdSDDrBITrOnIfF_Cgk_Co4PXcmFpuUmIk9hf9OAmQXgOTTecL-PPnBhGFPk5Uvnlp3-AVGKXYoRMTeyYCAt6UxpfpqBVn0Mlxj5B5ccxAagiOqGyyCYRz2zuD0IWxTXrWDDsSfse4nSwk5vT2znfhTN5U/w640-h480/IMG_6867.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkwgz_Fzr1RgXShJeYy8JczKI2ozAPqvIiAu_kO-bXVywzrjMLxn89bTvNJ8hKjpkUChedbz_oZbkqaDdx13ORKEfP-A7PvpMqyBwMlN0KIlbkcXDUgwgpvW5pPO3aT9xqbZmRILNsmWoeF1z907-5k8sj_gP5zg7JySnJOVB8SSmsgZ8zzU3IKjCFGQ/s4032/IMG_6868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkwgz_Fzr1RgXShJeYy8JczKI2ozAPqvIiAu_kO-bXVywzrjMLxn89bTvNJ8hKjpkUChedbz_oZbkqaDdx13ORKEfP-A7PvpMqyBwMlN0KIlbkcXDUgwgpvW5pPO3aT9xqbZmRILNsmWoeF1z907-5k8sj_gP5zg7JySnJOVB8SSmsgZ8zzU3IKjCFGQ/w640-h480/IMG_6868.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N4bYQFrWz8FgrYpk5PD2fv6HSmPSlC9EYpxZlpGt-bfCGqiaLDAMN3dBPGgiG31xfsYsBc7i3C13MgoOtEZjHPUmT5P_tzfSyuAMmoC2UHu-3TPRUFN5pXfDTHn1SIvoPwTPJMTpmSjTXGL4wRAT4IxZVG6-pTpL71XQc_AEz2d4Zoj-EBxu4GZxcC4/s4032/IMG_6869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N4bYQFrWz8FgrYpk5PD2fv6HSmPSlC9EYpxZlpGt-bfCGqiaLDAMN3dBPGgiG31xfsYsBc7i3C13MgoOtEZjHPUmT5P_tzfSyuAMmoC2UHu-3TPRUFN5pXfDTHn1SIvoPwTPJMTpmSjTXGL4wRAT4IxZVG6-pTpL71XQc_AEz2d4Zoj-EBxu4GZxcC4/w640-h480/IMG_6869.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So there we have it! My interpretation of a rock pool. I really like these cards - perhaps if I did them again I would add something else to the water to give it a slight shimmer, a layer of chiffon or organza or something but, overall these really appeal to me and I like how I've made them so textural but in a flat way so that they will hopefully still be ok to post as a letter! </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSXyrXjK4Q6zaOK7nx0tSoQRo4ISVE5Y2Kt7QVkJbIKDTq_z9nz-13tpnGbmaoJW7hnooFYR0Ibe8AcJsTOXADnUayiUrQip8xOpIZ4K7gbsonXDkBkeAktOBtFrSHN3utMEEjt4Q4ldlSWqsJdQDzudAKhqNeqGzm19YX2pchdKnDmEPWMJIhIc07LM/s4032/IMG_6871.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSXyrXjK4Q6zaOK7nx0tSoQRo4ISVE5Y2Kt7QVkJbIKDTq_z9nz-13tpnGbmaoJW7hnooFYR0Ibe8AcJsTOXADnUayiUrQip8xOpIZ4K7gbsonXDkBkeAktOBtFrSHN3utMEEjt4Q4ldlSWqsJdQDzudAKhqNeqGzm19YX2pchdKnDmEPWMJIhIc07LM/w640-h480/IMG_6871.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0PebPkz7Gz-xymXkxxIhz7o2IzU3xzO9b3vJVOEYm2GjS-_gJL3HSMFgJMwqLA31vNgBguZPfAznxWhAj_GQMV7fM6RPrfjx6tJWkp0wiqBN4e0l2O4yyMDkFX3nmPm1hitIQLmISTGfdWDuzS-5AavbPgYXDhcU-NGNCmDW5ZUvi5K1CNXjH-oTgtc/s4032/IMG_6872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0PebPkz7Gz-xymXkxxIhz7o2IzU3xzO9b3vJVOEYm2GjS-_gJL3HSMFgJMwqLA31vNgBguZPfAznxWhAj_GQMV7fM6RPrfjx6tJWkp0wiqBN4e0l2O4yyMDkFX3nmPm1hitIQLmISTGfdWDuzS-5AavbPgYXDhcU-NGNCmDW5ZUvi5K1CNXjH-oTgtc/w640-h480/IMG_6872.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The stitch run down for these cards is; seed stitch, whip stitch, bullion knots, back stitch, satin stitch, french knots, stem stitch, beading and moss stitch.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy3j4xaLhXm_wu_U3yPtveTelPByPs2NZeujfe9NkAk6qNpLyK3KyxkjOQIKwIzqgkHvUlFZ-gSHtw9salTg_NI0zbhFAKG-kCpWTsheF79lozgBCkHOgTGmlDBQ_dFfRudgGD_kKUcZxgIQrYZ3vNkXi0iRKVQsIr0Uwken__3Lzaj7oz5dac-G7TlI/s4032/IMG_6875.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy3j4xaLhXm_wu_U3yPtveTelPByPs2NZeujfe9NkAk6qNpLyK3KyxkjOQIKwIzqgkHvUlFZ-gSHtw9salTg_NI0zbhFAKG-kCpWTsheF79lozgBCkHOgTGmlDBQ_dFfRudgGD_kKUcZxgIQrYZ3vNkXi0iRKVQsIr0Uwken__3Lzaj7oz5dac-G7TlI/w640-h480/IMG_6875.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipePLlF6XKeb0GmAZglUNoyKfpTK4PN2KakfYA7GpjIfjpn2Qj6rdhaifb-jXYzLbl2rtjrThYQBuP1lKokr3JXvcbsYMe_7BOWr3WNVfVricwURVjkAo-pues0j7hNSctOXuYKmcIj86xo2x2rAM9enC-9wMCwgAcXFMtIJRQvfanPNft7XXypKWGK58/s4032/IMG_6876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipePLlF6XKeb0GmAZglUNoyKfpTK4PN2KakfYA7GpjIfjpn2Qj6rdhaifb-jXYzLbl2rtjrThYQBuP1lKokr3JXvcbsYMe_7BOWr3WNVfVricwURVjkAo-pues0j7hNSctOXuYKmcIj86xo2x2rAM9enC-9wMCwgAcXFMtIJRQvfanPNft7XXypKWGK58/w640-h480/IMG_6876.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-69339992556324052882023-10-27T13:47:00.003-07:002023-10-27T13:47:41.083-07:00Talks & Craft Fairs<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjiT22o6v3gQ0lG7VALp-O9R2AX6v2RkpFQOv4mB5KkaMsO8nrxmX3Tl5LxYpUo1-hBWzevKiIiqIFs778qJwkHIo3dPD72kXHw-jJitsukxXzL3PgAFiOjKrI4cJxvRgpmsdAgC08i9fScSvjMPsv4nBL3lsuJkQoptcFRT_kJp8D-PpuPK9n5P2ncY/s4032/IMG_6693.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjiT22o6v3gQ0lG7VALp-O9R2AX6v2RkpFQOv4mB5KkaMsO8nrxmX3Tl5LxYpUo1-hBWzevKiIiqIFs778qJwkHIo3dPD72kXHw-jJitsukxXzL3PgAFiOjKrI4cJxvRgpmsdAgC08i9fScSvjMPsv4nBL3lsuJkQoptcFRT_kJp8D-PpuPK9n5P2ncY/w640-h480/IMG_6693.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've met lots of really lovely people lately. September was quite a busy time for me with several talks and a craft event to get ready for. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These photos were from the <a href="https://northkentembroiderers.co.uk/" target="_blank">North Kent Embroiderers</a> in Southfleet - which is a bit of a distance from me but actually we seemed to fly there down the motorway! Reece and I have quite a good set up going (well I think so, he just kind of shrugs about it); I go in for first contact and start shifting things in, he brings in Baby F to charm anyone who has already arrived and to polish the floors with his bottom shuffling, then I set up the display table and Reece gets the sales table going. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it's all done and beautiful, he whisks off Baby F until I've talked and chatted myself out and have started packing up, then we say thank you and goodbye and go home! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEV28rHAKk-xXIrSeqbr7kceJTa3KPncmsnuzUk-04PP2PcCxPUW7R4QAbkNI356MMP9y-JJb3W1qBavNL-JNziPuPDGBrrY8wnFwpFwEW1SoNkruE2B_qhZ0LLMI4jnrvIPFTXPmAtcaaJ_jkTCgRlKTokzsAaZoKZjDflAQmH-zlmnkru1FiU6y6sk/s4032/IMG_6694.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEV28rHAKk-xXIrSeqbr7kceJTa3KPncmsnuzUk-04PP2PcCxPUW7R4QAbkNI356MMP9y-JJb3W1qBavNL-JNziPuPDGBrrY8wnFwpFwEW1SoNkruE2B_qhZ0LLMI4jnrvIPFTXPmAtcaaJ_jkTCgRlKTokzsAaZoKZjDflAQmH-zlmnkru1FiU6y6sk/w640-h480/IMG_6694.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I try to take as many examples as I can to these events. You never know what will spark up a question or conversation and it makes it much easier to describe a stitch or a technique if you can pass round examples of what you are referring to. The table may start out full of pieces and looking lovely but by the end it has been ransacked and there are hoops in piles all over the place!<div><br /></div><div>It's not a formal set up, I don't have a presentation on a power point or a fun video or anything, it is just me chatting in front of a group of ladies (usually, no men yet). I do have a written down spiel, but to be honest the minute I start speaking I totally forget about it and the next 40 minutes or so are a bit of a blur! Eventually I run out of things to say in cohesive sentences and ask for questions from the audience which then spark off new ideas and discussions. It doesn't sound particularly slick when I put it like that, but usually I get requests for workshops or further talks so presumably it's not all bad. </div><div>When I think of the me 5 years ago, I would never have considered standing up in front of a (often quite large) group of people on my own and be able to actually speak!! I think I've learned to speak up and also slow down so that it actually comes out in English rather than garbled speech and I'm quite proud of myself really for being brave enough. I suppose it helps if you are really passionate and enthusiastic about it. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHwXmDdM58ntT_uhwZ1EI3l5w2sE0sL2LQtMgu2MmjVsJgK52qvjZibJ2tcI9MOYqLoAEazVlVWn33GThS5R40BHJyLjCN9iBlccRiu1Kzubc2VaYtOYbQv-YgWgs-lQct0Lc9ZSQ6vXjXuWTu25KG3eucvKQlyley5Uk6I_YvZ-MKuWQpQglN0bko_U/s4032/IMG_6695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHwXmDdM58ntT_uhwZ1EI3l5w2sE0sL2LQtMgu2MmjVsJgK52qvjZibJ2tcI9MOYqLoAEazVlVWn33GThS5R40BHJyLjCN9iBlccRiu1Kzubc2VaYtOYbQv-YgWgs-lQct0Lc9ZSQ6vXjXuWTu25KG3eucvKQlyley5Uk6I_YvZ-MKuWQpQglN0bko_U/w640-h480/IMG_6695.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I don't take huge amounts for sale at these talks, usually a selection of kits, books and any other bits that are packed in one of my boxes. Kits are the big sellers anyway and what most people ask for when I go. </div><div><br /></div><div>For craft fairs it's a whole different type of packing! I try to have lots of different things on offer and lots of different price points ranging from cards to little stitched daisy pendants, postcard packs, rockpool magnets, kits and original pieces. To be honest I very rarely sell an original piece but they are good at drawing people in to come and have a look so they are a nice advertisement to what I actually do. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyxqYpNtrdQljntFe_4KuA9ZXOhtzVecQ7Jc7P7ogY8-Ftm4NIwj1XBQsWMB9XP1tDPlzJqRv9sA5lXS3Db4DtMoFtOcpR0mSimlZIu_b0Pn0Vf7kt9r1VJoSBBjcC_WpSAko9sW_2lfGC3krmq_uL9Ks65hYQ9XUtx96qzgbLogk4w4OcssjTIDucs0/s3024/IMG_6780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyxqYpNtrdQljntFe_4KuA9ZXOhtzVecQ7Jc7P7ogY8-Ftm4NIwj1XBQsWMB9XP1tDPlzJqRv9sA5lXS3Db4DtMoFtOcpR0mSimlZIu_b0Pn0Vf7kt9r1VJoSBBjcC_WpSAko9sW_2lfGC3krmq_uL9Ks65hYQ9XUtx96qzgbLogk4w4OcssjTIDucs0/w640-h640/IMG_6780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was at Lindfield Craft Market a few weeks ago. I'd never been here before but had been approached by the organisers who spotted me at the Heathfield Show and took my details. </div><div>It wasn't a huge event and the footfall wasn't amazing but actually I did rather well! And I was next to a local perfume lady so we smelt lovely too. The quality of the sellers was very high with lots of beautiful creations so it was amazing to see and be a part of. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7JWQHPFcY5dPFpk_7sfDt-Grj2qJm3rzEfBm0acQt9v96pRcINYlNGy-eV8FFYRrvqjhVXBFmzAY62VwMv-GEEICxfG0E1xc2_nhvYwLhpfeGOd7sWZ8Y1iuV-SygjNL5ybH2ICDAcqNXiK9RBXT0KAX9geVjdd4eMmnR-uiuPG0t1hw03EHdic-0UE/s4032/IMG_6782.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7JWQHPFcY5dPFpk_7sfDt-Grj2qJm3rzEfBm0acQt9v96pRcINYlNGy-eV8FFYRrvqjhVXBFmzAY62VwMv-GEEICxfG0E1xc2_nhvYwLhpfeGOd7sWZ8Y1iuV-SygjNL5ybH2ICDAcqNXiK9RBXT0KAX9geVjdd4eMmnR-uiuPG0t1hw03EHdic-0UE/w300-h400/IMG_6782.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqEfe3LZs7yK5mc_t2kuEISydR-9gWYy0hEXGBl08T2ZjXKRgaKSUaP0ckwH9m9C-Xoq7MmljYYSAu3f1ruI9mmB6z6EJ3vAPy-et8GwcRTKv9V9GDP1ZcrFuBRaOlkYXmmdFnihlpnI-ltvq6mU1ja0N1FbiUZurLr41rUeZbFEwXZvmwo3W-N5IM7g/s4032/IMG_6783.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqEfe3LZs7yK5mc_t2kuEISydR-9gWYy0hEXGBl08T2ZjXKRgaKSUaP0ckwH9m9C-Xoq7MmljYYSAu3f1ruI9mmB6z6EJ3vAPy-et8GwcRTKv9V9GDP1ZcrFuBRaOlkYXmmdFnihlpnI-ltvq6mU1ja0N1FbiUZurLr41rUeZbFEwXZvmwo3W-N5IM7g/w300-h400/IMG_6783.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKJ8k9Var-gOB36Tdw__lr-A0_8Som_tBezS7LsnAnjhElFLHFO1LlitVry0bJrR08spk_zlc3jI73tkl7y_jQx3fUVo3jDdCGjMl36yQdV6Azr4a1K7ZDK5Rv5GUa9S3XO95QPVx-X00jv2LXurXcTmEI-G_2YqvWKtfNyIs6SOH2_VlENXZPNiwVYQ/s4032/IMG_6787.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKJ8k9Var-gOB36Tdw__lr-A0_8Som_tBezS7LsnAnjhElFLHFO1LlitVry0bJrR08spk_zlc3jI73tkl7y_jQx3fUVo3jDdCGjMl36yQdV6Azr4a1K7ZDK5Rv5GUa9S3XO95QPVx-X00jv2LXurXcTmEI-G_2YqvWKtfNyIs6SOH2_VlENXZPNiwVYQ/w640-h480/IMG_6787.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I don't always mind it so much if the events are a little bit quieter as I can sit down and concentrate on a stitching project all day (a slight luxury these days!!). For this event I'd brought my pig Stitchscape to work on and I managed to mostly finish it off which was brilliant. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can also see my super cool new card machine in the below photo, it's very snazzy on its stand there and connects to my phone brilliantly. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cEfjdYYxy0AmfgdmlXyNebm5K1URuTDN0ykvwK5A4FD1TxM9825ldeRqH6uMMHr_bGdOiYxInlLkTop0kdmhuVw-7mY16Yb9wHDoutMiMuRoNgBCA9ZGN2y1cDBiRUpbZ8kq5y2BltylUxQF1N2pl4jfX44kf7bwgQ8gr8DuIVIWHp8cZwiiI0H2RJo/s4032/IMG_6788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cEfjdYYxy0AmfgdmlXyNebm5K1URuTDN0ykvwK5A4FD1TxM9825ldeRqH6uMMHr_bGdOiYxInlLkTop0kdmhuVw-7mY16Yb9wHDoutMiMuRoNgBCA9ZGN2y1cDBiRUpbZ8kq5y2BltylUxQF1N2pl4jfX44kf7bwgQ8gr8DuIVIWHp8cZwiiI0H2RJo/w640-h480/IMG_6788.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMD5ufZAcBJbWEG__gVus59ovxdMElTZ_IlzpQlssB2ATK1cWuAvo61QDeLcbJTWDUIUYwX6TU6tAMSU3Jc27ZlkiLnHLEikRIrRJ_4JIsVF9TyiQaDEVmeyde4OA6-mng3bI-Y6uXIxOeaiJihAZzthDgCW7xiGgRAChUaA77QfEHWFXw_W1s50rkhk/s4032/IMG_6789.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMD5ufZAcBJbWEG__gVus59ovxdMElTZ_IlzpQlssB2ATK1cWuAvo61QDeLcbJTWDUIUYwX6TU6tAMSU3Jc27ZlkiLnHLEikRIrRJ_4JIsVF9TyiQaDEVmeyde4OA6-mng3bI-Y6uXIxOeaiJihAZzthDgCW7xiGgRAChUaA77QfEHWFXw_W1s50rkhk/w640-h480/IMG_6789.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is an interesting piece, possibly because I genuinely can't remember what I was thinking when I first put it together years ago. I'm sure I had lots of plans of where to take it but I feel a little bit like I lost my way with this one. It's very busy, there's lots going on and nowhere really for your eyes to rest or be specifically drawn to. I don't know that I'm entirely happy with the pig section or the really solid green section at the back, but other bits of it I really like so I suppose it balances out. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UpNJ4EbFnR3EqPT47q2E13O_4s63XtKftr0NXYy01zm-oXzcci28rJmqLUmVbDtK9qjh-Z6vCSAjHqfZMFxHcmAwlkX37O6YhYQ49E0o-btUiCBDMiOSj7E_buM_0BRFsOBJJpdy67ttYYiFdUCokCe3OHp-BOCMk_UME4Vm4ShKjZk535T4YbXKOu4/s4032/IMG_6805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UpNJ4EbFnR3EqPT47q2E13O_4s63XtKftr0NXYy01zm-oXzcci28rJmqLUmVbDtK9qjh-Z6vCSAjHqfZMFxHcmAwlkX37O6YhYQ49E0o-btUiCBDMiOSj7E_buM_0BRFsOBJJpdy67ttYYiFdUCokCe3OHp-BOCMk_UME4Vm4ShKjZk535T4YbXKOu4/w640-h480/IMG_6805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There's definitely a lot of stitching in this one though!!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvm85Fq15gPyaRhC_p7hMpzdG9VYuieIisMYmC_zJjba_0gJr_RnQCxwdxLoRjVigvUQeYdlVCGaLBeauHtcmZ8XQtkVpx_tr2mlLMoUZgdmHyQx88diyfF64sDJBbdrQCCem9JjAQWjAeSYDM_XmMkGZQGrvXwKPEjtpfsk-C_w-WrTKSNdSGKU9VZk/s4032/IMG_6806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvm85Fq15gPyaRhC_p7hMpzdG9VYuieIisMYmC_zJjba_0gJr_RnQCxwdxLoRjVigvUQeYdlVCGaLBeauHtcmZ8XQtkVpx_tr2mlLMoUZgdmHyQx88diyfF64sDJBbdrQCCem9JjAQWjAeSYDM_XmMkGZQGrvXwKPEjtpfsk-C_w-WrTKSNdSGKU9VZk/w640-h480/IMG_6806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVlMGnEFDV0LF2oUXI3Ny4Cl6G9Odx4SDWNfSHCZeGsodsIp0IZi_LaLojNUysE92z4xMFJTB_aLfadNT9J7w-4fOxz0MqoEOZv2b0bj02zSnoZL8IpgvQDmHfFqFGFuQfAy3l0-q8UX0FaG8DO0kshjVhyphenhyphen9NhDfvUFyyVF1O8mm_ecpFuxPWAc9TkjU/s4032/IMG_6809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVlMGnEFDV0LF2oUXI3Ny4Cl6G9Odx4SDWNfSHCZeGsodsIp0IZi_LaLojNUysE92z4xMFJTB_aLfadNT9J7w-4fOxz0MqoEOZv2b0bj02zSnoZL8IpgvQDmHfFqFGFuQfAy3l0-q8UX0FaG8DO0kshjVhyphenhyphen9NhDfvUFyyVF1O8mm_ecpFuxPWAc9TkjU/w640-h480/IMG_6809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I did try to finish it off completely at the Lindfield market but I thought I'd try adding some fly stitch birds at the top there in the blue sky layer and I didn't have the right colour so it ended up coming back home. The birds were a bad idea anyway as that's one of the only areas not stuffed to the gills with various stitches so they quickly got pulled out. </div><div>I also couldn't get it to frame in the hoop properly because of the way I'd cut the bottom layer which was by then fraying and bobbly so I had to trim it down and tidy it up. Because the piece had been in the hoop for so long, when I took it out it stayed with the little crease all of the way around, standing tall and proud on the ironing board. It didn't entirely iron out but wasn't an issue because it was going straight back into the hoop. </div><div>Exciting to finally get this finished though!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrS2MAXSIR5Fx2O1fl_2v93h6YQgaWYTNXLvKda4cgYduFtUDhzd1oWZjGTaJOUI50TtnpuqamJO20gKRsrZbaMGn7QInbRfMP5HSPC7EcctUxmQTweZAFp1YJVCZVozWp4-dwoxhz0eCol5jh5ynGRmO8VIVjxjM0OCEooTTtp41uIp-R-lWFLWzhno/s4032/IMG_6810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrS2MAXSIR5Fx2O1fl_2v93h6YQgaWYTNXLvKda4cgYduFtUDhzd1oWZjGTaJOUI50TtnpuqamJO20gKRsrZbaMGn7QInbRfMP5HSPC7EcctUxmQTweZAFp1YJVCZVozWp4-dwoxhz0eCol5jh5ynGRmO8VIVjxjM0OCEooTTtp41uIp-R-lWFLWzhno/w640-h480/IMG_6810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnQK6M1JeYUg7CpWHU9PJKHJmGLyt_Hsx-BidlS8Zkk2euhJ08GSwt5CkeoIJlJyYGTIb1m-ogkTnv_NAlZDD8bHIVOY_hAdy-aVhMg5tpbZE-2GRgFIvufTH9HmYpvOd_66awJy7iU0ftSrJt2OI1WgnhbgCR8ThzmCtPKyFi_x6lU0Bs2nmfCaUA4M/s3024/IMG_6901%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnQK6M1JeYUg7CpWHU9PJKHJmGLyt_Hsx-BidlS8Zkk2euhJ08GSwt5CkeoIJlJyYGTIb1m-ogkTnv_NAlZDD8bHIVOY_hAdy-aVhMg5tpbZE-2GRgFIvufTH9HmYpvOd_66awJy7iU0ftSrJt2OI1WgnhbgCR8ThzmCtPKyFi_x6lU0Bs2nmfCaUA4M/w640-h640/IMG_6901%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I also gave a talk to Heffle Quilters which was really lovely. They found me at the Heathfield Show as well and what's so nice is that they meet in the same hall that my Godfather had his wedding reception in so I know the location quite well! It's lovely and bright and airy in there which is great for stitching and giving talks so you can really see the detail in the hoops. </div><div>Very kindly they also produced some toys for Baby F to play with whilst we set up. He was absolutely over the moon with them (although it did cause some tears when leaving as he didn't want to leave a certain fire engine behind - don't worry, there's a playground outside and he soon forgot all about it!). </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P6mXBHvvylet4-_lLezRcU29eCCkLTtqTWaUIyd66QoDlpMXcX5847iIvtZK7u5DyQIVvlX7kKrYZ9S9augfr3f98_H2HGyJ8u2Y0R3-z_sSfk5ae45kc2Xt-Lysadxq8ZEwq_Eahxt28i3ziTTe7klZIBu-AnvD-6KpJatIrNbp51lnbJzX71Qu-Gs/s4032/IMG_6902%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P6mXBHvvylet4-_lLezRcU29eCCkLTtqTWaUIyd66QoDlpMXcX5847iIvtZK7u5DyQIVvlX7kKrYZ9S9augfr3f98_H2HGyJ8u2Y0R3-z_sSfk5ae45kc2Xt-Lysadxq8ZEwq_Eahxt28i3ziTTe7klZIBu-AnvD-6KpJatIrNbp51lnbJzX71Qu-Gs/w640-h480/IMG_6902%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREhq3JPNMhiENX6t8G0-WeYAcXuvIv2qz2s61DkdZRaW6HImrnnwWBiIDX_1FHHR2i9yiLCLqGPkRkEDJZy6EpBSAQSYkgYP644YRkXO6irU48tSuvxg41RBmfUvV9aDIwcGE2l4Xf_GKbHEuyrvf8R96zE0f2rHZUIm0cuAepQMBGtrhrygIWzXWUg8/s4032/IMG_6903%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREhq3JPNMhiENX6t8G0-WeYAcXuvIv2qz2s61DkdZRaW6HImrnnwWBiIDX_1FHHR2i9yiLCLqGPkRkEDJZy6EpBSAQSYkgYP644YRkXO6irU48tSuvxg41RBmfUvV9aDIwcGE2l4Xf_GKbHEuyrvf8R96zE0f2rHZUIm0cuAepQMBGtrhrygIWzXWUg8/w640-h480/IMG_6903%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It does take a while to set up the table and make it look pretty. I still find it slightly amazing that I've produced so many pieces - can you imagine the number of hours represented on these tables? I haven't even tried to count! Tidying it away is usually a bit quicker as I just stack all of the same sized hoops on top of each other and make sure they get put away into their box carefully - all of these fit into one big box (including the framed ones). </div><div>Whilst setting up the pop up shop on the other side of the hall, Reece found the advertisement for my talk and I honestly could not have been more chuffed - what a lovely thing to say!! It is the best kind of review, and before I'd even done anything for them!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been booked to go back to both the North Kent Embroiderers and Heffle Quilters to run workshops with them and I'm looking forward to seeing what my next few talks bring. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFx0bH77Gw2DAf-4I_ogBaRZA-Fmqq274X0xe7DGNZW6gQ1eevOhm-tIZ8Aj2rRRpKXpb2SaVWGUsvE9xTL6UFaP62Jj0YELvqmBdWAsLXL6uCHCaRn2Gm4j1ZRDzPCjfhufSV76hU5wP6jw4un3wyCvuFlmNnxzafhVBqocncjFvPk-Bf9NtUwIUmhjk/s3024/IMG_6905%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFx0bH77Gw2DAf-4I_ogBaRZA-Fmqq274X0xe7DGNZW6gQ1eevOhm-tIZ8Aj2rRRpKXpb2SaVWGUsvE9xTL6UFaP62Jj0YELvqmBdWAsLXL6uCHCaRn2Gm4j1ZRDzPCjfhufSV76hU5wP6jw4un3wyCvuFlmNnxzafhVBqocncjFvPk-Bf9NtUwIUmhjk/w640-h640/IMG_6905%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471571434146618041.post-58250185100700876972023-10-07T06:57:00.005-07:002023-10-07T06:57:36.023-07:00Catching Up<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OTjNtSUcDLYpSpAhYzOc9YD6-Nbr6_PNzifjOdQuw6vGbQ3F04RewHdAyMNCvbZpmxSgKBbiYDy6K-1f05yDksTZLN0Y0wci2t0TLp6rhHN9CiyxnVKocdO2Zl3obTk5DX7lysVJRXw1EYeZ-k8U4SaIKWNdzMRNTIQWb9TSI5pW3zzxVcutfdxWBzU/s4032/IMG_6149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OTjNtSUcDLYpSpAhYzOc9YD6-Nbr6_PNzifjOdQuw6vGbQ3F04RewHdAyMNCvbZpmxSgKBbiYDy6K-1f05yDksTZLN0Y0wci2t0TLp6rhHN9CiyxnVKocdO2Zl3obTk5DX7lysVJRXw1EYeZ-k8U4SaIKWNdzMRNTIQWb9TSI5pW3zzxVcutfdxWBzU/w640-h480/IMG_6149.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>August and September were busy months!! We seemed to cram an awful lot in and didn't have a weekend to ourselves at the end as we were all over the place. Luckily the calendar seems to have calmed down a bit now and today has been really nice just to have a lie in and a chilled out morning. The only thing planned for today is Reece having a hair cut about two minutes walk from our house so, as it's sunny, I think we'll walk with him and maybe go to the playground. That sounds like an excellent chilled out day to me!!</p><p>I've been going through my photos and there are a few things that I thought I'd just chat about on here, the first one being this little sheep hoop which doesn't appear to have made it on previously. It was the sample piece started at the <a href="https://dottytextiles.blogspot.com/2023/08/frittenden-sheep-stitchscape-workshop.html" target="_blank">Frittenden workshop</a> and I used it as my bus project for a little while. It's not anything spectacular, and reminds me of how I'd started this whole journey, simple layers and stitches just for me rather than for anyone else or to experiment with something new. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7z-qLvQroQDObmwwXJ1BpNPy9zo8cjw_Z78Wa65u3g4Dfh8H_0OnZlMH5dEJbV003S3Lfv2aio4HV1fiYx0I9BW3PSMvDBhyHzT7En-Yzt96mpkMgBjw64GAlK94AxMVGind3JU8BldoEyVHQgoMmNdc6gsx8RIPpXN_IpSZMkff9xuLNtDpQ9q18dI/s4032/IMG_6152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7z-qLvQroQDObmwwXJ1BpNPy9zo8cjw_Z78Wa65u3g4Dfh8H_0OnZlMH5dEJbV003S3Lfv2aio4HV1fiYx0I9BW3PSMvDBhyHzT7En-Yzt96mpkMgBjw64GAlK94AxMVGind3JU8BldoEyVHQgoMmNdc6gsx8RIPpXN_IpSZMkff9xuLNtDpQ9q18dI/w640-h480/IMG_6152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Some layers were quite fun, the sheep were my usual technique of french knot wooly coats, although this time they were in different shades of brown and white. I used variegated purple/green thread to make two strand straight stitch stems with one strand pistil stitches and I had a play around with the squares above to make an offset crossed stitch in two colours which was quite effective. <div>I was using up green threads I had so some of the colour changes in the above layers were because I'd run out of a colour, there are lots of colours in the french knot edging, and about four I think in the big back stitch between the french knot spots above. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrpY2TuZSBoxopDbGpZkaj4vk9HuN4asr4YcEMzKgepc1IzvsILzTyIIV0UDwFNf0A58dZi8AifK5xb6beYi_VUBnMGLyn6TLK5OU-iWqjc4UiPBMWPb7V3CUh0f3mgRj8PLKHb_to1rsHkY1U-0U1cMuecfmOcbK0QzAcdqZQ64FuJcF5slK1hO1TY4/s4032/IMG_6337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrpY2TuZSBoxopDbGpZkaj4vk9HuN4asr4YcEMzKgepc1IzvsILzTyIIV0UDwFNf0A58dZi8AifK5xb6beYi_VUBnMGLyn6TLK5OU-iWqjc4UiPBMWPb7V3CUh0f3mgRj8PLKHb_to1rsHkY1U-0U1cMuecfmOcbK0QzAcdqZQ64FuJcF5slK1hO1TY4/w640-h480/IMG_6337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe6q7rkKCkHVhcXF33Gca8v_3P69Bvk1r4XbgbEKe8idx0vtWaHoMlyn_aNA-5Ll9tRkWa2BE6yabMUGgxHPyImzy7H6dojMKeYsOIjCkM9ugUBq9HeVXUPZxqVJPGrnwO0PvQhOyYPFa6uNwyPNwKzEgn6SnMeUG18lR4iOefgpAa0klGq2IYCP-YZE/s4032/IMG_6340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe6q7rkKCkHVhcXF33Gca8v_3P69Bvk1r4XbgbEKe8idx0vtWaHoMlyn_aNA-5Ll9tRkWa2BE6yabMUGgxHPyImzy7H6dojMKeYsOIjCkM9ugUBq9HeVXUPZxqVJPGrnwO0PvQhOyYPFa6uNwyPNwKzEgn6SnMeUG18lR4iOefgpAa0klGq2IYCP-YZE/w640-h480/IMG_6340.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We had a lovely summer for weather, although I seem to recall last summer being hotter? Reece asked for a day at the beach and, whilst that was a tad unusual for him to request, I was happy to go along with it. We spent a wonderful day mooching around Eastbourne seafront, and ended up on the cliffs near to Beachy Head where he asked me to marry him!! (Ulterior beach motive after all.) Before you ask, yes I did say YES!</p><p>So now we have a wedding to plan and save up for. How exciting. That's like, a proper grown up adult thing!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmGkFNJxMAxoAcWFzPEdGX_rQaPeCDwwHripXe8suSyEk9fcB9_F7CkeVqXKCb577J5gDNIQG8Rtl7-xwfjJvPG7bKXT8oq7dONAJLLISBC4UmIt48-hmJIKXUC0qzQO4iE3Ui3BvoK5dsf1AqQHL3gHQyOKbDOz81GGa4PVbX9Qj57XDlaSIaOVMc8A/s4032/IMG_6342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmGkFNJxMAxoAcWFzPEdGX_rQaPeCDwwHripXe8suSyEk9fcB9_F7CkeVqXKCb577J5gDNIQG8Rtl7-xwfjJvPG7bKXT8oq7dONAJLLISBC4UmIt48-hmJIKXUC0qzQO4iE3Ui3BvoK5dsf1AqQHL3gHQyOKbDOz81GGa4PVbX9Qj57XDlaSIaOVMc8A/w640-h480/IMG_6342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenHZnYwErMx8QV_4cUpR31pmAd10b-wuKA2BPAomTy6HDOdj6ZSS4SsmJ2YuUROxGBOrMk3vK9n6WfBK9fJKbyxek1FbRCk9hFj_fzez7YUbbq06t2Mq7rCblkvtOMeoOW5SUwO2yLOOzLHg7TrG_nW0gIjyNZVq0lrTLxXXrPFF3JZN-i1fn3inoFHk/s4032/IMG_6439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenHZnYwErMx8QV_4cUpR31pmAd10b-wuKA2BPAomTy6HDOdj6ZSS4SsmJ2YuUROxGBOrMk3vK9n6WfBK9fJKbyxek1FbRCk9hFj_fzez7YUbbq06t2Mq7rCblkvtOMeoOW5SUwO2yLOOzLHg7TrG_nW0gIjyNZVq0lrTLxXXrPFF3JZN-i1fn3inoFHk/w640-h480/IMG_6439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've had to concentrate a lot on my volunteer work as a Guide and Rainbow leader lately too. We participated in the Uckfield carnival at the beginning of September, for which there were several planning sessions on how to decorate the float and then getting the girls in to do the decorating, then the evening itself. I also organised a woodland craft and camp experience day for the whole District of Rainbows, Brownies and Guides where we took over a local campsite and cooked over fire, made things with leaves and twigs, wove wall hangings, pitched tents and enjoyed a visit from an archaeologist who ran an activity on Stone Age houses. What do you think of the Stone Age huts they all made?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE_AjS8Htl_1ntZNokRcq89MdcoeIeoNsOLQm-RgaouBXFJuR7yI504Df02ZkrOuZd-mdh9N0e1j5EtkBs4sxl6-2iJyfrIh7Jo81bVS0k0LPg6K9gMYAEhaxfiBGTRTuvHHdaAIzS_GfCmVB9LYZgj4rjmWpH8z57IkBdcEwNPeTbky8gT-5FDtGcWM/s4032/IMG_7065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE_AjS8Htl_1ntZNokRcq89MdcoeIeoNsOLQm-RgaouBXFJuR7yI504Df02ZkrOuZd-mdh9N0e1j5EtkBs4sxl6-2iJyfrIh7Jo81bVS0k0LPg6K9gMYAEhaxfiBGTRTuvHHdaAIzS_GfCmVB9LYZgj4rjmWpH8z57IkBdcEwNPeTbky8gT-5FDtGcWM/w640-h480/IMG_7065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the end of the day some of the younger girls had asked to have their huts back but they were just poked into the ground so not particularly transportable. I ended up carefully dismantling them and resetting some into clay bases, getting my hands absolutely covered in the red ochre that had been used to decorate them! I've still got a whole village to do to make a display in our Guide hut - although I haven't got enough clay to make a base for each hut, so if you have any other inexpensive ideas do let me know!</div><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KESKainpEQX2QRCl5WZIsF-R7WU5MCgZ5m7JqPXe0teok9CLybVbts9azKiF78Eoep8ADykjdaRD5ZnwT6Itm1QngOzZkQsD4mXIg3Oq_XdnRhoBySwj7CUQ3MWXA0xOdrHW8mhpC1yeGVa6Futrr-YyjloJMHlIhvmZIRTjxaQzNAZ5j13IA4Sg1_8/s4032/IMG_7142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KESKainpEQX2QRCl5WZIsF-R7WU5MCgZ5m7JqPXe0teok9CLybVbts9azKiF78Eoep8ADykjdaRD5ZnwT6Itm1QngOzZkQsD4mXIg3Oq_XdnRhoBySwj7CUQ3MWXA0xOdrHW8mhpC1yeGVa6Futrr-YyjloJMHlIhvmZIRTjxaQzNAZ5j13IA4Sg1_8/w640-h480/IMG_7142.jpg" width="640" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr0MvbwfaqeHMLEPUrN_Lcu0iwn7hpwhCzjFL-EJoXB8qEZTo-owjs4cRc4lEwfAgc_NikSzaueeeZHqXiFDq0-JpAH3lYAEizck32l24r8QO4xvGg3znGpilyGLxlB33fo7f0P1052EGS23lb6XEUQYIhPATdOhBW_Q8QKzIsBCxXugxLcace7b59tA/s3024/IMG_6443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr0MvbwfaqeHMLEPUrN_Lcu0iwn7hpwhCzjFL-EJoXB8qEZTo-owjs4cRc4lEwfAgc_NikSzaueeeZHqXiFDq0-JpAH3lYAEizck32l24r8QO4xvGg3znGpilyGLxlB33fo7f0P1052EGS23lb6XEUQYIhPATdOhBW_Q8QKzIsBCxXugxLcace7b59tA/w640-h640/IMG_6443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I haven't had a huge amount of time for stitching but I have started working on a new kit idea based on my first ever kit, Summer Sweet. This time I'm going a size bigger to a 20cm hoop to add in some sizing variety to my current collection. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrtjXsMOhLcp3Z9QgTSGzOnG72SzlkgYOQfQXP9hI-RyVvj-_Gf8sQAu1aoMCCr9YQ1TvkIv3iEckjm7nEYDqk5zR-_8mPHFFcI0iylZSRYoyXdZHnl_6LVt5rEjfCAzpl9c_NigULuOdgOnWRZiZcOnPmZKUE5dEyAipRuZE0tvS5jaXuoiS4a9w1CU/s4032/IMG_6445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrtjXsMOhLcp3Z9QgTSGzOnG72SzlkgYOQfQXP9hI-RyVvj-_Gf8sQAu1aoMCCr9YQ1TvkIv3iEckjm7nEYDqk5zR-_8mPHFFcI0iylZSRYoyXdZHnl_6LVt5rEjfCAzpl9c_NigULuOdgOnWRZiZcOnPmZKUE5dEyAipRuZE0tvS5jaXuoiS4a9w1CU/w640-h480/IMG_6445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fabrics for this have been collected for a while but I couldn't start until I'd found some trimmings to go with it. I think this petite ric-rac is just so darn cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Progress on this is slow though and I've stopped for the minute whilst I ponder over a few parts. I have stitched most layers down to the green leaf spray pattern but I don't like what I've done in the wheat field so I've stumped myself and it will all have to be unpicked I think. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eventually it will be done though so watch this space!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbEcVxHRTltvrPQSn5GAIO0MHqmCcv1_UlEkeOXsHAwdcv-P7wbjMZ1bC-nThYbvFwVtgQkBuJVCwUK2IF9aq0fMiMHaXZyeY2nx3FGQOVO37vtJ1IA86J_cQjui7SsWyV4lHpR7W1pb-MnDLSxXKs1j_2HU-v3kDjk-DYMcIMprUJeiszji8MHWy5F8/s4032/IMG_6447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbEcVxHRTltvrPQSn5GAIO0MHqmCcv1_UlEkeOXsHAwdcv-P7wbjMZ1bC-nThYbvFwVtgQkBuJVCwUK2IF9aq0fMiMHaXZyeY2nx3FGQOVO37vtJ1IA86J_cQjui7SsWyV4lHpR7W1pb-MnDLSxXKs1j_2HU-v3kDjk-DYMcIMprUJeiszji8MHWy5F8/w640-h480/IMG_6447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10782528316191238909noreply@blogger.com0