A bit of 'bling'....

Not really anything to do stitching unless you count the thread that they are threaded on... Not the best photo but you can get the general idea... I made them yesterday on a whim with some beads I had picked up at Spotlight - mind you I had to make another trip to finish them :)...

Since having all my jewellery stolen when we were broken into last June I have been reluctant to replace it - but I have missed my 'bling' so these little bracelets have filled the gap... I enjoyed putting them together but I don't intend to make a habit of it - I have more than enough stitching to do!!!!

Some progress...

Not a lot has happened here in the way of stitching and related activities - however I have at last finished all the colouring of Helen Stubbings Colourque table runner... I have made a subtle mistake - which in another life I would have fretted about - not this time... I am calling it an artistic licence type of thing... What is it you ask?? Look hard enough and you will see it...

Next step is to apply textile medium - let it dry - iron on some pellon and then start stitching - that is the bit I am really looking forward to...

Until next time - may your needle and thread be your constant companions...

Sharon xxx

Presencia Finca Perle Threads

As you can see no more colouring, stitching or much of anything else has been done to the table runner... You may notice I did however 'mute' the colours in the round flowers as I thought that they were too bright before - scroll down to last entry to see the difference...

A couple of weeks ago I ordered the Presenica Finca Perle No 16 threads from Bustle and Bows. These are used for the back stitching around coloured-in areas. I have fallen in love with the richness of the colours of these threads especially the Dark Topaz - I am itching to have a stitch with them but I still a long way away from that step I still have to colour the other side, apply textile medium and fusible interfacing before I even thread a needle... But I should practice using them on something shouldn't I??? I can hear you all nodding vigorously in agreement :)...

Just a word about Bustle and Bows - situated in Surrey Hills in Melbourne. For anyone who lives over this way B&B's are just great to deal with - they do and teach mainly traditional embroidery- the shop is like walking through an Inspirations magazine... Whenever I have a question or in this case I needed specialized threads they are helpfulness unto themselves - great customer service who know what you are talking about or in my case attempting to explain... I love going there and just taking in all the lovely bits and pieces mind you I don't think I have ever left the store without something... I am thinking of doing a class there next year to push my boundaries a little... In saying that though...



...I have started planning on next year's stitching as again this year I have muddled along without achieving heaps... Still I have enjoyed what I have done...

So the list so far in no particular order is...

NEW - as in NOT started...
1. Leanne's House BOM quilt - which I have still in its individual packets... (see 'Waiting in the Wings' sidebar)
2. Portrait of Wisdom -my Indian - he calls to me constantly...(see 'Waiting in the Wings' sidebar)
3. Crazy quilt wall hanging with a Garden Theme -an idea that keeps floating around in my head.

... and I have seen this lovely Browyn Hayes quilt I would just love to do!!!!!

FINISHES - as in have been hanging around far too long!!!!!!
1. Love xstitch sampler
2. Angel xstitch sampler
3 GailPan's free BOM Christmas stitchery
4 Helen Stubbings Colourque table runner

... and that's all I am admitting too...

Until next time - back to the stitching or colouring or just gazing lovingly at my lovelies

Sharon xxx

Another update...

The background material will be part of the table runner... I am not sure about the round flowers but I think in context of the rest of the project - they will be be ok... Now onto the other side...

Now back to the colouring :)

Sharon xxx

D's bird...

I have been a lurker on D's blog for quite a while now and I have watched her growth as a textile artist... I have long admired her art and the things that she has created - I have been tempted many times - however this time I was totally besotted with this little bird when it first appeared on her blog - D had put it on her etsy shop for sale and I fretted all day in case it had been sold before I got home from work and had a chance to buy it... However luck was on my side and a few days later this little bird fluttered into my life... While the photo is great it doesn't do justice to the real thing... The detail and stitching is just lovely and the feeling of serenity it brings is uplifting... I just love it D and I hope add to it soon...

Until next time..

Sharon xxx

Update...

Some of you may remember - not too many posts ago - that I was contemplating having a go at a Helen Stubbings - Colourque design... Not much to show you but this is what I have done so far... Once I got started and into a rhythm I started to really enjoy it...

At first I was so obsessed with trying to do an exact match to Helen's model I forgot to listen to my own 'gut feel' - once I put the 'perfectionist' on the 'naughty chair' I relaxed and I could feel the 'flow' starting to happen... I am really impressed with the effect that can be achieved by the continual blending of the colours - it almost creates a watercolour effect... This process takes colouring in to a whole new level... Once I have completed the colouring in the real fun starts with the outline stitching in no 8 perle cotton... More photos soon...

Until next time...

Sharon xxx

Needlework and Tapestry Guild Exhibition...

I went to the Tapestry and Needlework Guild Annual Exhibition on Wednesday night - unfortunately my camera was playing up and with all the glass reflection - the photos I took aren't great - but they do give some indication of the standard of work... This year's theme was Black and White and all the Colours in between - you can see better photos over on G's blog... They picked up quite a few prizes for their needle prowess at the Royal Melbourne Show in September... Again the photos don't do them justice and of course there were lots to choose from and I did just snap at random - however I do have a soft spot for the Winnie the Pooh and Piglet - I have always loved that particular image of those two childhood friends... I can't really pick one against the other as a favorite - the one that took my breath away is the black and white Celtic image of the man with the sword hilt...Did I have an entry - of course not - like blogging I am a better looker than contributor...

As far as my own stitching is concerned I haven't done much more to my 'red lady' however I went on another 'hunting and gathering' expedition as I had a gift voucher from Sandlyn House - Moooroolbark - which was fast approaching its used by date... I tried to think of what I might be going to make in the future rather than just buy at random... I was a little naughty last week and bought this - from D - I admired her 'craft' for so long and when I saw this little bird I knew that it had to be mine - I fretted all day at work in case it had been sold before I got home - but God smiled and I purchased it... Looking forward to receiving it through the week... It must have been my week as I also won buttons from Giggle Buttons

Until next time...Take care...

Sharon xxx