Last night I stitched some shisha,acrylic leaves and some beads to my "banner".
I also found that using a camera instead of being lazy and scanning,gives a better result.
Tonight,I hope to dome some hand quilting to give more definition;
I also plan on felting some petals to add extra dimension,as I feel the piece is still too flat......needs the pizzaz added by free standing 3-D effect. 
Today I had another session on my Xpression
I decided to use a printed polyester fabric as the foundation,because my aim was to embellish rather than felt;
In my eyes the irregular fabric pattern was loosely based on tropical flowers and I thought this would allow for trying both silk tops,wool roving and some Angelina fibres.
Being totally new to this form of embellishing/needle punching I must admit to only having the vaguest idea of what I'm doing.........probably breaking heaps of so called rules in the process.
Anyway my plan for this piece is to adapt it to my journal quilt format........
only it will have a shaped base rather than a regular rectangular shape........
like the banners of old!
Once I get it shaped and backed I hope to add hand worked embellishing and doo- dads and make it all just a "little bit crazy"
A long,long time ago............
(NO! It's not a fairy story)
I was lucky enough to experience an Aurora australis.........the "southern lights",whilst living in Western Australia.
I was probably about 7 or 8 years at the time,and I've never seen them (the Lights)since!
Anyway,those celestial fireworks made a great impression all those years ago ,
and I thought that my (new) Janome Xpressions might be a way to recapture the experience!
Using spiral dyed silk tops by Jacinta Leishman,some Angelina fibres and a "natural" Silk Noil as the foundation fabric, this was my second attempt with the embellisher.
I'll try adding extra embellishing with beads and crystals and maybe some extra fibres.(Angelina and others)
As yet I haven't determined "how thick" I should make the layer of fibres on the foundation,and,surprisingly for a CQer,I prefer "less is more" rather than "lay it on with a trowel".
WHY did I blog this?
Simply because my "reverse applique cityscape" has been consigned to the dump!
My ambitions exceeded my capabilities,and I had to show something to prove that I have been experimenting,if nothing else.
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About six hours ago I opened this window to make comment on a blog I had visited (ninainnorway)http://http://ninainnorway.blogspot.com/.
However,chores got in the way!
Firstly,after pumping up tyres on our ride-on mower,the mower 'threw' its drive belt........beyond my limited mechanical abilities to 'fix'!
Then the second ride on mower had a flat battery...........my blood pressure was rapidly elevating I can tell you.
Finally I pulled out the third mower,fueled up and pushed it around roughly 3/4 acre.No fun when you're still recovering from severe bronchitis and the temp is low 30s(C)
Next,the fellows that were going to clean the exterior of the house turned up..........
WOOHOO!
Two hours later,half a flooded house(their pressure gun fund leaks in all sorts of weird places)
at least the outside looked sparkling clean,the windows were sparkling and most of my towels(from sopping up thewater) were laundered and on the line flapping in the breeze.
The furniture and plants were restored to their positions on the side verandah........
and it was time to prepare dinner!
So,I never did get a chance to say...................go visit Nina in Norway
and Frederique's "Quilting,Patchwork & Applique" Blog where she shows the steps taken to create her Oiseau Celtique (her hand appliqued Celtic bird)
tres magnifique!!
Now, sadly, I have not made one stitch today,so I bid you all bon nuit as I go to wash dishes and then SIT with a piece of CQ..........my little time of peace and relaxation
This is the only photo I have of this sampler prior to it being blocked and framed.
Actually it was photographed before I had 'graduated' to digital photography and editing, so my apologies (once again) for a less than perfect picture..which really doesn't enhance the dimensional effect of the embroidery at all.
Today I finally took delivery of my Janome Xpression Needle Punching machine.
It seems forever Since Emmy told me of her Embellisher,and now.....
big smiles and fun times ahead for this gal!
When I played the accompanying DVD and heard the magic words No rules I thought
YES!!
(For those who don't know me,I'm slightly obsessed with Crazy Quilting and adore the
No rules Rule! )
I've never been truly comfortable with (traditional) Patchwork & Quilting which demands matching points and straight seams.
I like to operate on the
What if,why not ?? principle.
So,after raiding my sewing "trash bag" of fabric and thread off-cuts I chose to use a piece of a discarded satin pillow slip as the foundation fabric
(not a good choice,by the way)
After needle punching some fabrics to the base,I pulled out handsful/handfuls(?) of discarded threads and silk ribbons,laid them on the foundation,
overlaid all with white nylon organza and "punched" the lot together!
I then randomly laid some faux fur knitting yarn and repeated the needling.
Finally,using three small circular layers of organza I attempted some basic 3-D flowers.
VERDICT..........?
I know I'm going to have fun!
I see that Jo http://nzjo.blogspot.com/
has succumbed to the MeMe challenge that started I think with Arlee over on !
http://arleebarr.squarespace.com
So far only Emmy of http://emmyschoonbeek.blogspot.com/ has come to play with me
and Gerry of http://sewing-southpaw.blogspot.com/
(although Gerry and I are debating if we post to each other as we regularly visit each other's Blog
Are you confused yet?I know I am: but then it doesn't take much to do that at the best of times.
....for they do know what they did!
This great card from my friend YvonneS (she's servant to a cat-person also) arrived this morning.
Isn't it great!
Funny thing is,it was my black Jesse who was "bad puss" earlier in the day.
Thanks Yvonne (& Merlin, who I'm sure provided the inspiration)
I'd forgotten how fiddly CQ becomes when making fabric and fibre postcards!
Tidy edges were difficult to achieve;
And knowing that the colours used are not my preferred colours made me even more uncomfortable.
Maybe I'll find TIME to attempt another batch---but truthfully,
I just want to go take delivery of my Janome Excellence and play
FaeryDi
introduced me to her wacky women and now they've mutated as result of a challenge swap over at Fiber ArtTraders!
The challenge was to use hardware bits and pieces to create/dress a doll.
Of course,I didn't read it properly,did I!
You were meant to start with a soft bodied doll!
I visualised a frankensteiny creation with electrical wiring/cabling for armature of the body;
Stainless steel curly hair (which was replaced by steel wool already available)
Anyway hunni and doo are off to new homes in the UK and the US....if the Customs don't deem them dangerous aliens
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I just knew I hadn't worded myself clearly yesterday....
Thanks Emmy for pointing out the error..............and s,o in the interest of getting it RIGHT this time,I've copied Emmy's posting:
Artshare Meme
Saw this on Arlee's blog http://arleebarr.squarespace.com She is a busy woman she makes wonderful bags
So if you want to play along read this and you wil get a piece of art from me , but you must follow the instruction ,
The first five people to respond to this in the comments section will receive a
piece of artwork. BUT if you respond you have to post this to your blog too and continue sharing the art. It will be a surprise!!! And I get to choose what and when to send--meaning it will be after the first week of November at least.........
I think it is a great way to share art
Having been unwell for a few days and not being active reading or blogging myself I visited Cramzy's blog today .......one of my favourites I must say;
Anyway what Emmy had blogged sent me over to Arlee who I hadn't visited for a while,and as a consequence I need to add a link to her site too!
http://arleebarr.squarespace.com
(Somehow I dont think my brain has come back into gear after a week off......so sorry Arlee,I'll try again tomorrow.
This card arrived from AdriaP of Postmark'dArt today:
Its theme was "My backyard" and Adria has shown a view from the inside looking out.
I love the fractured effect gained by angling the window frames,dont you!
The second card from LindaM of FiberArtsPostCards was themed around Masks,Masks,Masks"
It's a beautiful fabric to which Linda has added embroidered metallic threads as ties for the mask.
After seeing Julia's cards (over at Camille's Place ) for our Christmas theme swap at Crazyquiltingfriends,I've decided mine aren't up to standard,and when I recover from this bout of the dreaded lurgy I'll tackle them again.
I also a a phone call from my Janome dealer today:My Janome Excellence (Embellisher)
has arrived and is ready for pickup!
I felt just too miserable to rush and and get it.....hopefully,tomorrow?
An online group I belong to recently had a "Fabric and fibre postcard swap"
Those of you who read my "Fifty days" of fabric and fibre posctards will not be surprised at me being involved in yet another swap,will you?
Anyway,this delightful card arrived in this morning's mail from DebbyS of Downey,CA.
She has appliqued a pair of slippers and embellished them further with (I think) a gel pen.
Aren't they "neat"!
Thanks Debby
The red and gold "Masks add mystery to encounters" card arrived today from JanetP in Nebraska.
The predominantly black and white mask from Darlene S was blogged back around October 11.
When the third card (that completes this swap) arrives,I'll photograph the three together so the effects are more clearly visible.
My editting of scanned pics is not the best.
In the meantime,I'm attempting some CQed Christmas themed cards for my "Crazyquilting friends"........some pics later
(when I manage some satisfactory results)
A couple of years back I bought this case of Bassetti bed linen for my daughter's trousseau.
Wouldn't you know.........it was not her preferred style,so mother still owns it and doesn't know whether to use it or try selling it.
I've found nothing similar on Ebay..........any (practical) suggestions,anyone??
http://www.glumbert.com/media/crowcat
A friend shared this Link with me.....it was so incredible I just had to share with you.
The brief as stipulated by Normajean was to make some dolls using hardware components and to keep the dolls less than bulky for mailing!
I had such fun with Di's Wacky women that I used a similar formula for my "Honey-doos" .
In some ,the armature for the body were made using electrical wiring : the same way as I used the pipe cleaners in the wacky women;
Instead of Florist's tape I used electrical insulation tape to firm and shape the torsos(Not much different to Florist's tape,just heavier quality)
I'd forgotten to buy stainless steel pads for the hair so I used some of the workshop's steel wool pads and gave my girlz a really bad hair day!
(Steel wool hair just loves static electricity build up!)
Battery connectors were used in some of the "hunnies"for hands and feet,and I need to make some "jewellery" featuring fibre washers and beads.
From the Silicone Valley News:
Apple Computer reported today that it has developed computer chips that can store & play music inside women's breasts. This is considered to be a major breakthrough because women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.
Gotcha! :-)
Today's mail was a real red letter day with three postcards and two books arriving.
The first two cards were expected, 
as my "booty" from the Postmark'dArt swaps winds down to its conclusion.
The first card,from Darma R came as part of the Cat Swap,and was a message to Think Pink;and find a cure for Breast cancer.
A fun way to send a serious message!
The second,from Ginny C,came as part of My BackyardSwap and featured a Strawberry runner with seed beaded fruit.
href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7171/753/640/Mask%20from%20Darlene%20S.jpg">
The third card was a wakeup call,as in the slight turmoil of the past couple of weeks,I had forgotten that I'd signed to the Masks,Masks,Masks swap with the FAPC
group
The card (above)came from Darlene S and is a layered applique: very striking with its combination of red,black and white with sequin highlights.
Having had a wakeup call I spent the afternoon working on my four cards.One completed,three to go!
Finally,a parcel I've been waiting for arrived from Fancy Fibers also known as Heavenly Embellishments (same Link)
The books are " Three-Dimensional Embroidery Stitches" by Pat Trott,
and "Mixed Media Explorations" by Beryl Taylor.
As I've restrained myself all afternoon and evening,I'm off to indulge in some reading,dreaming,planning of future projects.
I'll report on the books at a later date.
Goodnight!
Answer:I hope I can answer all your questions well enough D!Yes,please add a stamp and get it cancelled.........it's a "true postcard "then!So far in the last three months I've received and sent over 50 postcards.Most I take to Post Office,get the stamp 'hand cancelled' then(standing at the counter still) I take it back from the clerk and slip the card into the clear envelope I hae with me,then give it back to the clerk serving me.Probably over half cards I've received have come through the mail NAKED;a few have been cancelled then put in ordinary envelopes,which to me is an unnecessary cost.!A few(naked) cards have had the barcode stamped on it,but some have also had a bar code strip on paper on it.Only ONE has come in a USPS "Damaged goods" package and that was last week!The lady had very wispy(Like eyelash knitting yarn) floating around edges that could or probably did tangle in sorting machinery....If you're using WHITEonW or similar light fabrics,the clear envelope might be a good idea;I use them because sometimes I have beading or loose yarns and its a bit of protection for the card.Go and check out my Blog http://kenmaurscorner.blogspot.com/For the last 50 days I've been blogging "fabric and fibre postcards"..pics and hints etc.,and I'll include this email also.
...that there is no stitching or postcards blogged today!
We're planning a move---a sea-change!
Before anything can happen,major downsizing is required.There are two three bay sheds to be cleared and this is part of the result!
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I've just been doing a tally of the cards I've received in the last three months---
FIFTY and still counting!
So I guess that means I've mailed out over 50 myself.
Like the journal quilts I'm attempting,the smaller format generally means that a project gets completed.
In the case of fabric/fibre cards,it's not as deflating to the ego when a plan does not work simply because of the size and amount of fabric and fibre involved in a 6x4 inch as compared with a largeish quilt.
I also find the 6x4s a great way to try out new procedures.
Well,visitors have arrived.........I may be back later!
I hate Fridays!
Why?
Because I have to wait for two more days before another mail delivery!
If I didn't know better,I'd think that Judy had planned for this "batty card" to arrive after the recent "Crystal Ball Swap" and before October 31!
J has used a paper foundation piecing method for constructing the bat:
(my daughter in law insists that it's origami;but I'll brainwash her into P&Q terminology eventually)
Back to the bat:
a mottled black fabric has been used,and an orange fabric with gold highlighting and red meandering lines throws the bat into sharp relief.
J has then 'framed' the bat with a fabric featuring gold cobwebs and red spiders.
The reverse/address side has been printed out on fabric.
Thank you,my "batty friend" for sharing your work with me!
These are the three Crystal -ball themed cards I received from my partners in the recent Fiber Arts Traders Swap.
From left to right we have:"I see lots of mailable art in your future" from Normajean in CT;
(how cool is that hennaed hand!)
The central card is from Ellen in AZ;She sees "a celebration in my future"
(would you dare disagree with that scary lady? I wouldn't)
And last but not least,Judith in the UK sees "many PCs coming my way"
and look at the pen and ink sketch of Whitby Abbey.
As I said earlier today,this has been a fun theme to pursue,particularly because when the theme was announced I had no idea "where" or "how" to start.
These are three postcards I sent out for the FATs "Crystal Ball Swap!
At last....on to the last couple of days of Postcard blogging!
It's been an interesting time for me,if for no other reason that I have had to make a daily posting on the same theme.
Now,can you come up with helpful suggestions please ?
After participating in the recent ATC Haiku themed swap over on Aus_NZ_Artquilters, I'm wondering if something similar could be successfully done with Postcards!
I can visualise the backing, as per the 'normal' fabric postcard,being anchored only on three sides(the two 6 " and one 4")
but how could an insert be contained,unless the card was mailed in a clear cellophane envelope?
Also,if there is an insert (even if it's only a small sheet of paper) will the postal authorities deem it to be a letter rather than a card?
I'm looking forward to asking the local (patient and helpful) Post Office staff and seeing their reaction.
I guess I better make a card first,so they can see what I mean.
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It all gets back to Jo introducing Julia of Camille's Place and me to Linda(http://lindawalshoriginals.blogspot.com/)
Linda apparently tagged Julia creative ribbons.blogspot.com/ ,who tagged Jo,nzjo.blogspot.com/who...........
you guessed it!
Wants me to name FIVE WEIRD things about myself!
1.. Start with my car rego: FWL (Fairly weird lady") How weird is that!
2..My car sports a broomstick riding witch sticker on the rear window.(How weird is that!
3..I regularly talk with myself.......mainly discussing if my current project is proceeding "right"
4..That I'm actually responding to Jo's tagging! WEIRD!!
5..The time I spend at the computer! Totally WEIRD!
And,no I'm notgoing to tag anyone...........
how weird is that!!
The things that land in my letter-box!!
Ellen in AZ was another swap partner in the FATs"Crystal Ball" swap and this card arrived from her today!
Ellen's seer visualises a celebration in my future!
( Trust me,I won't dispute the issue.)
Ellen has printed the scene on fabric,then by using a circular piece of vinyl she has enclosed package,stars and balloon sequins within the ball;
She then fussy cut the ball gazer's hands and positioned them over and around the crystal ball.
A fringe of navy blue fibre frames the scene,and to keep the fringe intact and safe from postal machinery,the card was mailed in one of my favourite see-through envelopes.
