More cats

These guys came to me courtesy of Freecycle.com..............
Their previous owner offered them up for a new owner and I'm "it"...........can't have cats straying round the streets!

Mini Purnie

Success at last!
The card and knitted gnome (my mini Purnie) from my friend belle.
From the tip of his hat to his "toes" purnie measures seven inches....and in his cute little felt satchel is a sea-shell.

And are they cats with attitude or not!!

Fw: flowers & mini Purnie

----- Original Message -----
From: <maurcurl@bigpond.net.au>
To: <merely54set@photos.flickr.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 8:59 PM
Subject: flowers & mini Purnie

>

Colour me Midnight blue

As part of group 19 FAT Plus sized Inchie swap,I chose midnight blue with silver for my colour choice.

The top set was the first set I made,but these did a detour to USA with the hope they might be included in a magazine photo-shoot.

As they seem to taking a loooooooooooong time to return home,and I've committed to a Swap with other FAT members,I thought I'd better attempt a second batch----

And the lower photo is the result.
After seeing the quality of the two sets I've received,I feel that I should attempt a third batch,
but.............
I've run out of time!

Colour me GREEN

Today's mail delivered two surprises.........both green ....
The first,is a truly dainty set of PSIs from a FAT (Fiber Art Trader) , Diane B from
Washington state.
Three of the four feature small metallic charms applied to machine stitched/quilted backgrounds;
Isn't that spray of flowers cute?(my favourite)

The fourth block is a shaker block:
Diane has applied a layer of organza over a sprinkling of loose stars.

I need to find out how Diane attached those shapes---craft glue? heat fix?


Then,
from Susan N of Art2Mail group 29 sent me this "Curves on strips" postcard.!

A clever use of strips of fabric ranging from apricot through to deepest green, and machine quilted in curving lines,with a rainbow variegated thread.
I may be wrong,but it looks to me as though at least one of the fabrics used may have been sun dyed.




Also in today's mail..........was my ISP account!!
I'm glad I looked at my treasures first.

Tiny treasures

This orange set of Plus Sized Inchies arrived yesterday from Theresa L of CO.
They truly are little gems!

Theresa has worked three of them in BDE (Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery) and the fourth is a satin edged organza ribbon that she has folded to a rose,then added two gold leaves to complete it.


The lower block is a cast -on -stitch flower,also with golden leaves;
Above it to the left,the flowers are french knots,and the top one is wrapped bullion used to form the flower.

As usual,my photography does not do them justice!

Artcards Group 29

Two more beauties arrived in the mailbox today.......
The upper one is from Marylee D in CA :
She has appliqued two fabrics to a third/foundation to produce a great picture.
The beading across the figure's chest and the strand of beads being held add extra dimension.
Marylee!
It's great!! Thank you!













This second leaf shaped card comes from RoslynP in NSW.
Ros and I have participated in several swaps together.
It's obvious that Ros is better with her machine than I!
Apart from Ozpost attempting to cancel on the front of the leaf,it travelled exceptionally well.
The lady-bird beetle is so cute!
Ros..did you place an extra layer of fine batting under the beetle,or is it the quilting that gives it extra depth?
And hey! you should see Ros' lovely neat printing....it makes mine look like chicken scratch!


Thanks Marylee & Ros

Update on "Disappointment"

Last weekend I was complaining about how the cova-crete ended up being two shades.
Fingers crossed,it's been repaired!
Bart came back on Friday and re-applied a generous coating of sealant.
No rain last night.....so,hopefully that's one less hassle.

How spoilt am I!!

A few years ago,a dear friend was bitten by the stitching bug,and amongst other forms(of stitching) she decided she would try BDE (Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery)
and Stumpwork------

After a while,she decided this was not her "thing",and I have benefitted.

Today,she came to visit and this is part of what she gave me

To say I'm overwhelmed by her generousity is putting it mildly;
I've always loved Stumpwork....(not that I have much to show for my attempts so far)

Hopefully I can produce some worthwhile specimens in the future.


Thank you Gail!

p.s. some time back I blogged photos of three BDE pieces I did for her,I haven't found them in the archives as yet,but Dec10,2005,shows a Swingle I made her from some kimono fabric she gave me

Colour me Brown

Using the brown felted piece made yesterday I made these two postcard sized pieces.

Over on Needlefelt_Challenge group,the current challenge is BROWN, so this is to fulfill my part.
The upper card has some brown silk fabric needlefelted to the base felt.The paisley print on the right hand scrap I avoided with the needles to preserve its integrity.

The orange type flowers are deconstructed dyed silk rods with doll buttons added as an extra texture;the vine leaves were couched into position.
The lower card has similar elements: parts of the silk rods and couched (down) brown knitting yarn and more of the vine leaves.
I'm thinking of using the remainder of the felted piece for a small embellished purse or bag.

Now to let Myfanwy over at Nuvo Felt Blog,and the Needlefelt_Challenge group know that I've completed another Challenge!

Yesterday's piece

Our group "Embellisher_Art_Squares" has set RED for it's first swap.

The Art squares are to measure 1.5 inches......less fiddly than the one inch squares!
So,first I needed to make a piece of felt.

Using a square of Dissolve4X,I used the only red I had which was in a spiral dyed wool top called Lorikeet.

Here is the final result,after the needle felted wool had its cold water bath to dissolve the stabiliser.
The dark marks are where the odd fibres of very dark blue snuck in;

I also used some Glitz fibre (I'd purchased from my favourite Ebay seller)just to add a hint of 'bling.'
Now,to see if the maths is correct and I can cut 25 squares from the piece..............

Today's effort..

Once again I had time to use my Janome Xpression.

This time,using a piece of DISSOLVE 4X ,I planned on a piece that (I hoped) will end up roughly 18 by 10 inches when the stabiliser has been dissolved.

I thought that by using my fawn corriedale wool tops I should finish with a felted piece suitable for background in A4 sized quilts,or even for postcards.

Along the way,I got bored with the sameness and decided to play by adding whisps of colour and some Autumn Glitz to add a little sparkle.

This piece has not been 'bathed' as yet,but if it performs as well as yesterday's red piece,I'll be happy with the result.

You've got Mail!

"From one place
Many paths lead
Some are colorful
Some have loops
Some are joyous
Some return you to where you began
But,all paths add to your experience
And change the way you see things"


These words could be describing the upper card,they could also summarise life in general.
The top card (with this message) came to me from Denise S via a swap on the Embellisher_Art_Postcard group!




The second card is from Sandra in Florida and is part of the Artcards group 29 swap.
Sandra's message is a "Study of Angles
Direction?
Your choice!"

The FAT lady has sung

From the piecing of fabrics (the first photo)
to the completed dolls.

Yes,I'm aware that one is missing from the group,but she needs to travel before being unveiled.
As you can see,I've used two different sized face molds........I've been trying to decide which size fits the shape best.

Disappointment

I went out to the back of the house this morning to gloat over my new stencilled concrete slab,and this is what I found.............
A distinct variation in the colour!
We had a light shower of rain during the night,and the change in colour marks the difference between being under cover and being exposed.

To say "Not happy Jan" is putting it mildly..........
I wonder what excuse they'll attempt to fob me off with.
(I'll keep you updated)

Backyard blitz continues

Finally,the weather was "right" for the next stage of our yard make-over!

Not the "Wham! Bam!It's done" like you see on the TV shows:
more a looooooooong drawn-out process like getting teeth pulled.

Yesterday the weather was perfect for cover-creting:
not the strong winds and cold temperatures of earlier in the week,but a gorgeous,sunny Winter's day!

The fellows prepared by covering brickwork and fence with a protective wrap of plastic before cleaning ,then acid etching the two concrete slabs.

I chose a barley colour to complement the brickwork of the house and the pebbles and pavers in the back path.

As you can see in the final photo,
it has given a feeling of continuity,the way the faux tiles flow around the side and rear of the house,
and I'm so happy with the colour.

The next step.........
will be roofing over both areas,and then my (second) mirror and the Sleeping Buddha plaque can be positioned on the fences.


Maybe ,by next Summer,the project will be complete!

What flower am I??

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I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

I like the self diagnosis! How about you?

When the FAT lady sings

The Challenge over on Fiber Art Traders was "What do you see?"
We had been given a shape to convert to a doll which was to represent what the shape conveyed to us.

I kept hearing the FAT lady singing about growing old disgracefully...........
So I naturally thought
RED HATS
and
CQ !
It's been a while since I've played with crazy quilting,so it was a good time to have fun!

There's still another FAT lady being created...........she's a similar colour way to a rectangular piece I'm working on;
but more about that:
later!

Today's mail........

Delivered this beautifully presented ATC from CatherineL in France!
I photographed it against a dark timber table in order to accent the cut-outs in her presentation card.
I received Catherine's address through a Fiber Arts Traders member.
At the time, I did not realise that I would be receiving a card from Catherine,so today's mail was a wonderful surprise.
The card itself has been protected by a clear slip envelope.

I did not photograph the reverse of the card because it reveals Catherine's address.......the printed back also lists the title of the ATC, and the date it was made.
Truly a tiny treasure!

Nj you've created a Monster!

I was not happy with the way my purple lady was developing-------
(I hasten to add it was my own fault--being over eager to get a result)

I've pieced two more attempts for the "What do you see" doll.
These probably wont be put up for swapping either:
I just like to work a project to a logical conclusion.

I admit this photo looks more like a mad woman's breakfast than anything else,and probably all you can see is a hotch-potch of orange and purple-red,but trust me,there are three entities here.

Give me a day or so,and come check out the difference.

Backyard by night

Kayla,who's now living in Darwin,wanted to know how my garden grows................it's about five weeks since she's seen it.
So,this is what it looks like by flash at 8 p.m. tonight;
The glow is the reflection from the cane framed mirror.

Today,via RedcliffeFreecycle.com

I acquired another mirror..........I'm not sure as yet,where precisely it will go...........
I'm still waiting for the grano worker and the patio installers to come do their thing!
I have a 'sleeping Buddha' plaque,and a small water feature,as well as today's acquisition waiting to be "homed"...........but they're not being positioned until the construction is finished

You may ask,what is Freecycle (tm)........it's a group around Australia,whose aim is to reduce landfill by offering products/whatever no longer required by that person.
No charge is made to the new owner........you just accept the offer and pick up the (as is) goods.
It's amazing what can be acquired this way.............well worth you checking it out....just Google "freecycle" and your area.............and help reduce landfill

Destination Denmark

A needle punched postcard.........
Using Timtex as foundation,wool fibres were needle punched to form the background.
Slivers of acrylic felt form the stems and some leaves,with other leaves being of 'Rainbow Pellon'

The smaller flowers are of chiffon and organza ribbon and the big gold flower is a lace motif painted with Lumiere Metallic.