Monday 29 March 2021

Textile news 29

Felted Carrot

Not only does Denise grow her own vegetables she also makes them. She has made a needle felted carrot all ready for the pot!


 Thank you Denise, I think it is super.

 

Getting ready for Nikki Parmenter - Plastic Entrapment 

Here is something to make your creative juices flow! Mary sent me this wonderful sparkly fish that she made with Nikki in conjunction with Parbold Branch a few weeks ago.


 I am hoping that after viewing this it will spur you on to have a go at this unusual technique!

 

 Hellebores

Wendy has sent us this beautiful picture of a hellebore from her garden.

They have been beautiful this year and very long lasting, taking anything the weather has thrown at them. 

 

Sandra has sent these from her garden.
 



I hope you have all found some hellebores to enjoy.

Thanks Wendy.

Monday 1 March 2021

Textile News 28

Loving Earth Panel - Clothes 

Sandra has just finished her panel on clothes and pledging to only buy new basics. She will make her older clothes last longer wearing them more times and upcycling some by changing sleeves, embellishing and lengthening etc..


 
This is the pledge and if she only buys basics it will help reduce the use of pesticides, reduce water consumption and put less Carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by reducing transportation and production.





The clothes on the left of the panel are the basics and those on the right are some of her older items.


 If we all do a small thing to help the planet it will all add up to something major.

Thank you Sandra

If you haven't decided if you are going to do a panel please consider it as the Earth is now at a critical stage and we owe it to the next generations to hand them a healthy planet, not a dying one. It doesn't have to be too complicated just something that strikes a chord with you.

Chicken Scratch Embroidery

Sandra has just finished a small chicken scratch square. She was amazed at how quickly it could be completed despite making a mistake with the pattern and having to undo a bit.


 


She is thinking of making the small aquare into a pin cushion!

-And here is the completed pin cushion.





Back of pin cushion made with scraps!


A big thank you to Anita for introducing us to the technique.

 

Rice Bags as Presents 

During lockdown when it was very difficult to go out and buy presents, Janet made some rice bags with Japanese charm squares. She filled them with hand cream, chocolate, sanitizer and soap and then gave them to friends for their birthday presents.


 What a lovely and thoughtful gift. Anyone would be pleased to receive a pretty bag like these and the items inside would have been a bonus.

Thank you Janet. 

Meditiative Stitching

Janet has completed her piece of meditiative stitching which she said she found quite addictive. Once she had stopped trying to follow a pattern and let the needle just take her where it wanted to go she found it very relaxing and would like to have another go.

I love the way you have maintained the lovely graphic quality in the stitching.

Thank you Janet Its lovely.
 

 

 

 Loving Earth Project

Mary has made a start on the background for her loving earth panel and has used Inktense blocks on cotton. [See below] She is not quite sure about the white at the sides which is likely to end up beige. She  will probably embroider some stitched leaves on the ground with a Medeira machine wool thread but needs to experiment some more before she decides.


A good start Mary and we are all waiting to see what comes next!

 

Finished Panel for the Loving Earth Project 

This is what came next as Mary has now finished her panel. 


The panel is tranquil,  subtle and evocative of the peace of trees,  plants and the healing power of nature suitable for an Earth Project.

It has a calming effect by just looking at it.

Thanks Mary for your beautiful piece.

It is such a topical project and I am hoping that we will get some more ideas soon even if it is only at the thinking stage.