Treasure Casket

I've been itching to put my new sewing machine to good use and had a fabulous pattern for a Treasure Casket from Janet Humphrey which was in the latest edition of Stitch magazine. It uses pelmet vilene for the main casket which is dyed with silk paints as are the lace flowers. The flowers are added after scraps of fabrics and then free machine embroidered onto the panels. The casket is lined with a matching silk dupion with fibres and beads used as a closure. Seed beads and pearls are then hand stitched onto the panels. I really enjoyed making this and my machine certainly stood up to the task!!

Solitude

I had a lovely long day all to myself yesterday as DH was down in Exeter for an Open University tutorial so out came my embellisher and my stash and I managed to finish this piece. The flowers are french knots and the birds are in fly stitch. It's mounted on some canvas paper with a few more birds inked in and then framed up.

Etui Box

I had a great day yesterday with the lovely Dee Wallis at her home making an Etui box (embroidery/sewing box). I met Dee at Dillington House a while ago where she was taking the workshop on Treasure Boxes. I completed the whole box whilst I was at Dee's and just had to finish off the embellishment when I came home. Routing round my buttons to find something suitable I came across a little bag of sewing implement buttons and the cotton reel matched perfectly!!! Yet another instance of Serendipity.... Thanks for looking.

Handbound address books

Following on from the saga of the wedding gift for my neighbour Inga's son Rudi and his new wife Yasmin, I had a small amount left of the silk fabric I used for their keepsake box so decided to use it for an address book for them. I also had three of these address books left - they were purchased from the Scrap Store in Yeovil and had no covers on them so were ideal for me - and have now finished covering them ready for our art show on 20th June. I am having a table with some of my cards, fabric boxes, leather covered notebooks etc and thought these would make a nice addition.

Watercolour Koi

Well I think this will be the last painting I have a chance to finish before the Art Exhibition in Sparkford on 20th and 21st June. This was fun to do - it's in watercolour and I added some Diamond Glaze to the eyes of the koi and also some on their fins/tails and the spots on their bodies; although it's quite difficult to see in the photo. The "faux" Chinese writing was just me scribbling so I hope it doesn't mean anything rude!!!! LOL

Golden Sunset

I've just finished another acrylic on canvas painting ready for our art exhibition on 20th and 21st June. Although I normally work in watercolour I have really enjoyed using acrylics and think I might carry on with them. Thanks for looking.

Black, White & Silver

I've just finished typing up an Open University Oceanography Assignment for my DH and needed to make a card for a friend's birthday next week. I have used one of my favourite Cuttlebug embossing folders, some Elusive Images paper and the sentiment is from a Stampin Up set and I used their scalloped oval punches. Hope she likes it!!!

Golden Beach

Well, I think I must be on a roll today!!! After finishing my watercolour earlier I had a fancy to play with some acrylics on canvas and this is the result. To depict the golden beach I have used a cool glue gun and gold, silver and copper leaf to give it texture. Now all I need is a sun lounger, parasol and a cool drink!!! LOL

Paris Watercolour

I felt in the mood for some painting after the rigours of box making! So I have just finished this little watercolour using the Paris Themeplate from Elusive Images. I have also added some French text and a ticket on the side.

Another Treasure Box

Well, it's been over a week since I last posted but we have had a deluge of visitors this week with a very welcome visit from our friends Linda and Steve who are over from Kuala Lumpur. We haven't seen them since last October so it was great catching up. Then of course we had the brilliant weather over the weekend and I do feel guilty staying inside crafting when I should be out in the garden working!!!! LOL

I decided I wanted to make another Treasure Box but looking through my stash didn't really have any suitable material but then found a large piece of Thai silk which I bought last time I was in Thailand. I wasn't sure whether it would be okay but was worth a try. Then I had a problem for a co-ordinating fabric for the padded inserts in the drawers and in the lid. Couldn't find anything til I started looking through my fabric that I use with my embellishing machine and "hey presto" I found some gorgeous bronze organza which went so well with the Thai silk as it has a bronze sheen to it when you turn it different ways. I even found a button to match for the embellishment on the top!!

Thank You slide card

A quick card made this afternoon in black and white. The stamp is from La Blanche and is totally made of foam. These stamps, I find, give a remarkably good image - very crisp and clean.

Anniversary Cards

Well, I can finally publish these two anniversary cards. I made them a little while ago, the blue one for my nephew and his wife's 1st wedding anniversary and the red and black for my friends Anne & Andy's Ruby wedding which is today. I didn't want to spoil the surprise for Anne by showing it earlier. I absolutely love these two stamps - the main one is the Happy Anniversary Collage BK2029MD by Butterfly Kisses (01424 855431)as is the flower stamp which is called Sakura BK2032D. Their website is under construction at the moment but they attend many craft fairs where their stand is usually inundated with crafters looking at all their wonderful samples!!!

Fabric Box Workshop

I have just got back home after spending a fantastic day at a Fabric Box workshop at Dillington House.

We had the best tutor in Dee Wallis who teaches lots of things from patchwork and quilting to wall hangings, boxes and bags.

I was absolutely delighted with my box so I shall definitely be seeing Dee again - next time to make an Etui box which is a Victorian Sewing box. Thanks for looking.

New Home card

Just had time today in between getting ready for Club night tonight to make a new home card for my youngest nephew Keir and his wife Lara who are moving house on Friday. They have just bought for the first time and are so excited. I hope they are really happy there.

And another box

Having spent the last few days out in the garden I decided I had better make another box sample to take along to our club night on Wednesday. I love the colours of this one - my favourites.