Tuesday 10 September 2013

About time....

This is meant to be a craft blog which is why I haven't done a new post for a while. I haven't been doing any craft! However I still managed to make it to the top and near the top of 'Top Blogs by Crafters' so despite my absence there have been visitors clicking through to get me up there. Thank you.

 I really couldn't do another 'nothing to show' post!

 There has been an unfortunate incident since my last post. I used to describe our house as 'the house with balls' but not any more. Here they were one snowy day (scroll down) but now they've gone. Nicked, stolen, thieved, lifted, taken....and the same name always comes up in our village and no-one ever does anything about it.

Meanwhile I pass a garden every day where there are some cowslip seed heads and have to knock on the door to ask if I may pick one or two. Ah well everyone's different I suppose.

 Anyway..thanks for all the lovely comments on the last post. I didn't get much replying done as my Mum has been a little unwell.......feeling down after the lovely week in Scarborough, so I've been a bit busy.
And we had a lovely family party for Joe's 31st Birthday. A happy time to record here . A whirlwind two hours eating and laughing. Just enough!

So..onto the makes.
I've had two 'areas' on the go. I had to make some brooches for the wonderful Found Gallery in Dunbar and they asked for some wall pieces as well.

During the brooch making I made a mistake with the thread for one brooch..I accidentally picked up this chocolatey-brown-shaded-to-cream instead of a tan and I am in love with the combination.


I have also made the nicest brooch I have ever made..I say that again..yes..I love the colours although not an obvious combination and its unrepeatable because I have none of that particular orange left and I'm rubbish at dyeing with accuracy so am unlikely to get it again.


 This is it.



So..some gratuitous brooch pictures to make up for the lack of them recently.





(How do I stop white backgrounds looking pink? Yes I know its something to do with white balance but I don't know how to change it if anyone has any ideas with a canon powershot s95 I'd welcome them)

Now..I've also used different colours in a new embroidery. I don't know if it works but I thought I'd give them a go. I made the base with pre-felts on a mixed red/orange/cerise background


I like how this orange bit in the centre glows.


I enjoyed doing it. Its not miniature and its not huge just a nice 7- 8 inch square-ish. I haven't measured..just guessed.


 I love working on the little hand stitched details.




 then going back over a few areas with machine stitch.



I've got another one in the same colours in the pipeline.

I think I'm going to sew them to calico and stretch them over a card mount to keep any 'shipping ' costs low if I sell them. 
This has been a problem of late. 
Works which have been stretched onto frames have proved to be too expensive to send overseas with insurance. It didn't used to bother me but since the piece I sent to Australia didn't arrive it bothers me .

It will be quiet here for a while. We are going to squeeze in a week in Greece. Symi to be precise. We were a bit stuck for a dog sitter and then my son decided he'd like a holiday  in our house here so all will be well. Hetty will have fun with Fin and friends.

17 comments:

Jeanette, Mistress of Longears said...

I, too, am n love with your aqua/brown/cream combination!
As for the theft, I'm not sure it's any better knowing who did it...I've had one where I knew who did it and one where they couldn't actually carry the planter they started to steal...ended up leaving it a few feet away from where it belongs. I just don't understand these people! I'm with you; always ask for even a seed head! Besides, that usually leads to a lovely conversation.

Jackie said...

I'm glad I'm not alone Jeanette.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Don't you just wish that you could foresee what criminals would want to steal and then set a huge rat trap so they'd get their fingers rapped? I'm quite sure they will 'get theirs' in the end, but that doesn't give you your balls back does it. As for the happy accident regarding the colour...there are no accidents....obviously it was meant to be!

ElizabethR said...

Love your 'happy accident' they are gorgeous. Elizabeth x

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Jackie. Your work is lovely as usual, but I have to say that the embroidery on felt is drop-dead gorgeous. The colors are soooooo pleasing and the stitching is marvelous.
best, nadia

FeltersJourney said...

The brooches are all glorious! And I LOVE the embroidered piece you are working on!
Enjoy your Greek holiday.. how perfect that your son is coming to doggy sit :)
Sorry to hear about the balls.. hope one drops on the thiefs foot!

Maggi said...

Sorry to hear that your mum has been unwell. I do hope that she is feeling better by now.

That thread makes a gorgeous combination and I really like the new backgrounds for your larger pieces. A good idea to mount them onto card as it makes them much more affordable for shipping, the cost of which is getting horrendous these days.

Have a lovely time on Symi.

Anonymous said...

Lovely new brooches!

Do you have Photoshop or Photoshop elements by any chance? There is a tool on there called levels, if you open that up and slide the top right hand slider (it's a little white arrow) nearer the middle the background should become lighter. There may be an easier way but this works for me :)

Heather said...

Hope your Mum soon feels better. What a happy accident with that 'wrong' coloured thread. Love the new wall pieces - gorgeous glowing colours.
Have a great holiday - you are sure be inspired by new colourways.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Tell your mom we all hope she feels better.

I always enjoy seeing your embroidery, beautifully stitched and perfect color schemes.

Sorry you lost your balls. We have someone in our neighborhood that will steal your yard art and put it right out in their own front yard!! My SIL went to get hers back and told the crooks to stay off her land. I guess it takes all kinds.
xx, Carol

Julie said...

I hope your Mum is feeling better Jackie. Theft always leaves a terrible feeling of violation, doesn't it? Your happy accident with the chocolate thread works so well!

Unknown said...

Stunning brooches, and Yes, i am a big fan of that favorite of yours, as well!
Say hello to Hetty for Flossy and I. Best wishes, sus

Rachel said...

It looks like a lovely set of brooches - well done!

Jacqui Chimes said...

Lovely lovely work as always and I'm very sorry to hear about your balls

Twiglet said...

Fab work - something in the bottom pictures makes me think of the hairy caterpillar I filmed wriggling over my lawn yesterday. lol. x Jo

Robin Mac said...

Beautiful brooches as always. I like the wall piece too. It should look good stretched onto a canvas frame, shame about the cost of insurance for 'proper' frames! Have fun in Greece. Cheers

Annya said...

Great to have you back blogging, your colour combinations are an inspiration.
Annya



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