Textiles: Collage Squares

Yet another Scrap Happy post!

Making fabric collage squares for the Twinchie projects was such a fun way to upcycle some of my fabric scraps, I carried on making them

The first ones were 10″ squares, but I realised that 12 ” squares are much more versatile

You can divide them into 2″, 3″, 4″ or 6″ squares.

The squares actually measure 13″ to allow for the squares to be cut just slightly over the these measurements to allow for a little bit of trimming if necessary.

They can also be divided into different sized rectangles or strips

I love making these, even though they take longer than you’d think to get the placement satisfactory. When I have a pile of about 50 I might put some in my Etsy shop just to see if anyone would want to buy them as starting points for their own projects.

If you fancy one – just send me a message via the Contact Me page.

Once all of the Twinchies are back and I have completed a piece of textile art with them, the plan is for these squares to be used in more collaborative textile art projects. Watch this space!

PS. For WordPress users – is the new format driving you crazy? Arrgghhhh!

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Textile Tuesday: Rusty Delights

Hello Everyone and welcome to February’s gathering of Textiles on this, our second Textile Tuesday Photo Challenge of 2020.

Have you got any textiles you are working on, or have you found any when out and about? Archive posts are welcome.

Just leave a link in the comments to join in.

In another life I would be a Lichenologist

I still can’t leave Rust Dyeing alone. The serendipitousness (? !) of it has taken me hostage and will not let me go!

It is so tempting to just keep dyeing, the results are so exciting but at last I have three finished pieces to share with you.

Desert Rendezvous

The rust-dyed Mulberry Paper in the first piece reminded me of tree bark.

The second one, using rust-dyed curtain lining, reminded me of the desert scenes my son sent me when he was running in the Sahara.

The third became a lament for the devastation created by the recent fires in Australia. The turquoise represents hope and water and new life returning.

After the Fire

I am thinking of painting the background canvas for this one an Uluru Red.

Eventually they will all be for sale, I am working towards getting enough together for an exhibition. When I say ‘working towards’ – the main work to be done is getting my mind round the whole idea of exhibiting and all that goes with it, but I would like to see my work all presented together somewhere, sometime. It will happen when the time is right.

~

I am really looking forward to seeing the Textiles you would like to share with us on

TEXTILE TUESDAY

 

In a Vase on Monday

Spring!

These lovely narcissi smell of spring. My daughter’s new home was once a Market Garden and the house sits amidst a field of these gorgeously uplifting bright blooms.

She is currently looking at how she might sell some of the flowers and/or the bulbs, so any hints and tips you might have would be gratefully received.

I have put them with cerinthe from my own garden, which seeded itself last year and survived the winter.

They sit in a metal jug which was made in Yugoslavia and bought for me by my Mum from a market stall. The crocheted pansy doily was made by my step-grandmother who I adored – she taught me many handicrafts including Hardanger embroidery. You can see the culmination of a wonderful Sew-Along over on Kathy’s blog – so pretty.

I am joining in with Rambling in the Garden’s ‘In a Vase on Monday’ meme.

Also joining Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Edit:

I just had to add this from my garden just now

Amelanchier against a blue sky – Sprinnnnggggggg!

Result of the Christmas Card Giveaway

There is SO much I’m itching to tell you about, my mnd is in a bit of a happy whirl with it all. I went away for a couple of fun-packed, creativity-packed weeks and it is taking me ages to come back to earth and order my thoughts enough to make some coherent blog posts. But first – the results of the Giveaway!

19 people voted, 18 wanted to be included in the Christmas Card Giveaway

Thank you so much to all who let me know which picture they liked the best

It was a close run between the all white card and the one with the green hearts

Votes as follows:

9 votes for the White Tree

6 votes for the Green Hearts

4 votes for the Red Berries

Most of my family liked the Green Hearts best so I decided to have the White Shells and the one with the Green Hearts printed. And the proofs have arrived – but I’m not happy with them. They don’t seem to have the vibrancy they need. So I will need to go back to the printer and see if we can sort that out. A shame as I was hoping to have them ready to send out by now.

Anyway – enough of that – you want to know who won!

I wrote the names on some pages I was using for collage

 

folded them and popped them in a bag and asked Cathy’s husband Mr E. to pick out three pieces of paper for me.

And the winners are …..

 

 

 

 

Karina of Murtagh’s Meadow

Kerry of Love those ‘Hands at Home’

and

Jamie of Hook This Weave That

 

Congratulations all!

As soon as I have the cards printed I will be sending you 3 each.

Please go to my Contact Me page and email me your postal address.

Thanks again to everyone who took part, it was such a help to get your comments.

 

Shell Art and a Giveaway

Help!

I have created 3 shell Christmas trees and I’m wondering if one of these designs would make a good Christmas/ Winter Solstice/ Seasonal Celebration card…..

Do you think they would make good cards?

If so, which one? I can’t decide.

Number One: White Tree

Number Two: with Red Berries

Number Three: Swarovski Crystal Green Hearts

The cards would not have the watermark on them when printed. They would be blank inside, with my name a web address on the back.

I will be giving away 3 cards each to 3 entrants (names pulled out of a hat) and will post them anywhere in the world.

To enter you must

1. be a follower of my blog – sign up in the link top right if you are not already following.

2. Let me know, in the comments, which tree you like the best

3. Let me know if you would like to be entered in a Giveaway.

 

You can enter anytime up until my birthday on 11th November.

The result of the Giveaway will be announced on or around the 15th November and the cards will be sent as soon as they have been printed.

Good luck!

Paintings for sale in aid of two wonderful causes

My dear friend Rachel and her husband, who live in America, have created some wonderful paintings  – and they are all for Sale:

“Your purchase will help support Healing the Healer workshops for youth in foster care and Everytown For Gun Safety, which supports common-sense reforms to end gun violence.”

Click here to read all about it.

I am so excited –  I have bought this one

All paintings are sold by donation (+shipping) and every penny will be split 50/50 between the two chosen causes.

Please go and have a look at all the amazing art still available.

❤ Blessings Rachel and Rocky ❤

 

 

Candy Swirl Giveaway

Have you tried any of the yarn ‘cakes’ that seem very popular at the moment?

I had to have a go and started with a Stylecraft Special Candy Swirl, colour: Fruit Salad

I especially like the ones I’ve seen where the colours gradually blend into each other, so I was a little disappointed that this one did not do that…..

…… but I was absolutely amazed that it seemed to have been created perfectly for Zoya Matyushenko’s design ‘Sol’, with the colour changes occurring on or near each round change. I did not cut the yarn at all, this is exactly as it came out, with a little yarn to spare.

The yarn is 100% acrylic DK worked with a 4mm hook.

I loved making it but now that it is finished and blocked, I don’t really have a use for it.

It measures 17″ or 43cm across

It could be a large table mat, or attached to fabric to make an 18″ cushion cover – do you have any other ideas?

Would anyone like it?

I’m offering it to you lovely lot first – after a week I’ll put it in my Etsy shop at a nominal price.

The ‘cake’ cost £6.99 but I’m happy for it to go to a good home for free. I would love it to be used in some way.

You can go to my ‘Contact Me’ page and message me if you would like it.

I’m not expecting a rush, but if there is more than one person who would like it, I’ll put names in a hat and draw one out next Friday.

~

Over at Nanacathy’s place there’s much to have a good old yarny natter about

Ready for Halloween?

Master R, a couple of years ago, getting ready for a halloween party.

 

 

 

 

The whole family went off with a knitted wig and various other bits and pieces I keep in the dressing up box

 

 

 

 

 

And on another occasion the green wig was teamed up with Big Bro’s incredible hulk mask

to terrify Uncle M

Wig sales always hot up at this time of year – there is still time to knit a wig to scare the demons away! You can find the patterns in my Etsy or Ravelry or Craftsy shops.

Silly Saturday: Meet Pete

Hi Everybody, I’m Pebble Pete

The cheeriest chap you could hope to meet

The beach is where I spend my days

With my crew I like to play

We often meet up on the shore

For fun and games, never getting bored

Riding on the waves in the clear blue sea

You’ll find the Stone and the Shell family

I will introduce you to everyone

So you can join in with our fun

Whether in the sea or on the sand

I want to welcome you to Seaside Land!

 

poem by Judy E. Martin

photo by Sandra Dorey

 

Welcome to another Silly Saturday!

I just LOVE working/playing/creating with Judy. I sent her the photo of a pebble and she not only created a fabulous fun poem but gave him the perfect name. I’m always excited to see what Judy does with the images I send her.

Judy and I have been thinking about creating a little ebook of our characters and we thought Pete was just the right character to introduce the Stones and the Shelleys and possibly take up the role of narrator, we’ll have to see where he takes us.

AND

Hot off the press

The first batch of cards have been printed!

They are blank inside and all come individually packed with an envelope.

What is it about seeing ones work in print – it’s thrilling!!!

The guy who prints the cards hadn’t read the poems at first as he gets so many to do, but as he was checking through the proof he read them and just couldn’t stop giggling – he was still laughing as he was telling me how funny he thought it was. Lovely to get such a spontaneous reaction.

The cards will be appearing in my Etsy shop soon.

You, my lovely Daffodil followers, can have them a little cheaper at mates’ rates if you send me a message via the Contact Me Page.

I do hope you are having a wonderfully Silly Saturday – if you are doing anything Silly, I’d love to hear about it!   😀

 

Painted leaves

The beautifully painted leaves on The Green Dragonfly today prompted me to find the photos of the leaf doodling I did on Nevis.

I never did discover the name of the plant this leaf came from, it grew near the sea.

Each morning I would create little arrangements on the table on the veranda

I can’t stop arranging things – even the loose tiles in the swimming pool could not escape

…….. a coral collection

……..shells

some of which I doodled on wondering if they would combine with a seahorse to make little hanging decorations

What do you think?

 

 

Woodland Fairy Jacket

Little Miss M beautifully modelling my latest pattern to go live.

Oh my word I’m so excited to be publishing this pattern today! It has taken years for me to develop and test.

Special thanks go to Sheila at Sewchet for test-knitting it for me. And here it is!!!!  Hurray!

Ravelry:

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/wild-daffodil

and Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WildDaffodil

The pattern is for a toddler Aged 1-2

But as you can see in the top photo it has lasted well. I always make the arms a generous length and all my grandchildren seem to get a few years wear out of their yarny  tops.

The inspiration came from this amazing book:

‘Knitted Pirates, Princesses, Witches, Wizards and Fairies’ by Annette Hefford

The publishers kindly gave their permission for me to develop and sell the pattern so long as I credited the book. There are so many fabulous patterns in the book – well worth a look.

I have set up a Facebook page for sharing progress, finished articles and other favourite faerie patterns

https://www.facebook.com/knittedfaerie/

I do hope you like it. I’m planning to publish the pattern in other sizes as soon as I have tested them.

Just published in time to put a link on Cathy’s  ‘Knit and Natter Friday’  post

and

Rachell’s Yarn Along.

 

Ammonites

Eleonora over at Coastal Crochet has created a cute Ammonite Pattern.

Of course, I couldn’t just make one. Once I had the pattern in my head I started making bigger and smaller ones.

I thought they might combine well with my seahorses, or make some beachy greetings cards.

Ideas are swimming around …..

Thank you Eleonora for the inspiration.

Linking in with Ginny’s Yarn Along 

Ginny suggests we add a book to the post. I haven’t got a book on the go but whilst I am crocheting I’m also watching/listening to a DVD: River Cottage: Edible Seashore

Yes, I’ve been eating seaweed – yum!

 

Shop

Is this of any interest?

Here is an example of a tote bag from my shop

I photograph my work: crochet, crazy patchwork and paintings and they are made to order in the USA as high quality Tote Bags, Cushions (Throw Pillows) and other items, all in various sizes.

I get 14% of the sale price for each item.

If anyone knows of a similar company in the UK, please let me know.

I am very pleased with what I have bought from Society6 and never had to pay any duty on them here in the UK.

Have a browse there are lots more things to see here.

Dorset County Show

Storm

Acrylic on Canvas

12″ x 30″         30 x 76cm

Joining in with Paint Party Friday

~

Details:

Click on any photo to see a larger picture.

This is one of my entires for the Dorset County Show which happened on the first weekend of September. It is about time I told you how I got on.

In order to get a free ticket to the Show one needs to have quite a few entries, and as you are only allowed two entries per class, there is a variety of Homecrafts to cover

 

The last three on the list were the photographic classes

My two ‘pictures in any other medium’ were these beach clean art paintings

I arrived early in the morning to put all my exhibits out, so there were very few other entries there.

It seemed we were not supposed to put a title or any note about the painting, although no-one really knew.

 

I got to the show at about midday, eager to see the other entries and if I had got any prizes or comments from the judges. Mine was the only abstract painting in the category.

Here is the winner

Now I look at this again it looks more like pastel to me rather than oil or acrylic, but maybe it is oil pastel.

And our painting?

Here it sits with it’s competitors, no we didn’t get a prize, but it really was fun to enter. Thanks again to everyone who joined in with the creation of this painting, which I love!

Here are the first and second in this category

And some Commended ones

However……

I did get a First for a crocheted wig!

The judge wrote: Brilliant idea. Good even crochet. Nicely distributed curls and combination of stitches. Well done.

And a Highly Commended for the knitted wig

Judge’s comments: Good even stitching. Puffball effect well thought out.

And her comments for the blue Wavy Wig: Nice idea. Well chosen stitches, well finished.

(You can find patterns on my Ravelry page or Etsy shop.)

The winner of the knitting class was a massive jacket, I expect it is snug to wear.

It is interesting to see the variety of things entered in these categories.

I also got a Highly Commended in the portrait category for a photo of my son and his family.

The weekend was a huge success for my daughter’s family who were entering cows and calves. They won trophies galore and Miss E won her class and Best Overall Young Handler with her calf Rainbow Splash.

Proud Granny!

 

Society 6 Free Shipping

There is 10% off and free shipping worldwide at the moment at Society 6

https://society6.com/wilddaffodil/bags

Also cushions, clocks, mugs and rugs.

I’d love to know if any of you do buy anything as I have never been sent any commission, so I assume no-one has bought anything – or – can I trust Society6 to pass the commission to me. I am very pleased with the products I have bought, and I have never had to pay any duty on them.

Have a look around the site – there really are some great things to be had from a huge variety of artists.

 

16 for 2016: March

16 walks, more than one hour long

THREE (13 to go)

At last I have had the time, energy and the weather all coming together at the same time, to go for 3 long walks. There is a good walk from my house that takes just under 2 hours and I have done it twice.

And then just after Easter, a walk round the parkland of Montacute House (picture above) near Yeovil, Somerset – a lovely walk with a friend on her birthday.

15 handmade greetings cards

SIX (2 more done in March, 9 to go)

The total was brought up to 5 as I made another never-ending card for a friend

a good way to use some of my doodles

Doodling makes a nice change from knitting for a while

I just love the way these cards give you 3 or four cards in one, this side was a nod to her love of sailing

And another friend’s birthday card made from decorated paper, as shown in this post.

14 items in my Etsy Shop

THREE (11 to go)

I added two more items this month

– a bit of an experiment to see if PDFs of my painted paper pages will sell as collage material.

13 swims

FIVE

Not one in March, oops, slipping!

12 Garden Posts

THREE

11 Bags made

NONE

10 Different types of bead

NONE

9 Pieces of Textile Art

ONE is well on it’s way

My aim was to make a textile book for each of my 8 grandchildren and one for me. Having been on Frances Pickering’s course, I realise these will probably take a few years to finish, so I am revising my task to starting 9.

8 Mornings of sorting and storing

ONE

I attempted another 4 hour stretch at sorting Stuff. I started at 8.45am on Thursday morning, every time there was an interruption: phone calls, my son dropping in at lunchtime, a neighbour needing help etc etc I stopped the clock and started it again. By 3.30pm I had only done 3 hours of actual sorting and tidying and gave up! Living on my own you would think it an easy task to find a 4 hour stretch of uninterrupted time, but I seem to find it nearly impossible!

7 Paintings

I might change this from paintings to pictures, or pieces of art – could be collage, could be drawing, could be painting.

I am enjoying working on the Blood Orange prints, which is still a work in progress – I’m not sure yet whether this will be a piece that will stand up as something I want on my wall, but it is turning into a bit more than a doodle.

6 Bus Rides

ONE

5 New Forms of Exercise

FOUR

4 new patterns for my Etsy Shop

NONE

3 Massages

ONE

I am so lucky! My daughter gave me a voucher for Mother’s Day for a massage. How wonderful is that! I think I will go for a Hot Stone Massage this time. That will be my second massage.

2 ways to help refugees

NONE

I had to abandon thoughts of going to Calais as I have been ill with one virus after another. Feeling brilliantly healthy now thank goodness, so once I have caught up with myself, I will put my mind to it again. I’m not sure what is happening in Calais at the moment as far as volunteers are concerned so more research is needed.

1 novel read

NONE

Another false start with ‘A Tiny Bit Marvellous’ by Dawn French.

0 beads bought

NONE

~

This magnificent 600 year old sweet chestnut tree stands in the park at Montacute House, I could spend a year drawing this tree.

Cathy inspired me to do the 16 for 2016, here is her March post.

Seven

I had a lovely request from an Etsy customer to create a colouring sheet with the number 7 included. Her daughter is having an art party. The Pdf will be printed out for all the guests to have a copy to colour.

What a great idea!

I hope she likes it.

Yarn Along with Orpheus and Cruella

Joining in with Ginny’s Yarn Along

Ginny asks us to share what we are making and the book we are reading.

I don’t seem to read books anymore but I do listen to the radio as I knit, sew, or crochet and whilst knitting a new Cruella Deville Hat/Wig as an order for Halloween,(you can find a pattern here) I have just listened to the BBC Radio 4’s play: Orpheus and Eurydice, a modern take on the mythical story.

Such a moving expression of the way grief can feel and the kind of madness it can take us to.

As some of you know, there have been a few deaths in our family, each one brings reminders of the ones before, so many mixed emotions. After listening to the play this poem just seemed to write itself:

After Orpheus

*

When difficulty goes

One remembers the good

The void is filled

Without effort

*

The songs, the sounds

The sights, the scents

Waft in and out

In random shuffle

*

Loss is deep

Gain is there but distant

It takes a while to settle

Each of us alone in our experience

*

The ground shifts

Where has normal gone

Time, friendship and the love of living

Bring us back together

*

Letters

Bluedaisyz Photo Challenge. This week’s prompt: LETTERS

Taken on holiday in Abu Dhabi 18 months ago, when I had the luxury of many happy hours making patterns and letters with shells on the beach. (I  have lots of letters, hearts and little messages and have wondered about selling the pictures as Jpegs in my Etsy shop.)

Others in the Photo Challenge: You just must go and have a look at Cathy’s entry this week! Brilliant!; here’s Jamie’s take on the subject. Just 3 of us this week. We would love to have more join in.

I had already chosen this photo when the prompt words for Ronovan’s Haiku Challenge popped up: FUTURE and GIVE

so here we go

Till the tides are still

Now, future and forever

I give you my love

*

Photo challenge subject next week : CLOSE

A good one – two meanings, no wait, 3 meanings .. and is making me think. I like the way I now look at scenes and objects wondering if they would fit in to the photo challenge each week. I look at the world from a new perspective, which, for me, is what creativity is all about.

Update: I decided to give it a go and have put the picture in the Etsy shop just to test the waters so to speak. I’m thinking it could be printed off and stuck on the front of a fun greetings card for an engagement or anniversary. Or it can be printed out and framed as a present. But how to price it? Tricky – I’ve gone for £1.25 which is just under $2. What do you think?

20% off and Free Shipping

Just thought I’d let you know: Society 6 have an offer running til Midnight 25th May, Pacific Time of 20% off the product price and Free Shipping

I am really pleased with their products.

Here is a link to the Tote Bag page.

http://society6.com/wilddaffodil/bags

If you do purchase anything, I’d love to hear what you think of it.

There are cushions as well:

I take a photo of my work and Society6 then print the photo on fabric and make up the item. I like the visual pun of a crochet cushion sitting next to a print of crochet on a cushion.

It takes 2 – 3 weeks to get to the UK and there are no import charges, or extra charges made.

The clocks are fun too
There are lots of other interesting designers seeing on Society6 so go along and have a good old browse.

Have a great weekend! It is a Bank holiday weekend in UK, which means a three day weekend and the start of Half Term for schools.