Tangled Threads

Beanie, bootees and mittens

2008-11-23T06:07:00.001+09:00

Beanie, bootees and mittens
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Knitted for charity, premie to newborn size. I used op shop yarn here and have a large bag of these little sets all in this pink yarn I scored cheaply.

Christmas stocking

2008-10-23T07:46:00.001+09:00

Christmas stocking
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Have just finished the last round on this crazy quilted Christmas stocking. I did the tatted angel and added a little lace on a seam, there was no more room for me to add anything else. Will post this today or tomorrow.

Christmas stocking

2008-10-23T07:44:00.001+09:00

Christmas stocking
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

My lovely Christmas stocking came home last week. This was part of a round robin and five friends have embellished it. I think it is just beautiful, now have to line and back it and it will be ready to decorate my house for Christmas.

Really Healthy Cookies

2008-09-15T16:58:00.000+09:00

I could not resist adding these cookies to my blog. I am going to try these next time I have people round for afternoon tea.

Nikki's Healthy Cookie Recipe

You can use unsweetened carob, or grain sweetened chocolate chips, or do what I did and chop up 2/3 of a bar of Scharffen berger 70%. I sort-of shaved half the bar with a knife and then cut the rest into bigger chip-sized chunks. You can make your own almond meal by pulsing almonds in a food processor until it is the texture of sand - don't go too far or you'll end up with almond butter. And lastly, the coconut oil works beautifully here, just be sure to warm it a bit - enough that it is no longer solid, which makes it easier to incorporate into the bananas.

3 large, ripe bananas, well mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup coconut oil, barely warm - so it isn't solid (or alternately, olive oil)
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup almond meal
1/3 cup coconut, finely shredded & unsweetened
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
6 - 7 ounces chocolate chips or dark chocolate bar chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, racks in the top third.

In a large bowl combine the bananas, vanilla extract, and coconut oil. Set aside. In another bowl whisk together the oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks/chips.The dough is a bit looser than a standard cookie dough, don't worry about it. Drop dollops of the dough, each about 2 teaspoons in size, an inch apart, onto a parchment (or Silpat) lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 - 14 minutes. I baked these as long as possible without burning the bottoms and they were perfect - just shy of 15 minutes seems to be about right in my oven.

Makes about 3 dozen bite-sized cookies.

Blue resisted scarf

2008-08-22T06:16:00.001+09:00

Blue resisted scarf
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

I thought I would never finish the stitching on this one. I dyed it with a mixed dye so that the colours would halo out, it does not show well in the photo but the colours range from darkest lavender blue, through to pastel blue, purple through to the pinkish mauve you can see in this photo. The colouring is incredible. I thought I would take it to the art gallery that has some of my stuff, but have a feeling I may keep it just for me.

Tiger socks

2008-08-18T15:05:00.001+09:00

Tiger socks
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Sorta shibori, done with setacolour paints rather than dye. Tiger feet for some little toddler.

Silk scarf, resist dyed

2008-08-15T12:11:00.001+09:00

Silk scarf, resist dyed
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Here is another silk scarf, rust dyed, overdyed, resisted. Strangely the rust dyeing washed out when I rinsed the scarf under the tap. Since I wasn't about to waste all the time I spent stitch resisting this scarf I overdyed in a rust colour to complement the little rust dye that stayed in the scarf.

Margaret's stocking

2008-07-28T19:58:00.001+09:00

Margaret's stocking
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Round 2 of the Christmas Stocking round robin. I added the tatted angel, some sequin stars and a metallic braid seam treatment. I have to post this off tomorrow, and already have Round 3 ready to embellish.

Pink Fairy Orchids

2008-07-04T16:28:00.001+09:00

Pink Fairy Orchids
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Another pastel painting on a textile blog! Apologies. Thought you might like to see why I am a bit short on textile work these days.

Shibori scarf

2008-06-27T16:09:00.001+09:00

Shibori scarf
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Just unwrapped and washed and ironed. Silk scarf shibori dyed peach and raspberry. I am not a big fan of pink but think this one is rather delicious. Took all my dyed scarves to the art gallery and he was happy to take them all.

Anne's stocking

2008-06-25T15:14:00.001+09:00

Anne's stocking
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

A Christmas Stocking round robin this time with my crazy patch group. Here is Anne's stocking from round one, I tatted an angel, some flowers and added metallic braid. Beading to add sparkle.

Shibori - Pole wrapped scarf

2008-06-24T09:43:00.001+09:00

Shibori - Pole wrapped scarf
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

My first attempt at pole wrapping silk scarves. I love the colour flow and the 'lightening' stripes. Have another one wrapped all ready to dye, but want to get some thickener this time as I think it will define the stripes better.

Arashi scarf 4

2008-06-13T06:17:00.001+09:00

Arashi scarf 4
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

This scarf was twisted and tied three times. It has a lot of interesting colours in it now and is much prettier than it looks here. Interesting technique.

The Third House

2008-06-12T05:38:00.002+09:00

The pieces have been collected up to make into a fabric book. I think they collected more artworks from the community than was expected. Certainly I was very impressed with the vibrancy and level of skills displayed in the community exhibit. More on these pieces later when I am sure we will be informed about the completion of the book(s).

Arashi scarf 3

2008-06-12T05:37:00.001+09:00

Arashi scarf 3
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Another dip dyed scarf. I am finding it quite interesting working in silk, it is new for me and the silk reacts quite differently to cotton. I have tied a traditional shibori piece, but am waiting for warmer weather before I dye it.

Arashi scarf 1

2008-06-09T16:07:00.001+09:00

Arashi scarf 1
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

I have been dip dyeing silk scarves recently. Here is one of them, olive green with hints of pink, it is much prettier than the photo shows.

Australian Wildflowers WIP

2008-06-07T04:44:00.001+09:00

Australian Wildflowers WIP
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Looking for some images of leschnaultia to finish this painting off, just a few little blue flowers in the gaps. Buying a remaindered calendar certainly proved worthwhile, I enjoyed painting these flowers.

The Third House - Autumn

2008-05-05T20:07:00.001+09:00

The Third House - Autumn
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

This piece was made for a local exhibition entitled 'The Third House'. Taken from the exhibition blurb the term 'the third place' was coined by Ray Oldenburg in his influential book "The Great Good Place" which describes the third place as the "anchors" of community life which facilitate and foster broader, more creative interaction. But of course, you all knew that, didn't you?

I was given a small square of calico which I decided was rather boring, and decided to pick some leaves from the trees that line the streets of the suburb where I live. These were used for leaf prints, I hand embroidered in metallic threads and beaded the sage green front of the piece and added the tissue fabric leaf name tag, all tasselled and glittery.

Christmas Stocking RR

2008-05-02T19:37:00.001+09:00

Christmas Stocking RR
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Having finished the Japanese Round Robin I decided to join the Christmas stocking one. This starts at the beginning of June and should return to me by November. I decided on white, creams and yellow for my stocking. See, there is still one seam to hand stitch down, but I am, for once, ready well before time.

Japanese RR

2008-04-30T15:06:00.001+09:00

Maureen T's block23 jpg
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

There is one more block after this one, but I messed up with the camera and so no nice picture of another pretty block.

This is the final round of this round robin and the blocks are already winging their way to ACT.

Crazy Patchwork

2008-04-30T08:21:00.001+09:00

Maureen T's block2
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Another completed block for the Japanese round robin.

Japanese RR

2008-04-29T19:26:00.001+09:00

Maureen T's block23 jpg
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

One of the last blocks to pass through my hands. All the work is done on it now, I think it is delightful.

sourdough miche

2008-04-28T08:59:00.001+09:00

sourdough miche
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

This may not be textile related, but what a great looking sourdough loaf I turned out.

Green bag WIP

2008-03-20T06:42:00.001+09:00

Green bag WIP
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

It has taken me a long time to get this together but here is my green bag for the March Challenge on Wet Canvas. Still to be embellished, I have worked out that couching silk ribbons will be the way to go, and I will leave a little fringe at the bottom of the bag and cut the ribbons on the bias so they will not fray.

Poppy Bag

2008-03-07T15:30:00.001+09:00

Poppy Bag
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

I have been waiting for it to cool down before I finished this little gift bag. Free machine embroidered, quilted, beaded, wrapped cord. The bag is silk and is lined with kimono silk.

Japanese RR1

2008-03-06T16:04:00.001+09:00

Japanese RR1
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

This is the second block of the four that are passing through my hands. I added the beaded couronnes in pale pink at the bottom of the block. am going to find some of my little silver butterflies and add to this piece of work too.

Japanese RR

2008-03-05T08:03:00.001+09:00

Japanese RR2
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

I received the next round of this round robin the other day. Lots of lovely work on it already. I thought the navy patterned fabric at the bottom of the block was rather overpowering, so decided to cover it with an ouster bed, I found some freshwater pearls to add to it to give it an air of authenticity and used mother of pearl buttons for the oyster shells. Silk ribbon embroidery, embroidery, beading.

Gum leaf

2008-02-13T06:25:00.001+09:00

Gum leaf
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Another leaf piece. This one is hand stitched to paper fabric, copper card with couched rayon yarns. Had real problems with this one, could not get the colours right, had to go on a leaf hunt to find the ultimate leaf!

My daughter is coming to visit at the weekend so expect I will be quiet for a few days. Have been finishing up stuff so I can pack away for her visit, then I have ideas for more multi media works.

Seascape study

2008-02-12T04:45:00.001+09:00

Seascape study
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Another of my multi media works. Painted water colour background, Tyvek painted and layered with sheers then heat treated, couched yarns, beading, fish charm and turtle cloisonne bead. Its a pretty piece, has turned out well.

All That Glitters......

2008-02-11T21:39:00.000+09:00

I have been experimenting lately with hand work on paper. This piece is painted Bondaweb ironed onto card and foiled. Couched yarns, hand made plastic bag bead, beaded. This was fun to make, lots of metallics, hence the title.

Japanese round robin

2008-02-03T04:49:00.000+09:00

I sent off the blocks last week, am now awaiting the next round which will be the last round but one, I think. Am very keen to see what the girls have done to my block. Then I will have to work out what I am going to do with them.

Has been so hot lately I have not been spending much time at the computer, will try to mend my ways once the weather cools down a bit.

Japanese round robin

2008-01-29T03:30:00.001+09:00

Joy's Block D
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

The fourth and final block. I couldn't resist adding a fish charm under the nose of that very smug cat, also added a row of french knot flowers, tatted butterfly and little stars. Have to leave enough space for another 2 people to work on this block.

Japanese round robin

2008-01-28T04:41:00.001+09:00

Joy's block C
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Mainly Alison's work on this block, it is so beautiful I did not want to add to the work already done. I love the little cross stitch tea house shaded by a tree and with bamboo in front of it.

Japanese round robin

2008-01-27T08:13:00.001+09:00

Joy's blocks B
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

I started calling this the fan block when I worked on it. The silk ribbon fan in purple is by me, and the couronne rings turned into 'bullrushes' is also my work. I did some beaded cretan stitch on this block too.

Japanese round robin

2008-01-26T08:03:00.000+09:00

After a break over the Christmas period, the Japanese RR has resumed. This block has passed through three hands, mine last, and is looking good.

Local Flora

2008-01-16T01:59:00.000+09:00

Another of my stained and painted paper pieces. This time with gum leaves and bark added. I look for nice leaves and bark on my morning dog walks, and usually find some, have quite a selection now. Have had a 24 hour tummy bug and felt dreadful yesterday, however, am surfacing today and hope to achieve a little more. Yesterday I made myself go out and take my tai chi class, but it finished me for the rest of the day.

Seahorse

2008-01-14T20:55:00.000+09:00

This is rather delicate multi media work, but has lost its colour in the photo, sorry!
Hand made paper, paper moulding, watercolour, shiva sticks. Found a cheap box frame that does not really look too cheap and nasty, I am happy!

Poppy Bag WIP

2008-01-12T08:13:00.001+09:00

Poppy Bag WIP
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Drawstring bag in progress. Still have to embroider and bead the centre of the poppy before I can complete the bag. Layers of sheers make up the petals, giving the flower the transparency of poppies. Won't be doing much today as I am going out to lunch in the local wine producing area.

Christmas 07 Exchange

2008-01-07T09:06:00.001+09:00

Christmas 07 Exchange
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

This was a postcard I made to do a private exchange with my friend. Inspiration struck late, so it was not posted until early January! Tissue fabric background, braid, beads.

Japanese cloth

2007-12-29T04:53:00.000+09:00

I was given this small sample of circular Japanese cloth by my friend who is a karate master. He had been at a big karate convention in Japan and bought each of us in our tai chi group a small piece of this cloth. I feel it has special meaning in the patterning, does anyone know anything about it? Maybe the significance is just in the colour, I love orange and so chose this piece.

Unseasonal knitting

2007-12-23T08:17:00.001+09:00

Its high summer here, going to be 38C on Christmas Day and here I am posting a knitted scarf. In my defence it was knitted at the end of winter just before the weather turned warmer, then I tucked it away and forgot about it. Knitted in tencel and bamboo, it is a lovely soft and silky scarf. I have been told that bamboo yarn tends to split whilst knitting, but that if you use bamboo needles it knits up easily. By pure chance I used bamboo needles and had no problems. I knit my scarves sideways, I cast on 150 stitches for double knit yarns and go for it, adding multi yarns from my stash, this way the stripes do not look left-over stripey.

Possum Pouch

2007-12-22T17:45:00.001+09:00

Yes I did, I really did knit a possum pouch from some donated wool. Poor baby possum will need sunglasses! They put many flannelette liners in the pouch with the possum in the middle, as the possum grows they remove some of the liners until at last it is big enough to manage outside the pouch. This one is going to a Wildlife centre somewhere in the eastern states.

Christmas is a'coming

2007-12-20T04:59:00.000+09:00

Far too fast for my liking. I have to brave the shops this weekend for those few last minute things I need for our Christmas lunch. It is forecast to be 38C, so I will be buying salad stuff and fruit, plus some fruit juice and mineral water to mix up to make cool drinks.

Today I have a full blown Christmas lunch at the retirement village where I live. Am, turkey and all the trimmings.

To end on a fibre related note, my sister sent me some Opal sock wool from the UK, and I have started knitting a pair of woolly socks! The wool is knitting up in nice bright stripes so is interesting to work with. Won't have much time for knitting this morning, though, as I am going to help set the tables for lunch.

Gum leaves

2007-12-18T19:07:00.000+09:00

Here I have stitched gum leaves to stained watercolour paper with hand dyed silk thread. The pink of the leaves did not show up too well, so I put some paper gold mesh behind the leaves and stitched that down also. I have a cool white shadow box to frame this picture in, the frame tones down the background paper and enhances the whole picture.

Christmas cards

2007-12-14T19:10:00.000+09:00

This afternoon I got busy and made some Christmas cards from stained paper and glue. The paper is watercolour paper, I did intend some stitching, but wimped out at the last minute!

I've also embroidered the next round of the Japanese Round robin, must get those blocks photographed so I can show you how they went.

Tatted Christmas Ornaments

2007-12-07T01:53:00.001+09:00

2007 Tatted Ornaments
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Here are some Angels and Wreaths I made for Christmas tree ornaments. Some are beaded. I love that they are so delicate and how the light colour stands out when on the Christmas tree. All are stiffened with diluted Aquadhere (carpenters white glue).

Silk scarf and lining

2007-12-06T18:41:00.001+09:00

Silk scarf and lining
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

I finished joining the two halves of the scarves together, one is already in the mail for a Christmas present. This is the resist dyed grey scarf with pink and grey lining, which was resist painted with Setacolour. Not a technique I will use again.

'Nother lined silk scarf

2007-11-27T06:16:00.001+09:00

The two sides of another silk georgette scarf. The grey/red silk was resist painted with setacolour, actually it is more grey/pink, but there are spots of red so I have chosen to continue calling it red. I just resist dyed the grey reverse side of the scarf. Used Procion MX turned into an acid environment for the resist dyeing, I have a lot of dyes too old to use successfully on cotton, but they work beautifully on silk.

Resist dyed silk

2007-11-24T04:39:00.001+09:00

This is the resist dyed silk georgette I did yesterday to make a reversible scarf. I am pleased with the complexity of the dyeing, which may not show up too much on these pictures. Now for the tricky bit of sewing the pieces together! I definitely like silk georgette for scarves and for dyeing, it takes the dye much better than habutoi.

Resist dyeing

2007-11-23T19:23:00.000+09:00

I have been overdyeing a resist dyed silk scarf this morning, not long got it in from the sunshine where it has been curing, and from minor disaster it has turned into a success. I'll have to take a photo. I also dyed two linings for the scarves I have done, and they are so nice they will make the scarves double sided. I resist painted one scarf with Setacolor, and although I am not totally pleased with it, it is not bad, but the paint did not work in quite the same way as dye. I have not dyed silk georgette before, it behaves differently from habutoi, but makes a much nicer and firmer scarf.

Striped beanie

2007-11-23T05:40:00.001+09:00

I read about the Fibonacci sequence for working stripes, and of course, had to play with this system. The idea is that stripes worked to this system gives a harmonic pattern as can be found in nature. Not sure about the beanie being harmonic, but I had fun making it and only hope it will cheer some child up who is languishing in hospital. Actually, I don't mean languish, that is not the right word at all.

Round Robins

2007-11-21T18:25:00.000+09:00

I have joined with 5 other ladies on my crazy patchwork list to do a Japanese Round Robin. This is my work on the first round of blocks. I have done some tatted cherry blossom (and other work) some silk ribbon chrysanthemums and a silk ribbon and beaded fan, as well as decorating some seam lines. This is going to be a fun thing I can see.

Denim Tote

2007-11-14T18:39:00.001+09:00

Denim Tote
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Finished today. This tote is Version 3, I really like this pattern, as you may have guessed. I had a scrap of fabric left over from a skirt I made so will be smart toting round a matching bag.

Hand and Lock 2007 Embroidery Prize

2007-11-13T02:51:00.000+09:00

I thought I'd share this with you, was sent this email a couple of days ago and have been browsing these pages. Wonderful work!

'Last week on radio national was a feature on the Hand & Lock 2007 Embroidery Prize which is at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney until 2nd Dec. Hand & Lock are a London company specialising in embroidery since 1767

Here are links to relevant webpages http://www.hand-embroidery.co.uk/comp2007/index.htm & http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/exhibitions/embroidering_the_future.asp

Make yourselves a cuppa as there are 262 photos of finalists work!! Beautiful, beautiful work...
A page with links to the finalists work is here http://www.hand-embroidery.co.uk/comp2007/2ndStage/index.html

Workshop

2007-11-10T16:17:00.000+09:00

I have been on a workshop today with Pam Annesley. We have been making paper fabric, yes, I know I already do this, but it was nice to meet up with my textile artist friends and exchange news and views. I have to finish off painting my paper stuff, then will look around for some nice journals to cover so I have some Christmas presents to hand.

Monster Sock Puppets

2007-11-08T19:11:00.001+09:00

Monster Sock Puppets
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

I haven't been idle whilst I've been quiet. I've been making Christmas decorations as well as knitting these monster sock puppets for sick children in hospital. I reckon these will scare them into getting better!
So cute I just have to make some for my grandsons.

Christmas decorations

2007-11-05T05:37:00.001+09:00

I found a pattern for Christmas decorations embellished with tatting. Full of enthusiasm I dashed out and bought a whole box of pretty iridescent tree balls to cover with tatting. This is how far I have got. I have to tat enough to go all round the ball, then circles to put on top of the ball and on the bottom, then lace the whole thing together. I think my grand dream of giving these as small gifties is fading, it has taken me too long to get even this far, I think I am about halfway around one Christmas ball!

Poppies 2

2007-10-30T16:33:00.001+09:00

Poppies 2
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

It looks like I have been painting like a crazy, but these were all done over several months, I am incredibly slow as a painter! Another poppies, this was a learning process for me, learned too how framing improves the look of each and every painting I have done.

9 x 5 Exhibition

2007-10-30T16:25:00.000+09:00

These pastel paintings are entered in the 9" x 5" Exhibition run by the Pastel Society next month. For anybody local the Exhibition is called 'Little Gems' and will be held at Pictures Plus Gallery, 7/13 Cressall Road, Balcatta between 9-16 November, 9-4pm during the week and 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Earth Covering - Mixed Media

2007-10-30T16:23:00.001+09:00

Earth Covering - Mixed Media
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

You will have seen this postcard before. I liked it so much I had it framed and intend to put it in the 'Midland to Ellenbrook' Exhibition to be held by the Ellenbrook Art Society in February.

Japanese RR blocks

2007-10-30T16:22:00.001+09:00

Japanese RR blocks
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

I have just sent these blocks off to be embellished by my friends on Southern Cross Crazies. It is good to be involved in a round robin again, these blocks will travel the eastern states and New Zealand for the 6 of us in the group to embroider.

Paper Fabric Workshop

2007-10-27T06:33:00.000+09:00

This is made in the same way as tissue fabric. In this case I am using knitting patterns and pictures torn from a free craft magazine. You can mix fabric with the paper, I cut up some knitting I will never finish and used that to add texture and interest. A pair of knitting needles may be attached when I have finished embellishing. Any paper can be used as long as it will glue. Newspaper, hand made paper, gift wrap, magazine articles. When the glued paper and fabric has dried you can paint, sponge, stamp, anything you can think of to embellish before you stitch. The knitting piece I have done will need to be covered with bridal veiling and stitched down firmly since I think I will use it to make a book cover.

Making Tissue fabric

2007-10-27T06:12:00.000+09:00

I've been struggling to get blogger to put the photos in the right order, but think I have won this time!
I like to colour the base fabric in case it should show, also you might want to leave pieces uncovered for whatever reason. The first picture is of calico drip painted with Setacolor. When the colour has migrated how I want it I dry the fabric and in this case, because I want a lot of texture I do not iron. Paint the calico with diluted PVA glue, make it quite wet to give a lot of adhesive power. At this stage, before putting on the tissue paper you can lay down threads, basically anything you can stitch through without breaking your sewing machine needle. While the painted calico was drying I painted a piece of tissue paper with acrylic paints. I happened to use a bit of tissue from a shoe box, but you can use gift wrap tissue, some is nicely patterned. I decided to apply the tissue torn up to hide the brush marks so tear and press into the gluey fabric, painting PVA on top of each torn piece as I go, making sure the edges of each piece are glued down well.
If you want a smooth finish you can apply your tissue in one piece over nicely ironed base fabric. It gives a beautiful leather like finish.
Leave to dry and you have a nice base fabric to embellish.

I'm back, yet again!

2007-10-23T15:52:00.000+09:00

What a saga this telephone business has been since I moved. After eventually persuading Telstra to connect my phone and getting an ADSL link which is compatible with the smartlink security system, I thought all was well. But the cute little guy with a complicated electronics set up did not wire the filters up correctly and my phone line cut out. Had to wait 4 days for Telstra to come out and fix it up, so am just crossing fingers...........

I have been asked to do a workshop on Wet Canvas on making fabric paper, so have done both this and tissue fabric and will be putting them up on this blog when I manage to catch my breath.

Needlecase RR

2007-10-17T08:39:00.001+09:00

Needlecase RR
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

My crazy patchwork round robin needlecase has eventually returned home. I made the background with an assortment of mainly silk scraps, including a small piece of silk velvet ribbon that has a treasured place in my stash. Still have a little left, I am glad to say! Now I have to set to and actually turn this piece of work into a needlecase cover.

Thanks to all my friends on sourhterncross crazies who did the work on this crazy patch base.

ATC's

2007-10-13T02:44:00.001+09:00

ATC's
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Like my new business cards? Not that I have a business, but it is fun to make these with my name and phone number printed onto a backing of photographic paper. My sewing machine is not too keen on the idea, but with a bit of persuasion will make the attempt at a decent stitch.

Artopia has been very busy, even yesterday which is major shopping day and lunching out day saw quite a few people come through. It was good to see we are not working in isolation and that there is a huge textile art skill base in W,. Australia.

Journal

2007-10-12T06:46:00.001+09:00

Journal
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

Another piece that will be going to Artopia with me today.

closeup

2007-10-12T00:02:00.001+09:00

A Fragile Landscape closeup
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

This is a close up of A Fragile Landscape.

A Fragile Landscape

2007-10-12T00:01:00.001+09:00

A Fragile Landscape
Originally uploaded by Maureen1

After long lonely months I am back minus a husband and with a new email account!

This is one of the pieces I am taking to Artopia tomorrow. Artopia is an event which lasts about two months in different venues. Artists are invited to throw open their studios to the public to meet and discuss their works. Our textile group was invited to join this event with a group of textile artists in a nearby city hall.

This work is paper fabric, painted, stamped and hand embroidered with my hand dyed threads. I then beaded it using beads in local woods, gemstones and glass beads. It was great fun to do, a lot of work and quite difficult at times, but I am happy with it.

Flickr

2007-10-11T23:55:00.001+09:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Moving home

2007-04-25T09:23:00.000+09:00

After all the fuss, its moving day tomorrow. The house is just about stripped bare, horrible. We hope only to be in our temporary accommodation for 4 weeks or so, so all this will be to do again. I have a workshop on Monday too, I think I can buy all the requirements from the tutor so will just take my sewing machine with me, I should be able to find that amongst all the boxes in the house!

Still moving

2007-04-22T08:19:00.000+09:00

Whilst clearing up and packing the other day I found this fabric crammed into a small container. It was done at the workshop, I put some pink and purple paints onto damp fabric. The paint we used is thicker than Setacolor and does not spread as well, also it changes the hand of the fabric and leaves it stiff quite often. I had to add some Setacolor paints to the pot as the paint was not spreading well, but have to admit I am quite pleased with these fabrics, nothing amazing, but not bad. They will probably languish for quite some time as this is not quite the sort of colour I usually use. There are two fabrics here, the crystal organza and one behind it which is a thinner organza, but has come out the same colourways.

Postcard, Frayed around the Edges

2007-04-20T08:04:00.000+09:00

I have finally finished this UFO. One or two edges were a little too frayed and insecure, so a little ribbon, a seam embellished with sequins, aa few more beads, and hey, look what you see now! And I am definitely frayed around the edges with one week left before moving date......

Postcard, crazy patchwork

2007-04-19T04:02:00.000+09:00

I do need to trim this to size and add backing, neaten edges, etc., but have packed my sewing machine up so will have to wait till I can find cutting mat and blade, plus threads to completely finish this card. The beading catches the light nicely, but doesn't show too well in this picture.

More Crazy Patch

2007-04-18T14:59:00.000+09:00

I've done some more work on this postcard. A bit of beading, some more seams embellished, although I think I may undo the pale pink embroidery towards the bottom of the card, it went a bit crooked and is bugging me. Also I think the pale pink is the wrong colour to have used. Once I have re-done that seam and squared the card off it will almost finished, but no! I have just noticed another seam to embroider. A crazy patchers work is never done !

Crazy Patch postcard

2007-04-17T07:04:00.000+09:00

In order to keep my sanity whilst in the moving process I decided to do some hand work on my crazy patch postcard. This is still a WIP, I believe you will be able to see a needle still attached! I think I must have been very stressed out yesterday, there is an overabundance of french knots! Am just busy attaching some ribbon a dear friend bought back from USA with her, will be a nice feel to this postcard for sure.

Painted chiffon

2007-04-16T13:26:00.000+09:00

This fabric is more green than the photo suggests. I first damped the fabric and then dripped yellow and blue paints onto it. I squished the fabric together to make sure most of it was covered with paint and to meld the two colours together. Then I set it in the sun to dry. If you set out the fabric crumpled up the paint rises to the top of the 'hills' so if you keep turning the fabric you get a nice finish to it. This was painted as part of the community workshop. I have masses of painted fabric at home so donated it to the project as they will be using small pieces to join together some of the blocks when they create the larger panels.

2007-04-16T13:10:00.001+09:00

On Saturday we had a workshop at my textiles group. We had been invited to join in the Community Arts project run by the local city council. They are making huge banners depicting the personal history of community members. Firstly we painted some fabrics, which is not new to me, but then we played with heat transfer paints, something else I have done before, but not for some time. Since I live on the Sunset Coast, I decided my personal experience would be sunset. To use these paints you firstly paint on paper and then transfer your design to fabric by means of heat, iron presses in this case. You can use a normal iron, but it means standing there holding the iron in place. I firstly transferred the fabric onto crepe and then onto a gauzey fine polyester fabric. When you put the three laters together you get

Additions to round robin

2007-04-14T21:15:00.000+09:00

I did say I would find it hard to stop working on this needlecase. I did a few quick additions before I sealed to envelope to send it on its way around Australia. The Butterfly now resides in a flowering bush, and the rosebuds have some leaves added in my own hand dyed silk thread. It doesn't really show in this picture, but the additional stitching of leaves on the orange satin has made it pucker delightfully so that the fabric catches the light in interesting ways. I had not considered this aspect of using satin before, I tend to avoid it because it is so darn slippery! Shown here is just half of the needlecase, the rest will be worked on by some other lucky lady.

I'm back

2007-04-13T16:02:00.000+09:00

Went away for a few days R & R with my husband, now it is back home to the realisation that moving day is just over 2 weeks away. And the building inspector from the mortgage company has just phoned to say he will be here Tuesday morning! Golly, its a bit late when everyone is working towards 27 April. I moved a carload of stuff up to our other house this morning and am planning to shift more in the next day or so.

Textile work is going to be on the backburner for the next week or so, I'm afraid, but I have worked on a needlecase round robin that arrived for me to embellish. I stitched the ric rac braid down with cretan stitch and added beads, plus the cloisonne butterfly. Then I decided to use the bright orange corner piece to add a yellow silk ribbon rosebud spray. I could have carried on forever on this piece, but have to leave room for five other people to work on it, so although I may add a few beads or leaves to the rosebuds, I am essentially finished with my share of the work.

Happy Easter

2007-04-08T07:51:00.000+09:00

Here's a bowl of Easter Eggs for you. My husband was given these eggs by two Romanian clients. They are painted and then leaves from the garden are pressed into them to create the leaf impression. They are so pretty I will hate cracking them to get to the hard boiled egg inside!

'Lost'

2007-04-07T12:31:00.000+09:00

This quilt is for auction in aid of Alzheimers Research.
Torn and burned fabrics to represent burned and unwired brain cells
Wrapped fabric beads
Hand embroidered couching with hand dyed silk threads
The overlay to the quilt reveal and hide the work underneath. This represents the flashes of intelligence and understanding that come to dementia sufferers.
Quilt in deliberately 'unfinished' state like the lives of the patient.

Tumbleweed - framed

2007-04-04T18:02:00.000+09:00

At last I have found a frame which is right for the 'Tumbleweed' postcard. I really like the look of postcards which are framed, it gives them an integrity, a right to say I am a piece of artwork. I hadn't intended to get a honey coloured frame, but it seems to enhance the colours of the postcard. Life is good.

I have also got my idea for finishing off the Alzheimers quiltlet, just have to collect myself up and actually do it. Would feel better if I didn't have a touch of vertigo, which seems to have been attacking me on and off all week. We have sold our house, and now only have to pack and finish clearing out.

'Lost'

2007-04-02T15:15:00.000+09:00

I have been busy today distressing fabrics for the Alzheimers quilt. Should start to attach them to the quilt, but I am still working out how to do it. Am not sure if they will be too fragile for a quilt that has to be posted and then auctioned at a fundraiser. Then I am undecided whether to hand stitch the fragments to the quilt or machine embroider. Decisions, decisions!

The lace curtain and doyley quilt is not on the backburner, just has turned into something I can take out when I need some hand sewing.

How cool is this?

2007-04-01T03:42:00.000+09:00

I've been reading about string quilts on a few blogs, someone sent me the following links to string pieced projects and using up scraps in this fun way. There are more string quilts here.

Since I've been looking at my stash somewhat ruefully these days, I am thinking maybe another string pieced quilt is on the way. I have already made 3 reversible quilts, which are basically string pieced, but my stash still remains mile high!

Fundraising for Alzheimers

2007-03-30T04:41:00.000+09:00

I was surfing the net the other day and found that Ami Simms is raising funds for research into Alzheimers through the auction of small quilts. Since my mother had dementia for many years, I thought I would make a quilt for this initiative. I read this morning that they have discovered an Alzheimers vaccine that works on mice, I can only hope that trials on humans will be successful.

Quilt show

2007-03-29T20:19:00.000+09:00

Here is a feast for the eyes, beautiful quilts from a Dutch quilt show. Enjoy!

Recycled textiles

2007-03-28T19:14:00.000+09:00

The is very much a WIP. Made from sample net curtaining, most likely c.1950s, that was given to me by my friend, an op shop shopper par excellence! I suddenly had the idea that this stuff would shrink given half a chance, so I cut it up, machine embroidered it together under dissolvable film, and of course, it did not shrink. Great re-thinking of project,and the crazy patch of lace curtain and doyleys are in process of being appliqued to tea dyed cotton with cotton batting, so that eventually it will be recycled into a wallhanging.

Recycling is a bit of a buzz word these days, but having grown up in the war when clothing was on coupon, I lived the first years of my life in clothes that had been something else originally, including parachute silk knickers that my Mum fashioned for me and my sister. The fact that it was bright yellow did not deter her at all!

Tumbleweed postcard

2007-03-28T19:12:00.000+09:00

I wasn't able to get this image onto my blog the other day, but things have magically righted themselves, and here is my hand embroidered postcard celebrating the randomness of tumbleweed blowing across the outback terrain.

Tatting

2007-03-27T19:23:00.000+09:00

I found a new book by Judith Connors in the library, 'Contemporary Tatting; New Designs from an Old Art'. I think I will have to buy this book, meanwhile I have been trying to master the central mock ring - grrrr, I will get there, but not just yet!

Beanies and more beanies

2007-03-25T17:49:00.000+09:00

After my mass production of moebius scarves and long scarves over the last two years, I have changed to knitting beanies this year. This is a selection of those I have knitted. The dark blue one is for my son who cycles to work and being a chef has very early starts or very late finishes to his days. The others are mainly for charity. I still have more wool that will make another two beanies, this morning I found a nice cable patterned child's beanie, pattern looks good.

Still trying to sell our house, I spent home open time with my daughter and our dogs. We had a nice feast on hot cross buns, and later when it was a bit cooler pruned and deadheaded some of her roses, the great heat we had resulted in some dead wood on one of her roses and we took that all out. Now she is off to feed and ride horses and I am home thinking about cooking dinner.

Hand dye fabrics

2007-03-23T19:33:00.000+09:00

It was pointed out to me that the link didn't work in a previous post. Have just been to find the link again - here it is: http://www.amafu.co.za/

Needlecase Round Robin

2007-03-23T15:11:00.000+09:00

I have joined a needlecase round robin with my online crazy patchwork group. This is my unembellished needlecase cover which is to be sent on next month to start its round of this Australian group of crazy ladies. I chose to make mine in red so that when it is finished and turned into a needlecase I should be able to easily find it!

Tumbleweed postcard

2007-03-22T11:53:00.000+09:00

I've been offline with computer woes, but am all clean now and have a new anti-virus 'kill everything' programme installed. Only hope it does not turn its attention to me!

I finished the tumbleweed postcard. Amazing that I am not at all impressed with the compost dyed silk, but it does seem to be inspiring me. Postcard on compost dyed silk with some of my hand dyed silk threads.

zapped tyvek

2007-03-14T09:25:00.000+09:00

Here is a piece of zapped tyvek created to age a treasure chest. I painted this piece with gold, copper and forest green acrylics before zapping and although the photo is a little on the dark side, the tyvek has a lovely sheen with the green creating the aged look with the way it has blended into the metallics.

Treasure chest

2007-03-13T18:50:00.000+09:00

I have been getting stuff ready to apply to my treasure chest. My box has just been hauled up from the briny deep and so need to look aged and worn. To this end I have had a gloriously messy day painting nappy liner, dryer sheets and tyvek and trying to stop them blowing round the garden before dry. I have done some zapping with the heat gun, but as yet have taken no photos of this part of the fun.

Hand dye fabrics

2007-03-11T17:03:00.000+09:00

Nice site here for the quilters to browse through. Glenda does lovely hand dyes and screen prints, some with an African theme.

Fabric boxes

2007-03-10T19:03:00.000+09:00

The challenge is to make a fabric box. I somehow did not feel inspired to do this, also although I had taken the right fabric with me, I did not match up the threads I had in my bag, so I scrolled through magazines and found the most gorgeous Russian icon to make, only I very much doubt if mine will have any religious content, like its historical counterparts.

And I think I may also sign up for Annie Rawle's workshop on boxes. Still trying to sell our house and keep things neat and tidy, I just feel my creativity is being stifled by now being able to delve amongst my stash to find just the right piece of fabric or thread to enhance whatever I am working on.

Catalyst Textile Workshops

2007-03-09T14:52:00.000+09:00

Catalyst have just started their own weblog. These workshops have been running for several years and it is worthwhile taking a peek at the eye candy that will be on this blog from time to time. I'm certainly very tempted to do the trinket box workshop, both my daughters love boxes, and that is a nice little present with some little treasure to find in the box.

Tumbleweed WIP

2007-03-08T19:08:00.000+09:00

Tumbleweed postcard - I have done cretan stitch over some of the background to look like sparsely vegetated soil. This has worked out rather well as the silk background has texture like sandy subsoil. Have just started embroidering the tumbleweed. Compost dyed background, the embroidery threads are some silk perles I dyed the other week. Love them!