Fabulous Workshop to Kick Start the Creative Juices

I went to a fabulous workshop lead by Mandy Pattullo at Hope and Elvis on Saturday.  I set off on a very misty, murky morning and for those of you who know me, this is a big thing, driving somewhere I haven't been before.  I'm not the world's most confident driver but I was determined to go but so glad I hadn't realised that visibility was so dire.  It was only just over an hour away, I could do it, I would do it because the lure of her work and the wonderfulness of Hope and Elvis was the biggest 'carrot'.  So, so glad I did, it more than lived up to expectations.

The wonderful stag above just had to come home with me.  It was love at first sight, from the delightfully worn piece of quilt it's stitched on, to the wonderful mix of colours and textures in the embroidery.

Mandy was such a good tutor it wasn't long before we were up and running.  Having chosen my template - a cheeky squirrel it was off to rummage for fabric pieces in the heaven of a pile of fabrics!

The whole place was just so inspirational but a bench, covered in fabric to rummage through was just so inspiring, so many fabrics and textures.   Wish I could show you more of the studio but guess who forgot to charge her camera, arghhhhh!

So then it was back to my bench to begin assembling my fabrics so as to try to resemble a squirrel.

Here was my work at the end of the day, still a ways to go but determined to finish it. I had such fun, it had been so long since I'd played and created.  But it won't be as long again.

The house move is out of the way, most of the boxes are unpacked so it won't be long before I'm back making again.  Incidently Mandy Pattullo very kindly brought along some of her sketchbooks and I was so happy to see the works she'd done around a cemetery - cos we all know how much I love cemeteries right?  When I was in a local cemetery recently, doing some rubbings, ideas were flitting across my mind......watch this space folks.  I also don't think it will be long before I'm on another course at Hope and Elvis, it really is a very special space.

Craft Fair Here I Come

 Out of creative chaos has come forth....

 fabric hearts, made from old embroidered napkins and salvaged materials, together with a dash of vintage images, lace and buttons....

little fabric collages, mounted on recycled cards....

here they are before mounting, and

a stack of decorated fabric journals.

With many thanks to PG tips for the copious amounts of tea I've drunk, the support of my cats, friends and family who put up with my creative antics and for the Co-op for supplying that cheap, but ultimately, very drinkable, Soave at the end of an exhausting creative day.  I couldn't have done it without you!

Seriously though, whilst it has been long hours this week (I've taken the week off from my paid employment) I've really enjoyed it.  Nearly done, just got some business cards to make, paper bags to decorate, a lampshade to make (don't ask, just had another idea and think it might look good), get all packed up and might get to sit down at some point this evening.  Wish me luck!

Journals and Collages

 I've been making fabric journals for my first craft fair in a couple of weeks and loving every minute of it.

 Lots of lovely lace, torn edges and tea dying :)

 Building up the layers of interest

 I had a quick wander around a local car boot at the weekend and came across these lovely aged books which will find their way into my art work at some point I'm sure.

Working on simple fabric collages to top lavender bags, think I have a vintage pets theme going on, lol.

Collage, Transfers and Stitch

I've been playing around with my Lazertran silk transfers from class.  I made a paper collage from my photos of clematis, sweet peas and a statue from Brompton Cemetery and transfered it onto silk.  I then basted it onto pink silk so that it glowed pink through the white silk.  I then began hand stitching on it and then discovered that I hadn't set it by ironing it and some of the transfer has rubbed off but I quite like the distressed effect.

I ironed this piece to set it properly and lost so of it's brightness but also the kind of plasticy finish so overall think I prefer Lazertran used properly.  This collage was using roses from the David Austin catalogue, cut up into squares. Not sure that I like the big flower on the side, I might get out the unpicker and do something else in it's place.

I used machine embroidery to write Summer in pink.  I picked out the squares either with embroidery, organza or buttons.

I really like the soft effect on the silk, which also has a nice gentle sheen.

Winter Mourning

I finally decided on 'Winter Mourning' as the words for this fabric collage. Behind the girl there is something that could be a gravestone and it could be one of our wet winter mornings, hence the play on words.

My love friend Anne saw my previous post about this collage and a similar one and could see what I'd done with some of the lovely tweeds and tartens she's sent me a while ago that she sent me this parcel.

Some more beautiful fabric pieces! I can't wait to use them :-) Big, big thanks lass!

Remember - little Giveaway on it's way!

Peonies Journal #2

A while ago I made a second Peonies Journal and I thought you might like to see some piccys.

This is a theme I love working with as I adore peonies and have a couple of plants in my own garden.


Lace, acrylic paint, shimmer sprays all came out :)

I thought this geisha looked as if she was juggling with peony flowerheads. She's transfered onto fabric with Transfer Artist paper.

I used photos of my own peonies to indicate little flaps and pockets that things can be kept behind, putting lined scrapbooking paper on the back of the photo so the person receiving the journal can journal there easily.

A little butterfly tag made using my favourite napkins.


Stamps and vintage book papers

Another little fabric collage with a lovely image of a bluebird from the Graphics Fairy blog.

I love to see all the lace peeking out of the sides but I've left plenty of space for journalling in this journal.

Enjoy your weekends wherever you are. Be creative!

WIP Fabric Collages

I've been having fun working on a couple of fabric collages for my new Heavenly Gardens journal

One of the nice things is that I've used some lace and fabric given to me by friends so it makes it more special, thanks Anne and Lorna! I'm pondering words to put on these collages as I think that would finish them off nicely, mmmm..............

Homework and Baking

I've finally gotten around to 'finishing' my fabric collage page on my class with Cristina Zinnia Galliher at Artful Gathering. I'm not sure whether to have some words on there or not so going to leave it alone for a while to see what comes to me.


And I've finally done some baking, making some lovely, though I do say so myself, cheese and olice scones from this lovely little book sent to me by Anne of Nana Go Go fame.

I'm going to try making Spelt Buns from a Scandinavian Cookbook today. Happy Sunday!

WIP My first attempt at Bunting

I'm currently working on this bunting as a birthday present for someone. Birthday's a week today so fairly on top of it, which is not like me, I'm a 'work right up to the deadline' kind of a lass.
It's for adorning a dresser so only 5 pennants needed.

I've used vintage book paper on a recycled pizza box base, with stamps and then I just can't stay away from the little fabric collages, lol.

Just got to figure out what to string them with, ribbon, scrap fabric, crocheted chain, phew, this crafting makes you think!
A big hello to my latest followers, tonight I could see you as Blogger has been playing up again recently. Hope you enjoy my little blog :)

Shabby Fabric Journal

I've finally finished my first journal from the class I'm taking with Carole in New Zealand - see side bar. It's ended up a kind of shabby chic meets pre-raphaelite affair.

It's fairly thick so I used ties to keep it in order


The outer fabric is from a Laura Ashley remnant squirreled away many years ago and the inner fabric has raised velveteen on it, sorry don't know the technical term, and I bought that as a curtain sample.

I had fun with napkins, I love using them as they don't add any bulk to the journal and I've had some great ones given to me in a swap.


Out came my Tim Holtz stamps as well. The pages still smell vaguely of coffee which I used to stain them.


The pages were sewn in the brown waxed linen thread.

I edged the pages with distress ink, I like the effect but for some reason it took days, and I do mean days to dry. No idea why.


I've left plenty of room to journal in my journal, the first thing will be about the exhibition I went to in London on Friday which featured a lot of pre-raphelites.

I'm now working on my second journal which has an indian theme and as I've got a very messy desk I think it's fair to say I'm enjoying myself, lol.