Map bird paintings

These are three new paintings called rather imaginatively Map Bird 1, Map Bird 2, and Map Bird 3!  I've used some old ordinance survey maps as background and was aiming for a weathered look, rather like my garden bench!

They're painted on chunky wooden panels and include many layers of ink, acrylics and varnish, with each layer sanded back before being worked over. I think they're finished, but will have to decide soon as they're off to the Christmas fair tomorrow!

For anyone in the Frome area, the Christmas craft fair is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 92 Nunney Road. I'll take some photos when I set up tomorrow to show the range of goodies on offer.

Felting...

A couple of weeks ago I bought some felting wool to experiment with. Working with a size 5 hook suddenly felt very clumsy after working with a size 3 hook all of last week. I wasn't sure how much shrinkage was going to take place so I started with a very large, floppy flower. I wasn't terribly hopeful that this would turn into anything usable.

I stuck it in the washing machine with a load of old towels and then forgot all about it. When emptying the machine I suddenly noticed a small curled up, shrivelled thing that bore no resemblance  to the flower above! After a bit of stretching and teasing into shape I ended up with this...

I think with some beads sewn in the middle I can turn this into a corsage. I've now made another flower and some roses to see what happens to them..

I think the small ones might disappear altogether! For once, I'm looking forward to doing the washing!

Piles!

This half term has been all about making piles of colourful motifs ready to be crocheted up into bunting.

                                  

                                 

The Christmas craft fair is less than two weeks away so all housework has been suspended and sparks are flying as I hook up cottons as fast as I can!

A new delivery of Planet Penny cotton means a basket full of loveliness and lots more ideas to be worked on.

I have plans for corsages and hair pins, not forgetting paintings and Christmas cards (next week's focus).

Planning ahead...

With a Christmas craft fair fast approaching I'm trying to finalise some festive bunting ideas.

However, I rapidly got bored of using just red and green so started playing with colours instead!

Not at all festive! Maybe I can be even more organised and start making some Spring garlands! I've also got a lovely commission to paint a wren so I'm going to get some sketches done. If only I could finish one thing before starting another!

Nearly there!

I decided to join the flowery motifs of  the baby blanket with some simple stripy squares.

I've blocked it and done a simple edging although I may add something more decorative once I've stitched on the backing fabric. I'm just waiting for that to come out of the washing machine, and then hopefully I can get it all finished today!

Triangular bunting

I've been using a triangular motif to make more bunting with the colourful Planet Penny cotton.

 

 

As you can see the motif is much bigger than the heart one so I've used fewer of them.

 

 

I'm going to experiment next with making some Christmas bunting - it may only be October but I'm determined to be organised this year!

 

 

Baby blanket progress...

I love this fabric and I'm wondering if it would work as a backing for the baby blanket. I haven't decided yet how to join the flowery motifs - I want to achieve a vintagey look. I really enjoy this part of the process - so many possibilities!