Cat seeks attention!

"Me? In the way? What can you possibly mean? Surely I'm far more interesting to look at than the Folksy forum? Anyway, isn't it time for my breakfast?

Experiments

I've been experimenting with different effects with felts and found this particular idea produced quite interesting results. The method is to draw different coloured threads just beneath the surface of the felt using a needle. In this example I've placed the threads in horizontal and verticle lines, creating an almost tartan effect. Now I'm going to draw up some sketches for ways of using this technique in some jewellery designs.

Gentle Bath Soaks...

There is something utterly organic and therapeutic about sewing natural ingredients into little muslin bags - or perhaps I am easily pleased! I started making these natural bath soaks for my daughter, who suffers from eczema and finds any products which contain perfumes and additives such an irritant to her skin. We've so enjoyed using them, I thought I would make some for my shop and thought visitors to my blog might like to see the process and even make some for yourselves. I use oats, chamomile and calendular petals to fill the muslin sachets, which I just hand sew, attaching a label. You can either tie the label around the hot tap of the bath, allowing the water to flow over the sachet, or toss the sachet into the bath water.

Big ideas from small seeds...

The recent wintry weather has left a wake of withered seed heads and dried spikes of once lush petals in its path. My walks along the coastline near my home have offered the perfect opportunity to look for inspiration in these tired relics of summer glory. I find a real fascination in looking out for this kind of structural interest in plants and finding a way to interpret that in felt. It's such a wonderfully adaptable medium to work with, especially when soaked in a little diluted PVA glue to give definition. Here is an example of some of my designs, inspired by seeds, which I intend to work into pieces of jewellery...

...I'm also developing my designs based on the bunch of dried flowers I was given, which still flourish in a jug on the sideboard!

My etchings...

I used to love sketching at one time, but various commitments of one kind or another always seemed to get in the way of having some time to myself - I'm sure many of you can relate to that!

But I picked up just a cheap sketch book a few months ago and began to sketch some of the people, or rather the memory of the people, I saw around me as I walked along the beach. I live in one of those rather tired, run-down seaside towns that swell with holiday makers in the summer. I'm fascinated by people and have tried to capture the reality of those who spend their summer vacation here.

Everything Stops For Tea...

Only another crafter will understand when I say design is an obsession! It keeps me awake at night and stops me from concentrating on the task in hand - especially if it's housework!

I particularly love colour and enjoy building colour themes; seeing how one colour interacts with another and completely changes its character. A favourite combination of mine is to mix a bright colour with more subtle hues. I've just listed some chunky bracelets in my Folksy shop which have allowed me to experiment with various colourways. Here's an example.

I've also been experimenting with free machine stitch after being inspired by some projects I've seen on the internet. My chosen theme was urban drama; housewives day dreaming of a life away from the kitchen sink, over a cup of tea (recognise that one?). Here is one of my pieces of work:

Well that's enough work for one day! Though not the greatest of cooks, I do like to reward myself for a hard day's sewing with a teatime treat and, in this house, we love afternoon tea. One of my favourite recipes is posh jam tarts; here's the recipe - ready roll pastry (just the right thickness) frangipane (ground almonds mixed with margarine and a little sugar) and strawberry jam: Pre heat the oven to gas 6; use a large mug or cup to cut out circles from the pastry; spread with frangipane and top with a teaspoon of jam. Pop in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until golden. Here's what they look like..

Inspiration comes in many shapes and forms and often when we're least expecting it. Sometimes it seems ideas dry up; much like a writer experiences writer's block! And then it happens; just something we happen to see, or hear, or touch and the creative juices are flowing once again. For me, that came one day last month at my allotment, when an elderly gentleman gave me a bunch of dried flowers and invited me to come and pick as many as I wanted. I so admired the crisp little flower heads and was drawn to the subtle hues; my favourite pallet and couldn't wait to get to work coming up with designs for some simple felt jewellery.