konnykards - Musings of a senior citizen.

2010-06-23T07:19:00.000+01:00

Glorious June!

I came home from having my new hip on 11th June
--- a new woman!
The sun is shining, the garden aglow and I can enjoy it and look forward to pottering there soon.
Unfortunately our web connection was down and we only got back on line yesterday - really frustrating.

Well, at last I can thank everyone for all their good wishes and messages over the many months I have been grumpy and unwell! My family, so many lovely friends, and crafting, have kept my spirits up.
I'm walking well, improving each day, and now only have a couple of nasty blisters on my foot to get rid of
--- big smiles all round!

2010-06-04T19:51:00.008+01:00

2010 Year of Bio-Diversity

Hearing about this on a TV programme from the Chelsea Flower Show inspired me to stitch my own garden of Bio Diversity!
I used three stitches from TAST 2007 re-visited, on linen coloured with fabric crayons,
23 Wheatear Stitch,
24 French Knots,
25 Long & Short stitch.

Many thanks all for such lovely comments about my previous 'Veldt' picture.

At last, after many painful months waiting for a hip replacement, delayed by other investigations and treatments,
tomorrow is hip-op day.
I'm sure it will be very successful and though I'll probably be having another later, and my spine could be better, I'll be a new woman in a few days time!
I'm looking forward to getting out and about and maybe a bit of gardening.
Stitching has kept me going for months - I'll probably do less as I widen my horizons!

2010-05-21T20:45:00.006+01:00

TAST 12
Sorbello Stitch

For many years a visit to see the wonderful vibrant Springtime flowers of Namaqualand has been on my wish list.
I know that I won't be going there now so I'm content that we have seen beautiful Fynbos on Table Mountain - and I've made my own mini Namaqualand 'Veldt' picture!

2010-05-20T09:25:00.010+01:00

A mixed month of good and bad days, but still lots of stitching as I'm doing TAST 2010 and the re-run of TAST 2007.
I was 75 on 11th May and had a lovely day with lots of flowers, cards, presents, and best of all visitors. My best 'present' will be on June 5th when, after many months waiting and having other things sorted out, I should be getting my first new hip. I'm counting the days!

TAST 8 Fancy Hem Stitch

TAST 9 Raised Herringbone Band

TAST 10 Cloud Filling Stitch

TAST 11 Bullion Buttonhole Stitch ...'Catkin Twigs'
This is my favourite so far.
I am up to TAST 20 in the 2007 re-run - too many to post here but they are on my Flickr stream. http://www.flickr.com/photos/23261611@N04/4615816401/
Stitching and Flickr keep me going, especially on the bad days!

2010-04-15T22:14:00.005+01:00

TAST 5, 6, & 7

Knotted Buttonhole Stitch

Buttonhole Eyelet Flower Stitch

Rope Stitch

All new to me - I enjoyed doing the small picture sampler of Knotted Buttonhole and found Buttonhole Eyelet Flower more challenging, though I got into doing it after a time.
Rope stitch, done in wool, is effective and can be made quite textural - also quick to use. I think I'll use this again more than the other two.
TAST group is at http://www.flickr.com/groups/56846286@N00/
I'm not blogging often just now - but I do make time to look at and admire many other blogs. Hopefully I'll be in better health soon and have more energy to keep up with things!

2010-03-30T00:17:00.008+01:00

TAST 3 & 4

3. Beaded Hedebo Stitch

Basic stitch on a narrow Aida band - maybe I'll make a similar one to use on a postcard sometime.

4. Portuguese Border Stitch
A mini sampler in chunky wool on Rustic Aida.

I haven't attempted variations - which are really intended in the challenge - as I'm catching up the first four weeks.
I'll make more effort now that I'm on time target and with a week for each stitch.
Each of the stitches is new to me - I enjoyed doing them and think I can use them in future freehand embroidery.
TAST group is at http://www.flickr.com/groups/56846286@N00/

2010-03-26T08:27:00.011Z

TAST

This week I decided to focus so joined Sharon B's group Take a Stitch Tuesday.
As it started four weeks ago I have to catch up - though there is no pressure to stitch every week.
The first two are Diamond Stitch and Knotted Loop.
They are less than perfect but I enjoyed the stitching.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/56846286@N00/

Also this week I was told that after a year of investigations and treatments for various health problems I can now have my right hip replaced.
I'll be on a waiting list for 3/4 months but hopefully things will start to improve then.
Ooooh! I need to lose weight and I do love food - just another challenge.
Ironic that I joined "TAST"!

2010-03-18T08:37:00.007Z

We had a lovely holiday in Spain with some hot and sunny days and cool evenings sitting by the log burner.
I couldn't walk well so relied on a wheelchair (I hate that!!!)
Lots of time was spent relaxing, with a glass of wine, & stitching - I was inspired by the 'face flowers' I saw in a 'point de croix' magazine, tried to do Bullion Knots which I've not done a lot of before, and made this Garden in Stitch & Buttons postcard.

There are various threads, buttons, ribbons and a textured wool border here ...

2010-02-28T22:44:00.017Z

When we were house bound on several cold and snowy days I explored machine auto stitching with hand embroidery over laid - another picture for my collection ...

.... but Spring is around the corner!

..last day of February
..what a cold and dreary month it has been.

We are looking for the sun, visiting family in Spain, for the next two weeks.
The small picture is a "quick stitch" for a birthday card, from a design by Elizabeth Foster.

2010-01-24T16:02:00.009Z

Winter Posy

There's not a lot to see in the garden today but I picked this small posy -

I made a jigsaw from the photo and I'm doing it this afternoon.
Most days I spend some time "jigsawing" on line as a change from crafting and word games.
www.jigidi.com/puzzle.php?id=2HI6EFA6

2010-01-20T12:50:00.002Z

Not a lot of blogging recently!
Days have ticked over, indoors because of the snow, knit, stitch, watch tennis when it's on TV, eat & drink coffee (mostly, but a few glasses of wine as well!), take a few photos from windows or doorstep, and generally pass the time quite happily.
This is a textile postcard I stitched - "Snowy Garden"
It represents Winter Flowering Jasmine amongst swirls of snow - a quilted background with embellishment.

2010-01-02T12:07:00.008Z

Wishing all my friends a happy and healthy New Year .....

I am resigned to lots more sitting and enjoying crafting each day, as before.
The spine injections I had in December, after so many months of other treatments, still haven't improved my mobility a lot - but at least I don't have a hospital appointment for three whole months.
I haven't knitted for about 25 years - saw a book about knitting squares for blankets, and started to explore different textures in knitting.
I doubt I'll make enough squares for a blanket though!
These are all in the same wool - a nice light cream - sorry the colours and shadows here are so poor.
It's quite homely sitting by the fire knitting.

2009-12-23T08:33:00.002Z

Happy Christmas

No blogging for weeks and now a quickie to say Merry Christmas and to wish all my friends a healthy and happy New Year.

2009-11-01T17:17:00.005Z

November ....

Wet, windy and dull this morning ......

but later sunny and dry enough to collect a few lovely leaves from the garden.

NO sun--no moon!
No morn--no noon!
No dawn--no dusk--no proper time of day--
No sky--no earthly view--
No distance looking blue--
No road--no street--no "t'other side this way"--
No end to any Row--
No indications where the Crescents go--
No top to any steeple--
No recognitions of familiar people--
No courtesies for showing 'em--
No knowing 'em!
No travelling at all--no locomotion--
No inkling of the way--no notion--
"No go" by land or ocean--
No mail--no post--
No news from any foreign coast--
No Park, no Ring, no afternoon gentility--
No company--no nobility--
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member--
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds--
November!

Thomas Hood 1789 - 1845

I don't think Thomas Hood got it entirely right - though we do have a postal strike just now!

2009-10-29T23:33:00.006Z

.. more Autumn colours ..

I haven't been blogging often recently as I'm in an unsettled mood, not doing anything very interesting or original ...
I had a lovely collection of red fibres from Carolyn, love-stitching-red.blogspot.com recently though and really enjoyed sorting out a few bits and pieces to send to her.
Some of the fibres I found were lovely Autumn colours so I made yet another mosaic, adding a couple of pics of an Assisi piece I did some years ago - it's now in Priscilla's dining room in New Mexico, www.flickr.com/people/farmgirlinnewmex.
The red fibres are lovely for Christmas work - hopefully I'll get inspiration to use them soon.

2009-10-06T08:24:00.016+01:00

Wessex Stitchery

Mini Sampler

Yesterday I completed this - only 6x9cm but it took several days,
stitching with Caron Wildflowers variegated thread.

The centre flowers are a design called Pembroke, in Gay Eaton's book, 'Wessex Stitchery'.
The outer patterns are my own, done randomly and copied at the opposite edge.
This technique is new to me.
The history of the stitching is interesting - the patterns are challenging - working on finer weave than usual I need a magnifier - I think I'll try another piece!

2009-09-30T09:32:00.007+01:00

Autumn

Yesterday we went to the local common for a while before having a lovely lunch at a country pub.
It would have been nice to walk a little way - the sun was warm and lots of 'seniors'
were out taking in Autumn - but I enjoyed taking a few photos from the car park - nearly as good.
Many thanks to all my friends here and on Flickr for your recent good wishes - yes Carolyn, I do try to "enjoy the moment" every day - there's always something to perk me up!

2009-09-27T08:55:00.009+01:00

Autumn

This month has come and nearly gone.....

I haven't done much crafting as it has been an unsettled time.
Several hospital visits, a short stay for Femoral Balloon Angioplasty, some days feeling sorry for myself, and still no improvement in mobility!
I'm hoping things will be better in October - next consultation soon - hopefully about having a back injection to improve things.
The Autumn mosaic is from a fabric postcard I made a year ago - I'll shake myself up soon, get positive, and stop moaning.
I have ideas but they don't seem to be coming together - and Christmas crafting is around the corner ......
Do something, silly woman!

2009-08-31T16:51:00.007+01:00

Belle Epoque

Today is our wedding anniversary - two years ago a friend gave us a rose bush for our Golden Wedding Anniversary.
It hasn't had many blooms so far but each one is gorgeous.
I need a few notecards so I'll make them from this photo.

2009-08-23T22:12:00.011+01:00

Blackberries .....
About 50 years ago we bought a 'Himalayan Giant' blackberry plant and planted it 'out of the way' at the end of the garden.
What we didn't realise was that, OK, we have had lovely big blackberries for cooking each year - but - we have also had blackberry briars growing everywhere in the garden and they take a lot of digging out!
I guess most of our neighbours have plenty too!
Well we have enjoyed pie, crumble, bbs with custard, bbs with meringues, bbs with apples, bbs with pears, and bbs in the freezer for later, over & over & over.
50 years on and I've decided we deserve something more original. So I Googled and found new ideas .......several I'll try, though I'm not too sure about Blackberry & Apple Yorkshire Puddings!
There are lots - one link to 42 recipes is below - sorry I can never get a click link here, but copy and paste works if you are interested.
www.bbcgoodfood.com/search.do?keywords=Blackberry&searchType=recipes

Oh! I nearly forgot - mashed up, the berries make a lovely fabric and fibre dye!

2009-08-22T16:02:00.011+01:00

"Fresh as a Daisy"

I have taken photos, drawn, and stitched daisies for years and have a daisy "gallery" of cards and pictures.

The fabric picture has old & new lace, (old from a charity shop table cloth in bad condition),
braid, beads, buttons, & stitching and it will be
framed for the "gallery".
It has been looking at me, just started, for about two weeks so I finished it today.

The small watercolour pencil pictures are old.

2009-08-12T17:02:00.003+01:00

PC-"This & That"

Some years ago I started a "This & That" collection in a large plastic box.
Odds and ends, bits and pieces ..... this and that, have been added and it's now full.
I'm not sure whether it's a treasure chest or a box of rubbish!
I recently looked through and took out fabric and lace scraps, small cameo, friendly plastic motif, small drawing, buttons and fine ric-rac braid.
So, another fabric, or multi media postcard - still lots left in the box though!

2009-08-02T08:39:00.021+01:00

Days have come and gone since I was last here .....
I have been very unsettled, waiting for results of an MRI scan and impatient to have some relief from back problems and hopefully being able to stand longer and walk more.
When I feel this way I can only stitch from patterns so I have been sitting for days doing small cross stitch and blackwork pieces.
The cross stitch flowers are stitched on Rustic Aida from a pattern in an old magazine,"Quick & Easy Stitch & Craft", for a birthday card.

The blue jugs are from an old magazine,
"New Stitches" - a set of ten.
The frames are from picnik, for display here.
I hope I'm not so bored that I do all ten - the stitching needs concentration and it relaxes me but what would I do with them? lol
I'll try to shake myself up next week and do something a bit more original.

2009-07-21T07:51:00.004+01:00

Chunky Tapestry

**!>~** and *:#>* ..... I keep seeing people and having scans and tests and things and I still can't walk or stand for long ..... I know things could be worse, and are for many, but I do get frustrated!
So, yet again I sit - and cheer up by playing at stitching or www browsing!

I've recently seen several remarks on blogs like "life's so short, start everything".
This idea amuses me and it must be at the back of my mind as I'm forever starting something different in crafting - with lots of things put aside unfinished for another day.
On Friday I decided to make a challenge for the weekend when I picked up a small piece of canvas .....
by Sunday this little 11x10cm. picture was finished (amazing - something finished!)
I enjoyed doing it and it has a chunky look and feel.
I started with the ribbon "stripes" on the right, thinking I'd do something abstract.
Well, I'm really a flower person so the flowers came next ..... and then it developed bit by bit, no pattern or drawing, as a mini picture.
I couldn't find any true blue wool for a summer sky - (that must be tucked away in a safe place!) so used some from a card of marl darning wool that goes back to the 1940's.
It isn't as dark as it shows here, the marl effect gives a hint of shading quite nicely.
It's not really framed yet - probably never will be. I used a picnik mat for display effect.
Once again I sat most of the weekend - I do make myself take a short walk down the garden path at intervals - and enjoyed stitching,

2009-07-17T13:26:00.005+01:00

Darning .....
Many years ago I quite enjoyed darning holes in the heels of my socks (in the days of the second World War we had clothing coupons and had to "make do and mend").

Maybe that's why I love this page from Jan Beaney's book, The Art of the Needle.
This book is one of my best ever Charity shop buys and I come back to it many times.
It's still available on Amazon - buy it if you love fabric and thread!

Having a browse there this morning I decided to stitch something - I wish I could stitch like Jan Beaney!!!!! A square of coarse hessian, only 9x9cm., has been in the scrap box far too long so
I made this mini textured piece - an enjoyable morning.
Now it's time for lunch .....

2009-07-13T20:58:00.014+01:00

Ribbon Flowers
I was recently invited to post a favourite ribbon embroidery on embroidery-methods.com
so I chose this one.
http://www.embroidery-methods.com/ribbon-flowers.html
It was one of the early ones I did - and one of only a few I have framed.

.... and cross stich ....
As I still need more greetings cards - see previous post - I made a cross stitch background, copied and saved it to print onto textured card and then I can top stitch, so making several cards fairly quickly.
Next I completed the original stitching to make a more special card.
The pattern is from an old CrossStitcher magazine.

This is a print of the background - cross stitch looks good printed on textured card, better than it appears here.
I'll pin prick the top design before stitching with a single thread.

Greetings Cards

2009-07-09T06:00:00.007+01:00

As I needed a few greetings cards, and I have bought too many recently, I appliqued flowers from a remnant, did a quickie acrylic painting and stitched on fabric earlier this week.

Yesterday I had to be at the local hospital for hip injections at 7.30am -

if they help I may continue with hip replacements later.
At last some action after months of consultations, x-rays, and scans.
Next week an MRI scan on Aorta and arteries in legs - get them sorted - hopefully have a back injection later - and by then I'll be a new woman (I hope!).
Although I had a lot of pain in my left hip yesterday today that feels better and I'll be walking more this morning to test it out.
Maybe I'll be getting a few weeds out of the garden, I haven't done my share there this year.

Pressed Flowers

2009-07-05T23:26:00.013+01:00

I was up in the early hours as I couldn't sleep - I tried catching up on ironing as I haven't done any for ages and the pile grows!
After one thing - no more!!!
So I browsed through an old box of pressed flowers from 1996/7, when I discovered pressing flowers in the microwave soon after I retired.
Amazingly some have preserved and faded gently as in this picture, made at that time ....
...... so I recycled it into a fabric postcard .....

Then I looked out a tiled picture with pressed flowers and played with Flickr Toys to make a "magazine cover" ..... much more interesting than ironing - (that will keep!)

There are lots more flowers, microwave pressed years ago, so I'll play with them in the next few days,
But I must finish making a few greetings cards first .....

A postcard a month .....

2009-06-27T09:07:00.003+01:00

..... see blog below .....

2009-06-27T08:39:00.006+01:00

My week ......

has been mixed ......

lovely sunny days, lots of tennis to watch (Wimbledom on TV), photos of flowers and mosaics at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23261611@N04/
but restricted time on PC because of arthritis flare in mouse/typing arm and shoulder, and two hospital visits for on going problems (still unresolved, more investigations to come).
The cockerel postcard was stitched when I was on holiday - the final monthly personal challenge for 6x4lives group on Flickr and the mosaic shows them all.
Top left June 2009, bottom right July 2008.
I had not previously stitched postcards but now I'm addicted as I enjoy stitching small pieces.

2009-06-17T18:38:00.006+01:00

Vivvone in early Summer .....

We were last in this area of France in Autumn - it is just as beautiful in early Summer.
We enjoyed the holiday, despite ups and downs ....
ups, the weather most days, lovely countryside, lots of TLC from our family, and good food and wine .....
downs, I can't walk far and John slipped on the stairs early on and had lots of bruises and pains .....
Never mind, we have many happy memories and photos to be looking back on .....

2009-05-31T16:32:00.008+01:00

May has come and nearly gone ... an unsettled month for me.
I have not been well and I'm waiting for results from investigations into my back, hips and Aorta. Wheels turn slowly in our health service!
I've done some stitching, enjoyed taking photos of flowers, and have played with digital editing programmes lots -
the weather is lovely just now, so altogether things are not too bad.

The first mosaic is of flowers from our garden, next from photos sent by my sister in law in France ....
and the signpost is to remind me that we are going to France for two weeks on Tuesday.
When we see that sign we'll know that La Chausee is just down the narrow winding lane, a pretty and quiet rural spot, and where we will be staying!
I know we will have a very enjoyable and relaxing holiday with our family.
Barbara & Peter make us very welcome, the countryside is beautiful and there are lots of lovely small towns, villages, markets, and restaurants to visit.
When we get back three hospital appointments, surely all that will put me right!

1st June ...... new month, new header from small pic done in watercolour pencils and background from http://daisygraydesign.blogspot.com/
..... I'll be around after 16th June .....

Freeform Crochet "Scrumble"....

2009-05-19T21:48:00.004+01:00

Moving on from chain stitch flowers to free form (as I can't do patterns.) - this started to frill so I thought it made a nice cuff. I love happy accidents!

Postcard for May

2009-05-19T21:21:00.006+01:00

I finished my personal challenge monthly postcard this evening, (Flickr 6x4lives group) - this is what it will look like if I decide to frame it - which is unlikely!
The frame is from Photo suite 7.
Just one more PC to make to complete the set of 12 as I made the first one in July last year - that's another year gone by quickly.
I like doing postcard sized pieces - fairly quick to complete, which suits my style.

I'm always wanting to do something else and I don't give attention to doing things well and finishing off neatly - well, I often don't finish a piece!
As most things just go into a box or drawer it doesn't really matter - I enjoy what I do and that's my main aim.
I'm still struggling with crochet - had fun doing the free form piece at the weekend.

2009-05-14T22:15:00.006+01:00

Gorgeous Quilt!

http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/comfortstitching/2009/05/100th-post-quilt-giveaway.html

Aneela Hoey is offering this gorgeous lap quilt for the 100th post on her blog 'comfort stitching'.
I've never entered a giveaway as far as I remember but just couldn't resist being in with a chance for this!

Later ..... oh dear, I didn't win! Never mind I've got this lovely picture.

2009-05-11T07:54:00.005+01:00

"I grow old, ever learning many things."
- Solon.
Today I'm 74 (not from choice! LOL) and yes, most days I try to "learn" something new, though remembering it is the problem!
How lucky we are to have www at hand with more info than we will ever be able to take in.
But I'm indulging in nostalgia too.
These trinkets are of little value except for sentiment ....
my mum's watch and necklace, dad's penknife,
John's grandmother's fob watch,
my grandmother's 'treasures' including a Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee commemorative token, 1837-1897
my aunt's thimbles,
salt cellars from a dear friend .......
I don't know who first had the tiny book calendar. It's 1" x 2", from 1898, an advertising freebie from the Midland Educational company ....
worthless things but priceless!
For group www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicmonday/

2009-05-09T07:40:00.009+01:00

Stitching on Hessian

For two days I have had an arthritis flare in my right arm so could only do short sessions on PC and stitching.
As I had made the crochet flowers previously in practice I stitched these quicky small hessian pieces and spent time reading.

Yesterday Sandie, a docrafts web crafting friend, called unexpectedly. What a lovely surprise - we had not met before.

We had lots of ideas to share and really enjoyed the afternoon. I gave her the top piece as a momento - it is slightly bigger than ATC size.
The pink piece is an ATC.

Fabric Landscape "Late Summer"

2009-05-04T21:24:00.003+01:00

I started this in February and picked it up recently to add embroidery.
It's my first successful fabric landscape mini quilt, machine & hand stitched, inspired by the books
Points of View by Valerie Hearder and
Creative Hand Embroidery by Sue Newhouse.
I don't often frame work these days but as this is a first I think I'll get it framed.

2009-05-02T15:51:00.012+01:00

Daisy Gray Design
..... my new background .....
Thank you Caroline,
http://love-stitching-red.blogspot.com/
for the link to Daisy Gray Design, http://daisygraydesign.blogspot.com/
and many thanks to Daisy Gray for the lovely selection of backgrounds.
After playing and trying several I decided this "Asian Cherry Blossom" was my favourite and that it sets off my photos well.
I loved the blossom mosaic I had as a header recently but have changed it as this background blends better with pinks than the blue sky on the blossom photos.
Lots of my work and photos are mainly pink so I'll be able to ring the changes on the header - something I'm always doing!

2009-04-28T09:01:00.005+01:00

Flowers in Chain Stitch ...

My personal challenge is to learn crochet.
I made a few Granny Squares years ago (background here) but can't remember how I did them.
I'm very clumsy with a crochet hook, the yarn keeps slipping, and I can now only do chain stitch .....
..... so I'm practising by making lots of chain stitch flowers which I'll use later on something .....
The French Knot centres help to hide lots of uneven stitches and mistakes but I am getting a bit handier with the hook.
I've ordered a beginner's book, Crochet unravelled, by Claire Bojczuk,
and one called 100 Flowers to Knit And Crochet, by Lesley Stanfield, so when they arrive maybe I'll get better - maybe not, LOL!
I'm really enjoying using scraps of all kinds and colours of wool and threads, just making small chains and linking them.
There are so many web sites and short videos to help but the abbreviations for the stitches complicate things.
Crochet is so easy to undo and redo though. I'm struggling with basic stitches next as I'm inspired by lovely flowers I see in the Flickr crochet flowers group.
www.flickr.com/groups/crochetflower/pool/

...... and a new header photo as blossoms are so beautiful just now.
Fifty years ago our street was planted with a lovely avenue of blossom trees. This one is just outside our lounge window - once again a delight!

2009-04-26T17:53:00.004+01:00

Learning Crochet!

I've seen several pretty crocheted flowers recently and decided to have a go!
I sent for a begnner's guide and a book of 100 flowers, but couldn't wait .... long ago I made four granny squares at a craft class - but can't remember how I did them.
So I found a hook and as all I can do is chain and slip stitch "free form" is for me.
It's fun so I'll be doing more!
I'm a granny who can't crochet a granny square so I've done a rectangle in two different texture wools, using chain and slip stitches randomly.
The flowers, added on top, are in chain stitch.
The background colours are more golden than shown here.

2009-04-26T17:46:00.001+01:00

Cigarette Cards

Kensitas flowers were woven from silk and given away with Kensitas cigarettes in 1933 & 1934. Never before or since their issue has a silk been given away contained in an outer protective card.
They were in two collections, about 100 in all I think.
I bought these few, from 1933, at a collectors' fair about twenty years ago. This size was given in packets of 20 cigarettes,
Postcard size given with packets of 50 - I've never seen these.
There are full details at www.kensitas-silkflowers.co.uk/
I've recently seen them used in a crazy quilt so I may use one or two - though it's nice to have them in their original little folders.

2009-04-20T20:06:00.005+01:00

Mini Quilt

'Honey'

I'm still quite unsettled healthwise and have recently mostly taken photos around the house and garden, made quickie mosaics from them in Picasa, half heartedly done cross stitch, and generally messed about.
Photos are in Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/23261611@N04/

Then I came across some lace motifs, found other bits and pieces and enjoyed making this mini quilt which I may frame ....
Hopefully I'll be less lethargic this week.

2009-04-18T11:52:00.009+01:00

Breakfast

Apricot Scones

Inspired by libbyquilter to make scones for breakfast!
www.flickr.com/photos/28992970@N02/3450869687/
As I used a quickie guess, mix , pat flat and cut recipe they have not risen a lot - but taste OK!

2009-04-17T20:50:00.002+01:00

Wild Violets

This morning I found wild violets behind our compost bin, picked a few, and left lots to seed for next year. I took photos and made yet another mosaic - one of my favourite relaxations.
Helga saw it on Flickr and asked to use it as a header on her blog.
http://murgelchen94.blogspot.com/
As it looks nice there I decided to use it for a while - I had to change the template too to show it to best advantage.
Well, I always enjoy playing about!
But why do many templates leave such wide margins at each side - I'd rather have more width in the blog .....

2009-04-14T07:10:00.004+01:00

Another Easter comes and goes!

I have lots of flowers but I love small posies from the garden and can't resist making mosaics.
It's been an unsettled week having heard that more investigations are needed into hips, back - and now Aorta, so once more it's wait for appointments ....
....adding to my frustration the PC was down for five days, always a difficult time!
Well it gave me time to do a therapeutic cross stitch border on the twee Easter picture I made some years ago.
I hope all my friends have had a peaceful and Happy Easter.

2009-04-03T09:44:00.015+01:00

This week .....
I've been feeling sorry for myself, with pains here and there, where pains shouldn't be!
Not to worry though, the lilies from Mother's Day started to open - beautiful and with a lovely perfume, I enjoyed flower stitching on buttons from a tutorial I came across, I sent a ribbon stitched ATC and a doodle Postcard to friends...

... and my 20th picture has gone into Flickr Explore ....
so really all is well!
The button tutorial is at http://karensouth.blogspot.com/2009/01/attach-button-making-flower.html (I did French Knots instead of adding beads.)

2009-03-26T08:48:00.007Z

On my desk ...

Nicholas Culpeper
(1616-54)
published "The Complete Herbal" in 1653.

My edition, my oldest book, is "Brook's Culpepper's Herbal Improved" - presumably originally owned by Charles Cottrell Junior, as he has signed his name on several pages, but I don't know who he was. I had it from my aunt years ago.
Second edition by Richard Brook, exact date not known, c1850.
It has 30 colour plates,428 pages of plant descriptions and herbal remedies, plus Index of Plants, Index to Remedies and Medical Preparations, and Index to Diseases.
....... a great read!
For kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

2009-03-20T20:30:00.011Z

Gorgeous Roses for Mother's Day

A beautiful bouquet arrived this afternoon so I thought I would have a few pics here for a few days ....

2009-03-14T22:58:00.007Z

...... my week .....

This week has been quite a mixture of things -
Jane & Joseph brought a lovely bouquet of tulips to cheer me last weekend as I had not been well for several days ...
Friends Sue & Maureen came on Tuesday and we enjoyed playing with Tyvek - the mosaic shows a few details.
They gave me the silk butterfly, bead motif, and fusible ribbon, nice with the Tyvek pieces I made, but I haven't done anything with them yet ....
Wednesday was exciting - my new sewing machine arrived so I have been playing with it since - again nothing seriously made yet ...
Thursday I had results of hip x-ray and Doc said it seems probable both hips need replacing - so that's likely to cause disruption in the months ahead - but I'm sure I'll be delighted when I am more mobile!
Today I did a bit of stitching on a picture I'm hoping to finish for my cousin's birthday and took some photographs of the tulips before they fade ..... another week gone!

2009-03-07T08:04:00.004Z

Cross Stitch framed with fabrics

I have lots of small cross stitch pictures tucked away, never used and I've enjoyed adding fabric frames and showing details in this mosaic. The daisy with french knots is a favourite but it needed an uplift which I think the fabric has given it - now it will be tucked away again!
The pansy is now a Post Card.

2009-03-04T23:28:00.002Z

Post Card - "Flower Patch"

Printed patch fabric, machined, hand stitched, & beads added.
6x4lives group monthly personal challenge, for March.
and for kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

2009-02-28T16:33:00.010Z

Collage on Silk & Mosaic of Pink Beads
Another piece inspired by LOVE STITCHING RED's 'Fabric Bondaweb Felt' - many thanks Carolyn.
The fibres are fused with Bondaweb onto silk moire and lightly needlefelted.
I've added embellisment stitches, fibres, beads, and a cabachon that has been in my box just waiting to be used.
It's 10 x 10 cm. I may frame it or use it in a Crazy Quilt piece sometime.
As I packed away pink things from the collage stitching I realised I had nine plastic packs of different pink beads.
(Photos are poor as bags are scruffy and three didn't photo at all well.)
So these are my last A Year of Color 'February Pink' photos (Flickr Group) - that month has soon gone by!

2009-02-27T16:50:00.005Z

Collage of Fibres on Silk "Promise of Spring"
I'm inspired by LOVE STITCHING RED's 'Fabric Bondaweb Felt' - many thanks Carolyn.
www.flickr.com/photos/lovestitchingred/3309655248/
The fibres are fused with Bondaweb onto a printed silk and lightly needlefelted.
(I have been printing on silk this week but didn't do this - it was in my box.)
I've added a few embellisment stitches & beads - and it reminds me of Spring!
It's 10 x 10 cm. I may frame it or use it in a Crazy Quilt piece sometime.

Wordgame

2009-02-24T09:10:00.003Z

I usually play a few scrabble type games late at night and Dylan settles on the sofa bed or in any handy box.
He hasn't been well recently and likes to stay close!

2009-02-23T07:10:00.009Z

Mosaic Monday
www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicmonday/

Details & Post Card Abstracts

Alcohol Ink abstracts - mosaic images colour enhanced in Picasa.
They are painted on mat textured card, though AI inks are more effective on shiny surfaces.
Prints from the paintings sold well as charity cards some time ago.
I'd like to come back to doing these - if I ever have time!

2009-02-18T08:08:00.005Z

Crazy Quilt Details

I'm not sure what to do next on the mini quilt started last week - maybe fabric applique or stitching ......
so like lots of other things it goes on one side .....
and I picked up a crazy quilt piece, 32cm. square, started some years ago.
I've added a few more details - still a long way to go if it is to become a cushion cover front .....

2009-02-12T08:32:00.001Z

Landscape Mini Quilt - in progress

I had a lovely time yesterday putting this background togther. I did one years ago, (not too successfully) and have recently been inspired by the work of several friends on Flickr and the book, 'Points of View', by Valerie Hearder.
Now to add hand stitching .... This piece is 11 x 16 cm.

2009-02-09T08:21:00.004Z

Mosaic Monday - Stitching on card ...
From top left:
beaded flowers stitched onto plain & corrugated card,
flower motifs & beads stitched onto a drawing,
buttons stitched onto a masked & stamped blue background,
Inkjet fabric print mounted on card, buttons, braid & French Knots added,
glitter flower on sponged background, with buttons and flower braid motifs,
print of fabric with buttons and stitching
punched card circle with simple flower stitching coloured with gel pen.
Our small craft group enjoys making similar pieces at times, to mount on greetings cards.
For group on Flickr:
www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicmonday/

2009-02-07T20:30:00.001Z

Post Card - Trellis Tangle

My 6x4lives group monthly personal challenge, for February.
The heavy stitching has pulled it out of shape slightly - not quite as much as it appears here.
My thanks to MoCross www.flickr.com/people/23082061@N07/ for the lace and wendy_kirk www.flickr.com/people/450513850093/ for the chunky brown fibre - both very generous and talented friends.

2009-02-06T23:33:00.004Z

"Coffee and Awards" at magikquilters ......
http://magikquilter.com/

She kindly invited me and gave me this award.
I'd like to extend the invitation and give the award to MoCross http://maureen-maureensmixture.blogspot.com/ as her blog is always so interesting - we would have lots to chat about!

2009-02-05T08:46:00.002Z

"Ice Cave"
The brochure was right when it said there's a heather for all seasons!

2009-02-05T08:32:00.003Z

Yesterday I ventured out, the snow was melting so I took a few shots. Why did I leave the old pot out to catch the frost!!!
Later it started freezing again and this morning everything is under a beautiful white blanket once again, and flakes are still swirling around.

Scraps

2009-02-03T08:58:00.003Z

I usually have a few postcard and ATC backgrounds made up so it doesn't take long to add a few embellishments - and I always enjoy this stage.
These are ATC thank you cards for friends.
One is stitched with beads from a child's bracelet added - the other stitched with thread and silk ribbon.

Colour

2009-02-02T13:40:00.009Z

For group on Flickr:
www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicmonday/
Created with bighugelabs.com/flickr/

Oooh, I've managed an English title again!

I joined 'A Year of Color' group on Flickr www.flickr.com/groups/985410@N21/pool/
so look forward to a monthly focus on a mosaic, painting, stitching or anything else that comes to mind:
COLOUR
January - Blue/White
February - Pink
March - Monochrome
April - Polka Dots
May - Green
June - Yellow
July - Stripes
August - Multi Coloured
September - Orange/Copper
October - Black/White
November - Brown/Sepia
December - Red

2009-01-31T08:25:00.004Z

Remember January?

Cold, dreary, credit crunch, sad days,

but this is the last day,

.......and Spring is always round the corner!

2009-01-28T13:58:00.010Z

On my desk .... a "Smelli".
(It seems that I can no longer put titles above in English!)
http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

An artist friend, who posts on docrafts' site, introduced a variation on the standard ATC - a semi circular card.
(She calls them Smelli, her name is Helen and her forum name is smelli helli.) Another friend asked me to make one from an Amazing Circle - so here it is.

అత్క్ "ఉఇల్తెద్ ఫ్లవర్"

2009-01-22T20:27:00.006Z

The title of this is "ATC Quilted Flower" - I don't know why it won't come up in English - interesting though!

I've remembered how quick it is to make an ATC and so made another today.

Award

2009-01-21T22:37:00.002Z

Many thanks Dawne for this award.
I think it should be passed to just five friends, but it is so difficult to do this. So I would like all the talented friends who read this to accept it. Thank you all for visiting and giving me so much pleasure each time I see your work! Connie.

On my desk ... ATC "Ribbons & Fibres"

2009-01-21T10:23:00.006Z

http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

I wanted to use some of the lovely assortment I bought last week so made this - the background is a scrap of pink silk grosgrain - I haven't made an ATC for some months. It was a nice change, and quick to do.

Melange on Fabric

2009-01-19T08:57:00.005Z

This postcard is for a friend. I love sewing with silk ribbon so used some here. The background fabric is from a remnant that has been in my box for years.
Viv is right, on previous blog, there's not much room left in our house for more threads, fibres and suchlike, but I still love to see and buy more. I guess there are worse addictions!

On my desk ....

2009-01-14T23:47:00.009Z

Weekly theme hosted at:
kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

I ordered this gorgeous assortment from Stef Francis only yesterday!
I'm thrilled with it and wondering just what I'll stitch.

Mosaic Monday - Joseph's Gerbera

2009-01-12T09:04:00.005Z

Our daughter Jane bought a new camera and her son Joseph,10,took this photo to add to my flower file.
For group on Flickr:
www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicmonday/
Created with bighugelabs.com/flickr/

It's very dreary, cold, and wet this morning but the mosaic adds a bit of cheer!

On my desk 06.01.09......

2009-01-07T11:20:00.004Z

...... well not actually on my desk, it's a piano stool top in need of TLC. I stitched it years ago, the colours are not as bright as they were (enhanced here to near original), and the braid around the edge is tatty. So I'm wondering whether to take it off, wash it and add new braid - or to dump it and start again. I'll think about it!

kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

Ice

2009-01-03T13:18:00.006Z

Mosaic made in Flickr Toys http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php

The ice patterns on the outside of the conservatory windows were so lovely this morning - but now they are gone, except as pictures!
The Mosaic reminds me of the Winter Post Card made earlier this week.

Post Card

2009-01-01T00:29:00.004Z

For personal monthly challenge in Flickr 6x4lives group.
Hand needlefelting with embellishment, theme "Winter".
It's not really grubby - just a poor photo!

On my desk 31.12.08 ...

2008-12-31T08:03:00.005Z

Weekly theme hosted at:
kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

Another Needlefelted Postcard - this one to be embellished for a Winter theme.
The last day of the year .... not too many reflections as several are so sad .... yet John and I are lucky, we keep well, happy,
and appreciate all our lovely family and so many friends.
Home, holidays, and hobbies take up our time in a most enjoyable way.
Many thanks to all friends who visit me here, on Flickr, and Docrafts and a very healthy, happy New Year to all.

Needlefelted Post Cards

2008-12-28T15:41:00.004Z

"Leaves & Berries on Snow" and
"Winter Sunset"
Needlefelted on Dupion and Felt backgrounds - the sunset one for Flickr monthly personal challenge 6x4lives.
I'd like to improve my hand needlefelting so plan to do a few postcards and then try a bigger picture.

On my desk 24.12.08 ...

2008-12-24T08:46:00.003Z

Weekly theme hosted at:
kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

...... mat waiting to be ironed - craft room now has sofa bed opened for Christmas guests - family, so they will excuse being cramped and completely surrounded by "mom's things"!

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T07:47:00.004Z

Despite having a "schedule" to work to this week there are still lots of things to do today - no time for crafting or sitting here browsing - so off I go!
The pic is a felt pen drawing from long ago.

Mosaic Monday - Memories

2008-12-22T08:27:00.008Z

For group on Flickr:
www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicmonday/
Created with bighugelabs.com/flickr/

Weiner Christkindlmarkt 1992, in front of City Hall.
Lovely Christmas memories of visiting our daughter Jane who was living in Vienna. A wonderful place all year round but magical at Christmas!

Mosaic Monday - Cakes

2008-12-15T00:09:00.008Z

For group on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicmonday/
I bought the book some years ago at a craft fair - and it has served us well.
Each year John, my husband, makes a lovely cake following Delia to the letter,and usually gets ideas from the book for snowmen and things.
This year it's penguins, but from Sainsbury's magazine, - at the side a few from previous years (not all).
My contribution is the band, and eating lots.

Poinsettia

2008-12-14T19:21:00.003Z

It must be nearly last posting date for Christmas!
I completed all charity card orders some time ago but I'm still making some for personal use - this was quick to make, just beads added to the centre of the cut out fabric Poinsettia, then matted on gold.

On my desk Dec 10th ....'Stamp Collection'

2008-12-10T00:27:00.004Z

Weekly theme hosted at:
http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html
'Stamp' prints,from original work made for cards,made in Flickr toys,to be made into gift tags for personal use.

'Winter'

2008-12-06T07:40:00.004Z

We don't have our Christmas decorations out too soon but this picture comes out of the cupboard once a year at this time.
I stitched it in 1997.
My addiction to Amazing Circles, easily made in www.dumpr.net continues.
This is one of my favourites.

On my desk Dec 3rd ..... Christmas came early!

2008-12-03T06:53:00.005Z

Weekly theme hosted at:
http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

Yesterday Maureen (khttp://maureen-maureensmixture.blogspot.com)and Roy visited us - the first time we have met, though we have been friends since last year.
She is so generous and brought me these lovely gifts ..... the list reads like The Twelve Days of Christmas theme!

....lots of lovely Aida,
felted knitted brooch,
santa on a christmas card,
lovely yellow braid,
beaut-i-ful lace,
fancy fabric patches,
gorgeous yellow postcard,
and a fab notebook with a felt cover.

.....also an embroidery magazine and exciting looking present for real Christmas!
What an exciting day, many, many thanks Maureen for these lovely gifts.
We took a few photos - sorry I'm no oil painting though!

Mosaic Monday

2008-12-01T09:27:00.006Z

One for the group in Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/mosaicmonday/

Images from original work, used recently, embellished with beads and/or stitching on cards.

'Still Life' Christmas Card

2008-11-30T17:39:00.003Z

Not the greatest card I ever made but one of the quickest,
a copy of a photo I took 'earlier', some gold card, fabric, sticker greeting and DS tape ... oh well some friend will say it's nice (maybe!)

Apples ......

2008-11-30T16:07:00.004Z

The garden looks very dreary today, nothing inspiring to 'snap' - but the apples inside look bright for a photo or two!
Grannie's green dish is nice too ..... so .....

maybe the 'still life' will make a Christmas card .....

Friendship

2008-11-28T22:31:00.004Z

Many thanks to Maureen, a very talented friend I met on docrafts, for this friendship award.
http://maureen-maureensmixture.blogspot.com/

On my desk Nov 26th ... Mosaic of Patches

2008-11-26T16:35:00.002Z

Weekly theme hosted at:http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

PC monitor crashed out a few days ago, just out of guarantee time, - one more expense to continue life in the manner to which we are accustomed.
Well I had more time to concentrate on stitching for the Christmas cards!

Too soon for Christmas!

2008-11-21T23:27:00.013Z

Oh! I just had to make an Amazing Circle from Dumpr!

The Blackwork bauble pattern is from Miriam at
http://borduurblog.blogspot.com/
The blue bauble is stitched on silver flecked Aida and it will be used as it is for a card.
The red one is copied and printed, from an original stitched bauble,
on textured Art card. It's then embellished with beads and French knots and matted on gold, red, and a gold card.
I'll print several off and make similar cards to sell for charity.

On my desk ...'Memories'

2008-11-19T00:17:00.004Z

Weekly theme hosted at:
http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html

I was delving into an old box last night ...
the Santa card comes out most years ....
the candles are stitched on 10, 14, and 18 count fabrics, to demonstrate the different sizes produced to a primary school craft club.

Blackwork

2008-11-17T22:42:00.007Z

Today I joined Anne-Marie and Betsy to start a new Flickr Group,
Blackwork and all Black & White Needlework
http://www.flickr.com/groups/921530@N20/

The Icon for the group is this picture of linen embroidered with black silk and silver gilt threads from the last decade of the sixteenth century,
" Stylised Honeysuckle Motif"
Original size 7.5 x 7.5 cm.
From the Embroiderer's Guild collection (EG207), illustrated in 'Blackwork' by Lesley Barnett, Search Press.

We were unable to find a group for Blackwork so decided to start one although it seems it may be a minority interest group.
Anyone interested is invited to join - no need to actually do Blackwork - just enjoy.

Bauble Motif

2008-11-16T17:52:00.003Z

This afternoon I enjoyed stitching this on gold flecked Aida - for another card.
The photo has not turned out well.
The pattern is from Miriam at
http://borduurblog.blogspot.com/

Blackwork Motifs

2008-11-16T09:20:00.001Z

I found these in a folder - stitched last year - so I'll make them into Christmas cards

Dylan

2008-11-14T07:14:00.001Z

Something else "on my desk"!

On my desk .....

2008-11-12T17:43:00.004Z

Weekly theme hosted by:
http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-my-desk-players.html
Fabric patches to be stitched and beaded for cards.

November

2008-11-11T21:45:00.004Z

'' November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate .......''
Clyde Watson

6x4 lives postcard challenge.
Cross stitch picture from a while ago framed in a mist of fibres,
Hand-Dyed Silk Throwster Waste from Stef Francis.

Remembrance

2008-11-11T11:21:00.001Z

A personal card for the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.