Dale's challenge

My recent silence hasn't been because of lack of activity on my part. At the beginning of January, I made two entries for Dale Rollerson's Embellish Stitch Enrich Challenge. Actually, I worked on several ideas before settling on these pieces.

This one is called 'When a butterfly flaps its wings . . .' The theme for the challenge is Connections and this piece represents the connections between people and the environment. I had very few green fabrics for the background, so had to go off to Spotlight yet again.

The second piece is called 'Ties that bind'. It represents the myriad diverse connections we form with others throughout our lives – with family, friends, classmates, teachers, colleagues and the many other people we connect with over the years. Some connections are short, while others last a lifetime; some are strong, others weak; some are gentle, others are harsh. They all contribute to the fabric of our lives.

Seachange

When my sister, Veronica, was staying with me a couple of months ago, she admired the Seeing Red piece I was working on at the time ... but said she didn't want hers in red. :) So I've made this one for her in greens and blues. The fabric went in unexpected ways and I just let it go where it wanted to, so I was very interested to find a large V in it at the end. Obviously meant for Veronica. I hope she likes it.

Stash enhancement

Although I'm trying to tidy up and sort out my studio, I couldn't resist the opportunities offered by the post-Christmas sales to further enhance my stash. There's only about a dozen pieces of fabric, two dozen balls of yarn and a few ribbons! Lots to get started on my next project - once I finish tidying my studio!

An arty-crafty Christmas

I may not have received a Christmas stocking but I did get some delightful presents - embellishment books and fibres, a couple of interesting tools, plus paints, paint pad and brushes for the art course I'm doing in a couple of weeks.

Christmas stockings

Christmas is over for another year. Yet again, I wasn't very organised for it but I managed to make Christmas stockings for the first time ever. I made one each for John, Keith, Natalie and Emma but I didn't think to make one for myself. I didn't make one for Dan either. He had said he wasn't coming home for Christmas this year, so I got a huge surprise when I opened the door on Christmas Eve, expecting Keith, Natalie and Emma, and found Dan there as well. It was a wonderful Christmas surprise.

Natalie's stocking

Keith's stocking

Emma's stocking

John's stocking

Desperately seeking tambour patterns

I want to do some tambour embroidery. I have the necessary hoop on a stand, tambour hook, fabric and lots and lots of threads ... but I can't find a pattern. I just want something simple and easy to do that looks reasonably good but extensive Googling has failed me. I've found a few pictures of tambour work but nothing that I could just copy and start on. I've also contacted some embroidery shops but without success.

I've learned a lot about tambour embroidery and it seems that Limerick lace uses the same technique. However, it just doesn't seem to be the 'flavour of the month' at present, although Inspirations seemingly included a design a few months ago (no longer in the shops).

I'll go back to embellishing and machine embroidery and hope that something turns up eventually.

Seeing red

I made this piece using lots of different fabrics and threads embellished together to get as much texture as possible. I had fun making it and am pleased with the finished product.

It was a present for my friend, Jordan, and is now hanging on her office wall. Jordan is a wonderful, creative woman who inspires and encourages me to believe in myself as a textile artist. I value highly her friendship and support.

Thank you, Jordan.