Works in progress & new brooches

It's the Driffield Show today and I won't be able to go this year with my foot, I haven't been for 3 years, didn't realise it was that long but the weather is looking a bit dodgy today with potentially heavy showers this afternoon so I'm happy to be inside doing something creative.


I have a few projects on the go. One is my version of a vintage linen, crinoline lady. I have a couple of tablecloths which were charity shop finds with the crinoline lady designs and I was really annoyed with myself for washing one too vigorously and holes have appeared in the antique cloth. So I thought I'd have a practise and maybe make my own.


I found some designs online and bought one of those embroidery transfer pencils.

I traced the design and ironed onto my fabric, and set about stitching. I'd forgotten how therapeutic it is to do this sort of painting by numbers with embroidery silks.

Here is the finished thing and I'm quite pleased as a first attempt, I think I'll have the confidence to stitch a tablecloth when I find the right one. This test piece will probably turn into something completely different.

Next on my WIP is a bit of crochet. I found this wonderful Happy Flower Decoration tutorial on the lovely Attic 24 blog, a must visit blog if you've never been and you love crochet.

http://attic24.typepad.com/

Lucy from Attic 24 writes a tutorial in such a way that it's a pleasure to follow and even I can understand and create something quite delicious out of wool.


The flower is done and next I'm working on the stem and those pretty leaves.

Finally, here are some of my mixed media textile brooches, some of which are finished and on sale in Gallery 49, Bridlington & in my Folksy shop. I've been inspired with my vintage & antique postcard collection when making these, particularly those silk embroidered cards from the first world war.

Once I've created the 'mini postcards' and embellished with beads & silks, I then mount them on felt, cut to size, back them and finish off with a pin.

Here are a couple of my favourite ones finished.

All packaged and ready to go. I like making these but they do take a long time as I deliberate for hours which colours, beads, silks & trimmings go best together.