Monday 29 July 2013

jackiechadwick's photostream

Whistler, B.C.Peak to Peak gondola at WhistlerAtop Blackcomb, WhistlerAtop Blackcomb, WhistlerDuffy Lake , B.C.Duffy Lake, B.C.
Evening in KamloopsOrganza flower card by StitchmikkiWestsyde, Kamloops, B.C.

I have recently discovered Flickr.
You can upload a photo and then use some really neat filters to change the image.
I was really pleased with some photos I took at Whistler this weekend.
The photo of the Inukshuk came out looking really atmospheric after editing.

Friday 26 July 2013

Beaded fabric pieces

Working on a few odd scraps of fabric I had already machine stitched and machine embroidered ... adding some tiny beads and tiny french knots .. I was aiming for the effect of water here.

Sorry two of the photos uploaded sideways !


Background is made up of strips of fabric stitched together with a wavy machine stitch.  I used different colour threads and also stitched down some lengths of a variegated blue yarn.




Monday 22 July 2013

Collage sheets

It really was too hot to be outside today so I have been working on some more collage sheets ... and having fun in the process!


I am working on a few card ideas too ... using these little squares.... I will post some photos when I have them worked out.

....and more collage sheets of larger squares .... 2 1/4 inches square.

I made this square card using four of the 2 1/4 inch squares.
I have a craft punch which cuts out a square just under this size which proved useful here.
Added some pretty green paper, some white card and some narrow green ribbon.


Quite pleased how that came out ... will work on some more ideas tomorrow.
There must be endless ways you could use the squares to make cards and  gift tags.


Thursday 18 July 2013

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Susan Alison - artist

I love this artist's work ... such delightful, gentle humour.
If you are a dog lover how could you resist?!!

http://www.montyandrosie.blogspot.ca/

Doing battle with Photoshop



I have been hoping, for some time, to get to a point where I could sell digital copies of my artwork.
I had come across many examples of 'Scrabble tile' jewelry online and thought that producing small scale images for these would be a good place to start.

After a few days battling on my own to get Photoshop to cooperate ... with no success whatsoever
... I decided I needed help!

This shop on Etsy is great for Photoshop templates ...

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EccentricOcean

Lauren at EccentricOcean also sells a tutorial showing you how to add your own images to the template.
The tutorial was very easy to follow ... step by step with screen shots.

So with the template and tutorial from Lauren and with a bit of extra help from Emily here is the result.


We are so pleased how this turned out and will be producing more.
I have a huge 'back-catalogue' of images of my fabric art.

Emily is working on some original Anime designs which are going to be so cool!

So .... 'watch this space' to see what else we come up with.....

Tuesday 16 July 2013

The mobile art studio



We recently moved house and  most of the arts and crafts 'stash' is in storage,  where it will remain for a few months.
Before moving,  I collected just enough 'bits and pieces' together so I could continue to work on projects over the summer ... mainly more of my smaller cards.
This is art on a small scale... an art studio contained in a plastic box and a shopping basket!
Having the materials contained in this way has its advantages however .... easy to take on a camping trip or day at the lake.




These two 'summer'  cards  are made from some crazy patchwork squares I had already sewn on the machine before it got packed away.
Lots of different scraps of fabric overlapped and stitched with a zig-zag sort of stitch, incorporating a few silk flowers along the way.
Now I am adding beads and a few sequins to the fabric for extra texture and interest.




Next step is to glue the fabric squares to the cards.






Now to go and rummage through that basket again to see what other fabric scraps I have.

I think I will work on a poppy landscape next ...


Monday 15 July 2013

sue forey fibre art: felt painting minis

I love these wonderful felted landscapes!
Do take a look at the work of this excellent artist who sells on Etsy.
She lives in Wales and is greatly inspired by the landscape around her.... these works of art are so full of colour and vibrancy.

sueforey-fibreart.blogspot.ca/

sue forey fibre art: felt painting minis: I thought I would let you know that I have just finished a series of mini felts at very affordable prices. They are made in the same way as...

Sunday 14 July 2013

Fabric pens and embroidery

I have just recently started using this technique and am pleased with the results.
First, I draw a design onto cotton fabric using fabric pen.  A laundry marker is really useful for doing black lines if they are required.
After leaving the design to dry, I then embellish the image with hand embroidery and beads stitched on by hand.
So far I have used this for small pieces ... just a couple of inches square.
I think there are endless possibilities!

Saturday 13 July 2013

Golden Threads blog

Well .... I am very flattered!
There is such a lovely write up about Stitchmikki on this blog.

http://goldenthreadsteam.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/stitchmikki/

My thanks to The Golden Threads team ..... a team of wonderfully creative people on Etsy.

The cat sleeps


Well .....it's still early on a lovely sunny Saturday morning.
The cat now sleeps after keeping us awake for much of the night.
I would not recommend moving house with a cat who is used to being outdoors ... the forced confinement is making him a bit 'nuts'!
Maybe we will venture out with him on a leash today?


Working on another batch of cards for our shop today. I love making these organza flower ones but I'm also working on some different designs using fabric pens and beads.
I will post some more photos later

Off to grab a coffee.....