Samples 2016: Week 38, Spiky/Steel

My Flower Stitcher attachment seemed ideal for this, a quick way to machine stitch spiky balls like rolled up hedgehogs. I used a simple utility stitch, working two or three rounds at different diameters.

The thread was a nice shaded grey rayon, very steely, but too subtle for the camera to pick up apparently.
  

Samples 2016: Week 37, Bling/Mint

Well, this is horrible isn't it?! But I was never going to like "bling" as a theme, and I didn't have blingy materials in a subtle minty green, so here it is.

A sparkly pound sign seemed to fit the design theme. And "mint" is quite apt to go with it... groan.
   
I applied green (it is though you can't tell) metallic mesh by machine, then couched a thick thread round the edge by hand. Then I tried to sparkle it up with green star sequins and tiny metallic beads. My stash of shiny stuff is meagre, and I'm fine with that.

So, a tacky tick, but it's done and I'm moving on!   

Samples 2016: Week 36, Mesh/Ice



Mesh? A great excuse to dig out the dissolvable fabric! I laid down a grid of white pearl cotton and silver metallic thread first, with big hand stitches. Then I machine stitched some of the diagonals with shiny white rayon 40 on top and blue metallic on the bobbin.

After dissolving I pinned it out to dry - tedious but always well worth it.

Then as usual I couldn't resist photographing the finished sample raised on pins to get the shadows!
    

Samples 2016: Week 35, Cobbles/True Blue



All the toys are out again! Great fun to play with the embellisher and the Bernina - it's been too long.

So I flung everything on this - starting with blue commercial felt I added dyed nepps, assorted yarns and merino tops. Those were all attached by whizzing the embellisher all over. Then I meandered around with free zigzag and straight stitch.

I really liked the fabric I ended up with, so I took its picture to remind me to come back to this for jewellery or art. But then I cut it up into "cobbles" and embellished them onto navy felt.  

Welcome to my new studio!

After a relocation of nearly 400 miles from Ilkley (Yorkshire) to the Isle of Skye, I'm now all set up in my new studio - fancy a peek? 

 

Sorry the photos are a bit dark - there's too much light streaming in the window, reflected off the sea! Because this is the best bit, the view from my desk:

I look out on Broadford Bay, to the islands of Scalpay, Longay and Pabay and the Applecross peninsula of mainland Scotland. The constantly changing light and sea are mesmerising, the shore teems with birds, and there's always the chance of an otter passing by. Inspiring, or distracting? We'll see...

John has done sooo much work on this room for me, I'm really grateful and delighted with how it's turned out. It was quite dingy when we arrived, but he's painted it all white, including the dark wood around the windows, and installed extra lights over both tables. Then three sets of shelves have been installed, and all my cupboards have been reassembled.

Now my machines are set up and most of my boxes are unpacked. I'm itching to stitch! What shall I tackle first? Um... curtains. The rest of the house isn't quite as complete. 

 

Feeling very lucky... I'll leave you with a closer view from the window: