Search Results for: weaving

Hand printing

I’ve been wanting to try screen printing for an awfully long time but haven’t due to the cost of setting up. Last year I was really inspired after reading Lena Corwin’s Printing by Hand and decided to give freezer paper a try. I didn’t get far. I think my designs were to intricate for a beginner and my head wasn’t in the right place.

Enter the new year and my new sense of trying to fulfill my creative inspirations! I’ve been very busy drawing designs, cutting (love you Xacto knife!) and experimenting with printing. I’ve been collecting a lot of folliage from the garden and various trees to take impressions from.

I bought some linen and will see what I can come up with!

There is something so special about hand printed fabric, don’t you think?

And I completed my first ever cross stitch! It has now joined the pile of other stitcheries that live in hope of being framed one day.

Happy, sunshiney, creative day to you all!

Few or many?

by Kelly 11 Comments

I’m so grateful for my children, all 4 of them. I would be grateful for more too – there is simply nothing more important, challenging, joyful and priveleged as raising children.

You know there’s a but coming. Sometimes when I see what other parents of smaller families are able to provide for their children it leaves me wondering. Would my children be happier with their own playroom? Their own bedrooms? Brand new clothes instead of second hand or op shopped? Fancier foods? The list could go on.

But then I remember what my children have taught me about life and about them. That they need love. Lots of it. Attention, lots of that too. Positive interaction. And God takes care of the rest, so that we always have what we need but not always what we want.

The fact that the children are constantly asking me when their next sibling might appear and that they are all each other’s best friends confirms that a large family is a good thing for us and that our children do not want for anything.

Thanks be to God.

My Creative Space

by Kelly 9 Comments

Almost finished embroidering this table cloth, just can’t decide on the border colour.

Re – hemming this dress I made for my sister when I was 14 – she was 5. It has been worn by my sister and 2 of my daughters (and will be worn by the 3rd) and has only ever needed the hem fixed.

I’m enjoying these books that Nell sent to me along with some soap and chocolates. Thanks so much Nell.

Speaking of my sister… she gave me this tapestry approximately 10 years ago! I have pulled out my original stitching that was done when I was clueless and am having another go at it. I’ll update you in another year (it’s very large!) and hopefully not in another 10.

Check out other creative spaces at Kootoyoo and have a very crafty day!

Autumn afternoon

by Kelly 5 Comments

We went for a drive to the forest yesterday. It was a perfect autumn afternoon. My favourite time of year.

The fly agarics were pushing up through the forest floor everywhere we looked.

Husband fished while the children and I explored and played games.

Some things must look so huge to little ones.

We stayed until after sunset, which was beautiful on the water.

We drove home with heavy hearts – there is no way the suburbs can compare with fresh, wide open spaces. One day.

Stumpwork!

by Kelly 5 Comments

I had a marvelous day yesterday with the Embroiderer’s Guild doing a beginner’s stumpwork class with the talented Cecily Dow. This class is in preparation for the intermediate certificate I intend to do later in the year with Alison Cole (very excited about this!)

To give an indication of size, this is in a 4 inch hoop. Even though it’s very small it took many hours to complete, it is very fine and detailed work.

This is a really dynamic form of embroidery and I can’t wait to do more. I’m pretty pleased with my first attempt!

I’m not here

by Kelly 5 Comments

I’m here.

And here.

No internet. No phone. Just us and the fresh sea air.

See you in a couple of weeks.

God bless.

Waldorf Window Stars

by Kelly 6 Comments

Ann really inspires me with her paper stars and I have been meaning to make some with the children for ages. I finally got around to ordering some kite paper from Winterwood (it’s not easy to find in Australia).

I followed the tutorial here which is very clear and easy to follow.

The children enjoyed making something so pretty and our windows are brighter and cheerful. Now all I need is this book to make some more detailed ones!

My Creative Space

by Kelly 11 Comments

Feels like Autumn. My favourite time of year. The garden is so inspiring right now.

We have some different varieties of pumpkin this year thanks to The Lost Seed

The begonia flower is so pretty and delicate.

Mad tree – climbing pumpkin vines.

Walls of morning glory.

Plump and shiny little tomatoes that the children love to pop in their mouths.

Can’t you just smell the aroma of pumpkin soup?

In case you’re wondering – they’re gourds! Funny, aren’t they?

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for my new embroidery pattern – it ends tomorrow!

For more Creative Spaces look here.

A new pattern and a giveaway!

by Kelly 12 Comments

My first ever embroidery pattern is now available!

The pattern is in the form of a pdf download and includes instructions, tips and recommendations.

To celebrate I’m giving away 3 patterns to 3 lucky readers.

Simply leave a comment here telling me what you love about embroidery to be entered in the draw. If you have not yet attempted embroidery (and I highly encourage you to!) leave a comment telling me what you think you would love about it.

Winners will be drawn on Friday and if you can’t wait until then the pattern is in my Etsy shop now!

New fabric in the shop!

by Kelly 1 Comment

This is the first time I’ve offered hand dyed fabric in my shop to give customers the option of deciding what they would like to make!

I used different strengths of black and red and the shibori technique to achieve this tribal pattern.

The fabric is cotton lawn which is perfect for a girly skirt or perhaps a cool table runner!

In the shop now.