Wednesday 2 January 2008

Post and Presents

The post lady brought me the latest set of ATCs from MixedMediaATC_UK this morning. The theme of the swap was to use seeding stitch somewhere on the ATC. We are having a stitch swap each month to enable us to learn or improve on our knowledge of embroidery stitches. (I think we've nearly exhausted the ones I know already!!! lol)

This lovely delicate card is from Amanda. This is a variety of hand made papers (and maybe nappy liner or similar) on a watercolour, or maybe ink, painted background paper. I love the colours and the tiny stitches Amanda has used, it is really pretty.

Isn't this a lovely card? This is by Pat and has an appliqued flower with a beaded centre over a printed design. Details of the design have been embellished with stitch and seeding stitch in a lovely yellow sets the whole thing off.

Lastly, but certainly by no means least, is this quilted ATC from Jean. I am guessing that the material here is hand-dyed and I love the way the seeding stitches have been used across the surface. Gorgeous colours too! Thank you ladies!

I also haven't got round to posting the lovely gifts I have had from my Mum and my friend Grace over the last couple of weeks. Grace has done some more sorting out and found me some more lace and a nifty gadget. If anyone knows how to work the Daisy Wheel I'd be really grateful if you could point me in the right direction!



My Mum brought me up some embellishments

and also a bag of fluffy yarn that will be great for using with the embellisher



My Mum leaves here tomorrow and goes to stay with my brother who lives near Lincoln. I wonder why the time always seems to have flown past when you look back? It feels as though Mum has only been here 5 minutes. It will be good though, to get back to some semblance of normality, well as far as anything in my house is ever normal! I am looking forward to putting the Christmas things away and...........getting my embellisher out!!!!!!!!! Yay!!! (Sorry Mum! :) )

6 comments:

sharon young said...

Hi Julie
What lovely post you had! The colours on you ATC exchange are amazing!! and such exquisite stitching.
You are so lucky to have such a lovely thoughtful Mum.
Good luck with your embellishing, loads to play with now!!
PS thanks for making me laugh this AM, naughty old Bertie, might have known he'd be a flirt!!

Mrs Moog said...

I've got some old copies of Golden Hands with daisies made using a daisy maker. I'll try to dig them out and send you a photocopy. There's a gorgeous long evening dress made entirely of wool daisies - how do you fancy that?
I've just got my embellisher out and if I ever get off the computer I'll get something done!!
Have fun :)
Lesley xxx

Kate North said...

Ooh, that's a nice selection of stuff - I'll look forward to seeing what you do with it (no pressure, of course, LOL)

Gina said...

Lovely postbag Julie. Never seen a daisy maker before - intrigued to see what you do with it. A long dress made of daisies???
Gina x

DeeMom said...

The colors on everything here are beautiful


Happy TGIF

Dragonstar said...

I was once given that exact daisy-maker!
You can make large or small daisies, or large daisies with a small inner.
Wind the yarn around the outer pegs in a figure8 shape round opposite pairs. Wind about 3 times, then move to the next pair. Continue until you have them all covered.
Without cutting the yarn, start working on the centre pegs in the same way, although 2 windings are usually enough there.
When you've finished, cut the yarn leaving a long end. Thread into a large-eyed blunt needle (crewel works well) Take the yarn down between the 'petals', then up between the opposite pairs. Backstitch around the petals, pulling tight as this will secure the daisy. When you're done, take a stitch through the centre to anchor the yarn.
Ease the petals off the pegs, very gently, and there you have your daisy. Once you have the hand of it you can make two-colour daisies. They can be crocheted together to make all sorts of items.
Hope this makes sense. You're a talented lady.