Another Module Down...

It's been a while since I blogged about anything actually related to my course.  But that's because I have been busy doing it, rather than writing about it.  And finally, finally, after 4 months, and Christmas, and having a baby, I have finished module 4!  (Now all I need to do is pass).

If I'm honest, it's not been my favourite module.  With the criteria being to work in black and white, I have found it a bit limiting, and I have decided I am most definitely a colourful sort of girl.  Well, I don't know about in personality, but certainly with the things that I make! 

Anyhow, here are a few pictures;

The 'Texture Collection'

Using textured papers

Final Resolved Piece

And then there are the applique samples, which I really enjoyed putting together.  I have done about 8  different types of applique now, so I feel I qualify as an expert!  I won't bore you with them all but here are a just couple;

Hawaiian Applique

Machine Bias Applique

Stained Glass Applique

So very soon it will be on to module 5, the last of the design portfolios, before module 6 which is the planning and designing of a wall hanging.

But before I undertake module 5, I have promised baby William that I will make him a quilt for his bedroom.  It's only fair, because I made one for Freya when she was born, back in the days when I knew nothing about 1/4 inch seams, rotary cutters, acryllic rulers, designer fabrics etc. etc.  Boy, I 've learnt a lot about quilting in these last few years!  I have been working on it for just one evening so far, and all my blocks are complete and ready to be constructed into a quilt top, but I shall save progress for another day.    But I can't resist showing you the gorgeous fabrics that I'm working with;

Sorry it's a bit of a dark photo, but they really are delicious fabrics in real life and I am very excited to see William's quilt take shape.
 

Right, must crack on, I will have another night of sewing till nearly midnight and I hope to post a complete quilt top soon!

On the Beach

I am trying to come up with inventive ways to present my work for my course.  This is a lot of fun, but certainly more time consuming than just sticking information into a portfolio!  But I do love a challenge and not to always go for the easy option, so this is what I came up with to present my work on...

And here is my 'texture' research, although I can't decide which picture I prefer.  This one...

On the rocks

or this one;

On the sand

As it happens, I took the 'on the rocks' picture, and Pete styled and took the 'on the sand' picture.  So the jury is out!

I have also managed to find time to do a little bit of sewing.  Here is a picture.  It looks a bit dull but the brief for the module is 'black, white and muted tones'.  (Not really me at all!)  This sample demonstrates the use of freezer paper - a technique of ironing the shapes around freezer paper so that the fabric takes their shape, and then you applique it on to the background fabric.  I came up with a very basic design as using a hot iron with complicated shapes could be tricky and slightly hazardous! 

I am now working on my final sample for this module, another stained glass applique piece.  It's coming along well but I have hit a stumbling block - I have run out of plain black fabric for the bias binding 'leading'.  So I have ordered more from my favourite ebay shop, Brenda Higgs Favourite Fabrics, along with some rainbow coloured solids for the samples for module 5.  Financial constraints meant that it had to be a purely 'essential fabrics' order, but it was sooooo hard to resist all her gorgeous fat quarter bundles! 

I shall post again soon with my stained glass applique.  I do enjoy this technique as it uses lots of colour.  And it's good to have more colour in my life.  Hooray!

Stained Glass Applique, Decorations and Resolutions

I have been really looking forward to writing this post and sharing with you my latest work, a sample of experimental applique.  By experimental, it means trying new techniques and materials.  So I have attempted stained glass applique (which as the title suggests, looks like a stained glass window) and I have used a variety of materials, including felt, satin, organza, angel hair, cotton and decorative paper.  Some of which are easier to stitch into than others.  (As I found out the hard way. Ahm.)

My Stained Glass window

Please take a closer look...

It's all stitched by hand...and took me AGES!!

Only the border was machine stitched, and I have to say I felt very nervous because I had spent so long on the central panel, I didn't want to mess it up at the final hurdle!  Luckily all went well (I hope you will agree) and it is certainly the best that I could manage so I hope it's good enough. 

Onto other crafty news, Freya has had a creative week too preparing for Christmas;

16 Christmas tree decorations for friends and family...DONE!

You may be lucky enough to recieve one of her masterpieces in a Christmas card - if you have been good this year of course. 

And I have had a productive weekend in other ways too.  I have a new resolution.  It is to take better care of all my things.  So far I have put this into action by:

1) Sewing on all the buttons that had fallen off my winter coat
2) Donating all my old clothes to charity to make more room for the clothes I want to keep
3) Getting my boots re-healed
4) Ironing all my scrap bits of fabric and storing them neatly

And I plan to;

1) Buy a large portfolio/file to keep all my fabric samples in (rather than carrier bags)
2) Keep all my shoes and boots polished
3) Re-organise my wardrobe to make better use of space
4) Keep all my craft/reference books in one place and in 'genre' order

This probably all sounds quite obsessive but I have to say I am really enjoying the process, and anyone who knows me will know that I love being organised and do have a tendency to be a bit OCD at times!  But I also think it is important to take more care of the things I have, as it will make them last longer and I will enjoy them more.  (If only I had applied this principle a year ago, my winter boots would not be in such a state of disrepair!!)  I shall keep you updated with progress. 

Off to bed now, as a new week beckons, with the prospect of one last applique sample... night night and I hope to hear from you soon.