Butterflies and Bundles

This week I have managed to complete another applique sample for this module (3 down 2 to go - getting there!) and by coincidence it is more butterflies.  It is an applique technique called Broiderie Perse, which essentially means cutting out motifs from one fabric and appliquing them onto a plain one. 

This sample was relatively straight forward and I enjoyed adding the embroidery detail too.  It's a shame that the colours are so muted, but that is the requirement of this module - to work in black and white and grey tones only, so I have done my samples to match.

Which is perhaps why I am so excited about my most recent purchase, a gorgeous fat quarter bundle from ebay, that I just couldn't resist...

I am so in love with these colour combinations, aren't they gorgeous!   I have plans to use them to make a small quilt after I have finished module 4, using ideas from the Sarah Fielke book I have just bought and her previous books, Material Obsession and Material Obsession 2.  I have also just ordered 20 pearl cotton #8 threads on ebay for a mere £7.99, as these are the threads recommended for hand embroidery by Sarah Fielke, and they look absoloutely beautiful on her quilts.  Did I need 20?  Probably not.  But after all, my new year's resolution is to 'Acquire' (see previous post) and who could resist such a bargain?!

Birthday Bits and Bobs

The one good thing about not living near your friends (and the only good thing) is that on special occasions such as birthdays,  exciting parcels turn up in the post (if you have been a good friend that year).  One particularly special gift that arrived was from my very dear and lovely friend Sarah, and I have to say, this is just the perfect present for me!  So here is my lovely surprise...

Hand painted tray, quilitng book, fat quarters, buttons, ribbon and a bookmark

And a special message and hand made heart - lilac, to match my living room

I thought I would also take this opportunity to post a few more pictures of my birthday day, and some of the lovely gifts that I received.

Anyone would think it was Freya's birthday with that cheeky smile!

Cakes from my lovely friend Gemma -  so thoughtful and a lovely surprise

A beautiful bracelet from Freya (with some help from Pete, my wondeful husband)

All my special gifts from my wonderful friends - I thank you all xx

Relaxing at the Howard Davis Park in St Helier

This sums up the day!!

I will post more about my coursework next week, I am feeling really motivated at the moment, and determined to finish the design work and start on some applique samples soon. :-)

A Busy Week and a Big Birthday

I haven't posted for a week or so, not because I have been slacking off, but because I have been so busy working on designs and drawings for my colour module related to the Aztecs. Here are a few pictures of my sketchbook and collages, which I will need to mount into a portolio. 

An Aztec Eagle painted in Acryllics

Painting rearranged and cut up into a collage 

Sketchings

A headdress

An attempt at watercolour (it's difficult!)

In detail

Collage based on the two headed serpent (see previous post)

Sketching of an Aztec God

Acryllic painting of same god

Close up detail - experimenting with colour

More colour experiments

The final design, and my favourite.  Will make into a collage and perhaps a quilt??!

I have also embarked on a few other little projects. The first was to re-organise all my craft things, and I now have two cupboards full of baskets, with (badly!) embroidered labels.  Here is one of the cupboards;

Also, last weekend was a big weekend for me, as I turned the big 3-0.  I was thoroughly spoilt by all my friends and family and I was lucky enough to get some birthday money, which I have put to good use and spend on, you guessed it, lots of craft things.  Here is a little selection of the delights that have been arriving through the post...

More Hungry Caterpillar fabric - I love it!!

And a Christmas one - I couldn't resist

The DVD I have wanted for ages - I watched it online, so inspirational

And finally, I have been making a curtain for the utility room, as it is a very boring, functional room and I thought it needed brightening up.  It is still a work in progress but I did quickly make a runner for the top of the tumble dryer in the same fabric...

Watch this space for the curtain!  Well I think that's enough for one post, but I will post again soon with details of a gorgeous crafty birthday gift that I recieved from a special friend of mine...

A Colourful Display

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had actually done much more reasearch on colour back in the UK before we moved to Jersey than I remembered.  Which left me with a problem; the over-sized leaflets that I planned to use weren't going to be big enough.  So I went back to my primary school teacher roots and decided to produce a large display of all my colour theory, after all, colour is a visual thing and what better way to display it than on large boards.  I had a feeling one board wouldn't be enough so good job I bought two when I was in the shop, and I have managed to fill them both...

I also made a few sneaky purchases on ebay last week, and they have now finally arrived...I am loving them all in equal measure!  I plan to make a little 'story sack' for Freya of the Very Hungry Caterpillar as she has the book and the toy etc.  Although this project is going to have to go on the back burner I think while I am working flat out on my coursework.

My ebay purchases

Will post again soon with my latest work, I am doing some experimenting with colour, and I am also re-organising my craft cupboards (I have more cupboards now that we have moved, I am taking over the utility room!) so I will post photos when my re-organisation is complete.  So far it's looking good!