About Me
- BJ
- Hi, Welcome to my Blog. I'm an eclectic kind of crafter delving into many pots. I am just about managing to keep up my Scrapbooking Diary (usually about 6 months behind), plus any cards as required. I have a new found love of Watercolour and Bible Journaling plus recently Faith/Art Journaling too. I've challenged myself to make an art journal page a day for this my 60th year. Previously I've also dabbled in ATCs, Tags, Altered Books, Mixed Media, Décopatch, Knitting, Crochet, and Embroidery amongst other things. I live in Surrey, UK with my husband, our son has left home now. For exercise I usually play Badminton and go Ballroom and Latin Dancing. I also like walking/Geocaching and sometimes do a bit of Bouncing on my Rebounder (mini trampoline). I have been learning to play the harp for the past 10yrs. I am now officially retired. I am a born again Christian, currently worshiping at my local Vineyard Church.
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
WOYWW #408 - Not just Embroidery
Desk is adorned with new kitchen roll, well you always need one of those for crafting!
Also a leaflet about badminton sessions called "No Strings" which are pay and play sessions with no club ties.
I have been volunteering for a local mental health charity with badminton sessions in conjunction with Badminton England.
Embroidery has been developing slowly this week.
I make sure I manage at least one length of thread a day at least.
I managed a scrapbook layout as well.
AND I also did the garden! Here's what I put in it. It looks and smells like Cadbury Mini Eggs now.
My medication seems to be working so far, I am so much happier and able to do stuff without being knocked back by Aunty Flow, 40 days and counting since the last onslaught.
Labels:
Badminton,
Embroidery,
Gardening,
Scrapbooking,
WOYWW
Sunday, 26 March 2017
Embroidery - Week 3
Been mainly adding to the sun this week, so not quite so dramatic as last week so here's just Monday's and today's photos for comparison.
Labels:
1yearofstitches,
Embroidery
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
WOYWW #407 - Still Embroidery
My desk on this horrid rainy day, thank goodness for my SAD light!
My scrapping has taken a back burner somewhat.
However I did make this tag for a SWAP on the theme of "Faces"
In return I received this quite delightful take on the theme.
Labels:
1yearofstitches,
Embroidery,
SWAP,
WOYWW
Sunday, 19 March 2017
Embroidery - Week 2
Done loads this week.
Monday I stamped a couple of dragon flies and started my purple with them.
Tuesday I decided to use metallic thread but it took an age!
Wednesday reverted to cotton thread.
Thursday thought I'd fill the remaining space with a sun in the various colours of the colour wheel left, using ribbons and a padded appliqué sun. I did LOADS of the rays in the ribbons and stitches.
Friday went geocaching so only added a few rays in the pink.
Saturday more rays...
Sunday and a couple of die cut appliquéd butterflies.
I have a few spaces to fill but expect it will be done by next week.
Now what am I going to do for the rest of the year of stitches? Perhaps I'll get back to my scrapbooking instead, especially as my right thumb is aching.
Monday I stamped a couple of dragon flies and started my purple with them.
Tuesday I decided to use metallic thread but it took an age!
Wednesday reverted to cotton thread.
Thursday thought I'd fill the remaining space with a sun in the various colours of the colour wheel left, using ribbons and a padded appliqué sun. I did LOADS of the rays in the ribbons and stitches.
Friday went geocaching so only added a few rays in the pink.
Saturday more rays...
Sunday and a couple of die cut appliquéd butterflies.
I have a few spaces to fill but expect it will be done by next week.
Now what am I going to do for the rest of the year of stitches? Perhaps I'll get back to my scrapbooking instead, especially as my right thumb is aching.
Labels:
1yearofstitches,
Embroidery
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
WOYWW #406 - More Embroidery
I think the embroidery has taken centre stage this week.
It certainly has evolved and I have a vague plan now - the colour wheel!
My daily progress can be seen on my previous post.
I stamped the dragonflies before filling them in with stitches. Who knew stamping would transfer to embroidery?
The spirals are being done with purple metallic thread so are taking an age...
Also I have moved the lounge round so we sit on the opposite sides of the sofas and having moved my harp have actually played it this week. Must have been months since I did last.
Planted a few plants in the garden too.
Spring is definitely in the air round here.
It certainly has evolved and I have a vague plan now - the colour wheel!
My daily progress can be seen on my previous post.
I stamped the dragonflies before filling them in with stitches. Who knew stamping would transfer to embroidery?
The spirals are being done with purple metallic thread so are taking an age...
Also I have moved the lounge round so we sit on the opposite sides of the sofas and having moved my harp have actually played it this week. Must have been months since I did last.
Planted a few plants in the garden too.
Spring is definitely in the air round here.
Labels:
Embroidery,
Gardening,
Harp
Sunday, 12 March 2017
Embroidery - Week 1
I don't think my 10" embroidery hoop will last me the year of stitches after all as I have quite got into this melarky and I'd say a third of my blank tablecloth is stitched now!
Here's what I have been up to since my last WOYWW post on Wednesday and my initial start of this challenge on Monday.
I started with no real plan and just embroidered with lime green and Stem Stitch round an ivy leaf from the tablecloth design, then as per usual, the colour theme hit me!
Here's my colour plan!!!
So I did some turquoise Feather Stitch which turned into the sea, with its own little fish.
Some wispy green grasses followed, with Wheatear and Fly Stitches.
And then the sea grew with a shell and wave cut from felt with my trusty Cuttlebug and dies.
Plus Chain Stitch, Cable Chain Stitch, Running Stitch, Chevron Stitch, Bullion Stitch and a myriad of French Knots.
Really pleased but think it might become
"1 Month of Stitches" - LOL.
Here's what I have been up to since my last WOYWW post on Wednesday and my initial start of this challenge on Monday.
I started with no real plan and just embroidered with lime green and Stem Stitch round an ivy leaf from the tablecloth design, then as per usual, the colour theme hit me!
Here's my colour plan!!!
So I did some turquoise Feather Stitch which turned into the sea, with its own little fish.
Some wispy green grasses followed, with Wheatear and Fly Stitches.
And then the sea grew with a shell and wave cut from felt with my trusty Cuttlebug and dies.
Plus Chain Stitch, Cable Chain Stitch, Running Stitch, Chevron Stitch, Bullion Stitch and a myriad of French Knots.
Really pleased but think it might become
"1 Month of Stitches" - LOL.
Labels:
1yearofstitches,
Embroidery
Wednesday, 8 March 2017
WOYWW #405 - Embroidery
Well who've thought it, me back at embroidery! Did a lot back in my teens from kits, following a printed pattern, so nothing quite like this!
Been inspired by Jan and the 1 year of stitches challenge so set to on Monday, and am just going with the flow....
The fabric is a piece of old table cloth with an ivy design in the weave so I started with that, all outlined on my previous post - here.
Also saw my GP on Monday and am trying out some new medication to try and sort out my ageing female reproductive system! Find it quite laughable to be "on the pill" at 53yrs!! We'll see, not worked before!
The other MAJOR thing on my desk is my new Ed Sheeran CD - Divide.
LOVE IT LOADS.
Been inspired by Jan and the 1 year of stitches challenge so set to on Monday, and am just going with the flow....
The fabric is a piece of old table cloth with an ivy design in the weave so I started with that, all outlined on my previous post - here.
Also saw my GP on Monday and am trying out some new medication to try and sort out my ageing female reproductive system! Find it quite laughable to be "on the pill" at 53yrs!! We'll see, not worked before!
The other MAJOR thing on my desk is my new Ed Sheeran CD - Divide.
LOVE IT LOADS.
Labels:
1yearofstitches,
Embroidery,
Music,
WOYWW
Monday, 6 March 2017
1 Year of Stitches
OK so I am a bit late for the start of 2017 but I was so inspired by a friend's work that I just HAD to start one of my own.
So my 1 Year of Stitches begins with a scrap of old white table cloth with an intrinsic ivy leaf design.
I have no plan whatsoever and am just going with the flow.
Started with some Stem Stitch around one of the leaves, then a glance in the book to find an embellished Stem Stitch called Portuguese Stem Stitch to do the veins in the leaf.
Well that is day one done.
So my 1 Year of Stitches begins with a scrap of old white table cloth with an intrinsic ivy leaf design.
My 10" hoop, my trusty embroidery book and the gifted embroidery threads I got in January via Streetlife (which is sadly no more).
I have no plan whatsoever and am just going with the flow.
Started with some Stem Stitch around one of the leaves, then a glance in the book to find an embellished Stem Stitch called Portuguese Stem Stitch to do the veins in the leaf.
Well that is day one done.
Labels:
1yearofstitches,
Embroidery
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
WOYWW #404 - More Presents
My desk - as is - Tuesday evening before badminton!
I made four cards from the TH multi media dies from last week, then a journal page on the same theme.
I finally did the 8x8 scrapbook page of my pregnancy, to back my wedding page as our only son was a honeymoon surprise!
The BIG Pink Envelope is from my 19th Anniversary Card yesterday (gosh February was a busy month).
As for the "More Presents" a friend took me on a Magical Mystery Tour to Hobbycraft, where she gave me a basket and said I could choose whatever I liked.
I got a new Tim Holtz (TH) alphabet Boardwalk, a couple of XCut mini die sets (exclusive to Hobbycraft, Travel & Haberdashery) a mini flower punch and some silver stickles.
Here are the cards I made with my TH multi Media dies. Sunshine and Moonlight, Buzz and Splash.
I checked out my stencil stash and found I had one the same as one die and 3 others which were a good match.
So decided to "replicate" the cards into a journal page...
And here's that scrapbook page too.
Labels:
Cards,
Dies,
Scrapbooking,
WOYWW
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