Trying out the decorative stitches on my new Janome machine … I ran lines of stitches across a panel of denim cut from an old pair of jeans
I decided to turn the sampler into a mat so backed it with another denim panel then bound the edges with some ancient tape
The use it up campaign continues with one of many surplus photo frames used to mount a little cross stitch.
Once the chosen phrase is charted out to get the letters centred I can work out the size of fabric required and then choose a frame big enough so I can add cross stitch decoration.
Essential tools:
Friction heat erasable pens help me centre the lettering and position the stitching.
Graph paper to write out the wording and get the spacing right.
Embroidery frame to keep the fabric straight.
ribbon roses (from the tags cut from new clothes), satin stitch leaves, French knots and a few scattered cross stitches made this a basic, but pretty little stitch project.
I hot glued some felt to the hoop to cover my workings in the back.
These little dishes were made by lining a saucer with cling film to make a mould, then mosaic-ing small, flat pieces of seaglass together in a sort of free style jigsaw leaving as few gaps as I could.
To stick it together I brushed uv resin over and set it before peeling the sea glass from the cling film (comes off quite cleanly) brushing more resin on the underside and setting that.
Final stages involve more thin layers of resin on both sides to smooth over dips and fill little gaps.
The first dish was thicker and had a more crinkly surface. For the second dish I used slimmer glass and less resin. Not sure which I like best.
These are both sturdy and stable as well as being useful. only took about an hour from start to finish.
I found a whole box of red serviettes in the Christmas decorations box so decided to try and use lots up.
So far, I have wrapped a few items with an outer wrap of snowflake acetate I have a large roll of.
I also made up a set of Father Christmas holders which will be gifted too.
Now need ideas for the last 40 red serviettes!
From a candle making workshop I have decorations ready to go.
The card list is shrinking as people choose not to send and receive cards… but I keep making for those we don’t see and who aren’t into electronic messages.
Most are upcycled from last year’s received cards with the rest made with long held supplies. In this case cross stitch fabric. The goal is to use what I have!
Now to face up to the postage costs and get them off in the mail…
Simple to make and will hold a little gift whether made from felt as here or sturdy paper
On folded material (with fold at the bottom) cut two of the pattern below. I usually do two contrasting colours
And just inter weave the ‘fingers’ or lengths to create the pocket. Surprisingly solid when you finish.
I add a simple handle, glued or stitched depending on the intended use.
Instead of opening a calendar I am doing/ making something festive for Advent.
Today I start with a clove studded orange. It scents the room with a gentle festive aroma.
I also used some brads to bling it up. Many more left in the box!
I usually hang these but this giant orange (from an Olio collection) would be too heavy so it now sits on the mantelpiece.
Circles of felt cut with a die
(as I am not neat enough with scissors.)
Embroidered on one piece and then sandwiched around a circle of cardboard for stability
Blanket stitch around the edge of the sandwich and fix on a safety pin to finish.
I also made a sequin tree brooch while trying to clear out some of the surplus I found.
janecrafts 