New Blog

Due to the deteriorating health of my parents and husband, I have, regretfully, decided to close the sales website and the original blog as from the 31st December.  I will continue writing on this new blog, so I hope you will be able to join me for more creative fun in the New Year.

 

This image was taken in 2004 as we rarely get snow in South Devon, which is just as well as we live half way up a very steep hill. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and will have a safe New Year.

Fabric and Felt Cakes

Here are some cakes to get you in the Christmas mood, cakes made from fabric and felt.  It is huge fun making these cakes and you can really get carried away.  The best part is actually buying the cakes - for research, of course - study the cakes in great detail and then eat them!!!  Give it a go, it is very rewarding.  Try making French patisserie cakes, yummy.

 

 Fabric cup cakes

 

Fabric Devon scone with jam and cream, felt battenberg (my son's favourite cake), felt chocolate gateau and felt Devon scone with jam and cream.

 

 

The real thing bought for research!!!  Tarte aux fruits 

West Country Embroiderers Torbay Branch Exhibition

Today I went to the West Country Embroiderers Torbay Branch AGM and Christmas lunch.  This is my branch and we meet once a month and at our Christmas meeting we have a small exhibition.  Firstly we had the AGM, a very relaxed and jolly affair followed by lots of yummy homemade food.  There is plenty of time to discuss embroidery and life in general and admire the items on display.  The images are those which caught my eye.

 

 

 Book covers.  Several layers of organza which are burnt back to reveal the colours of the underneath layers.  Embroidery is then added.

 

 

 

 Picture - Layers of organza with lots of machine stitching.

 

 

 

 A picture made by using the Embellisher with machine and hand embroidery added.  It is possible to create the same effect by needlefelting, it is just slower.

Hand Made Christmas Card

I always make hand made Christmas cards for my family and friends, it shows that you care.  They don't have to be complicated but I usually get carried away!

 

 

 Use a firm cotton fabric as a base

 

 

 

 Lay strips of fabric or Christmas ribbons on top of the fabric.  Anchor the fabric or ribbons with straight stitching or fancy stitches using a variety of threads.  Add additional stitching where required.

 

Cut the stitched fabric into a rectangle to represent a candle.  Attach the rectangle to the card with a narrow strip of double sided sticky tape to anchor it and then stitch through the rectangle and the card using a medium width and medium length zigzag.  Add a star for the flame.

 

This technique could also be used on a larger scale to make a spectacle or mobile phone case or even a small bag.