My Embroidery Learning curve

I have been teaching myself 

free-motion machine embroidery

and really enjoying the process.

This is my chronological embroidery journey.....

So that's is it in a nutshell.
Some of it is on Etsy and some I am putting in
Reverse Garbage's upcoming exhibition
"Thread Count".

If you want to keep up I post much more regularly on Facebook and instagram (elle and lou).

Free Motion Embroidery: 1st timer

I've had a hankering to try my hand at something different.

So I purchased a new foot for my machine

and began to have a small play

 with some fabric sample discards.

 Not to sure where this was going,

I glued it onto some more sample fabric

from Reverse Garbage.

Working over the print with some more

stitching added some much needed detailing.

Time for framing in the hoop.

Finishing the edges.

Fabric glued.

(Note to self- but some more bull dog clips)

Amazing stories:

I'm actually happy with it!

(I might even put it on my wall)

I'm

Here's cheers to 2013 -cherishing this time

Welcome to the New Year!

(even though we are already 8 days into it)

In Australia it is school holidays .

We have been catching up with many family and friends with afternoon barbies and long lunches.

To not be concerned with time and dates

 is indeed a rare treat and to be cherished.

My studio has been neglected,
my sewing machine abandoned,

my creative life paused.

This afternoon, 

I ventured into my studio and

 opened a shoebox.

 I found some bunting I began roughly six months ago.

I think I have forgotten how to stick to a task,

or perhaps I never quite got the hang of it.

 Today I made another 4 triangles

 and so I am a step closer to the end

of this project.

I will finish this bunting before my holidays end,

 but I intend to cherish my

freedom from the clock for as long as possible.

Reindeers and Elves: Handmade Cards

Well, there is a reason for my blogging absence...

Work.

Life.

Family.

and Instagram is faster and more immediate :)

Another reason is my commitment

 to making and gifting handmade this year.

No "Made in China" for me this year.

Oh,  one exception:

 I can't handmake a trampoline for the kids.

Here is a card I made tonight from

a vintage 1976 Golden Book 

 "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"

Are you into Christmas this year?

Or maybe you just couldn't be christmarsed!

(got to love the Urban Dictionary)

Halloween Bunting Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered my halloween giveaway, Steph took it out!

Thanks too to my likers on Facebook 

and supporting me here too of course. 

Since I have been blogging etc

 I have met some great people,

 and been inspired by many more. 

so,thanks!

3 Little Kittens Bunting in a Book

The Three Little Kittens

 story has always been a favourite with me.

So when I happened upon this 1974 Golden Book publication it was destined to become "Bunting in a Book".

I did leave out the pages of the mother cat

 spanking the kittens over her knee, however tempted I was.

I can't wait to find out where this bunting is destined for-

hopefully a sweet little nursery or child's room.

I'd like to think that the new owner will end up loving this story and much as me.

  

I'll bring this bunting and other "Bunting in a Book"

 to the BrisStyle indie Designers Market 

on the 14th July in the heart of Hamilton, Brisbane.

How to make a Robot Mask

How to Make a Robot Mask Tutorial

Art teachers are always being asked to just "whip up" something for someone.

It could be to screen print t-shirts for the cross country team,

make a gigantic fly for a sketch on assembly (true story)

or in this case 12 robot masks for a drama competition.

So even though it is school holidays,

this is what I've been up to.

Begin with a generic paper mask like this one.

They cost about $1 (or less) from art stores.

Grab a pencil and mark out your areas as below.

Get a kraft knife and cut out the eyes

(be careful, your goal is

 to retain your own eyesight and all of your fingers).

With silver acrylic paint,

brush on the eyes, center head and sides of the cheeks.

Mix silver and blue paint together to paint the other areas.

Use black paint and a smaller brush

 to define the feature areas.

Use a cotton bud to dot on 'rivits'

I used off-cut stickers from Reverse Garbage

to create the central detail on the forehead or you could paint something similar.

Too easy- look and it doesn't have to be perfect.

And you could add more, or less as you desire/require.

Metropolis x 12 and now...

to tackle the astronaut helmets.

Sharing this Elle and Lou Post at
Bloom designs
My Creative Space

La Dolce Vita is up-cycling

Now call it opportunistic BUT,

 when the kids are at school is my best chance to...

 ... go through their rooms and throw out crap

- they are such hoarders!

If you have a daughter,

chances are she went through PPP

 (plastic pony phase)

A word of encouragement:

thankfully there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I think my daughter has pretty much outgrown them.

Yesterday, I found this forgotten plastic pony carry case and couldn't help myself

-maybe I can be a hoarder too.

I soaked off the filly brand info and was left with a super  icky sticky but funky green briefcase.

"Movie Classics" has been featuring

 regularly in my up-cycling work lately.

A trim and a tweak,

 some glue and some sealer and...

La Dolce Vita!

Translated:

The Sweet Life or 

The Good Life

Ticket wallets fit perfectly- La Dolce Vita

Linking Elle and Lou here:

http://cheapcraftymama.com/pin-it-and-win-it-7/#comment-1199
http://www.releasemecreate.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com.au/
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.craftionary.net/

Art bangles: A class project for Primary Students

Now it may just be me..

but in my experience,

 the male gender aren't crash hot

 when it comes to buying presents for others.

This week I have been talking

 with quite a few mums

 about what goes on in their home for Mother's day.

Overwhelmingly, this is what happens:

It seems we mums buy our own presents,

subtly side passing them to our partners 

who in turn pass them on to the kids.

This has its benefits-we get what we want!

I know, because I'm getting a funky pair of knee high boots  (Oh! what a surprise!)

But really we mums have don't care about the present,

 it is the thought that counts.

 We are SO cliche sometimes!

Now I teach in a boys' college and I feel I am obliged to TRY and educate the young ones to think about others, especially their mums who do so much for them.

I admit,

 I also wanted to teach them about up-cycling,

artworks from a variety or historical and cultural contexts,

moulding materials and presentation.

So, we embarked on 62 bangles!

This how we did it...

•   We began by soaking extra large paddle pop sticks in water for 24 hours.
• Then carefully, we bent the pop sticks into a curve and put them in a small glass to dry for 24 hours. Some broke or splintered, but we had extras.

• Next, the boys looked through old Art books and journals that were destined for the recycle bin. As they looked at the artworks spontaneous conversations, questions and analysis evolved. They chose an artwork that would become the feature of the gift tag and bangle.

• A flat paddle pop stick was used as a template. Placing it onto the chosen artwork, they traced around the shape, cut out the art image and Mod Podged it onto the bangle. They sealed the outside of the bangle with Mod Podge also. 

• To make the gift tag the boys used a circle punch to select a matching image. This was then glued on blue industrial offcuts. 
• They punched white paper for the reverse side, glued it and wrote a sweet message for their mum.
• Then the boys punched a small hole and inserted the string. 

•  Finally the boys wrapped the bangle, inserting the information note below.

I know the boys' mothers will appreciate the care their sons have taken in creating this gift for them and the boys were very proud of what they achieved.

Incidentally, this activity also gave the boys practice with their fine motor skills such as cutting, tracing and accuracy. Never underestimate how many primary students struggle with these simple tasks!

Anyhoot- Happy Mothers Day!

Post Note: my children made me some gorgeous Mother's  Day cards, as did my wonderful husband AND my knee high boots are a perfect fit...who would have thunk it ;)

Also, the original pop bangle idea is not mine it came from the creative  Tara at Craft Affection.

Sharing this Elle and Lou post here:
http://www.kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/
http://cheapcraftymama.com/pin-it-and-win-it-7/#comment-1199
http://www.releasemecreate.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com.au/
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.craftionary.net/