Bullion and French Knots...

Free motion embroidery on linen.  Time taken 3 days so far...

Painted the background with Derwent Inktense, soaking areas of fabric for watercolour effect: colours; grass - Teal Green, Apple Green. Sky - Sea Blue. Tree - Baked Earth. 

Machine embroidery tree bark and grasses, dark brown and green thread.

Base Layer

Leaves machined in Emerald thread and filled in with Teal Green Inktense. 

Sun Yellow Inktense added when green was dry, this gave a lovely blends of greens.

French knot embroidery flowers in yellow and lilac 3 strand embroidery thread in the foreground.

Practising on the Colonial knot and the French Knot, both equally lovely to do with the figure 8 knot being relatively smaller and neater in size.

Adding Flowers

Having great fun with the French knotting, beginning to fill the foreground with other colours and flowers.

Bullrushes added with the Bullion stitch, even though there's no water. Just realised I've done this stitch all wrong!! The thread was wrapped around a long stitch several times to create my effect. Oh well, guess each way works so long as it looks ok.

Added fencing in the background and machine stitched some grasses in front, to create a rustic effect, but it looks too uniform.

More details

Vintage Printing Block and Derwent Inktense

I found this gorgeous vintage Indian printing block in Hayle Emporium , an amazing vintage shop selling all sorts of old stuff. I liked the flower and leaf design and bought it on impulse.

I had never printed with this type of block before and did it the way I usually do with a  brayer and Scola Art Print. I used old sheeting to test on and printed a row of flowers and I am pleased with how they turned out.

When the ink dried, Derwent Inktense ink pencils were used to colour in the leaves and petals. Straight off the bat, at first go, I am so thrilled with the results and can't wait to do so much more.  

Bags, aprons, tea towels all spring to mind...

Lens and Filters

Found this in my archives, it was taken on my Canon 10D in 2005. A selection of lens and filters arranged over a light box and shot from above.  I didn't really much notice of it at the time, but looking at it now it actually is quite arty...

A bit of work now in post production to enhance would be interesting. 

mmm... 

Beautiful Cable Knit Reversible Baby Blanket

I am so in love with this blanket that I was loathed to part with it for a customer's new grand-daughter.

The yarn is  'Special' double knit by Stylecraft in Meadow green, and knitted in cable stitch. 

The blanket is backed in beige cotton fabric with delicate tulip flowers and the two materials compliment each other so well. 

And it measures 80cm X100cm - perfect for a cot, tummy time and walking on those cold, cold days.