Stamps Ahead

This weekend I have been watching and creating with talented artists, from around the world, in Free Taster Sessions.  Here are the results of two classes I completed. From a class with Meaghan Early - Fabric Found Word Clusters.  My words were found in an old poetry book and I found myself reciting the poems as I searched for just the right word. This was a class with Lisa Goddard - Affirmation boxes in fabric and paper. This is the front the matchbox (available, if you live in Australia at Spotlight in a pack of 6) - all sides were decorated. I have also used gesso, paint and charms.  Slide the drawer up and here is the middle. Also shown is the back of the box. I have created this box for a friend who is celebrating a milestone birthday and tomorrow we are meeting for lunch - this will be her birthday 'card'.  Rather, than create a specific birthday theme I decided to go with a box that could be opened any day of the year.  I will be making more of these - as...

2 more birthdays this week.  Here are the cards I have made using torn pieces of fabric stitched to a card base and then attached to main card.  1st card was for my sister who turned 70 this week.  I have mentioned previously that her favourite colour is blue.  The '70' has had ink and glossy accents applied. The 2nd card is for a friend who also has a birthday this week.    Thank you for looking, Margaret

 Here are two more photos of slow stitching project I completed for my sister.  She had two very small leather journals and she wanted decorated.    She had a small charm from her favourite city, in the world, Paris that she wanted to apply. This one I finished with a raw edge, instead of my usual blanket stitch.  I wonder if she has not turned that edge under!  Adding the dark spotted remnant of fabric really bought this one to life. Thank you for looking, Margaret Happiness is handmade.

Making the scrap fabric cards the other day, really got my fabric on..... here are some mini projects I made last night and this morning. I started knitting and needlework from an early age. For many years I was a patchwork and embroidery teacher, also completing several commission works and selling at markets.  The call of new car and a holiday beckoned me back to the corporate world.  After 10 years I left to care for my father, teach English overseas and become a lover of papercraft and mixed media. Recently my friend was given a card for her birthday by her aunt (I cannot post that image here) that was embellished with a small, 2" or thereabouts, of stitching.   This got my fingers itching to do some embroidery again.   So, off to the internet I went.  I found references to 'slow stitching', sashiko, and boro stitching that inspired me to get out the needles, embroidery threads, scraps of fabric, lace, beads, etc and get started. The following desc...