tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21962008091718691182011-12-28T15:17:43.766+08:00Ramblings of a City and Guilds textile student and passionate embroidererThimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.comBlogger871100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-22651848358887479322011-12-24T20:52:00.000+08:002011-12-24T20:52:46.503+08:00

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my blog friends for your support throughout the past year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the coming year.  May you all find the time to tell those you love just how much they mean to you.For us, this Christmas is a mixed up one.  This past week has been a very difficult one for our family.  My mother underwent an operation

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-49353619232455631552011-12-17T14:49:00.000+08:002011-12-17T14:49:27.669+08:00

I'll just see if there's anything for me ...Hhmmmm .... this one smells interestingOh oh!!  Busted!!!Can't I just open one of themWhat do you mean, eight more sleeps ??!!Okay, I'll just wait then.

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-67699178118424347652011-12-12T23:31:00.000+08:002011-12-12T23:31:07.561+08:00

Yep, Morris the Moose and his friends have come out of the closet to share the festive time with us.I've just spent the past three days putting up Christmas decorations, and for some reason I've gone a bit silly this year .... suddenly the Christmas spirit and excitement is back - something I've not felt for quite a few years.  I've covered almost every conceivable surface with something sparkly

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-75902617482699428802011-11-30T09:31:00.000+08:002011-11-30T09:31:50.676+08:00

My set of accessories for Module 11 were a felted hat and woollen shawl.  I'd only ever made one hat before (remember the "brain" hat in a previous post ... or as some thought - a world globe on my head!!) and was a bit nervous about making another but I'm happier with Take 2.This is my lovely daughter in law, Jess, modelling the accessories for me.I based my design on Module 2 - Shape.  The

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-88924990147898102382011-11-26T18:25:00.000+08:002011-11-26T18:25:54.913+08:00

Finally, I completed Module 11 and sent it off yesterday for assessment.  I couldn't believe it'd taken me almost a year to do, which means I can't dilly dally with Module 12 as I want to get it all finished by cut off in May.I can now show you some of the finished pieces I submitted.  This one above is my experimental cut work done with hand made felts.  Unfortunately the photo doesn't do it

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-78021510105920116742011-11-04T10:24:00.000+08:002011-11-04T10:24:06.864+08:00

Sammy's never been one for coming into my studio ... until recently.  Now I can't get him out.He decided he wanted to come in and help me.We call him the QA Controller, as he always has to check out everything we do, usually after we've gone he snoops around and does his final inspection, but this day he decided to sit with me and make sure I was doing my sewing to his standards. He seems quite

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-89177828596959904442011-10-15T09:50:00.000+08:002011-10-15T09:50:25.095+08:00

I finished my second attempt at the experimental needle weaving and this one is much better ... and it was quicker.  Some times things just come together.  I find the more I think of a design, the harder it is to make it work, but the ones that just pop into my head when I'm least expecting it always seem to work out better. 

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-26805794613726032182011-10-01T16:59:00.000+08:002011-10-01T16:59:31.177+08:00

Work's progressing on my set of accessories .... I've gone a bit square for this one!And I still can't seem to break away from my favourite colours. The fiddly work has been done, just need to put it all together now. I'd planned to do some whilst watching the AFL Grand Final .... but when the finals on, its hard to concentrate on anything else.

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-71802497599041842011-09-30T10:59:00.000+08:002011-09-30T10:59:55.364+08:00

Its funny how you always find the right things when you're not looking.  I was walking Bonnie a few weeks ago and found this chunk of wood in some mulch around a tree she was sniffing at, and instantly liked it. I'd been getting frustrated how I could finish off my experimental drawn thread piece and then like magic, I found the wood and knew it would work perfectly for me. I have to say I'm glad

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-81624108564254703142011-09-29T13:52:00.000+08:002011-09-29T13:52:40.296+08:00

I've been plugging away at this experimental needleweaving for a couple of months now, continuously adding things to it and hoping it will morph into something appealing and attractive, until two days ago when I finally accepted that it just wasn't working.It looks like I've plonked lots of different techniques on there, which in fact, I have, and no matter  how hard I hope it will look arty and

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-25424684140694015332011-08-31T21:08:00.001+08:002011-08-31T21:11:03.909+08:00

This week everything got put aside so I could make three new quilt covers and pillow cases for our new grandson.  I've not done any home making or dress making for years so it was a good test for me to see what I could remember and dust off some cobwebs.Daughter-in-law was well chuffed with the results, and I must say I surprised myself and was quite pleased with them too.  Above is just one of

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-66717237737100966702011-08-14T11:46:00.000+08:002011-08-14T11:46:01.832+08:00

Sorry I've been away so long, but my hands haven't been idle.  I have managed to complete my experimental cutwork sample for Module 11.  I used two layers of handmade felt and a multicoloured thread.I don't want to give away too much info yet until I've lodged my design for assessment, so I'm just giving you a little peak at part of the design.  Hopefully it won't be long until I've got the whole

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-54696405122398360212011-07-01T09:50:00.000+08:002011-07-01T09:50:32.993+08:00

Not only is red cabbage yummy to eat but its a good friend to the budding dyer!  I love to cook it with apples, onions, brown sugar and red wine vinegar (as shown below) and it goes exceptionally well with pork, but I think its going to work well with my natural dyeing experiments.I say "think" because I haven't as yet completed the experiment.  I only used half a cabbage for cooking, so threw

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-53722705521297099942011-06-15T14:49:00.001+08:002011-06-16T10:42:11.601+08:00

 This past week I've managed to make some progress on my experimental drawn thread sample, and hope to have it completed by the end of next week.I've used a scrap of fabric that I get from my local curtain shop - they let me have old sample books for free and the sizes of fabric in them are perfect for small design work.  I rust dyed this fabric a year or two ago when I first tried my hand at

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-48509570918069550662011-06-08T21:06:00.000+08:002011-06-08T21:06:04.135+08:00

I think I'm getting my groove back and into the frame of mind where I feel creative again.  I'm on my way with my experimental drawn thread, but its not at a stage worth showing you yet.  In the meantime I got a burst of energy and enthusiasm to try some natural dyeing techniques.Above is the pot (or cauldron) that I cackle over ... filled with fabrics and threads soaking up a dye solution made

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-27580856063189938612011-05-30T10:51:00.000+08:002011-05-30T10:51:16.390+08:00

After what seems like the longest summer ever, Autumn has finally arrived ... a bit late, but better late than never, so I'm busy every day raking up leaves.  What seems like a chore to me is an absolute joy to my grandson.  I couldn't help but laugh and wish that I too, was young enough to be able to sit in a pile of leaves and play about in them without the neighbours thinking I was a complete

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-53795468621474346452011-05-21T23:18:00.000+08:002011-05-21T23:18:12.003+08:00

I had an inspirational week last week.  My Monday class at Needle Ny-dle Noo in North Perth flew by.  I love teaching and the time went so fast.They are a nice group of ladies and after a shaky start in week one they all settled into their embroidery with renewed confidence.  The first week was daunting as they were stitching the badgers body and basically, it just looks a bit of a blob until the

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-58326574707454912562011-05-17T13:50:00.002+08:002011-05-17T13:53:23.657+08:00

In the past few days I decided to have a bit of play time with my embellisher.  I used a square embroidery frame to do some weaving with a ball of multicoloured wool I found in my cupboard.Then I hammered it with the embellisher.  It blended together well - blurring the back, but not the front, and left me with a really strong fabric.  It needs something else though ... I think I might have a go

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-74423623441293671442011-05-08T23:41:00.000+08:002011-05-08T23:41:05.712+08:00

To all the mums, step-mums, grandmums, and mums-to-be ... I hope you all had a wonderful day today.  I'm lucky to be able to say that my own mum is also my best friend, which is something that is becoming rare in todays fractured society.  My own family gave me a lovely day ... all visiting and spending time with me, wonderful cards with heartfelt words, chocolate roses, and dinner cooked by

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-81834438173580751772011-05-05T11:16:00.000+08:002011-05-05T11:16:05.080+08:00

Such a lot has been happening lately, but not creatively.  I can't seem to get my mojo back to do my experimental pieces, its something that needs time to play and think about, but I seem to have something to do every day lately and only a few hours to fit in my C&G work, and I can't seem to relax and get any ideas.Last week we welcomed our 5th grandchild, a little boy.  So beautiful.  The

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-9814549087459372822011-04-23T15:16:00.000+08:002011-04-23T15:16:36.286+08:00

In a previous post I'd talked about visiting Edenvale and trying to see a family of possums who lived there, to no avail, but last Sunday I was once again at Edenvale having a look at an arts and crafts festival and decided to enquire if the possums were still around.The young girl from the cafe went outside to have a look and spotted a tail.  She went back into the cafe and came back out with

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-1673833755430648892011-04-17T11:47:00.000+08:002011-04-17T11:47:39.405+08:00

My sister's mother-in-law recently passed away at the age of 93.  She was a wonderful lady and is surely missed.  MIL (as I'll refer to her - mother-in-law) was first generation Australian of Italian heritage, and her famiily made a tremendous mark on the history of this state.  She came from a large family, and family was the most important thing to her.  Recently her daughter has come across

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-85892333784159668752011-04-12T12:33:00.000+08:002011-04-12T12:33:45.653+08:00

In Rememberance of wee Archie ... who brought so many smiles to so many of us ...may he Rest in Peace.Thoughts go out to his familyhttp://feltedhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/heartbreaking-farewell-to-archie.htmlWith love x

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-37656830116443964062011-04-09T15:03:00.000+08:002011-04-09T15:03:48.143+08:00

It's funny how things turn out sometimes.  During the stitching process I really didn't like my embroidery on this cutwork sample.  I thought it was untidy and too lumpy and I got a bit fed up of it.But once I cut out the negative spaces and washed and pressed it, I was pleasantly surprised and actually like it a lot now.  I have a feeling it'll be something I do again in the future.  The longest

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-82480874450321714782011-04-03T12:11:00.000+08:002011-04-03T12:11:52.065+08:00

I thought I was making good progress lately - all I seem to do is sit and stitch at the moment, but I found out yesterday that the cut off date for this year is first week of May.  I have to finish Module 11 and complete all of 12 by then ... somehow I don't think I stand a chance of finishing this year.I've finished the traditional pulled thread sample, drawn thread sample (above) and

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-25569760810120865032011-03-14T15:32:00.000+08:002011-03-14T15:32:15.099+08:00

Another 18 colours of Au Ver a Soie, Soie D'Alger threads have been added to my product list on my website - including those colours required to stitch "True Love" by Susan O'Connor as shown in Issue 68 of Inspirations magazine.

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-29477236493178590942011-03-01T10:48:00.001+08:002011-03-01T10:50:35.972+08:00

Suffering through the hottest summer on record isn't conducive to fine hand work ... I'm either wet through with sweat, irritable and bad tempered, or just plain lethargic and can't be bothered.  But, I have made an attempt on my drawn thread work for Module 11. It's been a long time since I did such fine work and I'm finding it difficult on my eyes, despite using a magnifier, but I do love this

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-11929665370939794382011-02-16T11:52:00.000+08:002011-02-16T11:52:52.635+08:00

I've decided not to bore you silly with any more posts about my Singapore holiday, other than to share this lotus flower with you.  It was next to the pool and I could see it from my apartment window, so each day I would go down and photograph its progress, from bud ... to starting to open ....... to revealing its beauty ...... to fully opening for the world to see.Then no sooner had

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-73827781704124135382011-01-18T14:32:00.002+08:002011-01-18T14:43:11.274+08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and hope that 2011 brings good health and happiness to you all.We spent an enjoyable, but different, Christmas in Singapore.  It was strange to be away from family and friends, but nice to relax and spend some quality time together.  As always I LOVE Singapore!  It's one of my favourite places and I always feel at home there, and this trip

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-81825051540157745512010-12-20T22:07:00.000+08:002010-12-20T22:07:20.211+08:00

Sorry no photos this time.  Life's been a bit of a roller coaster lately.  Sammy's had his 3rd operation since September and doesn't seem to be getting better.  He's got megacolon, which seemingly is common in cats.  We're on the last resort at the moment with some special medicine that hopefully will kick start his colon into doing what it should.  Other than this hiccup all his organs are

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-72654940110886235402010-11-15T11:47:00.000+08:002010-11-15T11:47:18.491+08:00

A few months ago I had an unexpected phone call, inviting me to be the guest speaker at the Mandurah Antiques and Collectables Club.I've been collecting Chinese textiles since living in Singapore in 2000.In the past I've approached the WA Embroiderer's Guild  numerous times, to display them, but no-one has ever taken me up on the offer, which has been disappointing.One of the highlights of

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-30819599077345570792010-11-05T18:22:00.000+08:002010-11-05T18:22:27.728+08:00

No I haven't fallen off the face of the planet ... I've been in hibernation trying to get Module 10 finished. Well ... that's not exactly true, I have been working at this module as much as possible, but also been running around doing loads of other things and haven't had any spare time to blog, or read anyone else's blogs for that matter, so I do apologise for the lack of comments.   I plan to

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-20142864302882335402010-09-21T14:25:00.000+08:002010-09-21T14:25:13.363+08:00

It'd been a month since we'd last had a Sunday outing, so last weekend we set off with daughter and granddaughter for a Spring outing at Araluen.Araluen is a Botanical Park set on 60 hectares in the valley of Roleystone, and each Spring it blooms with tulips, daffodils, bluebells, poppies, pansies and many more, as well as the established rhodedendrums, azaleas, camelias, magnolias and blossom

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-25932430468342960172010-09-19T10:25:00.001+08:002010-09-19T10:30:55.552+08:00

My noodle box is finally complete, and I have to say I'm quite chuffed with it.  It's a "noodle box" by name only, and intended as a storage box.   I was going to put a handle on it, but I think it would detract from the design work, so I've decided to leave it as it is.I'm not a beader and am a bit ignorant to the ways of stringing beads, but I persevered and finally got two tassels that I liked

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-30801942104578489242010-09-16T10:26:00.000+08:002010-09-16T10:26:45.695+08:00

Winter came and went in a flash this year.  The amount of rain we had is hardly worth mentioning, but we did have extra cold nights and mornings.  Now Springs is here ....let the battle begin .... In one corner is medium-weight fighter Thimble Fingers - in the opposing corner are: water restrictions, aphids, rose chomping parrots, clover and double G's, and mosquitoes. Armed with every concoction

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-8452897715182768472010-09-13T12:04:00.000+08:002010-09-13T12:04:59.015+08:00

Thank you for all the lovely messages of support for wee Sammy, I really appreciate it, and it helps to know there are people out there who understand.  My little man has had a rough time of it and is still quite poorly, but getting better slowly.  He's on more medication that a hyperchondriac and I've yet to master the skill of giving a cat a tablet.  Fortunately the vet changed the antibiotics

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-61159485810058823102010-09-09T09:30:00.000+08:002010-09-09T09:30:49.253+08:00

Everyone's lives are full of high's and low's and mine is no different.  Full of enthusiasm I cracked on with the noodle box.  The machine lace was hand tacked to the dyed purple fabric, then attached to pelmet vilene and cut to shape.  From there it was many hours of hand stitching blocks of straight stitches all over.  The inside lining of the box was the same without the machine lace.Then the

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-62217988778427496092010-09-05T20:05:00.000+08:002010-09-05T20:05:01.088+08:00

Last Sunday's outing was to a Hot Rod exhibition at the Burswood Dome.  Cars aren't normally my idea of an exciting day out, but as hubby supports my interests, its only fair I support his, so off we went - me armed with camera as usual.There were some amazing vehicles there, and I have to confess to a love of the old gangster style cars.The engines and wheels bored me, but the paint work was

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-20431725256719849512010-08-18T12:50:00.000+08:002010-08-18T12:50:39.788+08:00

I often read of people wanting a workroom or studio of their own to work in, and I'm fortunate enough to have one.  It used to be a semi open area next to our pool but hubby turned it into a dedicated work room for me.  I'd completely out grown the spare bedroom, taken over the lounge room, covered the dining table, and was working my way through the rest of the house when hubby said "you need

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-88913492777327341682010-08-15T10:47:00.000+08:002010-08-15T10:47:01.666+08:00

After 23 hours of sitting hunched over my sewing machine, like a frenzied witch over her cauldron, I've finally finished the machine lace.  A close up view of the fossils all linked together.  I'm now in the process of stitching it to a fabric base ... more pics to come later.For a break away from the machine, and to stretch my legs, hubby and I took a drive out to Fairbridge yesterday.  Despite

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-24902553082061613192010-08-11T12:25:00.000+08:002010-08-11T12:25:21.687+08:00

So far, I've spent 17 hours stitching away, bent over a sewing machine, to make my fossil lace, and I'm still only half way there.  Why oh why do I start these things ... do you think I'll ever learn to do a quick and simple project for a change.  Mine always seem to involve hundreds of hours of creation. Saturday afternoon was a dyeing day - trying to get the right colour fabric to match my

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-87257640399749268732010-08-10T10:29:00.000+08:002010-08-10T10:29:34.042+08:00

The other Sunday hubby and I decided to have a break from the decorating and took a run out into the hills.  We went to Serpentine Dam firstly, which is horrifying low on water, and had a cuppa and a cake.  However, two Japanese tourists next to us bought some bird seed to feed the local wildlife, and while it was amusing at first it soon turned into a scene from Alfred Hitchcocks "The Birds" ...

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-38763255547212351352010-07-31T10:46:00.001+08:002010-07-31T10:55:15.078+08:00

I have to take my hat off to True Blue Exhibitions and all the exhibitors at this years WA Craft, Quilt & Stitch show for giving us one of the best shows we've had for a long time.  Instead of going home jaded and disappointed from seeing the same old thing, yesterday I went home full of inspiration and a head full of information and ideas. It was set out well so we could get around the stalls

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-35923330966600935332010-07-29T11:42:00.000+08:002010-07-29T11:42:06.648+08:00

What a busy few weeks we've had.  I've hardly had chance to read blogs, let alone make any posts.  Hubbie's been on 2 weeks holidays so we decided to redecorate the kitchen/dining/lounge area.  Being optimistic we thought we'd knock it off in a week and still have time for gardening and maybe a few days away down south ...HA! it took almost all the 2 weeks to finish the decorating.  It was a

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-12989289569999789932010-07-10T15:22:00.000+08:002010-07-10T15:22:50.458+08:00

I had my second attempt at making a felt hat on the weekend.  The first one was so awful I wouldn't dare subject you to it ... this one was a vast improvement, but I know I'm not there yet.  One of my items of accessories for Module 9 is a cloche hat, so I needed to see if I could make one before I submitted my design ideas. After 2 months of hunting through libraries and the internet I found a

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-29598044731965768922010-07-05T16:19:00.000+08:002010-07-05T16:19:36.014+08:00

During my weekend break in Brisbane, despite being bogged down with a winter cold, I did manage to get out and about quite a bit and have a good look around at all the things I wanted to see.  One of which was the Ron Mueck exhibition at the Brisbane Modern Art Gallery. Ron creates amazing life like sculptures from fibreglass and resin, and places each hair into the sculptures one by one ... its

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-75674775436298591482010-07-01T11:05:00.000+08:002010-07-01T11:05:36.498+08:00

I've just been over to Brisbane for 4 days, unfortunately the flu came along as an unwanted visitor which put a dampner on the weekend, but I did have a nice time and saw something really funny on the Pacific Highway, on our way to Surfers Paradise. Legally you have to tie your dog to the back of your ute/truck so that they don't jump or fall off.  Most dogs love sitting in the back tray,

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-36314368823225937452010-06-21T13:53:00.000+08:002010-06-21T13:53:55.473+08:00

Thank you to everyone who sent lovely comments about my wall hanging - when you're riddled with self doubt its very uplifting to have positive feedback, so thank you !I'm still working like mad on the paperwork side of the module and hope to get it all done by Wednesday so that I can go to Brisbane for the weekend and enjoy the Textile Fair over there (and not forgetting catching up with hubby).

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-42251078440964406122010-05-29T21:31:00.001+08:002010-05-29T21:35:51.831+08:00

Yes, it's done!  Finally!  The wall hanging is complete.  65 hours and many bars of chocolate later .... but, I am pleased with it.  I like the colours and the balance.  I know its quite representational, but ... that's me! This is my piece that contains mostly hand stitching, and boy ... was there a lot of it.  So hopefully the next assignment will be quicker with more machine stitching.My

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-48150950753350933992010-05-05T13:19:00.002+08:002010-05-05T13:24:02.701+08:00

Wow ... April just flew by and I only managed 3 blog posts.  I can't believe how fast the weeks are whizzing by, and the years too.  I got an email from SST telling me my C&G registration had expired and I needed to re-register to continue the course.  Panic set in !!  I really do need to get cracking and finish the course, I'm so close, so  its been head down and bum up for the past few days.

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-76103230377610750242010-04-11T14:01:00.001+08:002010-04-11T14:07:00.500+08:00

Do you ever have those times when you start something and then wonder why you made life difficult for yourself? I have !!  I decided to hand stitch the scroll using a brick stitch, similar to the design etched on the Viking shield that had inspired me, but! .... 9 1/2 hours later .....I wondered what had possessed me. I hate unpicking so continued, and finally finished it.  I'm happy with it, 

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-3637647465982778512010-04-07T10:53:00.000+08:002010-04-07T10:53:19.542+08:00

I hope you all had a lovely Easter.  Thanks to that pesky wabbit my 2 weeks of starving and losing 1.3 kg has all been a waste of time - after chomping through tonnes of chocolate over the weekend I've put it all back on again .... oh well, it was fun at the time (eating the chocolate ... NOT the dieting!!).  So here we go again, counting calories and eating salads ... ho hum. I'm sure sitting on

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-41768560704301684842010-04-02T08:41:00.002+08:002010-04-02T08:41:49.231+08:00

Have a happy and safe Easter.With love x

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-16014356552698014972010-03-31T09:40:00.001+08:002010-03-31T09:43:34.964+08:00

I've been a bit slack with my drawing and journal side of the studies, so thought I'd spent a quiet Sunday catching up.  I'm trying to do an art journal of our holiday to the UK in 2008, so I set up the laptop with our holiday snaps on and started copying some of the things that appealed to me, like all the lovely flowers that were out at the time. I like drawing, but find it difficult.  I know

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-246157180641296952010-03-25T21:06:00.000+08:002010-03-25T21:06:38.326+08:00

Today was a productive day, but a bit slow.  Everything took a long time to do.  I coloured my paper cast of the Saxon cross with Treasure Gold Classic, then rubbed a purple Shiva stick over the raised motifs.  Now I've got to allow 48 hours for the shiva stick to dry.So whilst that's drying I got on with the background fabric.  I chose a wool plaid for the ground fabric but still wanted to

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-76413321831987804602010-03-24T21:12:00.000+08:002010-03-24T21:12:04.822+08:00

Before commencing my wall hanging I decided to finish off my crazy patchwork sample to be a stand alone sample, finished as a mini quilt.  I did this with the folded star window, but didn't quite get the corners of the  binding right, so I tried again, determined to master the mitred corners.  Think I've got it. Then I added a sleeve at the back so that I can insert a rod and hang  it up for

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-80700512285250969922010-03-23T17:34:00.000+08:002010-03-23T17:34:38.222+08:00

We've been asking for rain, after not having any for 5 months, and it certainly came yesterday ..... by the bucket load.  A massive storm front hit Perth at 5pm and caused absolute havoc in the city and suburbs ....flash flooding, 160,000 homes without power, lightning damage, hail stones the size of golf balls, cars and windows broken, car accidents, traffic lights down, trains at a standstill,

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-27170002407202680622010-03-22T10:10:00.000+08:002010-03-22T10:10:11.701+08:00

I'm quite a novice on the blog scene, but my confidence has been building (ever so slightly) and I've decided to have a play around with it.  You'll notice I've changed my photo, added one of my designs to the title block (finally worked that one out!) and now I've added a background. Not sure if I like the background or not ... I'll leave it for a few days/weeks and see if it grows on me, if not

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-46517131642205300322010-03-15T21:12:00.000+08:002010-03-15T21:12:23.744+08:00

It was so hot and humid on the weekend that none of us had the energy to do anything, other than laze around the pool and relax.  We had a little bit of rain which lasted all of about 4 minutes and was over before we realised what it was ... its been so long since we saw rain we've forgotten what it looks like.  I love the smell of first rain after a hot spell, steamy and sweet, but all it did

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-24978527917415602852010-03-09T20:28:00.000+08:002010-03-09T20:28:43.697+08:00

I finished my crazy patchwork sample today.  It took longer than I'd thought it would, but I'm quite happy with the finished result.Although crazy quilting always looks a bit haphazard, you do have to do a fair bit of planning and head scratching to get it balanced and work within the colour schemes.I think I've achieved that, but as its my first attempt I could be completely off-track, and have

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-69237965262415889302010-03-07T19:15:00.001+08:002010-03-07T19:19:19.385+08:00

I had a day off on Saturday and hubby and I went with friends to the Mandurah Crabfest.  This is an annual event held over 2 days with lots of entertainment, food, and fun to celebrate the crabs that Mandurah is famous for.The weather was hot, but it didn't stop families coming out for the celebrations and the foreshore was full of people and the atmosphere was great.We decided against eating

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-16846918931690574762010-03-06T08:44:00.001+08:002010-03-06T08:45:29.809+08:00

I've almost finished the samples for Module 9 ... only 2 to go.  The black/grey sample below is my second english paper piecing sample using two different shapes.  I found this really awkward, but liked the finished effect ... don't think I'll be making a bed size quilt in the near future.Whereas, I really enjoyed the cathedral window sample.  I thought it would be difficult to do, but was quite

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-321323676552911332010-02-27T20:57:00.000+08:002010-02-27T20:57:34.117+08:00

After an ominous sky on Thursday night, we finally got some rain during an early morning storm, not enough though to do any good, but at least it cooled things down from the 42C we endured that day to a more sufferable 38C ...It made it bearable enough to venture out of the airconditioning and drive up to Perth.  Mind you, I would've gone to Perth even if it had been 50C ... there was a sale on

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-40175195697203385862010-02-21T10:26:00.000+08:002010-02-21T10:26:15.921+08:00

This week has been spent cracking on with Module 9 - Patchwork ... not one of my greatest talents. The first sample was English piecing, so I matched a patterned fabric to a plain one, and came up with this .... I think I've pulled the stitches too tight though, and its puckered abit ... oh well, you get that! Next, was strip piecing.  I did a smaller piece but the strips ended up all wonky and

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-38434221185361671142010-02-15T20:27:00.000+08:002010-02-15T20:27:03.683+08:00

I got a lovely surprise yesterday from Lyn at Everyday Life ..... she very kindly sent me this Sunshine Award.Its so heart warming to know there are such thoughful people out there ... and thanks to "blog land" we can get to know people we would never normally have the chance to meet.Thanks very much, Lyn!

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-60963964907797023712010-02-12T09:15:00.001+08:002010-02-12T09:18:06.455+08:00

My hubby and I don't get to spend a lot of time together as his work takes him away from home a lot, but just recently he's been home and has thrown himself wholeheartedly into doing everything ... shopping, cooking, cleaning, gardening etc .... so that I can concentrate on my C&G and catch up on lost time.The other night he surprised me even more by cooking a special dinner, which started with a

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-75880420605009053792010-02-04T17:35:00.000+08:002010-02-04T17:35:32.837+08:00

I've been trying to blog for a month now ... where does the time go.  Christmas and New Year came and went in a blurr, as did January.  Packed up boxes of craft supplies and hubby drove across Australia to set up a new home in Victoria whilst he worked on a contract over there.  No sooner had we set up home than the job crashed ... and homeward bound were we.  I always said I'd never drive the

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-35760204284744687582009-12-23T22:20:00.000+08:002009-12-23T22:20:34.170+08:00

Christmas is almost here ... only two days to go  ... how exciting! Tonight hubby and I went driving around the canals in Mandurah to view the Christmas lights on the houses.  Each year the canal homes put on a spectacular light display and the public can take boat cruises to view them in style. The council are obviously on a budget as they've not bothered to put up any lights at all in the

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-88947717019901596572009-12-05T11:11:00.004+08:002009-12-05T11:20:36.326+08:00

The creative juices finally kicked in last week ... how long they'll last is another question.I'm still working on Module 8 with transparent fabrics. This piece was created using black organza, home dyed vibrant green muslin and crystal organza. I adhered some circles of crystal organza and muslin between the layers of black organza, and then adhered some circles on the top layer of black

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-987066601629750562009-11-08T19:55:00.011+08:002009-11-08T20:26:25.496+08:00

I've had a really productive past 2 weeks, knocking out loads of samples of machine lace and feel quite chuffed with myself. After hours and hours of practice I'm starting to enjoy free machining and feel like I'm finally getting the hang of it ... This one (below) was made with squares of spun craft paper, laid on Aquabond and stitched together with metallic threads. This purple piece is a

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-5775784984249126392009-10-26T21:18:00.005+08:002009-10-26T21:34:56.675+08:00

Sunday was a glorious spring day ... temperature up to 32C and everyone out and about enjoying the weather. We (me, mum and daughter) spent the day at the Subiaco Craft Fair at the UWA, Crawley. From what I can gather, it was the first time they'd had the fair at the Uni, and it was a great venue with loads of big tree's for shade and great areas for sitting and eating. Hope they have it again

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-6478643266052280312009-10-20T07:54:00.015+08:002010-09-21T13:42:25.408+08:00

I've just come back from Adelaide, where I attended the Beating Around the Bush international embroidery convention, presented by Country Bumpkin publications (of "Inspirations" magazine fame) and have to say, I had a ball!!! The last one they held was in 2003, which I also went to, so it's been a long time between drinks and I've been patiently waiting and can tell you all ... it was worth it!

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-9108792635404405752009-09-29T17:31:00.005+08:002009-09-29T18:01:49.520+08:00

I've been experimenting lately with rusting fabrics ... this is great fun and you get the most amazing patterns.I tried to be clever with some of the pieces, as I felt some of them were a bit "in your face" with the stark white/cream background against the orange rust, so I decided to immerse the fabrics in tea to tea-dye the background. The result wasn't what I expected .... instead a grey/brown

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-44204267941142301532009-09-21T18:13:00.007+08:002009-09-21T18:36:09.814+08:00

After a harrowing few months I'm now back into the swing of it and madly trying to catch up on lost time, throwing myself whole-heartedly into Module 8 : Transparent Fabrics, More Machine Techniques and a Working Design for a 3D item.I spent the day holed up in my studio painting papers with transfer paints and crayola transfer crayons. Managed to make up over 50 papers .... some will come in

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-91352310361001990372009-08-15T13:19:00.009+08:002009-08-15T13:37:12.572+08:00

Well the past month has been a mixed bag with highs and lows.I completed my Module 7 and submitted it for assessment. I got a good report back but have a bit of "tweeking" to do on my wall hanging, so hopefully next week should see me in a brighter frame of mind to tackle this.I went over to Melbourne to visit hubby, who's working over there, and had a lovely week. Weather was cold and brisk,

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-58589214907783559042009-06-30T09:25:00.005+08:002009-06-30T09:46:55.122+08:00

I'm still busy plodding along with the wall hanging samples and trying to put together my Module 7 submission, and have nothing of note to post at the moment, so I thought I'd include a few other snippets from the course as well as my own hand embroidery.Part of our Module 5 submission was to present our work in a 3D format. We were given ideas of using: a wine rack; a mobile; a box format etc. I

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-14651983911205386472009-06-19T11:08:00.009+08:002009-06-19T12:24:11.093+08:00

A requirement of this module was to colour and dye your own selection of fabrics using whatever mediums were available to you. The only fabric dyeing I'd ever done before had been years ago at a 2 day workshop where we discovered after 2 exhaustive days that the dye powders were past their use-by date and effectively "off" .... and so I went home armed with an assortment of fabrics and threads

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-22297295599221797512009-06-14T17:48:00.005+08:002009-06-14T18:30:41.100+08:00

I'm currently working on this module, and nearly finished (even though I've been "nearly" finished for the past 6 weeks!). This module is furthering our colour theory and submitting our working design for a wall hanging.I like colour, and I'd like to think I understand colour - to a point, but I swear you could do a 4 year uni degree trying to fully understand it all .... its like trying to

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-79149447309168402002009-06-08T23:12:00.004+08:002009-06-08T23:24:43.767+08:00

With the arrival of little Lexie, last night I was busy, busy, busy ... stitching, stitching, stitching. Decided that I didn't want to overdose her on floral designs, so tried something a little funkier and more modern by stitching blanket stitch circles on the vests and matching socks. Couldn't resist a cute bunny rabbit on the jumpsuit though .... They were received well by DS & DDIL, so it

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-14220698592525329092009-06-07T09:31:00.004+08:002009-06-07T09:42:55.158+08:00

I've had a little break from C&G for a few days as we welcomed the arrival of our fourth grandchild and third grand-daughter into the world on Thurs 4th June, weighing a healthy 8lb 8oz. Little Lexie Jane Macdonald is as beautiful as every child is, and we're all over the moon! I have been "trying" to do some embroidery ... you'd think 9 months would be enough time (Huh!). This is what I've

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-10966173112222840362009-06-01T20:53:00.010+08:002009-06-03T22:08:15.339+08:00

This module nearly broke me ... I came very close to giving up, but not because I wanted to, but was pushed to the limit by modern technology!!!!!Module 6 was all about machine embroidery, fabric manipulation and a full working design for an embroidered panel, so a sewing machine was required.My you-beaut super expensive Pfaff sewing machine, only a few years old, and hardly used, just would not

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-75840502303576718782009-06-01T20:10:00.007+08:002009-06-01T20:47:22.791+08:00

I loved this module!Module 5 was based on "Form" centred around "media" and the techniques used were "quilting".I decided to choose logo's as my media primary source, and spent hours on the computer searching for logo's which could be manipulated by duplicating, inverting, cropping, expanding, to create multiple patterns, not dissimilar to wall paper patterning, in fact some of the patterns

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-45768033743483244722009-05-27T14:00:00.011+08:002009-05-27T15:55:18.387+08:00

The criteria for Module 4 was Landscape and Geological Form, so I chose Fossils. This module also covered "Texture" and "Smocking". We had to draw basic shapes from our chosen theme; colour various pieces of paper in a grey scale; then fill in our basic drawings using torn or cut shapes from our grey scaled papers. These were then cut up and exploded to create new designs. I enjoyed this. We

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-9419340503078862262009-05-24T12:27:00.009+08:002009-05-27T16:30:25.552+08:00

Colour and applique were the subjects for Module 3, and my primary source was Viking/Anglo Saxon artwork.I'd touched on colour theory in art classes I'd taken a few years back, and I love history and was fascinated with the Vikings/AS, especially when I found out all about the Sutton Hoo discovery in England, so these two were great ... the applique, not so!Although I love patchwork and quilting,

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-54055154712495970302009-05-24T11:15:00.019+08:002009-05-27T16:15:24.365+08:00

Module 2 was all about shape, and based on the industrial theme, which was hardly inspiring, but as I got into it I found lots of interesting shapes, and as is the point with these courses, it really does make you look at everything with new eyes. When I researched the definition of "shape" I came across words I'd never heard of before ... a frustum? a toroid? an ovoid? Oh crikey, what was I in

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-91274809134312006852009-05-23T17:59:00.014+08:002009-05-27T16:06:18.539+08:00

I was very excited about starting my studying with C&G .... until the first 3 modules arrived, then panic set in! It was a bit daunting and not unlike jumping off the high diving board with your eyes shut and nose blocked, but slowly I relaxed to it. Its been many, in fact, too many, years since I was a student, but it does blow away the cobwebs and kick starts your brain again, and now I love it

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196200809171869118.post-38583998079208111192009-05-23T12:04:00.001+08:002009-05-23T18:24:13.111+08:00

Welcome! After months of contemplating a blog, here I am, I've done it ... I decided to bite the bullet and create this blog to document my embroidery and textile journeys, with a few other titbits about my life thrown in.Being a distance learning student its easy to feel isolated and so I hope this blog will help me to connect with other students and share problems, ideas and achievements along

Thimble Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231753446994300942noreply@blogger.com0