You are a tease

Maya i love what i see of my page, i can see some lovely hand stitching there , i am excited for it to arrive now. I hope you have a lovely time away. Take care Love Chris

Its on its way

Hi Just to let Liz Waechter know her page is on its way to her and hopefully she will get it very soon. Love Chris

The seashore on it's way.

Just a quick message to announce that Juliette's March page is now on the way to her. It should arrive in the next day or so.

Blogger Errors

Hi all,

If you're looking at the page and you aren't seeing photos, Blogger seems to be having a malfunction. There are lots of blogs (not just ours) that the photos aren't working. Not sure what is happening but I'll try and find out and get it fixed.

See this post

http://blogger-status.blogspot.com/2010/03/our-image-backend-is-experiencing.html

Castles

The news article was interesting. I can't wait to see how it comes out onto a page.
Dreaming Quilts : ) Carmen

Preview for Carmen

Haven't taken a photo of the (nearly finished) castle page but this link takes you to some British canal craft pictures ( called Roses and Castles after the most popular traditional paintings) Enjoy!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40839614@N05/sets/72157622536646274

Coastline

Here's a peek at the page I've created for Chris in March . Chris it will be posted tomorrow and I hope you like it.

I'm going to be away for three weeks and I will have limited or no internet access but I will be carrying work with me and the page for April will be going along.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate and when I'm back I'm sure my page for March will be waiting for me and I'll be able to share a picture with you.

Sneak peek for All Creatures Great And Small

It is very bright and cheery and it was such fun to stitch up!! I did it all by hand. I will be getting it mailed off today!!! I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!!! Spring has sprung in our part of the world, finally!!!

Indian Palace for Carmen

This is the page I created for Carmen in February. The theme was Castles and its an Indian palace I've depicted which is viewed through an arched window and that's the leaves and fruit laden mango tree which is also visible.

I used an actual picture of a palace which I mounted on thin card paper and stitched onto the backing fabric. The arched window is cotton fabric which has been appliqued and embroidered with sequins and blue metallic thread. Most palaces and forts in India are heavily decorated with murals, inlaid with semi precious stones or carved.

The mango tree and sky are embroidered and coloured with oil pastels.

Delighted and relieved to hear Carmen has received the page.

A seashore for Juliette

Well, your page is a mass of pins at the moment, Juliette. At least I have started it. I can't wait to get rid of said pins though. Not good for the fingers............

A funny story for you. I had finished painting some muslin (loose woven cotton) when I heard a sound behind me. My cat Felix had jumped up and yes, landed on said still damp fabric............. He was stunned to a rather, for him, unusual silence when I grabbed him and marched him off to the bathroom to wash his paws. Strangely enough, there was no trace of his paw prints on the fabric....................... it was the only thing that saved my sanity. That, and his staying out of my way until tea-time.

Isn't it surprising just how quickly a human can be forgiven when it is time for food..................?

Page to Carmen

Yes It has arrived safely. It is very nice. I have been gone alot this past month and didn't have computer access to keep up. Dreaming Quilts : ) Carmen

For Johoanna - Creativity Comes From the Heart

Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?

Ludwig van Beethoven

As I read this quote by the great composer, I thought of how humankind is driven to create. That desire comes from within but expresses itself in many ways - visual arts, performing arts, literature, a host of other endeavors, and of course STITCHING!

I'm pleased to hear that this page reached you safely, Johoanna. I hope you are having a wonderful time getting settled in your new surroundings, making new friends, finding new outlets for your own creativity.

I used commercial felt for the background of this page. The black is glittery, as is the red back page and some of the threads. After all, creating brings a sparkle to the eye and a glow to our lives.

Beautiful Trees from Liz

Isn't this page from Liz gorgeous? I received it yesterday and I love it. Each new page is wonderful because they are so different.

Here's a closer veiw of her hand stitching.

I just love how she's depicted the aspen trees in the fall. One of my favorite seasons.

Here's the back in lovely fall colors. Thanks Liz!

Carmen and Johoanna

Hi - I sent both of you an e-mail last week asking whether or not you've received your February pages but haven't heard back from you. Please post your pages as you receive them or have the sender post a photo once it's been received. That way everyone can see the pages and I know that they have arrived safely. I know sometimes it's a hassle but if the sender doesn't know you received it, she may think it was lost in the mail. Carmen - It looks like according to Maya's blog that you page was received but since nothing was ever posted here, I wasn't sure. Thanks!

Leaves

Last week I finished my book page for march. Here is a sneak preview of the working process:

GREAT AND SMALL - THE HUMMINGBIRD ARRIVES

I got home late last night, and was delighted to find a package from Debi in my mailbox. This adorable little hummingbird had quite an adventure before winging his way to my house. I love the colors Debi chose for this page. The back is crazy quilted also, and looks like it's made with vintage fabrics. Am I right Debi? Don't you just love the beaded trim at the top! Debi also sent some charming extras, including a couple of dyed silkworm cocoons. Those brought back memories! When I taught Kindergarten we had a mulberry tree on our playground, and I raised silkworms every spring, keeping the eggs in my freezer all summer and winter. We always had a few caterpillars that escaped and spun their cocoons in odd places. Thank you Debi!

..

Have Trees, Will Travel

Ruth, my page for you is just about ready to start traveling.  Hmm.  Traveling trees makes me think of the trees in Lord of the Rings. 

Well, that's not what this looks like . . . so it's an idea for someone else!  This picture is from last week but I thought you could use a sneak peek.  Hope to have it on it's way by the weekend.

Learning more about the sea.

Ruth, thanks so much for my third page. It is stunning! It was waiting for me this evening when I got home. I was so excited when I opened the package and found this gorgeous piece of work.



Ruth chose the following quotation for the back:

"The sea, once it casts it's spell, holds one in it's net of wonder forever."
- Jacques Cousteau.



The whole page is beautiful. I just love the detail in the structure of the jellyfish.
To cap it all, Ruth has sent me a wonderful hand made card.



I shall leave you to read her description of the piece of work. (Just click on the photograph and you should be able to read the words clearly.)



Like Ruth has, I have learnt a lot from this page. She speaks of the environmental concerns regarding the growing numbers of jellyfish. Something I had really not even considered.

Thanks so much Ruth. I really feel that I have a lot to learn about the sea, even though I had chosen it as my theme. Perhaps this is something I could use when I start to compile my pages into a book. Definitely food for thought there..................

Dreaming of diving in the sea - the photos

I really can't think of a better way to introduce the photos I promised in my post yesterday, than to show you the note sent by Johoanna.





The dreaming girl in the photograph looks so very sweet. Here are some details of the stitching around the photograph.

The printed fabric background really adds movement. There are many beads and small stitches alongside small shells. The textures are really interesting. Thanks so much to Johoanna.

The next photo is on the front of the card bearing the message from Johoanna, shown above. What a gorgeous green frog.

Dreaming of diving in the sea.

Imagine my delight when I went through the pile of post on my return home this morning. I had been away for two weeks and there, waiting for me, was a lovely package from Johoanna.
Although I have never been scuba diving, I was able to go snorkling during my time away. This page will bring back some delightful memories as well as being a lovely addition to my book.
I shall post some photos tomorrow.
Thanks so much, Johoanna!

Art Nouveau from Carmen

Yesterday came this terrific page made by Carmen. Thank you for your lovely work!

Detail Shots of Chris's Window Page For Elizabeth

Well it took me a bit but here are the close up shots of the fabulous page that I recieved from Chris! There are multiple layers to this piece and I have never seen such tiny french knots!!!!

Thru the blue and orange panes of the stained glass window you can see a picture of a building with many windows. The orange and blue is the painted lutradur.

Below you can see the foiling that Chris added to the top of the arch and the wonderful edging that she finished the page with.
This is a very creative piece and a fabulous addition to my growing book!!! Thanks again Chris!!!!

Juliette's page from Kath

A bit of a flat representation of cording and muslin waves
onto the seashore but you get the idea!

Katerina

Hi Katerina I posted that the page had arrived a while ago now sorry it must have got lost somewhere, sorry you were worried but yes it's here and it's lovely i do like the colours you used.

An Elephant Named Mali

I'm glad that Gayle's page arrived safely.  Here is what I made for her:

My inspiration was a baby elephant born at the Melbourne Zoo in January.  Of course, all babies are cute, but I have a soft spot in my heart for elephants.  This is my first attempt at Stumpwork and I had a ball putting this little tyke together.  Her trunk and ears stand away from the cloth and she's just too cute!  Gayle, I almost did not send her - I lost my heart to her! 

There are more pictures on my blog and more details on how I did this page.  Also a link to the real baby Mali's web site.  Check it out....

What kind of doors?

Hi Liz its me that is making your page this month and before i go at it at a rate of knots what sort of doors do you like? My mum loves Mediterranean doors, i love old church doors and i would like to do something that you will hopefully like.

March: Leaves

My next theme is leaves. The page will be for Maya.
Here are two pictures as preview.

There's an Elephant in the House!

My page from Liz with a baby elephant done in stumpwork has arrived, and it has totally charmed me. Liz, if you have a scan you can post it with all the details of your work. If not, I will be scanning it anyway for my Flickr page and will post it here also. I absolutely love it, and am amazed by your work. Wonderful!!!! Thank you so much.
Gayle

A Peak At Mandy's Page for March

Here's a peak for you Mandy. I've finished your March page and I'll mail it off to you on Monday. Hope you'll like it.

I hope everyone has completed all your February pages and mailed them off. Do let me know if there are any problems on getting pages completed. (You can now all sigh and say "Yes, Mother...")

Hi Juliette

Am wondering how the postal situation is over there? Presume you haven't received my February page yet? Guess I should start a replacement? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Kath

Page from Juilette

Thank you for this lovely page, i knew my photograph wouldn't do it justice and it hasn't. Juilette you have used real pretty colours and i love the way the sand and rocks have been done. Thank you again.

Elizebeth your page

I am glad you liked the page Elizabeth, its one i have been worried about as i wasn't 100% happy with it. Firstly i coloured up lutradour and then using a soldering iron i burned the windows out of the arch and using french knots i held the windows open. I printed a view of an old house on to cotton and added stitch around the window frames and frech knots for the roses. I stitched the cotton to the lutrador trying to give an apperance of looking through the window at the view outside. To add a stained glass effect i added chocolate wrappers to the top of the arch and machine stitched around the edges. I did add a little pocket to the back of it to hold a couple of little bits.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth I have a couple ideas for windows. Do you want a window or what you can see out one's window? Out mine you just see Snow for about a quart of a mile. Dreaming Quilts : ) Carmen

Cobi

Your page will go in the mail today Fri. Sorry for the lateness. Getting to the post office has been very inconvenient. Last time it was on the list the Husband had me doing stuff for him. Dreaming Quilts Carmen: )

February's leaves made by Mandy

Here's what Mandy created for me. A colourful page of leaves which evoke the colours of autumn. She has used a number of techniques - opaque seta colours to paint the background, applique ,reverse applique and machine embroidery.
The reverse has a little pocket into which I'm going to tuck in the note with all the details. Thank you for "the bit of fun" - a little packet of buttons, in the shape of leaves and little acorns. I'm going to use them when I make up the book at the end of the year.

Carmen your page was put in the mail early this week, you should have it by next week.

I've yet to begin the page for March which is for Chris, will get started this weekend.

Take care all and have a good weekend.

Window Page From Chris!!!!

My fabulous window page from Chris flew in across the pond from Wales today!! It is so creative and fabulous and full of inventive techniques. It is simply wonderful and I wish that you could all see it in person.
Chris, please go ahead and post pictures of your fabulous piece so everyone can see what you ahve done and read about just how you did it!! Thank you for all of the little goodies that you added. You certainly do live in a very beautiful part of the world!!!

Wouldn't it be fabulous if some how, and I do know that this is only a dream, we could all gather and meet in person and share our beautiful books??? That would be the frosting on the cake!!!!
Happy Hugs to all
Elizabeth

My second page has arrived

Juliette my page has arrived and it lovely thank you so much. I will take a couple of photos of it but i have just come out of hospital from surgery and just don't feel up to it at the minute but i will in the next couple of days. But i wanted to get on here to let you know its arrived.

Ladies its so pretty.

Chris page on way

Hi Chris your page is on it's way , I forgot to take a picture so will you please do this for me and show when you recieve it. Hope you like it.

All White Page for Debi!!

Now hat I know that Debi has recieved her All White Page, in her new home in Everete, Washington, I am happy to share pictures of my work with you!!
I had such fun creating this page. I started it during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics and I have to admit that there were several times when I actually had to stop working and watch some fo the amazing program!! I did stitch away on the piece throughout the first weekend of the games and was sorry when I finished it!! I have been inpired to go on and create several more all white pieces for other projects, however!
For this piece, I used all vintage bits from my stash and I put it all together using only hand stitches. It was such a relaxing piece to work on! I am trying very very hard to use just what I have and use some of my favorite hoarded things. This way I can continue on the hunt for more wonderful textile pieces!!!

I created the puffed heart using a snippett of a silk scarf to cover a padded cardboard heart cut out, that I then added pearl seed beads to. I wanted to be sure to add a heart to the collage as I was creating this page during Valentines month. I used pieces of tatting, some wonderful heavy floral trim( mostly up near the arch) some creamy crocheted lace and some bobbin lace (down at the bottom). The background fabric is part of an enormous damask napkin with a beautiful Poppy pattern woven in, but with so much going on , I am afraid that the damask pattern got rather overwhelmed.In several spots I tucked in some creamy big fresh water pearls and some Mother of Pearl Buttons- my favorites!!! For the edging, I couched pure white cotton yarn (two rows) along the seam between the front and the back. The back was also made from the same vintage Damask napkin used for the front. Those napkins have an amazing amount of fabric in them and Are a wodnerful source for hand dyeing fabric as well!!!

I am so glad that you like your page Debi!! I certainly enjoyed every stitch!!!!