Bank Holiday Fun ~ Part 1

Bank Holiday Fun ~ Part 1

Well today is the first day of four days at home. I plan to work on my C&G projects which must be finished for July when I'll be entering the final exhibition. Already recieved all the documents about the exhibition from my school ... BUT still have a few things to complete.

* Two research/sketch books of the art and embroidery covering two different countries
* Experimental folder using natrual fibres to embroider with
* Make the Lily and Frog hanging - See blog entry for Oct 28 & 29 2006-
* Create 8 samples of handmade paper to be used to display as backgrounds
* Ensure I have worked samples for all techniques

Thus I finally after LOTS of time spent running round in circles not knowing how to start the experimental folder using natrual fibres, I finally bought some raffia and got going !
Below are my first two samples where I have used the raffia as a thread and couched some flower petals/leaves (see flower picture later) then added some random stitches between. There is a close up below.

Then tried a few canvas work and cross stitch , stitches. There is a close up of these below. Using the raffia as a thread you really have to watch what you are going with each stitch. The raffia needs to be pulled through carefully and gently as it will snap. Also you need to stick to small lengths to reduce the number of times it has to go in and out.

Below is the flower/plant whose leaves/petals I used to couch with. I am not sure what it is. I had three of them in a bunch of flowers. Once they opened they dried out and seem to be holding their shape ?!?!? Anyone know what these are called ??

Next I have been looking at creating texture with the raffia. Using a techique I remember my Embroiderers Guild being given a talk on - I have been knotting the raffia then using varigated cotton to couch it to a calico background. The thread is Weeks Dye Works - Harvest. Love the textures coming out with this. Again - added a close up for you.

Finally - tried machining over the raffia. First sample used water soluable sheet to do some very basic machine embroidery over a layer of the raffia. I forgot to take a picture before washing the sheet away. Here it is hanging on the blind cord in my kichen drying out.

Once dried the glues in the water soluable have given the piece a 3D shape - which I hope this picture shows.

The other job for the weekend - DH and I have sorted out a garden project which as they say we will have good weather should start to progress. The plan is to build a second set of raised veg beds and build a small shed for the gardening tools. Below is how the bottom end of our garden looks as of yesterday. As you'll see we already have one raised bed. This is too big ... you have to walk on it to reach all the corners which is exactly what your not suppose to do with a raised bed. Thus ... we will be picking up another railway sleep today to cut this bed into two. One half we'll dig out and put all the soil into the second half - which we need to do as the soil level should be to the top of the sleep. The empty half will then be filled with stone/gravel and the new shed will stand on there. We will build two more beds down the other side by the fence. These will be long a narrow as should be. We'll order top soil to the fill these two new beds. DH also plans to put new felt on the current shed to stop it leaking... the current shed is 10x14 and is really the railroad room. Thus the new shed will allow DH to move the bikes, lawn mower , garden tools etc out to give him more space.

I'll try to up date this at least one or two more times over the weekend !