Whirr, Click, Whizz, Bang...Ta Da!

Summer's End, top view - close up, originally uploaded by fancypicnic.

Okay - so today I had a brainwave. It doesn't happen very often, so I made the most of it!
Remember yesterday, I lamented the near uselessness of the soluble film that I'd bought? Well, I continued to have a bit of difficulty with it again this morning, so I took a minute to think...and to stay calm! That's a bit of a surprise, to say the least...!
I work in the utility - ahem! my studio - room. I iron the fabrics before I use them/ during the stitching processes. The tumble drier (with regret - so NOT eco-friendly) is burbling away, with the pipe out of the window, and it's raining heavily outside, warm inside....DING!! There's my problem! The film is getting ever so slightly damp whilst I'm using it....so, move rooms....ta da!! Problem pretty much solved! So why hadn't I thought of that before?! Soluble film - the clue is in the title - dissolves in water...I was born with a brain, honest (although those nearest and dearest to me do doubt that sometimes).

I promised news today of those awards I've been given. Apologies...I'm going to aim to do it tomorrow. I need to think about who I'd like to pass them on to, so I'd rather do it all together, all at once, in a nice little package. sealed and ready to go with a big bow on top. xx

The picture above is my new necklace, Summer's End, which should be in one of my shops tomorrow...but which one?* Decisions, decisions....

*Added to my etsy shop

Back to Work...

Just to prove that I'm trying to get back to the grind!
With the children now fully ensconced at school, and the woodcutter's arm on the mend, I took an hour or two to myself...just me and the sewing machine.

I've never used soluble film before - and I'm not going to say that it was a doddle. I gave it my best shot. I've learned a lesson or two in the process - the main one being 'read all the details before you go headlong into snapping up a bargain!'
I know, I know...I can hear your wise words from here....because it never is a bargain, is it?! There's always some drawback or other, isn't there? I'd searched high and low over quite a few hours, in search of said soluble stuff, at a price that was right. Bingo!! Ten metres and only a teeny bit more than the price of five!! I bestowed many congratulations upon myself...well done for persevering, I thought. Big pat on the back!

And I waited.

Within three days, a rather small parcel arrived. I thought nothing of it..too small to be the film. Only I was wrong. It was the film. And the parcel was small because...it was a bit 'wrong'. I double-checked the invoice. Yep, 10 metres. So why so small...? Oh, I see...so small because it's only 15cms wide!!!! I ask you!! That'll teach me, won't it?! What were we always told at school, just before our exams commenced? Hmmm - I remember now...always read the question through first!!
Such a fool.
Anyhoo. I'm managing the film with a few pins and some strategically placed tape, and an absolute TON of tissue paper strapped to the sewing machine, the table (which has a pvc surface, so of course the film sticks to it. Like glue), and anything within arm's reach. The pic above shows a small section of the result. I'm adding plenty of sparkly beads and a clasp, and I'll see how it looks.

On a lighter note, I've received a little handful of blog awards over the last few days. How great is that?! I feel well and truly honoured! I'll have more information for you tomorrow, then I can regale you properly with all the juicy details!

One Step Forward...

I think I've been on a little voyage...a voyage of discovery!
About 15 years ago, I had a bit of a penchant for machine embroidered earrings - I particularly remember a pair that were shaped like bishop's mitres. At the time, I thought, 'why am I spending money on this? I can do it myself!' So, I did.

A lot has gone on since then. Art college, a job, getting married, having children - the usual. I'm making jewellery...but with no machine embroidery! Why? Because my trusty machine gave up the ghost after 17 years of service, and I was blowed if I could get my new machine to co-operate! (Notice how it was the machine's fault? Couldn't possibly be mine!!)
Enough was enough. I had to conquer this! I pestered the lady in my local haberdasher's. She couldn't help. I wrestled with endless pieces of decent material, and my rubbish bin filled up at an alarming rate. I dawdled about having a shufty around flickr - so many wonderful artists store their work there for public viewing. It's really a visual treat, a gallery in your computer!
I had the fortune to stumble upon dogdaisy92, and Jackie, who creates divine works of embroidery art. The lady is a godsend! With her as inspiration, I had one more attempt - success!
The pictures above are the result. Look closely and you'll see elements of machine embroidery, and also a bit of couching! Haven't done that for years! Notice how everything I make has to be plastered with beads and embellishments? I just can't help myself - but I guess it wouldn't be 'me' without them!



Jackie, thank you so much for your time and inspiration. xx