Embellisher Christmas Cards

One of our new overseas members at UK Embellisher Swap has not received her Christmas card despite her partner posting it off the first week in December.  She wants a replacement so I thought I'd dust off my embellisher and cobble something up.  I know a lot of work will already have gone into the original which has gone missing so I hope my contribution will help out.  I know how disappointing it is when you don't get a swap and it must be doubly so when you've spent time making something and it disappears without trace.

I'm a bit sorry to part with these as they turned out well - much more sparkle than shows in the pictures but they have given me several hours practice, particularly with the free motion embroidery, so it was a worthwhile project.

Key Tab - UK Embellisher Swap

Here's the key fob I made for Pam in the UK Embellisher January 2010 swap.  I used denim from old jeans as a base, stiffener is pelmet vilene and backing, a piece of quilting cotton.  I punched variegated blue/green/turquoise wool tops into the denim then free motion stitched over them.  Decided to make myself one at the same time - then I'm not sad to see what I have made go off to my swap partner, never to be seen again.  Have heard from Pam that she likes it.

Swap Project Progress

I've been working on my January Embellisher swap project.  The photo above is the Epson scanner, the photo below is the Canon.  I can't tell which is the best colour representation (if either of them are) so will have to publish the post to my blog and then see what they look like.  Neither have picked up the sparkle of the metallics.
LATER - have to say I think the Epson (top photo) is the best colour prepresentation.  Disappointing as I have just moved it onto the children's computer and reconnected the old Canon to mine.  The Canon definitely wins hands down when it comes to printing photos - no comparison.  Will do some networking and share both printers with both computers - fingers crossed - and get the best of both worlds.

I started with a piece of denim - I have a pile already cut into pieces recycled from old jeans.  Felted wool tops, variegated blue/turquoise/lime, into the denim and then free motioned heavily all over in metallic blue and green.  On top of this I attempted "Pebbling" which is part of  Leah Day's inspirational project  in a bright red/orange.  Each time I free motion I feel that bit more relaxed, I'm really enjoying it.

There's a way to go before this turns into a key tab, but I've been sorting out my sewing area and trying to get some better lighting set up so I can work in the evenings and speed up some of my projects.

Embellisher Christmas Swaps

I've sailed very close to the wind with these, my eye illness has meant lots of hospital trips, some treatment and a lot of campaigning and lobbying for NHS funding.  This wiped out two weeks of December which meant no time for sewing projects or other Christmas preparations.  I've taken a few hours out today and put something together, one Christmas tree decoration and one Christmas card.  Not as fancy as I would have liked, but what I could manage in the time allowed.  Hope Royal Mail can get them where they should be before the big day.

Simple idea.  Felted a piece of dark red wool tops with a sprinkling of Angelina.  Felted a piece of dark green, cut into tree shape.  Small piece of brown felted for trunk.  Free motion embroidery over the top depicting a stylised Christmas tree.

Tree Decoration

Topper for Card

Finished Card

My Christmas Card from Marja

This lovely postcard arrived from Marja in the Netherlands for the Christmas Card UK Embellisher swap

Embellisher Swap from Jenny B

It's so long since I joined in a swap I'd forgotten how exciting it is to get these little parcels through the post. 
Here's my needlecase swap from Jenny B.  It's gorgeous - I've left the photo a higher quality than usual so the delicate details can be seen.  I love it!  Thank you Jenny B.

A Day out for the Embellisher Machine

I vowed to take part in at least five embellisher swaps this year - I've already failed on that as there are only three left in 2009, however, my name is down for all three.

Here is the inside and outside of a needlecase. I used some leftover scraps of batik from a quilt I made earlier in the year. Matching wool tops were laid down and felted together and then thin scraps of batik punched into the felt. Hand embroidery, which I haven't done for years, was next. I chain stitched down the centre of each batik scrap. Running stitch around the borders and blanket stitched some ready made felt inside to hold the needles.

Hope my swap partner likes it. Click on the picture for a close up of the detail.

Pincushion Swap

August swap at UK Embellisher Swap Group is a pin cushion. I only jumped in at the last minute with this one as someone else had to drop out. Anyway, it started life as a plastic lid from a jar of peaches and left over fabric from a quilt. It had to have something felted, so there is a flower and couple of leaves decorating the brim. Hope my swap partner likes it.

Cuff Swap received

This is the lovely cuff I received from Jenny on UK Embellisher Swap group Super colours. Thanks Jenny

Cuff Bracelet - UK Embellisher Swap

Third time lucky for this swap. The first one I made just didn't cut it! I liked the second one, then damaged the edge when it was close to finished. Third attempt I was reasonably happy with - I call it psychedelic summer. My son Jon said the colours reminded him of the beach. Needless to say, the true colours aren't displayed too well on the photos. Hope my swap partner likes it.

The project went through several phases - I wanted to try a weaving technique. This picture shows what it looked like just after weaving the cut strips together. They were tacked in place using the embellisher machine very lightly. Once the cuff was cut out it was felted much more heavily onto an acrylic felt base. This blended the pieces very well into each other. I used a full set of 38 gauge triangular needles - got a very smooth finish with no holes.

ATC Swap - My Effort

UK Embellisher Swap - May 2008.

Tried to keep the colouring summery - as usual, the photo doesn't look quite true to real colours, but it's not far off. Tossed in some wool tops, bits of organza, angelina fibres, sparkly netting and finished off with a few fancy machine stitches and some flower sequins with bead centres. Used my machine for the lettering on the back.

First ATC (Aritists Trading Card - 3.5" x 2.5") I've made. Quite a nice, relaxing project for a Sunday afternoon.

UK Embellisher Swap - ATC

Lovely ATC received from Jean. First ATC I have seen so now I know what they really are I can get on with my swap.

Box Swap - at last!!

Here's my effort for the February box swap - yes February!!! My swapping partner, Sue, very kindly gave me some breathing space as I just could not get on and get this done - too many other things demanding my attention at the time. For what it's worth, it's finished - lidless, I hope that's OK, and stuffed with lots of bits and pieces for Sue to play with on her embellisher. Thanks for being so patient Sue.

Various shades of bluey greeny wool tops felted into a fabric - then cut into shape and stitched together. There's a bluey greeny sparkling taffeta (I think) lining. The outside is embellished with some silver and green shiny mesh, sequin and bead flowers and a butterfly button, along with a bit of fancy machine stitching. The sparkles don't show up too well, but maybe will when you click on the picture for a closer view.

Off to the Post Office with it tomorrow.

Birthday Card - Swap

My friend Chris drew me as a partner in the UK Embellisher Card Swap for Christmas.

She sent me an embellished birthday card which is great - birthday cakes behind net - obviously there isn't a cake for every year - Chris is far too polite - and probably couldn't find a piece of card big enough to fit them all on Ha Ha!
Thank You Chris!

My Christmas Card Swap

At last, it's finished and in the envelope. My Christmas Card Swap for UK Embellisher Swap group will be on it's way to Sue in Cumbria tomorrow.

Covered Notebook Swap

I cut it a bit fine with this swap - deadline 30 November and it didn't go to post until the 29th - so it needs a wing and prayer to get there on time!! I used paper lame punched into denim, purple and turquoise, and really liked the effect. I had left over cut outs from making stars on copper foiled fusible vilene, so tucked those in under rows of machine embroidery and it came out well I thought. For a change I glued the fabric to the notebook rather than making it into a wallet. Note for next time, denim is a little thick so try on cotton or felt if glueing. Because of the sparkly, reflective nature of the paper lame the photo isn't great.

Towards Christmas

Trying to catch up with some embellisher swaps before Christmas. Using the foil from Fibre in-form I've been experimenting with some fairly heavy weight fusible Vilene. I got quite a pleasing effect and I think it will be even better if I colour the Vilene, maybe with acrylics or fabric paint. Used some purple embellished velvet for a couple of the stars and backed them with copper foiled Vilene. The third star is the copper foil sewn onto some turquoise paper lame with a fine zig-zag and lightly stuffed.

Next a covered notebook - paper lame embellished onto denim and rows of fancy stitches capturing the off cuts from the copper foiled stars. I've glued this cover to the notebook - just to be different from the others. The paper lame embellishes well, but it's very textural (hairy!!). It has a great iridescent sparkle - not really apparent on the photo. Better in real life.

Brooch Swap complete

I think I haven't been very adventurous with this swap - I made a trial and wore it at work and out and about. Several folks commented on it and seemed to like it so I've stuck with that design for all three. They are silk tussah and organza and I like the way it felts - soft and smooth with some lustre. I don't think it will be hard wearing, but great for pictures or anything that isn't handled much.

4 Seasons Swap - My "Spring"

Here's my effort for the 4 Seasons Spring. I chose 'springish' coloured wool tops and felted them onto a piece of bought felt. Added abstract daffodils and pink blossom, along with spring green words and fancy stitches. Hope my partner likes it.

Swap Received

All the way from Norway - 4 seasons Spring from Ati. Thank you it's lovely.

Ati has a fantastic blog - particularly if you like crazy patchwork. Visit Ati's blog