Summer Colours........

Wow, what perfect Summer weather we are enjoying at the moment.........hooray and long may it last!!  

  This beautiful bloom was growing in my parents garden, and I really couldn't resist taking a photo.  

Perfect Bloom

To me this bright and cheerful colour depicts the Summer perfectly!!  

The sunshine always makes you want to be outside, so sewing has gone out of the window a bit recently, and the garden has been calling.  

I am not the best gardener in the world but I do know what I like and I have just been treated to a beautiful David Austen 'Charlotte' rose.  It too has a yellow flower and I am really looking forward to seeing grow.  And which hopefully I won't kill!!  No pressure!!

Charlotte - David Austen

I just love the Old English Roses, they smell so gorgeous.

 I get most upset when a perfect looking bloom has no smell.........what's that all about??

I will post another photo later when the blooms open!!

Now to my Challenge 2018, Week 25.  I used one of my transfer dyed papers and although the manufacturers instructions said that it wouldn't work on cotton........it did and perfectly too!!  And no I didn't treat the cotton first!!

So there you go don't believe everything you read.  

Challenge 2018 - Week 25

I have a really lovely book about manipulating fabric and delved into it for this weeks technique.  With the aid of a cooling tray I teased damp fabric through the squares to create the mock 'smocking'.  

An excellent cheat! 

French Knots and Cross-hatch stitches added extra texture. 

Now back to the sunshine........

Until next time 'Thank you' for popping by....

Carolyn

Two for the price of one!!

Its been another busy week here at Younique Textiles!

 

So today I am posting the last 2 weeks of my Challenge 2018.

Week 23  - 4 June 18

This first one, Week 23, could well be my favourite so far, have I said that before??

 While rummaging through my hand-dyed fabrics I found a piece of grey Inktense coloured fabric.  It matched perfectly with a piece of painted Bondaweb (which was probably painted at the same time) and along with the fabric paper from the previous week, this piece soon came together.  

A little dissolvable fabric, a washer and some little Mother of Pearl buttons, and hey presto all done.

Week 24 - 11 June 18

Week 24, is another weave, oops, but there is a little twist.  The background is painted Bondaweb, ironed onto Sew-in Vylene.  The weave itself is made from strips of a melted plastic wallet with snippets of thread and fabric inside.  Extra detail comes from tied quilting and strips of silk. I am not sure that the photo does it justice but you get the idea.  As you may have guessed already, I really like to add different textures to my work in what ever form that may be.

Friend or a light lunch!

I was away for a couple days at the beginning of the week, staying with my parents and while I was away the 'Gorgeous Girl' found a new 'friend' (photos courtesy of my husband).  She is just such a gentle soul!  And the baby Blue Tit remained un-perturbed by the meeting.

'Bobby' Blue Tit

 The on Thursday I ran Day 1 of my workshops at St Eval.  I always get so nervous before hand, but it was a super day.  If you follow me on Facebook you will have seen these photos and more already, but I felt they needed an extra airing.  

For the love of stitching!

 I love this photo for no other reason than the fact that this lady has always maintained that she has a 'dislike' of hand-sewing.  Not any more, after using her Transfer Dyed papers to create a new fabric and practising a few hand-stitches , she just need to work out which one to use to embellish it.  I think we will work towards this masterpiece becoming a treasured cushion.  

Love the results of these Stencils

This second photo is also important from the fact that the first attempt to stencil by this lady produced a fabric that she was not so happy with, but with just a gentle nudge and some reassurance, her second one is just perfect.  Stencilling is now something she will happily do again in future projects. 

The essence of patchwork and reason for running workshops, is to share knowledge and to encourage, I think. 

A reason for coming on a workshop....... is having the space and time to practice new techniques in a relaxed, supportive and hopefully inspiring environment.

Nothing is ever 'wrong' at my workshops.  Although, there are of course guidelines and boundaries, it is more about developing your own individual style.  

Talking about workshops, due to family commitments, I have moved my Porthole Cushion workshop at Coast and Country Crafts and Quilts to 14th November.  Please contact Sally directly if you would like to book onto it.  

Porthole Cushion

Well I guess that's all for this week.

Thank you, again, for popping by.

Carolyn

 

Inspiration is never far away...........

Some weeks the words for my blog flow easily, at other times it takes a little more effort!  I have a feeling this my be one of those weeks.......so this could be a shortie!

Challenge 2018 - Week 22

I mentioned last week that I really needed to move away from my comfort zone for the next Challenge.  So I decided to poke my nose into one of my favourite mixed media books to get an idea.  This is the result.  

I do like a bit of dissolvable fabric so I made the most of the moment and did a long awaited extended version.  I had hope to make a second piece each week but sadly that hasn't happen, but I am rather happy with this one. 

Expanded - Week 22

It is also on fabric paper and mounted onto some beautifully textured watercolour paper.  

Now to think about next weeks.........

I reckon that these will be a good basis for another round of workshops, so watch this space for more details.

The Sewing Studio is now taking bookings for the workshops that I am running with them.  Full details can be found at The Sewing Studio, and by following the link on my website, if you are interested.  Thank you.

Before I go...........here are a couple photos taken on our walks at Brodick, Isle of Arran and Bedruthan Steps, North Cornwall.  

Habour Wall - Brodick - Isles of Arran

Although both are of course 'man-made', they do have a very interesting quality with their textures and patterns.  

Cornish Wall - Coastal Path - Bedruthan

Inspiration is never far away if we only open our eyes!!

Thank you again for popping by......

Carolyn

Never a dull moment.........

Well, what a weekend......one minute we are walking the Coastal Path to Bude, having a quite 98th Birthday celebration, then back home for a street BBQ!!  

Sea Pinks - Coastal Path - Bude

But that's not enough for us, oh no!! Next morning was spent packing up our camping equipment (last minute decision!!) followed by a Gin tasting evening with friends! Phew!!

Our camping equipment got an airing at Acton Field Campsite with two of our children and their families.  We were blessed with beautiful weather, and although it was only a very short break, it was super.  

Chapman's Pool

I have spent several holidays in the Bournemouth area as a child, but didn't really know much about the Swanage side.  It was beautiful.  Picture perfect villages and of course a very impressive Corfe Castle.

Chapman's Pool - Anchor

I have also managed to finish Week 21 of my Challenge 2018.  I like a bit of manipulated fabric, and although this one is okay, I am hoping that now I am half way through my Challenge I will be able to move away from my comfort zone.  I think I need to be a little more daring!

Week 21

One thing is becoming clear though, I do rather like hand stitching!  Not the neat and tidy embroidery that my Nana would have done but large and expressive stitches that are very happy to be random and rough!

  Although my greatest passion for quilting/textiles comes from the freedom of creating something in mixed media with very few rules, I do, now and again like to touch base with the traditionalist in me that likes to test my accuracy in making the 'perfect' block!!

Sunday Lunch - Prep 

So, welcome to my 'Sunday Lunch' Quilt.  It is still in the preparation stage, but it is coming along nicely.  There will be a pattern available once it is finished and of course I will post a photo of the completed quilt.

There we go, that should keep me busy until the next round of workshops start on Thursday 14th June!

Thank you again for popping by...

Carolyn