Another mid-week post

 Thought you might like to see what I've been up to.

Here is how I've got on with my work toward my Cuban postcard. I thought I'd try vanishing muslin. I was very pleased with the result. But I over did the ironing part (got distracted) so it's not quite as I intended - but I do now have a piece for my sketchbook.

 I've also realised that there isn't enough contrast with the background - so I'll rethink that.

See you soon.

Shopping finds....

Thought I'd share a couple of recent purchases I made. The first photo are my purchases from Wilkinson's - yes humble little Wilkinson's. I've learnt there are lots of good crafty things in the kids art section in lots of shops and Wilkinson's was a real find. You may wonder why on earth I bought them - well they're for my dying and printing classes - and as they were from Wilkinson's they were really cheap. I think this lot cost about a fiver.

Unfortunately I've rediscovered E-bay - but what a find these black Bakelite buttons were. I don't think my poor photo really does them justice but I'm really pleased with them - they're so delicate and beautiful.

I've also been playing around with some machine embroidery. The book I've been working from is 'Beginner's guide to machine embroidery' by Pam Watts. It's a slim but practical book .
The first sample has a backing of calico, with a piece of silk with various threads arranged on top and then stitched by machine. The second sample is the same process but with organza over the threads - this does make it much easier to machine and so I got carried away and used a number of threads - plain and variegated.

I cut up some of the first sample and machined the pieces to tags that I'll uses for pressies I'll wrap in brown paper. One of them was a bit wonky - DH said this showed they were hand made.... I resisted hitting him. I was rather pleased with the pieces I made - I needed a change from hand quilting.

Many thanks for the comments on my last post. Unfortunately my replies to you were bounced back to me - but I wanted to make sure you knew they were appreciated.

Have a good weekend.