A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
It is a rainy (still) day and Aidan just left to go back home. School is out in two weeks, and I'm so looking forward to her return for a few days. I managed to get a little stitching done yesterday on Mary's block...so now, you can at least see the dolphin amongst the other fabrics. I decided to go with traditional applique...then outlined the dolphin in stem stitch...and added some swirls on the inside in back stitch. The embroidery work helps to add more contrast and interest since the fabric color has to match the background block...for the monochromatic theme.
Here's the design if you's like to download and keep for your possible future use.
And, here's the same idea in the form of a cat. Just for fun!
I think these would be good worked in beads too. Of course, you know I'd think that!
The bracelet is now finished.
The first step in completing was to cut a piece of felt the same size and shape of the leather...using the same pattern. A little dab of E6000 glue helps to keep it in place so the edge can be beaded.
Using black beading thread and seed beads, the edge is covered in a simple slip stitch. I'm stitching about every 1/16th of an inch around the edge. Pick up a bead, take a stitch...pick up a bead, take a stitch...over and over again.
The thread is ended with a couple of tiny stitches that cross each other to form a knot; the the needle is carried between the leather and felt and exits about an inch away. Cut the thread.
Hopefully, Sommer will enjoy her bracelet.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. What beads to add to the cabachones on the black leather bracelet?
I auditioned quite a few ideas; and right away wanted to bring the design out towards the sides...so a must would be adding some triangle or oval shaped beads. Ovals were just too similiar in shape to the cabochones...so finally, I settled on leaves.
What to do around the center cabochon? I want to add some crystals...but, these large montees might be too much?
Here are some of the other ideas that I (and my muse) auditioned.
Finally, this last option was almost the end result. More leaves to balance the ones added to the sides...and some black to subdue the bright of the blue crystals. But, I didn't like that space between the black montees. So, I included a small montee in blue to each side. I added some seed beads and hexes to the end of the leaves to widen the beading a little and bring it around the bracelet.
Now, I'm happy with the general idea. Next is to sew everything in place.
Here is the finished bracelet top.Instead of beading the entire surface, I'm going to leave some leather showing. My daughter is not too "girly". She is a welder by trade...so, I'm thinking that this more "biker look" would be more to her liking.
Tomorrow, we attached the felt to the bottom and sew everything together...encasing the metal bracelet shape between the leather top and the felt bottom.
It's been a while since I've done any beading, so thought I'd do a little of that today. This will be a bracelet for my daughter (if it turns out okay).
I'm stitching on leather. Not thick, hard leather...but very soft, thin, and suble leather. It came from an old leather skirt I got at the Thrift Store.
As you can see, I've used this skirt before for other projects.
Beginning requires a pattern. So, I'll start with a bracelet metal frame. That shape was rotated on paper and traced to get a pattern for cutting the leather.
Three cabochons are glued down with E-6000 and ready to start my surface beading.
The first part of the beading is to enclose all three of the cabochones with beads. You can see that here on the right side of the stone (click on the photo to enlarge). Sorry it's so hard to see, but using dark beads on black leather is just that way.
The first ring of beads is sewn to the leather. (This is the second row of my first idea...which was use double beads. However, they were too "full" so later I removed that row, and just added one bead at a time...which is "standard peyote".)
The remaining rings are sewn into the previous rows, using a circular peyote stitch....common in beading. For the last two rows, I changed from seed beads (sz 11) to Rocailles beads (sz 15). This decreases the wall of beads and curves them on top of the cabochon to hold it is place.
What to do next? How to cover the remaining leather?
Good question...and my muse is thinking that over.
So, just stay tuned...got to back to the TO-DO List before this project can be finished.
Hugs!
Thank you Arlene, Candace, Cathy and Meg for all the work on my block...I'm enjoying just looking at all the different parts! Here are some closeup photos to share!
A new little beading class will be offered over at Maureens Vintage Acquisitions today...a beaded bookmark. Just click on the Take-it-Anytime button tomorrow and you will find it.
However, it is so much MORE than just that. This technique makes lovely beaded trim...that can be made to an an exact length. I like to use it to cover the rim of band boxes and tins after the top has been done in crazy quilt fashion or embroidery and lace. Or, use it in garment construction too!...as a lovely trim to cufs or pockets!But, it doesn't just stop at trim...it can be a piece of jewelry! Add a clasp to the ends and you have a bracelet...a little longer and you have a necklace.Attaching a charm to one end and grosgrain ribbon to the other makes a bookmark. These are super gifts for teachers...and it only takes about two hours (or less) to complete the project...so several can be made!Hope you will consider taking the class...it is VERY reasonably priced...and available any time.I'm always here to answer any questions...but have also spend hours drawing the charts and creating the narrative to explain just how to make the bookmark...so you would be fine just on your own as well I'm sure!
A dear friend contacted me yesterday, to see if I could make a beaded ring for her...from a book that we both have. I just love this book...and had wanted to try a project from it...so, sure I thought...why not. Well, some supplies have been ordered...but I had enough to try a small version of the ring...in plain crystal (but really, there just is no PLAIN crystal)...
This one will go to Aidan...as a present for her completing the second grade with such good grades...and only two trips to the principals office all year! Ha!I'm sure it will mostly get to live in her jewelry box...but, that's okay.
The band is beaded as well as the front.Oh, the book is Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski by Laura McCabe if you want to check it out!
My muse is happy...and I'm going back to stitching something tomorrow...not sure what yet, my list is long...but something will have to get done.....before I start stressing over deadlines. Hugs!
