5 weeks break - stumpwork embroidery cufflinks

One of my great loves is stumpwork embroidery.  If you don't know it stumpwork is the art of 3D embroidery. Pieces are created on a flat piec of fabric, edged with wire and cut out, The loose piece is usually then added to another work to add dimension.  I specialise in making jewellery from my stumpwork.  (Commissions always welcome)

As stupid as it sounds, I often deny myself the pleasure of doing things I love. I commute, I work, I cook dinner, I complain I'm tired and go bed to work early.  Aah.

Finally I have the time, energy and head space to create.

Again its raining and raining. Its freezing cold.  I have the fire roaring, sitting stitching tiny embroidery leaves in autumn colours.

The edge is made from copper wire and picked out in buttonhole stitch. The details of the leaves are created in thread painting, long and short stitch.  A lot of people don't like long and short stitch but I think its the most forgiving stitch of all. It gives the ability to create subtle changes of colour.

When complete, I carefully cut out the shapes using sharp scissors and a good magnifying lamp. It takes hours to cut them out precisely and remove all the tiny fibres of fabric outside the wire edge.

Preserved with fabric stiffener, my lovely leaves are glued into cufflink findings. My husband commissioned them last autumn, so I made him two sets, from 4 mis-matched leaves.

You can see some of my other work here. 

DarlingBridget bags for sale at the Cool Room, Robertson

DarlingBridget bags for sale at the Cool Room, Robertson Cheese Factory. Bright and cheerful

Enter my blog giveaway as I celebrate 100 posts on homespunblissblog

I kind of knew that 100 posts was coming up but then it snuck up in the end.
Yay, 100 Homespunblissblog posts!

As I said in the beginning, if I don't have anything to post about then I'm not living the life of my dreams. 100 posts down I'm certainly getting closer.
Recently I have added chickens to my menagerie, I am sewing, mosaicing, holding stalls at markets and working actively on my business, DarlingBridget. I make soap, preserve fruit, cook and garden. All of these activities equal homespunbliss for me.

Yes its an eclectic mix but diversity keeps me interested.
So what is my plan for 2012? Scary that its March already and I'm just getting going, but still.

• Attend at least 6 markets this year with DarlingBridget.
• Re-launch my DB art to wear label with brooches, earrings, pendants and bib necklaces.
• Keep blogging about everything I love and my journey to achieving homespunbliss.
• Connect with other bloggers and increase my followers to 50 this year!
• Be authentic to me and my dream.
• Hope to strike a cord with others and create a community of people who dream of homespunbliss!

To find out how to win this pretty lingerie wrap keep reading below.  This wrap is made from a white vintage tray cloth with lace trim, lined with white satin and finished with a ribbon tie.

To enter do one or more of the following. Leave me a comment for each one.

1. Sign up as a follower to this blog.

2. Share my blog with your friends.

3. Follow my DarlingBridget page on Facebook

4. Share my DarlingBridget Facebook page with your friends.

5. Go to my DarlingBridget store on etsy.com and come back and tell me which product you like best and why.

You get one entry for each of the above tasks. Just remember to leave me a message to tell me about them.

I'm sure you're wondering why you'd get your friends to join in, the more

entries the less chances you have to win right? So if you share my blog with your friends and they become followers, you'll gain a bonus point. The same goes for my DarlingBridget Facebook page, just tell me about it or I won't know who to give the points to. What do you think, does that entice?

So how do you leave a comment?

At the end of each blogpost or article, you will find # comments.

1. Click on the word comments.

2. You will find a comments box (you might have to scroll up a little to see it). Type your comment in the box. Choose from the drop down list labelled Comment as. If you have an online profile such as Google (or gmail account), choose from the list and log in. Otherwise choose Anonymous.

3. If you choose Anonymous please leave me your name in the comment box.

4. Click publish.

Its that easy.

What else is new for homespunblissblog in 2012?

Monday nights I share a post on Make, Grow, Thrift on the habygoddess.blogspot.com

Wednesday nights I am reinstating a list post - I stopped doing my 10 things Mondays because I wanted to get involved in Make, Grow, Thrift. So Wednesday nights will now feature 5 homespun things.

Other nights - always plenty of stories and photos about my chickens, cooking, growing food, making soap, sewing for DarlingBridget, going to markets and in all other ways striving for a homespun life!

Good luck with the give away and thanks for sharing my journey. You keep me on my path.

Sewing new things for DarlingBridget label

 I've been sewing cute new satchel bags for my DarlingBridget label. This bright red bag features a towel with embroidered Japanese lady and crocheted edge. The bag has a magnetic clasp and long strap. Very cute.

 Same satchel design but this time a green embroidered motif with scalloped edge over funky "ice cream" fabric. This satchel is finished off with a pale pink satin trim with beads.

 And a lingerie wrap in simple white. I have had one of these myself for years and it adds a little bit of luxury to one's luggage. And does away with that fear that you bags might be opened in public ;).

 A white lace trimmed cloth has been lined in satin and is held together with a simple white satin ribbon. This is going to be a give away so watch this space.

All these bags include some upcycled fabrics, repurposing hand towels and cloths that normally are tossed in a drawer or sadly, tossed away. Now they're pretty again.

2012 is going to be a wonderful year

It is getting late in January and I haven't completed my list of goals.
I am supressing panic. Its fine I'm just warming up.
I thought this was going to be easy when I was holidays from work but I have a new theory.
Real time, real life feels suspended sometimes when you take time out.

I mean let's face it that's what we want when we take time out.
Get off the clock. Let go of the daily grind.
So it's only now that I am returned to work and routine that I feel ready to face the new year.
Ironic isn't it?
'cos now I have less time, less thinking space.
Ah well, it will happen. In fact, it is starting.
All sorts of creative ideas are bubbling, I just need to give them space and a little time to perculate.

• I am going to go with some image changes on my blog.
• I am going to promote my blog more by getting word out that we have a conversation happening here and a journey to pursue.
• I am nearing 100 posts so another give away is in order.
• I am going to offer more tutorials.
• I love lists but am moving 10 things to another day so I can participate in a 'live life greener' segment on a blog I love.
• I am going to put my DarlingBridget bags and ournals into more shops, more online opportunities.
• And I am going to launch my art to wear as a separate line - perhaps DB art to wear but you can have a say on the label.

Hmm and I'm going to conquer the work/life balance!

Wow and I am only just getting started. Hope you keep on the journey with me.

Love having you to along! Happy 2012. Please share your goals, I'd love to hear.

Kris Kringle handmade fun

Merry Christmas everyone. I wish everyone good cheer, good health and all their wishes to come true in 2012.

I am spending Christmas with family. This requires some travel, and three of my four furr kids have to stay in a kennel. I have dropped them off already so my house seems empty. I will spend some of my break regrouping, thinking about goals for 2012 and deciding what direction to take my DarlingBridget business in.  I have packed my camera and my sketchbook, very important. You never know what inspiration I may find along the way. When I return there will be many gardening jobs to do, a chook house to build and populate, cooking and creative stuff.

Thanks for being part of my journey and I hope to have you along in 2012.

And here's a Christmassey post for the day before Christmas Eve. Peace and joy to all.

 I entered the Haby Goddess's Kris Kringle this year as a bit of fun. I received this lovely Christmas stocking in the mail from Laura in South Australia. It was beautifully packaged and came with a card and well wishes.

Isn't it darling. Thanks Laura for your lovely homemade gift and thanks to the Haby Goddess for organising it.

This is the gift I sent off - mini Christmas bunting.

Link here to see some of the other gifts that were shared.

Giveaway Winners

Thanks to everyone who joined my giveaway!

I have used a random number generator from Random.org to draw the winner.

I put everyone who entered into a spreadsheet - those who entered more than once had their name entered multiple times. The number from the random generator corresponded to the line number in the spreadsheet.

The winner is Sarah Stewart who liked my DarlingBridget facebook page. Congratulations Sarah.

I decided in a fit of Christmas spirit to make a second draw. Rebecca Mo-Anne Ready will also win an item from my DarlingBridget range.

Thanks again for entering!

More pics from Handmade Canberra

I changed the layout of my stall at the start of Sunday's market, still experimenting.

DarlingBridget at Handmade Canberra Markets

New DarlingBridget brooches hot off the hoop

I've just finished five new brooches to take to this weekend's Handmade Canberra Market. I really love making these. I make each leaf, petal and wing separately and then combine them together to make the brooches. Most times I don't know which I'll combine before hand. Like the small leaves in the foreground and the leaf with the little yellow butterfly. They were all completely separate but I liked them together. The purple flower in the centre is the exception. They were designed to be together as a copy of a flowering vine that grows wild in my area.

DarlingBridget giveaway

More ways to enter and win my DarlingBridget giveaway.

This darling pouch is made from a pretty vitage doily, crisp cotton and lovely gingham ribbon. You could use it as a lingerie wrap when travelling, as a holder for your journal, art materials or other special things.

How to enter:

Visit my DarlingBridget facebook page and leave me a comment about my range of products.

Leave me a comment here.

Visit my DarlingBridget etsy store and come back and tell me about your favourite product.

Share my DarlingBridget facebook page.

Sign up to this blog as a follower!

Do them all for even more chances to win.

Drawn 19 December 2011.

DarlingBridget giveaway offer

DarlingBridget was at the Art + Design Market  in Wollongong today. I sold lovely things to lovely people, ate good food, listend to good music and enjoyed the company of my good friend Ash.

My embroidered quotes were quite popular for their first day out.

 
 My husband made me a new rack so my bags could all go on display.

And in honour of today's market I have a giveaway. Like my DarlingBridget Facebook page to go in the draw to win this lovely DarlingBridget pouch.  I will be drawing the winner on 19 December after I come back from the Handmade Canberra market on 17 & 18 December. Good luck everyone.

Launching new DarlingBridget range this weekend

This weekend I will launch a new DarlingBridget range at the Art + Design Christmas Market in Wollongong.

Friends and family have been sending me their favourite quotes and I have begun to turn them into framed art pieces. 

 Some are inspiring, some funny, some romantic. I have hand embroidered the quotes onto vintage doilies and framed them. They are ready to be hung on the wall or stood on a desk at home or at work.

I have tried to match the quote to a doily, looking for what seems to fit the theme.

What inspires you? What is your favourite quote? Please share

Custom orders welcome.

New to homespunblissblog: 10 things Monday

Today I am starting a new segment for my blog: 10 things Monday.

Every Monday I will post a list of 10 things. I hope you come along and contribute to the lists.

10 things for crafters to buy at Op Shops

1. Clothes
Lets start with the obvious choice. Clothes. This is what most people go to op shops for.  Whether you are in to vintage, quirky, or cheap designer you can usually pick up a bargain at an op shop. Indeed some shops really specilise in this area, even set themselves up like a new retail outlet.

Clothes in op shops also provide an opportunity to upcycle, or seriously alter a piece, or provide great fabric for another project.

2. Picture frames
Op shops are a great place to find cheap picture frames. I have picked up a big pile of beautifully made silk screen frames, timber photo frames and even some antique metal frames. 

These can cut down your costs in framing a piece of art work or work well as a frame for making embroidery.

3. Crockery
Mix and match crockery for a great look at the dining table. Simple white dinner plates really show off a collection of colourful entree plates or bowls. Throw in some quirky salt and pepper shakers and you have a great look.

Alternatively you can break up chipped plates and old saucers to make beautiful mosaics.

4. Furniture
If you are going to make mosaics you will need something to tile onto. Scour local op shops for interesting coffee tables, drinks trays or other small pieces of furniture. A new coat of paint and some beautiful mosaic work will give a boost to the most tired piece of furniture.

5. Doilies, serviettes and tea towels
My favourite! The beautiful handmade doilies I find at op shops get made into new bags for my DarlingBridget label.  Although occasionally I find some that I can't part with and they go into my personal collection.

I collect souvenir tea towels which also get made into gorgeous bags.

6. Buttons
I personally find modern buttons really boring compared to vintage ones. I have a growing collection of vintage buttons that are pretty and colourful. I use these as accents to bags, journal covers and other sewing projects.  Occassionally I even use them as buttons!


7. Fabric and notions
If you are into sewing there are endless treasures in op shops. Sometimes you'll find remnants of brand new fabric. I have a piece of corduroy in brown with yellow flowers: yikes! But often there are beautiful pieces of cotton or other nice fabrics. Then there are the clothes as mentioned above and tablecoths which can be used.

Vintage patterns galore can be found at op shops.  If you want to use them you will need to check that all the pieces are there but otherwise the packets make great art to use in collages.

And then every type of notion from elastic to buckles, hooks and eyes, lace trims and more can be found very cheaply.

8. Books
Some of my favourite craft books have come from op shops. I have some excellent how to sew books, embroidery, gardening and of course my favourite 1977 Australian Women's Weekly biscuit and slice cookbook.

9. Jewellery
All sorts of jewellery can be picked up very cheaply from op shops. I have several 80s plastic bangles that I have bought, just wish I'd kept my own from back then! I have also bought vintage beads, brooches and clip on earrings. These can be worn as is or upcycled into new jewellery pieces or used in various art projects.

10. Over to you
What is your favourite thing to buy at an op shop?

Custom DarlingBridget order for groovy retro bag

 I made this satchel bag as a custom order for my friend Paula. The bag features a long strap to fit over the shoulder.

 And a large leather button to close.

There are some hidden details inside: 70s style suede fringing and a pocket made from a groovy doily with brown, orange and yellow crocheted edgeing.

It was great fun to make and now that I have the pattern all worked out I will make some more from some other vintage tablecloths I found last week at an op shop.

This is the last of this funky retro fabric but I have a bag with tortoise shell handles for sale on my etsy store if you want to check it out.

Quotes for DarlingBridget embroidery project

I have sent out a call for friends to send me in their favourite quotes.

I am about to start creating some art featuring vintage doilies and famous inspiring or funny quotes. I think they'll be lovely (hope) and will share as I make them.

The quotes are coming in so I thought I would share them with you and ask for your feedback.

Four and twenty blackbirds...

Interestingly some themes have emerged: courage and love. Also two different people have sent me Judy Garland quotes. Sounds like synchronicity to me.

Courage

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar” Raymond Lindquist

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." AA Milne Christopher Robin to Pooh

Love

'love me when I least deserve it because that is when I need it most...'

"I used to read fairytales... but now I have you"

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

Judy Garland

More quotes are welcome, always.

What do you think of these?

Vintage teatowel finds await their new life as cool bags

 After scouring op shops finally pay dirt a new stash of souvenir tea towels. Washed and ironed they are ready to be made into new bags. One of the things I love about these towels is that they were rarely used so are mostly in pristine condition. As I recall they didn't dry the dishes well!

 They are deliciously kitsch! Check out this koala. Ouch!

 The calendar towels are my favourite and whilst most are vintage these wear their credentials on their sleeve.

 Apparently wattle was in vogue in 1979 along with turquoise and orange, one of my favourite colour combos. Seriously.

 The Aboriginal images are the ultimate kitsch but some are not PC these days. A little piece of our cultural history.

 Placemats - not quite sure how to use these but couldn't resist them.

 More doilies and traycloths. My mum is on the trail and picked up most of these for me.

I find these darling cloths so motivating, can't wait to play with them and make some lovely homespun things from them.