Sunday 1 March 2015

Anything but a card

Good Morning here we are again ! I cannot believe we are in March already!
I have lots going on at the moment with a day of demoing yesterday and another two days this month and my monthly workshop so its all go and I am trying desperately to get in front as my daughter is flying home for a visit on the 13th - just in time for Mothers day, grumpy's birthday and young Oliver's Christening for which my sister and hubby are coming up from London and I haven't seen her for yonks either.

Well we had some fab entries last month and I just cannot wait to see what folks come up with this month - what will we see I wonder. The dt have come up with some magnificent pieces with a wide variety of projects - it's been great fun seeing them and I am looking forward to reading all about how they achieved them - after watching Barbara of course!

So here is my piece






I usually have something on the go besides my paper crafting and I do like to do cross stitch but I also like something that I can do just sat in a deck chair or a sea side bench as when I go out with Grumpy we do a lot of sitting about and I get bored easily. So embroidery is a little easier to do than cross stitch as I don't have a paper chart blowing away in the breeze!
Way back in 2013 I finished a cushion that I had done from a kit and thought I would like to have a go at designing my own.  I used several different distress inks on scraps of material to see which would be the best to see and then to ensure that they washed out properly afterwards.  In the end I used frayed burlap . 

I did make a start and it has been in the car for quite some time untouched and unloved because last summer I was busy knitting for my soon to be young grandson - something else I can do sat in a chair lol but then  when this month's theme came up I thought it was the perfect opportunity to finish it off 




I marked out a square with a ruler and a pencil that writes on fabric ( I had one of these in my other crafty stash - I used to do a lot of dressmaking lol) I then added the stamping.  Its very simple really and I just used simple stitches like whipped running stitch, backstitch, chain stitch an satin stitch on the leaves.
On the big Leafy twirls  in the middle I used a couple of colours on the leaves to give them a bit of light and shade, although you can't really see it in the picture.




Now it is finished I have nothing on the go that I can do without loads of stuff - so I am TRYING to crochet now  I have made a little hat for my first attempt but I am now trying to do a little top for young Oliver but it is not growing very quickly - good job I am doing a bigger size lol 



28 comments:

Emma Burns said...

I just love this cushion. The colours are so me and would look lovely on my new suite - waiting on it arriving. So you can get busy making me a couple of these or I will just simply steal your design! (stitching won't be as good though) (you said you needed to keep busy...lol) Hugs friend. xxxxx

Linda Page said...

lol Emma - feel free to nick the design - if you wait for me to make you some cushion covers you will have replaced your new suite again ha ha ha xx

Unknown said...

I just to do embroidery and dressmaking Linda, so I understand just how much work was involved in creating this piece. Its a real showstopper! Xxx

Emma Burns said...

Ha Ha Linda. Bad as me then lol. Hugs xxxx

carols handmade cards said...

This must have taken you ages to do it's beautiful. Xx

Shelagh Metselaar said...

I loved the cushion from the off, Linda and I know how much work and time has gone into such a project; think that's why I now do card/paper stuff as it's much quicker! Enjoy your crocheting! ;~}

Sazzle said...

Oh WOW this is gorgeous Linda and something that you can have on display all of the time. You've shown that stamps don't have to be just for stamping, they can be stitched as well xx

Jane said...

Oh Linda this looks gorgeous! You can make me one too but with pinks and purples please!!! Xxxxx

Lynne Bishop said...

Beautiful Linda. I am considering making something with fabric, so thanks for the tip about distress inks washing out. Love sewing, like you say nice to just be able to pick up. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration. xx

Angela said...

Love your cushion Linda, it's such a great way to use Clarity stamps. As someone who also stitches,methought mainly cross stitch, I appreciate how much time and effort this took! xx

Pippa said...

Lovely cushion. Embroidery always eluded me, just could not get the hang of it. However knitting, crochet and cross stitch are another matter, along with stamping of course! x

Linda Page said...

thanks Carole x

Linda Page said...

thank you Carol x

Linda Page said...

thanks Shelagh - I am not going great guns with the crocheting lol - but I will persevere a bit longer - but I think knitting is easier ha ha xx

Linda Page said...

Thanks Sazzle xx

Linda Page said...

yea righto lol - you can pinch the design and make your own lol xx

Linda Page said...

Thanks and good luck Lynne - you will have to share what you decided to do when it is completex

Linda Page said...

Thanks Angela - I dabble in cross stitch too he he x

Linda Page said...

Thanks Pippa - its funny how we all like to dabble in various crafts xx

crafty said...

Lovely work I'm totally no good at sewing stunning xxxx

Theresa said...

Linda this is ace. it is scary though as yesterday i was thinking what it would be like to do stamping on material for tea towels, cushions etc. and then i see this, hugs xx

Jo Rice said...

This is such a beautiful cushion cover Linda...and a great way to use your stamps...I love it...xxx

Lisapmac said...

So glad you finished this, it's stunning xx

Lesley said...

Wonderful embroidery work Linda. Love the autumnal colours. I have several started cross stitch kits hiding in various boxes waiting to be finished. Most have been given to me as presents and I always start with good intentions. Knitting for grandsons has been my priority of late, good luck with the crochet. x

Lesley said...

Wonderful embroidery work Linda. Love the autumnal colours. I have several started cross stitch kits hiding in various boxes waiting to be finished. Most have been given to me as presents and I always start with good intentions. Knitting for grandsons has been my priority of late, good luck with the crochet. x

Naomi said...

Fantastic, so lovely. It can make it's home here anytime Linda. Such beautiful work. xxxxx

Maria Moorhouse said...

Beautiful work our Linda, I see your point about embroidery verses cross stitch-I have a vision of you now running along Blackpool prom after your pattern lol. X

Mrs P said...

Wow Linda - this must have taken an age to do before you put the finishing touches to it for this month's challenge.
You've stitched it to perfection! It's a very elegant looking cushion and unique into the bargain. You know for sure that no one else will have another like it! Good luck with the crocheting :-) x