Scrappy Sea Scene

I know things have been quiet around here lately, but it has all been going on over on my blue hare blog, some good, some not so good.

 
Things are starting to settle down around here and I have lots of things planed for Quilt Routes, but I am
sure you know how hard it can be to get back into the rythmn after a break.

I find that just diving in and doing anything creative helps even if it is not something you should be doing. It is just nice to do a fun activity and get the creative juices flowing.
When I saw this post from Alisa Burke I knew it was something I wanted to try.

So using strips of painted fabric and an old canvas not needed any more I did this. 

I covered the canvas in gesso, sticking the strips on whilst the paint was still wet. When dry I made sure everything was secured into place with a couple of coats of artists varnish.
It was so easy to do and very satisfying.
Why don't you give it a try?

fabric friday

sun printing, a photo by Quilt Routes on Flickr.

Thinking of Sunflowers

Snuggled in the far corner at the back of the house away from the sea winds I have managed to grow a sunflower. No mean feat I can tell you.



I have also been thinking of sunflowers in my stitching.

Using one of my Solitary Sunflower kits I have put together a little wall hanging using up some scraps.

Here is the original with simple straight line stitching around the edge of the applique shapes, but I wanted to try something different.

Beginning with the leaves....

I have dropped the feed dogs and put on my darning foot to do some free motion stitching, but I have set the machine to a narrow open zig zag. This is a great stitch to practise free motion because the needle is going from side to side which means it is not running away from you gives you more control.

I have used a variegated thread and gone around the edges twice.

Same for the petals.....

Here are some more sunflower that have been intensively stitched.

Sunflower applique template available soon.

Happy Stitching

Is it too soon........

....to be thinking of Falling Leaves?

Not in if you want to be ahead of the game in craftland.

PDF Templates available in my Folksy and Etsy shops now!

This is what I did with some of them last year.

Happy Stitching