Leave Well Alone...

..is not a phrase I can get my head around very easily.
What you see here is a piece that I have never been happy with. I have blogged about it here and here.
While I am happy with the other fences, this one wasn't right.
First the green and the binding had to go. This was done by covering in scrim. Still not happy :(

So working on my theory that everything gets better if you throw lots of stitching at it, that is what I have done. I have also cropped some off the top.

And because I really do believe that everything looks better if you put a bird on it...

Now....LEAVE WELL ALONE!!

P.S. As you may observe I am also having issues with the whole watermark thing!
Would love to hear your thoughts on it plus any tips on how to speed up the process.

I surprised myself...

...by managing to turn these, began earlier in the week, into decorative cushions.

After free motion stitching in a spiral from the centre, I felt it needed a bit more so I added some flowers to each block.

 

The stitching can be seen better from the back.

 The finished cushion has added tassels and painted flowers.

I practiced stitching in circles on this one.

The process for painting these began here.

Linking up with Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday!

...and more

More Playing!

Stamping on some blocks that have been hanging around here for far too long.

The stamp was made from a Styrofoam pizza base. Not a lover of Styrofoam as a concept but when it can be put to a use such as this....

This block had one layer done in a pale grey, before adding a bold stamp of dark.

I am planning to turn these into some small cushions.

Well that is the plan...don't hold your breathe...
At the moment I am finding the painting fast and enjoyable ...not so much the stitching ...family life creates far too many interruptions ...not complaining ...just saying :)

One of those interruptions was my baby girl turning 18 last Friday!!!
Note to self....wait for the cake to cool before adding the chocolate cream filling!!!
I can normally make a mean sponge cake so why when it counts did this one turn out so bad?
It tasted okay though and as I  explained to the birthday girl, it was made with love:)

Playing!

One of the good thing about giving a workshop is that I get to play.

fabric friday

using up left over paint

playing in Photoshop

Why is it.....?

Why is it that no matter how much work you put into a piece the magic only begins when you trim and bind?
Guess what I am doing today!