Inspired by quilting

The latest Counterfeit Kit Challenge mini-challenge is up and this time, we were asked to be inspired by quilting.

I recently participated in Clair's Stitching on Paper class and one of the prompts was also quilting so I had done a paper piecing patchwork design already (see my post here) so I wanted to try something different but familiar.

I went back to the design I did for Whimsical Musing #30 where we were to be inspired by the trendy geometrical shapes (here) and decided to take that white on white stitching and start from there.

Then rather than add the papers on top, I decided to cut out the centres of each shape and add the papers behind. Leslie tells me this is reverse appliqué. I made sure that there was a bit of dimension behind too so you get a sense of depth.

My October kit, Brighter, was the perfect combination of colours and patterns to give this a mismatched whimsical feel to it.

The stitching took a long time, but sitting in front of the TV, taking me time, it was just the slow down therapy I needed after some hectic days.

Having spent the last weeks packing and unpacking boxes I thought it was a good idea to try and participate in the Scrap Happy member LOAD this month - yes, I told you I was crazy! But to be honest, this bit of me time every day had done me the world of good ;-) I'm hoping for a full month of pages but I am not stressing about it - later in the month could be hard for me so we will see.

Why not have a go at being inspired by quilts - there's so many ways to take this and I know that the Master Forgers all went in different directions so do make sure you check them all out. Don't forget to share your creation over at the CKC Mr Linky (here).

Have a great Monday everyone!

Stitching on paper - inspired by quilting

Last weekend I posted about Clair's wonderful Stitching on Paper class in which I have the honour of being one of the GDs.

I had the chance this week to catch up with the first 5 lessons and they really are super. Interested in paper? Love stitching? Than you have to check this class out and say hi to Clair while you are there. There's even a super prize on offer.

In the meantime, today's lesson is being inspired by quilting and I also contributed to this lesson and it was so much fun. I decided to go back to my patchwork beginnings and made a page as a tribute to my Granny who taught me to patchwork nearly 40 years ago!

I chose an old-fashioned patchwork design and made it out of paper scraps. I stitching around each piece to give it some definition and didn't worry about how messy it was. I've never been a perfect hand-stitcher (all my patchwork is done by hand) so it matched the feel I was trying to create. I so love how this turned out and it really made me want to go back to my fabric patchwork again - who knows, I might just do that ;-)

And just to add a couple more examples of how to use this inspiration, here are a couple of projects I don't know if I've shared before.

Why not give it a try and then go over to Clair's site and link up - after checking out this week's class of course!

Stitching on Paper - embroidery

You remember that I told you about Clair's free class? And I hoped you checked out the first two parts last weekend where she gave you lots of inspiration and know-how for where to start (here for the basics and here for machine stitching) as well as yesterday's part about using stamping for inspiration when stitching.

Well, today's part is all about embroidery and using embroidery on our pages and I was thrilled if a little daunted when Clair asked if I could contribute to this section. Gulp!

Now, I love sewing and I love sewing on my pages but I'm ever so slightly (ok, very!) lazy and don't get around to it all that often, and when I do, it's usually pretty basic. So I knew I had to get creative this time around and try out a couple of new things.

I started off my adding some mist splats (Glimmer Mist) to my cardstock and then creating a small layered photo element with pink (what a surprise) papers from my scrap box. I knew that I wanted my stitching and other elements to sort of radiate out from this point and I knew I wanted to go pretty. So, because I'm not a good doodler so I was happy to fish out my stitching template (Bazzill?) to create some swirls in cream and pink as a starting point. 

Then I decided to get knotty. I love the look of French Knots and decided to tackle them with the help of the internet. Now, the trick to these knots is that they take a bit of practice (some of my earlier attempts are not so successful!) and you need to take them slowly, but once you've cracked it, they are super fun to make and look so cute scattered around.

Once I had finished those, I added some blanket stitch to opposite corners of the page, just for a bit of dimension and because it took me back to primary school when we would create little felt needle books or something similarly "useful" items. It was a fun trip down memory lane!

At that point, I thought that I was done but while looking up a few stitches online, I saw pretty chain daisies and decided to give them a try. They were a bit more difficult to make neat and even but somehow, I felt they added the final, perfect touch.

This prompt really made me go the extra mile on the stitching and the result is just gorgeous!

It doesn't happen often that I take the time to stitch so much but I always love the end result.

Here's another one I did last year and I don't remember if I shared it here or not...

And here's the stitching template being put to good use again on a Christmas card from last year.

And one last one to share - here, the embroidery is a little more subtle and I just created those little stars freehand.

Embroidery is a great way to add something extra to your layout without making a whole lot of bulk. It may take a bit of practice and time but the end result is always worth the effort.

Make sure you check out Clair's class. I haven't been over there yet but you can bet she's got a load of tips and tricks to help you on your stitching way.

Something fab's coming up and you need to know about it!

I've said it before, but it always surprises me - in a wonderfully good, happy, big smiley way - how easy it is to make friends in our little part of the blogosphere. Creative peeps are just the best and along the way I've made many new friends and they are very special to me. And they are such an inspiring group of people.

So I was more than delighted when my Counterfeit friend, Clair, emailed me to ask if I'd like to join in in a creative endeavour she's kicking off on her blog tomorrow.

Like stitching? Like paper? Like stitching on paper? Then you have to come along and join the party.

Clair explains how her FREE class came about on her blog {here} and it all starts tomorrow so you have to make sure that you jump on board.

Did I mention it's free? Did I mention that there's a whole list of talented featured stitchers. Oh yes... and did I mention that there might be a prize? Go on over to Clair's blog {here} and tell her I sent you!

See you in class!