My latest interests....

We had a paper folding play day at Quilt Bee a couple of weeks ago and since then, nothing in my house is safe from becoming a little folder. They are so much fun to create and are nice to have in your purse to carry papers, lists, coupons, business cards, etc. They each have six pockets and I've added note paper to some of them.

If you would like to have one, leave a comment and I'll choose 2 names next Saturday and mail one out to each of the winners. Not sure yet which ones I'll mail out. I might even make some new ones.

The instructions for making them were in the Winter 2015 edition of Pages magazine put out by Cloth, Paper, Scissors.

click on the images for close-ups....

paper folding play

all different sizes depending on the paper size you start with.

I printed on watercolor paper, used maps, napkins and wrapping paper.

an iron on transfer on newsprint, napkins, album page and moire fabric with lace.

the magazine with the instructions

I've also been playing with the light that comes through my kitchen window during the afternoons at this time of year.

shadows on the kitchen table

playing with a small prism and the light from the window

There are more images on Instagram. click HERE if you're interested.
Wishing you all who celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving. We have had our first really cold days this weekend and it feels good. Stay safe and enjoy whatever it is you are doing.

successes and failures....

I've managed to completely piece the top of the redwork hat quilt. Decided to edge two of the sides with prairie points....some embroidered with patterns of the hat bands showing in the fabric. I probably shouldn't stitch those on until the top is quilted. Lots of ideas of how I want to quilt this but need to do some sampling to see if my ideas will work. The plans are to do some hand quilting and some machine quilting.....more on that at another time.

click on the images....

embroidering prairie points

I'm wondering if this will be enough.

just playing....might be an idea for tile work.

the edge....facing inward is how I plan to place them.

Continuing to weave with the Shosenshi paper on the pin loom. I did try leaf dyeing on a couple of them but that was not very successful. Maybe I'll try adding some paint or stamps on these but they will not be part of the paper blanket.

woven paper and other paper embedded with rose leaves tied between 2 tiles and placed in walnut bath.

opening the bundle

looks like it's coated in mud....not very pretty.

I did experiment with crocheting some of the woven squares together which worked out fine but I think I would like it better with a color. It looks too drab. I do have some pretty colors of this bamboo yarn so I will continue to experiment.

too drab....need to experiment with other colors.

And.... did do some more experimenting with the paper manipulation but haven't been successful ....yet... in achieving what I'm planning.

color catcher sheets fused to cardstock, pin pricked and stitched

I watched this wonderful video of an embroidery of the Magna Carta that was fascinating. Thought you might like to see it. The video is here. The link I planned on sharing was just made private so I'm hoping the link I'm providing will work for you. You might have to be signed onto facebook. The embroidery is being exhibited at the British Museum right now. Wish I was close enough to visit.

....and...
JUST A FACT: Stephen Hawking's father, Frank Hawking, was a bee keeper.
You might enjoy this little video describing why the bee's build a perfect hexagon....it's HERE.

It's still raining here in Texas on a daily basis....on and off....the ground is saturated but more rain is predicted. Have a great weekend and I'll see you next time.

mostly weaving....

I spent most of my time this week weaving with the Shosenshi linen paper I showed you last time. It's here if you missed it. At first I just wove the paper on the pin loom as it presented itself with all the kinks and creases but I decided I wanted a cleaner, more balanced look so I started straightening the paper as I wove and I'm loving how it looks and feels. It has a kind of crisp feel but I've read that it will soften with time. I did try weaving in a pattern but it didn't show up well so I just doodled over that one with a cross stitched flower and did a crochet edge....just a sample for the ledger. I also tried that same pattern with yarn and it shows up so well....another sample.

click on the images...

They work up quickly and are very calming and relaxing to do. I'm thinking of connecting them to make a paper blanket....maybe with a contrasting bamboo yarn. I'll have to do some sampling. There are lots of interesting patterns and designs for pin looms and zoom looms on Pinterest, if you are interested. Just go to Pinterest.com and do a search.

I did also play with some paper folding and manipulating.

manipulated paper with pin pricking

I'm working on one where I've fused some color catcher sheets to cardstock. Hope to stitch on that one this week and will show you next time.

Also still working on the hat quilt. I'm having to piece fabric together for the borders and it involves matching the hat design fabric so it's taking a bit of time.....lots of basting to be sure it's matched up correctly.

We've had non-stop rain here so everything is lush and green and no need for much hand watering. One morning it was raining so hard that the rain looked like long running stitches.

Have a great weekend and hope you'll come back again for a visit.