Making an impression. First stamps...

So the search for more ways to make marks on fabric continues... this time taking me into stamping. I used this book to help me get my mind around the how to's

 I cant recommend it highly enough. The methods are easy and her tips and hints invaluable to making the process easier.. my results are quite satisfactory...

The tools for the job

First cut

First print

Working to make a cleaner print.

Next will be using this on fabric to make something fabulous...

Working on print

At the end of the last term I decided that I really must try and keep up with my own sewing and projects. Term goes by far too quickly and I end up having done what is required with the girls and not anything more. Printing is such a gratifying medium and after last term where we were all bleach printing with wonderful results I decided to keep going and make scarves for a very dear friend and myself... the results are below:

This first one was printed using a Alabama Chenin stencil that I got from here

their resources page. When bleaching the blue stretch fabric dyed to a lovely purple, which I matched quite handily to a wonderful viscose that was in my stash of fabric that had a soft hand feel.

This stencil was a Ikat print that was inspired by a blog post that I read and here I do apologise that I cannot remember who wrote it but her stencil was done for a cushion I think, I space mine out and had 5 blocks of ikat on the scarf and worked each panel with beads and sequins and thread work to help it stand out.
My friend was very happy with her scarf and I was thrilled that I had managed to make something that really was useful and very unique. All the right reasons for sewing. My resolution for this year is to keep sewing.

Extending space...

I work out of the house and lots of prep work is done in the garage, a lovely space that has been warm and cosy and very well suited to what I do. Over the six months I have been looking to extend the classes and the space I have to lay out and work. My obsession of course is fabric printing and this is a space consuming affair... I used the Rated People  website and posted my job on. Within a few days I had about ten answers from builders within my area. I chose four that I wanted to quote mostly choosing from past experiences and the information they had on their websites. Once I had chosen who I wanted to do the build with (actually was an easy decision, I went with my gut feeling) and the work started. I had moments of panic and a back yard that looked like this...

To this....

I love the new space. The cutting table has tons of natural light. Important for when I print. There is space to move and it all flows well. I have lots to do in terms of arranging the space to suit me, but for now this will do! I have a nook for thread and a space for me silhouette machine and printer etc... and my beloved overlocker now lives on a table instead of on a shelf. productive year for me! 

Family time and looking back...

What a busy time it has been, I have been sitting and thinking about the last quarter of last year and it was jam packed with all sorts of things. First Miss T started school and settling her in was not a lot of fun. I really struggled with the two off/ pick up issues and the kids were not so thrilled with how this was all going down. We went to Disney in Paris with the kids in Oct which was great catch up time and they really loved ice skating as well as the main event...

 

                       

                          

 

Back to school and then Christmas was on us. Work was busy and all the lovely school plays and activities that come with the season. I was very glad we opted for a quiet Christmas. I have been working on various projects and I look forward to blogging about them soon. I extended the office and  will post about that soon as well.