Handmade Gifts

Cuddle Kitty

I love to when possible make handmade gifts for people.  I like the idea of being able to create something with that person in mind as well as having a reason to make and get creative.  I love to make things for children the best.  I like trying to match an idea to a little person’s personality and the love the idea that something can be adapted and personalised.  Here are a few images of some gifts I have made over the past couple of years.

Super Finn

Ballet Bags

Crayon and Sketchbook Rolls

Crayon and Sketchbook Rolls

My Finished Umbrella Prints Entry

This bank holiday weekend was the perfect opportunity for me to finish off my entry for the Umbrella Prints 2016 Trimmings Challenge.  I still had to add my hand stitch detail, which for me is totally like adding the sprinkles to cake you have baked.

My "Little Helper" insisted on sitting on my knee while I worked!

Once I was happy with my piece it was time to fame it and photograph.  I think the Mountain Girl fabrics look fab against the green walls in my house; I'm obviously drawn to those colours.  Here is my finish entry, I'm pretty pleased with the results but am more happy that this challenge has inspired me to start creating again.  I feel like I am motivated to put myself out there and make new work and just enjoy the process of creating without worrying about who or what I'm making for.

  

My Finished Entry #umbrellaprintstrimmingschallenge  

All that's left to do now is to email my entry and keep my fingers and toes crossed!

Framed design in my dining room

Close up detail - Poodle

Close up detail - Pug

Close up detail showing hand stitch 

Close up detail showing hand stitch 

Umbrella Prints Trimmings Challenge 2016..

Trimmings Challenge 2016 from Umbrella Prints - Picture from www.umbrellaprints.com.au

I thought I would let you all know what I am currently working on.  We decided at work to run the Umbrella Prints Trimmings Challenge 2016 as a live project with our level 3 year 1 students.  As staff we have followed previous years competitions and admired the creative responses to the challenge of creating something from a pack of trimmings. Of course not wanting to miss out on the fun the staff decided to join in too.  The trimmings packs are available in 6 different colour ways.  I chose the Mountain Girl Pack.

6 Different Trimmings Packs to Choose From - Pictures from www.umbrellaprints.com.au

I Chose The Mountain Girl Trimmings Pack - Picture from www.umbrellaprints.com.au

I decided to create a piece based on some dog illustrations I had done some work on a few years back.  I decided to combine appliqué with screen printing.  Here are some images of my work in progress just after I had screen printed the line on top of the appliquéd fabrics.  I still need to add some hand stitch and work out how to mount it and then photograph my entry.  Watch this space for updates and my final challenge entry.

Appliquéd Dogs with a Screen Printed Line

Close Up Detail