A little blog today.

March 14th 2020

Here are some things I created at a workshop of lino printing.

This is the lino I carved for my print. I printed it on paper but I am hoping to overprint on fabric for my cards. If you see the paper print the background is black so I think I will carve out the background more to make a print of just the chickadee.

The second lino print is of daisies.

As you can see I am no professional at this but think one would get a much even coverage with the ink which probably comes with practice.

Schools are off now for 3 weeks with the Corvid 19 so stay safe everyone and try and keep away from crowds and be watchful in what activities you do.

Blessings to keep healthy.

Workshop #2

February.19th 2020.

Here is another photo of the second workshop.  I had three sisters join me and another gal making four of attending this workshop. Both workshops were successful.

I am busy working on another thread painting of Mare and her foal, I didn't take the picture but the gal that did is interested in buying it.

I was delighted to sell some more of my textile cards which went over very well with the gals at the workshop.  So I am back into making some more cards to build my stock up again. The girls at the last workshop mentioned if I was doing another workshop they would be interested, so I am thinking of doing the cushion with the thread painting of the little chickadee and branch with berries on.

A bit of news of the family, as you know my family from Hong Kong are back in Canada as schools are still closed and they have now extended the date to March 16th. One good thing in this day and age of the internet that the boys are able to complete there school work online and send in their work,  to their teachers. So they are enjoying the snow that Newfoundland has and being in  the outdoors and enjoying the fresh air. They have been ice skating and also they visited the school their aunt teaches at because they were having valentine celebrations and were able to join in with the other children. I am sure it is hard for Dad not being with them and working . I know Nora their helper is really missing the boys, but she says it is safer for them to be away from all that is going on.

On family day we took a drive down to the lake and checked over the trailer while there. The park has had tree surgeons in and have cut down a few really big trees and one was on our site so we will certainly see a difference next year as we will miss the shade that it provides. We had spent Sunday with Emma and Owen we had family day early as she had some studying to do for her course that she is taking in Toronto.

Well I will close now and get settled into a hour or so on the Mare and foal.

Bye for now.

Postcard Workshop

February 9th 2020.

Postcard Workshop.

I had the first postcard workshop on Thursday. It was a great time and learning experience for the ones signed up.
Here are a few photos of the ladies working away at their postcard.

I'm afraid that the photo is a bit dark but should have looked as light as the previous photo . Maybe I hit something on the phone when I was taking it.

Here are their finished postcard pieces.

My next class is on the 15th Feb with 4 attending which is all my studio can accommodate

I really enjoyed teaching this class, so great to see everyone so enthusiastic .

Another few days of light snow, just to let us know that winter isn't over just yet.

Bye for now, happy creating.

Ally.

Valentines Card .

February 5th 2020
  I can't believe January is over already to me it seemed to fly by.

I must apologize for an abrupt ending to my last blog, I was hoping to finish with the card that I had made for valentines. It seems not sure if it is my I Pad is getting old or wether it was because I had too much photos to post.  But it just wouldn't let me in to finish post and do my corrections. I know  I have been dragging my heels not purchasing a new I Pad but seeing this one is 10 years old I think it is telling me it is time!!😄

So here is the finished card I'm afraid it is a bit wonky on the easle .This is made from the demo I showed you in a blog a few weeks ago.

As many of you know that our son and daughter in law and three grandsons live in Hong Kong. As you may have heard Hong Kong and China are going through a difficult time. Our family have a home in Newfoundland which they use holiday times to be near Leigh's family. They were home for Christmas and went back to HK in January only to return a few weeks later. We had a lovely visit with Leigh and the boys for a couple of days and then a few days later with Duncan on his own heading out to Newfoundland. Because of the virus in China their schools have been closed until March 2nd and Duncan has a 10 day leave. Right now depending on the situation things could alter. Fortunately the schools post all the work on line for each child's level, so they continue with school work while in NF. Please keep our little family in your prayers and others in this situation so they can get a handle on this situation. Duncan brought us a lovely picture of them all for our wall.

Today I am finishing  prepping for the postcard workshop tomorrow. So I better sign off. I will try and get some pictures tomorrow while class is going.

Leaving you with a thought for the day.

Proverbs 3 verses 5&6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths.

Ally.

Great Retreat.

January 27th 2020.

Kindred Spirits Retreat.

Thirty two of us joined together at Apps Mills Retreat Center for our yearly Kindred Spirit Retreat. The weather was a bit snowy to start with but quickly changed to rain and was a bit icy overnight but cleared by the morning.

There were two workshops for people to enroll in if you wished or one could just bring your own projects to work on.

I enrolled in the paper bead making which sounded interesting. I thought maybe the beads made of paper originated from Africa or the Carabeen . But I was wrong it was first discovered in England where they used the beads on door divides or on edges of curtains etc.

Here are a few pictures I took at the workshop.

The other workshop which I didn't take part in was led by Pam, who is a rug hooker. And this project was made with strips of wool. So I was able to take a few photos just as the class was finishing.

It was so good to seat around the fire and chat and get caught up on friendships. Some working in their projects.

A little bit of creative playing.

January 23rd 2020.

 A little bit of playing.

Do you remember me showing you a while back this.

This the scrap thread that has amounted in my catch all while thread painting.

I thought I would post step by step and show you what I have been experimenting with.

Step one.

Step Two

I think I have enough threads and just putting bits of scrap fabric from some other project. This is truly recycling of waste bits. I have laid it all out on soluable stabilizer.

Now I have cover it over the top with another layer of stabilizer ready after pinning to sew making sure that the lines are connected.

Sewn straight lines first then place hearts on top and free motion sewing them on. 

Then I cut into four pieces and gently

submerge into warm water and lay on towel to dry. It takes a bit to remove the tackiness .

Here is the finished project next time I'll show you what I used it for.

It is surprising what one can make of something of nothing, so much better instead of going in the landfill.

Bye for now and happy creating.

New Cards

January 16th 2020.

Last week was a week of mixed weather, from snow to freezing rain to a big downpour.
In our City the Grand a River runs through, and we are not to far away. We have beautiful trails overlooking the river, where one can jog, walk or ride ones bike. Lately when it is nice we walk along there rather than bike. I haven't ridden my bike since I broke my shoulder but it is looking good that I may get back to it this summer.

Monday was a snow day and good day to be inside so I decided it as time to tidy my sewing studio, especially as I will be teaching a workshop on seascape Postcard making and landscape thread painting picture. I will try and post some pictures of the class later in February.

Here is my studio, all I have left to clean is the floor and my cutting table. At the momen making up kits for the class.

 

I will try and get pictures of my students creations to show you next month.

I also have started to stock up again with my textile cards I sold out of them over Christmas, and I had several orders to do too. Now I am back in the groove to get going on my cards so hope to do some different designs. Here are three of some that I have finished.

I will leave you on that note until next time. Today the wind is cold and we have opted to go for our walk at the arena where they have a track.

Bye for now until next time.