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.

The end of 2019

December 28th 2019.

As we near the end of 2019 I thought I would share  9 of the projects I worked on last year. I was late starting. I was able about June to start to spend a space of time at my sewing machine, so lots were getting ready for Christmas show. In February when I booked my space for the show I had serious doubts wether I would have enough to show. But thinking signing up was encouragement to endevor to get well. Still doing physio but I have come a long way looking back to end of January. I have shared these pictures on my Instagram site and also Etched In Thread By Ally on FB.

i have just finished a commision for a lady for her husband but until she gives it to him am not able to share. But would like to share the threads that I used for it.

Also I made an apron for a budding baker for a Christmas gift and embroidered on my Embroiary machine on the pocket. It turned out quite well.

Here are a few more cards that I did this year and as I have sold out, my first project this year is to make more for my stock. And also I have a thread painting half finished so I want to complete that. Also in February I am running a couple of classes one for beginners a seascape postcard. And a intermediate class with thread painting of a larger landscape, so that should keep me busy.

Also there are a couple of things I want to experiement with so I will remember to take pictures to share with you.

Here are a few cards that quickly sold so want to make some more.

As one year ends and 2020 begins I would like to wish you Gods peace, health and happiness.

Bye for now see you next year.

Ally.

Merry Christmas from my home to your home.

December 23rd 2019.


I would like wish everyone a Merry Christmas and many blessings in 2020.

As promised, I would post the finished Alpaca that found its way to a good home.

Here are a few other projects that I have worked on.

My sewing buddies took a picture of the lap quilts that I donated to a nursing home to give to the clients that don't have  family or any visitors. They took photo before I had put on the binding and label.

I had an order of cards to do for someone who bought these at Christmas in Paris they liked them so much that they order another 14 to give as a gift a card then they could frame afterwards. She asked if I did speciality cards and I said I was thinking of doing that. I love to do thread painting but big projects are still a little hard on my shoulder if I sit at the sewing machine too long!! So I am learning to pace myself with short time spaces but the cards are not so time consuming.

I thought I would show you the commission I have just finished for a client for a Christmas gift but was unable to load more pictures. I think my poor old I Pad is telling me it is wearing out!! It is so slow now and the other day it shut down for a couple of days.

I don't think I will be in here again until after Christmas but I have a few things lined up to show and share with you. I hope this winter to play with different techniques in my sewing studio so hope I can share that with you.

May the joy of the season be with you and your as we celebrate Christ birth.

Christmas In Paris Kindred Spirit Show.

November 4th 2019.

Here are a few pictures of the show that I would like to share with you. My cards were nearly a sell out but a bit disappointed that I didn't sell as many pictures as last year.

Here is a picture of my Stand

Here is the picture of my card rack along with the notice of Just A Card that I displayed for people to read the little write up that started the challenge to shop local, hand made not mass produced items. Encouraging people to buy even just a card helps to keep small businesses a float in our communities.
I know for me when I visited the UK a year or so ago, Paul and myself went into several galleries and looked at the beautiful artwork of the local people. Of course with a restrictive luggage load and flying we were unable to buy a big item but I bought a card of the artist work to remind me of the visit. A card is always something one can use and I have quite a collection from different artists. So that is mainly what the sign is about.

My cards were a great success in fact I came home Saturday to pack up a few cards that I had printed of my photography of the Lotus and Lily farm we visited with our Australian friends while visiting Melbourne.

I was so pleased though my Alpaca thread painting that brought much attention and scritizing of by different people didn't actually get sold at the show, but got a message Saturday night that I had a buyer, was so pleased and was able to still show it with a big SOLD notice on it.

I hope the photo I have of it, will be good enough to have made into cards for another time.

In my next blog I will post it all framed up for you to see.

I understand from a few of you that follow my blog that you are unable to post comments I have gone into the settings hoping it may help, and that there will be a place where you can comment. Unfortunately I am not computer savvy and so by trying different option I fall on an answer. So if you are able to now make a comment but don't want to comment a little 👍👍, I would really appreciate.

All for now enjoy your day and keep smiling, because when you smile the world smiles back and it makes it such a better place. 😄😄😄