There is so much to love about these humpback whale softies by K of Fog and Swell: the awesome fabric choices, the masterful piecing and sculpting, the overall silhouette. But what really tickles my fancy are the French knot barnacles. … Read More ...
Wrinkling isn’t always a problem
Heather of In Love with Threads gives us a peek into the technique she uses to create gorgeous work such as the embroidery shown here. She says,
… Read More ...You can see that the fabric has been gathered, ruched, pleated and folded
Teaching by example
Meri of Agulhas da Meri shares a slideshow examining a gorgeous sampler designed and stitched by embroidery teacher Maria do Céu Freitas. I spot a variety of cutwork and whitework techniques. Meri points out that it includes “more complex … Read More ...
An X-Men mini-me
I didn’t think anything on this earth could be cuter than Hugh Jackman. But this Spooky Pooky rendering of Wolverine may have him beat. So tiny. So brutal. There’s a tiny doll version of Beast, too. Go to Alexz‘s … Read More ...
What is tambour beading?
In the new series over on MrXStitch, Sequintial Art, Claire Barrett gives us an intro to tambour beading, which entails stitching with a hook. Many couture houses use this traditional Indian technique to cover large areas quickly with beads or … Read More ...
Inspiration: Joy McC
Joy McC of New Zealand created this blooming landscape block for the CQ Journal Project 2012. Just looking at it gives me enough happy to last all day! Go to the blog post for an image you can click to … Read More ...
Purple!!
Check out this entry in the CQ Journal Project 2012 by Carole A of the UK. The background colors are neutrals and greens. The color, coherence, and movement comes from the stitches. Yet the work is so well integrated that … Read More ...
Artist in action: Ikat
Rachel Hobson of Craftzine.com found and shared a video by weaver Whitney Matalone that knocks my socks off. The time-lapse record of the process of Ikat has convinced me that any work in this form should be worth at least … Read More ...
Sharing the crafty joy
Jennifer of CraftSanity spent a week at her kiddo’s elementary school, teaching 500 kindergarten through fifth-graders to weave and leading them in creating a patchwork rug for the school library. Her blog post shares the concrete and intangible benefits of … Read More ...
Who made the T?
I’ve been seeing this incredible monogram pop up on Pinterest and blogs and ogled it with awe. Orna Willis saw it, too, and track it to its source: Jacob Magraw-Mickelson, who developed the New York Times’ signature initial in connection … Read More ...
Inspiration: Diana J
I want to be…under the sea…with Diana J of Florida, USA. Go to her post at CQ Journal Project 2012, where you can click and enlarge the photo of her block. You’ll want to see every fabulous, brilliant detail.… Read More ...
Lots and lots of knots
Lorraine of Creative Daily accepted the TAST French-knot Challenge by stitching row after row of French-knots using various weights of threads and yarns. I think you’ll agree: The result is framable! Well done. Go to her blog post for an … Read More ...
poodle poodle poodle
Eep! Pink poodle alert! The Lone Beader manages to evoke Paris with a few (OK, a lot of) well-placed beads. Brava! See more at the blog post.… Read More ...
Rikishi!
I love Nichol Brinkman‘s brain! Check out the latest item from Pink Cheeks Studios: a mobile of sumo wrestlers! Brilliant! See more at Nichol’s blog post.
Ed. note: Nichol didn’t ask or compensate me to post about her … Read More ...
Inspiration: Eleanor Pigman
This bead embroidery, Mushroom Corals by Eleanor Pigman, is perfection in my eyes. A deceptively simple image that combines excellent composition, masterful use of color, and of course exquisite beading. At 8.5″ x 11.25″, how many thousands of seed … Read More ...