Inktober 2026 - Day 28

Inktober 2026

Day 28

My Prompt: Scribbles

Offset my center and drew 10 triangles.  I filled each one with a different pattern done in black acrylic with a dip pen.

I added a circle with a marker then the solid center.

 

Inktober 2026 - Day 26

I took photos of a full moon last night and colored one today.

Inktober 2026

Day 26

Full Moon

I used black watercolor for the bottom half and watered down Payne's Gray acrylic for the sky. Amazing the color.

Black acrylic for the foliage and pearl watercolor for the moon.

A bit of pearl spatter for stars in the sky.

Inktober 2026 - Day 25

Inktober 2026

Day 25

My Prompt - Letters

The alphabet of course.

Thin lines with a bit of color.

Inktober 2026 - Day 24

Inktober 2026

Day 24

My Prompt - Contraption

I drew my composition with 2H pencil putting down gears, pulleys, electric bulb and lighting pole.

I laid a thin layer black watercolor onto a sheet protector and then pressed my 4x6 inch piece of Canson Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper onto it to create my background.

I then watercolored the art.  I used copper metallic watercolor for the large wheel.

Outlined the shapes with a dip pen and Rowney-Daler Black liquid acrylic ink.

Inktober 2026 - Day 23

Inktober 2026

Day 23

Watercolor Washes with trees.

Trees are done with black gouache.

Very loose composition.

Subtle watercolor wash in background. 

Inktober 2026 - Day 17

Inktober 2026

Day 17

Nature Lines 

I decided to represent nature with lines.

Yellow Sunshine, Pink Flowers, Stormy Skies, Furrowed Fields, Green Trees, Prairie Grasses, and Lake Waves.

 

Inktober 2026 - Day 14

Inktober 2026

Day 14

Candle stick

I chose to draw a ceramic candle stick holder.

Based on the background I chose a medium brown color.

With the bit of pink in the background I made the candle a deep rosy color with drips on the side.

A glow around the flame.

A bit of a surface for the vessel to sit on.

Card - Stitching on Alcohol Ink Bkgd

I decided to dig out the alcohol inks backgrounds I made this summer with my sister.

I have been looking at stitching on watercolor paper and I figured that it would be similar.

I trimmed it to 4x6 inches to clean up the edges. I also applied some watercolor on the green to create water.

I added the orange horizontal stitching first to define the edge between the land and water.

I then added some "trees" in black pearl cotton. 

Applied a generous amount of double sided tape to the back and stuck it to a 5x7 inch black card. 

Just a bit of a thank you to my aunt who looked after my place for a bit this summer.

Inktober 2026 - Day 10

My prompt for day 10 is Key.

I drew it with my 2H Faber Castell pencil.

I added a brown layer of watercolor then applied a layer of copper watercolor.

The star got some gold watercolor.

I used purple for the background and added a spatter of black gouache.

Canson Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper with a dip pen, permanent acrylic so I could watercolor it.

 

Inktober 2026 - Day 04

I decided a wood door would be a great image.

Building a door on paper is hard enough with making sure my hinges are the same length, the boards are similar widths, the arch is symmetrical, and so on.

I mixed a lot of variations of colors for the wood and stone and that was fun.

Canson Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper is a treat. Love it.

Dip pen with Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic Ink Black which dries fast.

I need to catch up.

Note Cards - Slow Stitching

I forgot to take pictures before I packaged these cards. I placed a half sheet white insert in the cards to cover the stitching of the fabric art to the front of the card.  Each has a white envelope as well. I added a slip of paper with credits which I forgot last time.  These are blank note cards.

1. A beautiful watercolor print on linen where I stitched around the leaves, flowers and other shapes. I appliqued a piece of mustard fabric to the center of the flower to make it the focal element. The art piece was stitched to a Soft Sky A2 card base. 

2. A collection of olive green fabrics was free motion stitched to a layer of cotton batting and a foundation layer. I hand stitched a triangle of red, added a cream button and three vertical lines in cream thread.  This art layer was stitched to a warm green A2 card base.

3. I stitched a quilted square to a piece of black cotton fabric and foundation layer then embroidered a pink flower to the right of the quilted piece.  The art piece was stitched to a deep pink A2 card base.

4. I assembled a collection of blue cotton fabric scraps over a piece of cotton batting and a foundation layer.   Once I was happy with it I used free motion quilting to secure the top layer to the sandwich. I created a slow stitch accent with the yellow rectangles on the left hand side with a star in the middle. The art piece was stitched to a Brilliant Blue A2 card base.

5. A birthday present which I stitched to a piece of hand dyed cotton and a foundation layer using a square paper template.  I used a mix of blue and burgundy thread to make a purple stitch line.  I stitched a bow and some stars in the background. I stitched the art piece of a lavender A2 card base.

6. I sold the last birthday candle one the day I brought it to the gallery so I had to make another.  I used blue fabric scraps for this one.  I stitched the 5 candles to a plaid cotton with a foundation layer.  I added wicks with black thread.  I then stitched the outer orange then the inner yellow lines of the flames.  This art piece was stitched to a yellow Bazzil card stock in the A2 size.

7. I assembled a collage of turquoise cotton fabrics layered onto a piece of cotton batting and a foundation layer. I used free motion quilting to secure the pieces to the sandwich.  I placed a small piece of aqua batik fabric on the right hand side and stitched leaf branch in dark warm blue.  This art piece was stitched to a sea green A2 card base.

These note cards were delivered to the Spruce Grove Art Gallery today.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 35 - R1 - Raw Edges

I did my piece for K3NCloth Tales' slow stitching project.

This week R1 was Raw Edge and I expanded to include Red, Raven, and Raffia.

I chose the piece in the middle with these colors then appliqued raw edge pieces in those colors all the way around one piece at a time.  I left my binding edge clear on the left hand side.

I used my new to me applique needles but it was a bit of a challenge where the layers were thicker.

I used Running Stitch in the matching colors.

Vintage Spool Gift Items

I have decided to work with my collection of wooden spools to make gift items for the Christmas store.

Here is a cute little flower in a wrapped spool.

I added a bit of green yarn for leaves.

A brown circle on the top of the spool for dirt and a black one on the bottom to protect the surface it sits on.

I will be able to use some of my lighter twisted stems that did not work for the bigger flowers.

There is hints of raspberry in the flower so I used a scrap of fabric to wrap the middle of the spool.

I found a small jig in my wire box which I was grateful was still there after the decluttering before the move.

It was perfect to create a small flower from 26 gauge wire. I chose navy and wrapped and tightened. Pulling the 2 ends down into a twisted stem which I just did by hand with a skewer at the end.  I sewed 2 yellow buttons to the center.

I folded the twisted stem at the right height and then folded it again on itself to fit into the hole of the spool. I wrapped the middle with yellow cotton topped with a strip of navy cotton and stitched it in place.

Brown dirt circle on the top and black on the bottom.  I added a set of green yarn leaves to the stem. 

I used my purple wire pin jig again to create a pink flower from 26 gauge wire.

I created a twisted stem again. 

Folded the stem and pushed it into the center of the spool which made it quite secure.

I sewed small purple buttons on both sides of the center.

I added a piece of bright purple fabric folded in half leaving the fuzzy edges at the top.  It was stitched closed then wraps were added around to provide some highlight.

Brown dirt circle on the top and black on the bottom.  I added a set of green yarn leaves to the stem. 

This is copper wire from a motor or something.  It had crusty bits that had to be removed but easily flaked off.

I doubled it because it was thinner than the colored wire I used earlier.

I added olive green fabric scrap to the middle of the spool sewed closed with orange thread then some wraps to add interest.

I added orange buttons to the center back and front with embroidery floss.

Brown dirt circle on the top and black on the bottom.  I added a set of green yarn leaves to the stem. 

I chose to make a yarn flower for this little spool.

I used the same jig I used for the wire but made it a wee bit bigger because the strands will shrink when taken off pressure.

I chose some thin red yarn with sparkly accents in blue and gold.

I chose some yellow crochet cotton to bind the petals together and make the center of the flower at the same time.

I chose a scrap of navy linen to cover the middle of the spools stitched on with red thread.

Brown dirt circle on the top and black on the bottom.  I added a set of green yarn leaves to the stem.

Here we go!

Fabric Patches - More

I continue to work on fabric patches.

This patch came from a scrap of fabric with a red maple leaf in the center of a square.

I stitched the O Canada square to a red one in grey thread. Then the red onto the black and white checker layer with red thread.

I then machine stitched the art layer to a white denim patch with white thread.

Preprinted motifs help a bit but I need to create a bit of art by adding a bit of my own stitching and few fabric scraps to each of them.

I trimmed the green cat with it's checker board border from a scrap of fabric I picked up at the fabric sale.

I layered it onto a white and grey piece of cotton adding cross stitches in each of the white squares to keep my black ones solid.

I then machine stitched the art layer to a black denim patch.

A classic logo in green and yellow.  I trimmed the square of fabric so it would fit on my patch.

I stitched a layer of yellow cotton fabric with coordinating thread to a foundation layer with running stitch.

I trimmed the logo and stitched to the yellow layer with back stitch in yellow thread.

I then machine stitched the slow stitch layer to a Carhartt patch with gold thread.

This time a blue cat with a checker board border.

I stitched it to a layer of turquoise scraps with coordinated thread in the white squares.

I then machine stitched the slow stitched layer to a white denim patch with white thread.  On this one I added an inner stitching line around the cat square as well.

Fabric Patches - More

I am working on my fabric patches in the evening while watching TV.

On this patch I paired a black foundation layer with red and black plaid strips ripped to about the same width. I wove them into a layer and stitched to the back layer with white crosses in each intersection. 

I then added a white heart with the back stitch.

I chose to stitch it to a white denim backer.  The machine stitching secures all the ends of the weaving while attaching it to the white backer.

I created this much looser weaving onto a navy foundation layer. I secured all the strips with a running stitch in navy thread.

I added a few blue glass beads on the left hand side.

The art layer was machine stitched to a black denim layer with black thread.

Here I started with the printed fabric and chose colors that would coordinate.

The foundation layer is a pink polka dot fabric, then I added a turquoise cotton layer. Then the printed fabric and stitched these together with running stitch and white thread.

I then appliqued a red heart aligned to the left of center with an overcast stitch and matching thread.

The art layer was machine stitched to a square of medium shade light weight denim.

This piece combines strips of green and orange cotton fabric onto a white foundation layer.

I used seed stitches to attached all the strips to the foundation layer.

On top of the strips I layered a strip of ivory organza topped with a piece of ivory lace, a tiny square of the green polka dot fabric topped with an orange flower shaped button.

The art layer was machine stitched to a navy denim backer with white thread.

I decided to create a patch featuring circles. 

I started with a foundation layer of blue and white striped fabric.

I cut circles in 3 different sizes in 3 different colors. Blue, red and yellow.  I just played with the placement till I was happy and pinned them in place.

I used a running stitch around the outside with navy thread until all the circles were secured. I added a white button to the top circle.  

Now that I look at it the button is pretty much in the center which I would have preferred it be off center.  Sometimes I don't step far enough away from my work to see the overall picture.

The striped layer was machine sewn to a navy denim backer square with white thread.

I have cut out some backer squares from denim and canvas ready to machine stitch my little pieces of art onto them.  I have white denim, navy denim, Carhartt cotton duck canvas, black denim, and some purple canvas fabric.  We will see how it goes.

Flower in Vase - 05 - 06

Another flower in an individual vase headed to the gallery.

This flower was made with a bit of thin scarf fabric I picked up at the Re Use center a couple weeks ago.

The five petal design made with squares of polyester fabric in grey, teal and black.  I used a teal button on the front.

I created a 6 strand silver stem which is held in place with a couple of plastic discs and a build me up.

A black backer circle was stitched on.

As it happened I picked up a black glass vase last week which worked really well with the flower.

To keep the stem in the center of the vase I put the stem through a plastic bottle cap which fit nicely in the vase about 1.5 down.

It is off the the gallery.

I for this flower I hand cut 2 burlap shapes.  I cut 3 yellow felt circles and found a brown button for the center.

I chose a bamboo skewer stem this time which was stained green.

The burlap flowers were dyed with yellow tie dye spray and left to dry.

Once dry, I stitched the stem to the back flower and one of the yellow felt circles.  Then I stitched the front flower and felt circle offset from the first to the back one. Now the stem is in between.

I stitched the brown button in the middle over the center of the yellow felt circle.

I chose this ceramic vase which has a rustic vibe to match the flower.  I trimmed the bottom end of the stem for the right height for the vase.

I added a red bottle cap on the bottom of the stem to stabilize it a bit.  Then I added lentils for weight in the vase.

I think I will be designing flower based on the vases I have on hand.  These worked out well. 

Fabric Patches - Various Processes

One of the processes I can use is designing my art and outlining it with black. Check out my testing of black marking material.

Using Inktense Color or Acrylic Paint to color the design.

Heat set the color once dry.

For this patch and used a thin top layer onto a white 100% cotton foundation layer.  Ripped to 3.75" square.

I used a ball point pen for the outline and painted it with Inktense color applied with a mixture of aloe vera gel and water.

I can always create my outlining with stitching.  It can be any color I want.

On this patch I used red thread and the back stitch to outline the heart and it's internal lines.

Once it was stitched I used Inktense color with aloe vera gel to paint the various piece of the patchwork pattern.

I added a tiny red button on the top left hand patch.

The background needed something so I just added some black Inktense lines.

I can use the traditional process of drawing the design with a temporary washable pencil which will disappear when the fabric is washed.

The design is stitched with colored embroidery floss - 2 strands.

This patch features fabric collage with slow stitching. 

I created a mountain scene with 3 peaks with a foreground of deep earthy colors.

I added a sun in the top left hand corner with a piece of yellow fabric.

I stitched some trees in the foreground with the fly stitch.  Running stitches on the earthy fabric, white peak on the middle mountain, birds in the blue sky.

All of the pretty squares are then machine stitched to a piece of heavy fabric - typically denim in various colors and weights.

I designed a card stock backer onto which I can stitch the fabric patch.

This allows me to place them on a display for sale at the Christmas Store at the art gallery at the end of the year.

I generally use upcycled textiles in these fabric patches.

I do not use glue in any of the steps of the construction of these patches.

These patches are fully washable.

Some may have embellishments which could include beads, buttons, charms and who knows what else I may be inspired to use.

Fabric Patches - Black Marks

Doing some research into what product to use to make black marks on my fabric patches.

I thought since Inktense is permanent once heat set I concluded that the Derwent Outliner would be as well.  

Micron Markers 08 - some online sources did not recommend them but I always have them in my craft room.

Black Ball Point pen 

Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Tip.

Daler-Rowney Acrylic Ink Black - I used a dip pen to apply.

Black Ball Point pen

I heat set the marks before I washed the fabric with soap and water 5 times drying it in between washings.

It is interesting that the black ball point pens turned blue but worked well. 

Sharpie Marker performed well.

Micron black marker performed well. 

The acrylic ink would be good it a tool is found that would apply it evenly.  It would work well for abstract marks.

Ball point pens seem to be a decent choice for permanent marks on fabric.

Other than the red ink one the rest did pretty well.

Unfortunately, the black ones after several washes turn bluish.  The Everest one did the best to stay black.  Stayed quite dark as well.

I will keep testing pens and hopefully I will find a black ink ball point that stays black after at least 5 washings.

An the experiment continues.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 29 - O1 - Organic, Olive, Onyx

This is my piece for K3N Cloth Tale's 2026 Slow Stitch project A to Z.

We are on O1 - The prompt is Organic.  I cut strips of fabric with Organic curvy lines in colors that start with O. Orange, Oyster, Orchid, Olive, Ochre.  I used a couching stitch with coordinating floss to adhere them to the basic fabric. 

After looking at it for a day or two I decided I need something more Organic so I cut some Organic shapes from paper and traced them onto the strips then stitched them with Onyx (black) floss.

I am happy with this one.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 26 - M2 - Mail, Moss Green, Marine Blue & Mesh

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' Slow Stitch Challenge - A to Z of slow stitch.

This week is community choice for M. 

I chose Mail. I created an envelope in Moss Green, a card from Marigold fabric, I added 2 Marine Blue squares, a Maroon Heart and a bit of Mesh.

I put a stamp in the top right hand corner with Mountains and a Moon.

I put words on the inside of the card in Midnight Black thread.

I added a snap to keep the card closed.  I could have just tucked the card in the envelope.

We are at the half way point.