2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 11 - F1

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' slow stitch challenge for 2026.

We are working through the alphabet A-Z. First is her choice and second is the community choice.

K3N chose Feather but I did not. I chose Fish, Five Fantastic/Fabulous ones. 

I chose a bluish background cotton fabric and invisible stitched it to my thin white foundation layer.

I chose fabrics for my Fish from bright cotton scraps. I pinned them in place and used a running stitch to secure them to the background. 

I then decorated them in bright colors and stitch patterns. French Knots and running stitch in a variety of patterns.

I then used green thread to create plants in the water from the bottom and water pattern along the top of the piece in blue embroidery thread. I left space on the left for the eventual binding the piece into a book.

I think I got carried away with the stitching.  Decompressing from a very busy week. 

Cards - Watercolor Abstract

I wanted to add some cards to my stash so I chose to reuse the bright watercolors I created in this post.

I cut the watercolor art into pieces.  In this card 4x5.25 inches.  I then used a Micron fine black marker and outlined the shapes in the watercolor.

I followed the idea of neurographic art and rounded the intersections of the black lines.  I added a border all the way around. Added circles to some of the white dots.

I used a black marker to darken the edge of the watercolor paper.

Mounted on Stampin Up Island Indigo card stock with a quarter sheet insert on the inside paired with a white envelopee.

For this card I cut the watercolor art to 3.5 inches square.

Again, added black marker lines around the shapes in the watercolor.  Soften the intersections and circled some of the dots in the art.

Added a black border all the way around.

I mounted it leaving even edges around 2 side onto a SU Gumball Green A2 card base.

Added a white insert and envelope.

This one had a good variety of colors so there was a good choice of colors for card base.

In this card, I chose SU Pacific Point in the A2 size.  These I did mount all in the portrait orientation but they could be landscape (wide) as well.

I love the bright spot of pink in this piece of watercolor. 

Again, black marker to outline the shapes in the watercolor with a border all the way around.

A white quarter sheet insert and envelope.

The card base on this card is an A2 in the SU Kiwi Kiss color.

The watercolor was cut to 3.5 inches square.

Mounted to the card front with double sided tape.  I added white quarter sheet insert and an envelope.

Pressed under books over night and is now sitting in the box.

These were fun to do and allowed my art to shine again.

 

Slow Stitching - No. 051 - Grid Journal Slow Stitching Style

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challnege 2024

Week 51 - Grid Journaling Slow Stitch Style. 

I stitched my 4 squares onto a piece of blue cotton with a foundation layer with stem stitch.  Four different colors.

I then cut a few snippets of fabric to stitch at random in these squares.

It turned out quite bright and I was happy with it.

Inktober 2024 - 19 Feather

Inktober 2024 Challenge

19 - Feather

I used my fountain pen with blue black ink to trace my penciled sketch.  It is not permanent.

I then doodled in some of the spaces.

I used watercolor pencils and colored pencils to fill in the shapes. 

Lined Tote Bag - Fundraiser

We have a family event coming up where we get together over a weekend.  These relatives are on my Mom's side of the family.  Aunts, uncles, cousins will be showing up to visit, share, eat and generally have a good time.

We always have a table of handmade items, art, or otherwise crafted items which are auctioned to raise funds for the next event.

With much of my supplies packed I decided to make a lined bag with a liner which could be used to carry knitting, crochet or other manner of crafting projects.

I started with a piece of fabric which was meant to be added to some denim but when I found a pink zipper in my stash it became much brighter a project.

I found the white wide grosgrain ribbon for the handles, the white microfiber fabric for the lining, so all I needed was some accent fabric for the pockets.

Off to the second hand store.  This was the only pillowcase in the right shade of pink so it came home with me.  

I loosely followed this Tutorial on Instructables to make the bag.  It is a gusseted bag with pockets.  I chose to line it with the leftover microfiber fabric from making my bespoke everyday bag.  I do not like microfiber sheets for the bed but some of them are extremely good quality and make superb fabric for sewing projects.

I added a zipper with the same method as my bespoke bag. 

How to Add a Recessed Zipper to Any Tote Bag video.  I used the microfiber because it matched the liner and it made the zipper very visible.  I'm not sure it was the best choice because of the softness of the fabric.  I chose a fancy stitch to attached it to the top of the bag.  I went right around the top of the bag to have it nice from the outside.

The fabric had a lady bug graphic on it and the other half was solid pink.  I chose to trace the graphic onto the pink side and stitched it with white thread.  I added small black buttons to the antennae and the spots.  For the other side I left the lady bug as it was designed.

I did make the pockets double as it was 50% polyester and 50% cotton and was a bit thin.  I cut two and sewed all the way around and turn the patch pocket inside out and ironed flat.

I chose to sew the pockets on top of the handles instead of behind as in the tutorial so I would not lose any of the ladybug. The corners are reinforced.   The pockets are a good size at over 8 inches square.  Will hold patterns, books, or any other flat object associated with the craft being carried.

The gusset is 5.5 inches wide.

The bag will be laundered to remove the white lines on the pink fabric.  

The repetition of the design gives the presentation of the bag a cohesive look.

The buttons were added to the pocket before it was sewn onto the bag.  I used black thread to not distract.

I added a ring on a tab to the front to allow one to secure keys which could then be flipped to the inside of the bag.  It may be any other type of tool which relates to the craft which one one wants to keep handy.

I used a black button just like the ones on the lady bug to keep things looking coordinated.

The white microfiber is really nice and heavy and worked really well as the liner. It will wash like a dream I am sure.  Being white helps one to find things in the bag.  It finishes off the bag very nicely.

The tabs on the zipper make it easy to open and close. 

The fact that the zipper does not seal the bag closed allows for perhaps knitting needles to stick out if necessary

Most people can always use an extra bag.  With the ban on single use plastics in our near future we need to start packing bags in the car for our shopping.   This one will do nicely.

Allied Arts Council - Tantalizing Textures Show

This show was moved to on-line at the last minute because of the placement of further COVID 19 restrictions.

Title: Bright Sunflower
Size: 8.00 x 8.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 8x8 inches

This is a very abstract photo which started life as an image of a dried sunflower I took at the community garden.  I applied a solarize filter which gave it these wonderful colors. 

 

Title: Outskirts
Size: 8.00 x 12.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 8x12 inches

Another abstract image which started as a frozen puddle in the parking lot.  After processing I saw a town with the roads leading out from it in several directions.

 

 

Title: A River Runs Through
Size: 8.00 x 10.00 inches
Signed Photography Print
Mats: n/a
Frame: n/a
Print: 8x10 inches

This was condensation on glass i found on an early August morning.  I did add definition to the lines.  In my eyes it became a river.

Photos - This Week

My aunt gave me this plant - Dracaena.  It is a good indoor plant and helps with cleaning the air.

When growing a dracaena plant, locate it in brightly filtered light, such as through a sheer curtain in front of a sunny window. Room temperatures of 60-70 F. (15-21 C.) are best during the day, with night temperatures about 10 degrees cooler. However, the dracaena is forgiving of temperatures, as long as they are not too cold. 

I have placed it near the east window which is the brightest I can provide.  I think right next to the window would be too cold so it is about 4 feet away. We will see how it goes.  It benefits from misting occasionally and moist soil but not soggy.  It enjoys a time of dormancy in the winter during which it does not need fertilizer.

I really don't have a green thumb and growing things does not come naturally. 





I finished this book recently.  A Sudden Change of Heart by Barbara Taylor Bradford. The story's main characters are Laura and Claire.  Laura is from a well to do family and Claire is taken into the family at about age 10.  Laura is an art consultant and works in New York but travels a lot.  She enjoys time with her grandmother, Megan Valiant.  And the family farm where the girls spent time together as children is in Connecticut. Claire lives in Paris with her teenage daughter following a divorce and works for a magazine.

When Laura's work takes her to Paris she always takes time to visit with Claire. 

Laura works on finding art which was stolen from Jewish families during the WWII.  She finds several pieces but the challenge is to have the current owners relinquish the art to the rightful owners or their descendants. Many are worth a lot of money.

Health challenges visit Claire and eventually she is back in Connecticut in the home she lived in as child.  Memories surface of her home life before coming to live with the Valiants.  She comes to terms with the life events with the help of Laura and Megan.

I cut a few 2.5 inch strips of bright fabric for our quilting time tonight.  We are working on making some kid quilts for a women's shelter.

These will be assembled like jelly rolls.  They will get a layer of polyester fiber fill and a backer.  I believe the small quilts will be machine quilted instead of long arm quilted.

Hopefully, others will have some coordinating colored strips.  I forgot to ask if I should have included solids as well.  We shall see.

Exchange Cards - Bright and Bold

I managed to get my February Exchange cards made.

This is alcohol ink backgrounds.  I added some black ink markings to this one with Nick Bantock ink in Lamp Black. It took a long while to dry so I need to dilute it a bit before doing my marks.  I used a bottle lid to make the circle.

This one was cut to just under 4" square.  I then layered it onto a piece of warm lavendar card stock to coordinate with the warm tones in the top left hand corner.

Then layered onto Tangerine card base.  I added some stitching with a black marker. 

The greeting was color printed and punched with the Stampin Up Artisan punch. 


Left:  A bold piece of alcohol ink paper.  I hand drew the daisy with silver marker then retraced with black as I did not feel the silver stood out enough.  I added stitching around the edge with the same black marker.

It was adhered to a medium blue card base.

I added a silver daisy punchie, a small back sequin and all held in place with a pewter tiny brad.

These are in the mail.  With the plumbing issues here over the last month it has been quite distracting. 

Card Making with Seniors - Postage Stamp

This is a stash busting card.  Many years ago I collected postage stamps from letters sent to the place I worked.  I have sorted, culled, and sorted again several times over the years.

I decided on this bright postage in honor of the 125th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union issued in 1999.  It was soaked off the paper it was glued to and then allowed to dry.

I mounted it to a piece of card stock slightly smaller to stiffen it.

I created a background with script and cancellation stamp images from The Graphics Fairy which goes with the concept of a postage stamp.  Digitally, I added a box for the stamp then printed the background on a quarter sheet. It was trimmed to leave a small border.  It was adhered to the front of the bright green card.

I applied 3D foam tape to the back of the stiff postage stamp and adhered it in the window.

Here's another version with the Rural Mail Boxes stamps issued in 2000.

Sending these to my card exchange buddies. 

Card - Texture

One of the girls I know asked if I could make a card for the mother of a friend.  The lady is in her 90's and is visually challenged.  She wanted a big, bright card with some texture.
I made this card 5.5x8.5 inches and chose a very bright magenta pink card stock for the base. I printed the greeting on a bright green layer which was trimmed to leave a small border.  I then added a white layer embossed with a large Cuttlebug Large Polka Dots folder.  The white layer was trimmed to create a background for the great pink silk flower. I added a silk leaf in the bottom right hand corner.  I added a yellow felt center. The large white brad holds the center, flower, and other layers together.