I've been working for weeks on this piece for the April Raffle on All Things Crafty. I started with a 5 x 7 mounted canvas which I sponged with watercolours to create a natural background. I then used various stamps including the freebie from Craft Stamper May issue to build up a soft, almost impressionistic garden scene with hints of flowers and foliage. I will admit that some of this effect was quite by accident as it's hard to get a clear impression when stamping on canvas unless you are pushing the canvas from underneath. I found this out by trial and error but I have to say I really loved the effect.
I then embellished with some simple embroidery stitches, stuck on a few petal shapes cut from a scrap of cloth and blanket stitched the edges, and found a dragonfly print fabric that I could cut out a single dragonfly. It's finished off with some beads set in Glossy Accents, another trick picked up from Craft Stamper.
I must say this has been one of the most enjoyable projects I have ever done as it has finally joined my love of stitching with my growing confidence in other crafts. I will be doing a sister to this canvas to keep as this one will be given away, and I am planning to do much more on a far bigger scale. I have not felt this inspired since started my Woodland Enchantress (still waiting to be framed so no pic yet!). I hope whoever wins this enjoys it as much as I did.
I did the first of the CDs a couple of weeks ago. I really like using the clear spacers from a spool of cd's as you can really play around with it for 3D effects. But after that I kinda lost my mojo, Cliff and Layla have both been poorly and I won't get to see Alan or Brendan now as planned.
But after sulking in my craft room for a couple of days I finally got the inspiration to tackle the second CD for the swap, the all floral one again playing with 3D effects. I have some more of these clear ones and might look at creating a stained glass effect window hanging. I think that could be really pretty catching the sun. I hope whoever gets the swaps enjoy them!
