Wednesday, 24 February 2010

What happened to the last few days?

Honestly, sometimes I really think I am losing the plot, well, losing days for one thing. Every day I tell myself that I really ought to be writing a blog post, and then I get sidetracked by something else and before I know it, several days have passed and I haven't got a clue what I have done! Obviously I haven't achieved anything worthwhile, otherwise I would be writing about. So what have I done the last 4 days? Sunday morning we had a little womble through a small bootfair. Bought only two things, 2 pairs of big wooden knitting needles, perfect for my next project, and I found a woodworking jig for my DH, woohoo, which was a bargain at £4.

We seem to be watching a lot of the Winter Olympics at the moment. I don't know whether thats because my DH is now retired and we watch together or whether I am getting more tolerant of lots of different sports. I certainly enjoy the curling, ice scating, snowboarding and skeleton.

I also spend a lot of time reading blogs. I can't help it, there are so many fabulous blogs out there and a girl has to get her inspiration somewhere, right?

One thing which I have wanted to try for a long time is printing on fabric. There are so many beautiful fabric collages out there in blogland and I have drooled over them and lusted after them, coveted them and admired their oh so talented creators. Well, today I have finally taken the plunge and done it, yay! I picked a photograph of my beautiful mother when she was 15 years old ( top of the picture ), and randomly picked a couple of vintage photos which I had saved ( apologies to the wonderful people who shared these lovely photos in the first place, like the idiot I am, I didn't save your names ).

Here is the piece of cotton fabric, printed and ready to be cut -



I want to make a collage with one of my mum's pics and a small lavender cushion with the second one. Fingers crossed, I hope I'll do her justice. The other two I'll probably use for little lavender cushions or door hangers as well, we'll see, hopefully inspiration will strike when I get serious about getting the sewing machine out.

A few days ago, I received two smashing magazines from my dear friend Michela -

We had taken part in Floss's magazine swap. What a great idea that was! Michela obviously knows of my fondness for food, especially Italian food. Ok, so I may have to learn Italian, but it will be so worth it, the recipes look absolutely delicious. Here, look, judge for yourself -

anything with courgettes will do just fine for me, I love them


And in the other gorgeous magazine I found some really love Spring projects. How about these gorgeous cushions, for example? Just perfect to tempt Spring to arrive -

It has lots of lovely patterns for all sorts of things inside. These pattern sheets are just crammed full of the loveliest embroidery designs -

And nor for something completely different. I have probably mentioned the OWOH event a few times. I had so much fun visiting hundreds of blogs, and entered quite a few of the giveaways as well. I won two of them, woohoo! One of them arrived yesterday, from France. Now red is not normally my colour, but this collage really intrigued me when I saw it during my visit to Mireille's blog called Titbelsoeur toute seule. It is even more amazing in real life than it is in the photo I saw on her blog. The details are incredible, every time I look at it I see something I hadn't seen before. The fact that it is French is of course a bonus! I really do like it an awful lot. Thank you so much, Mireille!


I'll toddle off now and see what goodies I have stashed away to make a collage with for my mummy's photo. I can almost picture what I am after. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

xxx

22 comments:

Michela said...

Hey Lizzie, keep calm, grab a cuppa and carry on!LOL! xxx

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your win. Can't wait to see what you do with your mom's picture. Blessings
QMM

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Wow they turned out really well! I've not tried that either but then our printer is rubbish and has no ink. I do love the idea anyway.

I think lavender bags would suit those lovely photos really well. Wasn't your Mum a pretty little thing? Can't quite see 15 year olds looking quite so sweet these days sadly.

That pattern does look good. Nice mags Michela! Not sure about that recipe though, not a big fan of that veggie! Yes I'm a fussy cow, I know.

made with love said...

I love the way your photos have turned out. Can't wait to see what you do with them. Your mum looked beautiful, I can't believe she is 15 in that photo.
Lovely mags you got, those embroidery sheets look great.
Happy wombling, Rachael XX

Kelly said...

I'm sure you will do you Mum justice with whatever you make! What a lovely Idea! another one to add to the list .....for later :)

Mary Poppins said...

Ohooo your Mum is so pretty in that photograph and I wonder if I could ask you a question or five
;0) regarding the printing. I would like to print a photograph of my children and put it on a cushion, I have been to WH Smiths and seen transfer paper I think it is called for £7.99 for 5 sheets I think it was. I didn't get any at the timne, thought a little pricey and wasn't 100% it was the right thing, I think it is. Is it easy ish, what paper do you use, and what would you say is the best fabric to print it on, do you iron it on, as you can see, I have alot to learn about it but is one of my real want to have a go ats, has been for a while

Thank you so much for sharing

X

harmony and rosie said...

I love the photo of your mother too. I wonder whether my daughter will think so fondly of pictures of a young me when she's older ... hmmm probably best not to dwell on that too much.
Can't wait to see how everything turns out with this project, it's something I've been wanting to do with the children for a while now so when you blog about it, please give us loads of info???

Kate xx

Lyn said...

I did a old photo of my mum on to fabricbefore Christmas, you just reminded me, must finish it for mothers day! Thanks!!
Love
Lyn
xx

MarmaladeRose said...

Love the printing on fabric, did you need anything special to do that?
I know I'm a few posts late but I love the scarf you made for your MIL, the colours are lovely, it looks so soft.

Vintage to Victorian said...

Haven't tried printing on fabric yet, although I have everything ready to get started!

Shame you can't get to Shepton Flea Market - certainly a place to womble. However, might you manage to get to our Vintage Textiles & Costume Day @ Dairy House on 11 April. Not quite so far to travel. Judging by the interest in it already it's going to be a brilliant day.

Sue

karen said...

Hmmmmm Like many others I am totally intrieged by the printing onto fabric idea. It opens up so many new possibilities doesn't it.

I'd love to know how you did it and I can't wait to see what you create with yours.

Country Nanny said...

I have lost a lot of days too: last saturday, for instance, and sunday too. I stared this week saying: "Could someone switch the rewind button on?"
I love your printed fabric. It looks gorgeous. Did you use freezing paper?
If you need some italian recipes...call me! I love cooking.
LOL
Elisa

JuanitaTortilla said...

Oh my. You are right. I am seeing different details with each look at the collage fabric. How does someone have such creative talents?!? (Sigh. You either have it, or you don't sort of thing, maybe.)

Come on, you have to whip those Italian recipes up and share it with us. And those embroidery patterns are too cute! Is embroidery your thing?

Floss said...

Odd comment above, there! Anyway, great to see your lovely magazines (I am hungry now!). The photo is such a great one to use, and the printing is really very clever.

TAPESTRIESOFNATURE said...

I JUST KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE VERY PLEASED WITH YOUR PRINTING ON FABRICE PROJECTS. IT IS SO FUN TO DO AND OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD FOR THE CREATIVE PROCESS.

THANK YOU FOR POSTING ABOUT MY GIVE AWAY. YOU HAVE YOUR NAME IN MY BASKET MANY, MANY TIMES!

I SEE YOU RECIEVED A WIERD COMMENT. ONCE IN A WHILE I GET THE SAME THING BUT THERE ARE NO WORDS, JUST BOXES! WHATS THE POINT? I DON'T GET IT! IT IS SO VERY WIERD! KINDA SICK, REALLY!

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR PROJECTS WHEN THEY GET FINISHED.
CHEERS, JUDY

Romeo said...

Brave you! "She" hasn't gotten up the nerve yet to print on fabric. She keeps saying she is going to. Purrsonally, I think she's afraid she'll blow up the printer! Maybe you're post will inspire and require that "she" simply must do it!!

A beautiful picture of your mum. Will be anxious to see what you make of it. I'm sure it will be wonderful.

Wanted to also mention that the collage you won is fantastic!! Red isn't my color either, but I would have made an exception for that piece!!

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Hi Liz - how's it going? Betty at Country Rose Corner has a post on printing on fabric. Well worth a look if you haven't already seen it.xx

Anonymous said...

Liz, brave lady printing on fabric!
I am SO afraid of putting anything through my printer for fear of it getting all "gunked up"!

You mentioned my studio...all neat and tidy...and the nice thing is today outside that window where I craft it is SNOWING and so beautiful!!

Diane

Kim from The Sheep's Nest said...

Hey Lizzie Liz! I love that you printed out a photo of you mom and can't wait to see what you make with it! I just came in from driving the tractor around trying to remove the 4 feet of snow we have! Yikes! hugs,Kim

Beki said...

Yikes, I really want to print on to fabric but if i'm honest it terrifies me. Would appreciate any tips you have, they look fab.
As you can probably guess now, I stitched the photo straight on.
Just sorted through some more old photos which I intend to do something with over the weekend but would love to do what you've done with a photo of my Mum ans Nan and make into a cushion for my Mums Birthday or even Mothers day.
Have a great weekend hunni

((hugs))
Beki xxx

Michela said...

Such a charming lady your dear mum!
Hey Lizzie, I'm quite read to pair up partners for my swap..could you please tell me what "theme" would you like to be given? Thank you!
Have a lovely weekend! xxx

debi lynn mattingly said...

Hi sweetie!

Thanks for joining in our HUGE vintage Yaya give-a-way AND posting it on your blog! I love your blog...very inspiring, can't wait to see the treasure you create using your mom's pics!

Have a beautiful and inspiring week! xo...deb