StitchyWoowoo

2012-02-08T13:59:00.001Z

Stitched Fabric and Paper Book Tutorial . Part 1 of 2.

By StitchyWooWoo

‘Little Love Book’

In this tutorial you will learn how to combine paper with fabrics, decorate and embellish with trim, text and stitch, to create a small book or journal for your personal notes and collections.

This tutorial concentrates on a romantic and delightful design called a ‘Little Love Book’. Filled with pretty pages and charming words and sayings it is ideal as a place to put poems, letters, love notes, anything that concerns the beauty of LOVE in your world.

Although this project can be done by hand stitching, a sewing machine is desirable. Basic sewing skills are required.

So let’s get started….

Stage 1.Preparation

You will need :

· 1 x 9” x 7” fabric for Outside Cover

· 1 x 9” x 7” fabric for Inside Cover

· 1 x 4 ½” x 3 ½” fabric for back inside pocket

· 2 x 10” x ½” torn fabric /ribbon for ties.

· 4 x 6” x 8” drawing / watercolour paper for pages

· 3 x 6” x 8” fabric for pages

· Small amount x scraps of plain/ patterned fabrics, papers, ribbon, trim, embellishments.

· Selection of matching or contrasting threads.

· Fabric pens and/ or inkjet transfer paper (with access to computer and printer)

· Sewing machine or hand sewing kit.

· Optional –small piece of bondaweb / wonder under – fusible web.

· Strong glue suitable for fabric/paper – I find ‘tacky glue’ to be good for most things.

*All measurements are adjustable if needed. Your book can be any size that you wish.

*For the purposes of this tutorial I am using contrasting colour thread.

*Best fabrics to use: any natural fabric – cotton, linen, wool calico, canvas. (Silk is best used for embellishment as it is more difficult to sew well and it frays badly. However a silk book does look wonderful). I am using vintage French cotton ticking for the cover, - unbleached calico and 120lb cartridge paper for the pages.

* I mostly use straight stitch on the machine, although you might want to use zigzag or a decorative stitch. I sometimes use a darning foot with free motion embroidery to apply shapes such as hearts ( if you know what how to do this then it’s easier, but don’t worry if you don’t know what I am talking about,( that needs to be another tutorial !) then just use straight stitch) . NOTE ; when sewing paper , use a long length stitch on your machine to help prevent the paper from tearing.

Prepare your pieces as above. Cut to size.

Stage 2 Text/ Lettering/Shapes

There are a variety of ways to pre - decorate your book with text and shapes

I do all my text onto small bits of plain fabric or paper first and then apply these to the pages /cover.

Photo4 Text on fabric

1. Hand write using fabric pens.

2. Use text/lettering stamps and an ink pad.

3. Print from computer using a variety of fonts. Print onto heat transfer paper (remember it is important to mirror image before printing , otherwise your words will be the wrong way round.

4. Lots of other ways to get text in your book, try some of your choosing.

Choose appropriate words/sayings for your ‘little Love Book’

Love , dream, believe, I love you, love me, love you, friend, lover, just because, you are my sunshine, forever loving you, darling, my dearest, valentine……… Any lines from songs or poems are also great.

As you can see I like to add:

This book belongs to ….

Name….

Little Love Book – as the title.

In this tutorial my text is transfer printed from the computer and then ironed onto small bits of calico/ linen.

*Bondaweb / Wonder Under – fusible web can be ironed on to back of pieces to assist with sewing down. Use parchment paper to stop the transfer print from sticking to your iron.

Applied Shapes

Hearts, flowers, anything connected with love. With complicated shapes I do use fusible web. I iron web onto small fabric piece, draw a shape, and then cut the fabric shape before removing the backing paper. Remove backing paper and iron on.

Once you have all your text and shapes prepared you can then think about where you are going to place them your pages.

This is Part 1 of this tutorial.

2012-01-27T13:54:00.000Z

Stitched Fabric and Paper Book Tutorial . Part 2 of 2

By StitchyWooWoo

‘Little Love Book’

Stage 3 Making up ofCover .

OutsideCover.

Decorate outside cover on right hand side of fabric.

A mixture of bits andpieces of torn fabrics, vintage hankies, laces, ribbons, trims, braids can allbe used to add to your fabric and pages covers and pages. Use the tiniestpieces of old embroideries, old printed bits anything that is appropriate foryour theme.

Stitch on title text piece. Stitch on ribbon or lace. Stitchon heart.

Here you can see I have added to the heart by stitching a gatheredstrip of printed cotton around the edge and doing a bit of free motion machinestitching.

InsideCover

Take inside cover piece and stitch on ‘This bookbelongs to’ and ‘Name’ labels – on left hand side of fabric.

Prepare pocket – fold and stitch top edge of pocket.

On right hand side of inside cover stitcharound 3 sides of your pocket to attach to cover. Reverse stitch at top cornersto secure.

I am making up my book with frayed edges because I love thelook of torn and aged fabrics. *

So put wrong sides of outside and inside cover together

and stitch all round 4 sides of cover. Stitch ribbon /tornfabric strips, ties in place – one on the front and one on the back.

*if you prefer to have all your edges enclosed then putRIGHT sides together and stitch around 3 sides. Turn inside out and handstitch opening together.

Crease fold down centre. That is your cover completed. Nowfor the insides.

Stage 4 Makingthe Pages

PaperPages

Fold paper in half down centre. Crease firmly.

On each sheet you will have a left hand page and a righthand page either side of the fold line. And of course the reverse sides of thepaper, forming the other side of the pages. So with 1 sheet of paper you willactually have 4 pages.

Working on one page at a time decorate to your liking. Thereare no hard and fast rules. Just have fun placing bits on your pages. Eitherglue or stitch with machine. Note that any stitching you do willshow through on the underside of your page. You can avoid this by stitchinginto small bits of fabric or paper and then gluing these onto your page. I amhappy to have stitching on both sides as it adds to the handmade look of thejournal. You can place things appropriately over any stitching if you work itout beforehand.

1. Attach text pieces - under lay with torn fabricsor ribbons.

2. Attach ribbons/torn fabrics/ lace/ torn papers.

3. Attach pockets/ envelopes/ tags.

Decorate all 4 pages of your sheet ofpaper.

Do the same process with the other 3 sheetsof paper- vary the placements and what you put on. Remember to leave plenty ofroom for your handwritten journal stuff later on.

Fabric Pages

Fabric pages are dealt with inthe same way, sewing or glueing things into place.

However you do need to consider afew things:

Fabric is different to paper inthat it does have frayed edges. – Do you like this effect or do you want tostitch the edges with zigzag or overlock stitch?

It is harder to draw or write on.I tend to stitch stuff down after writing.

Fabric can be used to securethings by pining into the fabric. It is also better to have fabric pockets forheavier bits.

It can be embroidered either bymachine or hand.

To make pockets simply fold pagesin or up and stitch around sides – ensure you leave at least one side open toget into the pocket.

Work your pages as for paperpages – Crease or iron down centre to create fold. Decorate left and right handsides of each page, flip over and work the reverse sides.

Do the other 2 pieces of fabricfor your other pages , varying placements and trims/ embellishments.

You should now have 7 full sheetsof decorated fabric and paper. That means you should have 14 pages and 28 sides.Hopefully we are all there!!!!

If you wish to add more pageseither fabric or paper then now is the time to consider it.

Stage 5 Assembling Your Little Love Book.

Now we need to bring all this work together into our littlebook.

So……..

Puttingpages together

Alternate fabric and paper pages – lay one full sheet on topof another full sheet. Try and get edges together but remember it’s a handmadebook and sometimes things won’t always match up .

When you are happy with the arrangement of pages, fold inhalf and crease fold firmly.

Note : This fold line will be your stitching line.

Attachingpages to cover

Centre your set of pages down the centre of your fold ofyour cover.

Machine or hand stitch through all the pages . Securestitching with reverse stitch on machine or knots if hand stitching. I add atiny bit of glue on the ends just for added fixing here.

Fold book in half.

Your beautiful handmade Stitch fabric and paper book is nowfinished. Well done.

Stage 6 Your Little Love Book

Step backand admire your work.

You can now add other things to the pages, in journal style,write, draw, sketch, add special photos, love letters, love notes, pin broochesin , place secrets in pockets. Just have fun and personalize your little lovebook.

I do hope you enjoyed this tutorial and have made a lovelybook to treasure. Please let me know how you have done. And show me photos ofyour wonderful finished books. Please also credit my tutorial instructions if adding your finished work to any blogs, social networking sites.

The inspiration of this book came from a 1940s Valentine card.

I have used the heart motif for the centre front cover and blue gathered fabric around the heart is inspired by the fabric on the embroidery ring. Using this card was A Creating the Hive e swap challenge.

Tutorial is to be used for non commercial purposes only.Copyright Sally Hutson

www.stitchywoowoo.co.uk

New Website for StitchyWooWoo

2012-01-18T21:51:00.004Z

Wow I have a great New Website. Do pop over and have a look. www.stitchywoowoo.co.uk

More tiny Delicate paper bags !!!

2012-01-15T15:48:00.001Z

Paper Fantasties for Purse Collections.All available to buy on etsy.

Delicate Paper Bags !

2012-01-14T20:32:00.001Z

Wow, I can't believe its been so long since I have posted here !!! So sorry to my readers for being so slow . I am back now and will try to be more regular. I have been really busy over the past 5 months and I will do an update at some time but for now here is some new things that I have been working on.

All made from papers which I have treated and then stitched to make these delicate tiny purses. Inspired by my bag collection of early Victorian treasures. They look great framed in a box frame and make a wonderful gift for someone special.Hope you like them.

Antique Table Covering

2011-08-01T19:57:00.004+01:00

Last year on holiday in Wales I bought a very large lacey cloth from a car boot sale in the middle of nowhere. I bought it because it was interesting and very beautiful and of course I just couldn't resist it !!! I paid £25 - quite alot really - my poor husband was aghast, but knows when I spot a a bargain.
Anyway when we got home I left it in the bag and tucked it away under the stairs and completely forgot about it . Until Today !
It was a bit grubby so I bunged it in the washing machine and then the tumble dryer and ironed it whislt still damp.
Well - look what I have got !

Amazing - this wonderful cloth is shown on our 5ft bed. So it is about 12 feet long by about 6 feet wide. It must be a table covering. I assume for a banquet table in a Baronial Hall. It is not your normal table cloth, in size or in decoration.
There are many techiques used to make the cloth. Needle made lace, darning, cutwork.
The linen appears to be handwoven. All stitchery is hand done.
There is very little damage , just some of the insertion stitches that have come away. Very easily repairable.

At first I though that no one would want to buy a cloth this size today - who has a banquet table? And thought of cutting it into two to make two bed covers or even a pair of curtains. I initially thought it might be Victorian. But as the day has gone on and I have looked more closely at the stitchery I am beginning to wonder if it is much much older than I originally thought.
Upon looking in some of my many books on textiles and with my experience I am getting the feeling that it could be 16th or 17th century.
SCARY - really really scary - especially as I put it in the washing machine.
Any thoughts on its origins or age. Please any advice would be most gratefully recieved.

StitchyWooWoo Paper Collection

2011-07-05T21:57:00.004+01:00

I have developed some beautiful papers and bundled them up into some super useful packs.
Here is one of my hand painted paper packs. This one is RED SKY.

And some lovely ones using Paste Papers. Oh I really love making paste grain papers, really scrummy !

Each sheet in these packs are embossed with my wonderful new Big Shot machine. What fun I'm having with that.
All available to purchase in my etsy shop.
Perfect for card making, journalling, book binding and any paper project.

Milton Keynes Cows

2011-06-27T19:49:00.005+01:00

Here are my verion of the famous Milton Keynes Cows.
My painted cloth cows.

Ragged Ribbons

2011-05-07T19:49:00.003+01:00

My new line of textile project packs are Ragged Ribbons.

Perfect for lots of textile ideas.
Ragged Ribbons are 15 yards of hand torn and knotted silks/ cottons and acetates recycled from vintage head scarves.
The patterns and colours are so beautiful that they need to be used in lots of textile work. The fabrics used for scarves are generally very good quality satins and twills so are strong and supple.

are available to buy in my shops on etsy and folksy ( I really would like my first sale on folksy one day soon !)
They come to you with an ideas sheet and full instructions for making machine made cords and other items.
I will be adding ideas and images of things that I and my customers have made from Ragged Ribbons on a regular basis so do pop along and see the new ideas.

Royal Wedding .Guests

2011-04-27T19:38:00.003+01:00

Here are my Bedfordshire sisters all ready and dressed for the celebrations on Friday. They have been invited and are so looking forward to the party.
They are one of a kind cloth dolls and limited to just these four in navy dresses.
They will fly to you after the wedding with an armful of collectors souvenirs from the UK.
Please look in my etsy shop to own one.

Royal wedding fever

2011-04-24T22:20:00.005+01:00

Its certainly building up here in the UK for the Royal wedding celebrations.
We had a Garden party on Friday with all my family as an early celebration.
My garden is festooned with Union Jacks.I think I will leave them up all summer now.
I listed many new Hand dyed packs onto etsy. Lovely colours and mixes.

And lots of new vintage goodies in my woowootwo shop on etsy.
Weather is unbelieveable here at the moment.
Happy easter to everyone.

Hand Dyed packs

2011-04-18T21:13:00.004+01:00

Oh - who loves colours????
These glorious packs of hand dyed co-ordinated fabrics and trims are now available to buy in my etsy and folksy shops.
Perfect as inspiration for textile work, City and Guilds students, embroidery, textile art - in fact any time you need some unique fabrics and trims.
Lots of colours and everyone unique.
Keep calm and Dye stuff !!!

Discover Dolls Magazine

2011-04-17T16:49:00.004+01:00

Wow, Just published, the new issue of discover dolls magazine.
And there is an article and photos of StitchyWooWoo 'Found in the Old Green Shed' cloth dolls in this issue.
A BIG Thank you to Cathy Read the editor for featuring me and my dolls.xxxxx

Milton Keynes Arts Market.

2011-04-09T21:14:00.007+01:00

Do please come along and say hello whilst I'm at the Eclectic Arts Market in Milton Keynes this weekend 9th / 10th April.It being held in Queens Court near the Destination Dining area.

I have lots of wonderful textiles for sale including my new cloth doll kits , free motion embroidered cushions and some amazing hand dyed fabrics and trims.All made by me - StitchyWooWoo in my studio in Buckinghamshire.

Had a great day today and am there again tomorrow ( Sunday) 10 - 5pm.

Royal Wedding cloth doll Kits

2011-04-03T09:40:00.008+01:00

Just in time for the Royal Wedding between Prince William and his lovely bride to be Kate Middleton ( soon to be Princess Catherine) I have created a cloth doll kit dressed in a very pretty and collectable Royal Wedding fabric.

These lovely little dolls will become collectors items as I am doing a very limited edition of this costume. Once the fabric runs out then its gone - I have enough to make about 50 doll kits and a few dolls ready made up.
Perfect as a gift for the bride who is getting married at the same time as Wills and Kate or for the collector of Royal goodies. Or evn just to celebrate their marriage.
Please go to my etsy or folksy shop if you would like one.

Thinking Day

2011-02-22T22:14:00.002Z

Happy Thinking Day to all the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts out there ( even the older ones like me - once a girl guide - always a girl guide ).

Pretty things

2011-02-19T19:40:00.005Z

Its seems such a long time since I last posted on my blog. I just can't beleive its nearly the end of Feb !!!
Anyway I have been soooo busy of late. I have been playing and making lots of new things for the up and coming fairs and shows.
I have been using up some of my antique lace oddments on some pretty decorations, hangings - never sure what to call them actually !

These are so lovely to make as I can really play with torn bits as well. I will be listing some for weddings and babies soon. Bunting and garlands.Here is asneak preview of a wedding one.

I have also listed some soft cover fabric blank journals.
Please pop over to my etsy shop to have a look . I am now also listing on folksy.
And hopefully I will be posting more on here too.

Snow Snow - Dog in the Pond!

2010-12-18T19:45:00.006Z

Wow have we had snow today. It started at 10am this morning (We did have a little bit yesterday)and stopped at 7pm tonight. Blizzard conditions as well. I am so glad I went Christmas shopping yesterday morning and got most of my presents ( just a couple more to get) and I went and did some food shopping yesterday afternoon so no need to go out today. My husband had to cancel a magic show because he couldn't get the car out of the driveway or down the road.
Our dog Chops thinks its great to have the snow pouring down on him - he has been in the garden so many times today - good job really because Trevor doesn't want to have to take him out for a walk ! Its now very icy out there.
Chops did think it would be fun to stand in the pond ! On Solid ice of course. He weights 4 stone so it must be thick.
It looks like Narnia in our back garden. Me thinks it might just be a white Christmas here in Buckinghamshire !!!!

Stay safe and warm everyone.

Textile templates

2010-12-02T21:03:00.006Z

Playing with Photoshop today. My first attempts at combining two images.One is a fashion template and the other is my piece of textile work.

This is my original textile piece that I scanned in.

This is it combinined with a fashion template.

And another one where I repeated part of the work and then combinined it with the fashion template.

And some more.

Would love to have one of the dresses made up. What do you think?
I love using Photoshop but it would need a lifetime to learn how, and I think I actually prefer making the textiles.

Kensington Doll Fair

2010-11-21T21:22:00.003Z

Today I had a journey into London to set up my stand at the kensington Doll Fair. It was a great show for antique doll collectors - it was like a museum of dolls and toys. Very few Art dolls or even hand made dolls there, so that was a bit dissapointing. Lots of lovely people to chat to.
Heres some pics of my stand.

I am showing at Birmingham Motor Cycle Museum next Sunday so need to restock some more dolls.
Do come along and have a chat.It really is a great venue and a mixed range of dolls to see.

Mending Patch fromCloth Collection Exhibition

2010-11-17T12:03:00.001Z

Remembrance Day 2010

2010-11-14T11:54:00.009Z

As part of my solo exhibition Cloth Collection I made a very special personal piece that is so appropriate for today - Remembrance Day.

In 1944 my mothers first husband was away in Holland fighting in the second World War.She was knitting a Fairisle jumper and had nearly finished this very complicated knitting when she recieved a letter from his commanding officer to say that he had been killed whilst in battle.
My Mum gathered up the pieces and threw them in the fire !
Of course I never knew this man but even as a young child I could feel my mothers pain. As an adult I understand more now that pain that she must have gone through.
She told me years later that she just had to get rid of the knitting and that it was a natural reaction to throw it in the fire. It wasn't that the knitting was unimportant - in fact quite the reverse. Its because it was important and had value that she wanted to feel the pain of destroying it.
I have kept the letters ( my mum died when I was 25, Thirty years ago now) that she recieved and wanted to honour her and Mickey in a piece of art work using the letters.
I knitted just part of Fairisle sleeve which took me some hours to do and then knitted the (hand written in pencil) field letter into the piece. The letters were scanned in and transfered onto cloth ( so I still have the original paper letters). Upon recipt of the letter the knitting becomes out of scync with the pattern, as her mind would have been clouded by grief.
I then burnt my knitting, crying as I did this. Just like my mother must have done.
It was a very personal piece to work on and to share with the world. I hope my mum would have liked this tribute to her and her beloved first husband.

Cloth Collection Exhibition

2010-11-03T19:32:00.009Z

Today I have finished putting up my solo exhibition of textile work.
The exhibition is called Cloth Collection and guess what its about - yes CLOTH !
What else could you expect from a textile lover?
Heres a few photos for you to peruse.

Cloth Collection is essentially about Cloth - which we take so much for granted every day of our lives. But it can have this amazing presence and is so important to us in all its guises.
Some of the 14 pieces are simply a look at how we manipulate and decorate fabrics and other pieces are personal reflections and recollections of cloth that has been part of my own life. One of my aims for the work was to enable the viewer - you, to remember perhaps long forgotten memories about your own lives through cloth.

The exhibition is on for one month 2nd Nov - 2nd Dec at UCMK, University Centre MIlton Keynes, Bucks, UK. The private view is on Thursday 11th Nov 6.30. So if you get the chance please come along.
And of course I had to include a very ART Art doll.

Transfer Printing. WooHoo.

2010-10-12T21:07:00.008+01:00

WoW Weeeeee .... We have a new toy in the Textiles studio at college and today I got to play !!! It's a heat Transfer Press - all bright and shiny and just waiting to be played with.
Using transfer paints and crayons I applied some squiggles and dooddles
( mark making) to some polyester fabrics and then heat pressed on the new machine. Before we had to teach this with just a plain ordinary iron which works okay but you do get a better smoother image with a heat press which is hotter and of course the plate is bigger.

This one was done with transfer paints and some leaves used as a mask and then overprinted again to biuld up some layers. Love the colours that mixing and overprinting achieves.

This one is a sheet of painted paper with a paper bag print in the centre. Love cheap paper bags ( some work wonderfully and some just don't ! you just need to try) as they produce the most unexpected colours.

Hazel, from www.magpieandthimble.blogspot.com
who works with me at college, and myself had the most delicious time experimenting with the lovely new machine. We created a huge pile of samples for the students to learn from (all detailed with timing and temperature) in a range of different fabrics,- it works really well on cheap lurex and sequined material.

Then of course I couldn't stop playing once I got home from work. Husband had to cook dinner whilst I played with the fabrics on Photoshop , which I will print up on Ink Jet transfer paper and print again onto fabric another day soon.
Ink jet Transfer paper means that we can print images straight from the putor instead of painting so you get much more detail.

I will quilt up the two samples that I have bought home and machine stitch into them and make some book covers.
Check back to see how I do this.
Here are some of the images that I put into Photoshop and used the filter to achieve some incredible results.

Can't wait to print these now and then make more. It really is so complusive once you start. I just really like the transfer printing process, don't you ?

little plastic Dress me up Doll.

2010-10-09T16:53:00.010+01:00

Look what I found on my treasure hunt today.

She is lovely plastic doll from the Selcol toy company and was made in the late
1940's. She comes with various outfits to put on.
A beautiful full length gown, a siren suit, a winter coat, a summer dress and a pinafore dress.

In the box were three other dolls but unfortunatlythey have broken arms - so all in all I have 11 outfits ,one perfect doll, and three others, still with painted hair and features.

She really is a Doll !!!!

UK Silly Sale

2010-10-08T14:04:00.002+01:00

Check out the treasuries on etsy for the UK Silly Sale.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/search/?search_query=uk+silly+sale&search_type=treasury

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/search/?search_query=uk+silly+sale&search_type=treasury

My hearts are in there and my art dolls have 15% off.
Go and do some shopping.

Great Graphics.

2010-10-03T17:26:00.008+01:00

Don't you just love old fashioned graphics?
Have a look at these.

This is from a packet of nylon stockings from the 50's. Great for Halloween.

Here is an elegant lady from the 1950s, also from a pair of stockings.
And these are some 1930/40s childrens hankies.

Love this one of the mice in the sewing room.

And dancing round the MayPole in your nylons !!!!
Happy Sunday
xxxx
Sally

Art Dolls in Harajuka fashion.

2010-09-29T20:41:00.008+01:00

I love the idea of tha Japanese fashion style of Harajuka - the street fashion of Tokyo. Just wish I was young enough to wear such outrageous clothing - oh I suppose I did way back in the 70's !!!

So if I can't have the fun , well my Art dolls can !

This is Yoshina and her current obsession is Buttons.

This Ainakongo and her obsession is the traditional samuri of Japan.

And this little girly just has a passion for fur - well the fake stuff actually.

These girls are now listed on etsy. Please pop over and have a look.

2010-09-22T17:54:00.005+01:00

I've been playing around at
www.spoonflower.com

a fabric printing company that will print your design onto quality fabrics for you. You can set your design into a variey of repeat patterns and then even sell it as well as buy it for your own use - to make all sorts of wonderful unique things.
I've been printing some of my art dolls onto fabrics and can't wait for them to arrive. Play time soon !!!

For some reason I can't get the repeat images to come up. Shame , because they are pretty and intriuging patterns.You need to go to the spoonflower site and put in stitchywoowoo for now - sorry.
http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/stitchywoowoo

2010-09-22T13:35:00.001+01:00

Getting ready for the Holiday Season with some cards and new products in my zazzle shop.

heaven card 2 by stitchywoowoo
Make a picture note card on zazzle

Hearts, Hearts and more Hearts.

2010-09-04T18:54:00.007+01:00

Knowing that Valentines is a long way off but that Christmas is just around the corner, I have been thinking about decorations. Hearts in particular.
Having American cousins and knowing how they love the UK I have been creating and making British Hearts !
With quintessential British sayings printed on they are the perfect gift for Brits abroad.

I have made several different kinds.

Group of Painted wood Primitive Hearts.

Group of Rustic Hearts

And softly stuffed fabric Primitive Hearts.

It has been fun thinking of all the very British sayings, some must be really strange to the non Brit. My dear husband and I have thought of some really rudey ones - but dare I ???? I just know that they would sell !!! But do I have the nerve ?
Anyway they are on etsy ( not the rude ones- although you could order some of those) if you want to have alook .
www.stitchywoowoo@etsy.com
Choose your text and it will be in the post to you or to a friend far from home.

British Bees at the Hive.

2010-08-30T18:02:00.005+01:00

Come and join me at the Hive. I have started a group called the British Bees. You are very welcome, expats needed as well.

http://www.creatingthehive.com/group/britishbees

Lets talk art and craft.

2010-08-29T17:31:00.001+01:00

The Hive is a new networking site especially for Artists and Craftists.
Have a look - its fun and friendly.
Crafting in The Hive

Posh Primitive Dolls

2010-08-25T17:10:00.010+01:00

It's been a busy August for me. Lots happening and not much time to blog.
Spent a lovely week in a very quiet cottage in Mid Wales on the Pembrokeshire coast.
Finished the Travelling Doll Project, such fun and lots of good friendships made. And have got my super doll back. I will post pics later. She really is a stunner and I am so lucky to have had such great doll artists working on her.
Made some new curtains for the living room ( oh heavy work when they are so big and lined too!). Repainted the walls as well.
And have been finishng my Paper clay dolls that I started some time ago.
Posh and Primitive Dolls using some really special antique materials from my collection.
Let me introduce you to the Ladies of the Manor.

Lady Makepiece, head of the Household of Makepiece Manor.

Lady Prudence, daughter of Lord and Lady Makepiece.

Mistress Broomstick, spinster sister in Law to Lady Makepiece.

And this is Lady Purseglove, neighbour to the Makepieces. A bit of a Lady, married and widowed three times. Rich and a man hunter.
I've listed them on etsy so pop over and have a look. Please leave any comments and ask any questions about the family.

Blog Giveaway WINNER

2010-08-01T09:44:00.003+01:00

Congratulations to Beth for winning the beret giveaway. Beth put forward the name of Delores for my model lady, and that was the name I picked from the hat this morning.
So I will be sending Beth her beret of choice from my etsy website
Beth makes lovely jewellery and also loves artists books and papery things so go and check out her blog and etsy shop.

http://aneksidesigns.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for taking the time to suggest a name. And if you fancy jaunty beret please have alook at my etsy shops as there are a few listed there.
Again well done to Beth.
And you will be seeing a lot more of Delores !!!

Blog Giveaway Beret

2010-07-30T18:36:00.002+01:00

Last call for entries for the Beret giveaway.
I am doing the Race for Life tomorrow in Clapham Common with my darling daughter Esther so will be announcing the winner on Sunday 1st August.
Any name that has been doubled up then I will ensure that I put in your own name alongside the put forward name so that its fair.
Good luck everyone and thanks for having a go.

Blog Giveaway

2010-07-27T21:06:00.003+01:00

Last few days to enter my first blog giveaway.
Give my lady a 1950s Name to win an embellished beret.
Oh and I have just joined up for the Sketchbook project. Click on the logo to have a look. Join me and be friends on the worldwide project of artists books.

Beret giveaway

2010-07-19T10:08:00.003+01:00

Still time to enter the Beret giveaway. Suggest the ladies name for me.

Very Beret ! Blog Prize !!!!

2010-07-14T20:19:00.010+01:00

Oh what a great time we all had on the Alice in Wonderland challenge, jumping down the rabbit hole and looking at all the super dolls that artists and makers had created. Well done everyone and thank you to all that visted my blog and made such lovely comments.

I will be adding some of my dolls to etsy in the next week so keep a look out for your favourite.
***** BERET COMPETITION *****
In the mean time I have been playing with Berets !
Come on over to http://www.woowootwo.etsy.com/

to see some of my new wacky creations.

And don't you just love my lady. I found her at a car boot recently, she is a genuine 1950s lady, Just perfect!!! Can't decide on her name though. I need your help in choosing the best 50s name. Please post your ideas. I will put all the names in a hat( of course) and the chosen name will win the blogger a wacky beret.
Competition closes in two weeks time. 30th July.

ADO Alice in Wonderland Blog Event

2010-07-08T07:54:00.021+01:00

Todays the Day for all doll artists to join in the Art Dolls Only big blog event celebrating Alice in Wonderland. Check them all out from 8th July and have a great weekend looking at all the dolls on other artists blogs.

I made two Wonderland Dolls - well three really , but one is a secret !!!!
Let me first introduce Alice to you.

She is made from paperclay over a foil armature and then dressed in hand dyed silks.
I gave her blue lambswool hair because Alice is certainly a bit of a strange little girl !
And nothing comes stranger than having a pink flamingo under your skirts. That is Alice's secret ! She is a topsy turvey doll. Turn her upside down and what do you have but another doll, and of course what better than the famous flamingo ! With pink hair !!!

That is Alice and the flamingo - now see them both at once .

Told you it was STRANGE ! Now could the Queen of Hearts be a little weird too?

This haughty Queen is dressed in her best antique trimmed finery. She has a hand turned base under her skirts- as the perfect Chess piece.
Have fun down the rabbit hole !

Antique Doll crib

2010-07-03T20:42:00.006+01:00

Just a quick blog as I have to be up early tomorow to exhibit at the Kelham doll show ( known as the Kelham Double because it has dolls and dolls houses. Car is packed with art dolls and some antique ones to put on my stand. But wanted to show you all my antique crib that I have restored and refurbished ready for sale tomorrow.
It is an early 1930s Lloyd Loom crib on a stand. In fairly good condition considering its 80 years old. I lightly dabbed it with a chalky paint just to refresh it really because I didn't want to paint it up to look too new. I think its best to keep the 'age' to something like this. I put in a new matteress and covered it in velvet and made a silk pillow and quilt in keeping with the period. I added some beautiful antique lace trim to the pillow and the edges.
Suitable for a doll, either 'reborn' or a baby doll or a teddy. Health and Safety reasons today mean the cot is not really safe for a real baby.

I am rather pleased with the way it has turned out.What do you think?

Zazzle

2010-06-25T19:52:00.003+01:00

Some of my products available to purchase on Zazzle. I have just signed up with them. Great products with photos of my work on them. Please do have a look.

Browse other personalized gifts from Zazzle.

Peterborough Doll Show 2010

2010-06-18T16:59:00.013+01:00

What a great day I had last weekend at the Peterborough dolls Show. I exhibited my dolls and teddies to the packed halls at the Holiday Inn.This is the largest doll show in the UK and it was mainly reborn babies on display. Wow, I was a bit worried about my art dolls amongst all these very alive looking little ones.
I did have a great time talking to many doll collectors and makers.
Here's some pics of the day.

StitchyWooWoo stand with my cloth and clay dolls and some of my fully jointed mohair teddy bears.

This is Sausage and is one of my big huge teddies available for sale.

And this is Emily, My big baby !

Here are some photos of the reborn dolls.

I sold several of my cloth and clay dolls and some vintage dolls furniture - a big full size wooden highchair and a smaller one and a lovely 1950s pushchair. I will be creating some new dolls for my next show at the Kelham Double on 4th July. See you there. Please come along and say hello.

Ice Cream Handbag

2010-06-04T07:52:00.012+01:00

I love handbags and purses! I collect them, use them and of course make them. I have over 200 in my collection mostly antique and vintage althought I do have the odd Lulu Gunniness and Versace. Sometimes I use my old ones for a special occassion and I am inspired by them to create them for myself and to sell. I always wonder when looking at my antique purses , who owned them ? what kind of woman was she ? what kind of life did she lead? was she happy with her lot and was it her favorite bag?
I have made purse framed bags and soft floopy ones and lots of tote bags. I have even made paper suitcases.

This week I wanted to make a bag from plastic containers so had a go using an old Carte D'or Ice cream carton - lid and all. Covering it with a fou fou of silk and chiffon I free machined stitched and quilted to my hearts content to create this very over the top purse.

Its across between a wonderous ice cream confection and a piece of Capi De Monti porcelain !

As to who would have owned this bag - Oh I think Marie Antoinette would have been very happy keeping her make up in this, don't you ?

Day out in London

2010-06-02T12:23:00.013+01:00

Esther (my darling daughter) and I spent a great girly day in London yesterday and I thought I would share some of it with you.
We started with a visit to Kensington Palace the London home of Princess Diana and many Princesses before her. The Palace is undergoing building works and whilst this is going on they have transformed many of the rooms to a very surreal experience.

All of the furniture, paintings and real treasures have been removed and put in safe storage. And they have put in place lots of artists works and sprinkled magical dust over everything to produce a ‘show’. It’s so hard to describe – a bit Tim Burton meets Vivien Westwood!

Oh but beautiful or what. Visit the web site www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace/stories/palacehighlights/enchantedpalace.aspx

And also the creators website www.wildworks.biz

for a taste of what it’s like. It’s all so inspirational for us as textile and doll makers. I wish you could all visit it.
The palace is set in Hyde Park and its always amazes me that you can be in the centre of the busy capital and still find so much open space ! Of course Kensington High Street and Knightsbridge is just a foot step away, so lots of posh shopping as well. We went for lunch down the Kings Road and then bought some lovely shoes in one of the shops. I also popped into VV Rouleaux www.vvrouleaux.com in Sloane Square for some gorgeous ribbons and velvet flowers (in that shop you spend a fortune and come out with the tiniest bag of trim, but so what)!

Next door is an amazingly beautiful shop that sells sparkly trinkets of fantasy.

www.basia-zarzycka.com

Time for Tea!
Then it was time to go on the tube to Oxford Circus and a quick scout around Liberty’s to look at bags and scarves we couldn’t afford! But we did buy some shiny crystals in Swarovski. This shop is opposite Liberty’s and is a new outlet for makers, selling the components to make jewellery.
www.swarovski-crystallized.com
Bought ring and earring blanks and some wonderful crystals to make them. And some lovely bits to add to my ribbons from VV to make some brooches and to enhance the dolls of course.

Then it was a flying visit to the Food Hall in Selfridges to take home some foodie goodies for the dear husband who had been on his own at home all day.
All in all it had been a real Princessy day.

Eye to Eye Collective in Milton Keynes

2010-05-14T11:58:00.005+01:00

Come along Saturday 15th May or Sunday 16th May to Eye to Eye Collective Art show at Bradwell Abbey Milton Keynes to see the Queen of Hearts. Entry is free and there are lots of talented artists with work for sale.
Please come and have a chat on my stand - StitchyWooWoo.
I am running a raffle for a doll with the proceeds going to Race for Life, Cancer Reseach.My daughter has coerced me into doing the race in Clapham Common in July so I must raise some sponsorship. Please note ; I will be walking - not running !!!!!
Anyway here is Queenie. I had great fun putting her together.

She is clay over cloth with a stuffed body. My kind husband made the base by tuning a great piece of wood. It had to be red of course. Her costume is made form brocade silks from Hong Kong in the most sumptuous colours and patterns. She is trimmed with antique metal lace and braid and also some beautiful handmade Torchon Lace from the early part of the 20th century. She has jewels of Swaroski crystals. And a star topped septre.
A really snotty Queen - 'of with their heads' , she shouts !

18th Century Inspired dolls

2010-04-30T21:57:00.007+01:00

May I introduce the first of my 18th Century inspired Ladies.
I have had such pleasure creating these girls. Paper clay head, arms and legs and cloth bodies. Then dressing them in lovely old fabrics.

You may recognise the fabric here from my old mirror frame. The more I worked with this the more convinced I am that the embroidered silk is from the early to mid 18th century. But it was in tatters and rather than just keep it in a draw I decided to use it on her dress. I have backed it with new silk just to give it some body.

I will post some more pics later. And tell you how her skirt got sooooo burnt !!!

Travelling doll.

2010-04-06T21:51:00.003+01:00

Introducing Lady Wisteria Asquith Jones.

Paula Nerhus created this super doll and I have given her a wonderful maine of blue and purple pure wool yarn. And I couldn't resist making her a grand hat.

Wisteria in now in Canada with Nancy Perennac.

MAKE today

2010-04-05T20:29:00.004+01:00

Oh had such a great day taking all my things to sell to MAKE Day in Wolverton, Milton Keynes. Lots of interesting and interested people who all love high quality craft goodies.I met some people who I only ever seem to chat to on-line and its so cool to meet them in person. Kirsty from Paperfish and Jess from nellie and elsie both had the most beautiful and charming goods. Oh and Jamie from Mr X Stitch engaged in some stitchery.
I sold my lovely little blue bear ( going to miss him) and lots of my cats.

And lots of people wanting to join my Workshop days.
A brilliant day spent with super people.
Happy Easter to all.

Journal Pages

2010-03-30T21:22:00.012+01:00

I have been having a wonderful time creating journal pages in other peoples journals !
I am involved in the Travelling doll Project that is something members of ADO (Art Dolls Only) are participating in. We send around our doll and a journal to several other doll artists in various parts of the world. At the moment my Team - Team Bambola are on our second round. We are a large team of six, so it will take some time.
This is a strange experience- working my way into others books and of course adding to their tremendous art dolls.
So far I have filled 10 pages of Paula's journal and 10 pages of Lisa's book
Here is a sneak preview of some of the pages . Paula's journal first.

Pages from Lisa's journal.

I have added so much to the pages they are becoming so much fatter ! I do love layering and applying bit and pieces. I can't resist doing books like this.
Its important to tell them a bit about me and the place I live in and to let them know what makes me tick ! Colour, lots of it in all forms of medium - paint, pencil, dyed fabrics - got to add fabrics . I also like to add small things that I have made and surprises to make the girls smile - little mini bags that hold a post card that has been cut into jigsaw shapes - an embroidered brooch that I have created from novelty fabric - tiny books with covers made from scanned images of my real antique purses that I collect- oh lots of things go in my journals.Photos - torn papers, treasure from shops like Libertys of London. And then of course there is the ramblings of a 'just little bit crazy textile-oholic' who loves shiny bits .

If you click on the images they should enlarge so you can read the pages up close.
We don't get our journals back until the end of project ( about July/August so this really is a sneak peek for Team Bambola.
Enjoy !!!

Antique Textiles - to restore or conserve ?

2010-03-14T08:19:00.000Z

I came across this beautiful old picture frame last week at a car boot and couldn't resist buying it for just a £1. Do you blame me? Even though its in a really sorry state !

The paper label on the back states Goodyers 174 Regent Street London and it stands with back stand and has the glass still intact. The back is in a cotton brocade, and is in good condition. The front is embroidered silk damask and has seen far better days. The silk is rotten in many places and has lost the weft or warp. The stitching is blended satin stitch and has couched metal thread applied . Metal braid has been stitched to the inner and outer edges.

I considered the frame to be 1900s or even earlier. I've done a bit of research on Goodyers shop in Regent Street and they seem to have been around in the mid / late 1800s early 1900s, can't find much detail on them.
As the embroidery was on such poor condition I decided that it would be too great a job to restore it . Shame but there you go. Silk is tough stuff but once it goes into this poor condition there is little that can be done. But I did want to do something with this stunning piece of possible Victorian work. (Its of course possible that the frame was made and assembled in this time using a much earlier piece of embroidery. I have some pieces of waistcoat from 100 years earlier that resemble the work on this piece ! )

I do respect textile work that has been done in the past and try my hardest to keep original pieces intact but this was beyond repair - I'm just trying to justify to myself taking it apart !
So thats exactly what I decided to do. Take it apart - thats a bit like writing in a book - something you are taught as a child never to do and that never goes away , does it !
Before taking anything off, I knew that I would keep the back covering and would rework the front in my own embroidery at a later date. The piece of embroidery that I would remove I would use on a dolls outfit. So I had plans for the future. That helped determine how carefully I would dis-assemble the frame.

I carefully prised off the backing board from the front frame. The glue used is the old fashioned rabbit glue that cracks over time but seems to set solid.

I then very carefully cut the main fabric from the board around the edges with a sharp scalpel.

Inside the frame the edges have been bound with cotton cloth that looks to be about 1850s in design.

Underside showing stitching.

The only part that I damaged whilst removing everything was the outer metal thread braid, it ripped badly but the inner braid came off okay and is still very useable.
The silk is badly worn as I have said but I do want to try and use it. It needs backing with something to hold it together . Not sure at this point what I will use to stablize it. Any suggestions would be very gratefully accepted. Any ideas on age of piece would be interesting too.
I always wonder with old needlework about the people who made it and the ones that used the item. It does seem as if antique pieces have life still in them and I am sure it will be happy to be conserved and used for something else instead of just being thrown away.
I will let you know how I get on with this wonderful job sometime in the future.I hope I can do justice to the craftmanship used in this once fine piece of emboidery.

Paper Clay dolls

2010-03-12T21:06:00.001Z

A quick post to tell you what fun I'm having using Paper clay for the first time. I'm using Creative Paper clay that I have purchased from lovely Lin at Altered elements.
I had a 16 oz block and managed to get 6 dolls from that amount, heads arms and legs, I'm doing cloth bodies on them. So mostly I have done clay over cloth but some I have made the arms and legs and head first and then attached by gluing and sewing the body on.

They take a short time to dry if you put them in the boiler cupboard . Then I painted with acyrlics nd vanished over the top to seal and protect the paint.

This is my first one , and I m now dressing her. I'm trying to get an aged effect and look , a bit like an Elizabethan doll.
freakylittledolls.blogspot has a great tutorial to follow for anyone wanting to start with paper clay.

Playing with Photoshop.

2010-02-27T11:11:00.000Z

Don't you just love playing with Photoshop. Its so clever and amazing.
Here is a photo of a pile of my hand dyed fabrics

and then I used filters to adjust the image.
WoW zappy colours

Monochrome.

Reconstructed Jackets

2010-02-23T21:00:00.000Z

Here are some preview photos of my new line in repurposed jackets. My daughter wants this one ! I shall be adding some to my etsy shop soon. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing a unique one off tailored alter jacket.

Paula's Doll TDP

2010-02-20T21:50:00.000Z

Travelling doll from Iowa, USA. Oh she has arrived with me. And she is absolutely gorgeous ! Paula Nerhus has created her from paper clay and cloth. Really ingenious construction. Love her. It really does make me want to have a proper go at paperclay over cloth. I have managed to get some Creative Paperclay from a company here in the UK and I haven't had time this week to play ! Shame! Will get around to it in the next few weeks and will keep you updated.
Anyway back to the doll ( I am going to name her, as its awful just calling her doll, she deserves more - deciding on a suitable name this weekend once I have put her hair on).
I have taken her out today and let her see interesting places near where I live. She has been to Stony Stratford and sat by the old Roman Road - Watling Street.

She asks if she can visit other faraway places. I tell her that we really can't go that far and anyway the Eurostar train is playing up and we might not get back in time !

So we went a few miles down the road to Buckingham and she visited the Buckingham Old Goal which houses the
museum with lots of local lace.

We had a nice wander around the old market town and she was admired by many local people.
Then she spotted a lovely old French chair outside the lovely flower shop called Moss and decided she needed a rest.

By the afternoon it was a sleepy doll that we bought home back to Stony. As we were walking in doors she eyed the bright Red Post Box opposite my house and rushed over to have her photo taken there.

Saying' I must send this one home to Mum'

Procion Dying

2010-02-07T17:05:00.000Z

Ever tried dying your own fabrics with Procion dyes?
It is great fun, you get a bit wet but end up with a pile of lovely coloured materials.
I had two days last week of playing with colour mixing.
It fun to select your fabrics,- I don't just choose white pieces but a mix of printed and coloured, as its interesting to see what happens with overdying these. The dyes work best on natural fibres , silks, cotton or linens ( for wool you need a different kind of dye). They don't work too well on man made fibres. But its good to select some fabrics that contain man made such as polyester or nylon as the dye will react on the cotton or silk and not on the poly so interesting results happen.

This is the easiest method - dying in a plastic bag from Helen Deighton. The mess is kept to a minimum using Helens techniques.

I love the dying and colour mixing bit but the rinsng is a real pain and takes ages!

But then the ironing bit comes and its much more fun than like doing the household stuff. The fabrics really come to life once they are all crisp and clean. The colours sparkle ready for you to use them in lots of textile projects. Mmmm will have to use some on my travellling doll.

Do try dying with Procion dyes, you will be pleased with the results.

Some of my work

2010-01-29T21:41:00.000Z

Traveling Doll Project

2010-01-29T20:58:00.000Z

Art Dolls Only members are doing a Traveling Doll project. There are 27 members making art dolls and sending them whizzing around the world to be clothed, decorated and just plain embelished - well I don't suppose there will be much plainness about them. They will be just amazing. Follow the dolls as they travel to different countries and States of the USA by having a gaze at the blog.
http://adotravelingdollproject.blogspot.com/
You'll love it and spend hours looking at fabulous art dolls and the artists that create them.
I am on Team Bambola with five other doll artists. Nancy, Abi, Lisa, Cindee and Paula. One from Canada and the others from the States. We will all be great penpals by the end of this project.
I have posted my doll

and my journal

that travels with her out today and can't wait for the postman to send me Nancys doll for me to work on.
Great fun !

2009-04-25T09:35:00.000+01:00

'Found in the Old Green Shed' range from StitchyWooWoo.

2009-04-25T09:27:00.001+01:00

Oh I am so bad for not posting here for ages and ages. I must get more into this and give it more time. what with making, working and living its all becomes a bit much to remember. I am sure you know just what I mean. Remember to breath , thats the secret !

Anyway here are my latest additions and passion. Primitive dolls - well not exactly prim just old and vintage. I have always love making dolls and these seem the perfect way for me to start using some of my wonderful old vintage and antique stuff that I have amassed over the years.

This is Violet and she is part of the 'Found in the Old Green Shed' range of dolls and animals.

Evolution Exhibition.

2009-02-02T15:49:00.000Z

Some more from the art works Great Linford Exhibition.

EVOLUTION - GRADUAL CHANGE .

A beautiful stitched textile piece by Hazel Dickinson

A huge silk hanging by Naomi Phelan.

2009-02-02T15:46:00.000Z

This is a close up of part of the top panel.

2009-02-02T15:37:00.000Z

EVOLUTION- GRADUAL CHANGE Exhibition.

Exhibition of work by lecturers at School of Art and Design Milton Keynes College. Bucks.

Collection of art work on Darwin.

This is my piece.

'Once upon a Time'

Its a silk textile piece, quilted and painted.

Looks like ceramic, but it really is fabric.

Its based on strata layers and has lots of fossils (including human bits) stitched into the silk.

The top panel has mobile phones and computors pictured - what will they find of us in a million years time?

The exhibition is on from end of Jan until the 29th Feb 09 and is at art-works, Great Linford, Milton Keynes.

Come along and see some excellent work by the good tutors at the college.