Work in Progress

Besides helping with house renos, I've managed to get started on a few other small projects.

Early stage of making Fantasy Fabric

These two top pieces aren't the same ones. I finished the one below ages ago.

Finished piece of Fantasy Fabric ready to be used in a project.

Half finished piece of needle felting

Needs lots of stitching with sparkly threads

Lots of Shimmer Ornaments have been stitched too as I'm getting ready for the Wholesale Show at the end of the month.

By the way, don't forget about my giveaway on Monday. Go HERE to enter for a chance to win.

Enjoy! Goodluck!

Halloween Haunts Blog Hop

Marjorie's Busy Corner is having a Halloween Haunts Blog Hop 2015, starting today. It continues until October 28. The Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a 25.00 gift certificate every day of the hop! So grab a cup of something and hop on over.
Enjoy

Good Bye May!

The last day of May! Can't say I'm sorry to see it go as it means the days will (I'm optimistic) get warmer. That's not to say we haven't had some nice days but this definitely has not been a warm month.

This month was also a milestone for me with blogging as I reached 1000 posts and had a winner in my giveaway. The gift is on its way to Nova Scotia. I hope she gets it soon. Congratulations again.


I did find a few more projects for you to check. Some of them great for summer!

•  Kids Activities (for parents and grandparents) Now that school is almost finished for the year (at least in Canada), activities to keep kids busy are sometimes necessary.
• Color Block Keys This looks interesting however, my only concern: will the nail polish peel off? It's worth trying with so many keys these days. Colour coding is a good idea.
• Pyramid Pouch This one is done in Christmas colours but just think summer. What fabulous combinations you could have!
• Sewing for Beginners Sewing Bag Tutorial (something to use with a young sewer?)

Enjoy!!

Even weeds can be beautiful! Think embroidery or quilting - so colourful.

Winner in my 1000 Posts Giveaway

WINNER!!

I wish to thank everyone who participated in my 1000 Posts giveaway.

The winner is Sheila from Sheila's Quilt World. I have already sent Sheila an email announcing that she won.

CQA - Canadian Quilters Association

Lovely warm day here in St. John's - YAH!!! Yes, I'm excited as we haven't had many of those so far this spring. In fact, what is spring? This year has been a terrible one weather-wise.

I hope you are checking on my giveaway post of 1000 posts. Some one will win and it might be you.

I follow along with the Canadian Quilters Association website and blog (two different spaces). The blog has lots of interesting posts. For example, It's Time For Colour has lots of very interesting quilts on exhibit.

Today, on their Facebook page, they linked to 30 Free Tote Bag Patterns from Quilt Inspirations. It's worth a look! They also have 42 boards on Pinterest. Again, worth a look!

Enjoy!

Taking The Day Off!!!

Today, I've decided to take the day off! No sewing, no creating, no knitting, no anything in my studio. However, I'm still blogging. And by the way, don't forget my giveaway. Check back to last Wednesday to leave a comment to be eligible to win some of my work.

Check out some of these links:

• Bee Tree Designs free patterns for hand stitching
• Clover & Violet - Embroidery 101
• Let's learn Embroidery - Free Patterns & Tutorials
• Cloth Dolls by Stitch 'N Stuff
• Art Journal Tutorial
• Bags, Carry Cases, Wallets Tutorials
• Tea Pot Mug Rug

Now for a few random photos from my collection. Each one could be the subject for a piece of art. Think about it. I can see hand embroidery, printing on fabric and making a collage, photo realism using fabrics and applique . . . Endless possibilities!

What do you see? Why not take out some of your photos and see where they might take you. They might be a jumping off point to get you started in another direction.
Enjoy!!

Hand Embroidery

Thanks everyone for the fabulous comments on yesterday's post. If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, please leave a comment on 1000 Posts before May 24th.

When I was at the International Quilt Festival, Chicago, I purchased an embroidery pattern. It was one of those that required little attention. No counted threads, just follow the lines using the backstitch. It's relaxing to do and can be done when stitching with friends. One of these days, I plan to design my own.

This one was stitched on a bit of muslin and will probably become a small quilted wall hanging.

I just noticed that I forgot to stitch the titles on the three books by the basket. I'm putting the words, quilting, sewing and crafts on them instead of what's on the pattern: reading, history, and arithmetic.

Enjoy!!

1000 Posts! To Celebrate - A Giveaway!!!!

Post 1000 today!!!! YAH!!

To celebrate, I am having a giveaway open to anyone, anywhere! To be entered, just leave a comment, any comment is accepted. Maybe you can let me know in what part of the world you live. It's up to you. You don't have to be a follower but you will get an extra chance to win if you are. You can follow via email or bloglovin. Just send a second comment telling me how you are following. That's it! Good luck.

The giveaway will end on May 24,2015. I will remind you during the next week or so when I post.

Oh, yes, the giveaway prize will be three of my shimmers and an art card. If you aren't familiar with my shimmers, you can see a few of them HERE & HERE. Lots more throughout the blog. I do three types of art cards: embroidered flowers, iceberg and felted abstract.

I'll let the winner decide which type of card and shimmers (if in stock) they would prefer.

Here's some sample cards:

Sample Card

Sample Card

Samples (not finished)

I've also linked up with The Needle & Thread Network. Drop by to see what some of the Canadian bloggers are doing.

Colorful Fabric Collage Blog Hop

A new blog hop started today called Colorful Fabric Collage. Leave a comment on each site featured and you get a chance to win the book, Colorful Fabric Collage by Sue Bleiweiss.

There is also another hop mentioned on Sue's blog called Thermofax 101 DVD by Lyric Kinard. This one runs from April 24 to May 15 and also has a giveaway of her DVD.

Enjoy!!

Linky Tuesday

I decided to sign up to participate in this week's Linky Tuesday over on Freemotion by the River. This is similar to the Canadian WIP Wednesday Link-up @ Needle & Thread Network. Linky Tuesday is open to any quilter anywhere. There is a chance to win a giveaway for every one who participates. Have fun checking out the various blogs!

Meet and Greet Stitchers From Around the World

Greetings, stitchers! Thank you to Madame Samm from Sew we Stitch, for hosting this hop.

For those of you visiting for the first time, welcome to my part of the world. My name is Judy Cooper. I am a retired primary school teacher who now creates one-of-a-kind textile / fibre art. My complete bio can be found HERE and my artist statement HERE.

Besides having a place to show my original art and some of the techniques I use, I often write about other artist's work and link to their web sites. One of the other things I like to do is find tutorials and patterns for all kinds of textile / fibre art (usually freebies). Since 2009, I have blogged about a lot of interesting 'stuff". Please come back, grab a cup of something and explore my blog. I guarantee, you won't be disappointed! Check out my Garden Sewing Box, Structures and fish.

I am also hosting a giveaway and I will post anywhere in the world! You don't have to be a follower to participate. Just leave a comment on this post. Make sure I can contact you if you win.

Enjoy the blog hop. A list of participants can be found HERE.

Back Yard, combination of applique, hand embroidery and machine stitching

Theodora, hand stitched on silk with single strands of silk threads

Hand embroidery on linen

Combination of applique, hand embroidery and free motion machine stitching

Needlepoint Sampler

Coming in March: Meet & Greet Stitchers Around the World Blog Hop

On March 20, Sew We Stitch is hosting Meet and Greet Stitchers Around the World. I decided to participate and I will be sharing some of my stitchery pieces with you. The button for this hop is on the right side of my blog. There will also be a blog giveaway.



Now, have a look at a few embroidery sites:

• Mrs. X Stitch
• Thread in Hand
• Margaret's Blog
• Hatched & Patched
• Needle Lace Talk
• Katherine Diuguid

Enjoy!