Owls, three of the perkiest little fellows sitting on a branch

By on 3-26-2010 in Paper Dolls

These owls were published in the McCall’s Needlework and Crafts 1965-66 Fall Winter magazine. Made of metal in this version, I can see them made from paper. How cute would they be painted in a border along a chair rail in a country cottage kitchen? Matching cushions on the wooden chairs would be so cute embroidered on linen.

owls

owls

I have redrawn the owl in Photoshop using layers and then filled with patterns. I then used a different sized stroke around each layer and bevelled each one differently. I then filled the background with black. He is too cute.

Owl created in Photoshop

Printing Plate Images from the Almonte Mill Museum

By on 3-26-2010 in Paper Dolls

My visit to the Almonte Museum last year yielded several wonderful printing plates. I couldn’t resist using them for digital images.

Printing Plate Image

The original plates are the orange plates. I changed the image from colour to black and white and then recoloured them. Faces were left as is and I rotated the others to give a right side up print.

Printing Plate Image

These images could be used on a digital or scanned background, set into transparency to hover above the background and another image set over top of that. Lots of play with these old plates.

Printing Plate Images

You could also transfer the images to fabric to use in your fabric arts or onto paper for a little ATC.

Irish Patchwork Society….30th Birthday National Exhibition

By on 3-26-2010 in Paper Dolls

Irish Patchwork Society Anniversary Postcards

These are the postcards I have sent to Ireland for the Irish Patchwork Society 30th Birthday National EXhibition. I used three of my own photos along with machine and hand embroidery and beads. There is still time to send cards. They should arrive by the end of May. You can find the rules and regulations on my blog here: International Fabric Postcard Exhibition…..Ireland International Fabric POstcard Exhibition, Ireland These cards will be exhibited at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin. They will also be exhibited at the Knitting and Stitching Show in November. They will then be sold and the proceeds will go to the Marie Keating Foundation…….Which is a Breast Cancer Charity in Ireland.

An April Flower Bouquet to Embroider

By on 3-26-2010 in Paper Dolls

Cover-McCalls-embroidery-book

An embroidery pattern to stitch from the McCall’s transfer book Vol IV, 1977. Whether you decide to stitch these flowers in bright, bold colours or pastels it will bring Spring and Summer into your home. If you have a cottage it would look right at home on a pillow or table runner. Seed beads would look good adorning the centers as well as decorating the butterflies.

cover pattern-McCalls-transfer