We Three Kings

Happy New Year All! This was a challenging way to end the year! I really had to mull this topic over. At first the only thing I could think of was Spicing things up in the bedroom! So I had visions of a thong on a bed post.

Then my hubby suggested the Silk Road & spices so I then contemplated camels all dressed up in tassels etc. but I couldn't find an image I liked enough to do & I do prefer to work from my own photographs. Yes I do have a camel photo but again not what I wanted to make. So back to the drawing board.

I doodled.

My helper liked this one! I may make this one yet! But I got into the spirit of the season.

Now fabric

It had promise so I went with it. I had to borrow some glitzy fabric. I'm really pleased with the result. 

Meet my Three Wise Men carrying Gold, Frankincense & myrrh.

Detail

I hope wish you all a happy & prosperous New Year! 

"SPICE" (Saffron)

First let me wish you all a Happy New Year 2016

I had a enjoyable Christmas day spent with my 3 boys. I trust all our challenge members also enjoyed a relaxing day. 

I chose Saffron as my spice for my challenge

I used fabric from a sari I was given by a friend for the background and a border for the binding. I thought the colour represented saffron well.   I had fun doing the piece.I encountered a few hic ups along the way when constructing the photo and embroidery but am pleased with the results.

I used some water soluble fabric and printed a picture of Crocus sativus (saffron flower on) and also printed the section printed below and embroidered it in black thread. When I rinsed it the thread in some areas were not secured to well. I also had to paint the flowers after stitching around the petals as the picture disappeared after rinsing I did some embellishing 

I'll need to brush up on transfer techniques for any future projects.

I hope you all had as much fun as I did stitching/making this challenge

   

Saffron

Botanical Name: Crocus sativus

Family Name: Iridaceae

The name Saffron comes from  the Arabic za’faran, which means YELLOW – a sacred colour chosen by Buddhist monks for their robes.

Saffron is hugely expensive: consider that 200,000 flowers have to be harvested by hand to obtain 450g/1 lb saffron.      

Hi All "Up for a challenge" members.  How is the "Spice" challenge coming on.
I'm looking forward to seeing the challenges.  My piece is almost done just a little more with a tweek here and there and it will be ready. Are you all starting to unwind and getting ready for the coming festive season.  This year has passed by so quickly.  
   

Exuberant - Jack spam

Firstly apologies for being late with my Version of Exuberant. I have been traveling for 3 months around Victoria in a caravan and just couldn't get my head around this theme.  So it was a challenge both mentally and creatively. It was on the last 200 km of our trip that the answer came to me..... "Jack 

spam". While I was away my daughter would constantly update me with photos of my grandsons antics with photos on texts and face book. Jack is the newest little man to the group therefore constantly doing new things so she nick named the stream of photos "Jack spam". He's usually laughing which made me think of one of the meanings of Exuberant - extreme happiness! And his smile made me smile so he seemed an appropriate subject. 

I traced his facial features onto "Romeo wash away fabric" then went over these with free motion stitching on different fabrics. The centre face is hand stitching. The faces were then applied to a background fabric and more stitching of details added. Once wash away fabric was removed I coloured in with water colour pencils. 

                      "Jack Spam"

    the four boys with "Jack" on the       middle

New Topic

From Ellen:

The new challenge is “SPICE”.  Choose a spice from the many available,  Colours of spices to be used, drawings, some words, recipe or poem describing the spice to be included, Sew up a fusion of colour and a curry of words that is a feast for the eyes hehe!!!!!!      

Ready for end of Dec 2015.     

 

While in UK we visited Kew Gardens. They had a summer festival  “Full of Spice” which was very interesting and though it would be a great title for a challenge. 

 

Regards,  Ellen 

 

 

Requesting the next challenge, please!

Hi, there!

Anxiously awaiting the next challenge, please!

Merry go round

First let me apologize for late posting but I have been so busy since I came home from our trip to the UK late Aug.
I managed to get the piece completed today.  We had a wonderful time overseas and did much touring around Britain. I also caught up with many friends,
I think a ride on the Merry go round and Ferris wheel are a thrill. my idea of exuberance
I managed to go on the "London Eye" and found it thrilling. Something I don't usually attempt
I found this picture a close replica of the London Eye. I printed the picture on fabric and covered it in white organza then printed the Merry go round and castle below and backed them with black felt and did some embellishing with beads and stitching on them I found some circular designed fabric in my stash which I used for binding. The ribbons have EXUBERANCE glued on in gold letters which I thought matched the yellow in the binding. I also stitched rose rosettes in black and white and painted the tips of the petals in gold. I enjoyed making this but was really stumped at first as to what to make,
I kept with black and white with a touch of yellow/gold just because I don't usually like to use yellow but seemed appropriate  Sorry the beading cannot be seen in the photo.
 Cannot wait to see all the others challenges.
Those already posted your works are stunning.