Relaxing with lovely embroidery kit from Rowandean – Campions and Daisies

Often with my embroidery I work very precisely, either using counted thread methods or other traditional surface embroidery methods trying to achieve super neat and precisely placed stitches as I work. I saw this lovely Red Camions and Daisies Kit from Rowandean and just had to treat myself.

The kit comes with a lovely easy to stich background fabric with basic printed guidelines and a gorgeous selection threads (stranded cotton, perle, wool, knitting yarns and metallic). The kit also includes organza, sequins and beads to further embellish your design and add more interest and texture. A selection of simple stitches are used including straight, fern, lazy daisy and french knots (for absolute beginners there is a guide on how to work these). The instructions give a guide as to where to place the various stitches and which threads and colours to use but these are worked freely. There is no stress over exact placement of stitches or using the exact threads etc. but you are encouraged to just ‘go for it’ and enjoy the process.

I did feel a little out of my comfort zone working in this way but as soon as I got started I just relaxed into it. I almost got the jitters snipping and distressing the bits of organza and adding them in along with random sequins and beads (ha ha ha) but adding them actually ‘worked’ and gave a lovely added component of shimmer and texture.

I really enjoyed stitching this kit and was surprised at just how quickly it came together. I think that I need to incorporate more of this free style embroidery into some of my future projects – so liberating and relaxing to work.

Delighted with the results – hope that you enjoy seeing it too.

Ganutell Poppy for Remembrance Day

Good afternoon. I have been learning the technique of Ganutell flower making. This year I made a donation to the Poppy Appeal but made my own Remembrance Poppy.

I adapted instructions from the Ganutell Country Flowers Handbook from Gina B Silkworks. I used red stranded Rayon Floss to wrap the petal wires and DMC Satin to wrap the Cartouchage (card wrapped) leaf. The centre was created with yellow stranded cotton and black seed beads.

I also used 0.25mm and 0.4mm copper wire, 1.9mm Perl wire (Vintage Brass) wires. The 1.9mm ready made Perl is a little more robust than hand wound (from 0.4mm wire) so I thought it more suitable for making into a brooch, helping to keep the shape of the large petals.

Florist tape (green) was used to wrap exposed stem wires. I added a pretty Posy Holder and Pin to make it into a brooch.

 

As a beginner I really struggled with using slinky Rayon Floss threads. The DMC Satin thread was a delight to use when compared to standard Rayon Floss – so if you are a beginner I would recommend this. I separated out the DMC Satin strands and used singly for the small Ganutell sepals (with fine Perl wire). I recombined several strands back together to cover the Cartouchage large leaf.

Shapes for the leaf and flower centre can be hand cut from the templates in the book or you can use ready cut card shapes from the Cartisane Flower Cards Kit).

 

I discovered a fantastic trick to help create a smooth Rayon Floss for the petals. I had initially just been separating the strands and spritzing with water to help smooth out the kinks and help the thread to lay flatter. This worked quite well but it still never looked totally smooth and neat. I applied my science brain to the problem and developed this trick to achieve super smooth thread. It may be that experienced embroiderer’s already know this technique but I haven’t seen it anywhere. 

I found that if I separated the strands, each strand is composed to 2 ply. I then separated into a single ply. If this is gently stretched the thread ‘memory’ and kinks can be removed leaving a smooth singly ply thread which lays lovely and flat and behaves more like a filamentous silk. Now that I have found this trick I can see so many uses for this thread. I had long given up on it for embroidery of cross stitch etc. as it just would not lay flat and always looked messy in my stitch work.

 

In this close up you can see how smooth the thread lays after treatment.

 

Here is an example of petals made with Rayon Floss. The white petal was created by wrapping with a single floss strand. You can see that it looks ‘bouncy’ and does not lay flat, also the twist in the ply is obvious as the light catches the shiny strands. The yellow petal was created using 1 stretched ply each of yellow and white Rayon. The results are so much smoother and neater.

Many years ago I purchased a stash of Rayon Floss to use in embroidery, hoping to be able to use it as a more affordable alternative to silk for silk shading and for Cross Stitch etc. I was so disappointed when it just simply looked a mess. They were consequently stuffed into my stash and rarely used except for occasionally in braid making. I now view these threads with excitement again. I hope that this little trick will be useful to any of you that have been disappointed when using this type of thread.

The Poppy looks lovely displayed alongside one of the pretty butterflies. These were created from the Ganutell Butterflies Kit (Blues) – details blogged previously. The little vase in this picture was created using my own fabric plus the Vase Heritage Pincushion Kit – also from Gina B Silkworks. The kit contains precision cut cards and full instructions. I fussy cut my fabric to place the motifs around the vase.

Tools required:

Jewellery pliers or tweezers, wire cutters (scissors can be used instead but don’t use your best ones!), clear drying PVA glue and a ruler.

Optional extras:

These are not essential but really useful if you intend to make a few projects. A small piece of florist foam (for holding elements while glue dries), and the Petal and Leaf Jig (to help shape wires easily and consistently).

I am planning a large Ganutell floral display – so more Ganutell to share with you all soon xxx.

Pheasant’s Eye Ganutell Flower

Good evening. I have been learning the technique of Ganutell. Here is another one – I created this Pheasant’s Eye using instructions from the Ganutell Country Flowers Handbook from Gina B Silkworks.

I used a stranded cotton thread (green) to create the chenille for the leaves. To make the flower petals I used Coton A Broder 25 (red), with stranded cotton (black) plus Rayon (red) to create the centre.

The little vase in this picture was created using my own fabric plus the Vase Heritage Pincushion Kit – also from Gina B Silkworks. The kit contains precision cut cards and full instructions. I fussy cut my fabric to place the motifs around the vase.

Other Materials:

0.25mm and 0.4mm copper wire, 1.9mm Perl Wire (silver plated)

Florist tape (green)

Tools required:

Jewellery pliers or tweezers, wire cutters (scissors can be used instead but don’t use your best ones!), clear drying PVA glue and a ruler.

Optional extras:

These are not essential but really useful if you intend to make a few projects. A small piece of florist foam (for holding elements while glue dries), Petal and Leaf Jig to help shape wires easily and consistently).

More Ganutell to share with you all soon xxx.

Wire and Thread Wrapped Ganutell Crocus

Good afternoon. I have been learning the technique of Ganutell. Here I used instructions from the Ganutell Country Flowers Handbook from Gina B Silkworks.

I used green stranded cotton to wrap the leaves and to create the stamens. As a beginner I still really struggle with slinky rayon or silk threads so opted for DMC Coton A Broder 25 thread for the petals – far easier to work with. I added colour to the petals using silk paint. Dampening the petals first encouraged nice blending of the colours.

Sorry about the stray cat hair that got into the crocus pic. Willow’s hair does get everywhere!

 

She is such a darling and loves to help out.

 

They look lovely alongside one of the pretty butterflies. These were created from the Ganutell Butterflies Kit (Blues) – details blogged previously.

 

The little vase in this picture was created using my own fabric plus the Vase Heritage Pincushion Kit – also from Gina B Silkworks. The kit contains precision cut cards and full instructions. I fussy cut my fabric to place the motifs around the vase.

Materials:

DMC Cotton A Broder 25 (white), stranded cotton (green and variegated yellow)

0.25mm and 0.4mm copper wire, 1.9mm Perl wire (silver plated)

Florist tape (green)

Silk paints (purple, yellow and red)

Tools required:

Jewellery pliers or tweezers, wire cutters (scissors can be used instead but don’t use your best ones!), clear drying PVA glue and a ruler.

Optional extras:

These are not essential but really useful if you intend to make a few projects. A small piece of florist foam (for holding elements while glue dries), Petal and Leaf Jig and jig top no. 2 (to help shape wires easily and consistently).

 

I am planning a large Ganutell floral display – getting a nice little collection together now – so more Ganutell to share with you all soon xxx.

Ganutell Tulip

Good morning. I have been learning the technique of Ganutell. I created this tulip using instructions from the Ganutell Country Flowers Handbook from Gina B Silkworks.

I used a stranded silk thread in yellow for the petals and stranded cotton (green) to wrap the leaves. To make the central stamen I used Coton A Broder 25 (white) and stranded cotton (black).

I decided to add a tint of colour to the petal tips using red silk paint. I dampened the petals first to encourage a gentle spread and blending of the colour.

 

The little vase in this picture was created using my own fabric plus the Vase Heritage Pincushion Kit – also from Gina B Silkworks. The kit contains precision cut cards and full instructions. I fussy cut my fabric to place the motifs around the vase.

 

It looks lovely alongside the pretty butterflies. These were created from the Ganutell Butterflies Kit (Blues) – details blogged previously.

 

Materials:

DMC Cotton A Broder 25 (white), Madeira stranded silk (yellow), stranded cotton (green and black)

Silk paint (red)

0.25mm and 0.4mm copper wire, 1.9mm Perl Wire (silver plated)

Florist tape (green)

Tools required:

Jewellery pliers or tweezers, wire cutters (scissors can be used instead but don’t use your best ones!), clear drying PVA glue and a ruler.

Optional extras:

These are not essential but really useful if you intend to make a few projects. A small piece of florist foam (for holding elements while glue dries), Petal and Leaf Jig to help shape wires easily and consistently).

 

I am planning a large Ganutell floral display – so more Ganutell to share with you all soon xxx.

Ganutell Dog Rose

Good afternoon. I have been learning the technique of Ganutell. Here I used instructions from the Ganutell Country Flowers Handbook from Gina B Silkworks.

I used yellow stranded cotton to wrap wire and yellow seed beads to create the stamens. As a beginner I really struggle with slinky rayon or silk threads so opted for DMC Coton A Broder 25 thread for the petals – far easier to work with.

I used the shiny green Rayon for the leaves. Tricky to work with but I was chuffed to bits with the results.

It looks lovely alongside one of the pretty butterflies. These were created from the Ganutell Butterflies Kit (Blues) – details blogged previously.

 

Materials:

DMC Cotton A Broder 25 (white), stranded Rayon (green), stranded cotton (yellow)

Pale yellow seed beads (size 11)

0.25mm and 0.4mm copper wire, 1.9mm Perl wire (Vintage Brass)

Florist tape (green)

Tools required:

Jewellery pliers or tweezers, wire cutters (scissors can be used instead but don’t use your best ones!), clear drying PVA glue and a ruler.

Optional extras:

These are not essential but really useful if you intend to make a few projects. A small piece of florist foam (for holding elements while glue dries), Petal and Leaf Jig and jig top no. 2 (to help shape wires easily and consistently).

I decided to add a tint of colour to the petal tips using silk paints (red and mixing white to create pink). I dampened the petals first to encourage a gentle spread and blending of the colour.

The little vase in this picture was created using my own fabric plus the Vase Heritage Pincushion Kit – also from Gina B Silkworks. The kit contains precision cut cards and full instructions. I fussy cut my fabric to place the motifs around the vase.

I am planning a large Ganutell floral display – so more Ganutell to share with you all soon xxx.

Gina is back on Create and Craft TV tomorrow with more Teneriffe Lace

Gina is back on Create and Craft TV tomorrow (Thursday) with more Teneriffe Lace. There is a new 5 point star/flower loom being launched too.

 

Create & Craft TV – Freeview Channel 23 (or watch online via their website – live or on catch up) 1pm.

 

Here is a sneaky peek of my samples using the new loom.

Teneriffe Lace samples ready for the show on Create & Craft TV today

Only another hour to go before Gina Barrett’s show on Create & Craft TV (11am Freeview Channel 23 – or watch online from their website).

 

Here are the samples that I made using the flower and butterfly looms. I will blog more details of how they were done soon xxx

Gina Barrett bringing new flower and butterfly Teneriffe Lace Looms to Create & Craft TV tomorrow

Gina is back on our screens tomorrow bringing new flower and butterfly Teneriffe Lace weaving looms.  Show time – 11am Create & Craft TV Freeview Channel 23 (or watch online live or on catch up via their website createandcraft.com)

Here is a sneaky peek of my samples.

Quilted Floral Tote Bag created for Gina B Silkworks

Good evening. Gina Barrett is back on Create & Craft TV tomorrow bringing back her new Flower Comb Ribbon Ruching Tools. Show time: Friday 13^th April at 11am – Freeview Channel 23. You can also watch online live or on catch up via their website.

These are fantastic tools for quickly marking out ribbon with a variety of ruching patterns. Simply stitch along the marked lines and gather to create gorgeous ruched trims and flowers. Gina has also put up a Flower Comb instructional video on her YouTube Channel so you can see how the Flower Combs work.

The show is bringing a great deal on a Mega Bundle that contains everything. Gina’s new instruction book, all the new Flower Comb sets, ribbons, thread, fabric marker and Kanzashi starch. It’s on interest free Flexi Buy too which always helps to spread the cost of bigger craft stash ‘needs’. Individual comb sets are also available on the show or via Gina B Silkworks.

I have had so much fun creating samples for the show and have lots to share today with more posts coming later xxx.

Floral Tote Bag

I made this floral tote bag using recycled cream curtain lining, curtain interlining and old bed sheets. I love to recycle.

I dyed the lining using purple machine dye (Dylon). The fabric for the outer was first painted with dilute pink and purple fabric paints, letting the colours bleed together to create a mottled background (Vajello paints from Colouricious).

I then block printed with leaves and flowers (Colouricious blocks) using Vajello paints (purple and deep pink) and Starlight fabric paint (metallic gold). Tip: When block printing it is essential to use a foam pad underneath – the wooden blocks need a cushion to print properly.

Fabics were then heat set with ironing and washed to remove any excess colour.

The outer panels were laid over curtain interlining (cotton interlining is like a thin wadding/batting) and free machine quilted with beige cotton thread.

Handles were created by stitching strips together. I used a machine decorative stitch to embellish.

Recycled pink and yellow cotton strips were torn from old bed sheets and further colouring added using pink and purple alcohol ink markers. An alcohol blender pen was used to blend the colour. Colour was fixed with ironing. I enhanced the soft frayed edges by pulling away strands.

I used the Rococo Flower Comb set to create the ribbon flowers and ruched strips. I added a felt circle and seed beads to the centre of the flatter flower. The bell flowers were created by wrapping ruched strips around stamens making a cone shape. Note: the stamens are not really washable but I did check that they did not run colour if dunked in soapy water and wet under a tap. There would be nothing worse than colour running everywhere or transferring to clothes if caught out in a rain shower.

Finally I stitched it all together. I made the lining panels slightly taller than the outer so that the lining created a border along the top, then top stitched through all the layers to hold neatly in place.

I have one more ribbon flower sample to blog later and it’s a wowzer – even if I say so myself. Back soon xxx