Chimera's Crafty Goodness

Work completed so far

2011-11-29T13:36:00.000-08:00

I recently brought some Crosstitcher magazines which I love is free kit and the great ideas. Normally people buy a kit and frame it with the hassle of mounting. A simple design can be turned into a cushion cover. This is small amount of what I have so far, I didn't get December issue which is just tags there nothing but Christmas stuff probably crafted enough to decorate a whole tree.

This is the reindeer cake band sadly I don't have a care and didn't come with enough thread plus they are of low quality. The kits from last year had plenty of leftovers. I need more practise with a sewing machine.

Picked out a mouse plush kit while in Hobbycraft it cost £9.99. Totally hand sewn and used scraps of fabric I have in my collection. The material is very thin so I had to use iron on interfacing to stop the hem from showing through. I intend to give this someone the original fabrics I will make and keep for myself.

These seems quite pointless, Christmas houses it was a bumper pack and magazine cost £4.99 instead of £3.99. Saves on buying tree decoration in fact there are embroidered ready made ones. I wonder that fools who buy these things are it's much cheaper to use scraps.

I love these charming birds but these aren't the ones which came with the kit this is the second batch. I have the photo of actual kit birds but haven't gotten round to edit the photos.

The first proper attempt at making a plushie, I tried before and failed it's hard to visual the final shape when I'm designing the pattern. Need more practise I found this bat a struggle goodness know what teddy will be like.

I originally brought a cross stitch stocking kit but found it had lots of annoying fractional stitches and thought sod it. Choose to do something else instead I will complete just not now when I have to juggle playing MMo and crafting. This is my first attempt at evenweave it is 28 count which equivalent to 14 count Aida. I found the backstitching was pain as highly detailed and difficult to distinguish the outline thread from xstitch it was easy to do fractional stitches, this chart is by Anchor and exclusive to Crosstitcher magazine. Cross stitching on evenweave seems wasted as I can do something like Hardangar or Lagerta. I can say that I have turned pro unless you have actually crosstitched on evenweave, cannot call yourself a master of this craft. Besides it's easy and like second nature.

More projects yet to come right now I doing a embroidery sample. The first one is back in my AdGNVQ years and still have the work. Will I get any decent sleep tonight I wonder.

Trying out needle lace and other projects completed so far.

2011-09-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

I've spent much of this year tatting and there are not much techniques to learn and I practically mastered this craft. Decided to try out something different but connected with lace, I won't try bobbin lace as involves lugging stuff around since I can't gain access to my work space 24/7 or craft in peace I have to be on the move.
Inspired by Victorian tatting motif I found I decided to research needle lace it is more time consuming than I first thought and used varies threads. Below is basic bookmark pattern from www.lynxlace.com

I had problems maintaining an even tension with stitches as they start off small and larger towards to the end. Here is the second tutorial in the site, each section suppose to different on close inspection there is no difference. I still had problems with consistency of stitches it wasn't until I discovered it easier to be consist with small stitches the motif still took ages. A pattern on voile I noticed is based on needle lace design. You can never beat handmade items. I found DMC special cordonnet 60-100 to be the best.

I was wondering what to do with old motifs I made as most of them were practise techniques.

This is one is most basic of all infact it's first one I ever made. What better use is to up cycle them and as an embellish to atcs. (more atcs to come on my main site.)

This is recent tatting motif I've made - free pattern hearts and flower. Appears as pdf file on a site. I used Lizabeth 20 Xmas red.

This is based on old paper embroidery pattern I found on the internet. I was experimenting and deciding what to do with all the paper ephemera given to me as part of atcs swap.

I'm not going to start on new projects unless I have time to complete them. This time of year where crafter especially cross stitchers have to focus on Xmas items also I have lots of kits floating around so I'll be using them instead.

Cross stitch, tatting and needle lace

2011-08-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

Since the MMo I was playing is now closed down I decided to focus on my crafting or finish off work lying around. In theory anyway there are always new games to play well comes to conclusion in order to spend more time on my work I must do less video gaming not going to give up either.

I've managed to complete the last of Old world ornament cross stitch kit by Dimensions part of the Gold collection. The cross stitch takes 5 days and more combine with half X stitch, back stitch and beads. I have been meaning to turn one of my drawing in to workable chart, the editing takes ages and have to decide what count of Aida to use.

I was deciding what to with the tatted motifs and there's quite a collection. I brought a plain black make up bag and sewn on various machine made lace. Normal lace are appliqué onto netting or linen I used couching which took ages and added 14/0 seed beads.

This is the back/side view. All the motifs I used tatted techniques learn from basic projects I found on the internet.

Mignonette is completed there are stains caused by the dye from the beads I should buy the pearl pins as more easier to use. I wasn't sure how to netting as most projects have it as single round whereas on a German tatting pattern it appears are several runs. Nothing is ever simple with me.

This is my second attempt at needle lace I hope to combine with tatting along all my projects. First of all I used a laminated piece to card took me several hours to couch the outline I went wrong with the Double Brussels. Doing some research I made my own cylinder cushion by making a drawing string bag and cover over Cornish Shortbread biscuit tin. I trace the design onto layout paper and glue on thin card. The thread I used are leftover from beading kit, the layout of stitches are wider I find the stitching is more flattened than round. Overall when starting a new project have your equipment ready, use the best material you have already and do some research. Lynxlace was where I got the bookmark pattern from it has extensive view of stitches but I felt it was better to work on a cushion and a lot of needle lace makers used green card.
I'll try to complete this project knowing it takes longer than tatting even though working more loosely. This is one thing which doesn't require you to buy a load of new equipment. Make do and mend.

Tatting motifs completed so far.

2011-07-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

Here are ones I completed I in the process of finishing the tatting mignonette piece I designed back in March or when the weather was fine enough to tat outside.

p19 of The Tatted Artistry of Teito Fujito- Lacis Pulication 2003, Level 2: Motifs with two shuttles- worked on size 30 Aida thread.

Fritillaria Star on Stars leaflet by Rosemarie Peel dated 2005. Worked on size 20 Flora thread.

Motif from same tatting book- p14 Motifs worked with 1 shuttle the inner motif requires 2 shuttles. I managed to create double rings using one. Worked on space dyed 20 size Flora thread and joined with 11/0 seed beads. I keep a bead soup in container and use whatever colours are there.

Sampling thread of various sizes- 20, 30, 50, 70 and smaller. I used silky embroidery, crochet and nylon beading threads. I wonder if threads of different sizes can be used.

Besides the amigurumi rabbit I made, this is only bit of crochet I was doing. Takes longer than tatting nearest thing to knitting. I finally got back the crochet kit I gave to my sister as present she never used it much. It was kit to create a patchwork cushion cover, each patch is different stitch I was practising. After the mignonette piece is complete I would give tatting a break and finish off any outstanding projects there's 1 ornament on cross stitch kit left back to atcs and possibly mailart. That is if MMo don't get in the way.

Own designed motifs and other completed projects

2011-05-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

I'll update this when I have time here are some completed tatting motifs.

Original central motif intended for mignonette medallion worked on No.50 DMC cordonnet special. I have yet to try smaller size threads such as No.70 or 80. Successfully tatted motifs using beading thread.

My attempt at inverted picot the difference from inward facing version is you need drag the loop slightly. I found the loop tend to close and thread become shredded when pulled through.

Overlapping chains bookmark by Jon I went wrong in some parts due some confusion where the chains lie towards the end of the first row. Used No.20 Flora thread.

Tatted heart motif the original was used as an embellishment on Mother's day card but this was thrown away. Show how much my family care about my work they tend to ass kiss one person who copies. I'm the only one who creates original worked. I used N.20 Flora thread which came in beginners tatting kit. This second attempt is better as more experienced in tatting.

Woven picot I looked back on example found on scallop edging and discovered the picots were attached to rings not chains and twisting the picots worked best. I need more experiment with this technique can't find any practical patterns other than scallop edging. Used inward facing picot and Anchor Aida No.30 thread.

So far I like using No.30 thread as just step up from 20 find 50 tend to lock up there are other types of thread I would to try. Only 20 comes multi coloured might have to resort to dying my own thread. Current working on mignonette medallion.

Tatting adventure continues

2011-04-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

Due to the time restriction I haven't been able to update as much I would like. Still working on mignonette technique I given up on the pattern in antique German book because was bored of the design so I made my own. The weather is so nice I have been tatting in the garden since inside is too noisy and have no workspace. No. 20 Lizbeth or Flora thread is used unless stated.

Here is the Daisy Picot snowflake by Jon. She has wonderful tatting pattern on her blog and been meaning to add on my blogs to follow list. The post includes tutorial on how to make the daisy picot. Another way is to use SCMR the trouble is you won't get the colour of the shuttle thread. Her techniques works because connecting ds on top thread doesn't show up.

Dimple Ring Angel by Lenore English, the pattern is hovering on the net I believe it was in a geocites site which now closed down. I found it hard to close the dimple ring so I tied 2 chains together some part went wrong. My attention was half focused on MMo I was playing.

Rosemarie Peel Heart of England pattern, the extra picot on the left ring is a mistake. I was tatting late at night and felt stressed at that time. Noisy environment doesn't suit me with moronic giggling or watching TV. I didn't like it when the damn box was moved back into my room. Some people want to work in peace you know.

Another of Rosemarie Peel design second pattern on her Stars tatting leaflet by Lacet Publication. The leaflet was in sale and has 3 star tatting patterns. I used beading thread and stuck the motif on an atc.

No.51 pattern on Tatted Artistry by Teiko Fujito translated by Connie Prener. This motif has twisted picot central ring. On the diagrams looks this ring is made first and final round is joined. I used split ring and twisted the first two picot before joining on to the ring.

I'm fining while I tat the work becomes distorted so blocking is must to make the final piece look right. The cotton shrinks slightly keeping the pinned shape in place. Here are some handmade shuffles I created out of shrink plastic the downside is the top part break of so easily not even gluing helps. I could make some out of Fimo.

Tatted projects completed so far

2011-04-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

I haven't been tatting much because I started to learn crochet which is closest thing to knitting and much easier. I brought this book from Hobbycraft and turns out to be useless despite the fact aimed at skills at all level. The reason for crochet because I have found a amigurumi chart of rabbit and bear in Gothic and Lolita bible extra. Amigurumi is knitted stuffed dolls there are loads on images and patterns on the net, all the skills you need is magic ring, single crochet stitch, increasing and decreasing single crochet and slip stitch plus darning/sewing skills. Waste of money buying that book because I can learn from watching videos on the net. Pfft! In general Japanese craft book have clear diagrams why can't English books do the same. Following written instructions is difficult- more show and less tell. Below is the Onion Ring butterfly by Hope Green. The original term is doppelringe which means double ring. Where exactly is the onion in this ring did they use babelfish to translate the term.

On larger rings additional picots can be added on the small ring for stability. This is my suggestion.

I adapted this pattern by using a single shuttle, yes I tried needle tatt the motif become uneven when removed from the needle and the stitches were large as well. So shuttle tat ftw. Free pattern by Iris Niebach.

Here is completed work, says 5 days took me 7 days because I was er gaming inbetween. Crochet like tatting is addictive can't stop and two can be compatible I have seen tatting patterns with crochet symbols and love the try them out. Still doing a motif for mignonette with the current pattern it's mostly composed of rings and is autonomous. I'll see if I can adapt another tatting pattern and the mignonette netting.

Recently acquired a book called The tatted Artistry of Teiko Fujito translated version from Japanese to English. Don't normally buy tatting books because majority of the pattern comes from the net or my head. Just as I suspect it has clear diagrams and new technique called split stitch it requires a separate thread and eliminates the need for cut and tie. There's some pattern involving twisted picot and crochet patters to try once I have finish the dimple ring angel (there's an easy way to make a dimple ring). With the short crochet adventure over it's back with tatting and gaming. Heh heh.

Tatting techniques I have learnt.

2011-03-08T05:53:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to update my blog as I like due to some people being stubborn and moronic. Only been tatting for 2 month and already becoming proficient, ring and chains are second nature to me. Also I noticed certain projects contain obmittance and mistakes. Here are techniques I have completed so far.

Cluny leaves are not as difficult as it seems and there are perfect tutorials on youtube. I have difficulty following written instructions even if they have clear photos. I recommend a pattern with lot of cluny leaves just so you can get used to make a loom and weaving.

Celtic tatting- I used Helen Bailey's Celtic Egg Pattern and noticed there were so errors, where it says 'repeat from * to ** 4 times.' It should be 5 otherwise there won't be enough rings to fit to first section. Third section instruction- after Chain B, etc it should be another chain 6 - 3 - 3 - 6 join to picot of ring from First section, chain 6 - 6 - 6 join to picot of ring from First section.
Here's a hint check the instructions before uploading online, 11 year old motif and still not corrected.

Motifs are from Diamond Rio Bookmark/Edging by Sabina Carden-Madden and Saundra Hameed Cluny.

Flying Minor Norwegian Dragon-Google threw up several images of this wonderful dragon motif, I traced the source it turned to be designed by Anne Bruvold. I used Lizabeth H&H 20 No.131 it has 4 different colours you can tell I have used SSSR because never quite mastered it. My dragon is the mystic psychic and appears a totem/guardian of mages/psychics/shamans. Well I am an RPG gamer.

Inward face Picot- There was very few tutorials for this technique the nearest I could find is Tatted Moth Pattern on totusmel.blogspot.com Hard to notice the inward face picot from this image they are on the body of the moth.

Maltese/Pearl tatting- This is from Eliz's Maltese Pinwheel Snowflake
I must of miscounted on last chain as ended up with additional section of snowflake and it should be load 6 seed beads on shuttle 1 as I can't see how bead on shuttle1 can be encapsulate into a ring. This pattern is good as has clear photos on how a maltese ring is made.

Expermental1- block snowflake
My attempt to create a medallion with blocks. It seems last block has to 4 X 5 or the thread won't lie in the right direction. The first section can be made with split ring which means omitting the beads. I unattentional created floating rings.

Expermental2- Wide snowflake
This has 12 sides and variation of first design I sketched while I was learning how to tatt. Originally featured just chains and ring this motif has SCMR on the outer arms.
These patterns I created are experimental and won't be releasing instructions just yet. Threads I use are Flora H & H white or white with purple graduation.
There are still of other techniques to learn and becoming harder to find practise patterns for them. I have few more experimental motif of my own. Bye for now.

tatting- block, chain and extras

2011-01-28T08:04:00.000-08:00

So far I have learnt block tatting and becoming harder to find practise motifs for advance techniques such as square. Tutorials are plenty and there are decent videos in you tube.
I've found some excellent vintage tatting books on the Antique Pattern library. The older links on Georgia's site are dead so I'm forced to search for patterns else where. Been okay so far.

The top is Sue Hanson's snowflake which features block tatting, come to think of it majority of motifs I tatted are snowflakes. Below is my interpretation of edging by Elgiva Nichol's as shown on www.georgiaseitz.com/classes2/blocktat/block.html. Would be helpful if I learnt the Inward facing picot as would made joining the bottom to the top chain easier. I'll see if I can design a motif using block tatting.

Here is the split chain, I had to watch you tube video in order to figure out how the technique is done. The pattern is Split Chain fan by By Katia Vallée except instead of extra long picots I used handmade tassel.

Some extras- Another Snowflake motif and Button flower by Lisa C. Trumble. I don't have crochet hook small enough to pass 11/0 seed onto a picot, instead use piece of beading wire. (Don't know what gauge as label has fallen off).
I'm current doing cluny leaves which seems complicated but is is simple. Here is an excellent tutorial, not in English you'll soon get the idea on how it's made.

Another excellent Cluny leaf tutorial is by Mimi.

Bead tatt and double/triple picot.

2011-01-20T04:37:00.000-08:00

I'm still continuing learning new tatting techniques. My level is in between intermediate to advance I'm learning a new technique every week or fortnight. Feel like my tatting is slow because haven't mastered pull the top thread when ds is flipped.

I tried to follow the instructions for beaded snowflake motif it was pain taking out ds when no. of beads tatted was wrong in the end I designed simple motifs to make. There are numerous ways to bead tatt such as adding to joins or picots there's even split rings. I discovered a way to pull thread through 11/0 seed by using bent piece of beading wire (can't remember the gauge). As all of the hook are only suitable for 8/0 or E- beads however it is possible use 3mm Swarovski bicones. Beads themselves are not a problem as I have a plentiful supply and is good way to use the odd ones. Not possible to add beads on mock picot as I discovered.

Frilled Snowflake medallion by Lisa C.Trumble and another snowflake motif by Sally Magill. Sometimes I'm finding on complex techniques such as split rings I watch video on you tube to get an idea on how it's done. I find following written instructions difficult what happens if it was in different language. This time around I figured out how Josephine knots, node tatting/Victorian set and Double/triple picots are made. Possible to do 4/5 and even 6 something to experiment because the long picot is folded over the join.
Also learn split chain tatting I'll add this to next post, other techniques I hope to learn are block tatting and making cluny leaves.

How long is a piece of string?

2011-01-04T05:54:00.000-08:00

Depends on the size of the tatting motif. This time I'm learning the split ring it enables a pattern to be climbed out from the centre. Majority if antique patterns were cut and tie this was tedious as I soon discovered. Split ring is made using 2 shuttles or 1 shuttles (SSSR). There are some good videos on youtube showing both ways I find SSSR difficult to understand. 2 shuttles is much easier in fact the motifs here are worked with shuttles and not with a ball of thread.

The green version is my first attempt there are times I forgot to add a picot or join in wrong place. The motif is from the tatter's round robin from www.georgiaseitz.com. Basic pattern for learning the split ring and mock picot you start with shuttle hs and end with normal hs on top cord.

Another split ring pattern from http://www.georgiaseitz.com/ , this is a practise attempt it's the first doily I attempted since there are a lot of mistakes. Maybe I'll do this one again the problem is during the second round the piece began to warp probally due to the errors.
I discovered there are loads of techniques to learn and aim to master most of them. Such as double/triple/quad picots, pearl tatting, cluny. The list is endless are tatting is constantly evolving I have come a long way since brought a basic kit from Roseground. Intricate work can be created from 2 strands of string and easier than traditional lace making you don't have to carry lots of bobbins. The shrink plastic shuttles are good for holding top thread since rings need a good length of cord to make.
Hopefully I can get this doily finished to attempt split chain.

Tatting continues

2010-12-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

Inspired by shuttles on google I decided to make some of my own using shrink plastic. I love this stuff it's magical, a thin sheet when heated becomes 7 times thicker. There's lot of shrink plastic in my collection which are not used much. The clear shrink plastic feels like acetate, I was intented to use that for jewellery.

The handmade ones are about 5 cms and perfect for using smallest amount of cord as possible. Some shuttles are self closing which means the cord won't fall out when tatting but tends to run out quicker.

I still trying to complete the pointed star challenge using template by Teryl's hollins. First of all I tried to create each indivdual piece only to be confused and which part to join because when you are working the design is reversed. Started again do 1st run and then the 2nd switching shuttles to create a double crescent. Almost completed and can do SCMR without referring to the instructions. By learning new techniques it will make tatting a motif easier. After a while it becomes repetitive after a while.

Completed 16/12/2010

Tatting adventure

2010-12-16T05:33:00.000-08:00

I decided to continue where I left off in April there's so much to learn. Such as self closing mock rings (SMCRs) and lock joins.

Been along time since I last did tatting so best to start off some basic work, unfortunately the timeing wasn't good as I had little sleep thanks to some idiot staying up late. I had difficulty trying to make a ring it would close when the shuttle cord was pulled. It seems the top cord should flip and not the shuttle. Above are samples of the Dhamana bookmark as you see my first attempt wasn't good. The one below is better maybe because had more sleep. (hint, hint)

This wasn't a basic motif as I discovered as it involved the use of shuttle/lock joins. The shuttle cord is pulled through the picot instead of the top cord. There was some problems when it came to cut and tie the tails had to sewed through the ds which was tricky because the tightness of knotting. A tail should only be pulled through one set of knotting otherwise the ring will detach itself slighting from the chain.

On wednesday I was looking for some crochet/tatting yarn and found this instead Twilleys Goldfingering. Yarn with woven metallic thread I think is suitable for tatting but there is danger of the cord fraying. I used it for Rosemarie's Heart pattern and the yarn didn't fray some part snagged when pulled thorough the picot. Having a shuttle with a combine crochet hook is bonus so I won't lose track of which is the shuttle or the top cord.
Next I will try the SCMR which looks tricky on first glance hopefully it can mastered easily as the others.

Little note I am NOT addicted to videogames and MMOs and rather use the time for crafting. If anyone is addicted it's the selfish moron I have to put with she used the internet till 4.00a.m! and plays on the Wii before 7.00p.m.
Crafting FTW.

WoW Bear finished

2010-12-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

This was finished a few days ago. The template is by winged craft you need pepakura viewer and winrar to open the file. Probally the only papermodel I've completed in a long time. Damn those MMOs are so addictive! I'll tell why because lvling is time consuming and gold hard to come by. In the last month it was nothing but playing Dragonquest in the day and Grand Fantasia in the evening. I hated it because there was less or no time for crafting, I returned to atcs using artist trading cards worshop by bernie berlin. Such a pity I don't receive any artsy atcs after all the effort I've put in. You will never find me on World of Warcraft. Kitsu Saga looks interesting. More papermodel I've completed can be found on my flickr stream.

Latest projects

2010-11-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

I was working on another sprite stitch projects really it's a reworking of another chart. Here is the Infergon another monster from Dragon quest caravan heart. There's a few more cross stitch projects coming.

Ever used a knitting doll, I tried using one at school and never made any progress because I was told the bottom layer goes over the top layer so all I did was wrap the same bars over and over again. Hobbycraft were selling them, this one I brought for under £4 and comes with stylus and clear instructions there were problems with work coming off the bar making the rows look uneven.

Once you can't really stop and keep going until the yarn runs out. I hope to make the crochet bear/bunny shown in Gothic and Lolita bible extra mook. Still don't know how to knit though.

I haven't made a paper model in ages since the Blade Liger was on hold. (Too hard). Before the laptop melt down I've downloaded a bear WOW pepakura template. Good thing you don't need any instructions as refer to 3D rendered model as guide, down side is you need to some experience of papercrafting (assembling models) and know how to 'close in'. Best if template is printed on borderless 120-160 gsm light cardstock.
Given the fact I play MMORPG and DragonQuest IX there little time for crafting so something has to give. I rather craft than play videogames all day. Crafting FTW.

Projects completed so far.

2010-11-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

During the time I was offline I filled my free time with crafting because don't like sitting around doing nothing. When I did managed to get a new laptop, had to wait another week until I acquire an image editing software because dislike using picnik as it meant editing one photo at a time and the features were basic. Not like everyone can afford Photoshop.

I finished this a few months ago and was entered in a competition entitled Personal Challenge with Bead magazine. 11/0 beads can work well with each other I had difficulties with decreased peyote and fabric puckled while I sew. On the next beading project the stitching will be looser. First time I entered a piece of work in a competition because dislike the pressure.

I was looking for this piece for ages. This was taken from an image in the sprite database- Rainhawk from Dragonquest Caravan heart on gameboy advance never released in the western market. I imported the sprite into cross stitch program and printed off the chart. You might be interested in Sprite stitch blog for projects inspired by video games. Currently, reworking the Infergon cross stitch as the colours shown on the chart doesn't match the ones on the key. There more coming and maybe release the charts one day.

This is 5th project from Dimensions Xmas old world holiday ornaments kit. I usually don't buy cross stitch kits because they costs a lot of money. One more ornament to make and I'm finished as I suspected there will a surplus of threads. Hope to make my sampler and do a map.

Completed projects so far

2010-09-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

Not much is happening, I decided to continue with the challenging Blade Liger and try to assemble the rest of the legs. Here are projects I manage to complete.

The felt teddy pattern is from a website and originally scanned from a Japanese book. I can't find the link to site as maybe closed down. I had trouble sewing the head because the parts wouldn't fit together and not happy with the eyes as they are too far apart.

I brought K and Company mini memory book kit to give scrap book a go. I was going to do art journalling but dislike the thought of having my private musing open to the public (doesn't matter because I rant in my blog anyway.) and because haven't done any altered books for a long time.

View of inner pages, I tend to use scraps already in my collect as diecuts and decoupage sheets are of no use to me. Printed images of various photos on the self adhesive paper. Some of the materials in my collection haven't been used for years.

Turns out there wasn't room to add everything in the kit, I had a flap which opens to reveal more imagery. I noticed K and Company scrapbook material tend to be compatible with each other. Over collaging is tend to be a habit of mine the underneath imagery is obliterated by the layer above.

Learning cellini spiral

2010-08-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

I had to master and learn 2 things in this project: cellini spiral and decreasing peyote stitch. I know peyote already because was one of the first stitches I learnt and all from the internet. I created 3 amulet bags using this stitch.

I found the instructions in bead magazine unclear and due to lack of diagram a real struggle to understand. This why I prefer Japanese beading recipes because they have clearer and detailed diagrams. Took me 3 tries to get the rope to spiral. First attempt there was too much red and should be more yellow/gold so had to start from scratch. My inttention was to create 2 ropes and fix them onto the beaded piece, there was huge doubt if there would be enough seed beads, so I created 8cm patches of pattern- cellini, amber and yellow. It doesn't say the art of bead embroidery you should use decreasing peyote to make the rows fit snuggly.
The whole thing is finished and submitted to Bead magazine- reader's challenge Personal challenge themed competition. I hope it will published in Oct/Nov issue, I think it was wrong not publish submission details in June/July but glad the drama is over and can go back to making atcs again. I have been suffering bouts of insomnia and depression because wasn't invited to restaurant (twice it happened)

Short break from MMORPG- Grand Fantasia.

2010-07-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

In the rare moments I don't play Grand Fantasia I do crafting to keep my mind active. I managed to completed a beaded pendant which has been lying around unfinished for many months. Didn't know how to finish it off.

It doesn't have title but there are more details of this pendant on my flickr photostream. In the meantime I'm working on my next project.

The plastic packaging makes a good bead and paper pricking board and a good way of reusing. I dislike throwing stuff away are they might have uses elsewhere. I still run into the problem of colour choosing but see it was this was if you use what you have than wouldn't need to waste money on impulse items. I hear stories on create and craft or crafty magazines reader lost a whole room to their crafting materials. Thinks of the Wombles of Wimbledon Common and you can't go wrong. Make use of good rubbish.
I think I will return to Grand Fantasia.

Crafting with felt

2010-06-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

I'm becoming less interested in Grand Fantasia and using much of my time crafting. Above is one of few cards I created for the year. This was for my cousin's birthday I'm influenced by mandalas and patterns. Would like to create more beaded or paper embroidery cards/artist trading cards (atcs). Now the World cup is on, I'm only watching a few matches, Italy, Spain and England (Even though the first match was dismal). I acquired an another Japanese Crafting book - かわいいフェルトの小物たち (Cure felt goods), ISBN ISBN9784418092192. You can buy from yesasia.

I have worked with felt before and found the material fragile, piles easily. At first glance I noticed the patterns resembles those of stuffed animals. These are my early attempts, a rabbit and chibi panda. Not a good idea to use salvage felt because it splits and pencil is not recommended for drawing around the paper template because it shows up in the sewing. I noticed a lot of other people's felt work the stitching is loose whereas my stitches are tight because this is how I hand sew. Have not yet mastered the sewing machine. Most of felt projects in the craft shops are too simple in design.

Projects become more advance further on through the book, the patterns for the deer are on the cover. The felt deer plush appears on the book cover. It was the reason why I wanted to buy the book in the first place. There was a lot of sewing involved and took me 2 days to complete. I used rose and cream felt because the pink I found in the craft store was very bright. As with all Japanese books I found the diagrams clear if in doubt I check the kanji -Japanese Chinese ideograms for any clues but some part you can make an intelligent guess. I despise people who moan or complain it's no in English. Make some effort to learn Japanese or any other language it's not difficult. Besides there was no body to help me I learnt thorough trial and error. In all I found the felt projects very easy to sew and off to make more.

Update on the RZ028 Blade Liger papercraft project

2010-06-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

I have spent 2 week making the front legs with the majority of time is guess work, if there were any instructions they would be in Korean as there are some Korean text on some of the sheets. In order for one section to be completed nearly all the parts needs to be made and it's so tedious. You are making the same part 8 or more times and also I had some problems printing on chocolate card as the black ink become faint on the second sheet. Border less printing is recommended in order to get the maximum size of the templates. Not very clear in the enclosed images, the legs are symmetrical- both sides are same as other only the top section which gives indication of direction( right or left and the only parts numbered). There 2 parts not shown in photos. This model is quite a challenge but build-able. One of those models which the sections are rendered individual in 3D program before unwrapped in pepakura. I going to return to making conventional pepakura model, how about something from WOW- World of Warcraft. It will take 2 weeks or so to complete the hind legs. Any instructions will be added later or once the whole thing is completed, there might be a chance someone else is building the model.
View the completed head.

Completed and Current Projects

2010-05-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while since my last post because I spend majority of my time playing Grand Fantasia. Mostly in the evening because whenever I try to play in the afternoon some one gets pissy and acts a drama queen. What I hate most is this individual is an attention seekers and receives special help when they are not entitled too goes while in being in a dysfunctional family. Well, I'm going to die early because can't get a decent night sleep because much of my time is restricted. I dislike being restricted in any way (FULLSTOP.)

This is what I'm currently doing, RZ028 Blade Liger, I discovered it from ipapercraft and this model is hard. First of all there are no instructions, over 40 pages in pdf. The pages are best printed in borderless otherwise the tabs are too small to fold and glue. So far I managed to complete the head with after some fiddling, there are left over parts I have no idea where they go. (More photos will be uploaded as I go along) I'm using the enclosed images as reference yet there are doubts if the body can't be built. Oddly enough, I added details of this paper model in /po archives back in February and only in April did this it appear on other papercraft sites.

Yes, the Gundam Wing Zero is finally finished. There are instructions on this model check out the /po archives. I couldn't find any dark grey card stock so had to resort to colouring in. This is model is top heavy and need some support at the back. Additional parts are the stand and arms which I couldn't be bothered to build.

My attempts at tatting.

2010-04-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday I finally made an attempt at tatting, at the moment I'm using the shuttle method later on I will try the other method needle tatt and also I brought a beginners guide on the subject. My first impressions were it is tricky and after a while I quickly got the hang of it. Still don't understand how the shuttle thread picks up the first thread to form a loop it just does. If the shuttle thread is caught usually means something is wrong.

I didn't follow the instructions properly and forgot to reverse the chain before a ring. I had the problem of loose thread and shrinking length of thread loop while the ring was being tatted. Solved this problem of starting close the end of the chain and lengthen the loop by reverse pulling the thread.

At first I didn't like making rings because they took a long time to make but usually I find the tatting process is very quick to complete compared with cross stitching. I discovered by pulling the thread of the chain I can keep the tatting more uniformed. Here's my second attempt at first edging.

I feel like with each practise I'm being more confident at tatting. Last night I attempted the medallion motif which involves the joining of rings via picots. I finally figured how the picot gauge works because the measurements were in Imperial only by measuring with a ruler was whole thing clear. Don't understand why America kept Imperial measurements here in the UK the metric system was adopted decades ago. Never mind I usually figure out these things out. The Gundam Wing Zero paper model still isn't finished because a piece was lost. The whole thing is almost complete I need to assemble the wing structure.
Things have been slow because I haven't slept well since last Wednesday and discovered the wonders of online RPGs- check my mailart blog for more details.

Tatting and papercraft

2010-03-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

I recently brought another tatting kit, you can buy it from roseground. The first time heard about tatting was in Bead Magazine, they featured a article about a trip to Japan and a tatted necklace was given as present by a student in beading class. Then in same magazine different issue there was another tatted necklace, I thought why not give tatting ago. Searching for tutorial is a nightmare because I hate following written instructions and prefer to view diagrams. There many pages of different terms it felt intimidating so I brought this kit despite downing 71Mb worth of tatting information. At a glance it feels like macramé but more close to knit making and there is prospect of making your own design. I have nagged by my cousins to sell my creative work they have seen my jewellery. One day I will reopen my Etsy shop just not now.

Another skill to master, at one time I wanted to give amigurumi- Japanese crochet stuffed dolls a try. One thing at a time. So far it has been hobby work.

Like papercrafting, I have been working this on 3 days now and not much progress has been made. I decided to try assembling SD version of Gundam Wing Zero. One problem no instructions so I had no idea how to even attempt this models. So I spent first 2 days making parts, on the third day I got bored and annoyed. There has to be instructions because what about inside parts. It turns out there are instructions a lot of people could be bothered to plough through pages of the Model creator's blog. Papercraft.wikidot.com does has translated Japanese instructions of the Gundam Wing Zero. In fact you can get the them from the Mediafire link. It came all too late as I had missed up on helmet parts and need to reprint them again, even with instructions some parts are you need to decide how to glue them together like the helmet wings. The other Gumdam papercraft completed is Musha Samurai SD.(Currently not in folder in flickr, I hope to retake pictures of selected finished models.)
I hope to finish the at least the upper torso and remake the head this evening. At this rate it should take me over a week to complete that is I'm not distracted by Wiiware, a new downloaded game.

New blog a new start.

2010-02-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

I was trying to close my docraft account but nothing happens as it was still there the next day. Since I have joined flickr there is no use for it and besides I'm hardly ever at the site. Even with atcs I swap them in yahoo groups and sometimes at nervousness. This blog intend to focus on hobbies I like doing such as cross stitch, card making, papercraft- making papermodels, beading and jewellery making and anything non mail art related. Might retake pictures of my old work and reopen my Etsy shop.
In the meantime much of updates lies in my photo stream.