How Flower of Life brought back my creativity

Been a while since I last updated this page I have been busy and just when I want to blog or upload photos to my flickr account the internet connection goes kaput. Don't know what caused it maybe the weather or interference by other router. I had to buy a dongle until the problem is resolved it's fine so far. I hate surfing or doing stuff on mobile everything is small and keys touch screen a nightmare.

I was working on biscornu Pagoda or biscobud. There's isn't much of patterns, I woke today and figured out to make this type of biscornu. Use a large pattern and smaller which is less than half, third of the size is better. Next was problem was trying to assemble the whole thing together. This project is complete turns out best to make the tuffet first before attempting the pattern as both have similar construction techniques. Completed work will be in my flickr photostream. There's a biscornu kit yet to completed for some strange reason I don't like making it.

During the Olympic was hooked on kumihimo, this is Japanese style of braided cord and much easier and faster than first time I tried. You can complete in a day or so. I used bamboo cord in the picture, I made another using 2 strands of embroidery skeins. I actually find my mini kumihimo plate when tried buy another one it was sold out. This one is from Beads Direct. I brought one from Amazon turned out to be huge. The braiding plate wasn't the only thing I've lost, can't find my bead soup plus whole other stuff.

After the kumihimo adventure I decided to return to papercraft as in assembling paper models. There's something about createandcraft I'm not happy about. There's an accumulative postage on their site I brought fabric gelly roll, Little Watbo kit and Papermania watercolour pencils end up as £50 including postage. Scam and overpriced this is as bad as Hobbycraft. Well you don't need such and such to make art all you need is some imagination. This model is Azura's or Black star from Skyrim. I'm going slowly, slowly so far about 20% in completion. 

I was surfing on the internet and discovered a site which sold Friendly Plastic, I always wanted to this material. When I got my order I felt cheated because the colour is just a film on top of black strip. After much struggle I created this. I shouldn't attempt to flatten after the 3D elements were pressed in. The whole thing curves on left to right. Friendly Plastic is very malleable when heated I only need a heat gun.

For a while I felt extremely depressed just looking out of window and wondering what is life for. Then I discovered sacred geometry through watching Spirit Science videos on youtube and came across Flower of Life which has template, code from which all life is created. I made many Flower of Life atcs, mandala before deciding I was ready to make atcs again. I've completed some art books and love to share them. There's still other things to explore I thank Spirit Science for helping me to strengthen my spiritual awareness. If you are curious and have open heart take a look this channel it will enlighten.

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Offering free cross stitch charts

That's right I'm offering a free chart of this Rainhawk I stitched 2 years ago. After much struggling I finally got the hand of converting a cross stitch chart into a PDF. More to follow as I make more charts than I can physically stitch up quick enough. View all my completed Sprite cross stitch work at this flickr set.

 Download the RainHawk Cross Stitch Chart 

 Download the Crom Cruach Cross stitch chart

I've amended the file, suppose to say use 2 strands of thread. When it says Anchor 0001, ignore the 0s in front and buy Anchor 1 same with the DMC threads and the chart isn't centre. Something about how Cross Stitcher card and pattern maker export files. Still trying to figure out the DTP as the text appears differently when imported.

Here is a cross stitch chart of a Gwyllgi (from FireEmblem game) created by Littlemojo. There's a few more pdfs of hers saved one of many CDs. There's a finished example somewhere on archive. Get the Gwyllgi cross stitch chart PDF.

Still working on the charts.
I'm updating this page when I've completed the file conversion.

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Busy as usual

Due to stupid internet rule takes me 2 days to complete both the Flickr and Blogger updates. I've been back on MMOs scene lately prefer solo rpgs myself they take ages to complete. I don't the patience for epic rpgs anymore. Here is what completed so far.

Rose needle case from Cross stitcher this is my first time using water soluble canvas as I have only waste canvas. The quality of threads in these freebie kits are not good as they fray very easily I found that pass them through bees wax or similar and prevent this. I'm working on Jubilee Heart right now no problems so far. The brought threads Anchor or DMC tend to silky and doesn't match the mat texture of these kits.

This is rectangle concentric doily can came from rettangoli concentrici tatted pattern I found on google. Took ages to complete I guess about 3 weeks some parts I went wrong and often had to rejoin thread. The instructions are in Italian I found them easy to understand all it is clover joined by ring. Most of pattern is 4ds separated by a picot and with some extra on the corners. Look at the diagram and finished work for clues. I was told by my mum that she use to made doilies using a small crochet hook. I think I'll work on some my patterns from now on there are some tatted jewellery and bracelet I hope to make and sell in my Etsy shop.

I found on create and craft. I only watch the knitting, sewing and beads slots as papercraft is boring. All samey and don't like the comments. I love it when Jane Greenoff is on the show as often have examples of other cross stitch samplers. I saw this and had to buy from the site basically it is called Cherry Pie Watbo scissor keeper there's a pin cushion version as well. Watbo is place she stayed in Cambodia while you picked up this object in night market. I think this is nicest and cutest thing ever designed and keeping it in my sewing box. This Watbo consist of 3 squares sewn together and could be the next thing similar to biscornu in a way. I think should be called a whackbo as you can hit someone should they disturb you when crafting. There's enough materials in the kit to make another.
You can buy this from create and craft or crosstitch guild site.

This was my attempt at converting a image with lots of colours into a workable chart. I used Paintshop Pro and posterize- reduce the number before the image went funny and then import to cross stitch program (I use Cross stitcher it's rather old and dated about 2000 still works Windows 7) then reduce to colours to 30. I prepare to buy only 30 threads. Backstitch is optional makes the image stand out more. This is demon known as Crom Cruach and appears in Shin Megami Tensei- Devil Childen, Red Book, Black Book. Took me 5 days to complete and worked on 16ct Aida in Anchor threads.
I'm sure I have find a use for these cross stitch panels. There really not much difference between Anchor and DMC as I use both. DMC is much cheaper and popular.
I have too many kits to deal with right now, the Xmas stocking is no where near completion because  hate doing fractional stitches on Aida and started on wolf cross stitch kit. Have a look at Flickr album for any new completed projects.

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Work completed so far

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.

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Cross stitch, tatting and needle lace

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.

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Latest projects

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.

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Projects completed so far.

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.

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