Thursday 23 August 2012

Excitement in Abundance

It has been quite an exciting day today....well, exciting for me that is. I managed to find an hour this afternoon to play with my new toy. I went to the NEC last week with the lovely Karen and another friend Mary and came home with an embellisher. Before my trip, I didn't really understand what you could do with an embellisher but it took all of thirty seconds of a demo for me to say "Karen, I think I need me one of these".

So I took this pile of stuff.....
Snipped off some fibres and chopped up some scraps of fabric, arranged them on a backing piece of felt (I'm told that you don't have to use felt but I happened to have some handy) and wuzzed them through my embellisher. If you are not familiar with what an embellisher does either, basically, it looks like a sewing machine, mine has 12 needles but they don't take thread. The needles are barbed and they pierce through the layers of fabric and kinda fuse them together. Like needle felting but without the hard labour!
It may not seem much but I REALLY LOVE THIS. My embellisher is definitely going to be my new best friend. Once I had made my quirky background piece, it dawned on me that I had no idea what I was going to use it for so started scouting around the studio for some inspiration. I stumbled upon a huge jewellery piece that I made a few weeks ago, using Ice Resin, so I think these two will become one somehow. I  just need to find a frame that they will fit, not sure if I will do too much else to it but of course, I'll post it here when I've finished it.

So what else is exciting?????? I'm off to Cork, Ireland very bright and early tomorrow morning with Leandra as we are very lucky, lucky duckies and taking Anna Dabrowska's class over the weekend. I have admired her work for some time and when I realised that she would be teaching so close to home, I knew it was an opportunity not to miss. So, I'm all packed and raring to go. Not looking forward to the early flight but I know it will be worth it.

Have a fun weekend,
Lin



14 comments:

Minxy said...

Ooo you have had an exciting time that is set to continue, I totally love your felted piece, the colours are lush as is the resin piece. Have a wonderful time in Ireland, i'm totally jelo but hope you both have a fab time xx Take lots of pics please :)

Helen said...

Your new toy looks great fun.... Have a fabulous time in Cork, and enjoy the class.

lin said...

oh wow loving your new toy..can't wait to see the finished piece...have a lovely time in Ireland can't say that I am jealous...not!!! :)

finnella03 said...

It looks beautiful Lin, the pieces look really good together.

Deborah said...

I used to hog the embellisher at my textiles classes - they are so cool. Enjoy your Anna Dabrowska workshop, you lucky things!

Kyla said...

Ooh a fab new toy....enjoy
Kyla

Netty said...

Terrific results....have no idea what you are talking about as am a sewing newbee......x

Daniele said...

what wonderful creations they look perfect together, have fun in Ireland,
hugs

Aquarius said...

Looking good - you will have such creative fun with an embellisher

Bev said...

Oh no Lin, I love this.. how can I make a business case to my hubby to get a 3rd sewing (not) machine into my craft room? chuckle.. The piece you made in beautiful!

ellen vargo designs said...

Hi Lin - your felted piece is just textured, fibre-y heaven! LOVE it! And yes, indeed... lucky, lucky duckies!! Hope you & Leandra have an awesome time with Anna! Hope to catch up with her for a class one day - love her style. Best to you, Ellen.

Brenda Brown said...

Fabulous embellished piece. have a great workshop, looking forward to seeing what you make.
hugs brenda xox

sixofone aka Leah said...

Oh dear! I think I need an embellisher

Diane Kelsey said...

I can recommend the DVD's by Myfanwy Hart on the embellisher, I really found them useful. I think you can get them on Amazon.