small break

Hello my lovely readers.  I just wanted to let you know I'm going to take a little break from blogging, I might still read blogs, at the minute I'm not as I don't have the heart.  I have been diagnosed with a mental health condition called Borderline Personality Disorder, google it if you're interested.  My husband and I split up 5 weeks ago (not my choice) and I've fallen apart completely.  Life doesn't seem worth living at the moment, but hopefully I'll be back soon enough, I have plenty of stuff saved up to tell you about.

Stamped silver bangle

Silversmithing class started again in September but I don't really have much to show.  I made this bangle before the summer break, but finished it off and polished it in the first class back.

It's made from 3.5mm round sterling silver wire.  I formed it, cut and soldered, then filed and polished.  Before it was formed I stamped on it. I stamped the word miłość (Polish for love).  The third letter is pronounced like a W and clearly we didn't have a stamp for that, or the accents, so I improvised.  I added a pattern using various sized hole cutters, but obviously didn't punch all the way through!  I wasn't very happy with how it turned out.  The large hole cutters didn't make a very even mark on the metal.

I can also see the join.  I filed it down and sanded it, but I took off so much silver that I can see that it's slightly thinner in that area.  I should have continued stamping after it was soldered to continue the pattern, but decided to leave it on the front only.

I had also planned to make a copper bangle the same size, but I haven't got round to it.  I've only worn the bangle once or twice as I actually find it really annoying, especially at work as it bangs on the desk as I type!

Never mind, not everything can be successful!

Mellerstain parrots #3 - again!

My photos are back so I'm going to sneak in this SAL post, 2 days late!  The first photo shows where I was 3 weeks ago.

I've been working on that bottom right hand corner and got a decent amount done.

Oh, that photo is a bit blurry!  I initial thought the acorn caps were embroidered with 1 strand and 1 wrap per french knot.  I thought that was too small so did one with 1 strand and 2 wraps.  Reading the chart again, I realised it was 2 strands and 1 wrap, so that's what I did!  

Not a bad effort!

Last week I had a lovely surprise from Claire. She's so thoughtful.  She sent me a sweet bunny chart and her leftover threads, a Peter Rabbit postcard (do people think I like bunnies?!?) and a handmade bookmark - I always need bookmarks!  Thanks Claire, it was a lovely surprise.

I'm stitching along as part of a SAL, you can go and see what the other participants have been up to here:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Susan, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy

Mellerstain parrots #3

Good morning!  I have dropped in to post about my Mellerstain parrots for the three-weekly SAL, however there's a problem with Photobucket - the online company that hosts my photos so I'm afraid you can't see anything in my blog (unless you go back about 3 or 4 years when I stored my photos on Blogger's server).  If it comes back on line by Sunday, I'll drop back in and update this post, if not, please go and visit the other SAL participants instead.

I'm sewing along as part of a SAL, you can go and see what the other participants have been up to here:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Susan, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy

Feel free to come and join us, just contact Avis.

bunny quilt

I have been collecting bunny fabrics for a few years now.  I haven't actually bought many this year as I already had so many (a noteable exception being Critter - linked to a random UK shop as I can't remember where I bought it!).  I have over 100 FQs or scraps with bunnies on:

Some I've bought, some were bought for me by Mr CA one Christmas and some were gifts from friends and quilt buddies.  I sorted them into rainbow order.

Then at October's EMMQG meeting I began sewing.  I had to figure out the dimensions I wanted as I'm not following a pattern.  I started with 2" and 3" centre squares, I just couldn't make it work with one size only, but as I only have a vague plan, I'm sure it'll be fine!

I stitched some of the greens and all of the purples into polaroid blocks.  They will be set wonkily into background squares.  I bought some navy spot fabric for this project, but now I'm wondering about Kona solids in a variety of colours... I'm sure it'll be a while before I've finished them so plenty of time to think about it!

I can't see the purple ones in this picture, I hope I didn't leave them at the guild meeting!  I only have about 5 as it's hard enough to get purple fabric, let alone purple fabric featuring bunnies!