G . O : Collages

 

Well, I found a forum with some advice and tips - one tip was making collages. I know I can do a lot with Instagram and other apps. But I like using my computer a lot. One site they suggested was befunky.com and it's pretty good. A lot of control and tools to do more editing than just a collage. 

I think I'll be making more with my own photographs and work. I find collages a great way to show off a collection of work or a theme. In the case above some of my favourite images of my embroidery. 

Clearly shows a need to work on filtering and editing my images to be more similar. More presentable in a collage or online shop front. Making layouts for my patterns could be really interesting, as could adding more text and watermarks.

There's a lot of different sites and apps out there to assist people with almost any project . Have fun, know what data you want to give and keep looking for something that works for you. This one just worked for me.

https://www.befunky.com/

____________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G . O : Collages

G .O : Embroidered Patches

 

Getting On :

Embroidered Patches : 

With Lockdown I have restarted my Etsy and a large reason was to sell items I make as a hobby or interest. Since I have sewn for years, I have quite a bit of experience with embroidery and beading to expand on my skills. Embroidery has been a great way to expand on my design skills and take my time with work - I can't always draw on paper and can struggle to sit and get my ideas out. 

It started with just practicing some bead work, then some embroidery stitches and developed into actually making pieces that could sell, if someone is interested. 

I'm currently focused on stitching pieces to create stock, each piece will be unique and different from one another. Allowing for some stock, along a few other pieces. Once I feel comfortable with the amount, I will focus larger projects, including embroidery or embroidered pieces. Such as some pieces I want to make are 30-50cm tall and another idea is similar to the gifts I made previously - aprons with embroidered details - keeping the idea of making each unique or allowing custom work. I don't want to duplicate every item, despite the handmade aspect ensuring each will always be unique.

If you look at my work so far below I have been varied with my stitch work, designs and themes. Taking ideas from what interests me at the time, be it exploring heart designs. Embroidering my style of eyes. Using fabric paint to enhance some of my work. Or focus on composition and layout with moon pieces. It keeps my hands busy and allow me to interest myself in a single project at a time, in the hoop.

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G .O : Embroidered Patches

G . O : Etsy during Lockdown

 

Getting On :

Etsy, keeping busy during Lockdown : 

My shop, @ ETSY. Animal Revolution. Is now open once again( Actually since Oct.2020). Re-opened from when I was back in University, I've bounced to opening it again or not. I wanted to be confident in my work and / or my career. With lockdown I can't be confident with where I stand and pour into my time into a normal days work. Hence my Esty re-opening. I can keep my hands and mind busy, while not settling to fill my home with items. I still need some stock however, and focused on unique embroidery and die-cut pieces.  My store name was picked at university due to my upcycled and recycled elements - something I continue with my new stock - die cutting paper / card to waste less and make gift tags, and re-purposing fabrics for my sewing.

I want to create a lot of variety in my work, but I do also try to play with themes - I have some plant / nature inspired gift tags, I have quite a few pieces focused on eyes with different themes, different takes on moons, and different compositions with hearts. Mostly recently I've listed some smaller pieces that were worked on together mostly in black and white, but are all very different. 

While, I work on my pieces, I want to do a lot of mini restocks - at least once a week I list new items. However, so far I have been able and comfortable listing a few pieces twice a week. I will keep this up as long as I am comfortable. This means I can build stock and mix in my latest makes, as I feel what might gain interest from a potential customer. I want to use this to showcase my work, and also be more social during lockdown. Once I am comfortable I can focus on other projects to complete. 

1. Banner picture
2. Larger embroidery pieces
3. Embroidered unique aprons
4. More varieties in gift boxes and die cut items.

@ ETSY. Animal Revolution

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G . O : Etsy during Lockdown

G.O: With Pinterest

Embroidery

With all my cross stitch I have also done some broader stitch designs, not just just Cross stitch. But with my shoe project I thought it best to do some research and inspiration boards on designs for embroidery.

I found some great designs, that I would happily make for friends. Some I would make for me, and others that would be great gifts for others. This board has a great variety; with art-y designs, simple designs and some complex designs. The themes go from animal and floral to intricate designs.

My favorite at the moment is the bunny, below with the cutest bunny tail ever! I know exactly who to make this sweet piece for! However, I adore the portraits on this board too. They are really well made and intricate.

There's a lot here that could be used to inspire you to make something yourself, even something completely individual to you.
I'll share some of my own designs and stitch work from the shoes, as I go.

__________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

My Board: Embriodery

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G.O: With Pinterest

C.W : Project Converse

Well some of my old shoes are getting a make over for a Changing Wardrobes post. I'm quite excited. I decided on a different theme on each shoe but working the colours and on shoes continuously hopping between them. I want the designs to flow on each shoe, they don't need  to match or work amazing together this is just more practice for me. But if they look a littler coherent, it would be nice. 

First they need the laces removing, to be cleaned and wiped down. The soles have holes, so I don't wear them as often anymore. So if this little project turns bad I'm gonna be fine with it. As for the these I have gone with I'll keep them a surprise for now.  I am going to start on the tongue of the shoe - best space for practice to me, and it seems like a nice place to start while I have ideas in my head. then the outside of the shoe, before curving round the back and onto the inside.

I'd like to design the whole shoe at a time. But despite me doodling ideas and maybe showing off some possible ideas. I'm going to plan only a few designs ahead. This should keep the design flowing and only space as its left rather than squishing all the designs into one area. Which I think would ruin the whole idea.

As for materials, you maybe have guessed it - I'm embroidering it again, not painting or drawing on these shoes. For a few reasons; 1. They are black, so harder to draw or paint on, but not impossible, 2. I need the practice, 3. It's a bit of fun, and its something I'd prefer. I painted and made up a pair in university to show off me as a person. I used paint, pens, glue and applique, all sorts. I want to see how I've developed my skills and learn something here.

So I know this isn't the most exciting piece at the moment but I'm looking forward to sharing doodles, designs and updates as I get on, with you all. And the final pieces.

_______________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

C.W : Project Converse

Practicing my stitch work

I've been practicing my stitches and it developed into something else. This little practice has really surprised me, though I did pick out some pretty complementary colours. I didn't really expect a design. However, I was repeating whatever I  did on one side, on the other to reflect the design and fill an area. This meant I could use more colour and  also practice stitch counting, and counting the area.

I used a woven cotton fabric, though it is uneven - this was intended as a practice only, so I didn't need to worry too much. I did keep count and try to keep the work even. I explored a lot of different combinations of colours, thread counts, stitches and tensions.  A few stitches were left loose to gather more thread on top of the fabric, allowing for a slightly different texture and depth to the work. 

I also applied different coverage. Using couching, heavy stitches, larger thread counts, and layers of stitches to build colour in areas and hinting at areas that are only outlined.

I had a lot of fun with the cross stitches covering the roof - layered with more cross stitch work and couched thread.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Practicing my stitch work