Saturday 19 September 2015

Crochet Workshop

Hi All,
I have been very absent from this blog and that is because I have been spending spare time planning and advertising my classes and workshops which has meant spending time on facebook more.

My first Cochet session with two lovely ladies is taking pllace tomorrow in the afternoon.  Both are beginners, although one has been using Youtube it is the times when you want to ask a question or you get in a pickle and need help that an online tutorial is not always helpful.

So I have bben making up some starter packs and samples, plus getting in some cake and tea.
Should be an excellent 2 hours.
Will post whatever we make.

Take care!

Saturday 22 August 2015

Crochet Crazy

 
Goodness where has the time gone!?
I do have quite a bit to tell you but I have also swapped laptops and this one does not load up pictures in the same way so I am dealing with that.  

I am over on Facebook as my workshops move on but I did not promote anything during August and I will not do so as we are all busy doing things anyway.  But I do have a small group beginners crochet pencilled in for 19th September then  a beginners sewing date for October, a Christmas craft session in November and perhaps squeeze in a general bring what you want help with session which could be chaos but also quite exciting.  That may be better for January as a few unwanted presented could be recycled perhaps?

Anyway.  I will be back once I have fathomed out how to get my pictures from my camera to this laptop.

But do pop over and say hello here

Instagram  :  Indigo Blue Designs.
Look for the blue flower.


Bye for now.
xx

Friday 24 July 2015

Bunting Workshop - the outcomes

This week saw my second workshop and it was nice to have some different faces attend.
The room layout worked so well last time that I kept it the same but added more tables for the extra numbers.
Different types of fabric was brought to the workshop.  The above is special as Penny wanted to make some for her daughter's wedding in September.  Once we were organised and settled I did give her a hand as she had so many to do.  It is going to look fantastic and I hope I get to see a few photos after the big day.
Fabric was also recycled.  Nicola brought in an oil cloth table cloth and when marked out and cut up then stitched to the webbing, it looked just like the expensive bunting found on line.  really impressed with this outcome.
Judie also recycled some fabric includ8ing some of her husbands work shirts as he has recently retired and no longer needs that many!
Julie said that she had not really sewn since she was at school and the class was a surprise from her family, who had also bought her some fabric to bring.  Well Julie completed this set of bunting for her grand daughter and started another set for her grandson so her skills soon came back after a quick go over the sewing machine.  
This is a section of her first set of bunting.  So neatly stitched as well.
The oil cloth above will soon be on a very glamorous shed and Guide hut and the colours really popped and will look very colourful.  This is from The Range.

There was also a 14 year old called Sophie who is over from Canada and is staying with Penny.  She was brilliant and I gave her some fabric so make some bunting for herself and take back to Canada.  Lovely young lady who did really well with a bunch of ladies that she had never met before!

So another very enjoyable class.  The examples I made did help a lot and the instructions and materials were just right for the bunting to work first time.  The length of time was just right but no body seemed to need much help but all said how nice it was to get out of the house, have a chat and how relaxing it is to make something original.  i think I am so used to rushing around solving one problem after another that i felt a bit redundant.

having just read a blog where a lady went for a private crochet class and came away with nothing, learnt nothing and was charged more than the agreed price I hope that this group felt that they got value for money, enjoyment and learnt how to make something else that would make a lovely gift  for a child's bedroom, party or the garden.

What to offer next?
A UFO day or clothes making/altering.

Need to finish the bunting I started for my sister in law after the workshop....well I felt the need to have a go afterwards as well.  I have really enjoyed making them...they can be quite addictive!!

Have a lovely weekend.
xx

Sunday 12 July 2015

Absence due to planning

Many people seem to have vanished from blogland at the moment.........me included.

I have been silly busy at work which should slow down after this coming week and I have been trying to build up a presence on Facebook to get my workshops moving.  When everyone says that Facebook is viral I would have to disagree as it is not spreading the word quite as quickly as I would have thought.  Anyway...keep soldiering on.

I do have another workshop on 22nd July to teach how to measure, select fabric and make bunting.  I have had great fun making 4 different versions and if I ever reach 100 likes for my page I am going to have a give away for one of them.
I could quite happily make bunting all day!

Yesterday I had my second booking for 1:1 Home Sewing Tuition  ( a bit like the ones you have for other subjects such as English and Maths....why not sewing, art and crafts too?)  I can do GCSE exam paper tuition too but I suppose that would be for those who really needed a high grade to go on to a follow on course so I have not really advertised that.

So I am planning several ideas and let my young student choose which one she would like to do.

My daughter has asked for a craft party for her birthday in November so that is in the future but in the appointment book already.


I have also had several enquiries for basic beginners Crochet in Ausgust as a result of posting some of my crochet work on Facebook, so that has been positive too.  My crochet as moved on an awful lot this year so yes I can do a beginners class quitre easily and the basics is sometimes all people want to do in the evenings.
Next week we are dropping the usual timetable and I have 22 students for a whole week making and creating all sorts of things.
First up is a charity project and I am borrowing The Giving Bunny idea from Urban Threads
I saw this just over a year ago but it was too late for me use it.  We are going to make several each, one for each student to take home and the rest will be sold to raise money for a local charity.

This is my version complete with mini scarf.  I have made a few already and I have decided to enlarge the template so that students with motor skill difficulty can still access this.
Should be fun.
Then the rest of the week will be felt making, mixed media canvas and card making.  Plus my ever popular Monster Making.  This will be its 5th year!
So a busy week of making and for once my daughter will be able to attend as she has been taught my someone else this year.
I will try and update my blog more often but like many others I my visitors dramatically dropped and comments went from double figures down to 1 if I was lucky and I got really disillusioned as it can take time to put these posts together with text and images.
The summer break is nearly here and I do have lots of work to do for September but i will also make time for Indigo Blue.
If you are on the go yo can also find me at the sites below.
Links at the top of this blog too.
Facebook: Indigo Blue Designs Textiles & workshops 
Instagram: Indigo Blue
Website: Indigo-stitched-designs.com
  There are links to everything else on all of them and they should all be mobile p0hone friendly.  Even my website which I am changing to give info on my workshops and less on the making although I will still consider commission's if you would like something personalised or have an idea you wish to have made up.

Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
xx

Sunday 28 June 2015

1:1 Home Sewing Tuition

 Yesterday I had my first 1:1 Hand Sewing Home tuition session with a lovely little girl called Jess.
Jess has got a little prior experience but wants to have some proper lessons and project ideas that will help her to learn and takcle some little ideas on her own.

I decided that the felt keyring or bag charm would be a good place to start and I also left enough materials for her tomake another one on her own after I had left!
She was as bright as a button and had no porblem threading and knotting the thread.....way better than someof my year 7 students and Jess is in year 4!!
Parents and jess are very keen for future sessions so I hope to help this young lady for some time to come.
Brilliant way to start the weekend.
Home tuition was not something I had comnsidered but i think I will, including GCSE practical work and theory papers.  Will need to add that to my website and 
Facebook pages: Indigo blue textiles and workshops.
Pop over and tsake a look.
have a good week.
xx

Monday 22 June 2015

Crochet WIP and workshops

I have tried to be strict with myself and set aside some Me Time, which is quite difficult this time of year at work.
 I have always wanted to make a blanket like this but other styles caught my eye as well!  The wool is from Stylecraft and I bought it last August but other things got int he way.  So to continue with my 2014 promise of crochet advancement, I decided in January 2015 that this would carry on.
 I tried a couple of different sized hooks but in the end I settled for a 4.5mm hook which may or may not be the right size but it works for me.
I have been making them in groups of 2 colourways at a time as i like to try and use up the colours evenly across the blanket.
Not sure when this is going to get done but I am averaging two squares an evening ( I slow down after 8pm) and I hope to have it done by September/October time.

I have been a bit absent from my blog as it has been sooooo busy at work but I have also been working on my workshops and researching venues and materials.  Not sure how it is going to develop and I will be honest that it has been a trickle rather than a rush to sign up but I have had nothing but encouragement and that it is a good idea and much needed locally.  I just need more sign ups but I suppose it will take time and i need a few more sessions to have been completed and advertise what is being made by those that come to entice others to come along.

So I shall be back and I have signed up for a couple of swaps.
If anyone has a Face book page could I ask  (Or beg ) that you could pop over and Like, share my workshop and business page to just try and give it a bit of exposure.  I would be very grateful,
If you are on holiday in Cornwall on 24th July and fancy making some bunting and any other project that you would like help with then get in touch!

FACE BOOK :

Many thanks and have a lovely week!
xx

Wednesday 10 June 2015

Signed up for 2015

NOW OPEN for 2015
OI have signed up for a second year with the Santa sack swap and I already have some ideas up my sleeve!
Wonder who my partner will be?
xx

Saturday 6 June 2015

Been a bit busy because............

Hello everyone..........
I have been very absent from Indigo Blue recently although I have been visitng some blogs my own has had to take a bit of a back seat as I have been busy with something else.

At Easter I decided that it was time for a new direction and I know that the mortgage needs paying and until Sophie knows what she wants to do...there may be Uni fees to pay for.  However I need a new challenge, one that is on my terms and not that of someone else.

Above is a still life which appears on some of my Facebook pages.  I have been busy setting up Instagram and Facebook pages to build interest in Sewing / Art and Craft workshops and Classes.

I decided to run through the basics of the sewing machine and several of those who came brought their own machine and we were able to look at any questions or problems they were having.  Then we moved on to simple stitch tasks to investigate different stitches and threading up etc. Tension and any
"well what does this do?" situation.

Next was to select fabric to make a 9 patch cushion and this saw loved but forgotten fabric being pulled out of bags and a few fat quarters being purchased.
I gave everyone a little starter pack and in each one was several items including a template to make the cover.  
We looked at pattern cutting back panel sections.
Then how to actually construct the cushions.
These are the final cushions and we were able to recycle pads which they already had at home.
They all used fabric that they already had and were delighted with the results and were keenly talking about what else they could make with the simple layout.
They are even more keen to set another date as Summer Bunting was on the list along with completing some long forgotten projects...........mainly started when their own children were very small.
It was a fantastic 4 hours and their delight was clear including high fives and jumping up and down!!

This is what teaching used to be like when I first started.  This is a direction I am going to be working on in my spare time and see where it takes me.  My Facebook page generated more interest that the four cushions suggest and I have a list of people who want to come.
Next is to foloow up a request for a 1:1 home tuition hand sewing session.
Keep you posted.
xx

Friday 22 May 2015

Image Transfer Tutorial

It has been quite a while since I have put a tutorial on my blog so I thought I would add something that I did with my GCSE group this week.
Image Transfer using an inkjet image and sellotape.

Materials needed:
Image which has been printed out using an inkjet printer (not laser jet).
Sellotape.
Water.
Scissors.

1. Firstly you need to trim down any excess white paper so that yo are not wasting sellotape and time rubbing off areas you are not going to need.  Next cover the front of your image with a layer of sellotape.  Make sure that the edges overlap slightly and check that the image is well and truly stuck to it.  I actually left it stuck to the table while I went and had my dinner!
Next I submerged the image under water.  As you can see I used the sink for this.  I left it for a couple of minutes and judging this time takes a bit of practise.  If you then rub the back of the paper and it seems to some off then take the image out of the water.  Try to rub in a circular motion as this evens out the pressure and you will not rub too hard and take your image off as well.
As the paper backing starts to rub away you should see the image left behind which has transfered to the sellotape.  It will be quite transparent.  If the paper seems to be drying out them add a few drops of water to the paper to continue to rub away the paper backing.
I hope that you can see this alright.  I have put the still damp image up against the glass of my patio windows and the light is showing through.  
The image has really kept its colour and I do not have any holes in the image at all.
All of the students who tried this all got equally successful outcomes.  You can still see the sellotape but i suppose you could turn the image around.  If you put on top of water soluble fabric then you could free machine embroider on to it.  This technique is very easy and would be ideal for transferring photographs (after they have been scanned and printed on an inkjet printer) and scrapbooking/art journaling.
Sophie was really impressed and we are going to see what else we come up with during the half term break.
Have a go!
Let me know if you have any success or if you have any questions.

Sunday 17 May 2015

FNSI - Project Folder

I have always liked the fabric files that Peg makes over at Happy In Quilting and with her blessing I thought I would make one ready for my first Sewing Workshop that I am running on 6th June.
The centre panels are from a charm pack called friendship and I joined this with a jelly roll.
I lined it with white 100%b cotton as any other colour did not seem to really "go" with it.
I used another of the jellyroll strips for the binding and some lovely binding that I bought from Coast and Country near Falmouth.
That is as far as I had got and I have now reached the stage where I am deciding on how best to fasten it.
Green button?
Brown button?
Fabric ties?
Will have to sleep on it perhaps.
xx
More FNSI projects can be seen over on Wendy's site here.
Many thanks for hosting my second month of taking part,
xx

Thursday 14 May 2015

Spring is sprung....well almost

My pansies just keep growing........... and the slugs are no where to be seen Hurrah!  I have three little pots which Sophie put together for me.
This hanging basket is over a year old and has not stopped blooming...all the way through winter as well.  I have not got a clue why or how it has managed this but thank you garden centre for selling me a plant that I can not kill!!
Cheerful little Forget-me-Knots.
I love dandelions at this stage, so delicate.
My clematis is in full boom and going berserk.  Last year it did nothing so this is a bit of a build up.
Another Sophie creation.  She is getting quite good at this gardening lark!
There is more that is starting to "Spring " in to life but more on that later on.
The garden is finally getting there, just a few more cut flowers and bright colours, after 15 years of trying I have managed to work out exactly what I can and can not grow.
Take care all.
xx

Monday 11 May 2015

Italian Landscape in Stitch

I have been looking at some of my City and Guilds work over the past few weeks since joining Facebook as I am now a member of a Art textiles Group.
The above picture was a final outcome from a series of samples and tasks that we were asked to do as part of that course.  This sample was inspired by some pictures and photographs that I had taken during a couple of trips to Italy.  The background is painted scrim and the layout of the design is supposed to be abstract.
Here you can see links to the terracotta tiles, trees, the colours of the landscape and textures that are very different to that which i see in the UK.
Using an Instagram app I have made a collage of close-ups to show you the stitch detail and the fabrics used.
It has then been stretched our a piece of mount board and now I should really find a frame or something to display it.
I have yet to add this to the Facebook group but that is next.
I wonder what else I shall find.
Have a good week.
xx

Saturday 9 May 2015

Mixed Media and Stitch

My job had changed direction over the past two years, even more so since last September and the need to complete my A level Fine Art textiles was linked to that.
So today I thought I would show you a piece that I made as part of a project I was introducing at work.  I think we have seen enough cushions for a while!
This is a silk painted background using just blue, yellow and a little bit of green silk paint.
The theme I was putting across was abstract and a limited number of materials and technqiues.
So think water, sea, shells etc.
The centre has a piece of scrunched up paper with painted Tyvek and tissuer paper.  I did not want a perfect straight edge anywhere so at times this did mean ripping edges to gain that.
I then added free machine embroidery is certain areas and tried to centralise the whole design in the middle.
The photograph has come out a little paler than the real item as the colours are much richer than this, but the texture is very detailed and the papers contrast well with the fibres and fabric.

Some of the project and exam titles for Art textiles can be very lose and vague which can be really difficult for teenagers, so creating a piece like this just helps to visually clarify how they might generate their own ideas and outcomes.  Plus I really like doing it!
I am going to put this on Facebook as I have joined an Art textiles group on there and a picture I posted last week suddenly got 68 likes which is a much bigger response than I get on my blog.
Sadly I can see why blogging is falling out of favour.
I am in the process of working on a couple of projects but nothing is ready to post here at the moment but I shall be looking more to how my garden is progressing as it  to wake up and meet summer as it slowly starts to arrive here in Cornwall.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
xx
PS:  Lots of interest in my first Sewing Class so I shall bring news on that over the coming weeks and hopefully some photos too.  Really excited with how it might develope.

Facebook:  Indigo Blue -Textiles

Wednesday 6 May 2015

April OPAM -Round Up

April turned out to be quite a successful month and some of that is due to me going back to my little sewing group after a 2.5 year gap studying for my A Level and then my print class.
So I thought a little round up might be in order to celebrate and to spur me on.
Knitted scarf for our Wizard of Oz Production
City and Guilds sample turned in to a cushion.
Cross stitch lavender sachet which is now in my car.
Applique cushion cover which now has a new duck down pad and I all ready for a birthday next month.
Been a bit of a cushion month!  Another for a retirement do last week.
Plus a tissue holder.............oh picture will not load.  I shall take another but anyway the  tissue holder is in a very bright fabric and means that you do not need to struggle with those silly little plastic wrappers which end of breaking anyway.  They can be re-used and washed.  Will post at the weekend and I shall probably make another for my first workshop on 6th June and there has been quite a bit of interest today on that which made my day!
Well it is getting late so off to my bed.
Take care all
xx

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