Needlepoint

Surprise!! I'm not a girl...

Let me introduce my book first, I received this book since form 5. Between, this is my drawing competition's present..Yea..

In this book, Stella Edwards presents the embroiderer with a stunning collection of 20 needlepoint cushions in varying shapes and size.
This book also opens with comprehensive section on materials, basic stitch techniques and making-up instruction.
Good for the beginner like me...hehe

In this book, I found out a very interesting design.. called William Morris Cushion
This design was inspired by one of William Morris' most popular textile design, Strawberry Thief, printed in about 1883.
William Morris was a poet, painter, philanthropist and designer who died in 1896. Virtually single-handedly he changed British taste from the dark clutter of the Victorian period to the fresh, flowing lines of the Arts and crafts movement which then evolved into the Art Nouveau style.
He was very much against the use of the crude chemical dyes of the time and experimented with historic dyes to create the strong, subtle and resonant colours that are now associated with William Morris- especially the colour indigo which took him a decade to perfect.

Between, I just need to follow the chart to work the design. Starting from the middle, use half cross stitch throughout.

This is my fovourite color combination. Actually I din't follow the exactly the colour codes that shown in the book.

This is the part that I spend most of the time and this is the time that train my patience.
Remember: press the embroidery on the back with a hot steam iron over a damp cloth and gently pull it back into shape.

HANDMADE ROSE

When I look at the Sichuan news everyday, I feel sorry to hear about the increasing number of people died and injured. Since I can't contribute anything so far, I would like to use my creation to send my condolence and regret to all the victims.
Im quite admire for those who can create an interesting things. For example: I like the Martha Stewart show very much. Seriously, she can do so many fantastic artwork. She is my mentor....as what im doing now.
Now, I would like to introduce my creation- handmade roses. There are many ways to do a paper rose, but i found a new method and it is simple to do. Try it now......

You need to prepare some material for this paper art:
1. Double side tape
2. Green sticky tape ( can buy from most of the art centre)
3. Green wire (25Psc x 36cm) code: SWG 22
4. A cardboard ( 7.5 x7.5 cm)
5. Some artificial accessories ( leaf, berries)
6. Colour paper ( any color that you think suitable)
Try to feel the papers have this propotion
Hardness : Softness
65:35
Try to feel the texture of the paper also.
7. Needle
8.Scissors
9.Cutter

This is the example of the berries that I bought from Petaling Street, Malaysia. Not so expensive. Around RM10 for 30 units ( 3 years ago). Haha.

First, start with the cardboard. ( 7.5 X 7.5cm)

Draw a four petals flower shape. Each petal should be equivalent.

Cut it... as a mould of the roses

Prepare one piece of symmetry color paper that can fix with four pieces of the mould.

Fold the color paper nicely. Trace the flower shape on the back of the color paper.

Cut it and this should be what you have now.

Make a hole in the middle of the shape and ready to use.

Take a green wire.

Make this in one side of the wire. This shape is use to stabilize and support the base of the rose.

Put the first layer of the rose in the green wire. Stick the patels and the green wire together.

Follow this step carefully. The is the most important step of making rose. Twist the petal one by one into the middle. Each petal is in the overlapping condition.

Make it closer as what I shown in the picture.

Stick the petal by using double side tape. Make sure your work is neat and try to avoid someone can see your double side tape. You can use the paper glu also. But i prefer using this double side tape- faster and clean.

Put a double side tape at the centre of the second layer of the rose.

Put the second layer inside the green wire again. Stick the middle of the layer at the base of the first layer.

Put a double side tape at the side of each petal. Stick the petal side by side.

Your work should be look like this now. Make a little curve at the border of each petal by using pencil or needle. Feel the shape of the real rose.

Repeat the same proses for third layer.

Now, you can continue or stop at this step. If you want to stop at this step, the rose is smaller.

If you want to continue, add one more layer. Remember to put a double side tape at the middle at each layer so that each layers are stick together.

There is a different at this layer compare to the previous one. The double side tape should put at the middle at the petal. Then stick the petal to the previous layer...not side by side.

Yeah... The rose complete already.If you cannot get this shape, no worries, more pratice..make perfect.

Now, put some decoration..make it more interesting.

Put some leaves.

Adjust until the most suitable position...

Use the green sticky tape and fix the position of your accessories.

LIke this....

Final product.
Sorry for the picture that i took for this creation- blur ...haha
Im not a good photographer...
Kindly leave a comment......You are welcome to do so...Thx