Here are a couple of this weeks completed projects.

The cushion began with the emboidery. I love knotwork, so it's not uncommon for any of my decorative details (be it quilting or embroidery) to take on this form.

I didn't want to waste my efforts by leaving the cushion otherwise plain as it seemed to do the embroidery a disservice. So a few tucks, some contrast ruching, mitred corners and here we have the final result. (well admittedly there may still be some tweaking)

Another project was ofcourse flowers. both synthetic ad natural fibres. I'm never sure which I like better. I guess they both have their own purposes and I've no need to choose a favourite...simply a favourite for the specific occasion.

The synthetic ones involve scissors and fire. Obviously not a craft for unsupervised children (or accident prone adults) I'll gladly add a tutorial if you like, though I suspect there already exists a number of them out there. Once you get used to the melting properties of each fabric you can experiment to get different looks though so this is fun.

Here are the basic cut circles with small slits around the edges. I used satins and organza for the layers.

Then there was the linen flowers (made the way ribbon "flat roses" would be made but with a folded strip of linen , raw edges left unfinished and exposed. a touch of fraying cotton crochet lace, a few pearl beads and they somehow pull off a crafty yet elegant look.

I thought I'd take a moment this morning before I start working to post a few more photos of the progress on the quilt for my neice. I'm way behind on market preparations but will tackle some of that this morning (and for the next month)

I went over the previously quilted K with a chain stitch in purple to make it more prominent.

Added a few more trims and crazy quilt stitches.

Snapped a close up photo of the "faux cathedral window inspired thing-a-ma-bob"

unfortunate lighting for some reason makes this one appear quite yellow.

And ofcourse a butterfly (I think he/she still needs some more filler)

Now back to work to see what I can accomplish in a few short hours of being child-free.

Happy February! I've started this blog to share my works in progress, trials and tribulations of an artisan. I love historically inspired techniques be it smocking, embroidery, fabric manipulation, crochet or whatever comes my way. In the next few months I'll be trying to prepare for Osgoode's Medeival Festival, The Cumberland Farmers Market and assorted craft sales along with stocking my website and building costume inventory for sale/rent next year. Lately I've had a thing for purses, I've made (and sold) several and just can't seem to shake the bug. I'm planning to start a new silk one very soon as a donation for a charity silent auction so those photos will hopefully be coming soon.  My next few projects will likely be based around fabric manipulation and origami, aswell as ribbon embroidery. Not to mention medieval gowns and coifs made from assorted linen fabrics.

Here's a few of the clutches I've already made

The back one is a green linen with a few pleating and ruching techniques to add texture. The bronze one is a pleated Lamé with flowers along the frame. It's the same design I had used to make my sisters bridal purse in silver. The front one is an off-white bridal jaquard fabric that I added fabric flowers and embroidery too. Even the flowers were made using different techniques. The rust coloured satin were made using half circles folded stitched along one edge, gathered at the bottom to create each petal. The blue ones were cirles of synthetic fabrics snipped around the edges and melted by holding the 2-3 inches from a candle flame to curl and seal the raw edge.

Thanks for looking.

There are pleny of gowns, home décor, and miscellaneous items at my website.

www.laststitch.com