A few things....

Just a little catch up with a few things I've been doing lately. Some bits have gone on to ETSY (donnadowdart) and some are just for fun! 

Workshops!

I'm very excited to say I have finally got some workshops planned that will take place at my home in Stafford. This Wednesday, 18th of June I am doing waxed and stitched envelopes. The class is full :-) the next class is Friday, July 11. 10 till 1, making altered Vintage tins. The cost is £15 and I have one place left. I am enjoying preparing for these workshops. Also, I'm happy to report some of my work is going to be published, not just in any magazine, but in my very favourite! I am happy and so grateful that my creative pathway is opening up. These things take time so it will probably be several months until they appear but I will keep you informed on here. If you would like me to keep you informed of future classes please email me at donnadowd59@hotmail.com

Fabric book

I am thoroughly enjoying making a five generation fabric book. There is something so rewarding about honouring our family through art. I am just working on this beautiful picture of my mum when she was a teenager, and wondering what her life was like at that time. I love the feel of the fabric and I have used a vintage tablecloth for my background. It is probably about as old as the photograph. I have used The leaf pattern stitches on my sewing machine to enhance the photo.

The cow who ate almost anything....,.

I've made a book for my grandchildren today. The story was taken from my great aunts notebook about her (and my grandmothers) childhood. I used Serif Craft Artist and got some appropriate pictures from google. Hey presto! The children get to learn more about their ancestors and a little bit of family history is recorded. It was about a cow the family owned who chewed clothes it stole from the washing line and ate soap! I think the girls will love hearing about that!

Vintage finds

I had fun at the last bank holiday car boot sales of the year. Lots of finds. Kevin had a meeting in Stroud today, so I was able to tag along and do some treasure hunting in the abundant charity and vintage shops. One was called cauliflower and calico. Brilliant name. These are some of the treasures that I found over the last few days. I have also painted a corner shelf unit. It was so bitty to do but I am pleased with the results. I now have a dedicated Facebook page (heart creations). Come and like the page to see what I'm up to!  

Etsy shop

I would love you to pop over and have a look at my new Etsy shop, or come and 'like" my page, heart creations on Facebook. All welcome :-) My Etsy shop

Thanks!

Getting organised...

It's all beginning to come together. I am creating almost every day and seem to have an unending stream of ideas. I hope it continues! The photo is of Becky (my daughter) and myself at my first craft fair yesterday. It was very enjoyable and educational. We met some lovely people and enjoyed seeing Gill and Marie-Noelle. I have some lovely, supportive friends. So, I am in the process now of opening a Folksy shop -heArt and an Etsy shop - donnadowdheArt . It's a steep learning curve, but I'm having fun !

Birthday badge.

Here's my sweet granddaughter wearing the broach I made to go with her card. She is such a little star! Love her to bits.

Folksy shop

Here's the link to my new Folksy shop.
http://folksy.com/shops/heArt

The Notebook

I couldn't resist this covered notebook.  Embellishing it was a real pleasures might even make my own cover next time. This is for sale, £12 including a blank page notebook. I also have a Folksy account with a few pieces on for sale. Look me up- heArt.

Route master double decker bus!

Could it be done? Late last night I challenged myself to make this.  I'm pleased with the results. What do you think? 

Stitched British Phoneboxes

Well this was fun! A friend asked if I could make a phone box broach and I love a challenge. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I made two more! I am loving making the butterfly broaches. I feel like I would like to put them on everything I have! Here is a picture of how one of the butterfly broaches looks on my bag. 

Little treasures

My box of old cotton reels arrived from eBay today. Very excited! I am imagining who they belonged to originally, and what they had sewn with them. Oh it's the little things :-)

Today's work

Here's what I've been working on today. I thought I'd try to make a needle case but I've been struggling with the best method. It's really important to me that I am pleased with what I create. I would only sell something that I would be happy to buy myself. So the practice goes on and I will let you know when I created a system that I'm happy with! Got to be proud of my work. The top picture is of a butterfly broach I also made today. I had called in to hobby craft this morning and couldn't resist the Tilda fabrics! Fatal going in there haha!

Stitched broach

I love the colours of this one couldn't resist posting! I enjoyed using a bit of canvas for the word. It went through my typewriter easily.

More free motion pins / broaches

This is so much fun! I can hardly keep up with the ideas that keep coming to me. These are what I have made today. It would have been more but I have a bad back so I am pacing myself.

Free motion work

Love, love, love free motion embroidery! I am getting to now my Janome machine and all its little ways, and we are getting along quite well. It really has helped to inspire me. Bit of a neck ache tonight though. Think I've been bent over the machine for too long!

Diddly Free Motion Broaches

Think I am going to see if there is a market for these little broaches. £5 each? 

Free motion fun!

I've been practicing with my new (to me) Janome sewing machine and have loved making these little pieces. Think they will become broaches, I just need to sew a pin on the back. I'm finding that free motion embroidery is really a case of practise, practise and more practise! Loving the results now though!