Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Auditioning...

Do you audition fabrics when you're planning a new project?
You do? That's smart!
You see, I used to do things the wrong way round.
I'd sketch a design, fine tune it a bit, go over it with my black marker, trace it onto my preferred stitchery background fabric (usually off-white handkerchief linen), and spend the next few days stitching it up.
Only THEN would I stand in front of my fabric shelf looking for a few prints that would match the threads I've used!
Praise the Lord, I'm doing that less and less.
Yesterday I drew up a design for Issue 16 of Elefantz HOME

It's my "Garden Issue", so every design will have a garden theme. After staring at my stash shelves for the longest time I just couldn't decide what fabrics to use for the gardening apron the stitchery will be a feature of. Then right before my eyes, inspiration struck!
I'd just purchased a set of green tea towels to use as the base of some sturdy placemats for our dining table...
I had lain the sketch on top of the solid green tea towel, and after I had taken the photo I thought, "How perfect is that green for the stitchery?!" 
So I cut a square from the tea towel, traced the design, and began stitching...
I love it!!
Last night I started on it, and I have to tell you, the tea towel fabric is divine to stitch on!
I'll spend this afternoon finishing the embroidery and then design the actual garden apron using the other two tea towels. I'm really excited about how this project is going to turn out!
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My next audition was based on fabric alone, and I will design a project based on the three prints I chose; a solid, a check, and a bird theme.
Aren't they pretty together?
No idea what they will end up as though!
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When I was ironing some very delicate doilies for re-purposing, I couldn't help but notice how beautifully this doily and fabric complimented each other...
I'm thinking a lovely table runner, with vintage appeal. Yum.
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Do you like a bargain?!!
I certainly do, and I know where to grab one!

My dear friend Fee has just opened her online store, and every morning she has a not to be repeated 'Deal of the Day'.
If you sign up for her newsletters you'll be the first to hear of them!
She will even post overseas!!
Visit Fee HERE to read how you can grab a bargain, or two, or three....today!
 Did I mention she has a giveaway too???
Hurry over!
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 I'm sharing another free design this week, something easy that you could make as Christmas gifts!
If you have a pretty tea towel lying around you  might want to have it handy...
...and if you don't, you might want to go buy one. ;-)
Hugs
Jenny
xx

PS: My head cold is much better - thank you for your hugs, prayers, and good wishes!!
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I selected this post to be featured on my blog’s page at Craft Blogs.

13 comments:

Melody said...

More gorgeous projects - I'm really looking forward to the Garden issue.

Ondrea said...

Some great ideas there Jenny. Tea towels are a fantastic idea. I love appliquing on them.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Gorgeous design Jenny...love your Lavender boot. I know exactly what your saying and I do exactly the same thing and have that exact dilemma going on here at the moment. I must change my ways. I am sure it will make a big difference.

Maria said...

Your designs are always beautiful Jenny. Must try the teatowel idea..

Lline said...

Love all your doily projects. I don't have any and can't seem to find them in of the stores around here, old or new. I'll keep looking though. I might just need to come up with my own design and crochet something. Maybe a granny square motive in thread instead of yarn. I also have a 'go to' background, Kona snow. I keep trying to break that habit, but good backgrounds are hard to find around here. Being from the USA I'm not sure what fabric hankie linen is here. I'm going to look around in Oct. during the Pacific Int'l Quilt Festival and see what I can find. I'm also going to see if I can find a nice light green tea towel in readiness for the Garden issue. Can't wait.

Abby and Stephanie said...

I make piles and let them speak to me. Other times I have the project then forage into my stash. Very sweet stitchery and I love anything tea towels. :o) Looking forward to seeing what you're up to.

Kaholly said...

I learned the hard way, too!! Love the boot filled with lavender. Just this morning, I was copying down some lavender recipes for Christmas gift giving ideas! And just yesterday, someone gave me a sweet vintage embroidered tea towel....can't wait to see what you're going to have me do with it!! Now that I'm out from under my Dresden Plate Challenge quilt, I have time to start something new!! ~karen

Carrie P. said...

glad you are feeling better. love your new design on the towel. great idea and great color too.

grammajudyb said...

I too am anxious for the Garden Issue. The boot design has me interested!!! Love it!

Kaylee said...

The lavender boot on the green tea towel looks great, please let me know what method you use to transfer.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Gorgeous as always. The garden issue is going to be lovely Jenny. Glad you are feeling better.
xx

Country Whispers said...

I love your new design and that fabric is just perfect for it.

Fee said...

I am just catching up on my blog reading and just got to your post - Totally love the lavender and boot design - It's so pretty Jen and the apron is going to look gorgeous ! And what about that Doily? Great mind think alike - I opened up a doily swap today - We are so ALWAYS on the same wave length xxxxx