Commemorating WW1 with the Poppy Appeal and Hilary’s Blinds Country Crafts Competition

I have been working on a special creation using fabric from Hilary’s Blinds to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of world war one.

Hilary’s Blinds Country Crafts Competition offered a square metre of one of a choice of four fabrics to be turned into an amazing creation.

I chose to select Wild Poppies Vermillion as I wanted to combine this creation with Pixie Creations involvement in the Poppy Appeal.

 

I wanted to create a picture/wall hanging. I decided that I would stretch the fabric on a wooden frame to emulate an artists canvas. To do this I first had to make the wooden frame. I cut the wood to length and securely screwed it together to make a rectangular frame.

 

I used drawing pins to stretch the “Wild Poppy Vermillion” fabric over the frame and pin it taught in place.

 

I then started to work on the additional decoration to add to the front of the piece. I wanted to put the poem “In Flanders Fields” onto the front as a focus. To do this I first typed and edited the poem into the computer and formatted it using an appropriate font choice and size. I printed this in reverse onto iron-on t-shirt printing paper.

Next I carefully ironed the poem onto a piece of plain white cotton which reverted the image to the correct orientation. This took some time as I wanted to ensure that the text was securely attached to the fabric.

 

Then I cut the white fabric with applied poem into a rectangle around the text. I wanted to highlight the word “poppies” where it appears twice in the writing so I embroidered over the writing in red and then added a red border to the fabric in blanket stitch. After that I needed to attach the poem onto the stretched fabric. To do this I carefully hand stitched around the edge using a coordinating white cotton to camouflage the sewing.

 

I also added a red lace border to the text as well as some ribbon trim. To finish the picture/wall hanging I sewed on a selection of the poppies I had made as samples for the Pixie Creations Poppy Appeal (to raise money for the Royal British Legion) Examples of the various poppies I have made so far can be seen here.

I still had some of the Wild Poppies Vermillion fabric left which I cut up and glued onto one of the boxes I have for displaying and storing the poppies.

 

I completed the creation by arranging the poppies in the decorated box.

Mini-Me Crochet Characters

Recently I have been creating crochet characters (or amigurumi) for people based on themselves. Each character has been designed and made specifically for each person.

I start with photos of the person to help with details for dress, hair, body shape etc.

The characters all begin fairly similarly as a collection of body parts (head, body arms and legs). These body parts are tailored to the body size/shape of the person

(At this point its easy to feel a little like Doctor Frankenstein!!)

Some characters are easier to dress after the body-parts have all been sewn together. Some outfits work better being made and dressed as the final character is assembled.

The first naked lady caused much mirth….

The first part that I usually make is the hair. This always ends up like some crazy spider before it is tamed and sewn onto the head.

Once the head and body are assembled and hair attached you can begin to see the character coming through.

(Some people find the blank faces a little scary….)

The clothes are made to measure and in the style of the clothing worn in the photos. Everything is crochet even down to accessories (such as Bjarni the Viking’s belt pouch and seax).

Finally the characters are given simple facial features. Bead eyes and a thread for a mouth.

Morrigan

Catherine

Bjarni (Terry)

If you would like me to make a Mini-me of you, or someone you know please get in touch! 🙂

Available on Etsy here

Moor Made Arts and Crafts Market 1st March 2014

Saturday the 1st of March 2014 saw the launch of “Moor Made” a monthly arts and crafts fair in Cleator Moor Civic Hall, organised by the Cleator Moor Town Team.

Pixie Creations were pleased to have a stall there.

The market was overflowing with wonderful stalls showcasing some of the amazing local talent. Everything from Jewellery with the intricate stone carving of Weathered and Worn, and gem stones by Mutantfairy Jewellery. to cosmetics and smellies from Herbal DooDahs, and original artwork by Morrigan’s Drawings.

We enjoyed cakes from Relatively Crafty Lasses while the town team provided teas and coffee.

The event was popular with many local people visiting and browsing through the stalls, admiring the crafts on sale.

The civic hall offered an open airy space for the stalls with good amenities within the building as well as good access to the rest of the town.

I shall be back for the next market, which will happen on Saturday 5th April 2014.