Needle tatting try-outs

Since I found the weblog of Totusmel I wanted to try out needle tatting, she makes the most amazing pieces of her own design and what is really great she shares her techniques on videos and these are easy to follow. I ordered my needles on the internet. I used a #5 with thread #10.

So I made some samples you see above. I did tatting before with shuttles and I think I prefer working with shuttles, I am not shure why. The shuttle tatting is finer in appearance and you can do more, because a needle won't bend. Well, that's how I think about it, so far.

A bit of summer drawing and doodling

Inspired by Nina Chakrabarti I've drawn some flowers and butterflies in my moleskine sketchbook and added some handcarved stamps.

Go for Nina's work to www.ninachakrabarti.com

Journaling with paper strips

The new challenge from Michelle Ward's Street Team is tearing your paper in strips and putting them on your page. It was just what I needed for I was stuck on a journal page in my paper bag book. The subject is cycling, for that is what I do. I don't drive a car. The text from Melanie's song is very appropriate so I added some lines.

This was how my page looked when I didn't know what to do or add.

I selected some scrapbook papers I had. Later I decided not to use the one with the loud colors (green, red. purple etc.)

This is my first lay out, on the tag I pasted a metal little mark that must have fallen of someone's bike. I found it in the street: it is called Gazelle a famous bicycle brand in the Netherlands.

In the sale I found these stencils, with red paint I put them over my page. (I still don't have spray paint) I also stamped with bubble wrap.

Well this is it before I added words. I put some gesso thinned with water on top to soften the red paint.

It is a very hot day!

A drawing with some watercolors of a fairy on a very hot day in my moleskine sketchbook. I added some stamping with handcarved stamps and a little doodling.

More needle felting

Finally getting the hang of it. It is a bit like claying with felt, but it takes a lot more time. I first thought you could do it with children, but the needles are in my opinion too sharp and too long. The risk they will hurt themselves or others is too great. A pity really for I think the little fluffy animals will have a great appeal to them.