Pink Heart

A couple of days ago I bought a gnome with the intention of using some parts to make another gnome that was put together a bit more sturdy and gift worthy.. see link below... 

 upcycled dolloar store gnome post

I crocheted my gnome smaller than the original one without the bling, so I wanted to add a heart pin that was removable for a touch of sparkle.. gifting it to my mother who has started collecting pins I make on a bag ( I also made, pattern coming soon ) she loves gnomes and pins.. not so hot on pink though.. going to have to work something out with that .. 

This is the finished project

I actually remembered to take photos as I went along .. 

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do.. pretty much how I start all of my projects lol.. so I grabbed some supplies.. some didn't get used, others were added along the way

I took what was the front of the original gnomes hat.. after removing the flat sequins- those are for another project- cut out a rough outline.. wanted overlap on the front so it needed to be larger than the pellon 70 heart shape I had cutout for the beading base

I used regular sewing thread in a matching color to hand stitch it to the base, wrapping around the edges

Then trimmed off the extra

Added some of these cute gems I picked up from hobby lobby

Added some silver flower sequins with pink seed bead center along with a strip of the mesh ribbon with silver edges.. I was thinking of put some brushed yarn for interest under it but was so close in color it faded into the backing..  went with a bullion stitch rose in multi pink and white colors embroidery floss instead.. 

Added a few pink sequins along the other top side.. 

After stitching down the pin fixture.. at a slight angle.. I glued a small piece of the felt fabric that was the back of the original gnomes hat, it is so thin it is see through and areas but worked perfectly to level off the back making it smooth with the folded over front fabric, I like this dry thoroughly before going on a second peace to cover the entire back.

I used my live in place along the edges for just a few minutes I wanted to guarantee a secure seal bit didn't want to leave an permanent indication in the fabric..

After the glue dried I did a mattress stitch all the way around the edge using a metallic pink embroidery floss

 

Beads and sequins

I have several Raven images I want to do in beads, sequins, fabric and thread.. much larger than this one, 

this guy is my trial piece.. playing with the sequins placement..

 I went with single cup sequins along the chest switching to double cup sequins, smaller one inside the larger, with a much tighter, staggered layout.. find the wing with bugle beads highlighted it with strung rhinestones in black, plus a row of black bicone crystals..

Added a row of hematite beads for the shoulder, used size 11 seed beads to fill in the rest, placed randomly, fairly thick for texture..

the beak is thick embroidery floss the kind used for friendship bracelets, in satin stitch.. 

I stitched it on fairly thick black felt.. 

Will be adding a layer between the backing as I used a trimmed safety eye. I wasn't 100% thrilled with the feet but for a first attempt it will do. He's going to end up as applique more than likely on a tarot bag.. 

Got some bullion wire, I really like the detail that is possible with it.. never having used it before I started with just adding a border around the doggie.. 

Used uneven seed beads in sizes 11 and 6 added a few different sizes of acrylic pearls for highlights

The gnome is done in size 8 and 11 seed beads very thick for the beard double layered in many places.. will add a border around him I'm thinking of trying sequins

I like using up as much space as I can on the embroidery hoop so I added a crescent moon on the side along with a fun mushroom, I did a little bit more detail work with the bullion wire on the mushroom starting to get the hang of it will definitely be adding it to future projects

Uneven beads

 

I like using different types of beads for different looks.. uneven beads can add so much interest and texture..  especially when mixed with uniform beads and findings

I had some stretchy bracelets i had ordered online, I used to give to kids when they came up to our table.. only had a few left so I put them aside thinking some day I would use the in another project.. they definitely fit into the uneven category

 

 

 decided to throw some beads that were gifted to me with a bunch of crafting supplies.. as they too fit into the uneven category

Asked son to draw me something similar to some of the craft doggies I had been seeing on Pinterest.. all done in the same style shape but different crafting techniques.. no clue who came up with it first.. this was his take on it..

 He's so cute, but way bigger than I was looking for.. had to scan the image, because he used off white paper I had to clean the image up then resize it.. I didn't want it to be too much like the others out there so my take is a bit different from even the drawing 

I drew a cookie cutter style moose.. also inspired somewhat by online pins, to work on the hoop along side of it.. Pinterest is seriously an endless supply of inspiration and learning. 

also added a funky star to use up more of the empty space .. wanted one that was not even.. more rustic .. a fun piece .. with my drawing skills this was definitely possible lol 

I added some strung rhinestones as well as acrylic sew on rhinestones and a few other odds and ends.. 

Still need to add backing of some sort.. haven't decided on or not they're going to be brooches or applique work yet.. 

with the moose and star I used the uneven beads in groups of three, in random placement couching to pull them into nooks and cranny's along the way.. leaving some a bit raised up for more texture.. I used markers to add color to the pellon giving the clearer beads more depth..

With the doggie I ended up just using the uneven beads as the outline and nose

Brooch Grinch

I'm playing with beads again .. sort of... in between filling orders for a long tail talking caps, after crocheting for 10 to 14 hours a day, making brooches is just the break I need.. 

I've seen so many fun and beautiful ones on Pinterest, I just couldn't stop with the fabric ones I made around Halloween.

I'm definitely a fan of the Grinch so I decided to make me one.. 

The beading material is pellon 70 interfacing..

I drew the outline and facial features right on the interfacing using a pencil.

From there I did the outline of the hat, brim, pom pom and around the face with size 11 seed beads.. the eyes are also seed beads.. I wasn't completely thrilled with the coloring of the eyebrows so I added some black permanent marker on the dark green beads.. If I make another one I will change up the bead color of the eyebrows and nose but for a first try using my drawing skills, it came out better than I expected LOL

For the hat I use scraps of four ply yarn that I separated  down to two, so I could get it threaded on my embroidery needle and just satin stitched it down.. before stitching coloring the background with permanent red marker for more even look..

 

the white poofy part is made using brushed out yarn that is glued down with a bit of craft tacky glue.. 

I just took scraps of white yarn and used a cat hair brush I got from the dollar store to brush out the yarn until it was a poofy cotton candy like texture..

The "fur" is actually scrubby yarn by Red  Heart.. at first I was planning on using some spring green scraps I had from making a one of the stocking caps, when I glanced over and saw the scrubby yarn sitting out waiting for a different project.. it just seemed too perfect not to try

I stitched it down in place using nymo beading thread.. then trimmed it up some for a cleaner look.. definitely like the way it turned out. 

After stitching on the pin fixture and gluing felt on the back with a fair amount of mod podge to both seal and stiffen. I added size 11 black seed beads around the edge..

 I will update with more photos as time allows in the meantime I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season

Multimedia brooches

A few more of the pins I have been working on recently 

Started out by creating a sheet of fabric from scraps stitched onto a light weight interfacing

sewn on to denim... brushed out black yarn was lightly layered on topped with tulie netting covering... a cut sequin and metallic embroidery floss for the buckle and band, added a trim of beads after adding the felt backing and pin finding.. 

 The witch's boot was made using the same sheet of fabric made from scraps... denim, felt, beads and pin finding

The haunted Mansion started out with the same base fabrics, I added more embroidery to this one making a full moon, bats, windows, door .. added brushed yarn for a hazy night look, plus a bit of green for foliage.. also covered with tulie

The pumpkin is mixed colors of brushed out yarn to give it more depth.. trimmed  with gold cording, highlighted with an autumn palette of beads.

A couple of freeform ghosts  

This one's eyes can turn

Been wanting to do a few of these..