Wednesday 10 April 2013

My dog, my kite and me

My girls have been duly connected with their kites, and my felt table centre is completed.


The design is by Mandy Shaw of Dandelion Designs and is from Australian Homespun #109. It reminds me of scherenschnitte, a form of German paper cutting which I love.


The table centre is large, at almost 60cm across. I chose neutral colours in contrast to Mandy's more vibrant red and green. It is pure chance that it happens to match the carpet!


The table centre is essentially two layers of felt, the upper brown layer cut carefully with small scissors, and appliqued to a cream lower layer. 


I began blanket stitching by hand, but soon realised it would take me an eternity. So the hand stitching was unpulled and replaced with a machine blanket stitch. Only the kite strings are embroidered by hand. It is very satisfying to have finished a project - it has been a while :) And just quietly, I love it. Great pattern Mandy!

26 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous, the machine stitching has indeed made for a quicker finish - loving the low volume colour way you have made. Well done on this finished beauty.

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    1. Thank you! I have to say, it took me long enough to finish this by machine! There is a lot of blanket stitch. I would never have finished it if I'd kept going by hand! I'm really happy with it. Glad I went for low volume. Makes for a more subtle look, but it goes well with our furnishings.

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  2. The detailed cutting is impeccable ... WOW ... must have taken forever ... would love to know how long it actually took. It looks stunning! Oh yes and congratulations is always in order for another project completed.

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    1. Thanks Erica! It did take a while, but it wasn't difficult at any stage. Just time consuming. Small, very sharp scissors were essential. The blanket stitching took ages. It sat on my machine, and I would do 10 minutes here or there as I found time. Got there eventually!

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  3. Looks great, definitely worth the effort.

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  4. What a gorgeous finish! This has to be one of the prettiest pieces I've seen in a long time! I adore the colors you used. Absolutely spectacular! Congratulations!!!

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  5. That is quite incredible. I'm stunned that you stitched all those fiddly bits with your machine. So clever :-)

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  6. Love it... would love to make one. I have the perfect table for it. I have looked online and can't find out to order that copy of the magazine. Chookyblue did a pillow a couple of years ago from that magazine and she was kind enough to send it to me. Wish we could get that magazine here in the states as it has some gorgeous patterns.

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    1. Cindi - the easiest, fastest and cheapest way for you to get the magazine in the USA is to buy an online copy from www.zinio.com

      You can buy a subscription at a sizeable discount of the cover price, or you can buy individual issues. If you'd like to purchase the issue that had this project in it, you're looking for June 2013. I believe that this link will take you straight to the page:

      http://au.zinio.com/www/browse/issue.jsp?skuId=416224949&prnt=&offer=&pss=&categoryId=

      Megan Fisher
      Technical Editor
      Australian Homespun

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    2. Megan - I followed your directions and bought an online copy through zinio - I can read the magazine and it's beautiful but it doesn't include ANY of the patterns : (
      I clicked on the link http://www.completecraft.com.au/patterns and I receive a failed to open page. How do I get the patterns? I live in Canada.

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    3. Laurena - I apologise for the difficulties that you've experienced accessing the patterns from the Homespun website. As you have seen, the patterns need to be accessed using a special link to the website. I'm unaware of any particular problems, but, having said that, I've just tried it myself without success. The website appears to be down. I'll chase this up with the editor and IT department and post another comment here on Ros' blog to let you know what's happening. Please bear with me while we get this problem sorted out.

      Megan Fisher
      Technical Editor
      Australian Homespun

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    4. Further up date for Laurena:

      The IT department has advised that the company's website was down for virtually the whole weekend unexpectedly. It appears to be a problem with the web host provider and the IT people are pursuing it. I'll provide another update as soon as possible.

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    5. Further update for Laurena: the Homespun website is back up. Again, my apologies for the inconvenience you've experienced in not being able to access the patterns over the weekend. The pattern for the table centre can be found by using the link you listed in your comment, then clicking on Homespun 13.06.

      Megan Fisher

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    6. Megan - I am thrilled, it worked! Thank you for following up on this. Zinio is such a great option for offering your wonderful magazine to the world. I will enjoy working on this project.
      Thanks again.

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  7. Oh Wow! Your table topper is absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!

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  8. I love it too! That first photo is gorgeous - should be in a home magazine.

    BTW, I can't believe you even contemplated hand stitching it!

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  9. Cute as can be design, but you've done a beautiful job with your work on it!

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  10. This is beautiful! Even doing the stitching by machine must have taken you hours.

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  11. Amazing. You have great control with your machine stitching - it looks perfect and I was certain it was hand stitched!

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  12. This is absolutely lovely. What a sweet pattern.

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  13. That is just spectacular, I saw the original and loved it, but I love your colour choices so much more. But all that work is just so amazing! Thatnk you for the inspiration! Anne

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  14. Your version is awesome... I love it.... I have had that on my wish list.... I think I should put it a bit further up the list after seeing that..... I'm sure you are thrilled with it...
    Hugz

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  15. This is so pretty and pulls at my emotions...just as sweet as can be!

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  16. I love your muted colour choices. The top photo looks like something straight out of a beautiful decorating magazine.

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  17. Absolutely gorgeous Ros. Love the colours too

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