The 100 Day Project: Stitching!

I've been a little bit daunted by the idea of #the100dayproject, but over the weekend I hauled out my embroidery threads, cords and silk ribbons; then took an entire afternoon to wind them all into bobbins. It was lovely, just sitting in my craft room; listening to music; and doing something with my hands!

Yesterday, as the #the100dayproject started, I took a little more time to sort them - and thus started my #100daysofstitching. You can see me sorting, over on my Instagram Feed (@obstinatepursuit)

And, today, I received this beautiful Butterfly and Flower Embroidery Kit (I treated myself!) and I can't wait to make a start. It's ridiculously pretty and I think it will keep me motivated!

Is anyone else taking part in #the100dayproject? I would love to follow along!

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By String Art

In today's installment of Stitching On Paper - Inspired By String Art, I'm joined by Guest Designer Jemma Sharrock, who has created the most amazing layout using nothing more than some shimmery thread as an embellishment. It's phenomenal, here's a sneak peek!

Check out the Stitching On Paper - Introduction to see some of the projects that have been linked up so far, or link your up your own project using stitching to have the chance of winning a pretty little package of paper-crafting supplies. I'll be randomly drawing a winner on Saturday 8th September, which gives you another couple of weeks to start putting your stitching talents to the test!

And one last thing, I'd really appreciate some feedback so that I can make future classes even better. Please take this small survey to let me know what you've thought of the prompts and the class as a whole.

Thanks once again to everyone who has contributed, visited, commented - and especially to everyone who has linked up a project -  it’s made all the hard work worth it! Clair x

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Cross Stitch

After spending most of the evening fiddling around with manuals, plug sockets and wiring, I have internet again. Hurrah! How did anyone cope before Google, Twitter and Facebook? Maybe I have a little bit of a problem?

And, moving on! Who's ready for some more Stitching On Paper? In today's installment, Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Cross Stitch, I'm joined by Guest Designer Sian Fair, as we take a look a contemporary twist on a traditional craft. 

I've been so amazed and gratified to see people starting to create their own Stitching On Paper projects this week, based on some of the earlier lessons in the class. It really makes all of my hard work seem worthwhile, so thank you so much!

Check out the Stitching On Paper - Introduction to see some of the projects that have been linked up so far, or link your up your own project using stitching to have the chance of winning a pretty little package of paper-crafting supplies.

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Embroidery

In today's installment of Stitching On Paper, I'm joined by Guest Designer Lisa Hausman, as we expand our stitching credentials and get Inspired By Embroidery. There are inspirational projects, tons of tips and a collection of lovely links to help you learn. 

I'd recommend getting yourself a cuppa - and maybe a packet of biscuits - before settling down to read through today's download. You'll head off to look through all of the links and I guarantee that it could be hours before you resurface! Enjoy! x

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Stamping

Morning! Ready for some more Stitching On Paper? We've learnt the basics of hand and machine stitching, but now we're going to start looking at how our stitching can be inspired by some more familiar crafts like stamping, embroidery and cross stitch. 

In today's part of the class, Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Stamping, I'm joined by Guest Designers Julie Kirk and Mel H. We've all interpreted our use of stamping and stitching a little differently, so there's plenty of inspiration. 

Remember that if you've been inspired by the class, I'd love to see what you've created. You could win a little something! Have a lovely weekend! x

PS Last week's Guest Designer, Jennifer Grace, has a little stitching template available on her blog. It's the cute cloud from last week's layout. Go get it!

Stitching On Paper - Inspired To Stitch By Hand

Well, it's a little later than I expected but I'm having a little bit of a manic weekend - and am busy juggling house guests, far too many loads of laundry and ... um, a craft class. When I over-commit myself I really like to do it properly. Let's move on swiftly, shall we?

This morning’s Stitching On Paper - Introduction looked at all of the tools and supplies that you’ll need to start hand stitching. Hopefully, by now, you’ll have rummaged through your craft stash and will have everything that you need to hand.

If stitching on paper is something new to you, you might still be feeling a little apprehensive – so how about a little bit of inspiration to whet the appetite? In the next part of our class - Inspired To Stitch By Hand - you'll find projects from Guest Designers Jennifer Grace and Lara Watson. There's also a tutorial and template for creating your own hand stitched card. 

If you’re inspired by any of the techniques and tutorials featured in Stitching On Paper, please feel free to post your projects on your own blog, in your own online communities, anywhere!

You can post a link to your projects using the Mr. Linky in the Stitching On Paper – Introduction so that I, and all of the other class participants, can ‘ooh and ahh’ over your project.

And – just in case the recognition of your fellow classmates isn’t enough of an incentive to share – at the end of the class, I’ll be picking one participant at random to receive the rather splendid prize pictured above. The prize includes patterned papers from Crate Paper, Prima, American Crafts and We Are Memory Keepers,; American Crafts 'Fellow' Thickers; Elle's Studio Pink Pennants; Embroidery Threads; Organza Ribbon; Doilies; K & Co. Diecuts; A Clear Mini Frame; Floral Embellishment - and the latest edition of Scrap 365. 


Also included (but not pictured) is this super cute, Papersmooches Stamp Set - Summer Grooves - kindly sponsored by my lovely Design Team Co-ordinator, Emily from Make The Day Special.

So, what are you waiting for, get stitching!

Stitching On Paper Class - Introduction

Welcome to the first day of class! I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response already. Thank you so to all of my followers - new and old - for all of the comments and well wishes that you've left me this week! It's so very much appreciated!

All of the class materials will be available via the Stitching On Paper Collection over on Scribd. You should be able to view all of the class materials without an account, though you may need to create a (free) account to print or download. I hope this suits everyone - there just seemed to be too much material for each part of the class to pack into one or two blog posts!

The first part of the class, Stitching On Paper - Introduction is a simple hunting and gathering exercise, to help you ease into the weekend - and the idea of learning - gently. I'll be back later on today with the first tutorial, some inspirational projects and the details of that prize I mentioned! Enjoy x

Stitching On Paper Class - Sneak Peeks

The idea of stitching on paper might be nothing new, but I'm still amazed by the amount of e-mails that I receive asking me how I've managed to add hand stitching to my cards, or the people who leave me comments telling me that they wouldn't have the confidence to start stitching on their own layouts. 

Rather than reply to each and every one of those e-mails and comments individually, I started to think about the idea of hosting a class - for free - to share my own tips and techniques. It's been a long time coming, but I'm ever so proud to announce that Stitching On Paper will start on the 4th August, with tutorials every Saturday and Sunday throughout August.

I'll be exploring how to stitch on paper - covering the basics of hand stitching and machine stitching - then taking those techniques further inspired by stamping, embroidery, cross stitch, string art and quilting. Each element of the class will include tips, techniques and inspiration projects. 

Of course, I have a few Guest Designers joining me - Sian Fair, Mel H, Julie Kirk, Kim Dellow, Lisa Hausman, Tricia Simmons, Jemma Sharrock, Jennifer Grace & Lara Watston. Pretty amazing line-up, right? Each of these talented ladies will be sharing their own interpretation of my basic prompts - and I guarantee that you'll be inspired to start stitching on paper to create your own projects. Oh, and did I mention a prize?

The Month Of Works In Progress

I've been a little bit on the quiet side this month and I've realised that this is because I much prefer to share finished projects, than works in progress. There's just something wonderful about proudly showing off a completed project! But, this month has been a month of works in progress and I've decided to share. That way, when all is done, I can feel extraordinarily smug.

We're about halfway through the redecoration of our hallway. I say that lightly because, really, we're in the finishing stages. We've lived with holes in the walls, no carpets and more dust than you can believe for at least the last three years. We're finally at the painting stage, but who would have thought a hallway could have so much woodwork? *sigh*

There's been a little re-organisation of the craft space as well - am I the only crafter that seems to spend more time organising than crafting? I'm making an effort to use more of my stash, so I've been methodically working through my huge box of paper scraps. Larger pieces are now back with my full sized sheets; smaller pieces are now in a dish on my desk, so that I can rummage through them easily and I've made a huge stack of ATCs - there's well over 100.

Of course, the box looks just as full as it always did, even though I can't figure out why! I swear the scraps are multiplying faster than Tribbles.

My buttons and brads are now out of their packaging and displayed in a little, vintage dish just at the side of my desk. It makes looking for the right one just that little bit easier and reminds me to use them. Plus, a little bit of eye candy never hurt anyone, right?

There's also been a little bit of beading. I've been working on my first piece of bead embroidery for this month's Monthly Moodboard over on Operation Tackle That Beadstash. I'm even using a pattern shared by one of our contributers, Liz, which was featured in Bead Magazine. For my first piece, it's coming along really well (just not fast enough) so Liz's instructions must be fantastic!

Okay, I'll admit it. That's a brad in the centre of my beading. It just worked so well with my beads!

Normal Service Is Resuming {Scrap Sunday}

I'm finally managing to settle into a routine that works around my new job (can anyone else believe that it's been five weeks since I started?) and I'm looking forward to working on new projects and blogging more regularly now that I no longer require afternoon naps!

One thing that I'm particularly looking forward to is contributing to Operation: Tackle That Beading Stash. After Sarah, who set up the blog, linked to my Bead & Button Bracelet Tutorial, I pretty much invited myself onto the team. (If you don't ask, you don't get, right?)

The reason that I'm so pleased to be working with these lovely ladies is because, although I don't often feature my beading, it was actually my first crafty love and I wouldn't have tried scrapbooking, card making, glass painting, embroidery or sewing without having discovered a patience that I never knew I had.

Seed beads really are very fiddly and I realised that if I could cope with them, then I could easily cope with sticky tape, ribbons and threads.

In honour of my joining the team, I've (finally) completed a scrapbook layout that I started on National Scrapbooking Day over a week ago. It features a photograph of one of my beaded necklaces and, of course, some handmade beaded embellishments in the form of branches. See the little leaf shaped beads? Love.

I also added some of my hand rolled ribbon roses, which are one of my current favourites, along with some hand cut leaves and sewing pin details. With all of the handmade details, embroidery and all of the gems I had to stick on with superglue one by one, this layout took an absolute age to finish, but I think it's worth it. For my first (crafty) love.

Looking forward to catching up with some of my own favourite blogs this week and resuming normal, blogging service. Leaves on the tracks permitting.

I'm Not Running Away Anymore

There have been a lot of things that I've wanted to write over the past few days; lots of thoughts going around and around in my head - believe me, I will eventually get them all out, but I generally like to let things stew for a while. I like to make sure that what I'm saying is exactly what I want to say.

I've had the idea for this layout for a while now, but wasn't quite sure how I wanted it to look. I finally managed to pin it down this week. Halfway through doing it, I realised that it fit very well with this week's challenge on UKScrappers and with the current challenge on Work Your Soul Happy days!