Design Challenge - Inspiration from a cake - Pt 2

Once the design has been drawn it's uploaded into the software where the magic begins and the illustration is converted into a program the machine will understand.

The design has been transferred to the embroidery machine and away it goes.

Can you tell what it is yet?

The completed design is then cut out and quickly compared with the original drawing.  There is a mistake on this one - the eagle eyed amongst you might spot it.

Here's a closer view.  Can you see the mistake?  The great thing is that this tester will hopefully highlight any blips which I can correct before signing off the design.

And once it's been cut out, it's ready to be stitched on to the sleepsuit and cotton hat.

I do hope this is inspiring you to have a go yourself.  Here's a reminder of the challenge and the link to enter.    Happy sketching!

               

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - New Ways to Show Off your Photos

If, like me, you are guilty of taking photos and never doing anything more than storing them in files on your computer, you may be looking for some unusual ways to display or share them.

I found these, and more, on Huffington Post's website and thought I would share.  Some I didn't like and others wouldn't suit my home, but I'm certainly going to have a go at a couple of these, especially the envelopes which would be great to personalise thank you cards.

This is a simple way of displaying photos on a shelf or table top.  You can find out how Rikki recycles the jars for use on her website here.

And I'm definitely going to be using this idea for sending out business correspondence.  The simple advertising that I will be able to include with various images of babes in my hats will be perfect.  And I'm sure grandparents would love to open a thank you card with a photo inside the envelope too.  See how to make them here.

And I'm going to rethink how I display my art in the kitchen when we finally renovate it.  I love this idea of wooden clip boards which was created by Love Grows Wild.  Check them out here.

I assumed that these coasters had been sent away to be made. I know that most of the supermarkets and photo labs make them, but it is possible to make your own.  If you want to a have a go, check out Granny Girls' website here.

And if you want to let someone else do the work for you, these lovely framed windows are available on Etsy.

I've been doing a bit of my own recycling in the office.  I took the prints from last year's calendar and mounted them in some old frames I had brought with me from our last home.  But although I love the images, I think I might have to try something a bit more original with the way I display them.  If you want to see some more amazing photos I've been sent by both customers and professionals check out our galleries on the website.

Do you have unique and interesting ways of using or displaying your photos?  Do let us know.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Meet the Photographer - Anne Geddes' Meningoccal Campaign

Long before I was lucky enough to work with some talented photographers taking amazing images of newborns in my hats, I had seen and loved Anne Geddes' work with babies.  

She recently began a project featuring survivors of Meningococcal disease and having seen some of the images I just had to share them with you.

The campaign will see Anne partner with meningococcal disease support groups from around the world, photographing 10–15 families across three continents who have experienced the impact of meningococcal disease.   The pictures will be published on 24th April which is World Meningitis Awareness Day. 

The aim is to educate parents about the threat of meningococcal disease and the importance of prevention and vaccinations.  

At the same time the stunning images celebrate the survivors and honour those who have lost their lives to the disease.

Anne hopes the campaign will inspire parents to do what they can to protect their children against this terrible disease.

“You just need to look at one of these children and you’ll understand the impact of this devastating disease. I’ve never met a parent who doesn’t want to protect their child, and as a mother it really would be your worst nightmare to see your child go through such an ordeal. We need to empower parents to understand meningococcal disease, to and know their options to help protect their children.It is my goal that these images will capture the inspiration and strength of these survivors, and at the same time I want their own parents to look at the images and think their children have never looked so beautiful.”
To learn more:  http://protectingourtomorrows.tumblr.com  and www.comomeningitis.org

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

(Not so) Trivial Pursuits ... Photography with Andrea Pittam

I'm always on the look out for a new interest, especially if it can help me with my business.

I used to love taking photographs and have never got over exchanging my K1000 for a digital camera.  I haven't really mastered using my fantastic new whizz bangy camera to its full potential.

So perhaps this might be the course for me and could be of interest to you too.  If you don't live in the Bournemouth area, Google 'photography courses for crafters' - I'm sure you'll find something locally.

      

Here's more about Andrea Pittam of Kiss the Frog x ...

As a photographer, artist and crafter it seemed a good idea to run a course for other artists and crafters who are looking for some direction and help with their product photography.

For small kitchen table businesses and independent artists and crafters, big budget product photography is simply not an option and this course will show you how you can get the best out of the camera you have to showcase your products.

all images (c) Kiss the Frog x

You will receive advice on how to plan and prepare for a photo shoot, using natural light to create beautiful images of your products. There will also be a practical section to the course so you will need to bring your camera and some of your products too.

You can find out more about Andrea's course here ...

Meet the Maker - My Paper Cut Heart

I know very little about the creator of My Paper Cut Heart as she only appears to take commissions via Facebook but I love her work and admire her skill.

The intricacy of her pieces is quite breathtaking and I love that she describes her work as ranging from the sublime to the downright quirky.  She clearly has a penchant for her magical hares.

The piece above was commissioned for a couple who love beach bonfires, guitar playing and fancy dress....spot the bunny ears hiding in the tree!

And there is a nod to her Welsh location in her dragon design.

   

I have seen on her Facebook page that she has also had limited edition prints made.

If you know more about Jen, the woman behind this work, please let us know.

All images (c) My Paper Cut Heart

Trivial Pursuits - Nature Photographer of the Year

   

I've always harboured a passion for photography and regret trading in my Pentax K1000 SLR camera for a digital one.  Although I'm sure my new one is capable of everything the film version did, the old one was so straightforward to adjust the shutter speed and F-stop!  

The Society of German Nature Photographers have just published the results of their annual competition, so I thought I would share some of the finalists should you be in need of some inspiration.

All images (c) GDT

Meet the Maker - Kate Lycett, Artist

I love discovering new artists - well new to me that is.  And it's not difficult to see what attracted me to Kate Lycett's work.  The vibrancy of her work is stunning.

Her textile design background is clear from the way she paints.   She see patterns in everything: the hills adorned with houses and washing lines, rows of flower pots and stripes of brightly painted drain pipes. 

Kate works with acrylics, inks and gouache and uses lines of gold thread to trace lines through the landscape and gold leaf to change the surface of my pictures with the changing light of day.

As well as selling her work online, prints and paintings are available at Heart in Hebden Bridge and she sells cards and lanterns at Radiance.

Kate lives in Hebden Bridge with her husband and three small children and she takes inspiration from the warmth, colour and community in which she lives.

All images (c) Kate Lycett