MILLYPENNY

The only craft related item I got finished over the weekend was this recycled journal. I'm currently doing an online visual journalling book-binding class. This notebook was made from a damaged book (just recycled the cover) and scrap papers (lots of security envelopes, scrap paper etc). The main reason why I didnt get much done this weekend was becuase of this new addition to the family: It's my new puppy (name to be decided)who seems to be very fond of chewing things (even fingers) as my Dad found out... lol....

The official opening of the Irish Patchwork Society's "Branching Out" Exhibition will be held tomorrow at the Botanic Gardens, Dublin. I'm planning on making it to the opening tomorrow, so long as I don't sleep it out! My quilt "Spring Growth" was one of the quilts chosen to be put on the exhibition invitation which was a very nice surprise to get in the post last week...

About two weekends ago, I went to a 2-day workshop with Lynne Edwards. The workshop was "Patchwork Perspective". I went to the workshop with the intention of making a cushion cover, but got a bit carried away and decided to make a wall-hanging instead. The drafting of the pattern, cutting out freezer paper templates etc. took a lot of time so I only ended up with three blocks completed at the workshop. So, since then I've been making the rest of the blocks for the wall-hanging. This photo shows some of the blocks made by all the participants at the workshop. Finally got the top completed last night, so hopefully I'll get the quilting started at the weekend.

I made this notebook cover last month for my friend Meg. The notebook cover is a mixed media - the front has spoon templates made of organza, while the back is made up of pieces of security envelopes.

I recently completed my EQA "Circle of Friends" piece which was made from paper lamination. This year's EQA piece was black & white, with up to 30% of a certain colour (Ireland's colour is orange). ur was orange). I used the left-overs to make these ATC's.

Linda & Laura Kemshall recently had video clips on their DMTV about making altered books. I found 2 old books in second-hand shop in Galway a few weeks ago that I'm using. 1st stage is to reduce the number of pages in the book by glueing pages together, adding stitch to the pages, and then adding gesso or gel medium to the pages. It's taking a while to get the pages prepped as you have to wait for the gesso or gel medium to dry properly before adding colour to the pages. So I've been putting a coat on the pages every time I get a chance, but haven't got very far at the moment. I'm going to use one of the books as a sketchbook for an upcoming quilt project that I'm working on.

Here's another messenger-type bag that I finished recently. It was made using some Japanese Echino fabric that I love. I showed the bag at May meeting of the Midwest branch, so here's a photo of that.