tags for Tag Tuesday....

'Riverbank' for June 26 2012

I know the theme was for Easter Eggs this week but I'd prefer a quiet little peek into a birds nest,

of course from a distance and being very careful not to be intrusive......

the eggs were made from plasticine painted with acrylic, they measure approx 1cm.
The nest was made by crocheting a wire 'frame' directly onto the tag and then weaving threads through it

I wanted to give the impression of branches and the tangled nature of a the hedge

just the usual sized luggage tag

the 'hedge was created with ink and a little hidden stamping, adding to the tangled feel

a bit of fun with calico......

I love working with calico and these are some little clutch bags I made a while ago. 

First I dyed raw calico with good old Dylon, some black and some turquoise, in the washing machine.

Second  I created a very basic floral surface pattern which was then heat transfer printed onto the blue dyed calico, using it for both lining and appliqued embellishment along with a few black beads for the flowers centers. These bags measure 28 x 16 cm.

Black bag with appliqued flowers. The fastening cord is strips of claico rolled and machined stitched.

Another particular favourite of mine is contrasting lining.

Floral Turquoise lining of black bag

Blue Bag with crocheted cord and button fastener

black lining in the Blue Bag

original floral drawings for the heat transfer print

some of my sample records showing a little of the  transfer printed cloth laid over the original transfer print

more buttons

had a lovely visit to the Manchester Antique Textile Fair on Sunday, can hardly wait for next years!
One of my favourite stalls there is the Button Society's stand, this year as well as joining the Society I made a few more purchases for my collection... I know I have so much to learn about the different manufacturing process, materials etc so if anyone can further advise me please do!

glass beads trimmed in gilt, showing the back of one

I thought this bug was sat on a maple leaf but now I realise it is a vine leaf. It seems to be painted glass set in an enamel back with a brass loop for sewing on

glass shells

this is amazing, I was advised that this is made from rennet mixed with milk solids

another glass button, hand painted

a metal cast victorian button

I thought I would add the five pence to show the scale of them all