What I did this weekend (and it hasn't started yet)

My S.A.T. piece: I finally decided to do the lettering in organza. After failing miserably at printing out the Hebrew letters in mirror image (can't seem to follow written instructions -- need to see a demo) I did the laborious time consuming method of fusing the organza to steam a seam, taping the letters onto the front of the organza, removing the backing paper and cutting the letters out. I'm sure there's an easier way and I'm going to visit Gwen and Nnolika at some point to see in her Silhouette can do it (and what else it can do). I ironed the phrases onto the background wavy strips. One phrase was swallowed by the background fabric (not enough contrast, I guess), the other turned out great. I think I may just do a running stitch in tiny stitches to outline the swallowed letters. Then embellishments. Just tried dyeing the purple duvet cover fabric buttons in three shades of blue. So far, I am not impressed. I guess I should wait until they dry properly before I pass judgment on the results. Now I have to figure out if I can attach the paillettes. I was told that I could adhere them by ironing from the back but since I already have two layers of fabric and batting attached, I'm not sure the ironing will work. I may do a trial but I don't want them falling off at a later date. I'll have to think on that one.

And I have other challenges to contemplate and work on. My FibreArts Toronto group had a meeting while I was away and Christine demonstrated a method of interpreting a photograph into fabric. She's going to send me the instructions and then I have until the January meeting to make a piece employing this technique. Since it is a technique I am hoping to use in some future work, I am itching to get started on it.

And another meeting I missed, this time due to jet lag, was the most recent Pomegranate Guild's. And it was really on a subject I am interested in: embellishing. A challenge was announced for February to make a functional item related to family history, adhering to certain guidelines (eg. no photo transfer, use a recycled item, etc.) The ideas have started percolating. I'm not sure my finished piece will be a functional item but it should be fun figuring out what to do and how. My starting points are geneology and geography and I'm not saying anything else just yet.

So I guess I have my work cut out for me. And I suppose I will be setting some goals for the new year but not just yet.