TAG TUESDAY - BUNTING

tags for May

I should have published this post at the end of May, Sorry ...better late than never!

For some reason I got carried away on a Beatrix Potter theme during the month of May.  I couldn’t think of a story that included bunting, but I did find this - the frontispiece from The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies - first edition (1909).   This presentation book was inscribed by Potter with: "for Lizzie Airey from Miss Potter Third book about the rabbits - April 27. 12". (just over 100 years ago).  Sounds like a good reason to celebrate with some bunting!

I used the same patchwork print fabric as for 2 of my other May tags, stitched onto buckram, then stuck on the inscription.  Made bunting from pink satin stitched onto pink thread, with pink ric-rac for a tie.

From the beginning of Tag Tuesday I have been making a stitched book to keep my tags together.  I wanted a flexible design to allow for tags of different sizes; also some are much thicker than others; some will not fit in a book at all. My gardening tags are at the allotment, so I have stuck in a photo.  Each double page has a folded pocket at the bottom and is stitched on one side to the previous page.  The book measures 10” square and is made to fit a cardboard craft box.  The box is big enough for one more month, then I will start another book for July to December.

   Jane xx

TAG TUESDAY - TALES OF THE RIVERBANK

After a few weeks of paper based tags I was keen this week to get back into stitching. I was inspired by a photo in my local paper of a beautiful kingfisher taking absolutely no notice of the 'no fishing'sign. As you can see my finished tag is mainly wooden, but that's not how it started off.

I started my tag by photocopying the photo onto silk (using freezer paper ironed onto silk and cut to A4 size - try this at your own risk, it can mess up your printer!). I touched up the image with marker pens but didn't get around to fixing the colours with the iron.  I then embroidered my little kingfisher, and thank goodness took this photo.  Just minutes later disaster struck.  My dog, Bailey, barked suddenly, making me jump while I was drinking my tea.  Tea was everywhere and embroidery completely soaked.

 After mopping up as best  I could I tried to cover up the worst of the marks with a fish but it was looking rather bleak!  A design modification was called for.  I decided to cut out the embroidered kingfisher and let him perch on a real no fishing sign. 

The sign is wood which I have painted and rubbed with wax crayon to bring out the grain.  The post is made from thick taffeta ribbon painted to match, leaves are cut from green silk.  Kingfisher is a bit green around the gills! but all things considered it didn't turn out so bad.

Here is the culprit! Or should I be thanking her for making me change direction?


Bye for now, Jane xx

TAG TUESDAY - GREEN

For my Green Tag this week, I have used a copy of some calligraphy I did previously.   The poem, Jasmine, is part of the oriental romance Lalla Rookh by Thomas Moore, published in 1817.

For the original artwork which is A4 size I made the variegated writing by using various shades of green watercolour.  It is decorated with sprigs of Jasmine. 

I mounted my small copy onto green card, and then made a tassel using co-ordinating green threads all finished with green beads of various shapes and sizes. 

Here I have photographed my tag against some jasmine leaves, sadly it was not in bloom, but the shadows make beautiful shapes.

I found I had loads of ideas on this theme.  I got quite carried away with the idea of making a ‘green man’, but I have decided to make this into a bigger embroidery project over the next few weeks / months.  

Bye for now

Jane xx

TAG TUESDAY - DIAMOND JUBILEE

Hope you have all enjoyed the Jubilee Celebrations! 

 My first tag this week is a Union flag made from ribbons and scraps of embroidered fabric, all stuck to a manila tag. There is a red ribbon tie and some ‘crown jewels’ bling.

I made my Union Jack as I watched the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames on TV on Sunday.  To remember the occasion, I have put a newspaper clipping of the Royal Barge on the back of the tag along with some bunting and crowns.

To ring the changes from Red, White and Blue my second tag is pink.  I used a copy of the card that Throop WI in Bournemouth sent to Her Majesty to congratulate her on her Jubilee.  I did the calligraphy; another member, Judy, did the thread work and embellishments.  I added some more bling and a pink ribbon to finish.

Have a great week

love Jane xx