Remnants Challenge Part 2!

To continue with the recycling theme I began in my last post, I have been challenging myself to create new things using leftover scraps from previously completed projects.

Recently I was working on a woven project. I wove several ribbons that I wanted to weave into a pillow top. I wove them together, then stitched them with the sewing machine. I couldn't stop myself from stitching on the top, and discovered that I really liked the effect and stiffness of the new stitched fabric!

When I had finished stitching around the square, I cut off all of the excess ribbon ends. I had a wonderful pile of mini weavings that inspired me to make this pendant using the ends plus some yarn and felt scraps I have. Did you spot the crocheted chains?

This was such a satisfying project, especially since it came out of a successful technique experiment.

If you are on Instagram and you would like to participate in the challenge, post projects made with your remnants/ scraps with the hashtag #remnantschallenge.

Using Crochet Remnants

From most any design project, I have leftover pieces. I save these pieces hoping for just the right project to come along. I decided to challenge my self to make a pendant out of some of the pieces leftover from the free Mademoiselle Necklace Pattern I designed for Berroco.

By layering them and adding some surface embroidery, I was able to create a 3D background for one of our stitchable "Pod" pendants.

I like working with remnants and leftovers, because working with what you have exercises your creative problem solving and the results are always unexpected!

I plan to continue this challenge and will be sharing more remnant creations in coming posts. I challenge you all to make something out of your scraps and remnants! If you are on Instagram, use the hashtag #remnantschallenge.

eWoodstory Stitchable Pendant Giveaway!

We have teamed up with the wonderful Moogly, for a fun summer giveaway of 4 Stitchable Pendants of the winners choice from our Etsy shop!

For all the details check out Moogly Blog's post, and to enter, simply click on the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the post.

Good luck to all who enter!

Here are just a few ideas as to what you could make with our pendants:

For more inspiration, check out our flickr galleries for Mini Masterpiece Pendants, and Modern Stitchable Pendants.

Painting Crochet on I love Yarn Day 2015!

 

Actually  I celebrate my love of yarn, everyday, but today it is celebrated around the world!

Lately I have been fascinated by asymmetrical motifs, and I decided it would be fun to crochet them in an off white cotton/bamboo yarn, so I can paint them. You don't have to worry about color changes or weaving in ends! Decide the colors later! If you don't like how it is turning out, you can wash it out before it dries. It is a really fun thing to do. My daughter wants me to crochet more motifs for her to paint.

I thought this motif looked like a flower, so I decided to paint it to look like one. I crocheted it to fit into our "Olive" shape Stitchable Pendant. This technique is perfect for jewelry, because you don't have to worry about washing the piece. I used watercolor paints because I like the effect on yarn, but if you want something more permanent, you could use fabric paint.

Painted motif before adding details and stitching into the pendant.

This is not the first time I have painted my crochet. Many of my longtime readers may remember my post for Crochetville's annual blog tour, about painting crochet trim.

After stitching it to the pendant, I decided to paint the stitching too! I used this wonderful watercolor set that I purchased from Michaels:

Here is the version with the painted stitching. I can't decide which version I like best! What do you think?

Exciting News for eWoodStory!

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We have been waiting for this day for months now...my husband and I are happy to announce that our  collaborative line of ready made necklaces, Nouveau Necklace crochet kits, and Mini Masterpiece necklace frames are now available at one of our favorite places in Kuwait: the Sadu House, in their gift shop. For many years we have admired the work that this cultural center does to promote the art of Bedouin weaving and support the local creative community. We were so thrilled when they asked if they could sell our line in their shop, since it is a place where visitors to Kuwait and residents of Kuwait enjoy visiting. If you are in Kuwait and would like to visit the Sadu House, they are located on the Gulf Road and their opening hours are from 8am to 1pm, and 4-8pm, Saturday-Thursday.

We also love Kathryn Vercillo's review of our Mini Masterpiece Frames. We sent her a frame to try and she stitched up a lovely piece and describes her experience with it. It is so exciting to see what people are doing with the frames and we look forward to seeing more and more creations added to our flickr gallery!

The last piece of exciting news is that one of our necklaces was worn by the wonderful Vickie Howell on an episode of Knitting Daily TV, that will air early next year!

We are hard at work designing some new items for the line, so stay tuned for more updates... We are on Instagram and Twitter as @ewoodstory if you would like to follow us.

Mixed Media Crochet Jewelry Kits Are Now Available Online!

We had really wonderful positive feedback at the Knit and Crochet Show about our kits and frames, and we are excited to announce that we will are selling now selling them in our Etsy store during the month of August while we are in the US. I have a few more kits to add in the coming days, but the quantity we have is limited. It has been fun putting on a new hat as a "shop owner", and I am excited to be able to share our products with a wider audience.

Mini Masterpiece Necklace Frames!

The second item eWoodStory is launching is our Mini Masterpiece frames, available in 10 different types of exotic wood, and 2 sizes! The small size measures 2 1/8" wide x 2 1/2" tall, and the large size measures 2 1/2" wide x 2 7/8" tall.

You create a rectangle by any method you choose, then stitch it to the frame. The sky is the limit, crochet, knitting, cross stitch, hand or machine embroidery, weaving, felting, fabric painting....or even combinations of techniques. Your necklace will be a one of a kind statement piece.

I have created some samples in different techniques to give you ideas, and we have a flickr group that you can upload photos of your finished frames to inspire others.

These frames are available to purchase in our Etsy shop and in Kuwait at the Sadu House gift shop and the Needles and Yarn Shop.