While I acknowledge that Stephen Hawking was a brilliant scientist there is one aspect of what he says here that, in my opinion, he misses. Not everyone will agree with what I am about to say and that is fine, I respect other people's views even if I might not agree just as I hope they would for mine. But as a Christian I do not look at the heavens and wonder about what makes the universe exist, I know who makes the universe exist. The first verse of Psalm 19 sums it it up beautifully:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Noel and Tricia Richards wrote a worship song some years back that was based on the opening verse of Psalm 19 and it has remained a firm favourite in many churches. If you are interested there is quite a good version here:
Meanwhile I will carry on looking up at the heavens and continue to be curious about the wonders of creation in all it's splendour.
So here is my project for the mid way post for this month's challenge at Path of Positivity.
Materials used:
DDD Doodles - Be Curious sentiment (special commission)
plain cotton material
metalic DMC threads
plain tissue paper
embroidery hoop
ribbon
black felt
This project was an experiment, I was exercising my own curiosity here! I wanted to work out if there was a way of transferring digital images to fabric for cross stitching or embroidery. My original plan was to print it out on square paper and make a cross stitch chat but when it came to actually stitching it interpreting the chart for the text was too complicated for my limited abilities. So my back up plan was to transfer the design to fabric and embroider it.
Before I go any further I know all the embroiderers out there will be throwing their hands up in horror but I am not a sewer, it is the least favourite crafty thing to do for me. Cross stitching I can just about manage but embroidery is a completely different matter.
Back to the story! Now I knew that you can use carbon copy paper to transfer designs to fabric the only problem was that in the last house move cull I had given all my carbon paper away and there was not time to order any if I was going to get it done by the deadline. So I thought if I print it out on tissue paper, tack it to the material and stitch over the top that would work. Well it did to a certain extent, the problem only came when trying to remove the tissue paper. I was left with little bits around all the letters. I soaked it in cold water for a while which got rid of some more then gently brushed it with a small cleaning brush. Most of the tissue has come off but if I look very closely I can still see odd bits poking out from under some of the lettering.
So the verdict is that copy paper is probably better than tissue paper although it may take longer to transfer the pattern and if you use tissue paper it is not so good for lettering or small motifs and try to find one without a coating in that will break up a dissolve better in water.
When I had finished my sewing and getting as much tissue paper off as I could I mounted it in an embroidery hoop and backed it with black felt. A ribbon attached to the top of the hoop makes a convenient hanger.
Will I try this again? Probably but with carbon paper and not for a while! Am I pleased with the end result? Well despite not going quite to plan on the whole I am. There are things I can try differently to improve it so it has been a good experiment.
The Path of Positivity Challenge runs through until 6th of October. Although the theme is optional if you do follow it then there are extra prizes on offer. Our sponsors this time are Bugaboo Digi Stamps and Scribbles Designs both offering a prize for winners. All the details and the link to enter can be found on the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog here. I do hope you will join in with the fun.
Thanks for popping by. Take care.
Pippa
Entering the following challenges:
A lovely post and creation, Stephen Hawking lived close to us and was a very special person. Many thanks for joining us at Allsorts challenge.
ReplyDeleteB x
Such lovely embroidery and great words. Thank you for joining our "Anything goes, with a Twist' at Allsorts.
ReplyDeleteKath x
What a great post about curiosity and a beautiful piece of needlework!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. I used to love to stitch but it's just too difficult with my eyesight. Your project is inspiring. Thanks for sharing at My Time to Craft.
ReplyDeleteLeft you a comment on this over at the Outlawz, Pippa, but had to come by with one of my DT hats to say how tickled I am to see you playing along with us in our Anything Goes challenge at Crafting with an Attitude this month. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteNanaConnie DT
Bery pertty project. Thank you for sharing with us at The PIP Challenge.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful embroidery. Thanks for entering it in the Simply Create Too Challenge.
ReplyDeleteBeautifu embroidery not done any since leaving school many years ago!!!Love the quote and when my daughter lived at home we used to stand outside for ages looking at the sky and stars whilst letting the dogs out before bed
ReplyDeletecarol x