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Meet Mr Raggedy-Eared Hare

I have been guilty of some skip diving this week! I was invited though. A friend is clearing her house ready to move and I have come away with a bag of t-shirts a stack of picture frames and all sorts of other bits and bobs to recycle into Powertex wonders. She was even throwing out some Christmas decorations so that’s got my head thinking of a ‘Christmas in a day’ class where we will use a range of techniques to create a set of Christmas items to include a wreath, a bauble and a decoration of some sort. Its all whirling around in my head but first….figures!

I have had a LOT of fun over the Easter break working with my daughter on some new Powertex ideas. I have also been trying hard to come up with a way to use Powertex that doesn’t involve getting covered in it. I personally love the feeling of working with my hands covered and daubs on my cheeks but I know its not for everyone. Watch out for an amazing Seahorse class. This project can be created with a brush. I can’t guarantee NO MESS but there will be less.

So my daughter and I created the Raggedy Eared Hare which will be coming to a Tudor Rose Classroom in the autumn. Here’s a cheeky peek of his little face!

More about him later though.

In the coming months I have three classes which will teach you how to make beautiful sculptures for you gardens just in time for a few days of the British summer. I have created a seated figure that would look superb amongst your flower beds or kneeling by a tree. I also have a standing figure class which could be a Halloween sculpture too if witches and ghouls are your thing.

 

The last of my new classes is the Fantastic Fairy. You may have seen my Bronzed angel in the store last year, well my fairy is a more delicate version of  the angel and is currently sitting on top of our display cabinets guarding the coffee shop.

We will be using ivory Powertex and subtle colours to highlight all of the gorgeous textures in the fabrics that make the figure.

Why not come along and have a calm day making with all of the mess cleared away by yours truly? One of our lovely customers told me her most recent class was the most relaxed she has been in ages which is exactly how I would like you all to feel after a day in the studio. What’s stopping you?

Purple Boots

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Pilot’s New Pintor Paint Pens

We’ve recently got a whole range of amazing new pens in the shop, and we’ve had a lot of fun experimenting! Pilot Pintor water based paint pens are so versatile and can be applied to almost any surface they come in two tip sizes: medium and fine, and a wide range of 24 vibrant colours including metallic and pastel shades.

Basics:

  • To prime the tip, shake the pen about 20 times prior to use (with the cap on firmly) and then press the tip of the pen 3-4 times onto paper until the ink flows.
  • These pens are not refillable
  • Store pen with tip facing upwards
  • To avoid getting paint on your iron whilst fixing the designs (for some materials see reverse), use a scrap piece of fabric OR grease proof paper between the iron and your creation.
  • We have found that the Black pen tends to spread more than the other colours. The metallic range of pens does appear to spread the least.

Drawing on different materials:

Porcelain/ Glass & Frosted Glass – for best results apply 2 coats; allow the first coat to dry before applying the second. Once you have completed the design put the item in the oven at 160C for 50 minutes. Best compatibility with metallic colours.

100% Cotton/ Linen– apply 1 coat smoothly, Iron at low temperature without steam to fix the design. The ink will sink in easily and will spread because of the fabrics fibres. However we at Tudor Rose Patchwork have had great success applying this product to cotton and other fabrics. We do advise using a piece of paper behind the fabric to ensure you do not mark any other surfaces.

Polyester/ Satin Fabric– apply 1 coat smoothly. The ink will sink in easily and will spread because of the fabrics fibres. We at Tudor Rose Patchwork have found that on this fabric the ink tends to spread more than with other fabrics. We do advise using a piece of paper behind the fabric to ensure you do not mark any other surfaces.

Glitter Film – These pens can be used in conjunction with the Glitter film range. Apply 1 coat and allow to dry on its own for a few minutes before re-ironing to fix the design.

Popeline/ Delicate Fabric –To avoid blotting trace contours and colour progressively with the tip of the pen. We do advise using a piece of paper behind the fabric to ensure you do not mark any other surfaces.

Leather – Apply 2 coats for best vibrancy and coverage.

Blackboard – The marker will apply easily to blackboards. The marker will not be permanent on a blackboard and can be washed off easily using a wet sponge and lukewarm water. However if the blackboard is damaged or scratched it may be more difficult to remove.

Metal / Plastic – Apply 2 layers, allow the first layer to dry before going over it.

Wood – Sand down the wood beforehand to ensure a smooth surface.

Polystyrene/ Paper / Card – Apply 1-2 layers dependant on desired vibrancy, no fixing required.

Mineral / Stone – Apply 1-2 layers dependant on desired colour vibrancy. If this is for outdoor use apply varnish to finish.

 

You can find some great tutorials over on the Pilot Pinter website, and don’t forget to check out our range of colours 🙂

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New Powertex Workshops!!

Another super Powertex class today. We had a group of complete beginners who have created some beautiful pieces and gone home totally inspired. Lots of the gang created steampunk pieces and have incorporated some great little details using old watch parts and recycled keys. Powertex is a fantastic way to recycle all those knick knacks you no longer have a use for. We also have some more beautiful ethereal samples made with butterflies and bows. As you can see the pieces are all totally individual and have been coloured according to all the individual tastes of the artists. Even better Powertex is totally weather proof so these pieces can be used to embellish a garden fence or exterior wall.

I’m really looking forward to seeing the work this talented bunch do at home and inspiring them again at one of the up and coming Powertex courses here at Tudor Rose. We’ve got three amazing new Powertex workshops coming up where you can try your hand at making a seated figure, a standing figure, and a fantastic fairy which would make a lovely summer addition to your garden.

Find the details and booking for the seated and standing figures here. Booking for the Fantastic Fairy isn’t open yet, but watch this space!!

 

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Star Buys Offers till 13th March 2018

30% OFF
Mrs March’s Collection in Antique by Lecien
These beautiful fabrics capture the feel of antique fabrics in wonderful soft colours and delicate floral designs

NOW only £9.66 per metre 
Offer ends 13.3.2018
Click Here to buy Mrs March’s Fabric
15% OFF
Adriafil Asterix Chunky 
Adriafil Asterix has a charming structure which is slightly flamed, where the solid colour base is interrupted by multicolour sections which gives movement to the surface of the garment, without using any particular knitting technique.
The alpaca component makes the yarn even more soft and comfortable.

NOW only £3.23 per 50g Ball 
Offer ends 13.3.2018
Click Here to buy Adriafil Asterix
Janome – Brand of the Year 2018
Product of the Year Award Winner
Model DKS 100 SE

Was £529.00 Now Only £479.00
plus FREE JQ6 Quilting Kit (worth £119.00)

Perfect Machine for all types of Sewing
Click Here to buy DKS 100 SE
New Kits…….. using Glitter Film
Choose from 4 Designs – only £4.50 each
Cute little kits from Tudor Rose Patchwork, this mug rug or fabric coaster kit, incorporates basic quilting and applique techniques using fabric and the amazing heat applied glitter film. Perfect for beginners, can be sewn by hand or machine.
The kit includes wadding, fabric, glitter film, pattern and instructions.  All you’ll need is a basic sewing kit, thread and an iron.
Click Here to buy Mug Rug Kits
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Powertex Inspiration

It has been six months since I went off to train at Powertex Towers and it is lovely to see some of my new students applying their skills. Take a look at these fantastic pieces from Jean who has been so inspired by Powertex that she is now working in a wide range of colours and finishes.

    

Jean is planning on a range of green men that represent the changing of the four seasons. Because Powertex is completely weather proof she can use her finished pieces in her garden throughout the year. She has started with white Powertex and incorporated lichen and berries to bring her winter green man to life. Next Jean has dabbled with mixing the shades of Powertex to create subtle green tones that she has then gone to town embellishing with rich coppers and bronzes. Look at all the found items she has managed to incorporate in to her pieces. I’m looking forward to seeing the other two in the series.

     

 

If Jean has captured your imagination and you would like a piece like this for your garden remember Powertex is completely weather proof. There are a range of courses available using a variety of techniques and colourways. You can view more of our Workshops, Classes and Groups here.

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Beginner Dressmakers at the ready!!

Three Days, New Clothes! with Linda Radley on Saturday 10th February, 10th March and 14th April

Make 3 different clothing items on three different days with Linda helping you create a complete outfit and bringing some freshness to your wardrobe.

You will make:

  • A skirt on 10th February
  • A top for Summer on 10th March
  • A jacket to finish the outfit on 14th April

Linda will guide you to achieve the best fit and look for you, along with lots of helpful tips throughout the three days.

You can chose from a selection of patterns – which can be purchased from Tudor Rose Patchwork in advance of the course and at a 20% discount!

 

The patterns recommended by Linda are:

M6654 – a classic

skirt in stretch fabric

M6927 – Simple top

M7059, M6970 and M7368 – a selection of skirts, tops, and easy-to-wear jackets.

 

There is a wide range of fabric suitable for the McCalls patterns available at Tudor Rose Patchwork, however the type of fabric you can use may be impacted by it’s suitability for the chosen pattern.

At the end of the three days you will have a completed, new outfit, have met lots of new people and really enjoyed your time with Linda.

Each day will run from 10am to 4pm. Book a place here.

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Sculpting with Powertex

My first foray into Powertex work was a sculpture of a figure so this week I have been dabbling in the human form. I am trying to use different ways to build the armature for my pieces so this was an experiment into the wonders of kitchen roll tubes and foil. With a bundle of masking tape it was all getting very Blue Peter.

Once I had created a kneeling form that I was happy with I started bringing it all together with lots of old, natural fabrics and a healthy dollop of trusty Powertex. I love seeing the way the fabrics take on the shape of the armature and drape so that the clothing takes place. I especially like giving my figures hoods as I like the mystery they create so this figure is no exception.

Powertex is a great way to use old, stained linens so here I have incorporated some lace and even a few charms for effect. The feather charms we have in store at the moment are my favourite and find their way into lots of my work.

I was going for the bronze statue look with this piece and focused on some metallic tones to achieve this end. I hope you like her…or him….

If I have captured your imagination and you would like a piece like this for your garden remember Powertex is completely weather proof! The next opportunity to make this figure is on Saturday April 28th 2018.

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Purple Boots Update

Its a cold day and I am busy creating in my cold dining room. The fire has been calling me though so I am taking a break to warm my bones and catch up with my blog posts.

Just a few days now until Tudor Rose holds its wonderful annual exhibition. So much to see and learn about. I have been lucky to work with Kathy Laurel Sage on one of her machine embroidery classes so I need to set up my machine and get some of those pieces finished but first…Powertex!

I’m working on a mixture of pieces at the moment. My half day courses have proved popular so I am busy coming up with a new one based around mirrors. Those who know me know I am a little addicted to recycling so I have been rummaging in charity shops far and wide and have managed to come up with a whole bunch of mirrors that we can turn into a class.

My recycling habit is also becoming well known amongst our shop customers and I often find little donations for me to incorporate into my work have appeared in my drawer. The current favourite is old keys so a few of these are making an appearance into my mirror frames alongside the usual fabrics and linens.

I’m working in Ivory at the moment. This is also weather proof just like my lead and bronze pieces but will allow for a wider colour choice once I get to that stage. I’m thinking I might like a wall of, mirrors in my garden to hide the slightly ugly pallet fence made by my neighbour. I should love it, its a total recycling triumph but it’s orangeness offends me just a little. I’m hoping a collection of Powertex magic will make me love it a little. To this end I also found an absolute steal of an oval mirror in a charity shop. A friend and I have spent a happy hour with a pot of tea and some of the stockinette we have just added to our product line in store and the frame is now half covered with ivory. I am tempted to try some ombre skills by mixing my white with lead and creating some interesting graduated colours…but will it work? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Watch this space to see how my mirror projects turn out.

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Joy’s Christmas Update

Most of my recent blogs have featured my crazy addiction to crochet.  Not so this time.  I’m still crochet mad and have been working on crocheted cowls amongst other things as Christmas presents for many of my friends.  Each one a different yarn and a different colour especially chosen for each recipient.  It’s so exciting.  I look at all these lovely things I’ve made and feel so happy and full of anticipation of giving them, I’ve roped my 13 year old daughter in to help with present wrapping this year.  We’ll have an afternoon together in front of the television watching a Christmas movie, with sweet treats and wrap like mad.

Right now though, I’m making earrings. Lots of earrings.  I’ve blogged in the past about my love for beading and jewellery making and it’s made a bit of a resurgence in my life.  An elderly family friend dropped by the other week with an antique blue-grey freshwater pearl necklace.  She didn’t wear it anymore and could I do something with it?  She wanted to give a gift to each of our group of friends as Christmas presents.

What could I create?  I decided earrings would be the way to go.  I needed to make 5 pairs using the pearls.  One lady needed something lightweight – she had delicate ears.  One lady would need a big and bold pair.  I was going to have to make a pair funky and modern for one of the group and something very sparkly for another.  And of course, there would have to be a pair for me.

I have raided my stash and have come up with 5 different styles.  I’ve got a simple teardrop with tiny crystals, a bigger teardrop with larger crystals and a crystal charm.  There’s a simple multi stranded affair using just the pearls, a more complex multi stranded pair using crystals and seed beads. And finally a pair with crystals that’s going to look rather like a bunch of grapes.

I’ve used several different techniques – thread and a needle, nymo and tiger tail.

It has taken quite a few weeks but I am finally happy with the end results.  One pair was taken apart twice as they weren’t quite right and I just wasn’t satisfied.  Finding the different styles to suit the intended recipient took a while and quite a lot of research.  I even dug out old design magazines and books as well as using the internet to form the basis of my ideas.

It is so nice creating and making personal Christmas gifts.  That wonderful feeling you get is what Christmas should be about.  Keeping our loved ones in mind and giving a present that is personal and thought out.  Merry Christmas everyone!

 

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Guest Blog – Terry Fletcher

One of our most regular and favourite customers spent some time here on her own working on her projects, and while she was here she wrote a lovely blog post for us! Pop that kettle on and fetch the cake 🙂

 

 

‘Another productive day at Tudor Rose. I’m doing a ‘Day Away From Home’ on my own and I’ve cut out, stitched and almost completed the quilting on a lap quilt designed for a Christmas present!

Could I have managed at home? I suppose, but at home I would have felt the need to put on a load of washing, and probably put some tea on as well. This is much less stress! I can lay out the material, and have my machine, the iron, and the cutting table all in the same space. Measure, cut, stitch, and plug in my headphones, find a book, and start quilting. Joy!

This sounds so anti-social, but I also come along with my sister and several friends, usually once a month. We do different things, helping where needed, and it’s all very relaxed. We chat, catch-up, and have a nice lunch in O for Coffee that we haven’t had to cook or clear up. It’s become a regular social occasion for us. And if we run out of cotton – we’re in a shop!’