Thank you Debbie @thecrimsonrabbit not to start but we will see.
Hi Debbie, I’m really not liking the stick-on embroidery transfer paper. Which is a real shame as while I could manage without it for my own stitching I thought it would be perfect for doing kits - I print the design and the customer sticks it on and sews.
It’s ok sewing, although the glue does gunk up the needle a bit, so you need to clean it regularly.
The main issue is the washing out after the work is finished. Even though I’m using draft quality ink, it sometimes bleeds onto pale threads, making the edges mucky. And because you have to get every single bit of gluey paper out you have to manipulate the threads - even though I try really hard not to “scrub”, the stitching ends up looking a bit bruised.
I’m experimenting with different types of stitching - it is really not good with more looped stitches such as lazy daisy or with open weaves or couching - the stitches just move around when washed and dry in strange stiff positions. It works better with solid stitches (satin, long & short and closed weaves) they stay put but the threads don’t look quite as polished as they did before washing. 
I am going try doing some of the more basic stitching before washing, then adding the fancier detailes after it’s dry. Hopefully that will work. If not, I’ll be trying other brands/methods…
If you fancy trying the stuff I’m using to see if it works for you, I’d be happy to send you a little piece with a pre-printed outine. Just message me your address.
Thanks for the heads up on crewel wool threads, I’m thinking of going with Appletons. I have some beautiful hand dyed stuff from a friend, and some vintage skeins, but they can wait until I’ve improved my skill level. 
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Hey!
I am currently working on some Valentines Day cuties, some crochet dogs with heart eyes and also got some more pattern writing in the works 
Thanks for that detail Sharon and the very kind offer, though I’ll take your word for the gunky results, which makes it sounds like a bit of a non starter… I wonder what the iron on transfer pens are like? I’ve tried the transfer pencils and they were okay, but the pens look like they give you a much clearer transfer - no idea how cost effective they’d be to add to your kits.
The best method I’ve used is a light box (or a liight window) and drawing / tracing straight onto the fabric, but of course that doesn’t work for all fabrics. I’ve embroidered on felt quite a bit and for that, I tend to draw the design onto tissue paper, tack it down to the felt and then stitch the outline of the design with a fine thread so I can remove the paper and embroider over the ‘sketch’ thread, which is fine if you like to embroider freehand, but won’t work for your kits.
One method that I haven’t tried but want to is prick and pounce and I guess you might be able to make that work in kits as you’d probably only have to provide the powder alongside instructions? It also feels like a bit more of a ‘fussy’ method, which is probably why it appeals to me - LOL!
I’ll wait for your next episode! 
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Hi Debbie, actually the paper turned out better than I thought, using the stitch part of it, wash out, then finish with more stitching technique. Here are a few photos of WIP and the finished piece.
These photos show the parts I did before washing - the stems & leaves and one set of flowers in bullion and herringbone, plus the outline of the bird.
I washed it under a running tap, rather than soaking. Worked better than the previous attempt. I didn’t take a photo of it (sorry), but it was a bit crumpled and needed careful ironing after it had dried. The finer couched stitches went wonky and needed redoing in a thicker thread, but the rest were ok. The bird outline was a bit grubby, but they were all covered so it didn’t matter.
This is what I did after washing. Some could probally have stood up to washing - the stemmed french knots on the left flowers and the long & short stitches in the bird. But I’m not sure about the padded satin stitch as it has much longer stitches and needs to be smooth to look good, and the tassels would definitely have been ruined.
So all in all, the paper may not be as bad as I thought for some types of embroidery, and I may be able to make simpler designs work for kits if I plan the stitches carefully. Shout if you’ve changed your mind and want to try.
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Made a mess of posting, must do better! Jan
A friend wanted a copper owl brooch so I etched a few yesterday. Only got as far as rough cutting them out today - the light is going already.
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I decided that since the owl I etched the other day wasn’t etched deep enough for such a big owl, I’d flame paint it. I’ve only done one pass at it (it can take me at least 10 sessions before I’m happy with the colours and sometimes I have to clean it off and start again!) - can’t believe my luck, I think I’m going to leave it alone and not fiddle - what do you think?
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It’s been a slow Nov & Dec as my workshop (aka the shed) has been full while the kitchen was being done. I’ve finally got round to making again. One set of pendants drying on my home made stand, the other set all ready to go, just waiting for me to put lots of boxes together.
1st ever craft show next weekend so trying to build some stock.
Lots of different woods which has been fun finding and working on.
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Love the stand, I hang the chopping boards on my die-cutting machine handle to dry 
Hope the craft show goes really well! 
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I’m creating a zipped pouch out of a beautiful piece of hand stitched embroidery I found in a charity shop.
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Oh wow! beautiful image, wonder how long it needed to be completed!
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Been working with this yellow and purple colour palette for the past few days developing some more brooch pins
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I always wonder who created these beautiful hand stitched pieces and the stories behind them.
Something not wanted or needed anymore, but someone’s pride once and for a while… Lovely that you can bring it back to “life” again 
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Hi all I have been busy but keep forgetting to share. I am playing around with needle felted bases for my little painted buildings. So far I have a beach and sea for my beach huts and a garden for a house.
I have a very large stash of yarn so hope to have lots of variety as I work this all out.
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Been poorly for a while but finally getting back to making and got these leaves soldered on. Just needs a good clean up now and it’ll be ready to set.
I’d love to make more like this, but I’m having such a hard time finding large flat cabs like this one. Does anyone know of a good place to find them?
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I was given some forks and spoons. I recycled coins and biscuit tins but never this type of thing. I’ve done some reading up and some YouTubing and I’ve managed to do some cutting. Whether I get to doing any serious bending will have to wait for another day. It’s more difficult that it looks!!
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