Stitch on cards

I decided to join #The100DayProject and my focus is #100daysofstitch. I decided my first project would be some hand embroidery inspired by a Sue Spargo class, but that doesn't prevent me from doing other stitching. I'll report back on Thursday about how my first week of hand stitching has gone, but yesterday I needed some new cards and (as per my regular habit) I was able to use my sewing machine to add stitch details. 

Using prints of my art as my base made the process quicker. To some I added stenciling, some found words....

The ones without words will have them added when the appropriate occasion arises for them to be given. 

I often add machine stitch to my cards - I like the juxtaposition of it against the cardboard, and it's fun to use messy or fancy stitching as the mood takes me. I do lengthen my stitch length for straight stitching, but my machine copes with the fancy stitches on cardstock just fine. It's lovely to have a stash of cards again.

And the sky is purple...

I started this page with finger painting and this song in my head by Six60 - one of my favourite kiwi bands :  
And the sky is purple, purple, purple...

I'ma keep shining
I'ma keep shining all my love

{If you're new here, SHINE is my word of the year} I used my fingers to apply acrylic paint

along with some of my recently made hand-carved stamps and simple drywall tape - still applying the paint with my fingers

Lovely textures

When I got to this point, I could see a face....

Details refined

I had added some gold for Shine, and thought she was done, but took a photo just to be sure

Always a good idea for a different perspective - suddenly obvious she needs more of a suggestion of hair. Now it's done and I LOVE it/her

This is truly intuitive painting : Organic, unexpected and completely original by me ♥

#100daysofstitch : Day 1

I've decided to take part in #The100DayProject and I'm going to attempt 100 days of stitch. As I shared in my Intentions post yesterday, I'm aiming for a little and often, and not for completing a thing every day - stitching by hand, stitching with my machine, but also planning a project that involves stitch, or gathering my supplies - they will all count. 
First problem : what will my first project be? I have a few options - captured here as inspiration for other stitch projects for me or maybe for you?
I want to do more with Mary Ann Moss's Stitch*Bookery class. Currently open and ongoing - different levels of cost depending on how long you want to sign up for HERE.

See the projects I've made HERE.  
I have some hand-stitching options. I purchased this printed panel over a year ago!

I LOVE Sue Spargo's work and have this class from Craftsy

I have a few ideas for quilts - both applique and stash-busting (limited my options in the photo!)

and I want to do more mixed media projects like this

or these

Maybe the reason I haven't started something is I have too many choices!
So, after careful deliberation, my first stitched project is hand stitched butterflies with Sue Spargo. This will not preclude other things but it is great to have a decision made. After those long deliberations it was just as well I said 15 minutes was enough to spend in a day! I began by re-watching the initial lessons....

and then it was time to gather fabrics and braid/ribbon for my background

Wool, felt and velvet to add to cotton for butterfly layers

A peek into my box of special threads

As you can see I don't have to go shopping for supplies....I've been a stitcher and purchaser of stitching stash for years ;-)
And I put my base piece together! Basic machine stitching just to anchor it but with rayon thread so a nice sheen if any of it can be seen by the time it's completed.

Very happy with what I've achieved Day 1 - it took longer than 15 minutes of course, but not hours....I feel so enthused and happy about this new stitchy direction ♥ I wanted to do more but I don't want to get unrealistic expectations of what I can achieve each day and I have other arty projects that are going to continue at the same time. I'll share daily on my instagram account and come back here next Thursday for a summary of the week. I promise the summary will be briefer than this first post!