Cut Works Book - Pages 1-6

Another sketchbook I have recently finished is to keep a copy of my designs that I created for use with my cutting machine. [MKN Zing Air]. Most of the designs were created on my tablet then transferred to the computer. I've used different kinds of paper, card, and the odd bit of fabric. Some didn't cut too well [learning curve] but I've still included some of them for reference. Sometimes the design was at fault, sometimes the settings.

If you don't know what a cutter looks like, here is a picture of mine. It works like a plotter.

I've also finished another blanket - made from some old machine knitted samples stitched to a fleece blanket. It's a bit of a mix match but will be handy.

Two Knitted Blankets

I used to machine knit and design patterns many moons ago, which resulted in many test swatches. Well recently I came across a bag of these swatches so I made a couple of blankets with them. I've hand stitched them to fleece blankets which makes them lovely and cosy and hides any loose threads on the back. I think I may have enough swatches to make another but it will be the very last.

Knitted Blankets and Fabric Swatches

I've used the last of my knitted swatches into blankets, these were stitched to a fleecy blanket to encompass the loose threads on the back and also make them more snug. You would probably class the swatches as vintage now as they were made a long time ago.

And the first of my fabric swatches of the year. These were designed for the coral, mint, black and white contest, I entered the lower one and it didn't get far....there were 674 entries for this contest.

Knitted Blanket

I think the last blanket I blogged about was about 2 years ago..... anyway continuing from then, this is another blanket made from swatches. Many years ago I used to design motif patterns for home machine knitters and these are some of the test swatches. I no longer have the machines, so I no longer knit, but motifs seem to be back in fashion. The swatches on this blanket were made on a single bed machine which means there were loose threads at the back on the repeat patterns so I attached the swatches to a fleece blanket with stitching. I've also embroidered most of the edges of the swatches with stitches like raised chain band, chain stitch, fly stitch etc to try and neaten them up a bit.

Ski Knitted Blanket

I will call this blanket the 'ski blanket'.

Knitted on a Passap machine many years ago - I used to design knitting motifs and patterns. I used the samples to make into blankets, this one I made up last year and some are still being made up although I have not done any for a while. It is quite a challenge as the swatches are all different shapes and sizes.

Willow Pattern Knitted Blanket and Doodles

Another blanket made from the knitted samples which were try outs of new patterns knitted many moons ago, but made into a blanket a few months ago.

C&G Artwork, Penguin Blanket

More C&G art work

Above - these are lino prints, inspired by the marks on a turtle. The marks are etched into the lino with a tool and then used with paint to print onto paper [or fabric]

The marks on this paper were made with cling film, acrylic paints and brusho

Rows of honesty seed pods glued to the paper

Watercolour painting

And another blanket made from knitted samples

The snowman bag giveaway ends tomorrow so if you want a chance of winning don't forget to comment on that post. Click here for details

Girl with Roses and Knitted Blanket

For the Collage Obsession challenge - Sepia+pastel

I started with a sepia photo from my stash and introduced some pastel colour on the flowers and background.

Last week I also removed bags full of knitted swatches from my loft. These were not to throw out this time but to make into a blanket. My sister who was staying with me, helped sew the first one which she will keep for her own use. I've already made a few blankets a long time ago and given most of them away. If you're wondering why I have so many swatches  ... I used to design machine knitting patterns for home knitters, mainly motifs and these swatches are the practice runs.

Proof that my sister helped. She says she looks like she know what she is doing. The swatches are quite a challenge to stitch together as they are all different shapes and sizes and in some places they do look a little puckered.