Hi Everyone! Even though the weather is calling my name to come play outside, a bad cold got hold of me and took me down for days. Feeling better now to share a few napkins that I made, along with a few leaves that I painted, and a download. Hopefully you will be able to use this info to explore your own ideas.
When I visit Joann, I always take a quick look at their small remnant bin for fleece so I can make blankets for my kitties (more on that in the next post). I found a piece of 100% cotton fabric one time and picked it up for a new set of napkins.
I cut 12″ square pieces, then machine stitched all around, 0.5″ from the edges, with matching thread. After that, I stitched the two lines you can see in the picture with a contrasting thread. The first line is 2.5″ and the second one is 3.5″ from the edge. I stitched over each line one more time to make them darker, but not fastidiously. I think the offset stitching gives them a lovely vintage feel.
Then I had a little too much fun pulling threads on each side until I reached the stitched lines around the border.
That’s it! Super easy! I very much like the red and blue threads I used against the cream background. The colors of this set make me think of cozy autumn days.
Autumn Leaves
If you are looking for a quick project, you can download this set of leaves for free from my shop. I had originally made them for an embroidery project. (The shop does ask for your info as you are placing an order, but please rest assured it is safe and free.)
These are line arts of generous size. You can resize them to your need and use them for so many projects – scrapbooks, greeting cards, applique, and embroidery, or just color them for fun.
This is my painted version in my handmade forest green nature journal.
Playing With Paint
As you know from the last post, I like to do a little bit prep work before working on the final painting.
I am working on a new painting for a book cover, so I started trying out different paper and paint for the right look and effect. In other words, playing with paint and paper.
Marker, watercolor, acrylic ink, watercolor ink, I used them all for these leaves to see which I liked best. My only objective was to see the effect of each kind of paint on that paper.
I was going to throw out this first set, but then I thought that if I cut them out, I can use them in my journal. My husband loves these bits and pieces for his journal too. I cut around the shape with a pair of scissors, used a micron pen to add an outline and veins, and they were ready.
Floating Leaves
After that I tested the aforementioned paints on a set of larger leaves. I didn’t worry too much about painting within the lines on this one either. Then before tossing it out, inspired by Japanese and Chinese brush paintings, I started painting brush strokes with no purpose in mind. I used blue mostly because it provided a good contrast against the orange. I got carried away, and the strokes started to resemble water. I ended up keeping it.
My husband got me the two pumpkins when I was sick. Two, because one needs a friend.
All of these finishes started as an attempt to learn or experiment with new ideas. I specially love this time of year because even though the colors are limited, they call me out to explore both indoors and outdoors.
I am feeling a lot better now and I can’t wait to be outside a lot more, collecting ideas. So I will see you in December!
Until next time,
-Soma
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33 thoughts on “Little Stories – Little Dabbles”
Sarah MumofThree World November 20, 2024 at 22:59
Sorry to hear you’ve been ill and glad you are feeling better. The napkins look fabulous. It’s amazing how different they look with just a different colour of thread.
Louise (Fundy Blue) November 20, 2024 at 15:25
I’m glad that you’re feeling better, Soma! You have torrents of talent. The napkins you made are wonderful.
Sandee November 20, 2024 at 08:25
Feeling better is a most wonderful thing. I love the colors of fall. Love the napkins too. Beautiful.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter November 20, 2024 at 07:27
What lovely leaves! The cut out ones are especially pretty. Yes, it’s a good time to explore outside. So glad you are feeling better. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
Alison Hall November 20, 2024 at 04:21
So glad you are feeling better Soma! It’s cold here now, but I still love to wrap up and get outside in nature. I hate it when I can’t get out.
Your leaves are beautiful, especially the floating one. And your napkins are lovely. What a talented lady you are.
Best wishes,
Alison
Debbie Harris November 20, 2024 at 02:51
Thanks for sharing your talents Soma, these are all lovely ideas. It’s great to have you join us for #WWWhimsy
Eileen November 20, 2024 at 01:46
Hello Soma,
I am glad you are feeling better! We finally were able to get outside for a walk, the fresh air felt good.
You are very creative, I love your beautiful leaves and the napkins are lovely.
Take care, enjoy you day and the rest of the week ahead.
Angie November 19, 2024 at 21:12
Soma – your creativity is always an inspiration to me! I am particularly drawn to autumn colors, so your last photo with the leaves in the water is so very special to me. Glad you are feeling better and ready to get outside. We have had our first little snowfall – more coming later this week. I can’t wait to get out on my skis! Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments!
Sue Women Living Well After 50 November 19, 2024 at 14:00
Good to hear you are feeling better. I love the Autum colours and your are so talented. My grandsons are both very good at drawing so I might download your leaves for them to try. Thanks for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy and have a beautiful week. Sue L #TeamWWWhimsy x
Kim Carberry November 18, 2024 at 03:56
I am glad you are feeling better now!
Those napkins are gorgeous, they do have a vintage look to them.
The leaves are so pretty!
Nikki - Notes of Life November 17, 2024 at 13:42
I love the floating leaves. I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better too. Take care.
Connie Griffin November 16, 2024 at 08:06
So good to hear you are feeling better, I hope it continues to go that way, I was feeling better yesterday and today I woke up with my chest hurting, coughing and such again :(
Love your napkins, the stitching really gives it a great look as does the fringe and such a bonus to have found the fabric on sale too!
Your leaves are beautiful, when you said you were thinking of throwing the one set away I thought oh NO, you can use them somewhere and then I read you indeed did that.
Your last one almost has the look of carving to me, when I looked at the picture before reading I thought you carved the leaves and then were going to paint the leaves and make a print, then read on and saw that was your drawing with blue, wow that is amazing.
Enjoy the rest of your Autumn season!
Beth November 16, 2024 at 06:23
Lovely drawing tutorial! The leaves are gorgeous!
I hope you will join us over at the Creatively Crafty Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday.
Pinned!
Creatively, Beth
Natalie November 15, 2024 at 16:52
I’m glad to read you’re feeling better. Your creations look beautiful. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Susan November 15, 2024 at 15:56
I am sorry you were sick, but glad that you are feeling better. Fall is my favorite time of the year. I really like your floating leaves. I like how dimensional it looks. The leaves drawing in your book are lovely too. Thank you for the leaves download. Your husband is so sweet.
Seren Bear Blog November 15, 2024 at 11:30
Love the floating leaves so much
Writing Sparkle November 15, 2024 at 06:12
Leaves are so beautiful. Great art.
jeanie November 15, 2024 at 05:25
I’m so glad you are feeling better. I love your leaf paintings. This is the first year in many I haven’t done some leaves — I always search for the most interesting and have a go at it. I love these. And your napkins, too. Remnants are great!
tomthebackroadstraveller November 15, 2024 at 05:07
…I wish you an awesome autumn.
Erika N November 15, 2024 at 04:53
I love how you captured the air movement in your leaf painting. I’ve played around with a few ideas to show that in my journal, but you nailed it. And lovely autumn leaves too. Thanks for visiting my blog. hugs-Erika
Cat November 14, 2024 at 21:55
Glad to hear you are getting better.
The napkins are very pretty and you can always get me with beautiful fall leaves!
Cat
The Joyful Quilter November 14, 2024 at 17:24
Elegant napkins and lovely leaf paintings, Soma!
Granny Annie November 14, 2024 at 14:27
Lovely fall art.
Christine November 14, 2024 at 11:48
Lovely art!
Thistles and Kiwis November 14, 2024 at 11:43
Beautiful napkins and leaves.
Debra She Who Seeks November 14, 2024 at 11:22
Love your painted autumn leaves!
Lavender Dreams November 14, 2024 at 11:06
I’m so excited to make some leaves! Thanks for the free download! You’ve made my day! Hope you feel better each day! Hugs, Diane
Mary November 14, 2024 at 10:22
Your napkins are so pretty, Soma. I, too, love the contrasting threads. The frayed edge is especially pretty on them. Sorry about that nasty cold. That can be so frustrating when you love getting out at this time of the year. You need to get out in those beautiful fall leaves.
A ShutterBug Explores November 14, 2024 at 08:51
Lovely napkins ~ have made a set of these before several years ago and then stenciled them ~ like yours better and experimenting is wonderful ~ love the leaves and brushstrokes ~ thanks, hugs,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Joanne November 14, 2024 at 06:06
I love those napkins! They are beautiful and remind me of a set I bought years and years ago for the very first Thanksgiving we ever hosted. I’m glad you’re feeling better. We’ve all been taking turns passing a not so lovely cold around to one another this past month. “Tis the season I guess.
Carol November 14, 2024 at 05:57
You are so creative. I always enjoy visiting you and seeing your art.
Karen November 14, 2024 at 05:37
I hardly ever get a cold where it actually slow me up a lot but every now and then it sure does and takes several weeks to feel better. Love the leaves
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal November 14, 2024 at 05:10
I’m glad you are feeling better. Colds are such time-wasters – lol! Your napkins are just lovely. I always forget about the remnant bin! Such a great idea. Do you do anything with the threads you pull? Your husband sounds like a gem. Thank you for the download! (And thank you for having it open in another page. So many folks forget to do that and it is annoying.)