Wednesday 13 March 2013

Give-away Time

I have a give-away today (more on that below) but first an apology. I have been a bad blogger and not answered comments lately. Slapped wrist. I think it is because the only blogging time available lately has been in the evenings, on the tablet and it’s not so easy to open a blog twice and jump about.


Comments

Your comments on the embellisher post were thought-provoking and I agree with Heather that the embellished pieces are generally more interesting when added to another piece of work – after all it is just a tool and all our tools should work towards making cohesive work. However, my experiments using just the embellisher have proved fruitful and I am now moving on to adding slips of stitch. Planning to push ahead with the knitting and embellishing now for the article – liniecat’s chopped-up bits sound fun. Tried that once and it wasn’t great but I shall revisit it.

I am not going to rush the DVD but will try to have fun with it, Ros. It will be out sometime before the autumn, I guess.

Heather, I think that flow-improver would work with acrylics in a similar way to extender but it might make the paint too runny for collagraphs.

Giveaway

I find that I have lots of Softsculpt that is surplus to requirements. It works really well as a print block – just heat it and press something hard into it while hot. When it cools down, it will keep a deep impression and can be used as a stamp or block in the usual way. Heat in oven, with heat tool or iron but be very careful not to overheat – and be especially careful when picking it up after heating.

However, I like it best as a base for stitching as it can be shaped very easily. For this ‘book’, I heated it with an iron and then placed it over two bottles to get the shape of an open book. It is easy to lay up fabrics and stitch them to the softsculpt using a strong needle - see below. Stab stitch through to attach fabrics and adornments.






I also use it as edging and spurs, impressing with a pattern, painting and then buttonholing the edge (see right).

This is not a good photo but the arrow points to the Softsculpt strip. The piece in this photo was pressed with the lid of a potpourri pot so look out for interesting things to use as pressers.

Dale Rollerson has kindly given me some of her booklets ‘Let’s Play with Romeo’ to give away. Her ideas for using dissolvable film could go really well with the Softsculpt.


Anyway, if you would like to try for the goodie,s just leave a comment on the blog. Say which you would prefer, book or Softsculpt.

47 comments:

Quiltbug said...

I would love some soft scupt. Your work with it is exquisite

Margaret McDonald said...

I would really enjoy playing with the soft sculpt
Margaret

Kerry said...

Love playing with moldable stuff since I am heavily into 3D. Romeo is my favourite dissolvable and it can take lots of stitching.

Unknown said...

The supersculpt sounds like good fun but I would love Dales book please

Susan D said...

Looking forward to the DVD. I' luv to win a copy of the book

Amanda said...

One can't be greedy and have both so I would opt for Dale's book.

Love the look of what you's done with the SS though.

Laura Lundrigan said...

Good Morning! I would love to try the book. Love your work! Thanks maggie, Laura

Stitching with Schnauzer and Siamese said...

Hi Maggie
I recall when softscult first appeared...... we had such fun making those half masks with the teachers workshop.I feel sure others who have left their comment here will enjoy using it too. I would love a copy of Dale's book, I have only used Romeo a few times ( and enjoyed very much) so it would be good to stretch my ideas even further with Dale's help.
best wishes
Maggie ( the other one!)

Dale Kathryn said...

I would love to play with some Soft Sculpt. How is Smudge?

4S said...

Softsculpt pretty please :)

Ros said...

Autumn sounds just in time for the knittting & stitching show (will you be there this year) I would love Dales romeo booklet please but the soft scalpt is appealing as well I will just have to buy some Ros

Heather said...

I love what you have done with Softsculpt - you have integrated it so perfectly into the piece of work. I already have some, so Dale's Romeo book would be best for me if my name is drawn, please.

Gill said...

I would love to try some softsculpt please!

Erin Fish said...

Hi Maggie,
Thank you for this generous give away. I would love to have the book as I have never worked with Romeo and would love to experiment. (PS - the choice was tough)

Anonymous said...

The soft sculpt piece looks wonderful. I am not sure what soft sculpt is(is it called something else in the US) but I do think I need a piece of it!

Unknown said...

Love the 'book' - would love Dale's book

Wendy said...

since starting to read blogs via Google Reader, I am guilty of reading but not commenting. No guilt needed for not answering. I would love a peek at Dales new book

Hazeltwig said...

How timely, we had just been discussing Softsculpt at our Venture Group amd will be having a play at our next monthly meeting to use up someone's stash. Prefer book.

Suztats said...

I haven't used softsculpt or Romeo yet, but I'm really intrigued by what you've created. Some softsculpt would be wonderful for experimenting. Thank you.

jill said...

I would like a book please, looking forward to the dvd.

Erica said...

Maggie, I am not surprised you forget to blog - your life sounds so very busy. I am a fan of Dale's and would love her book.

Judith said...

I have some Romeo sitting on the shelf right now, and I could really use some inspiration. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Dale's book.

Unknown said...

I would love Dales book, as I am revisiting machine embroidery and soluble fabric along with other techniques that I haven't tried for a while including soft sculpt, but I have my own stash!!
June

sewbeit said...

Really looking forward to the DVD.

I have some soft sculp and having seen your samples I must drag it out of the stash and have a play with it again.
I would love a copy of Dale's book if picked.
Thanks for the generous give away.

Naida Willis said...

If I were to win I'd like the soft sculpt please.

Singer said...

Enjoy reading your blog and Dale's Romeo book would be a welcome addition to my library.
Jean

Penny said...

I have Dales bok but love the look of the softsculpt.
Thanks for the chance to win something.

Trudi said...

I would love to try some softsculpt please!

Singer said...

Would love a copy of Dale's book.
Jean

Stitcher said...

I would love a copy of Dales book

gilby said...

Would love a copy of Dales book,looking forward to the the DVD.

Angela Collins said...

Oooh! Lovely - how generous. I would love some Softsculpt to share with my community group. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Glad to read more in your blog. They thoughts are so helpful. I'd love some soft sculp if I am not too late.

Angela Grasse said...

I would love to win Dale's book!

jeandobbie said...

Being a beginner I would love to win either but I think the soft script might be a bit advanced for me. The kids at school love to see what I'm making and how I get ideas so the book on Romeo would be intresting for them too.

C. Sage Deerborn said...

I have never worked with Romeo, so would love winning the book.

LouBird said...

I always enjoy seeing what you're creating! Oh and I would want the book.

Sue said...

I would love to play with the soft sculpt - you're "book" is great!

Wendy said...

I would love the book. Dale's work is fantastic and one idea soon gives me lots more ideas.

smarcoux said...

Hi Maggie
would love to see and have a play with Dale Rollerson ‘Let’s Play with Romeo’
fingers crossed
Sandy

dragonfairy said...

This looks really interesting, would love to have some

Carolyn Shearer said...

I would also love some of the soft sculpt, looks like it could be interesting as a base to stitch into. Thank you. I love the little book you made with the softsculpt, your work is such a great inspiration

Janet Hartje said...

I would love them both. But if you make me chose I would pick the book, no wait, the soft sculpt, no on third thought the book...I really can't decide, you chose for me. Thanks

Maura said...

I need to catch up with the last 3 months WOW but what a feast I have in store!
I would like to discover more about Dales work as new to me.

Unknown said...

I would love to win Dales book on using Romeo.

Anonymous said...

I world love some but I supose I live too far away. Offers are only for residents in U K usually.

Diane said...

Both look like great fun. Love all of your books Maggie. Spending a long weekend with a friend in April to explore your books "Raising the Surface" and "Textile Translations" a little further. We are going to have a blast!!!!! Thanks for writing such wonderful books!!!!