Influencing Your Style

Have you seen those French inspired linens that have written words as a motif? I really like that style and decided to use it in my latest project...new place mats for Shabbat. I designed the place mats using fabric scraps left over from other projects. The word Shabbat was first planned out and written on drawing paper. This was taped to the desk and the scrap of fabric was placed over it and also taped down to the desk. The word could be seen through the fabric and I proceeded to trace it using a #2 calligraphy tip and acrylic ink. I tested several colors of ink and decided to use black.

I added other sections of fabric and finished them off.

I had just enough fabric of each color to make two place mats. Since it's just my husband and me, two place mats are just perfect.

The word I chose to use for my place mats may not be in French but it does give a sense of the style I'm trying to achieve. I'm hoping that my readers will be inspired to take the style they like and make it their own.

As an after thought for non-sewers or those who don't want to, consider using ready made place mats and write your thoughts and/or designs on those using fabric markers. And add words to pretty napkins to match.

A Little Sparkle For Shabbat

I use to decorate for 'the holidays' in my old life but now, since coming into walking in the 613 principles of the Torah, I enjoy decorating for the Feast Days of Yahweh. Since we are a distance away from the fall Feasts and wanting to keep in celebration mode, I designed something I can display every Shabbat. As you know keeping the Sabbath is what marks Yahweh's people as His own. Now I can remind the world that Shabbat is here when I hang this display.

I found the idea for this hanging on another blogs I sometimes follow. One blogger calls this a  'bunting'. I created it by making a triangle template from cardboard. Then I trace around the template onto felt. I cut out two triangle shapes for each letter and sewed them together for stiffness. the now-sewer could just glue the triangles together. I proceeded to freehand paint the letters on using good quality silver acrylic craft paint. Cheap paint doesn't have enough pigment in it and will be too transparent for this project. You may have to put two or three coats of paint on. Next I outlined the letter with silver glitter glue. When that dried I hand stitched silver rope trim to each letter in which to hang my bunting with.

Closeup of my letter.

A Substitution

After my last post about a project which I considered a flop, I've been working on a much better project. But alas, I realized I couldn't complete it in time for today's post so I worked up a substitute. I enjoy displaying little pillows of all kinds in our home. Sometimes they are displayed on shelves and sometimes in baskets.

If you've been reading my past posts you'll notice that I include words in many of my projects. By including words in Hebrew it helps me remember  how to spell them in Yahweh's language. The following counted cross stitch is my own design. Yes, I know the challah loaf doesn't look quite right so bear with me. It's the artist's interpretation that counts. 

Glass beads were added to represent candle flames.

Deu 5:12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD your God has commanded you.

My First Challah Cover

I've found so many pretty and interesting challah covers available on  the internet it's hard to choose one over another. So,of course, I decided to create my own. I had leftover material from other projects so for me the only cost was sewing thread, electricity to run my sewing machine and time to create. Have a look.

Shabbat (in Hebrew letters)

My favorite technique is hand applique but this time I decided to attach the letters by using an iron on webbing. Then I outlined the letters with a gold paint pen.  I've had the lace and gold trim forever in my stash and I have no idea where or why I purchased it, but it was just the right touch to finish it out.

I guess I'll be started a challah cover collection... one for every Feast Day!