This morning I prepared another batch of rusted fabrics to add to the collection.  I try to keep some 'on the go' all the time as it's quite a lengthy technique especially as I often re-rust the pieces a second or even third time if they need more detail or depth of colour.

Elastic bands help to keep the fabric in contact with the object so the rust transfers easily.  Even better, thread can be used to secure the fabric around the rusted object and thus gets 'rusted' at the same time - ideal for hand stitching to create a co-ordinated look.

The more this technique is done, the more you learn how to control the mark-making and achieve the results you're after.

Above I've created linear marks by folding the fabric into pleats on a rusted bar.

The rusted pieces are going to work well in combination with these discharged pieces sharing a similar colour palette.  I've used bleach on a closely woven black cotton fabric to get the rich colours.

This is my next client quilt loaded and ready for quilting on the longarm.  It's a Celtic style 'snake' appliqué design and is going to get free motion snake-like vermicelli stitching.

Here's the final batch of an order of Laura and Jamie's 'Fingerprint' fabrics which have been printed ready for making up into gorgeous silk hankies in a selection of 24 designs.

Today's batch of damson and plum jam is the last one for this year.

And a Thomas update.
Wearing a pair of bootees made by my lovely neighbour Olga in France.  Merci beaucoup Olga!

Here he is having a chuckle in the Jungle gym!

There's still a little colour to photograph in the hedgerows along our lane at the moment.

and young pheasants everywhere! 

On a recent visit to Nantwich I had a very quick look in St. Mary's in the town centre.

The Stumpwork below is just one of the many attractions in the fascinating church.

Stumpwork is a style of embroidery where the stitched figures are raised from the surface of the work to form a 3 dimensional effect.

The are stunning stained glass windows too.

Quirky gargoyles above the arched doorway.

Above is one of the motifs forming the intricate mosaic floor.

The equally intricate wooden ceiling.

A Thomas update.

Sunday School Workshop.

Thanks Laura for a great creative opportunity!

Thanks Linda for delicious home made food!

Today's ladies concentrating hard on their work.

My workspace laden with exciting materials.

My lizard theme using discharge, painted bondaweb, monoprinting & stamping.

Rusted fabrics worked well as background.
I'm glad I remembered to also stamp some sketchbook pages.

I love the allover stamped black text on the lightly rusted fabric.

My vase of poppy seedheads got text treatment too.

More allover text to cut into for my series of quilted shoulder bags.  When making quilted bags on a regular domestic machine the gusset and straps can be difficult to stitch due to so many layers of fabric and wadding coming together in the same place.  I'm looking forward to putting a recently purchased sewing machine through its paces to see if the special gliding foot copes with bulk as claimed by the manufacturers!

Another fascinating visit to Blists Hill living museum.

This knowledgeable volunteer was full of interesting facts about how life was in Victorian times.  

With a similar action to that of a treadle sewing machine, this is a fret saw used by the onsight woodcarver who specialises in making rocking horses.  The ingenious mini bellows alongside the saw blade blows away the sawdust so the operator can see what he's doing.

The iconic pithead alongside the canal at Blists Hill adds to the dramatic industrial landscape of the Ironbridge area.

This steam powered carousel with its nostalgic music of a bygone era and its brightly painted array of horses and giant cockerels was too tempting to pass by.  My trusty steed was 'Elton' on the outside - they go faster!

Festival of Quilts 2013.

 Yet another great show at the NEC, Birmingham.

These amazing photos were on the stand featuring Banjara works of art.

The African Shop with its gorgeous goodies.

Fun as well as an inspirational array of materials on the Art van Go stand.

La Placette des Arts in Tarascon old town is in full swing during July and August.

By day a permanent exhibition space, above.
By night regular live music.

The streets are as pretty as a picture.
And all just around the corner from home!

Volunteers have been very busy cleaning and tidying l'église de la Daurade opposite our house in Place Garrigou so it's now gleaming.

These plums along the chemin des papillons are ripe for the picking.

But that sounds like far too much hard work on a hot day!