dear diary : part 6 – I’m stumped

14/01/20
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I’m taking part in a collaborative textile art project in which 12 of us contribute to 12 cube templates which will eventually become 3D cubes. Last night I started on my second cube template, you can see the first one here. The technique I used is known as Amish Stumpwork , you can see some examples of it here . I used one of the pieces from this set that I got as a gift from the very generous, and very talented textile artist Ruth Zanoni .

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You can find a tutorial on the technique here
I chose a metal flower shape that fitted nicely on the cube face.

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I stitched over each petal with variegated cotton thread, this is about 3 hours of continuous stitching.

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This morning I woke up with a tingle of anticipation that I had something fun to do today, oh, aye, my Amish Stumpwork is waiting to be cut open!

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I filled in the spaces with stitches , then snipped them but I actually think it looked better before I did that. Ach weel, too late now.

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I might outline it in a solid colour to make it more defined, or should I leave it as is, what d’you think?

I made this decorated envelope for a Swapbot swap, I used some of my own handpainted and stencilled papers, and some I bought.

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I’ve got another half dozen postcard swaps out in the world, but I like to wait until they arrive with the recipient before I post them online. For the Swapbot swaps the recipient leaves one of these ratings..

•  5 – I got my stuff and it met posted swap requirements. This was an extra special package. Give a heart!
•  3 – I got my stuff, but it didn’t meet the posted swap requirements.
•  1 – I never got anything.

I get an email to say I have received a new rating, and it’s a wee thrill each time to go onto the site to see if I got a 1, 3 or 5 and the all important heart.
So far I’ve completed 52 swaps, and scored 50 5’s, no 3’s and no 1’s.
I think I should have some 1’s because I know that some of my mail has never arrived, but maybe the supposed recipients have not given up hope.
And seeing as how you’re asking, I have earned 46 hearts.
Only one card I sent that I thought deserved a heart didn’t get one, and I must admit I was a chagrined until I went and properly read the persons profile with their likes and dislikes, and it turns out they dislike handmade cards. Lesson learned.

15/01/20
Bit of Swapbot activity to report, my collaged postcard on the theme of “Dance” arrived in the USA. Was deemed heart worthy, I’m glad to say.

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I received this fab “Doodle Bombed” card from Belgium, it’s done in metallic pens, but the photo doesn’t do it’s shininess justice.
You can see more of the artists work here
You can see the one I sent for the swap here

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Amish Stumpwork update : we had a powercut this morning and I picked up the cube with thoughts to outlining flower with green French Knots, by the natural daylight from the window. Just as I threaded the needle, the power came back on and I nipped into the kitchen sharpish to use the toaster before it went off again. I’ve finished my toast and the power is still on, so maybe it’s a sign not to do it?