Nature printing

DIY fish printing

Lets start by saying that I am a romantic for you to understand the origin of this post idea. We had a very special fish for 8 years and the day she passed I had this sudden impulse to make a nature printing of her as a keepsake. I had recently read a book about the Japanese art of fish printing on fabric “Gyotaku” and this was the perfect occasion to try. I sewed a simple reversible shopping bag with Simplicity Pattern 1750 and decorated the bag with fabric appliqués made from the fish printings.

DIY how to embellish clothes with nail art supplies

I did another fabric coloring technique using nail art supplies to embellish a denim jacket. If you are interested in learning the technique DIY Grommet jean jacket

Let’s start by a brief story of “Sparky” our beloved blood parrot fish.

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Posting of 14 bespoke jewelry creations

To celebrate Valentine’s day!

I am very excited to announce that you can now view my blog posts on my new Pinterest board named Cardinal Sewing Nest.

When you’ll visit my Pinterest account Cardinal Sewing Nest take the time to browse my boards all related to handmade crafts. I hope that they will inspire you to create your own art work.

Below you will see my 14 bespoke jewelry creations ……

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How to make a rock into a necklace

DIY Beach stone pendant and earrings set

My hubby and I love walking on beaches looking for rocks, sea shells or mermaid tears when we travel. We leave no stone unturned! I know, it really shows that we are tourists, but these treasures are really the best souvenirs!

When we went to the French Antilles Guadeloupe I found this interesting small white stone on the beach of Saint-Francois. The rock had a natural hole through it and the hole was well located in the stone making it perfect to be part of some alluring handmade jewelry.

How to make a rock into a necklace

I made a very simple pendant and earrings set pairing the beach stone with some blue turquoise semi-precious stones, royal blue Swarovski crystals and antique satin finish glass beads. The pendant is the focal point and hangs on a round maille chain to give a nautical vibe to the set. I build the jewelry using black metallic split rings, eye-pins, headpins and earring wires for a little a contrast. I like the summer feel of the ensemble. Do you?

View my custom postcards from Guadeloupe…..

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DIY spool loom cord knitted scarf crochet leaves

DIY spool loom cord knitted scarf

We use to call it corking, or French knitting (in French a spool loom is called “tricotin“) what use to be a way to teach children how to knit has now become a trendy way for people of all ages to make cool stuff. From easy items like this scarf above made from the cord knitted with a spool loom, called I-cord, to eternity scarves knitted on round looms and afghans knitted on rake looms, the Web abounds with tutorials on how to knit just about anything in fancy and intricate stitches.

UPDATE: in this post I have included two other spool loom knitted scarves that I have made since. One of the i-cord scarf is knitted in poly/cotton threads and embellished with a crochet flower and some hand beading. The other scarf is knitted with 100% wool and is decorated with inserted beads and jewelry.

I was first attracted by spool knitting when I saw this image on Pinterest…

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Stained glass Geisha panel

I made this stained glass panel about 8 years ago, I used Youghiogheny Stipple glass for the sunset, Youghiogheny Mottled glass for her hair, Youghiogheny Oceana glass for the frame. These high quality glass render a fabulous 3D effect when illuminated with by the sun.

View the project prior to assembly.

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Fused glass necklace and earring sets

DIY necklace and earring set

I purchased this fused glass pendant from a stall selling local crafts in Oistins, Barbados, where tourists join in with locals at the Friday night Fish Fry and “lime” social gathering. I LOVE the colours and the bubbles in the glass.

I made the necklace and the earrings choosing beads matching the exact colours found in the fused pendant, and re-created an “Anthurium” flower found in Barbados, to complete the feel of the Caribbean.

Ahh…. I want to go back to Barbados.

Lily of the valley bespoke earrings

I love spring flowers, especially lily of the valley’s fragrant tiny scalloped bells. I read that in the Language of flowers the Lily of the Valley flower means “the return of happiness”. And …Ah! do they ever bring happiness back for me! The elation to see greenery again after the sight of a colorless long winter. Spring flowers announce that spring is in full efflorescence, and when spring is in full gears it means that all is possible again.

This delicate flowers inspired me to craft this earring set that I will pair with a distinct Lily of the valley scent during this joyful energetic month of May.

What does spring make you feel like? Are you full of the joys of spring?

Ah! I cannot wait for the lilac trees to bloom.

How about you? Do you have a favorite spring flower?

Au revoir!

Color palette: The “Sugar craving” series

Chromotherapie_Chromotherapy photo by Carole Cardinal — CHROMOTHÉRAPIE _ CHROMOTHERAPY

One of my hobbies is taking pictures, I especially enjoy taking macros of flowers. One day I was having fun taking pictures of a bouquet I had received from a friend the day before. Then I had an idea to stage the flowers with candies in search of interesting color combinations and visual interest. I went to the local grocery store, purchase LOTS of bags of goodies of all colours and shapes and for the next two days I took about one hundred pictures with different types of candies. Hum… I should of weighed myself before and after those two days of shooting,

View the other colour palettes part of this photography series.

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Paris door knockers photo montage

Post card from Paris

Color of Parisian doors — PORTES DE PARIS PORTES DU PARADIS

I went to Paris the first time for my 50 ieth birthday. I could talk for hours about this beautiful city and its neighborhoods. I was fascinated by the craftsmanship of the door knockers. Ah! the color of Parisian doors. Here’s a Photoshop collage (Post card/ travel art) of my favorite door knockers hope you enjoy them too!

À la prochaine!

Welcome to my very first blog post!

Aspiring Photography by Carole Cardinal

Cardinal Sewing Nest very first blog post

Why am I starting a sewing and DIY blog of my own?

After all we are now reading articles stating that the Millennial’s cannot sew and have stopped practicing this ancient skill (?!!). I also read that people are now born into houses that do not have a sewing machine for the past two generations. A phenomenon that I have also witnessed among my own family and friends.

On the other hand, we are also reading encouraging articles saying that sewing is revived, that home sewing is a growing trend and that the crafts industry is enjoying a resurgence.

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