03 September 2006
Here's the little placemat I made with the cross stitch, along with another placemat I made this morning:
That second has a tiny embroidery I did a while ago and forgot about, and it's also got a bit of the centimetre tape Suzy used to tie up the fabric she send me.
I'm making these because I thought they looked so great in the Linen and Cotton book, but also because I've got a china hutch back in the States which I'm eager to fill with pretty things. And I keep thinking how great it would be to open one of its drawers and to have a selection of handmade placemats, each one different and special, just for use with plain old breakfast or lunch or anything.
And then I thought how can I get other people to make them for me wouldn't it be neat if I had a bunch made by my internet friends? (Really, it was the second thing I thought; the crossed out bit is just for comedy.) Having special handmade placemats from pals all over the world would be even better than having a dozen I'd made myself! So I present to you the Prints for Placemats swap.
If you would like to make a placemat for me and my new (future) house, I will send you one of these prints:
The image is only 2.5" x 2.5", but it's printed on a piece of watercolour paper measuring 5" x 7" (see how it's placed here). You can cut it down to fit in a smaller frame, matt it out to a larger size, or just throw it in a frame as-is. Each was printed by me with stamps I carved, and each is numbered.
As far as the placemats go. . . the finished size should be 10" wide by 8" high, but that's about the only restriction. I've been sewing two layers of cotton to the inside to give them some substance, and you can do whatever you want -- use batting or nothing at all. If you need somewhere to start, my favourite styles are modern Japanese design, 30s reproduction prints, and Kaffe Fassett (strictly speaking, he's a person and not a style. . . ).
If you want to be part of my swap, e-mail me (you'll have to replace the [AT] with an @, of course). I've got ten prints to swap, so I really hope there are ten people out there who'd like to make a placemat! Thanks, everybody! If you've e-mailed me and I've replied, you're part of the swap!
I'm going to be sitting nervously in the corner, hoping nobody thinks this is a dumb idea.
I think it's a great idea! ^^ I'd like to make a placemat for you and receive this beautiful bird print! I'll send you my address by mail in a moment and please send me yours.
posted by Joanna at September 3, 2006 04:51 PM
I'm not sure if I have left a comment before - I have been lurking for a quite a while now. I think that it is a lovely idea and a perfect swap.
Your cross stitch turned out beautifully.
posted by caroline at September 3, 2006 07:47 PM
Ooh, what a pretty birdie print!
I'd like to make you a placemat to welcome you back to the U.S. and the midwest. I'm sure you'll get many more offers than you have prints, so if you run out, don't worry about me.
posted by anne at September 3, 2006 09:46 PM
I think the placemats turned out lovely, and I would be thrilled to make a placemat for you! It might be awhile, so even if I'm not getting a limited edition birdie print, I'm still sending it! I would love to see a picture of them all on your new china hutch in your new house. Whee!
posted by Joy Tan at September 4, 2006 05:59 PM
Hi! I would love to trade a placemat for a bird print- if you have any left- I have never really done this before but I've been collecting interesting blogs and love to see other artists work. My stuff is at Calamitykim on Flickr- would you like something beach/Florida/mermaid?
posted by Kim Sherrod at September 5, 2006 03:36 PM
Hi Kim --
I'm afraid I've run out of prints, but thank you for the interest!
posted by Anna at September 5, 2006 03:44 PM
I think its a fab idea! Sorry I missed out.
posted by Leta at September 6, 2006 09:34 PM