From HOC to bag!

This bag started off life on it's journey into being a pillow (HOC) but really the colours were not diverse enough for a true Harem of Colour. So, decided that a bag would fit the bill! Some batting and a lining added and here it is!

The Magical Forest of Good and Evil

Here it is, my Magical Forest of Good and Evil pillow. The light and dark sections of the base are the punched pantyhose-amazingly easy to work with once you get going!
If you look carefully you will see the spiders' web and this has a black swarovski crystal attached for the spider. Watch out!! There is also a snake about!
Sadly, I didn't quite make the top 3 but came in 4th so not too disappointing, especially when I finally got to see the top 3! Well done to the 3 top winners-some great prizes won! You can check out the winning pillows on www.bagsandpillows.com

All 9 pillows were wonderful and unique and showed that we all approached this task in different ways. Well done to all the entrants- we are all winners really as we have learnt so much and come a long way since those early days of punching. Please check out the other certificated Christopher Nejman educators to see the pillows created by my fellow punchers. I am sure that you will gain ideas and inspiration from each one.

So, the question is- how is your adventure in punching land going?.......

The competition!

Competition time was here-finally all would be revealed!

This was to involve working in a slightly different way in that we were to be given a title to work from with a list of what could and couldn't be included in our creations. This meant allowing our own ideas and creativity to be more involved as there wasn't a photo or picture of a finished product to base our work on. Could be exciting, could be scary but what was the title?

The Magical Forest of Good and Evil : This pillow was to made using a special product in the base punching; I wonder, did I have the correct thing? Well the surprise was that we had to incorporate pantyhose ! Yes, you did read that correctly!!
The pillow should also show Christopher's signature technique of free motion stitching as used on the Harem of Colour, as much or as little as suited our theme.
3 days to create a pillow, take 14 beauty shots, step by step photos and notes, and turn this into a PowerPoint presentation. No stress then!! I wish!
Life was hectic in this household whilst I was undertaking my task-threads seemed to be everywhere, on the cats, on the dog, on the food! It's amazing how the little bits seem to stick to your clothes and unaware you distribute them around!!

Well, here we are-the 9 graduates eagerly awaiting the competition day!

Graduates, competition and more punching fun!

Well, all 3 pillows completed for the certification process, photos uploaded and Power Point presentations completed! Phew, so much to get through but pleased to say that get through we did and 9 people made the grade!
The next step was to wait for the Punching Idol contest in which the 9 of us would be able to participate.

What would we have to create? I was thinking, most likely a pillow of some type but what would it be?Hmmm, what things were needed, what supplies should I get?...

Maestoso.....enter the RA!

Majestically he enters- the great sun god RA......or at least the pillow inspired by him!

This is indeed a majestic pillow, in royal purple tones with gold sun rays and decorative stitching to symbolise the geometric architecture of Egypt; the sun rays glisten in the light and the night stars twinkle against the black sky. It is also a majestic pillow in terms of size and weight, all of which help to portray the grandeur of royalty. Not an easy one to photograph well but then "beauty " shots of gods are hard to achieve on the best of days!
Lots of new techniques were employed in creating this pillow and also new presser feet for the sewing machine. One of the amazing things about the punching technique devised by C. Nejman for this pillow, is the transformation of heavy satin into suede, well into suede look alike- you need to try it to see for yourself!
The embellisher or punching machine is indeed magical in the way it transforms fabric into something else- each fabric reacting in it's own way. As they say "You've got to try it to believe it!" I do hope that by coming along with me on this adventure in punching land you are now tempted to do that very thing-give it a try!

New Harem of Colour now revealed!

Things are hotting up and lots to do!
I have now completed my new HOC pillow so am revealing that today- I hope that you can see the jewel tones present and almost "feel" the luxurious feel that this pillow has? It catches the light beautifully - glistens and gleams- very opulent.
The third and final pillow needed for the challenge is the RA- based on the Egyptian sun god himself. This pillow is the "grand" one with it's stature and regal lines. Lots of punching, decorative stitching and more!
My RA pillow is ready and awaiting it's final "beauty" shot to try and capture the majesty of this creation. Get ready for the grand entrance.....

Tropical Winds are blowing!

Well, the forecast is that Tropical Winds are soon to hit these shores!.....
Don't worry, we are not talking about the hurricanes, but the pillows created by Christopher Nejman and given that name... this is the first shot of my newly completed Tropical Winds pillow following the techniques from the book (page 119). This was a hard task and covered new techniques but from wondering where this pillow was going in the early stages of the punching, I now love the colours and the flow.
I hope that I have captured some of the spirit and feeling intended and am pleased to launch this Tropical Wind to these shores! Can you feel it?......