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This is intended to be mainly about my crafting stories, as a personal record of what I do. However, I interpret crafting quite widely, not just paper crafting but other things too. I have a butterfly mind and like to change from one thing to another depending on what I feel like on a given day - knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, cards, baking and several others, including my favourite right now, parchment, both traditional skills and Groovi, very relaxing and calming to do.

I have decided to put some structure into my blog so that each day will have something of a theme.
Monday- for Mindfulness; Tuesday - Tidy Up Day; Wednesday - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday; Thursday - Technique and Tips; Friday - Finish Off Day; Saturday - Start Something New; Sunday - Anything Goes
These themes are not hard and fast and will be changed if I feel the need.

Sunday, 24 March 2019

Mishaps, Part Two

Yesterday, I posted pictures of two PTCs that were less than acceptable and were full of mistakes.  Today I took them both to my parchment class with Patricia White to show her how bad they were.  Towards the end of the class, she took the embossed one, with the number 3 tool, and just, very gently, stroked the embossing in a couple of sections.  The difference was huge and is a very good example of why you should not give up on a piece of work.


For those who did not read the original post about this tiny piece of parchment, I was cross with myself for being in too much of a hurry and just being too impatient.  This resulted in ugly, lumpy embossing.

I truly thought that this was one piece of parchment that was heading for the bin.  However, Pat worked on the top left sections, and I think it is clear to see the improvement there already.  She thinks that, with time and patience, it will improve a lot more.

I think I will just work it very softly over the next few days, leaving it to rest every night.  I will keep to the number 3 tool to smooth it out as much as possible.

My original idea when posting these on Saturday was to give encouragement to those who are struggling and show that people who have been parching for a long time do get it wrong.  However, after today, it is turning into showing that even apparent problems can be turned round with a little help and a lot of patience.

Don't discard what you think is a disaster.  Set it aside for a while, with a note to say what you did and why you think it has not been successful.  Then, when you can discuss it with someone with much more experience.  You will, almost certainly, be able to rescue some if not all.

One thing that Pat reminded us of this morning that often what we see as accidents and problems can and have led to new discoveries.  Your "disaster" just might lead to a new technique.

5 comments:

Jane said...

Oh how lovely that you will be able to rescue this. It made me think about things I have started and given up on in the past. I might dig them out!
I suppose though it's similar to making a really inky or painty background. You get half way through and you look at your work and think it's rubbish but if you can get over that stage and continue it turns out to be fantastic. It's the bigger picture you have to consider not the here and now.
Good luck with completing it Maggie and I hope we get to see the finished piece in the future! Hugs xxx

Sue C said...

Thanks for posting the update, certainly puts a new slant on it all. Note to self - do not give in, leave it alone & go back to it later. Having just spent a couple of hours trying to get my colour printer to work so I could print out 3 photos for my Mums Mothering Sunday present I am off to bed x

Lynne Bishop said...

DometiSom even leaving a printer alone for 24hours is enough to get it working properly. Mine is very temperamental but I will not change it because when it is working properly it is brilliant. X

Lynne Bishop said...

Well done Maggie. You will sort it. Class yesterday was very good lots of information. Shame I had to leave a bit early. Look forward to seeing the finished piece. X

Christine said...

Thank you for sharing you work it is very helpful for me, I do so wish we had a parchment clsas up here in East Ayrshire to go to. I rely on all of you who are more experienced. Thanks again.... Christine xx