The first Hairsticks

Yesterday I finally started with my first hairsticks! I decided to test with paint first on a couple of sticks, so I bought a basecoat and paint from 2 different brands.The painting itself was not very hard, but it was good to try out. I found that I need to improve my techniques a bit since I have hardly any experience with paint.
I am happy about the results though.

I added the basecoat to all 3 sticks, the stick on the left I painted with purple acryl.
On the stick at the back I added a effect paint, it was supposed to be blue but turned out more like violet.
The stick on the right is the purple acryl with the effect paint over it.
That also became my favorite stick! the colors come out so pretty!

The effect paint takes long to dry, so I have to stay patient for a while longer, I will be able to add the finishing coat tomorrow evening, after that I will be able to test how the paint holds. I am certainly very curious to that!

Last week I was back in NL for a while and I bought a small amount of beads, mostly semi precious like Onyx, Amethyst and Jade. I can't wait to work with them but it makes me a bit nervous as well.

but, in the worst case scenario I can take them of a stick when it does not work and use them again.

English rose pillow front.

A couple of weeks ago I bought a ruler for on my sewing machine. 

I always found it quite difficult to make straight lines next to each other, but with this extra accessoire it is much more easy! At first I practiced on some leftover fabric, but soon after that I decided to try it out on a soon to be pillowcase. I love the effect, it is so simple but it adds a lot to it. 

About the fabric, I found it in a quilting shop last month, I fell in love right away.the colors are so soft, and the print is simply gorgeous! I think I would describe it as romantic.I would love to make a big quilt with this type of fabric.Prints with English roses always have my weakness I suppose.

Meanwhile I am working on some other projects as well, I found a picture of a gorgeous white summer dress. Of course it was impossible to find a pattern for it, so now I am trying to draw the pattern myself. Up till now that seems to be fine. but I know little problems will still be on the way!

I hope to get this dress ready for summer. the color is yet undecided though. The idea of white really speaks to me, but it is a long dress and I do not want it to become like a wedding dress.

someone said mint green would be nice, and I am certainly keeping that open as an option!

I also received some cute lace collars by mail this week, I have some idea's for them and I hope that will work out. More about that later!