Friday 26 May 2017

Making art out of a tennis racquet

Hello. I'm having to choose the times I go outside because it's swelteringly hot out there. Early morning is best when the sun is behind the trees, then late afternoon early evening when the sun is over the other side of the house. I'm halfway through painting the garage doors, and have painted a couple of pots. The lawns are mowed, and the wheelie bin is full of hedge trimmings, and they don't collect it until Wednesday. I did my walk last night at 9pm, nice and cool. 
Sounds daft but the hot weather is keeping me indoors, but hey, I've been getting on with this tennis racquet project and now it's finished. You may remember I bought it for £1 at a car boot sale a few months back. 

 Make a template out of paper and check if I have made enough embroidered circles.

Wrap the frame of the racquet in strips of red velvet, and add white/silver wool.

A piece of snooker table green baize for the background, with strips of green fabric machined on.

Arrange circles and hand stitch them on, using the same stitching adding to the designs already there. Sequins and beads then added to make it sparkly.

I backed the green baize with a piece of old blanket to make it thicker.

Pin it in place and hand sew it together with tiny green stitches. Silver sequins and tiny yellow beads decorate the frame. The back is completely covered with a piece of red felt.








I'm well chuffed with this, it's exactly how I pictured it when I thought of the idea. It reminds me of sea anenomies swaying in a gentle flowing rock pool.

The weekend is here, and it's a Bank Holiday, enjoy. I hope you are all keeping up with your walking, I am ahead in miles but still aiming to get out most days. I feel as if I am cheating if I do not walk. Thank you to Elaine for the package, the fabric is lovely and will be used for something special.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

30 comments:

  1. Its a fabulous piece, beautiful. I cant sew for toffee but do admire it. I am the same with the heat. Love the evenings best.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is truly gorgeous! All the colors, designs, sparkle, and textures - wow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Absolutely stunning and I love the beads and sequins round the edge. You are so clever.
    Enjoy the weekend and hope it is not to hit fir you, I love the warm weather, kit get up early and do whatever needs doing then I can sit and read outside, I still need to rest a bit after my operation.
    Enjoy whatever you are going to do.
    Hazel c uk

    ReplyDelete
  4. Another fabulous piece of art Ilona.You are a very talented lady.A housecoat or dressing gown of similar style would look cool for you to relax in.I shouldn't complain ,but the heat does drain me.Went for dog walk,but not a brisk pace .Stopping in the shade talking dog quite a bit.Lily found mud to lay in so happy.On return home baths to wash off the mud.Then Lily was in her paddling pool again and top dog,mop dog and me under the apple tree x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know why I put a ? I didn't mean to sorry.I kept pressing all the wrong things.It's touch screen and my fingers are a bit numb and I kept losing the message and re-writing x

      Delete
  5. We're massive tennis fans (adore Wimbledon and have been lucky to visit) so this is probably our favourite art project so far; a really creative mind to accomplish it, with such detail and beautiful colours. It is hot today and should be until Monday, finally the summer has arrived, perhaps. Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  6. Really detailed work. Natalie

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't usually comment, but I absolutely love this. It is so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your finished racquet and all the tiny shiny things - I bet it looks good on your wall - it's a keeper :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is a lovely piece of art! So creative.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your new work of art has brought a smile to my face. It is just lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful! Your creativity always amazes me.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I absolutely love your new art creation. It's a stunning design. Pat xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Absolutely stunning Ilona! Your ability to see beyond the obvious is incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great work of art Ilona, so colourful! I absolutely love the hot weather and have been out and about for three days. I hate the winter and am so glad to be able to shove coats and boots away for a bit, plus the lighter mornings and longer eves give me much more energy. Unfortunately awoke to thunder at 4 am and now it is grey and cool for the bank holiday down here in the south. Probably not worth people sitting in traffic queues to come down here tbh, as it's now back to raincoats and gloom:(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a bright side with the change in the weather for you Kate,at least it hopefully will be a bit less crowded where you are .I'm odd as when I go on my holiday I quite enjoy getting a bit wet as there are a few less other holidaymakers whilst I'm out walking my dogs x

      Delete
  15. I love your art.That would make a great present for anyone who plays tennis.I bet it would sell for a very good price at your Fundraising stalls!!,Although,i dont blame you if you want to keep it!Its beautiful...Well,its gone dull here in Leic today,still warm though.To be honest,i cant sit in the sun as long as i used to when i was younger.Yesterday,i pulled my sunchair into the shade,put a floppy straw hat on and read my free mags!Covered in high factor suncream.....Oh..and while im in the middle of writing this...it has started raining really heavy!!,Lol,Debi,Leic,x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Since it's so hot here in the US all summer long ( plus tons of insects out in the heat) your
    Schedule is what we do all summer long....which is why I love being in the UK in the summer!
    Love your art...you are. SO talented! Amazing things you come up with! Would love to have a scrap store here!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Absolutely brilliant this is one I have to have a go at.
    Your projects fill me with inspiration and energy to do something creative

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is so lovely. You have a great imagination. I love your use of colour and I can see why you enjoyed Portmeirion so much!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well,when i last left a comment,this morning it was raining,really hard.....So i thought..lets do something usefull....so after 3 more coffees,lol,I sorted a pile of stuff out for the animal charity shop.Anything with any marks on...went in the rag bin....when you have 5 cats you need plenty of those,lol..Then while i was there,i picked up a pair of Timpsons...vintage ankle boots..for a pound.Win,win!!!,I will wear these forever cause i love them!,Lol,Hope that you have had a great day!,Debi,Leic,x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll look the cats Whisker's with your new boots and recent Barbour coat and all for £2 ! Plus all the bags you left for the charity will help those little sweethearts x

      Delete
    2. Oh,Thank you Flis..I am so pleased to donate and get a loved item at the same time!,My Barbour coat has already been worn 5 times,it is a light weight one and ideal for this time of the year,Best Wishes,Debi,Leic,x

      Delete
  20. You always amaze me with your art! Very clever!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jokingly, I said to myself, "Good g*d, what's the girl up to now?" and then I saw the end result of your tennis racquet art and it is so beautiful, Ilona! I'd rather have that than Ms Emin's unmade bed or Hirst's pickled sheep any day!
    Margaret P

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yes that is so pretty. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love your tennis racket. In awe of your creativity, it looks fabulous! Reminds me how much I enjoy making things, and I really need to carve out more time to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  24. You are so clever!! Love all of your projects!

    ReplyDelete

Some comments will be accepted. I decide which are published.