01/22/2015
this morning
I've been sampling this morning, moving ideas along for Swathed in Stitch. It's
not work, it's like the best playtime ever! There is work on paper to
finish and mount but the most exciting bit starts later today, actually
stitching something on silk. I have a plan, the girls will see it first
but I am itching to get going. I'm also going to make more lace for the
new piece , lace like you saw yesterday.
Remember this cloth I had printed? I've been cutting that up this morning. I am trying, (trying hard honest) to get some kind of stuff happening for London. I will need to order more of the doodle cloth, order silk scrim, order silk muslin, create little pouches for my ''little bags of cloth''. I want to finish the hankie cloth, finish the body bag....I feel a list coming on.
(there is a short video in the post embedded in the body bag link)
01/21/2015
as promised.....
I promised yesterday, the lace, remember? Here it is.......I want to make more. I want to spend every day making this, all day. Then again I feel like that about other pieces too...not enough days never mind hours.....
It looks different now. It's been laid over another embroidered piece. It's informing new work that's yet to be started. I will show you the two pieces together soon, this one and the one it's laid upon, I will show you how that looks.
01/20/2015
loops, checks and a single bump
Good morning!! I'm early, I have to go out for an hour and chose to be early rather than late. I put this together yesterday afternoon, More hankies, snippets, offcuts on a white cotton base. So far there are bullion loops, French knots, stab stitches and a single bumpy bit edged with green silk chain stitch. I do love that green silk thread, it's gorgeous to work with and can you tell I love folding these things.....it's becoming an obsession.
Do you remember this? It's finished now. I'm just a little bit in love with it, with the process, with the end result.....I will show you tomorrow.
01/19/2015
you haven't come to the wrong place....
Did I confuse you? I do apologise. The first pocket, the first pillow....quite probably. I made these in another life and came across them again yesterday. I hadn't forgotten about them, they were just resting, relaxing.....in a box. I have put them in the shop but if they don't get adopted it doesn't matter. I will keep them, only not in a box. I will keep them in full view, love them a little more, (I always loved them, just not enough)
01/18/2015
dilemma....
I can't decide which way to fold this one, this pocket. Should I go with the top image or the second image? I'm leaning towards the top image but then the back isn't as interesting on that one. Maybe I should work a little more on the back, create the interest.
And did you notice that a little strip of Liberty fabric sneaked it's way onto this last night? I wanted something to ''lift'' the piece and to fill a space. It works better than I thought it would, doesn't look out of place yet is unexpected. I'm thinking Liberty is the way to go in order to achieve that certain something on the other side. Good thing my ironing board is up then, off I trot to press a scrap of Liberty.
01/17/2015
does this count?
Does it? Count as in''you will only see white for a couple of days'' like I said earlier this week? It's mostly white. It has been in progress for a while so I decided to finish it and maybe make it into a pocket. I do have a couple of other little, unfinished pieces that will also get finished over the next few days.
I pin tucked this silk in Simply Stitch 5. Since then I have added bullion knots, French knots, some wrapped threads and a lot of buttonhole lace edges. There is perhaps another one hour of stitching left to do on the surface before it is damp stretched again and finished.
The cloth from yesterday, the unfinished wrapping cloth, do you remember? I have decided not to square it off and finish it as it is now. I have decided to extend it and complete it as I originally intended. That won't happen in a hurry but when it starts to happen you will be the first to see it.
A public service announcement now for my Swathed in Stitch girls. Your post will arrive in the next few hours. I am stitching my fingers to the bone. Don't stand by your computers though, you may get cramp!!
01/16/2015
white
I worked on white yesterday. White bullion knots on white Broderie Anglaise which was laid on white silk with some piping cord in that mix too. When I started to take pictures this morning I thought it may be a bit too much of a shock for you seeing the stark white piece on its own, also a little boring maybe? Hence the addition of a piece of ''old'' white. An unfinished wrapping cloth made mostly from vintage pieces. One thing though, laying the old piece alongside yesterdays piece illustrates how bullion knots and cross stitch have been a theme here for quite some time.
This has also got me thinking about the ''old'' piece. It really wouldn't take much to finish that one. I could add to it, make it bigger or I could square it off, back it, titivate the edges and voila. If I were to do that I would have a small cloth, 35 x 20 inches. (90 x 53 cm) Having said that, a cloth that size would be acceptable, usable. It would definitely keep my feet warm. I see another toe wrap in my future.
01/15/2015
are you ready for another one?
Another pillow, another one to compliment this one. Today's pillow has a buttonhole lace edge as opposed to a running stitch edge. This one also has row of what I like to call ''droplets'', ''ringlets'', little bullion knot loops that hang freely.
There won't be any colour for a day or two now. I have a white piece newly started which I added bullion knots to last night. Hopefully I will have made enough progress with that before I go to bed today to damp stretch it for tomorrow. I then want to work some more on the lace piece from yesterday. It's taking every ounce of self control I have to let that one lie whilst I get on with other things.
01/14/2015
lace......
Lace, lace, lace......lace cloth. It's going to be an overlay, that's the plan. It's going to lay over the cross stitch and hexagon piece. That will depend firstly on it working, working as I envisage it will work and secondly on whether I can put it down, stop embroidering on it. If I can restrain the stitch to the planned minimum or whether I won't be able to control myself and embroider it to death which is very tempting as it's so wonderful to handle.
This is happening in 'swathed in stitch'. I need to exercise some self control or we will never move on, we will spend 12 weeks stitching on this one piece.
After posting yesterdays offering i noticed something. Did you? I noticed a distinct lack of white. OK, this piece today is mostly white but it's not pure white, white and nothing else. I have remedied that this morning, put something else together. White, white and more white. Embroidery on that will begin this evening starting with bullion knots. I haven't done any of those for all of 24 hours.
01/13/2015
different stages of ''new''.
Yesterday I mentioned that the second pillow top was being embellished with cross stitch hearts. Here it is, cross stitch completed, bullion knots and French knots added, damp stretched and ready to be finished into another pillow. It is photographed alongside my recent work, newish work, not as new as the piece finished last night but new all the same.
It's good to group things together like this. It serves as a reminder that you haven't in fact been quite as idle as you think. Get it all together, look, appreciate the time you have spent with stitch.
01/12/2015
a pillow
One of the pillow tops from yesterdays post has now magically transformed itself into an actual finished pillow. Wow.....it all came together so quickly at the end. I backed it, I stuffed it, I hand finished all four edges with running stitch and I then made seven tiny puffs to adorn the top. These are tied on giving the reverse a quilted appearance.
This will be coming to London with me. I have plans to create so many things for London. If I manage to get them all done there is a danger there won't be any room for me in the car. Then again, I may not get half of it done so I'm not panicking yet.
The second piece from yesterday is in the process of being titivated with a little cross stitch. That may be done by tomorrow but the actual pillow will take a little longer because of damp stretching and everything which comes after. Yes, you've guessed it, backing, stuffing and titivating.
Meanwhile......lace. Yes, lace is being created over in 'swathed in stitch'. I'm just a little bit in love with that and hope to share on here on Wednesday.
01/11/2015
piping and points
These two pillow tops have now been extended. The piece on the right in this image now has a strip of Liberty fabric, attached to the original piece with covered piping cord along with three over sized Prairie points made from spotty cloth. The piping cord has been embellished with bullion knots. This one is finished. It just needs to be backed and stuffed before the edges are hand finished with embroidery.
The piece on the left in this image (the same image) now has a strip of covered piping cord extending across what was a plain piece of silk. Again, the cord is embellished with bullion knots and I have plans to add cross stitch to the open areas of silk. If all goes to plan I should have two finished pillows by the middle of the week ready to take to London.
For the rest of today I will be in ledger mode. That means ink and a pencil and most likely a lot of bad drawing and a lot of activity around the rubbish bin.
01/10/2015
abc and a tiny scrap of lace
Sampling, sampling and more sampling. Sampling central. Did I mention that I'm sampling? I love sampling. It's never wasted. If it doesn't amount to anything it's a ledger addition, an integral part of a new page or a new sheet. It's win win.
These two, the cross stitch lettering and the lace scrap will be incorporated into ledger pages, sheets. It wasn't a wasted exercise. The lace will be developed, the alphabet cross stitch helped me make a decision on which was my preferred alphabet pattern. (swathed in stitch girls, ignore what I say in the video today, I prefer the other one now....again....)
OK, I have a date with my sewing machine. BUT......I need to stop watching this first. I can't help it. It's an obsession.
01/09/2015
two pieces, with bumps.
Two new pieces are taking shape. They will be pillows, most likely pin pillows as they aren't very big. Both of these pieces have bumpy bits, bullion knots and bullion loops. One has French knots and prairie points, the other has a few tiny cutwork 'medallion' like thingies. One piece has a spotty background, the other a plain background.
Meanwhile, I took this picture yesterday, of my table as I was preparing to make the ''basics'' video for swathed in stitch. Yes, we're still on the basics. It's only week one. You can still join us if you like.
01/08/2015
piecing
More hankie scraps have been pieced for another pocket. There is minimal embroidery on here at the moment, it's in the very early stages. Two rows of buttonhole lace, one white coton a broder one a single strand of green silk. The very narrow strip of grey check hankie is attached with one strand of green silk too using tiny stab stitches along both edges. My vintage men's hankie stash is dwindling, I need to go on a hunt. I hoped to make at least six of these for London and I still need to use vintage men's hankies for buttons which will finish the hankie cloth. My eyes will be peeled!!
It must be the season for running out of supplies. This morning I had to order some of this and rather a lot of this. Tools of my trade....yet an absolute delight to get in the mail.
01/07/2015
the latest pocket
This is this from the other day. It's been titivated and lined and fondled quite a few times, it's another pocket. I do love these pockets, I could fondle them, play with them all day. Yesterday afternoon I put another one together, piecing scraps of hankies with some spotty cotton. That one also has checks and a tiny corner from a vintage hankie. You will see it later this week, meantime I've been busy with more paper based stuff and a little machine embroidery for class. My ''to do'' list gets longer every time I play, every time I begin to sample because that's what sampling does, it gives you more ideas as if you haven't got enough ideas already. Then again, I have days where I am completely devoid of ideas so writing them down when they appear could turn into some kind of ''desperation'' list for my blank days.
I'm waffling now. Be quiet Karen.
01/06/2015
the second one
This piece will live with this piece and form a collection, at least that's the plan. The next one is already taking shape in my head so that's me on track to have a minimum of three pieces. There may be more but there won't be less.
This work, with lettering, hexagons and cross stitch is evolving in ''swathed in stitch''. I'm working them hard already over there.
The pocket from yesterday is now finished. It is backed, it's turned and the edges have been titivated. I will show you that tomorrow. I now have five pockets, three for the hankie cloth and two for London. I need more. How many? Haven't a clue but I may piece another one later today and I must make more buttons. That's my afternoon taken care of.
01/05/2015
almost finished
Pockets are making a temporary return, namely finishing this one. Two rows of buttonhole lace have been added as have some wrapped cords. All that is left is the lining, the turning and the titivating. I may be in swathed in stitch mode but i'm also in London mode and this will be coming with me. Did I mention I may have to hire a truck for that?
If you are registered for Swathed in Stitch you should have received all the sign in information along with access to the class blog this morning. If you haven't received that then please let me know immediately if not sooner!!
01/04/2015
from paper to cloth
The first hexagon ledger page, or sheet of paper is being extended. I'm filling time before tomorrow with something I can share with you without compromising the content of my new class. You saw this sheet a while ago and I wanted to move some aspects of it along so I got out my needle and doodled a little.
I do hope you can see the connection here, the tiny dot flowers on the paper, the tiny dot flowers on the cloth. There is mileage here I know it. Where else can I go with it, that's what's on my mind now....the thinking cap is on.
(if you have signed up for swathed in stitch your flickr video is imminent, stand by your computers!)
01/03/2015
adding hexagons
Hexagons, wonderful hexagons.....(I'm back by the way, back for good, back to normal posting, normal stitching, normal waffling). The hexagons are now permanently attached to the cross stitch piece. The layout is different to this initial idea. I changed my mind, what can I say.
You may find this hard to believe because I can't quite believe it myself but I have big plans for this, this idea. I can't believe it because at the moment the plans are confused, not written down. That will teach me to make a note of things when they pop into my head but I am in the process of delving deep into my brain to seek them out again and write them in huge letters on something prominent.
Suffice to say that there are sampling ideas with cloth and stitch along with many ideas for a ledger which have all been born by this piece. This ''collection'' this theme is going to be explored to death over in ''swathed in stitch'' which begins on Monday. We will also be giving this a lot of attention too. It's not too late if you want to join us. I can absolutely promise that you will learn something, even if it's only how much more I am capable of waffling, how inept I am at remembering to bring my scissors, my needles, my thread. I can guarantee you will feel so much better about yourself after spending an hour or two with me.
12/29/2014
ledger,a page....
I had to do it, I was itching to play a little with ledger stuff inspired by the cross stitch and the hexagons. This can be taken much further than this in fact if you have done any of my classes, Alchemy in particular, you will know exactly what should come next, you will, I hope you do. Answers please???? There isn't a prize, I'm just checking whether you all learnt anything!
Trust me to have to go away when I'm on a roll......there are at least six design sheets here. By the time I come back from London it will be full on into 'Swathed in Stitch' and this will get sidelined. Unless of course I start with this. What do you think?
The cloth piece that you saw yesterday now has the hexagons attached. I will show you that when I get back on Saturday. Meantime, before I go, I'm going to doodle some more.
12/28/2014
in love
I don't know where to start. Maybe I best start by asking if you know what day it is. I get so confused with days during these holidays. Someone told me it was Sunday so I will trust them. Thing is, I haven't stopped. (I'm sure you haven't either) Boxing day we went away all day, a football coach to a game that is best forgotten, we got beat :( Yesterday we went away all day to a family thingy. I am home today and tomorrow and then I go to London on Tuesday.
Can someone please stop the world, I want to get off.
Don't get me wrong, I haven't seen my daughter at all over Christmas, we haven't even swapped presents so I am going to be more than over the moon, happy, delighted and smiling to be spending time with her, it's just that my passion for cross stitch has been reawakened and I want to do more and more and more and more. I have this evening and tomorrow, my fingers will be stitching so quickly they will be a blur!!
The hexagons now need to be embroidered onto this alphabet piece, more thought needs to be given to what happens after that. What will this be? How am I going to extend it? There is also a yearning to create some kind of cross stitch, hexagon themed ledger work........there is so much ticking going on in my brain.
Because I go to London on Tuesday the shop will be closed from tomorrow night. Meantime you can still sign up for ''swathed in stitch'' here and it will be available again at the weekend. We start a week tomorrow. That is quite scary....
12/26/2014
Number 10
Hi Everyone. This is just a quick check in to say that I hope you all had a brilliant day yesterday. I'm off out today and tomorrow, not much stitching is happening, too much Turkey eating is going on and we haven't even started on the chocolate yet!! The trifle and cheesecake are untouched so if you pop round then just help yourself. (the chocolates are under the Christmas tree if you want one, you can even have the ones with the nuts in, my favourites)
By the way....my front step isn't dirty......it's wet...rain.....
12/24/2014
moving the idea along
I'm here. The trifle isn't made yet, nor is the cheesecake. The sage and onion stuffing was made before nine o'clock this morning and then there was a 24 mile round trip to collect my missing first born son. It's OK, he will recover from the cocktails some time before February.
I wanted to show you how the new thought is moving along. The stitching is quite difficult to see clearly as the grid is very distracting but I'm happy with how this is evolving. I can clam no credit for the pretty pattern, that is from this book.
I don't yet know what this piece of work will be, how it may alter as I work on it. The hexagons are tacked for placement reminder and once the cross stitch is complete will be permanently embroidered onto here. Whether that will form part of a bigger piece or remain as a sample is anyone's guess. I can say for certain however that there is some artwork in this, I see ledger work, I want to pick up a pencil.
The trifle and cheesecake however can be ignored no longer. I'm not sure how long I will be away from here for Christmas but rest assured it won't be long. I will pop up when you least expect it I'm sure.
Have a fabulous day tomorrow. If you don't do Christmas you can still have a fabulous day, treat yourself, get your feet up, do some online shopping, make a cake, stitch something wonderful, put yourself first.
12/23/2014
onwards
I'm late. I have been sat in traffic for an age.....the good news is I don't need to leave the house again for days, yes days.
I am newly inspired, newly excited. Those two things, cross stitch and hexagons. Who knew they could cause such a passion? I printed some favourite images of past work, I stared, I glanced every now and then, I made hexagons. There are plans for cross stitch. The last two images today are the images I printed, I love them.
It's nearly time for the big 'ho, ho ho'. I'll be here, ensconced at home. The shop will stay open so you can register for 'swathed in stitch' and don't forget, after December 31 you can't buy any work on your own classes if you live in the EU. (EU tax rules are changing. As if they haven't got anything better to do. Who asked them anyway?)
I will be back tomorrow. I will appear as if by magic whilst being in the midst of making cheesecake, raspberry trifle and sage and onion stuffing.
12/22/2014
I've decided...
I lost my way, trust me. In an effort to shake things up I shook too hard.....I created something yesterday that horrified me this morning. Consequently I have nothing new to show you for fear of shame and embarrassment. As a result of that I went back to my old blog and found images which appeal to me, which say a little about who I am creatively, some more than others.
It was a valuable exercise as it turned out. It reminded me that I know what I like, know what I am good at and all I need to shake is how I use that. I'm going to start with hexagons and cross stitch. Wish me luck.
12/21/2014
spotty cloth and scraps
Spotty cloth, the edge of a vintage blouse, (buttons still attached!! result!!), a scrap of chequered silk and some very fragile lace. Put them together and what do you get? I have no idea except it's fun to stitch on the surface and decide what I should put where.
Perhaps this will become a pocket, the second pocket for London? If that's the case I suppose you could say I'm getting limbered up for lace and men's hankies and that this is the trial run. Time to go on a men's hankie hunt then....
12/20/2014
another pocket
Pockets, you can never have too many pockets. The one from yesterday is finished now and it's here along with the last three I made. Three of these are for the hankie cloth, the other one is coming to London with me. The spotty cloth in the new pocket is actually a vintage hankie. I have been asked about that quite a few times now. Going back to pockets......I think they will feature for some time to come. I will almost certainly be making them in Swathed in Stitch, in fact it's a definite because yesterday I bought this, this, this, this and this. I'm now thinking I need more vintage hankies too....men's hankies and lace, now there's a plan.
12/19/2014
while I wait.....
This is what I'm fiddling and faffing with whilst I wait for the great big shake up to start taking effect and for the (jet) lag to subside. It's a finished pocket top and half a pillow. The pocket just needs lined now , the edges will then be titivated. This will be the first thing made to take to London in April. (the way i'm feeling energy wise it could well be the only thing made to take to London)
I don't remember the last time I felt this droopy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not unmotivated. I am actually very excited because I have half a plan. Half a plan is better than no plan at all. My ironing board is up, the iron is out, cloth is waiting to be pressed. That's a good sign...right?
By the way, if you liked my Swedish book from yesterdays post then Charmaine has provided a little translation in the comments of that post. Thank you Charmaine!!
12/18/2014
a pillow and a glimpse of my new book
A finished pillow, titivated and completed before I went away, safely stored and free from harm. It's already spoken for but will stay home with mother (me) until after the Christmas postal rush. I would hate for it to go astray.
My new book, from Sweden. I don't understand a word of it but I love it just the same. This will make a fantastic ledger. Watch this space.
Thank you so much for the welcome home. Who knew you would miss me so much? I am very grateful. I am also feeling a lot better today.
Embroidery wise I started a new pillow when I got back. It was easy, not challenging in terms of piecing etc but I'm beginning to wonder if I need to shake things up a bit, shake myself up a bit, come up with a new master plan. That's as far as I've got. I had the thought. The thought is still there but it's not growing yet, expanding or developing. My brain is still fuddled from the (jet) lag, the alleged lag anyway. I'm hoping it doesn't last too long, I need a new direction or at least a new piece in mind for the start of Swathed in Stitch otherwise everyone will be asleep on the first day.
So.....jump start my creativity, that's what I need to do or at least jump start a new idea, something fresh. This afternoon I will ponder and cogitate, browse a ledger or two....
12/17/2014
Hello!!
I'm back, home, returned, lurking, recovering, tired, jet lagged.....well maybe not jet lagged it's only a one hour time difference but I'm certainly ''laggged'' for whatever reason. I also have a cold, a sore, tight chest, a bunged up nose, watery eyes. Apart from that everything is amazing!! Seriously though, I'm good, very good. Very happy to be home because no matter how much fun you have on holiday it's always good to be home.
I have a lot of stuff to tell you today, class related, but first my holiday. I bought NOTHING fabric related, really. I didn't see anything I wanted and do you know why I think that is? I think I am spoilt by London. I visit London regularly as you know because my daughter lives there. London has Liberty and the best vintage shops. That is honestly why I think I wasn't inspired to buy any fabric in Sweden, not even a scrap of lace...overpriced. I already have more Marimekko fabric than is healthy so I resisted that too. I did buy myself a very pretty children's book, in Swedish, with lovely illustrations and type fonts which I will use as a ledger at some point. I am happy with that. I bought a couple of Christmas gifts and some Swedish chocolate, Swedish crisps (chips) all for gifts and also some Swedish sausage that my son loves and which if I had returned without would never have forgiven me for forgetting.
We had good company, beautiful scenery, lots of cake, excellent coffee and some long, late night chats catching up with my brother. It was quiet, relaxed....perfect. There are pictures on my Instagram, take a look.
Now classes......first of all I am sorry. I said in my shop that the classes would be available on Monday. I didn't get round to it. I am still very much playing catch up. That is remedied now, all classes are now available, here.
I am sorry to say that from December 31 this year I will no longer be able to sell ''work on your own'' classes to anyone in Europe. Those classes that are not live. This is due to new tax rules which are being introduced by the EU (don't get me started on the EU!!) This is your last chance to buy those if you are resident in Europe. They can be found here and here. My new class, ''swathed in stitch'' is open again for registration.....here. The new rules will not affect 'live'' classes due to tutor input and support. Take it from me, in my classes it's more like the tutor stalking you!!
In the new Year ''work on your own classes'' will be available to anyone outside the EU. It will require a different purchasing format, I am thinking along the lines of requiring an e mail request for sign up and then I send you an invoice. We shall see, I will work something out.
Finally, today's image. It's old. I'm (jet) lagged, I hope you don't mind. I have a finished pillow to show you, hopefully tomorrow. I am so happy to see you all xxx
12/07/2014
two more
Today's question. How many pictures can you take of two pockets? The answer. A lot. Pictures of them together, pictures of them on their own, pictures of the front, pictures of the back. I see many, many more of these in my future. They are a delight to work on, fascinating to hold, to put your fingers in....they have a likeness to mittens, yes. Maybe I could start a new trend.
I need to clarify something about my nails...they are mine but they are false. Confused? Basically underneath all that loveliness are my own nails but they are broken, different lengths, chipped. Acrylic was painted over the top which fills in the chips and ensures they are all the same length. So they are cosmetically enhanced, like a boob job but much less drastic and considerably less expensive! ( I posted about them yesterday if you haven't got a clue what I am talking about.)
So, that's me. Off on my holidays Tuesday at 6.30 am. This is my final post until December 17. You won't miss me, you will be glad of the quiet, the lack of gibberish, trust me. Registration for 'Swathed in Stitch' will close tomorrow until I come back.
Miss you already.....
pockets measure approximately 3 inches x 6 inches....
and I forgot to say......I will be posting on Instagram whilst I am away.
12/06/2014
three
What you can see here are three pockets at various stages of completion. Two of these I hope to back and hand finish later today so be warned.....you will see them tomorrow. One of them needs more titivation, more embroidery.
In other news, I had my nails done this morning. Very self indulgent. I have never been a girly girl, don't hanker after clothes, shoes, make up or the latest hair do. I did however have my nails done for the very first time last year when my daughter got married. I couldn't believe how much I loved them and as I am an ambassador abroad for my country next week I though why not. You can see a small glimpse of them here....
12/05/2014
pockets, gifts, paperwork and cloth.
It's been a week of pockets mostly, pocket cloth, pocket piecing, pocket titivating. That continued last night and I really hope to show you those tomorrow. These images are from my phone, daily snapshots for Instagram. I got two lovely gifts in the post and I also got the poppies I ordered from here. Yes, the actual poppies. The money is distributed amongst Armed Forces Charities.
I am getting ever further towards the end of my ''to do'' list before I leave on Tuesday. The house is trimmed, gifts are wrapped, beds are changed, grocery shopping is done. All that's left are final videos for SS5 on Sunday and a little sewing......
12/04/2014
the fourth pocket
The fourth pocket is taking shape. I would have added more, it may even have been finished by now but I'm waiting for more green silk thread. Today I'm mostly stalking the postman in anticipation.
After this one I think I need one more. I definitely need five, question is do I need more than five. That won't become apparent until I've attached the last two to the hankie cloth. This afternoon number five will be put together. There's also the question of do I have enough vintage men's hankies to make many more. It looks like a hankie hunt is on the horizon.
Ruane towers is now trimmed up for Christmas. That is an achievement. It's a bit earlier than I would normally do it but it's a relief. Now to wrap gifts. The cleaning, (boring) chores are getting done slowly. I have until Tuesday morning at 6 am. All it needs is for me to get a grip and everything will go to plan.
12/03/2014
button placement...
Remember the buttons? These ones. They weren't permanently attached at that stage and I was indecisive. Not any more. They are now securely stitched to the surface of this pillow top which if you look closely also has more bumps and wiggly things since the last time you saw it. What's still to do? Puffs, make puffs, a few more bumps, back this and titivate the edges.
I'm in a funny place today, a strange place. That place in between going away, in between classes finishing and starting, in between Christmas and now. I have stuff to do, boring stuff like laundry, like cleaning and I must wrap gifts before I go and also deck the halls. That's going to happen later today. But it's as if I can't organise my thoughts, create a working plan. I'm doing bits here and there, flitting from one thing to another.
The only constant is embroidery, the only focus. I suppose that makes it OK then, after all embroidery is everything. Isn't it?
12/02/2014
pocket number three
How many pictures can you take of one single solitary pocket? A lot it would seem. We have front views, back views, side views and a standing up view. There's also a mosaic at the foot of this post. What can i say. I can't decide which ones to leave out.
I do love pockets. I do love these pockets which are being put together with scraps of vintage hankies. This is the third one for the hankie cloth. There will be two more.
I'm early, I have an appointment. SS5 girls, you have something coming just as soon as I get back.
12/01/2014
paper, zips, loops and lace
Zip open, zip closed, I can't decide which looks better. Perhaps neither of them, they are equally as appealing. This is the third and last sheet from doodle class. Paper and lace, titivated, embroidered, zips added, stitched by hand, stitched on the sewing machine.
This piece along with my others from doodle class and more from the past couple of years are now safely put away ready to come to London. I want to make more of these, smaller, a series. That might not happen yet as I'm pushed for time at the moment but it's noted, it's written down, it's on a list.
11/30/2014
Lemon and lace
I received some very beautiful lace fabric in the post this week, a gift. It made me want to get out my sewing machine and cut little snippets from the lengths to make lace cloth. That is why the sewing machine figured in my plans for yesterday afternoon. Here it is, I did it, a tiny piece of lace cloth that was cut short by a hankering for pin tucks. That isn't a negative however, never. Pin tucked silk is a gorgeous surface to work on. Basically I had a plan for one piece and at the end of the day I had two pieces, two very different pieces. I will doodle on these with my needle.
Last night I started on the silk piece. I used lemon and white.
11/29/2014
the hankie cloth has pockets....
Yes, these tiny pockets were for the hankie cloth. The Hankie cloth is now backed and tied. It has two pockets at the moment but needs more. The buttons aren't attached yet either, I also need to make more of those. I do love it, it feels so good on your lap and it creases as soon as you look at it but I don't mind. It will be used and it will be loved daily. What's a little creasing between lovers?
I'm now going to spend a little time with my sewing machine. Although I used it to back this piece it's been a long time since I did anything truly creative on there. My free machine embroidery foot will be exhausted by five o'clock!
11/28/2014
five buttons
Five buttons created to titivate a pillow, this pillow, this unfinished pillow. I have plans, this will be finished quicker than you think. It won't be rushed, don't think that, it's just that I will have more time to devote to this soon. There may also be puffs, I haven't decided yet.
I do have a growing obsession with these things that have wiggly stems so you should probably prepare to see more of those.
I'm still having trouble with this related posts thingy at the bottom of every post. Some days you get them, some days you don't. Sometimes you get the same one ten days in a row....it appears to be poorly. Never fear, I have a few linked posts in the top right hand sidebar if you need something else to read.
p.s.
I have been asked to ask you if anyone
coming from the USA to my London class is travelling alone? If you are
could you please let me know as someone may want your company. Also, can
any of you recommend a hotel in London for someone who is travelling. I
am loathe to do this as it would be hearsay from me as I always stay
with my daughter. I have stayed in Chelsea before in a posh hotel a few
times but always with a ''deal'' which made it cheaper.
Thanks.....
11/27/2014
design sheets....
Everywhere I look I see design sheets. That's not a compliant. This one has been added to but it's still not finished. If you don't want to follow that link it's the one here with the zip, the all white one. It prompted me to get out some others, just to look, actually just to get excited all over again. Now I have a zillion ideas for new design sheets whirling round in my head but I don't need the distraction. I need to focus. There's a pillow to finish, a hankie cloth to finish, more pockets to make, buttons to cover and of course I need to finish this all white sheet too. I need to give myself a stern talking to.
I'm guessing it will be quiet on here today. Everyone will be eating turkey and things. Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate. Save me something tasty!!
11/26/2014
Two tiny pockets
You were promised pockets and pockets you have. Two tiny pockets, equally as decorative front and back, fully lined and edged with buttonhole lace. They measure 3 1/2 x 3 inches and 3 1/2 x 5 inches. Small is the key word here.
These will be added to the surface of a cloth, movable, that way the back can be appreciated too. What am I going to put in them? Nothing. Nothing tangible anyway. I put a lot of love into making them and that's what they will hold.....just love.
In case you missed it....exciting things are happening in January. A new year, a new class,
11/25/2014
Gingham, dots and loops.
Aside from pockets, paper, hankies and zippers I've got dots and gingham on my mind. I kind of started thinking out loud with cloth, piecing, playing, mixing, folding, adding snippets of embroidered edges. What i'm doing is considering options for new pieces which could take shape during ''swathed in stitch''....same pillows, same pouches? I'm not so sure. I have a hankering for a happy cloth, a bright, cheerful, pleated cloth of gingham and lace and spots. This is the first audition.
This morning I made a tiny pocket, the girls in five are going to see that shortly. I will share it with you tomorrow and who knows, I may even have auditioned more cloth for the ''happy, pleated'' piece which is yet to come.
These came today, my very own piece of an art instillation and a tiny part of history in my front room.
11/24/2014
paper, stitch, beads and a January class.
My ''to do'' list......it's long but it's not an unwanted list. It's a very happy list. It includes more work on paper and the creation of the tiniest pockets I have ever made. It includes being prepared...being prepared for Christmas because I am going away in two weeks and being prepared for 2015 too. It also includes being prepared for going away which scarily doesn't seem to be getting as much attention as it needs. Oh well, if the worst happens I only need to chuck some clean unmentionables in a bag.
First of all, this work today, these images. I am officially in love. Paper, give me paper. Give me a few beads and some bullion knots.......happiness is....
This afternoon I am going to move this forward, add more, stitch some bullion knots on an edge, tack a zip fastener, punch a few holes.
And now, ''Swathed in Stitch''.....
Swathed in Stitch has no deadlines, no set tasks. Groups which are formed through my online learning programmes are communities, friendly, interactive, supportive communities. It is my hope that each individual course takes place within a relaxed, informal and ''comfortable'' online environment.
You are welcome to dip and and out of our experience as and when it is convenient for YOU. Access is permanent....forever.
==============================================
Access to a private
blog with regular, minimum twice weekly blog posts which will be
created specifically for this group included. These posts will NOT
appear on my public blog, they will be exclusive to this group. Video
posting weekly minimum.
==============================================
Commencing Monday January 5 2015 for 12 weeks, Swathed in Stitch is my latest online learning programme born from a desire to embroider and create, to fill my days with inspiration and inventiveness. This online creative experience will take the form of a very relaxed and gentle forum where creativity will occur using cloth, thread, paper, lace and embroidery. Those who have an affinity with handling cloth, working with cloth. We will embroider, I will discuss my plans, my inspiration and I will demonstrate the preparation and creation of embroidered cloth sharing technique and process throughout. I can guarantee that there will be embroidery, embellishment, manipulation of cloth. There will be pouches and pillows, there will be larger, considered works. I will share thoughts along with the more tangible sources which drive me. I will doodle, you will be encouraged to do the same.
It is my hope that you bring your own work along with you, to share and discuss with the group. We will guide and support each other, sharing tips and process, a gathering of girls for ''online'' afternoon tea.
You are welcome to continue and /or begin your own projects within the forum of this class. You are also welcome to observe and plan work around the pieces I create. If you do not wish to embroider then that is fine too. You can just follow along with us as I record my personal, creative process. You will be given access to me, my day, my embroidery with demonstration, discussion and instruction throughout.
*** There are no deadlines. There are no set tasks. This is an informal and relaxed process which is purely concerned with enjoyment and companionship.***
Video will be hosted on our private pasword protected blog and there will be a dedicated flickr group where you can upload images and interact with your peers by means of private discussion.
Upon registration you will be sent a brief e-mail listing suggested equipment.
Suitable for beginners and the more experienced.
to register go here
oops! I forgot to activate...I am sorry. It's done now.
11/23/2014
the body bag and a pocket top
I don't know about you but I have little piles of stitching scattered about the house all of which need finishing, final titivation's added. The pocket top is from one of those piles, there is another one to do too.
The body bag piece, that evolved late last week. I am on a mission to finish the body bag for London and it won't happen on its own. By my reckoning I need at least five more panels, (this is a panel here), at least ten tabs, (I will show you a tab later in the week) and an armful of pleated muslin. I am determined.......
There is a link here to a video. I couldn't embed it in the post but please take a look. It is just over one minute long. I'm not a doll maker, I don't really have any interest in making dolls but trust me, on 56 seconds there is an illustration of process that made me go weak at the knees, working on net. And......One minute 15 seconds......that cloth....the drape....oh dear. I need a lie down.
Tomorrow I will show you what is happening in Doodle, gather, create, I am very excited and don't worry girls, your videos are imminent.
11/22/2014
bumps....
It's a pillow top, the one from here. Progress is quite slow but it's progress all the same. There are bumps and loops and knots along with a little bit of colour.
As well as this piece I have been working more on the body bag over in 5, colour abounds there too but later today I am going to be playing with white. I often get a hankering for white, scraps of lace, old cottons, just mixing and matching, piecing little scraps. Today's white will be worked alongside paper, for the doodle class. I will share that with you as soon as I can.....
11/21/2014
doodle.........and beads.
Doodles, stitch, paper, beads......almost finished. These are my first two sheets from class. The third is underway, more of the same except for beads and perhaps something new in that one too.
Today is the start of a more relaxed week I hope. It's been hectic this past few days. I've had two days away from home, left two pre scheduled blog posts, yesterday and Tuesday and am playing catch up. From today I promise you will have my undivided attention until December 9....I hope that's OK.
11/20/2014
how long?
Do you remember me saying that I had been looking through my masses of images and when I went way, way back I was amazed with some of the work? It's not that I had forgotten as such, I can remember what happened to each and every one of these pieces, it's more that I became aware all over again of how much stitching we actually do without realising. Wow.......memory lane.
That's a self portrait at the top by the way, done in art school, foundation degree. I must get that terrible skin problem on my neck sorted out.
11/19/2014
a new edge....
In terms of surface embroidery I think this piece is finished. It has a new seam, an edge of buttonhole lace worked in a very soft, green silk thread. There are new loops and French knots dotted across the top band and silk knots have also been added to one of the existing running stitch seams.
Next time you see this it will have been transformed into a pocket. A pocket for what? Anything you like is the answer to that one. This is one of four pockets in progress. If you know me, you will know I don't like even numbers so prepare for my four pockets to become five pockets at any time.
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