03/12/2023
Sunday
this morning,
ironing,
measuring,
cutting,
folding,
pinning.
Prep for this evening's embroidery.
03/11/2023
grandmother's gingham flower garden
And so it continues, gingham, embroidery, patchwork, Grandmother's flower garden.
I have stitched two of these to a base of white and added web stitches at the outer edges.
There is more of that to do, the web stitches.
There is another finished piece ready to be cut out and patched which will also find it's way on to the white background.
Where am I going with this?
I'm not sure yet.
03/09/2023
a faffing pile
First of all, thank you for all the gingham love!!
The gingham is continuing but I thought I best show you the lace cloth I always say is ongoing.
In the first image are three finished lace cloth pieces and the piece bottom right is in progress.
The Artist Book? Just there for photography purposes as white and lace cloth does not photograph well without a little colour for the camera to focus on.
There will be more gingham later this week and yes, lace cloth will continue too.
03/07/2023
web stitch hexagons
Work with hexagons has continued from here and I am still working on lace cloth in the background.
You will notice I haven't cut these out up close to the pencil line on all sides. That's for the same reason I overbaste to the card templates.....allowing myself some wriggle room, a need to be certain it's secure (the over basting) and that I have a little more cloth than I need. Over cautious Karen, that's me.
I then photographed these on a ledger/sketchbook from 2005.
Although this book was created in 2005 it continues to inspire, it's my 'go to' when I'm creatively frustrated and I am thankful I kept hold of it.
03/04/2023
embroidered hexagons and oversized hand wrapped buttons
A little diversion from lace cloth, embroidered gingham hexagons and oversized hand wrapped buttons.
The hexagons were an itch I had to scratch, the buttons have just been demonstrated for my subscription learning groups.
It's back to lace cloth now. I have a pile of that to work through. It's the best kind of pile....
03/02/2023
considering gimp
Faffing with lace cloth continues. I'm adding layers, new edges, torn pieces of lace cloth and pleated trimmings along with lots and lots of hand stitches.
Now I'm wondering if I should add a little gimp.
I have definitely decided to make some pretty toggles for these though, wrapped cloth tied with gimp so gimp will play its part in some form.
02/28/2023
embellished
Embroidery is continuing on the lace cloth from here.
Hand made buttons, hand ruched cloth, pleated edgings.
Lace cloth has been cut up and added at the edges here too, giving extra seams which are ripe for titivating!
My first artist book class for three years begins one week from today.
02/26/2023
Sunday morning videos
Sunday morning, creating video content for Sewing Circle.
We're on design sheets at the moment so it's all things paper.
02/25/2023
lace cloth embroidery
I've started to hand embroider onto the lace cloth from here. A couple of small titivations have also been added to one piece, ruched silk habotai and a ruched edge from a vintage hankie.
These fabric pieces are laid on Artist books. They are out so I can consider day one of 'Artist Books 2023' which begins in a little over a week from now.
The books pictured here have folded pages, altered pages and I am making plans for self assembled pages which mimic this type of page manipulation.
Think pages with folded corners of contrasting papers, think patched paper pages.....my list is growing.
The other thing happening now is seeing my embroidered lace cloth laid here has me wondering about sequins for those pieces because I can see those on one of the pages.
Decisions, decisions.
02/23/2023
lace cloth, gingham, stitched papers.....lots in progress here
Embroidery on gingham continues including creating little compositions using the gingham swatches along with stitched papers and hand embroidery.
Also growing is my pile of machine stitched surfaces which will be enhanced with hand embroidery and which I know from experience will be very useful for the upcoming artist book class.
These pieces won't be exclusively used there though. I also like to have a little pile of these after they are embellished, when they are adorned and finished.
02/21/2023
stitched papers and gingham....plus new supplies.
This one has a base of patched, stitched papers layered at one edge with lace.
The gingham piece is attached with running stitch and a frill has been added at the lower edge and the right hand side.
Gingham patches are coming in handy for extra adornment too.
I've also been replenishing my supplies.
The machine thread is most needed from these, I have a lot more paper to stitch.
Artist books 2023 begins 2 weeks today!
Please go here if you want to read more.
02/18/2023
Saturday plans
Stitched gingham and stitched papers, so many French knots, bullion knots and web stitches.
So much sewing machine trickery to create unique paper surfaces.
Saturday, today, is the day I try and put together some little compositions with these pieces.
Then there will be more hand stitch.
02/17/2023
gingham and buttons
Four new gingham swatches/tokens have been added to the pile which is growing fast.
(the new ones are the four pieces grouped neatly in the images.)
In the hoop...another gingham swatch, bigger this time.
Also today, hand stitched and wrapped buttons. I am practicing here, refreshing before demonstarting a 'how to' with my subscription groups sometime next week.
Lots going on here.
I have had visitors all week (they've gone now) so my weekend will be spent preparing for Artist Books 2023.
02/15/2023
sketchbooks
I've been looking at some very, very, very old sketchbooks.....
02/13/2023
finishing pages
Artist books, notebook stitching, embellishing paper.....
This little book is very much 'in progress' and will continue to be going forward.
The double page spread here was started in one of my Zoom get togethers and I managed to finish it last night.
There is collage, there are French knots and bullion knots, there are simple stab stitches and tiny pom poms.
The left edge......oversized white sequins.
Artist books 2023 begins in on March 7. You can read more here.
02/08/2023
web stitch on gingham
These web stitch 'studies' on gingham are tiny, varying in size between three by two inches and two by two inches.
I do have a plan for them which I can't share yet, I need to make lots more too.
I have laid them on my new needlecase. The needlecase was created ages ago, a couple of years maybe but it's new to me as I intend to use it for the first time.
Now another shout out for my first artist Book class in three years.
You can read more about that here.
02/06/2023
surface design, embroidery on paper.
I'll speak about this work shortly but first I have to say Happy Birthday to this little beauty who is one year old today!
Sonny by name, sunny by nature.....you are adored.......so much love for you.
The work today...a design sheet taking shape with my subscription online learning groups.
There's still a lot of empty space to fill here and I'm thinking it needs more texture and definitely more pattern.
The pattern will be created with stitch and I guess that may also work for the texture but I'm leaning towards layering.
Last time I was here I announced that registration is now open for my first Artist Book class for three years.
That class is completely seperate from my subscription learning, it's stand alone and will last for eight weeks, access to all resources is forever.
All the information is below.
*****
2023 Artist Books.
Begins Tuesday March 7 2023 for 8 weeks.
Join me in my first artist book gathering for three years.
Always a popular class, this eight week learning programme will hopefully inspire you to new ways with pages, new approaches to artist journals, to the creation of unique books in which to record your thoughts, your stitches, your sampling, your explorations.
Also included, live Zoom discussion, feedback and overview in our final week, times scheduled to cover all time zones.
Think of this as a 'refresh' if you have previously taken an Artist Book class in any setting.
***please note. I have only basic book making skills. I extend these skills by 'testing' various forms of page binding using paper and perhaps cloth too. I am happy for you to be experimental and adventurous with your own books. I encourage the pushing of boundaries, the exploration of idea and thought.***
My role will be to demonstrate the creation of collaged, textured and folded pages of paper and embroidery, to illustrate the creation of stitched scraps for pages and to then share how a page can be adorned in order to enhance the presentation of your sampling before investigating and testing ideas for finished book forms. This in turn will lead to the creation of unique ''artist books'', a library of ideas and inspiration and a valuable resource for the future in terms of design and the extension of embroidery sampling.
In addition to a private class blog where all video and images will be hosted you will have access to a public, invitation only Flickr group for class members only with a private discussion area where you can upload images, view images from other group members and participate in discussion re the course, suppliers, relevant exhibitions, artists etc. You will also be free to begin your own discussion topics.
Images of my own ''Artist Books'' can be seen here. From viewing these images you will gain an appreciation of what can be achieved during this programme and beyond.
karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/artist-books
No deadlines. Access to all learning resources is pemanent......forever.
Work at your own pace.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes to take part in this class.
A welcome mail detailing suggested supplies for this course will be sent out within 24 hours of registration.
02/04/2023
2023 Artist Books.
It's almost three years to the day since I held my last Artist Book class.
I reckon it's time for another, for more exploration, a refresh maybe.
Details below.
***please note, this class is completely seperate from my monthly subscription online learning. This is a 'one off' stand alone class.***
*****
2023 Artist Books.
Begins Tuesday March 7 2023 for 8 weeks.
Join me in my first artist book gathering for three years.
Always a popular class, this eight week learning programme will hopefully inspire you to new ways with pages, new approaches to artist journals, to the creation of unique books in which to record your thoughts, your stitches, your sampling, your explorations.
Also included, live Zoom discussion, feedback and overview in our final week, times scheduled to cover all time zones.
Think of this as a 'refresh' if you have previously taken an Artist Book class in any setting.
***please note. I have only basic book making skills. I extend these skills by 'testing' various forms of page binding using paper and perhaps cloth too. I am happy for you to be experimental and adventurous with your own books. I encourage the pushing of boundaries, the exploration of idea and thought.***
My role will be to demonstrate the creation of collaged, textured and folded pages of paper and embroidery, to illustrate the creation of stitched scraps for pages and to then share how a page can be adorned in order to enhance the presentation of your sampling before investigating and testing ideas for finished book forms. This in turn will lead to the creation of unique ''artist books'', a library of ideas and inspiration and a valuable resource for the future in terms of design and the extension of embroidery sampling.
In addition to a private class blog where all video and images will be hosted you will have access to a public, invitation only Flickr group for class members only with a private discussion area where you can upload images, view images from other group members and participate in discussion re the course, suppliers, relevant exhibitions, artists etc. You will also be free to begin your own discussion topics.
Images of my own ''Artist Books'' can be seen here. From viewing these images you will gain an appreciation of what can be achieved during this programme and beyond.
karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/artist-books
No deadlines. Access to all learning resources is pemanent......forever.
Work at your own pace.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes to take part in this class.
A welcome mail detailing suggested supplies for this course will be sent out within 24 hours of registration.
02/02/2023
details
I've been adding little details to the embroidered pages you saw yesterday whilst also working on a three piece page.
The three piece page, the work with sequins, isn't finished. I'm considering where to go with that one.
Meanwhile I am stitching more scraps for the embroidered pages with gingham.
I'm on blue checks now.....
02/01/2023
page play
Do you remember my stitched papers?
I've been playing with them, trying to generate new ideas for pages, for artist books.
The piece today is one of three so far, the others are still works in progress.
At the moment I'm leaning towards this particular stitched paper with the silk velvet and silk tissue added being my favourite.
I need to test it more, test how it responds to folding and rolling too.
01/31/2023
video day
A glimpse for you of how it looks here when it's video making day for my membership.
I have to admit this is quite tidy in comparison to some days.
The painted piece in the foreground is old work from Uni which I was referring to on camera as is the next piece, also from my Uni days.
I find it amazing how this 'old' work can still inspire me and how it definitely still informs my practice.
Never throw anything away!
01/30/2023
a white pocket
The white pocket from here is finished.
The early stages of this piece can be seen in this post.
It now holds an artist book, a safe space.
01/28/2023
pockets
Pockets, one white and two gingham.
The white one needed very little work on this front section. Do you see the pleats in the last image? It was just a case of making buttons for those final spaces.
Now that is done work has started on putting that one together.
The gingham pockets will be used as wrapping for other things. I really like the simplicity of those. Four web stitches in one corner....that's all.
also...new hand made buttons!
01/26/2023
yesterday
You may have noticed from this post that I have been creating and embellishing quite a lot of stitched papers.
First of all I create the stitched papers before embellishing them with hand stitch.
Yesterday I continued to build my stash of these surfaces as I have big plans for them which I am currently sampling.
More will be revealed soon.
01/24/2023
paper and cloth
First of all, thank you for your tips on my last post. I know this, I didn't need to wonder, my brain just doesn't work some days. Thank you...thank you x
Today, well it isn't gingham.
I'm still working on gingham but am thinking ahead to something I want to do in a few weeks so am sampling this white.
The piece in the back of the last image is an old piece worked on fabric. At the front it's stitched paper, one pile unembellished, the left piece with the beginnings of embellishment.
I'm basically asking the question, 'does the paper respond as well as the cloth'?
The answer. Yes.
01/22/2023
recents
The embroidered pink gingham is new here, this one is 306 squares as opposed to the 567 squares from this post.
I actually messed up with the blue one. I could kick myself.
That piece was damp stretched and some of the gingham framing the embroidered area became a little 'stretched' and non uniform so I cut it off.
That's ok you might say but.....it's now too small to fit in my hoop and almost inpossible to embroider without creasing so it won't get finished.
I should have left the cutting until the embroidery was finished.
You live and learn.....
01/20/2023
Zoom stitching
The left hand page of this double page spread was started in my live, monthly Zoom embroidery get together earlier this week.
The basics were covered, composition, stitch choices, colour choices and I have progressed it since then to a point where it's almost finished.
I will then have to work on the right hand side and I have ideas for that so no worries there.
The book is a simple notebook, produced for making notes etc and stitching into the pages is quite a challenge but as you can see, it's doable.
01/18/2023
567
There are 567 squares on the stitched area of this piece of gingham.
The embroidered section measures three and a half by two and a half inches......567 squares.
The plan is to have at least one stitch in each square when it's finished.
Some squares have three French knots, others just one.
There are also web stitches and bullion knots.
As for colours, I am considering introducing one more but I can't decide which one.
****
This morning I had a wonderful Zoom, stitchy get together with the ladies in my chat and stash tiers.
(these Zoom sessions happen monthly, twice a day to catch all time zones)
Although I have been back from London for a couple of days it's been hectic, prepping for this morning and Zoom but it has been more than worth it as I got to celebrate this little beauty's first birthday with him.
01/10/2023
hand embroidered sample book
My latest gingham creation is finished and in the shop.
I love making these, stitching the tiny squares, embellishing those with tiny stitches before adding them to a mount and stitching them again.
These are true labours of love.
I am going to be AWOL for a while now.
This little guy will be one year old soon and I am needed for a party in London.
There will be cake!
01/08/2023
favourites
A few of my favourite images of artist books.
I have artist book plans which is also the reason I have been stitching these papers.
I'll say more when I make progress with my stitched paper pile.
01/06/2023
hand wrapped buttons and sewing circle.
It's not gingham. (there will be more of that soon)
We are stitching papers in sewing circle, this one is very much in its infancy.
I also had a few spare minutes......ok not a few but spare minutes none the less to hand wrap some buttons.
These are so good to have in your stash....so useful.
01/04/2023
liberty prairie points and more stitch sampling on gingham
Thank you so much for the response to my shop update earlier this week.
I am sorry one or two of you were disappointed to miss out.
(you sent lovely emails though which means a lot xx)
Another little sample book is taking shape and I am stitching as fast as my fingers will allow!
This one is slightly different to this one and I'm hoping it will all work out when it finally comes together.
01/02/2023
pillows, pages and buttons
It's an image heavy post today. It's proof I haven't been constantly eating chocolate over the holidays or twiddling my thumbs.
I promised a little shop update, a rare shop update and here it is.
The buttons you saw in detail yesterday, they're here if you missed them.
01/01/2023
hand embroidered buttons and tiny square samples
Gingham.....still....but it's so easy to stitch, to embellish.
Somehow the squares are reassuring.
The layout is planned for you, it's simplicity.
Get some, try it.
12/30/2022
12/29/2022
plans for stitched and altered paper
A post Christmas creative block and a fast approaching deadline for class videos requires some planning.
What to do? If you're thinking of 'paperwork', get out past paperwork.
Make notes, doodle ideas, examine the past work.....
It worked. I'm good to go.
12/28/2022
a book and its cover
My little embroidered gingham book.
The pages are complete and bound with a gingham spine.
The front cover is very much in progress, next up the lining.
12/22/2022
table
It's very busy chez moi (as I'm sure it is at your place)
A glimpse of my table earlier today.
12/19/2022
gingham continued
Work continues on these little gingham pieces, sampling hand stitches.
The final piece for this collection is in the hoop, almost finished but not quite.
I'm not sure if I'll make it back here before the big day.
I'll aim to, I'll do my best but if I don't......... I wish you all a Happy Christmas or a happy December 25th if Christmas isn't your thing.
12/11/2022
gingham, Liberty and hand stitch sampling
I last explored the potential of sampling hand stitch on gingham here, in fact if you follow the gingham category on here there is so much more of this. (this post will be first, just scroll past)
There are a few things in progress here and this has just lengthened that list.....too many distractions but that's a good thing.
I'm still working on pin pillows and fitting in sewing machine time where possible for lace cloth creation along with stitched papers.
I will be away for a week now, I'm off to London, a pre Christmas visit with Master Stanley.
Miss you already x
12/08/2022
oversized suffolk puffs
I said here that I wanted to make more of these.......and I have.
These will be adornments for pin pillows, pin pillows which are very much in progress.
12/06/2022
a pocket for a pocket
The final embellishment has been added to this pocket front......a pocket, a corner of a vintage tray cloth attached with bullion knots.
Looking at this now, I want to extend the pleated strip a little more and make more buttons and suffolk puffs.
When they're done and the front is complete I will think about the back.
12/04/2022
prairie points and oversized funky puffs
A little distraction, a quick project, a sideline.
I must admit to a little obsession with these huge puffs and I'm tempted to make more just because I can.
12/02/2022
bullion knots and buttons
Last time I was here I spoke about my little artist book being finished.
Today it's the pocket/pouch which I will keep the little book in, its place of safety.
You last saw this a few days ago and since then more buttons have been created and another panel has been added which is secured with bullion knots.
I'm averaging making three buttons an evening after my more intensive embroidery is put away for the night and as I made more last night which are visible at the edge of the background here I would say I almost have enough.
11/30/2022
embroidered paper to complete my artist book
The final page, the last embroidered paper piece which will complete this artist book.
I'm tempted to start another one....hmmmm.
First though I need to finish the pocket I am embroidering to keep this one in.
My monthly embroidery video subscription learning continues.
If you'd like to be a part of that you can sign up here.
You will also get access to a free, past class and access to all the monthly videos for the subscription learning which have been posted to date.
11/28/2022
Suffolk puffs and handmade buttons
Can you tell I have been making Suffolk puffs? and little buttons?
This is the first piece of a 'pocket' I am creating for this artist book.
Thinking ahead....it will need sides....now there's a challenge.
I'm also going to have to make a lot more buttons in order to embellish that whole seam.
11/25/2022
when to stop....
Work in my latest artist book continues....they do take a long time to fill especially if like me you don't know when to stop.
Or is it 'don't want to stop'?
The piece in the foreground of the first image you have seen before here. I decided to add another layer to that one and embellish it a little more.
Later today i will tie these pieces in and see how many more pages there are still to fill.
I'm also debating with myself, wondering should I embroider a pocket for this one, a place of safekeeping.
The little ball buttons (if you can spot them...there are two) I made those myself.
They are rather addictive to create and I'm amassing quite a pile.
(I may vanish for a while. I might be needed for nanna duties at the other end of the country. If I do disappear I should be back at the end of next week)
11/24/2022
stitched papers, backgrounds for hand embroidery
This post is about paper, not gingham. The gingham is merely a photography aid....
Stitched papers featured here too and these today are a continuation of that plan.
Lace cloth is also part of that plan but I haven't had chance to create any more of that since this post.
As the date on that post is November 9 it would seem I'm not making speedy progress!
There's still a long way to go, crack on Karen
11/22/2022
a little colour
I've added a little colour to the next page in this little artist book. The beaded edge was worked a couple of days ago.
It's really coming together now and might even get finished in the not too distant future.
To see more of this piece just scroll down past this post, it's all I have been working on recently apart from 'class' stuff which I can't show you yet, oh and yesterday I made more papers. I will show you those next time.
11/20/2022
another page
Another page in this little book is finished although the work isn't tied in yet.
I leave that final act until I decide what is going on the next page.
I've also made some little buttons for extra adornement. I had to stop at three last night because it was time for my beauty sleep but I hope to make few more today.
If you scroll past this post there is more on this little boook in the previous two posts should you have missed it.
Also....I got quite a shock this morning.....the video from this post has had over 2000 views on YouTube!
Blimey....
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