04/09/2013
practicing my a b c and a new piece....
My cross stitch alphabet is damp stretched and ready to be cut up. That was taken off the board this morning just before I pinned together a new piece to be worked on for my lace curtain. This piece has pink silk tissue in it. I am not worried about the pink, I do like it and I also know that when this is finished it will look a lot different because I plan to embroider it to death.
Then there is my wrapping cloth, the cloth that the alphabet will be used on. I have pinned a couple of sections of that together and now need to embroider those seams. I think there is enough embroidery there to keep me out of trouble don't you?
Today is more about balloons and cake than anything else. It is my little boys birthday. (he will always be my little boy even when he is 100)
Happy birthday James. We love you to the moon and back.
***if you post a comment and cannot see it as published then please don't worry. Typepad is having issues at the moment and I will most likely find it in my spam folder . I will then publish it for you***
04/08/2013
a tiny patchwork pocket....
A tiny patchwork pocket has now found its way onto the surface of my new cloth. I finished the open edge with buttonhole lace. I like it, it fits here...looks as if it is at home. In truth I don't have much more surface titivation to do on this cloth. What I should be doing is joining my sections together. I do have some sections pinned together ready to be embroidered...first though I am embroidering more cross stitch onto plain cotton in order to cut it up and use as loops when the back goes on. I hope to have that damp stretching tonight and I will show you tomorrow if it's ready. Yesterday Freda shared some images with me of a stunning table cloth...such beautiful lace. I thought you may want to see it too. I wonder if anyone will make anything like this in lace class?
04/07/2013
evolving.....
This piece is evolving, growing, being added to constantly with new edges of buttonhole lace. There are so many edges here that I always find a new one to titivate. And then I can't resist adding more lace, layering and creating yet more edges. I wondered this morning whether it looked any different to you? Can you tell it has been handled and more embroidery has been added? I guess if it looks the same to you then you will have to trust me. The lace pieces I am creating are going to be joined somehow and made into a curtain. A feminine, soft curtain for my bedroom window. I am already trying to figure out the logistics of that one and I do have half a plan. When I am ready it will require a video explanation....
I mailed typepad help yesterday about the commenting problems. They tell me they are upgrading their spam filters and this is causing unusual responses from the software, will I please bear with them. Well yes I will, of course I will. I will just embroider quietly in the corner until they sort things out.
04/06/2013
a lace frill and yesterdays ironing board.
This week I feel as if I haven't achieved much at all. I looked at these two images I had for today and thought 'is that it'? I seem to be doing a lot of bitty things and achieving very little in terms of finished things. If I make mental list of this weeks tick list it amounts to quite a bit but I have very little evidence of it. I guess you will just have to trust me.
Last night I added a tiny lace ruffle to a seam of this lace piece. I added a couple more buttonhole edges to the layers that are building up on here too. The ironing board is evidence of planning more that making, pressing newly acquired scraps and considering where they may fit in relation to the piece in progress that you can see on the far right. In my defence I have also cut out lots of one inch hexagons in card and cloth and then covered the cards with the cloth.
Domesticity wise I made a cheesecake and some chutney. I cooked a meal every evening. The laundry is done. The bathroom is clean and you could eat your dinner off the kitchen floor. I went to the supermarket, I bought a birthday cake. I bought prizes for our annual family Grand National sweepstake. ( I never win. You would think I could fix it wouldn't you as I organise it every year) Oh and I also listed and put together two new classes. Then there are the doodles, aimless doodling whilst time passes me by. I suppose when I look at it like that I have been quite a good girl.
***one or two people have been having trouble leaving comments on here. Today I found 50 comments in my spam comment section including some of my own where I had responded to questions. I have now published them all and if you did ask a question perhaps if you go back now and look the response will be there. I would never ignore you I promise. I will now ensure that I check my spam comments daily.***
04/05/2013
a box
When I was a little girl I loved going to my nanna's and rooting through the drawers in her sideboard. There was all kinds of magical stuff in there. Old buttons, cutlery, balls of thread and wool and sometimes even some ''old'' money, dirty thruppenny bits...do you remember those? Well now I can do it at home and I was doing it last night. I have so many boxes and tins in the house I could open a shop. Last night I was looking for something and also looking for somewhere to put a lot of scraps that I couldn't possibly bear to part with. That's why this box is out. This is a very old box. I bought it a while ago at an antique place. It only cost me pennies but it is so precious. Inside were two pieces of original documentation which I have kept.It is made from heavy duty cardboard, nothing fancy yet it has stood the test of time rather well I think.
Anyway I hear you say, ''what's that got to do with embroidery?'' well nothing much except there are snippets of lace in there, some prairie points, cloth hexagons, cut up cross stitch...even a couple of tiny ball buttons I made. That's enough reason for me to go off and root some more!!
(metallic silk tissue news....I am waiting for a phone call. Fingers, toes and eyes firmly crossed!)
Phrasal Verb: Root around
Meaning: Look in a place to try to find something
Example: I ROOTED AROUND my flat trying to find the letter.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- British English
04/04/2013
just an edge
Technically speaking it is two edges...around a corner. This is my paltry effort from last night. Life conspired against me...never mind. I still like it, I am still happy with it. Just in case you are wondering it is laid on a ledger page, makes a change from the boring table don't you think? If you weren't here yesterday then you missed the big news.....two new classes. You can read all about them here. You can also scroll down and even look up. (there are two dedicated pages up above)
I am absolutely amazed at the response so far to be honest. You never let me down do you? Let's not forget the girls working hard in embroider, embellish, create either. Here is another link to their work just in case you missed the first one.
This morning I have been frantically trying to locate some 'silver metallic silk tissue'....my usual place doesn't have any. I have rang other places, I have googled to no avail. Does anyone out there have any ideas? I would be most grateful and I can beg. I beg quite well....beg, beg, pretty please, kisses, sloppy kisses...I will give you my first born. There, is that good enough?
04/03/2013
Alchemy and Lace...
I came up with a name for class. I decided against cryptic preferring just to say it as it is...Lace. A surface for embroidery. I am ready. My lists are ticked. My e mails are composed. My dates are set. Along with the new lace class I have re listed Alchemy for its next run. You can read more about Alchemy here and today's video is a descriptive chat about the content of Lace. You can also read more about Lace here.
Now that's all sorted out back to the rest of my life. I had my feet done this morning, always a relief. Later today I am making the cheesecake. I have to or we won't eat later. Last night I added mirrors to piece above...very therapeutic. I checked in on class earlier and the group just gets lovelier and lovelier. I am popping back later to make sure they are still on their best behaviour.
Now put the kettle on, get your feet up and listen to me rambling on for five minutes or so....
04/02/2013
the table....
I'm not rehashing yesterdays pictures honestly. I tidied up after yesterdays pictures were taken only to get it all out again this morning. There is new embroidery here. New applique, new cross stitch and new edges on a white lace trim. It's only a small piece of cross stitch, my dream of a full yard of cloth hand cross stitched by me in order to cut it up again is still that....a dream. One day perhaps I will manage to make that full yard but not yet.
The reason for this perpetual mess on my table is the imminent arrival of my lace class and the re launch of Alchemy. One thing is holding all this up....I can't think of a name for my lace class. I don't want to call it my lace class, too predictable and possibly misleading as we won't be making lace. It's a challenge.....I'm sure I will get there.
Meanwhile, the applique and cross stitch is for embroider, embellish, create which is very much live and happening now. I am working hard to stay ahead of the class but it gets harder, they are SO talented. I have given the girls a lot of homework today and can't wait to see what they come up with next. And then there is cheesecake. I have been distracted by cheesecake or to be more precise a cheesecake recipe. I haven't made it yet but I just had to go out this morning and buy the ingredients. I now know that they are there when I am ready to face the kitchen.
04/01/2013
this weekend
The weekend has been busy, interrupted, a little chaotic yet managed to also be productive. I have been working on three cloth pieces, you remember those and I have been planning final pieces for my wrapping cloth. Video has been made for embroider, embellish, create and there have been notes and lists made in relation to my plans for a lace class and the return of Alchemy. Looking at it all written down here makes me tired yet it hasn't been hard work at all. Quite the opposite actually it all appears to have passed seamlessly....now that's a first.
I hope to have more information on the lace class and Alchemy in a couple of days but before then I am wondering about the interest in Alchemy.....how much is there? I did have enquiries as the previous class was in progress. My question...is that interest still there? I would be grateful for a little feedback on that one.
***it would appear that some people are having issues trying to comment. I have checked my settings which are OK so it must be a typepad glitch...sorry!***
03/31/2013
an edge, a seam
Two edges, two seams. Bullion knots, cross stitch, buttonhole lace and a scrap of trimming. This is my embroidery from yesterday evening. The cloth was pieced earlier in the day. I am back on my wrapping cloth for the moment, a day or so as I need a surface, a section to work some applique and cutwork on for video purposes. This cloth could be said to be finished in terms of sections. I am going to hang back on putting it together for now though as I may need to create more if the group needs it.
It's a hive of activity in my front room today, work everywhere. I am busy being organised!! Yes, organised....at least I am until my plans fall apart and I realise I was just creating havoc for no good reason.
03/30/2013
more lace
I succumbed yesterday afternoon. I gave in to temptation and created another piece of lace cloth to embroider. This is the second piece....of how many I don't yet know but my plan is to join them and create a kind of half curtain for my bedroom window. I embroidered on this all yesterday evening...just buttonhole lace edges for now. These edges define the varied surfaces perfectly for me. I think I made the right choice.
This morning I have been up since the crack of dawn. I have cleaned the house and washed dirty laundry, put petrol in the car, delivered my son to take part in a hockey tournament and I have also been playing with my wrapping cloth and taking photographs! No cobwebs on me today. Here is another link for you to the new embroider, embellish, create group. They are working so hard and I would appreciate it if you took the time to browse.
I hope you all have a fab Easter and if you don't celebrate Easter then I order you to have a great couple of days. Get the kettle on as well because I am coming to visit some time soon! (I will accept an Easter egg in place of cake)
03/29/2013
adding lace to lace
I'm late, I know I'm sorry. I won't go into all the boring detail because I'm here now. A little out of puff from all the dashing and running around and I won't even go into the side of my computer falling off it's far too traumatic. I am going to focus on embroidery and lace and all things beautiful. You have seen this one before. It had the bump I didn't like on it. The offending bump has now been removed and replaced with a more fitting applique piece in a softer cloth. I like it now. There is a new corner too, a corner of pleated lace which also has applique in non offensive cloth. I like how this is developing.
Later today I want, no NEED to put another piece of this together. The reason? Because I crave it. It's in my head and it can't be ignored. I will pass by the aforementioned piece of technology, missing its side panel which fell off with my eyes firmly shut.
03/28/2013
specks of colour
speck
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My favourite word today is speck. It came to me last night when I was embroidering this section and adding tiny bits of colour...specks..........
There is new cutwork and applique here along with bullion knots and French knots. Tomorrow it will be lace, but not on this cloth. This cloth will now rest over the weekend whilst I gather my thoughts. Speaking of gathering you can also see my latest scrap of vintage, bought online, tiny yet gorgeous.
03/27/2013
just a bump and a French Knot seam
I'm home...but please don't take your coat off because I am going out again in 5 minutes. Sorry about that, no coffee and cake today. I should be able to get the kettle on and put my feet up tomorrow so please make sure you come back then. This is it for now, a paltry effort I know. One bump and a seam of French knots.
Yesterday was good. Food, family, flowers and fabric...all the 'F's''. I bought three yards of pure white muslin. Not very exciting you may think but for me it was the best thing I could have bought ever...yes I really do get that excited about cloth.
03/26/2013
a pile of cloth....
I'm not here today. I have ventured further into the frozen wastelands of the North to deliver flowers and eat cake. When I get back I will be working on this little pile of gorgeousness.
03/25/2013
loops and a corner
I have been adding titivation's to yesterdays piece, moving it on. Embroidered loops have been added to a seam and there is now a corner embroidered with buttonhole lace and French knots. This cloth is coming together quickly. For once I may even be finished before class. That would be a major achievement for me I am usually last to finish but then again maybe I shouldn't tempt fate!
The dreaded passport photograph was done this morning. I swear I should have just sent in a picture of my mother!!! Twins......honestly. That would be a good thing if my mum was 24 and glamorous but as she is in her 70's....well you know. She looks great for her age but I can't say I am happy to be the mirror image of someone who is 70. I am now off to put a bag on my head and lie down in a darkened room....
03/24/2013
just a seam....
My
latest block for my latest wrapping cloth. A single seam that I
embroidered last night, a double seam of cross stitch and bullion knots.
There are French knots along two sides too. Other titivation on this
piece up to now consists of one motif and a buttonhole lace edge. It is
coming together and I am in no hurry.
Tomorrow I will be removing this class from the shop. We are one week in and it isn't too late to join us if you wish. However it is time for a bit of a tidy up and all trace will be gone in 24 hours so please don't ponder too long.
The lace class is in my thoughts but won't be discussed on here for a week or so now. I want to give my Alchmey group the attention they deserve along with the embroidery girls who also need me to be around and I have exciting things planned for you if you are reading this. You will be getting two posts this week...two lots of homework!!
Tomorrow I have to have my photograph taken so I can renew my passport. I don't know about you but I hate it...I always look like my photo came straight from a police mug shot book. Still, no passport no Vegas wedding.......best get on with it and stop moaning then!
03/23/2013
currently......
These are my current 'in progress' pieces of cloth. The top image shows yesterdays piece in the foreground. Do you see that bump? The white dome thing? That has to go, I will be removing that soon. It just irritates me. Not that I have anything against that process in general. Quite the opposite in fact, I use it a lot and will be showing my embroider, embellish, create girls how to do it some time soon. I just feel that it needs to be made using a different cloth, a more matt cloth, a chalky cloth.
Meantime I have been pondering the pieces I have accumulated so far for my new wrapping cloth. That is the piece that will get most attention this coming week. Class has started, the flickr group is filling up. I need to be one step ahead of class not twelve behind so I had best get a move on.
This week is also the very last week of Alchemy. That is going to be a wrench. I have spent the last 12 weeks with those girls and boy will I miss them. I have a feeling that the girls in eec will keep me on my toes but 12 weeks is a very long time. There is a lot to miss there......sad face here. All is not lost though, it appears that you do want a class about lace and that will come, will be announced in the next few weeks. Meantime my eec group will be getting my undivided attention! Get your pencils sharpened in class.....
03/22/2013
Lace....
Yes I'm still here. Weather put paid to my plans so it's a weekend of embroidery. Nothing to complain about at all and the North's loss is blog worlds gain and my gain in terms of needle and thread. One thing to consider, I had bought roses for my mum and my aunt. Now I have roses....lovely!
I worked a little on the piece from yesterday last night adding a French knot trail and some seams of chain stitch. It would appear that someone wants a class about this, yes, honestly. I talk more about this in the video so if you can bear to watch six minutes of my rambling then that is where you need to be. Nothing is decided yet as I am a little confused at the request but hey....it will all become clear.
and I meant to say.....for some reason my computer is doing everything twice. If you get a mail from me expect two! I'm sorry.....
03/21/2013
creating a surface
I laid down some ragged cloth strips and joined them in order to create a bigger cloth, a different surface. I will embroider this to death, adding bumpy bits, cross stitch, various knots and perhaps a little applique. I don't know what it will be, I haven't decided yet...or maybe I just have, whilst I was typing. Maybe this could be the first piece of my lace curtain. Now I am wishing I hadn't thought of that. I really don't need the distraction of a lace curtain at the moment. A little self restraint will need to be called for.
I have family stuff to do over the next two days, Friday and Saturday. Weather permitting I won't be here. I know, I know....I'm becoming a part timer....sorry about that. Who knows, if the forecasted snow arrives you will be stuck with me. We shall see.
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