06/20/2013
inside out...
I was on the sewing machine at 8 o'clock this morning, stitching up three sides of the pin pillows. I actually thought they looked quite nice inside out. What do you think? Anyhow I turned them all in the end and now they need to be stuffed and have the edges titivated by hand. I'm not sure if I will do that tonight......I have a yearning for my little sampler and there is another piece in its infancy which has to be tacked.
I visited the folks yesterday. I was given a cake to bring home....I forgot it....there are tears on the keyboard as I type. I would have shared too...honestly.
06/19/2013
a small sample....
I told you I would be early today. After lunch I have to go check in with the folks up North. I won't be eating cake though. We are eating cake all day in class and a girl can only eat so much cake.
This delightful little piece of silk is something that's evolving in 'simply stitch'. I say delightful because I think so, you don't have to agree. I speak only for myself. The reason I think that way is because it is small, tiny and dotted, scattered with various stitches. I feel as though I am practicing again, starting over.
Before I set off on my trip I have a little doodling to do, with pencil.....and a bathroom to clean. Best get busy then.
06/18/2013
adding applique
There are a couple of things in progress that I hope to get finished very soon. One is the pin pillow list, another is this.....the white pocket. I have another video today, (it's only 2 minutes long) detailing embroidery that was added to this last night. Basically that consists of three apllique squares and the completion of a seam with web stitches. I also talk a little about my plans for the remainder of the embellishment.
Tomorrow I have some gorgeous images for you of something I am working on in ''simply stitch''. The piece really is back to basics...and I am loving the simplicity of it. I will also be early tomorrow. Yes I will!! I have to be as I am going out ALL afternoon. I have withdrawals from embroidery already....
06/17/2013
I'm on sandwich duty again.....of the cloth kind
Final touches, finishing off, backing and adding tabs......I'm getting there if you're on my list waiting for one of these. They will be antiques shortly won't they. Do you feel as if you have been waiting a lifetime? Have you grown a beard? I am sorry...they do take time and then of course I did leave the country for a while. So stand by your computer...I am aiming for the end of this week.
We started our eight week coffee morning today. We're all going to be as big as house ends when we finish. Eight weeks of cake? can you imagine. Alongside eating cake I am making a mini sampler and I will show you that later this week when the girls have seen it. I am quite taken with it actually and hope you like it when you get to see it. As always once pictures start appearing in the group I will put a link for you on here.
In other news......I've got a headache. It's time for a pint of water and a tiny quiet moment. It may also be time for an eye test.
***simply stitch girls.....at the top of the blog is a page 'online learning links'. If you go on there you will find a shortcut to the group blog.***
06/16/2013
the white pocket
Today I have an update for you on the white pocket. Do you remember the video debate about should I or shouldn't I stitch the frill down? Well you now have a two minute video on my decision, my reason and a discussion about a bald man with a comb over....who said this blog was boring?
I can't stop. I have girls waiting, tongues hanging out to get access to class. Next job? Sort them out......
06/15/2013
damp stretched and cut out
The final four pin pillows, damp stretched, cut out and ready for the final titivations! There is still a few hours work to do on them. They need to have the tabs added, the backs stitched on. Then they will have to be stuffed and have hand embroidered finishing worked on the edges...quick? easy? well not difficult but certainly not quick.
It won't happen today. The rest of today will be spent preparing for ''simply stitch''. Final touches to the class blog and some embroidery prep. If you are signed up for class it will most likely be tomorrow before I send out the information for the blog. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten.
I will be leaving registration open after the start date as there are usually a couple of late comers. It also isn't a deadline, project centred class so will be easy to slip into late...you may have to sit at the back but hey...that way you can misbehave and I won't notice!
06/14/2013
joining lace....
Recently I have been thinking that I need more organisation in my life. I need to be able to find things easier. I need to be less cluttered. I need to learn to tidy cloth away. My son will be moving out soon. I plan a huge clear out and new cupboards. I will have a full EMPTY room without purpose. I am determined that said room won't just become a dumping ground. I won't turn it into a work room, I work better downstairs, on the sofa. What I hope to do with it is have a place to keep my things in an organised and tidy manner.
With this in mind I have sorted through some cloth in progress to assess how much work the pieces still need and came across two pieces of lace. In themselves they are finished, now they need to be joined to form part of my lace curtain. (do you remember that? it seems as if it was such a long time ago) They now have buttonhole lace seams and sit together perfectly. It's progress, slow progress but progress all the same.
06/13/2013
reassurance....
Yes, reassurance. For those of you who are waiting for pin pillows. I
am making them as fast as my little fingers can stitch......here is the
proof. I show more of my progress on the video and also talk about this
charming little book I bought in Sweden. Unfortunately I can't read it
but I can look at the pictures.
Today has been like yesterday in so far as I am late again. When I say late I am referring to my own timetable, my plan for the day. On my list I should have been here half an hour ago. Haven't a clue what happened. I was up at 6.30 am. I cleaned out the fridge, put the washing machine on, ran an errand and that's it. I did make the video but that is five minutes. Perhaps I am just generally slow at the moment...who knows.
06/12/2013
oops!!
I
am running so late today.....I got distracted. First of all I had to go
out and then I got making video for simply stitch. Then I got
sidetracked by something on the internet, you know how it is. The
tomatoes are the remains of breakfast, I have eaten on the run. All you
get to see is the mess on the table, sorry. It was hardly worth the
effort for you coming over was it.
This may make up for it a little I hope.........I posted a picture on Instagram of the entrance to an underwater hotel in Sweden which generated a few questions. I actually touched it, sailed past it on a little boat whilst fishing and things were going on with my brother and hubby. I was relaxing....touching passing hotels. Anyway...the link explains everything. Not sure I would want to sleep there but it takes all sorts!
If you are registered for class stand by your inbox. Videos are coming!!
06/11/2013
hello!!!
Hi!! I am so excited to be back. I don't need to hide anymore.....the cases are unpacked and back in their cubby hole. The dirty clothes are mostly washed and the ironing is done. I have re stocked the food cupboards and watered the plants. I am back in full on creative mode and couldn't be happier. My brain is buzzing with ideas for ''simply stitch'' and if you are registered for class you can expect a mail and a video in the next two days...yikes....exciting times.
My pin pillow marathon is progressing well.....as evidenced by the pictures. Pretty, pretty pin pillows in the making. Those of you on the list will not have to wait much longer. I have yet to look at flickr. Actually, I am scared to look at flickr. There will be a zillion images to consider and comment on and gaze at. The girls are so talented and productive....help!
The holiday? I had a wonderful time, a wonderful break. I wouldn't say I am recharged, more worn out but that doesn't take away from the whole week of relaxing, boat trips, good food, shopping.....if you want to see my holiday snaps then just look over here....there's quite a mixture.
Finally for today, someone asked me for this, (you know who you are!!!) so why not share with all of you. Please don't ask me what a dl is....and no I'm not making it for you! Enjoy.....
-
Lingonberry cake:
3dl flour
1,5 tbs bakingpowder
1 dl sugar
75 g butter
1 egg
1,5 dl milk
2 dl lingonberriesmix flour, baking powder, butter, half of the sugar. Then mix milk and egg and put together with the rest. Put in a buttered baking dish with the lingonberries and the rest of the sugar on top. bake in lower part of oven for 25 min 225*
Thank you Hanna......x
( I copied and pasted this. I am wondering if tbs should be tsp???) and no, this isn't turning into a cookery blog!!!
06/10/2013
I'm not stopping.....
Please
don't tell anyone you saw me....I'm not really here. I am sorting the
mess out from suitcases and laundry bags. I am only here to remind you
that ''simply stitch'' begins very soon. Yikes......I best get busy.
I had a wonderful holiday.
Plopp is Swedish chocolate.
It isn't for me.......I don't like it.
Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
Oh..........and I missed you.
06/02/2013
in the hoop
This is my work from last night in all its unstretched glory. That doesn't happen very often....me putting unstretched work on here. Stretching wasn't on my list and I am sticking rigidly to that list. I am nearly at the bottom of it actually and feeling rather pleased with myself.
So that's it. I leave you with a piece of substandard embroidery. Sorry about that but if I deviate I get lost and all the plans become muddled. I will be back on June 11......not too far away.....and don't forget you can follow my travels on Instagram and facebook. Links over on the right.
Miss you already........x
06/01/2013
a frill, a flounce
Last
night I added a frill to and edge, to a seam of my latest white ''pouch
in progress'' . I am more than happy with it. I would go so far as to
say I love it....but....there is potential here for creasing. A
conundrum...I could leave it here and catch it down with a stitch or two
to prevent any potential for creasing? Will I just leave it free, which
I prefer and hope it doesn't crease? I can't decide. I don't need to
decide yet. One thing for sure....it is staying, caught down or not. I
also added some little applique circles of lace, edged with chain stitch
and a little arc of bullion knots. Did I do well? Did I get enough
done? I'm happy anyway.
This morning I got my car back, 18 hours late. I have more washing blowing on the line. I still have some cleaning to do but I think it's safe to get the suitcases out now.
I will close registration for ''simply stitch, a gathering of cloth and embroiderers'' tomorrow. I will open it again on Monday June 10.
05/31/2013
tick....
I'm back from my latest trip up the M6...boy am I sick of the motorway. Hopefully that's it for a while. The next couple of days will be slightly hectic getting ready for Monday. I have clothes to wash, clothes to iron, clothes to pack. I have a house to clean ( if you saw the image I put on instagram this morning that is only a tiny area of a much larger mess!!) Thankfully it's a glorious day and the washing is drying beautifully on the line. I don't have my car either....garage....that needs to be collected later. Oh well......embroidery will fit in somewhere I will make sure of it.
The tick in the title relates to these two little things....they are ticked.........not finished but almost....My plan is to finish them tonight and mail them in the morning. So that's me....my chores for the day listed here and my plans for embroidery too. I will be here tomorrow. What will I show you? Haven't a clue but I will be here!!
05/29/2013
moving on with white
Two more tiny pieces have been added to my current white piece. This surface is becoming embellished more speedily than I thought. Looking at the second image gives a good sense of that, of the area still left to embroider, to add to, to titivate. It's filling up quite nicely isn't it. What do you think? I have decided that this will definitely be a pouch, for the shop. I won't use it as part of my daughters new ''bed'' size cloth. That will be started during simply stitch but not started first. I have a plan for my first simply stitch item. A plan that excites me. Not a completely new item as such but a special item, with new additions. I am being cryptic, sorry. I will shut up about it now.
On the holiday front my brain is working more efficiently. I have a mental list of things to do, things to pack, so I am half way there. My currency is ordered as is my taxi to the airport. I have also been talking to my phone provider, my mobile, (cell) so that I can photograph Sweden to death and share with you on Instagram and Facebook. So really I am taking you with me.......I'm too nice. You can pay for your own room though!
05/28/2013
an interview....
More work on unmentionables today, along with more tabs. I had hoped to have these all finished before I went away but sadly I don't think I will, sorry. Two are almost finished, I will be mailing a couple of you before the week is out so stand by your computers!!
I want to comment a little on yesterday. You are all so kind worrying about my stress levels. I have to say though that you can all relax. I am not at all stressed, I wasn't stressed yesterday. No, not stress, more yearning.....a desire to find some time to completely immerse myself in embroidery, no distractions, no outside things and stuff to attend to. And yes I know...we could all do with that. Trouble with me is I have to say it, to verbalise my inner most desires. Be relieved that they are limited to fantasies of the embroidery kind!! It could be so much worse.....
Now I want to share with you a little intertview I did for British Cream Tea website. It must be all my talk of cake that attracted them....enjoy!
I am so excited about today's guest! When I first sat down to make a list of who I would love to introduce you to, Karen was one of the very first names that came to me so I am thrilled she is joining us today ;)
I first discovered Karen's ridiculously gorgeous embroidery years ago and was awe struck by her intricate white on white pieces. Patchworks of lace and embroidered cloth and monograms scattered liberally with bullion knots and teeny tiny flowers...
so this afternoon, my lovelies, lets sit back and savour the fabulous stitches of Karen Ruane's Contemporary Embroidery...take it away Karen ;)
For centuries women have used cloth as a tool of comfort and as an expression of beauty within their homes. Creating cloth for warmth, cloth for shelter, our female predecessors embellished these linens with hand stitch using laborious and time consuming techniques thereby enhancing the functional beauty of objects which enveloped and protected their families. Inspired by these women I hope my creations pay tribute to and recognise the devotion expressed in cloth by our female ancestors .
All my hand embroidery takes place on the sofa, in front of the TV or listening to the radio. I find it impossible to hand sew anywhere else....on a plane, train, in the car....at someone else's house. I have to be in ''my seat'' in my home
As for my favourite pieces....my wrapping cloths, the cloths I first created as a representation of my desire to shield, protect and envelop my children.
If you want more information about her work you can visit Karen'sblog...though be warned, once you start flicking through the photos time will run away and you will find that hours have passed in a flurry of bullion knots ;)
And finally, in my usual method of saving the best for last...
Karen has an 8 week course starting on the 17th June that she is calling "Simply Stitch. A Gathering of Cloth & Embroiderers":
A seat on her course will be my treat to myself if next week's Artisan Market goes swimmingly...so you have to join me!
Thanks Karen xx
05/27/2013
L is for lace....
I got this gorgeous little book, or should I say dictionary off my son for my birthday. I love it. It's small, precious and crammed with snippets of information and wonderful little illustrations. This morning I thought I would have a look, check, to see if I knew properly what lace was. Do the things I call lace actually fit the definition. You will be pleased to hear that they do...loosely at least.
It's been a whirlwind this past week. It's been amazing but I'm exhausted. I feel completely out of the loop in an embroidery and online sense, floundering and with so many things whizzing around in my head that I need to do and want to do. I am going on holiday in 7 days so there are things to do for that. I have a family situation to attend to on Thursday which will take me away for the whole day. I feel a list coming on.....I must make a list then at least as I tick it off I will feel as if I am getting somewhere.
05/26/2013
the beginning....
I pieced this cloth on Friday. Yesterday I began the embroidery, (no pictures sorry) This is the cloth for the final batch of unmentionables. There is silk dupion, silk tissue and lace. It is a gorgeous surface....very soft, almost quiet and also gentle. I will show you the embroidery but I can't today. Why? Because i'm not here. I am ''up North'', a birthday visit to my parents so they don't forget about me. There will be cake and presents....yes, more presents. And then this little angel is going to be 3! To celebrate that I will be going here....I will behave myself, let the kids go first....honest.
05/25/2013
it's white.....it's not unmentionable...
Yesterday I promised you white and here it is.....I adore white. It's almost as if I forget how much I do adore white when I'm not working with it.
There is bright sunshine today which in theory should make the photography easier. Somehow it doesn't....too much sun. That isn't something I am used to saying. I think these are OK though....better than they would have been if it were raining.
I speak more of this in the video, a better explanation of the cloth along with some imagery of my latest vintage acquisitions.
05/24/2013
phew....I made it
I'm late today aren't I....I don't actually know why. I was up at 6.30, parcels were wrapped and dispatched, (I'm not mentioning the parcel contents. I said the other day that I wouldn't mention them again for a long time). I have tackled the supermarket run....and he we are...late. I have looked for the time that disappeared and I can't find it anywhere so I will just let that one go.
Today's pictures are of the latest ''things I won't mention''.....tomorrow I have white. Hopefully that's worth coming back for. It is actually a rather nice piece of white that I am loving......layers and ruffles and edges and such things...wait and see.
I had a wonderful birthday, lots of presents, (I told you I had been good!), gorgeous cards, cake, good food....lots of good things. Thank you all for the amazing good wishes and the mails and the e-cards...I love those e-cards...thank you for the flowers....you know who you are and the chocolates. I feel as if I should be giving an Oscar like acceptance but honestly....I hope you know how much I appreciate everything.
I don't normally do ''current affairs'' on here but today I have to. I feel a huge need to speak of the sadness that appears to be engulfing everything in my days at the moment. My heart is broken after Wednesday. I had to say it....
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