08/13/2018
embroidered silk and discovering lost treasure
This panel of embroidered silk is now finished and damp stretched. If you remember this will be the cover of a ''rolled book'' in which I'll store embroidery samples. I still haven't decided whether to line this yet, I'm waiting for that penny to drop in terms of inspiration. For now I will lay this out safely and glance at it every so often. There's a short video at the end of this post speaking about that finishing process for this piece but first....I have been doing a little sorting out. Yesterday I found forgotten treasure, there was great excitement lol. I have been exceptionally good too as they are now all wound neatly on cards....
Just over two weeks now until the start of my '12 month stitch along', a full year of embroidery school. I am so excited.....
you can read all about that here.
08/11/2018
lovely, lovely paper
It's tissue paper, hand stitched tissue paper. I can't begin to describe how it feels in your hands, how it feels when you stitch into it, how soft it is and yes, how extremely fragile it is. I know there are possibilities here, the potential to take this further. I'm thinking about that.
(artist book girls, this is the surface we created last time...bigger picture, bigger picture...)
08/09/2018
08/08/2018
A few images today from my Instagram feed. Mostly these illustrate how my table looks every day, it shows I'm busy, it's a proper embroidery factory in this little house.
I'm early today. I need to be somewhere. I needed to be somewhere yesterday too and I need to be somewhere tomorrow. I'm staying put all weekend I promise.
A reminder....12 whole months of embroidery...52 weeks.....365 days.....
you can read more here.
08/05/2018
developing a page
A little more work on pages for my ongoing artist book. Also, a reminder about the new class. Twelve whole months of all things embroidery. I will post all the information at the end of this post, after the videos....
12 month stitch along
To register go here
A live blog running from September 1 2018 through to September 1 2019.
I speak about my online classes and
creative life in a podcast recorded recently with 'stitchery stories'.
You can listen to that here.
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.
Staged payments accepted. Please contact me for details.
This online learning programme is born from the success and popularity of previous 'fly on the wall' classes.
Join me for 12 months of creativity, a
unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my
working practice over a full year. Who knows what will crop up, what
will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page
of time and fill that page, that time developing embroidered works on
paper and fabric.
There may be artist books, there may be delicately embroidered laces along with decorative silk surfaces.
There will definitely be buttons, ribbons, sequins, beads and all manner of added titivation.
Posting once every fortnight I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various piece of work which result from explorations demonstrated in class.
Group interaction will be facilitated within the forum of a private Flickr group where it will be possible to upload images and receive feedback and encouragement from the wider group along with input from me. There will also be the opportunity for wider discussion within the ''discussion'' area of that group. Interaction in this manner is however voluntary. There is no pressure on you to participate within this forum. If you prefer to work quietly, on your own that is encouraged too. My wish is for you to use this learning experience in the manner best suited to you, to learn in a way which makes you happy and furthers your individual creativity.
Please note, certain tasks within this programme require the use of a sewing machine.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.*
08/03/2018
sampling new ideas for artist books
A little experiment....a new type of 'cover' for a handmade artist book. I still have to figure out the internal page layout, size, the 'putting together' but I do like a challenge.
08/02/2018
soft pages held in place with a buckle
This little artist book was finished in my '12 month artist book' class earlier this week. The embroidered cloth which is used as a binding to hold it all together has been secured with a tiny buckle and a little white ribbon. The last three images show some of the pages inside this artist book. I'm hoping I have created this piece in a way which will allow me to add more pages over time, more little stitched scraps, more compositions.
08/01/2018
whites and little ball buttons
Seven little hand made ball buttons threaded on ribbon purely for safe keeping. (each of these has a hand stitched shank/bar for use when attaching to cloth or paper)
These little things can roll and roll and I didn't want to lose any. I can't believe it's taken me all these years to realise threading on to ribbon or similar is the best way to 'store' these ..... I got there in the end though.....
There are seven little buttons here. Ideally I would like to have at least twenty of these for my stash as they are perfect adornments for an edge. These seven took me around five hours to make however so I guess it will be some time before I have twenty or more.
The white piece which is only partially embroidered at the moment is a mix of silk, paper and silk velvet. The little buttons are laid here as some of them may well end up on one edge of this piece.
My new, year long embroidery class begins on September 1st one month from now. You can read more about that here.
07/30/2018
clarity
A short video, a brief chat....what I'm working on.
07/29/2018
drapery for an artist book
Silk velvet, delicate paper and vintage net, stitched together before being embellished with hand embroidery, beads and pom poms. I love the weight of this, the feel of it in my hands. This will drape over the cover of my new artist book, (these are the pages if you remember)
It's coming together.....
07/28/2018
edges
The overlays I showed you here are almost finished, more has been added to the seams and edges. It's so easy to work these pieces, you can completely lose yourself in the repetitive actions of adding beads and sequins. It's relaxing, calming......
A reminder about my new class, 52 weeks of embroidery.
You can read about that here.
07/26/2018
pages and overlays
Prtogress with my latest arist book, pages, overlays, frothy cloth, light as air, sequins, beads, bullion knots, turkey work.....this is so beautiful to work on.
07/24/2018
the next cloth book
Last time I was here I spoke about my cloth sample books, there was a short video which you can see here if you missed it. In the video I mention how I need more sample books, samples are piling up here so this is the latest one in progress. It measures 28 x 10 inches...there's a lot of embroidery still to do.
When the surface embellishment is complete I may add my samples to the reverse. I say 'may' because I haven't decided for sure whether to add more in terms of strips to the other side of this. The strips would hold the samples before this is rolled. Does it need strips? Probably not but once I get going I don't know when to stop, that's why I haven't decided yet.
A reminder, my new class. A full year of all things embroidery.
To register go here.
12 month stitch along
A live blog running from September 1 2018 through to September 1 2019.
I speak about my online classes and
creative life in a podcast recorded recently with 'stitchery stories'.
You can listen to that here.
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.
Staged payments accepted. Please contact me for details.
This online learning programme is born from the success and popularity of previous 'fly on the wall' classes.
Join me for 12 months of creativity, a
unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my
working practice over a full year. Who knows what will crop up, what
will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page
of time and fill that page, that time developing embroidered works on
paper and fabric.
There may be artist books, there may be delicately embroidered laces along with decorative silk surfaces.
There will definitely be buttons, ribbons, sequins, beads and all manner of added titivation.
Posting once every fortnight I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various piece of work which result from explorations demonstrated in class.
Group interaction will be facilitated within the forum of a private Flickr group where it will be possible to upload images and receive feedback and encouragement from the wider group along with input from me. There will also be the opportunity for wider discussion within the ''discussion'' area of that group. Interaction in this manner is however voluntary. There is no pressure on you to participate within this forum. If you prefer to work quietly, on your own that is encouraged too. My wish is for you to use this learning experience in the manner best suited to you, to learn in a way which makes you happy and furthers your individual creativity.
Please note, certain tasks within this programme require the use of a sewing machine.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
07/22/2018
embroidered sample books
As promised a few days ago...a mini show and tell of my embroidered cloth sample books. I'm thinking about the next one, the best format for that....
Also, I think you might enjoy this.
07/20/2018
a little doodling with needle and thread
A little piece I was playing with last week, some vintage cloth, a little Liberty pattern and a strip of new ribbon. This piece will be a sample, another sample to add to one of my embroidered cloth sample folders. Speaking of cloth sample folders.....I may revisit those soon, maybe make a short video for you. Embroidered cloth sample folders are something I would like to explore a little more and there is definitely a need to make more of them as I am surrounded by little samples of stitch.
Dont forget the new class.....all thing embroidery.....for a whole year!
I am very excited about this......a full year of embroidery, of stitched papers, of embellished cloth, beads, ribbons, buttons, sequins.
To register go here.
12 month stitch along
A live blog running from September 1 2018 through to September 1 2019.
I speak about my online classes and
creative life in a podcast recorded recently with 'stitchery stories'.
You can listen to that here.
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.
Staged payments accepted. Please contact me for details.
This online learning programme is born from the success and popularity of previous 'fly on the wall' classes.
Join me for 12 months of creativity, a
unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my
working practice over a full year. Who knows what will crop up, what
will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page
of time and fill that page, that time developing embroidered works on
paper and fabric.
There may be artist books, there may be delicately embroidered laces along with decorative silk surfaces.
There will definitely be buttons, ribbons, sequins, beads and all manner of added titivation.
Posting once every fortnight I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various piece of work which result from explorations demonstrated in class.
Group interaction will be facilitated within the forum of a private Flickr group where it will be possible to upload images and receive feedback and encouragement from the wider group along with input from me. There will also be the opportunity for wider discussion within the ''discussion'' area of that group. Interaction in this manner is however voluntary. There is no pressure on you to participate within this forum. If you prefer to work quietly, on your own that is encouraged too. My wish is for you to use this learning experience in the manner best suited to you, to learn in a way which makes you happy and furthers your individual creativity.
Please note, certain tasks within this programme require the use of a sewing machine.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
07/18/2018
a full year of embroidery
I am very excited about this......a full year of embroidery, of stitched papers, of embellished cloth, beads, ribbons, buttons, sequins.
To register go here.
12 month stitch along
A live blog running from September 1 2018 through to September 1 2019.
I speak about my online classes and
creative life in a podcast recorded recently with 'stitchery stories'.
You can listen to that here.
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.
Staged payments accepted. Please contact me for details.
This online learning programme is born from the success and popularity of previous 'fly on the wall' classes.
Join me for 12 months of creativity, a
unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my
working practice over a full year. Who knows what will crop up, what
will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page
of time and fill that page, that time developing embroidered works on
paper and fabric.
There may be artist books, there may be delicately embroidered laces along with decorative silk surfaces.
There will definitely be buttons, ribbons, sequins, beads and all manner of added titivation.
Posting once every fortnight I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various piece of work which result from explorations demonstrated in class.
Group interaction will be facilitated within the forum of a private Flickr group where it will be possible to upload images and receive feedback and encouragement from the wider group along with input from me. There will also be the opportunity for wider discussion within the ''discussion'' area of that group. Interaction in this manner is however voluntary. There is no pressure on you to participate within this forum. If you prefer to work quietly, on your own that is encouraged too. My wish is for you to use this learning experience in the manner best suited to you, to learn in a way which makes you happy and furthers your individual creativity.
Please note, certain tasks within this programme require the use of a sewing machine.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
07/17/2018
two pages
Pages are being titivated, embroidered, overlaid, edged and adorned....the page with the pom poms isn't finished yet but I am more than happy with how these pieces are developing. I have also created two cloth pieces which will be used as overlays in this artist book. They are in their most basic form at the moment and I'm hoping to embroider a little on those tonight.
Operation 'new artist book' is progressing well!
07/16/2018
pages
Pages are being put together to fill the new artist book I showed you the beginnings of yesterday. There are actually three pages, one is unseen here. The third is almost completely embellished and I will share that with you soon. I always try to have one 'ever present' pattern or surface within my artst book pages. With this book it will be the deep red floral pattern. That design works well with both dark and light patterns, whites and creams too.
I feel I have my creativity back. I am excited about my plans for the next few months. There will be a lot of posts about pages and artist books for the foreseeable future along with news regarding a new class, a 12 month marathon of embroidery.
I am slowly working towards daily posting here. I'm not sure when the 'every day' will become regular and uninterrupted but I will be back tomorrow. Now I best get on and finish stitching my 'almost finished' page so I can show you.
07/15/2018
a new cover, a new artist book
The very early stages of a new artist book. Recently I have developed a particular love of the delicate, the floaty, the lightness of fragility in my hands when embroidering on lace and paper. My swatch roll is the latest piece which inspires that pleasure and without wishing to repeat my work or create identical pieces I am drawn back to elements of that swatch roll and the very first artist book we created in artist book class.
The embroidered piece has silk velevt alongside lace and paper. The velvet adds a stability and a weight in a way that doesn't detract from the fragility of this piece. The next step is to think about the pages which will fill this one....
07/13/2018
swatches....delicate surfaces
My finished piece from embroidery class....delicate embroidered fabrics and papers in a little 'swatch roll'.
07/10/2018
overlays and fastenings
Stitched papers and little ball fastenings.....these are the final pieces of the swatch collection we have been creating in embroidery class. The papers are overlays, to lay between the delicate surfaces we have created with cloth. Beads and ribbon have been added to those along with a little hand embroidery.
The little ball fastenings can only be described as a labour of love. I don't think I have ever worked with anything as fiddly...ever. Those will be tied to an edge, a final titivation.
I'm hoping to share the finished swatch collection with you at the weekend.
07/09/2018
Monday morning
Monday has been good so far. I've been evaluating progress over in artist book class and finishing a wrap of delightfully light embroidered surfaces in my embroidery class. I finally feel I am getting back to some semblance of orderliness after a very trying and frantic couple of months. I have to go away on Wednesday and Thursday this week but after that I'm anticipating everything settling down. The attempts to sell my house will carry on in the background, I'm determined it will not take precedence over my living my life as normal.
07/08/2018
quietly titivating
I'm still here, snatching time here and there for a little embroidery. Things will hopefully settle back to something like normal here after this next week. Yesterday I helped my son move house, later this week we have family visiting from Sweden (don't mention the football!!) My house remains unsold and pristine. I've decided not to put my life on hold whilst I wait for someone to buy this little cupboard. I am going to calmly carry on, let it all happen in the background. For all I know there might never be anyone as fond of cupboards as me and it might never sell. What will be will be......
07/05/2018
catch up
My London treats. Approximately three hours shopping. Imagine the damage I could do with a couple of days shopping.
I'm playing catch up here. I am getting up to speed with classes and doing a lot of tidying and cleaning. I'm trying to sell my house. It's a constant battle to stay on top of things and I'm the kind of person who needs 'stuff' around them so this obsessive tidyness is taking its toll. In between class, tidying and cleaning I am sorting out, throwing things away. I'm trying to be ruthless. If it's in a cupboard and I haven't looked for it for four years I guess I don't need it.
There's a desperate need here for embroidery. I hope to address that later today.
07/03/2018
floaty pages
We are getting to the business end of things over in 'create and embellish'. Our little collection of swatches is finished and we're creating soft, layered rolls of paper in which to wrap them.
I'm just back from London, lots to do, laundry, unpacking......
I missed you though x
06/25/2018
buttons and beads on an edge
You have seen this lace piece many times but it's a 'slow grower'. The newest addition, the latest area to be titivated is the edge shown here where buttons are linked with beads. The other piece is also an edge....I haven't decided where that will live yet. It may be that it stays as a sample and finds it's way into the little swatch collection we are building over in 'create and embellish'.
I will be disappearing again now. I am off to London this week...purely pleasere (I hope). Shopping, birthday celebrations for my husband and family time.
See you next week.
06/23/2018
embroidery for artist books
A little look for you at what's been happening in artist book class recently. The long embroidered piece will hopefully be some kind of wrap around closure for the little book also shown here which is still being put together. The embroidered piece is 28 inches long, silk velevt, vintage net and more of that exquisite cloth I showed you in the video in this post.
06/21/2018
adding hankie edges and sequins
I'm extending this piece which you last saw here. Edges from a vintage hankie have been added to one corner and embellished with sequins.....
A video show and tell.
06/19/2018
hexagons
In addition to being buried under mounds of sequins I have also been working on some paper pieces for Artist book class, hexagons, layers, paper tape, stitched paper...and a few beads (because I just can't help myself)
I am completely immersed in both my classes at the moment. There is hardly any stitching happening here which doesn't relate to my online learning commitments. I aim to change that soon. Not to neglect my classes but to work on something 'just for me'. What will that be? I wish I knew but when I do know....you will be the first person I tell.
06/17/2018
beads and sequins
You would be forgiven for thinking I had spent the last seven weeks or so at some kind of sequin party or bead festival. I haven't. I wish. These are however a few snapshots of what's been going on here. Yes, lots of beads and sequins. Other stuff too...I just can't recall what that was or is at the moment.
(the last image...a beautiful birthday gift. They are 'looking at' beads. They also get fondled regualrly.)
My birthday was weeks ago.....
06/15/2018
edges
We have been titivating edges over in class, this is work from earlier this week.
Things are also beginning to even out here now and I hope to be around more often fingers crossed.
06/12/2018
beaded edges
I finally finished this little pocket. After beading the lower edge I was compelled to bead the top edge. That's a first for me......(a beaded opening)
06/09/2018
paper and fine cloth
This is what happens when you add paper to cloth, stitch a little on your sewing machine, add hand embroidery and get left alone with a lot of beads for a few days....
(create and embellish girls....you can do this with yours)
06/05/2018
06/03/2018
sewn up three sides, pinned at the top edge
The front and back of this little pocket have now been sewn together and the top edges are pinned ready and waiting for the lining to be embellished. My first task though is to edge this with running stitch and maybe add some sequins and beads along the bottom edge. And in case you were wondering....yes, they will dangle.
06/01/2018
paper and froth
In the first two images new work is laid across work you have seen before. The white, the lace like cloth with paper is work which is developing in class.....as is the piece in the third image
The next piece is paper and scrim. I am working on this as and when, picking it up and putting it down when the mood takes me, kind of like a doodle. There's something very therapeutic about methodically and rhythmically embroidering buttonhole stitch seams.
05/29/2018
delicate surafces
Create and embellish girls.....tomorrows post is now live on the class blog.
My mojo is slowly returning....I am stitching more and I am devoting time to my classes with a clearer head.
I will be back in a few days.
05/28/2018
Artist Books
Artist book class....your new post is now live on the class blog....early.
05/27/2018
glimpses of embroidery class ( or classes)
I am still teaching but more importantly I am still learning.
(work here is from Create and Embellish and 12 Months of Artist Books)
05/24/2018
gimp and sequins
For both my class groups
I am having problems with my email. I cannot send a mail to the group. I can send individual mail but that would take forever. Can I ask that you check the blog for new posts following our current schedule removing the need for me to send an email. I am sorry about this. I am going to try and locate a teenager who can help me.
As you can see embroidery is still happening here. There is a freshness to this one which I love and this evening I will begin another piece, a paper based piece using the same colours as I have used here, the same beads.
I am so grateful for your patience. My posting will continue to be sporadic and comments will stay closed for now. By way of explanation and without going into great detail, there has been a traumatic event in my family and although things are improving my head isn't keeping up.
It helps to know you are hanging in with me. Thank you.
And extra special love and thanks to the girls in my classes for allowing those to be my refuge.
05/23/2018
05/20/2018
05/18/2018
whites for class
I'm slowly getting back into things here. It may take a little more time but I wanted to make sure you knew I hadn't gone for good.
Classes are continuing, here's a little peek at what we've been up to.
Thanks for hanging in with me.
05/15/2018
embroidery
Did you miss me? I'm sorry but I can't stay long. There is stuff going on but meanwhile I am stitching and taking photographs and hope to be posting more regularly soon.
(both current classes are available over in the shop. Classes aren't suffering because of 'stuff')
04/23/2018
an added strip
The day before yesterday I was bored with this....not any more. (you can read about that here) I have since added a strip of textured silk which is now embroidered with clusters of French knots and beads. (I bought that silk in New York, in the Garment District. That's a place you should go without a credit card)
There is a space left to fill, under the two hankie corners, first image lower right. I'm thinking of adding more cutwork there. Once that is done this front will be finished. This piece will have an embroidered reverse and lining too so there's still quite a bit of work to do.
I am going away for a few days tomorrow, here and here. I have decided to leave the shop open whilst I am gone and ask you to consider that if you sign up later than this evening UK time you will not receive any details of classes after purchase until Monday 30 April. There are three classes for sale at the moment, the ongoing '12 month artist book blog', the current class 'create and embellish' along with 'embroidery school 2018' which is now available as a 'work on your own' class. You can read about them all in the shop.
I thought I would leave this here whilst I am away, my recent podcast recorded with Stitchery Stories where I speak about my classes, my love of embroidery and my creative life. (just in case you missed it)
Miss you already.
04/22/2018
beads and stitch on paper, a design sheet
A few days ago I was inspired by this, yesterday I was bored with this. The answer was staring me in the face....use the piece which inspired you to start a new piece, a new design sheet.
This one has a way to go. I'm going to think on it today, plan my next move. There may be a few drawn out stitch lines and there will almost certainly be a little collage. I will stitch more into the actual sheet, gradually building the surface and filling the space. I'm thinking of adding patterned paper too, paper which compliments what's here already.
I'm passed the ''blank sheet of paper' stage, that fear of that so in theory there shouldn't be anything holding me back now.
04/21/2018
not applique
Yesterday I spoke about adding applique to this piece.....I changed my mind, a woman's prerogative. Cutwork won over applique, cutwork with inserts of silk and trim and little clusters of French knots and beads.
I hope I don't shock you now but I'm bored....bored with this. I like it, I will finish it but for some reason I need a new challenge today. I haven't a clue what, I'm completely blank on that but I will pull some stuff out and play around for a while and see if that sparks something.
Next week I am going on holiday. I'm going here and here. You may remember I taught at the Nantes show two years ago. This time I'm going as a visitor, I can browse, I can shop, I can wander round aimlessly, I can be a tourist, I can be a fabric and thread addict, I can be inspired and in awe.....
The shop will close on Monday so if you wish to sign up for the new class or the 12 month 'artist book blog' bear that in mind.
Wish me luck with my afternoon of play, of searching for inspiration.
04/20/2018
something new
A new piece, quite small at approximately nine by ten inches. This will be a little pocket, a gift. I plan on adding embroidery to the reverse and lining too but for now this piece, the front is in its early stages. I have a 'thing' for those little turquoise beads. I'm considering adding those to the hankie edges as a final titivation when the remainder of the embroidery is complete and I'm very tempted to make more of these for an edge....
04/19/2018
a sequined edge
Here it is...finished, backed, titivated.....and edged with sequins on two sides. I resisted the temptation to use 'dangly' things. I love the contrast between the ornate sequined sides and the other two simply stitched using running stitch edges.
I guess this may qualify as a lap quilt...it's eighteen by twenty inches. It won't be used as a lap quilt but it will be on my lap a lot so I can examine it.
When you are in the process of creating a piece like this, or any piece for that matter you are always driven to continue, it keeps you going and feeds you creatively and even though I have lots of things which inspire me, work which is ongoing for online classes, plans for more design sheets.....there is still a hole left when something like this gets finished. There's a little bit of bewilderment about what comes next, at least there is for me. I may have several things 'on the go' but when one thing is removed from that group I am always left wondering how to fill the gap....
04/18/2018
design sheet
Along with the little book of stitches we created a paper based design sheet in ''embroidery school''. This is my completed sheet. I say completed but I may change it a little. The jury is out regarding the lace area on the left. (first image) I did try it another way in class but that didn't excite me so I'm leaving this in a place where I can glance at it from time to time, waiting for the penny to drop, the inspiration to hit me.
This piece has me itching to begin another one. At the moment I'm 'thinking', half planning, throwing away more ideas than I am keeping. I guess it will be a slow burner.
Meanwhile, this happened yesterday.
They are on the ironing board here but worry not.....an iron never went anywhere near them. The front and back are now joined, the edge embellishment, the adornment has begun and I decided against 'dangly to the max'. Tomorrow you can judge that for yourself providing I can stitch fast enough. I'm on it.
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