09/13/2019
new buttons
Hand embroidered buttons, in truth not very practical but I seem to be saying it a lot lately...who cares about practical. I fear there are addictions forming in embroidery school, there's definitely an addiction forming here and I can't wait to use these in my work.
The future of my online classes may be up in the air but embroidery continues and besides, I want to give my all to the two current groups. Embroidery, cloth, thread, it's who I am, it's what I do.
I'm in a strange place at the moment emotionally. It's a huge thing for me that I may I have to give up my online teaching, it has been central to my daily life for a long time and I will have to make adjustments............ just wanted to explain the reason for what will most likely be only sporadic posting on here for a little while.
Meanwhile, there is a lot of joy in other areas of my life. These two beautiful young people got engaged to be married on Tuesday. I can't tell you how proud I am of my son and what he has overcome to get to this stage in his life. His choice of life partner, his luck in finding his perfect 'other' couldn't make our family happier. She is perfect for him, kind, funny.... we love you Chelsey. It really is like this was meant to be.
09/09/2019
teaching and learning
There are quite a few images today, images of past works. In this post I am hoping to illustrate my portfolio if only in a very condensed form. What you see here is a tiny selction of completed works be they embroidered pieces, embroidered samples, ledger pages, design exercises or surface design process.
As many of you will know I have been teaching hand embroidery for a long time. Mostly, almost exclusively that teaching and sharing of knowledge has been delivered through the vehicle of online learning classes of various durations with the occasional 'live' wokshop in London. It's how I earn my living and as far as I'm concerned it's the best, most perfect way to earn a living...doing what you love and sharing that process.
I am beginning to realise however that there is a shelf life to online classes, that they run their course and become less apppealing to people for whatever reason. Perhaps the market is saturated? Perhaps people are just too busy and goodness me I know all about that. So what to do?
I recently moved house and one bonus of that was gaining space for a dedicated studio in which to work. There may be mileage in that, in private one to one embroidery sessions which may take up the slack from the online classes. With that in mind I have listed that opportunity in my online shop here.
Also, maybe people can't commit to a full online class over several weeks. (I don't really worry about that though because one feature of my online classes is that you have them forever, there are no time limits, no date when it all disappears in a puff of smoke like other online classes) Having said that...I appreciate how commiting to a full run of several weeks can be intimidating. With that in mind I have listed private online tuition. Perhaps you just need to know how I made a specific button, how I put a little book together, how I approach the basics of a design ledger..anything.......again I have listed that option in my online shop here.
What to do going forward? I don't have an answer yet. I am loath to give up my online classes but can't force people to learn with me. I am not a 'printer', I can't print designs for people to stitch or churn out 'kits'........my hand work takes time, that's why I love it, it's a passion not instant gratification.
Maybe I need to take some time out and regroup......I will be thinking about all this over the coming weeks.
Thanks for hanging in with me up to this point. I have such affection for all of you.
09/08/2019
putting a book together
I was asked a question on Friday from someone who had taken my recent artist book class. It concerned these little artist books, the books which fall open and refuse to close, the artist books which I see more as sculptures than functional books. Anyway, I have been meaning to put another one of these together for quite some time now and that question gave me the shove I needed to get on and do it.
Up to now the pages only have pieces which have been made for quite some time. At least they aren't just lying around anymore but there's a long way to go with this one. I just counted and there are 35 blank pages to embellish, then there will be overlays. It's always a long game with these and that's what I love about them.
(If you are registered for September embroidery school which begins tomorrow you should have received an email from me this morning. If you didn't reeive that can you please let me know as soon as possible)
09/07/2019
a new colour
When I ordered more white thread recently this pale blue caught my eye. I'm not the biggest fan of the colour blue unless it's a darker blue coupled with white and nothing else but I thought I'd order this one and give it a go. I worked a little stand alone page, added the blue and now I'm looking at how it lives with my usual colours....I'm not so sure. I don't 'love' it and maybe that's a sign that it doesn't work for me. I don't dislike it but I'm indifferent.
Looking at the new page here in these images, the blue page, I'm asking myself why I didn't make it a similar size to the little book then it would have fitted in??? Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Monday..yikes...the new 'embroidery school' begins in less than 48 hours. If you would like to read more just go here.
The first videos are made and ready to go. My first buttons for class are created and are very different to anything I have made before, they're lovely. I should be able to show you on here some time next week when the girls in class have seen them. (I'm also thinking they are going to feature a lot in all my work from now on)
09/05/2019
embroidered pages
I'm guessing this work will look familiar to those of you who come here regularly. What's happening here is pages are being finished within my ledger from 'ledgers, a record of stitch' meaning there is new work here, new stitch and in the case of the abc page in particular pages are being finished. The page with the cross stitch in the first image is almost finished....this whole process is more a marathon than a sprint.
The following images are me just looking...looking to see if this work is cohesive, to ensure I haven't gone completely off message in this design exercise.
Begins Monday September 9. Embroidery School.
09/04/2019
buttonhole loops, ribbon, a needlecase
A needlecase. Do you need another one Karen? Well I'm of the opinion you can never have too many and if you want to play with an idea it's occasionally good to play and make something at the same time. I had just started this the other day....you saw it here...I changed the ribbon, the one from earlier didn't make enough of a statement and if you saw my recent pom pom you will know I do like to make a statement,.
Am I informed now? Are the ideas flowing? Well yes actually they are.
09/03/2019
hand stitch
Isn't it amazing what you can do with a needle and thread? Throw in a few sequins and you can do even more.
This piece was made a lifetime ago.....I can't even remember. It was an embroidery school...probably circa 1910! (I found it whilst sorting out my things ready for the building work which started yesterday...not that it was lost as such if you know what I mean) This piece wasn't planned, I remember that much at least. It evolved over time within class and it just goes to show where we can wander in embroidery school.
Anyway, enough of embroidery school for now, there will be a reminder at the end of this post.
Having this recent building work completed has taken me back to the weeks immediately following our move into this house. I discovered something new every day...well not new but something which had been carefully packed and was finally being unwrapped. I loved those few weeks, surrounding myself with 'my things' again. That's how I felt yesterday...new discoveries of carefully packed embroidered pieces. It almost makes me want to move house again.
More work is planned on my studio this week too. Nothing major just little tweaks which I have realised need to be done since I began to work in there every day. There will be a large notice board on one wall to pin inspirational images and little prompting post it notes. There will also be a couple of much needed shelves to hold more of my 'stuff'...my stuff pile grows daily. Hopefully by the weekend it will all be finished, house and studio.
September 2019 Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this onine learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.
Register here.
09/02/2019
a little something for me
I'm testing here, sampling, trying out an idea I have for buttonhole loops and how they might be used on various embroidered pieces, on surfaces. The purpose of them here along with the ribbon will become clear when this little piece is finished. I'll be keeping this, I will use it...as you must know by now I'm a big fan of sampling. My sampling usually finds its way into a cloth book or a ledger but this time I wanted to take it a little further into a finished piece, a finished sample...but still a sample, created for the purpose of testing out an idea.
Yesterday this popped up on my Facebook memories. I had a lot of questions about it so decided to share it here. It's from 2011, an interview with me in the Australian magazine 'Inspirations'.
Reading it back I could have written this yesterday, it all still holds true. The only difference is I now use colour more and more.
September 2019 Embroidery School.
09/01/2019
paper, lace, pattern and stitch
This work is so very inspiring, (for me). A ledger, a design exercise, a means of recording coulour, pattern and texture taken from an initial source. (my source being an embroidered sample.) Sampling in the manner shown in these images and in the study which precedes all this, the pages of colour study, proportion and shape will lead to embroidered samples on cloth which reflect this initial sampling, recording and study.
In addition to the sampling which will be worked within this ledger, within this learning programme I am inspired in other ways. This process has sparked many ideas for embroidery school and pieces outside of that too, so much so that I am about to begin piecing, stitching and adorning for a little personal project.
08/31/2019
filling up my little book
This little book is getting more attention although it is getting harder to work on the pages as it's so crammed. It's also getting very difficult to photograph too because it insists on falling open on the centre page. A few strategically placed paper clips solve that problem temporarily and I wouldn't change that aspect of this piece because in addition to being really happy with each page I love the sculptural qualities which emerge as you work on these little books.
The latest page was worked to try out an idea I have for joining pieces, connecting pieces using tiny hand embroidered button loops. So far so good
08/30/2019
a table full of stitch
Gathering, browsing, commiting this to memory so I don't repeat myself in the next run of embroidery school. These pieces, (including my needlecase) were created in the last embroidery school and I'd hate to be boring and make the same things again. There is more than this, this is just a selection. The more is similar, there are more buttons, more braids and more charm squares. The charm squares are the embroidered pieces with the floral patterned cloth discs.
I'm hoping the girls from class do this too, gather together their stitching. It gives you a really good overview of what can be accomplished in a set time scale. You should do it too, it's very satisfying.
08/29/2019
the jury is out on the pom pom
You have been seeing this cloth book evolve for quite some time now. As each page has been lined I have shared it here. It's now stitched together and is another cloth sample book to add to my collection. These pieces are more valuable than I can say. They inpsire regularly, they are a record of my practice. They are a resource for learning. They are invaluable, priceless.
The pom pom? That was an urge. It came from nowhere, a desire to add a big fluffly ball to the lower edge. I can't decide if it works. It doesn't matter, it at least doesn't offend and I can always take it off if I finally decide it's innapropriate.
Yesterday my basics post was so popular!! Because it's evident some of you found it useful I have given it a page of it's own at the top of the blog, just look under the header image and I have also added a link in the sidebar on the right, just cast your eyes over there. My only fear now is you all dash off 'en masse' and order every strand of thread available leaving none for me....oops. Good thing I put an order in last week.
September embroidery school begins in less than two weeks. Embroidery school develops as it progresses, I can't ever pin myself down to a srict aim on what we will create because as you know one thing inspires another, ideas pop up from nowhere. Obviously I need a starting point and this time it's buttons, buttons which are new to me and I have a hankering to embellish a small garment piece too, a section of a garment. However.....(if you are already signed up don't panic, your supply list won't change)....however....I now have an idea fermenting for a 'sampler' pin pillow....there will be a lot to get through but we will do it, we will crack on and also address anything else which pops up and whilst we are creating the buttons, the pillow, the garment piece 'embroidery school' will not lose it's 'fly on the wall' roots. There will almost certianly be unexpected work, the introduction of varied creative exercises and an awful lot of chat. You can never have too many ideas or too many beautiful pieces of stitch. (you've got to provide your own cake though)
If you would like to read more about September embroidery school then just go here.
08/28/2019
my essentials
I often get emails asking about my favourite threads, which needles to use for a particular stitch, about which thread is best for which process. In order to answer some of those questions I have created a very short video covering most of those things. I hope you find this helpful.
(I have been told by a couple of people who are signed up for the new class that they haven't received a welcome mail. Welcome mails should be received within a few hours of signing up to class. If you haven't received yours please let me know asap.)
08/27/2019
extending pattern choices
The latest work from ledger class....extending pattern options. We are looking at shape and colour alongside proportion and how to mix all that up in class. At the same time we are recording our ideas in our ledgers and I have to say...round of applause please....mine is getting pretty full.
I think I'm in danger of seeing this as a 'create a pretty book' exercise rather than the design exercise it's supposed to be. Ooops! Don't worry, I will give myself a good talking to, rein myself in.
(If you are registered for September embroidery school you should have received an email from me this morning. If you didn't get that can you please let me know asap.)
08/26/2019
embroidered samples, cloth books,
First of all I would like to apologise for the last image being a bit blurry. I'm having image upload issues...camera to computer ones and I'm not technologically savvy enough to sort it out. (I'm silently crying but just ignore me)
Embroidered sample books....sigh. These were out yesterday as I was using them in a video demonstration. I forgot how many samples I actually have...wow...have a lie down Karen, take a break, no wonder you're always running out of thread. Flicking through them there wasn't a single one I didn't love, didn't want to work on some more or take further. Too much inspiration? Too many distractions? You bet. Maybe I should hide them.
There's soon to be another, the large one I've been working on that you have seen probably more times than you wish...this one....what can I say, I'm stitch obsessed.
08/25/2019
continuing page embellishments
It's hard to describe how much I am enjoying working in this little book, it's becoming addictive. These pages aren't quick to work, it's not that I'm getting instant gratification but just handling the fine paper and working in to it with cloth and embroidery is very satisfying and when it eventually comes together I'm itching to get going with the next one.
The paper in these small, bought sketchbooks is very thin in comparisson to other paper I have used in the past, it is much more at risk from creasing so I need to be extra careful but the finish is much gentler, softer, more delicate. Heavier paper can, if you're not careful take away from the delicate nature of the cloth you are using or the fineness of the thread. I think I will try and work with this type of paper a little more in future, perhaps creating my own little books from it when I finally figure out what it is I need to buy.
September embroidery school begins two weeks tomorrow. There is a lot of sampling for that going on in the background here and I am getting really excited......you can read more about that here if you think you might want to join me.
08/24/2019
cramming stitch into embroidered books
The important bit here, well the new bit I should say is the area of delicate white bobbly things with pink beads on the top. Those were worked yesterday afternoon along the edge of a page in my latest ledger. It isn't actually finished yet, that edge as I ran out of time but I got to thinking how page edges, embellishing edges can take longer than working on the page itself.
I'm hoping you can see how it's so, so worth spending that time from these images. Very often it's the edges I love the best, the droplets, the tangle of ribbons and trims and stitch and beads and sequins. My table this morning, prepping for these photographs made me happier than I can say. I'm not so sure I can say the same about the mess I made in my studio when creating for my online classes. (last image)
08/23/2019
lupin
I acquired three of these pretty little vintage cigarette cards a few weeks ago and have just been enjoying them up to now, admiring the detail and imagining their history. I do have more of these, a few that I have had for many years but the latest three came with their original little paper cards crammed with information about each flower, my others don't have those.
When I started to put this page together I was determined to include the card too.
This tiny sketchbook is getting crammed already, splaying open rather than closing neatly. That's a win in my opinion. To remind you...these are the other pages already worked in here, not many at all. Imagine how this little book will look when it's been worked on some more.
08/22/2019
pom poms, seed beads and stitch
This is the final page for the cloth book I have been working on over the past few weeks. You last saw it here. This book has been taking shape over in the current 'embroidery school' class and when it's finished will mark the end of that class. I'm reluctant to embroider the edges of this, to finish it completely as that will bring the end of class too close for comfort. I get attached to my groups, to my classes, to the amazingly creative people who inspire me throughout all of my classes and I'm rubbish at goodbyes.
Nevertheless....I must crack on and finish this, then I can put the book together with the group. As I have said before this particular cloth book will be formed of four pages. Four pages of embroidered samples and I guess the linings, the reverses qualify as samples too. It's weighty when all the pages are together and it's quite large too, with each page measuring around 22 x 15 inches. Tonight I will embroider the edges of this one, finish it with some buttonhole lace......
The new run of embroidery schoool begins in September. You can read about that here. I'm sampling buttons and making detailed notes for our first few weeks of that one and who knows where we will end up creatively when our 12 weeks is up.
08/20/2019
examining pattern
Pattern, a repeated decorative design.
Maybe not repeated but this is pattern, pattern as I know it. Pattern created with thread and stitch on cloth. Maybe surface design is a more fitting description but I like to think I'm creating pattern every time I make a mark with stitch.
These pieces were created over 12 months ago and although the background cloth is white they are certainly evidence that colour was creeping into my work back then and even prior to these pieces being worked. Some people express surprise when they see colourful pieces like this one from a couple of weeks ago, surprise at the colour but really it's been happening for quite a while....you just didn't realise.
08/19/2019
lined
You may remember that I'm lining these stitched sample pages in order to create a cloth sample book in the current 'embroidery school'. This is my third lined page out of four. At the moment it's just tacked, the edges will be embroidered later today and then it will be on to page four. Laying them all together like this gives me a really good appreciation of how this will look when it's finished. There are four pages for this book which doesn't sound a lot but when I handle them together I realise how substantial this piece is going to be.
This current run of embroidery school is ending very soon. The next run of this 'fly on the wall' class will start on September 9 for 12 weeks. Details are below. I've been sampling a new kind of button for our first two weeks.....exciting!
September Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this online learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/17/2019
a growing collection
My collection of stitched papers, stitched pages and design ideas for 'ledgers, a record of stitch' is growing quickly at the moment. I would go so far as to say I'm on a roll! This class is still 'live' and available for purchase. There have been a couple of new people joining us just this past week so you're really not too late if you are thinking about it. You can read more about that here. Meanwhile the work here has inspired me to divert slightly from the abc.....I can't say too much about that until I have shared with class but suffice to say 'get your pencils sharpened girls'.
Stitching papers together like this opens up a world of possibilities. I guess you will have also noticed that in yesterday's post (image below) where I was working in a similar way but in a tiny sketchbook. Just choose your papers, rip them up and stitch them back together!
Like I said......just rip them up and stich them back together.
Whilst all this paper is being torn and pieced back together I have also been getting a bit technical, doodling measurements, (a challenge I can tell you), doodling ideas for the first week of September 12 week embroidery school.
(if you are signed up for 'September embroidery school' please don't worry about these rings. I will mail you with info about those when I have it all straight in my head and you won't need to do the technical stuff, that's just for me to worry about)
08/16/2019
a little journal
Another stitched page has been added to this little journal. The doodles were taken from another little book I had scribbled in. I thought this little patterned piece would live more comfortably in here. Stitched papers have been layered at an edge and there is also embroidery, beads and tiny pale blue pom poms.
This mini journal will be pored over regularly. I will add a few stitches every so often, create little compositions for these pages as and when the inspiration strikes. It already doesn't close properly.....and I love that.
Don't forget the September start for 12 weeks of new embroidery school. You can read more here.
08/15/2019
found
It's amazing what you find when you are looking for something else. I did find the 'something else' and I also found this. It made me happy, don't know why but that doesn't matter.
I don't know how much longer I can go on using the 'just moved house' excuse as a reason for still not being properly sorted out. It's been nine months now and although there aren't any boxes left there is still a lot of disorganisation. That will be worse in a week or so too....there's another wall coming down. It's all for the greater good.
To be honest, since we moved here I have been consumed with my studio, the construction of it, the organisation of it. Having been working in there for a few months now I am beginning to see what needs adding, needs changing. You have to 'live' somewhere before that becomes apparent. Once the wall comes down, (in the house not the studio) changes will be made to my little sanctuary and I may eventually be ready to offer some one on one workshops. Here's hoping.
08/14/2019
documenting stitch
ledger definition: 1. a book in which things are regularly recorded
My current ledger, it's getting more difficult to close with each passing day. That's a good thing, it's crammed. I am so inspired by what is happening in this book.
The latest addition is a hand pieced paper page with embroidered lace and layered papers, fine papers.
When it's finished this embellished ledger will be added to my library of inspirational resources, other ledgers, little stitched books, hand made artist books. As I always say to the girls in class....you couldn't go out and buy this, it's unique, what you produce is unique to you. Each person in class is creating a personal record, an exclusive design resource and no two ledgers will be the same, we each put part of ourselves into our work, nobody can copy that.
************
I wanted to share these thoughts from one of the group in my recent 'stitching stories' class. Lovely reflections Dawn......
September Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this online learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/13/2019
page two
The second page of my latest cloth book is now lined with pattern, ribbon, silk dupion and hand embroidery. This one and the one I shared with you earlier this week still need to have the edges finished with buttonhole lace. There are two pages remaining for which I need to piece and embroider the linings before I can put the book together....I'm aiming for the end of next week so wish me luck.
As I have said a lot recently, the current run of embroidery school is coming to an end. The next embroidery school term begins in September. All the information is below. (you do not have to have taken part in the current embroidery school to participate in the next one)
I have had to turn on comment moderation, hopefully only temporarily. There have been a lot of spam comments recently....these people need to pick up some embroidery to keep themselves occupied!
September Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this online learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/12/2019
embellishing a dress
This little dress has been embellished and embroidered over the course of the current embroidery school. Class is almost finished and the dress adornment is almost complete too. I am currently finishing embroidery on silk habotai which will be used as a lining for this.
Surface embellishment on this consists mainly of pockets and sashes, all hand constructed and hand embroidered. The ribbon has significance, personal significance as does some of the lace. That significance won't be revealed here, won't ever be revealed to anyone outside of class.
When this is finished it will hang in my bedroom, simply, on a clothes hanger.
September Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this online learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/11/2019
patterned lining
It's an explosion of pattern, of Liberty fabric, ribbon and hand embroidery. The reverses of my cloth pages for this one are going to be lined with masses of pattern. Each page will be turned and something like this will greet you. Contrast, very dramatic contrast. At the moment this is just tacked, basted. I will be edging each side with buttonhole lace before joining the finished pages at the head.
There are four pages for this sample book. That doesn't sound a lot I know but the one I showed you yesterday was four pages too...you can cram a lot into four pages.
Thank you so much for the enthusiasm for my next class which begins early in September. It would seem you all want to embroider......and why not, cloth and thread and stitch....there's nothing better.
Details are below and thank you again. xx
September Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this online learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/10/2019
cloth sample books
It's an old one, an old one but a very useful one. This cloth sample book was created in a past embroidery school. It was used this morning to inform the current embroidery school which is coming to an end soon. We are creating a cloth book there too, different to this one but this proved to be a very useful reference. The piece with the pink ribbon in the second and third images is from the latest cloth book, we added the reverse to that piece this morning and I will show you that work tomorrow.
Over the past week or so I have been referring to old work a lot. I don't however think of it as 'old work', to me it's a resource, a library, a reference and a source of inspiration which has been put to use a lot over the past week.
Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this online learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/09/2019
stories and buttons
This picture, the picture above is my absolute favourite image of the week. It's an image from the last post in my stitching stories class which ended last Monday. You know how much I love a stitched book and you know how much I love an edge...or edges so this one is a win win. I'm also going to show you today more finished work from 'stitching stories', again...the love of stitch on paper is very obvious.
So this morning, after my chores (supermarket...insert screaming emoji) after my chores were done I had a little play with buttons. Buttons are what will start off the new class and I was looking at this one because I'm squeezing my brain for a new direction with these, an untested direction but one I will definitely sample. Yesterday I sampled 'medallion' like buttons created not with cover buttons but something else and I am more than amazed with how well they turned out. I definitely can't show you those until class has started and the group has had chance to see them but I think they will feature a lot in my work in the future.
I also have thread cards to wrap, that's the first task when I am finished here.
Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this online learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/08/2019
my favourite part of this morning
This morning I've been trawling through my Flickr photostream. I do it a lot, it reminds, it refreshes and it nearly always inspires. There was a particular reason for doing it this morning however, that reason being the upcoming start of my new class 'stitch along'.
Although I have been working on a live cloth and hand embroidery class for quite a while (which is soon coming to an end) I have also been focusing a lot on paper based pieces in other classes, stories class, ledger class. The new class will be concerned with fabric and hand embroidery yet will be completely different to my current embroidery class with different projects and different aims...hence the Flickr visit.
Initially I will be working on buttons and other adornments following which it will be full steam ahead into embroidery onto cloth....these images have certainly got me fired up for that aspect.
Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this onine learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/06/2019
pages
You can never have too many embroidered pages, too many little half worked sketchbooks hanging round the house. If I get the urge to stitch on paper I just have to run with it. Usually I discover a small forgotten sample somewhere whilst I'm looking for something else and decide it needs a permanent home....and a page is born.
Without doubt I have a love of working with paper, with creating all manner of pages, ledgers, artist books, stitched stories and stand alone paper pieces
Feeding this love of paper is a love of hand embroidery, the basis of who I am creatively, the process which feeds me 'artistically'. This week my stitching stories class has come to an end, a paper and sketchboook based class. My ledger class is ongoing......a paper and ledger/sketchbook based class. My embroidery class is coming to an end soon too and despite my love of working with all things paper I need the anchor of hand stitch onto cloth to feed me, to inspire and generate new and exciting ideas.
Early in September I will be starting a new embroidery class, hand embroidery onto cloth, creating hand stitched adornements, buttons, beads and trimmings whilst also working on a larger piece, a cloth based piece using traditional processes of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery. The excitement of beginning a new class never diminishes and I am making lists already!
Embroidery School.
A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.
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 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.
Throughout this onine learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.
During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.
Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.
In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces 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 may require the use of a sewing machine.
Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.
September 9. Post 1.
September 16. Post 2.
September 23. Post 3.
September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5
October 14. Post 6.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/05/2019
Silk dupion pages
It's only a couple of days since you last saw these pieces. They had recently been carefully removed from cloth pages as I wasn't happy with the cloth they were mounted on. They are now attached to silk dupion ready to be stitched, backed and put together into a cloth book and I am much happier.
The reverses will be embroidered too and the first one of those is taking shape now in embroidery school. I am hoping to make really good progress with this project over the next week or so as the current run of embroidery schoool is coming to an end.
As I just said, the current run of embroidery school is coming to an end soon. I shall be listing my next embroidery class very soon to begin in early September so watch this space.
08/04/2019
three pieces
The piece with the bright orange velvet ribbon was worked on a little last night. The surface is stitched paper, worked on my sewing machine but not recently. Since I moved house eight months ago I haven't touched my sewing machine and it's nagging away at me. Creating surfaces to stitch upon in paper, in lace is something I love to do and I always mean to spend an hour doing that but other stuff gets in the way. It's mightily frustrating. You can imagine then how happy I was to find this little piece yesterday. I had already stitched a little into it with white but inspired by the colours in the other two pieces here I have now added a little colour. The downside however.....I am even more desperate to get on my sewing machine now.
08/03/2019
embroidery school
What's going on here? A table full of embroidery, embroidered samples, embroidered edges all 'in use' for a project in embroidery school. These pieces were mounted on cloth pages and were going to become a cloth sample book. Thing is I decided I didn't like the backing cloth I had chosen so I have carefully removed them all from their cloth pages and am just about to make a video discussing my options going forward with the girls in class.
These will still have a home in a cloth sample book, question is...created with which cloth? Titivated or not titivated?
08/02/2019
abc
ABC...my chosen template for designing pattern in this ledger. What's happening here, what has been happening in ledger class is the study of colour and stitch and the use of that colour and stitch within a chosen pattern. I have chosen ABC. What's also happening in class is the examination of presentation methods for use in a ledger, a sketchbook.
The result of all this work is not only a wealth of design ideas to take forward in the future, its the creation of a wonderful ledger, a sketchbook, something to just pick up and leaf through anytime you like.
08/01/2019
my new needlecase
Drum roll......it's finished! I am now the very happy owner of a new needlecase. This one was put together and titvated in embroidery school. As you can see there are lots of dangly things going on here, extra long beads, ribbons, a very long 'wrap around' ribbon, a quite big piece of delicate lace which splays from one side......my point being I'm not sure how practical this is but like I said earlier in the making of this...do we really care about practical?
This was made in repsonse to my thinking I need two of everything, one for in the house and one for in my new workshop. As it is at the moment I'm always leaving things in one or other of these places, forgetting them when I move from working in one to the other so in theory having two of everything, having two of anything should solve that problem. I say should.....we shall see. Now I just need to fill this one with needles.
07/30/2019
overlaying embroidered circles
This one is moving on, another embroidered paper circle has been added which is the largest so far. I was going to say there wouldn't be a bigger one than this but I'm not so sure actually. I'm not making firm plans for this, I will allow it to evolve.
There could be a good argument for creating a larger circle for the top right hand corner of the base piece.....I'm thinking...
Ideally what I would like to do next here is create some little forthy circular pages to go on the reverse of these pieces which I hope would transform them into 'artist books'.
07/29/2019
ledger progress continued
You have been seeing a lot of this ledger recently. It's been getting a lot of attention as I am determined to cram this one. I often get behind in class as I am time restricted, I need to move on to the next post, the next videos often before I have chance to finish my latest demonstrations so with this one I am using 'spare' time to finish pages. Working on this actually inspires too, it sparks ideas for further videos so it's a win win.
The new work here that I haven't shown you before is the prominent page in the first two images on the left.
(ledger girls...this is the page we began in the 'design sheet' post. I had to cut down the page and I will explain why in our post later this week.)
What I am hoping people notice from all these images is the cohesion, how even though new pattern has been introduced as I have progressed these pages continue to follow each other seamlessly.
All this is taking shape over in ledger class, a 12 month study on recording design ideas, stitch, colour, pattern. You can read more about the class here and as a final note can I say thank you to all the girls in class. Your work in our private group puts me to shame.
07/28/2019
edges and reverses
My little cloth book has had a little attention over the past couple of days, moving it on in terms of embellishing unfinished edges and embroidering another reverse. The two pieces at the bottom of the first picture are the ones I have been working on. There's a decorative edge of beads and sequins along a header and another reverse in progress with ribbon, French knots, beads and crystals.
If I stop here and by that I mean if I don't create any more pages and concentrate on the backings, the headers and the unfinished edges this little book will have five pages. As the backings, the reverses are embroidered too that's ten pieces of embroidered cloth....probably enough but....I am thinking if I keep going, just keep on creating pages then this little cloth book, once it's all put together will be quite sculptural, will fall open as it's laid down. I'm thinking about that.....
07/27/2019
developing design
Developing a page, extending design, recording my thoughts, preserving sampling and filling my ledger pages . This page, which you have seen before in a 'less worked' state is in the process of being extended in terms of surface design. Although this is work from my class 'ledgers, a record of stitch' I am not giving anything away here. We are creating numerous pages over there and the added titivation, the added embellishment is non structured, we all go off in our own directions for that aspect of this ledger journey.
Each of my pages are embellished wholly or partially with process from earlier in class. This enables the ledger to flow from page to page....cohesion. In truth I am playing catch up with the girls, my ledger is progressed much less than theirs so I'm grabbing any spare minute to add to this book and each time I pick it up and add a stitch or a scrap of paper I fall in love with it a little bit more.
07/26/2019
needlecase
Did you miss me? No?...... OK then....
I have been desperate to pick up my needle and thread again and as I only got my creative life back late yesterday I needed to touch base with something easy, something to hand which required no prep. This needlecase was there, begging to be stitched. We are working on these in embroidery schoool and I needed to crack on as I still have to embroider the lining and put the whole thing together before class finishes in a few weeks. The long beads were a recent purchase which I had forgotten about until I came across them whilst looking for something else. I think they add a bit of drama here. (the practicalities I am not so sure about but who cares about practical) The ribbon edge on the lace is new too, I added that last night and love how it allows the lace to 'billow'.
In my absence I was in London. I took my dad for a few days and didn't go anywhere near an embroidery, ribbon, bead, fabric, paper shop of any kind. Can you imagine the restraint that must have taken? It was unbearably hot, I almost melted to nothing. As a reward to myself for being so resiliant and restrained I have had a bit of an online shopping spree this morning and am now impatiently waiting for the postman. When my goodies arrive I promise I will show you....
07/20/2019
stitching stories.
I'm going away for a few days and wanted to leave you with a glimpse of what's been happening in class...in 'stitching stories' class. I am more than happy with how my little stories are developing although I never know exactly what will happen next until I turn the page. There is more work needed on both of these and I will be on that as soon as I get back.
Miss you already.
07/19/2019
embroidered headers and embroidered linings
You have seen this before, it's a lining for an embroidered page for a cloth book. What's different here is the edges are now partially worked and I have added tassels to the seam of the header. There is one row of buttonhole around all four sides as a finishing touch but I need to go round again because I prefer two rows.
I now have two of these cloth pages lined with headers attached. There are linings still to be made for the remaining pages so there's still quite a way to go with this little cloth book.
07/18/2019
the third circle
Another embroidered paper circle.....this one was created to further my idea of turning the large embroidered circle you can see here into an artist book. However.....it isn't big enough. How come? well, because I didn't think it through properly, I raced off and began to titivate without enough thought. There's nothing lost though because once I create a piece which is big enough this one can lay over it, be the following page.
This one was created using softer paper with a lace overlay. It handles in a very different way to the other pieces on here, easier to work on I guess but also easier to crease if you're not careful. What you gain in one hand you lose in another lol. I'm delighted with how it has turned out though and with the contrast it gives to this piece.
07/17/2019
progress in ledger class
You have been seeing quite a lot of this work recently, work from my online learning class 'Ledgers, a record of stitch'. It's not that this class gets more attention than the others, not at all but I do think it's more time consuming to progress these pages because of the 'fiddle' it requires and for that reason I am tending to spend more time on these pieces.
In embroidery class we are finishing up because that class is nearly finished, mostly the work is white too which is an absolute pain in the behind to photograph but yesterday we pieced a white pocket and added it to the hem of this dress.
Story class is almost over too, it seems we only just began but that one is only 8 weeks long compared to embroidery and ledger class which are both 52 weeks long. This morning was taken up with story class and this afternoon will be too, progressing my story in order to be ready for the next post. I should be able to share new work from there with you next week but for now here is a little glimpse of what we did last time in class.
This page got more attention this morning and will hopefully have evolved beautifully when you next see it.
07/16/2019
considering
The piece from yesterday, the piece with gingham ribbon is still very much on my mind. More pages will be added including below the pages already present. I'm hoping for a multi layered appearance so have had the gingham piece laid alongside finished artist books this morning in the hope of inspiration striking.
The logistics of adding pieces below the circular pages isn't an issue, I already have that figured out it's what to put on those pages which needs thought. I already pulled out some lace and trimmings so will play with those in circular form and just keep going until I'm happy with the results.
07/15/2019
This piece from here has moved on. If you remember I was unsure whether to continue this as a design sheet or use the open space on the left to create a kind of artist book with the already embellished area as the back page. I still haven't decided. I have a plan for another circular piece which will cover the open space lower left. Once that is done this would qualify as a finished design sheet. If I then want it to become an artist book I will need to add more pages at the reverse of the circular pieces. That idea excites me, the possibilities that would give rise to for further embellishemnt so I am most likely going to go with that. I best cut out some more circles....
07/14/2019
a quick video explanation
You last saw this around a week ago when I tried to explain my plans for it....I have worked a little more on it since then and this moring made a quick five minute video for you in which I explain myself more clearly.....
07/13/2019
design sheet or back page for a new artist book?
This one was crying out to be created. It popped into my head and took up permanent residence. Initially it was going to be a stand alone design sheet but now I am considering another option. There's an awful lot of empty space on the left hand side which definitely could be filled as this design sheet develops but now I'm thinking a little booklet might live on that side, making this the back plate for said little book. What do you think? You know how much I love a little book.....
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