10/16/2017
folding pages
My latest work from class, the newest page and two embroidered samples hiding in the folds in the top image. It's shown here with a page you have already seen and an overlay which will lay between these pages. We will be investigating pages more in class before we are done. I have lots of plans for paper manipulation before this particular artist book is finished but we have a whole year so there's no rush.
I am going on holiday in the morning. If you want to register for the ''artist book'' class or the ''hankie' class you need to do it today.
I can't linger, I have a suitcase to pack.
Miss you already.
10/15/2017
layers
Yes, it's a hankie. It's not a needle case though....I have another idea in mind for this one. A hankie background has layers of Liberty. ruched lace and pom poms. It's ready for lots more hand embroidery but I ran out of time. The hankie is very fragile so I will need to be careful especially when damp stretching. It's almost as if the cloth would melt given the right circumstances. I doubt there will be any ''heavy'' areas of hand embroidery on here so I need to give that a little more thought. Adding applique motifs may strengthen the weaker areas and if I do decide to go down that path I will work with white rather than pattern. White is good in any situation.....
10/14/2017
from three to seven
Last time you saw this there were three patchwork motifs. After a lot of cutting, tacking and sewing there are now seven and as you can probably see in the second image marks have been made for another two. Once the patchwork has been applied there will most likely be some hand embroidery added. I haven't quite decided what, where or how much yet....I'm thinking. This will be a drawstring pouch. I will embroider the lining too, something else I am thinking about.
I am going away early next week for a few days. I will be in the North of Scotland doing not very much at all whilst at the same time hoping to stumble across a fabric shop or two, a thread shop even. I may not find anything remotely related to embroidery but I will have fun looking.
Because I won't be here I will be de listing everything in the shop so if you want to register for ''artist books'' before I leave and have a whole week to work on what has already been shown over there then go here to read more and register.
Similarly, if you are thinking of registering for the hankie class which begins shortly after I return then go here to read more and register for that one, you will then have an extra week to gather your ''bits and bobs''.
I will still be here tomorrow and Monday so don't breathe that sigh of relief just yet.
10/13/2017
a seam
A single seam, eleven inches long, what was the beginning of a small embroidered bag. I'm not feeling it. You may not see this again, at least not like this, not a bag. I won't throw it away. I am going to leave it a while and see how I feel after a few days. If I decide I don't want to keep going with the bag idea it's not a problem, it will go in my stash and may well end up looking perfect elsewhere.
I guess when you aren't feeling 100 percent yourself even embroidery can look unappealing. It could be my mood affecting my stitching decisions. For now I will concentrate on my hexagon pouch, that's sure to make me feel better.
10/12/2017
added sequins
My sequin obsession has reared its head again....this time they have been added to a page in my little artist book.
I'm not stopping. I'm not well. Headache, sore throat, cough. I am going to relax and feel sorry for myself.
10/11/2017
a hexagon pouch and an update on my cloth sample book
This is the piece I spoke about yesterday, a new pouch with hexagons embroidered on to silk dupion. It's very much ''in progress'', there's a lot more embroidery needed before this one is finished. It's circular, round, or at least it will be when it's finished. The lining will be embroidered too and it will close with a drawstring. I am hoping it will be similar to the pouch shown here in terms of shape and size.
As I am resisting needle cases and all things handkerchief related until the new class begins I have started something else to work on alongside this hexagon pouch. It's another little bag only it won't be ''round''. Just as soon as I can I will share that with you too.
And talking of hankies....a little update of what has been happening with my little cloth book for embroidered samples since you last saw it.
10/10/2017
hexagons anfd folded hankies in a seam
Another needle case finished and in the shop. Thank you so much for buying the two I sold earlier this week. This will be the last one for a while. From today I am saving my needle case vibes for the class, the ''handkerchief extras'' class which starts in a few weeks. The tape on this one is vintage, from France. I bought it last year when I was teaching in Nantes. The PR doesn't have any significance other than I bought it because those are my husbands initials. I am just embracing the fact it's vintage, it has history.
As needle cases are being put to one side for now I have started to embroider a little drawstring bag. It is damp stretching at the moment but I will show you that tomorrow. The surface embroidery isn't yet finished but I've made enough progress to at least show you the ''work so far''.
Now a little fishing....
Two day workshop. Cloth. Paper. London. February 2018. Not yet definite. Limited places. Approximate cost £175 including a workshop pack. Any takers?
10/09/2017
a page and an overlay
This is what's been happening on the ''12 month artist book subscription blog''. We're creating pages from scratch with paper, stitch and collage before examining ways to embroider delicate, transparent overlays which reference protection of the lower embroidery and the lower page. I'm hoping we manage to put together a few more of these pages and eventually have enough to create a very unusual, unique book crammed with stitched samples and other found objects.
I'm also hoping to create a few other books during the 12 months of this programme, a collection, a collection for me. If all goes to plan I will have a very personal library of design, information and ideas....
10/08/2017
white and sequins
I reacquainted myself with some stitched pieces from way back when yesterday.....this one stood out, it was crying out for sequins. It was. I could hear it. When this piece was embroidered sequins never figured anywhere in my life, creatively or otherwise so I am mixing ''new me'' with ''old me'' here. I'm not sure where it's going, whether it will go anywhere but I'm happy I mixed the old and new because think about the possibilities.
You may have also noticed I am developing an unnatural love for a dangly sequin. I'm constantly looking around me and wondering what can have the dangly sequin treatment next. I have resisted up to now with needle cases although the layered pouch already has some and will certainly have more before it's finished....
10/07/2017
an outside, an inside and two for sale
These are two halves of a new needle case. I like to make a needle case but I guess you know that already seeing as it's mostly what I have been doing for weeks. I'll be making more of these in the new class which you can read about here and I also wanted to mention the layered pouch which I will be making too. This post references the layered pouch but you haven't seen it for a while because I put it to one side as I will be continuing it and finishing it when class begins.
When I first began to create these little needle cases I was so enamoured of them I couldn't bear to part with them. But, I have given myself a good talking to and asked myself ''seriously Karen, how many needle cases do you need?'' So I am keeping the very first one for myself and have put these two in the shop here.
I have no idea what I am going to show you tomorrow....I will be finishing the needle case in the first three images later today but am reluctant to show that yet as I don't want to give you ''needle case overload'' so tomorrow's offering will be just as much of a surprise for me as it will be for you.
10/06/2017
artist books, pages, hankies
A new page, some ''in progress'' images and a little self promotion. As you can see my little book has a new page of sequins and Suffolk puffs in a little pocket 'thingy'. Each of the pages in this book are what I like to think of as ''practice'' pages. Each of these pages is feeding new ideas for the 12 month ''artist book blog''. The process you see here will be altered and used to create pages with my group in Artist Books, 12 months online learning. This class has been running for a few weeks but there are still more than 40 weeks to go so it's definitely not too late to join us...a whole year....I best not run out of ideas! You can read more about ''artist books'' here.
Hankies.....you can also see hankies today and I thought I best mention those as I had a query....can you make the needle cases and layered pouch in the new class if you don't have any hankies? Yes you can. You can make them with plain cloth, we will be titivating the hankies anyway and it's just as easy to titivate plain cloth. The beauty of the hankies is the lack of ''edge finishing'' required but I have a plan that would work very well with plain cloth so there's no need to worry about that. You can read more about the hankie class here.
I've had a bad start to Friday....I smashed a glass vase and also discovered my freezer door had been left open. The next couple of hours will be spent mopping up water and sweeping up glass..............
10/05/2017
buttons and lacing
Another page, a gradual ''filling up'' of this little book with all things embroidery related. This page has been folded before being fastened with lacing and attached to the lower page with little buttons. My first thought when seeing these pages, when planning to work on the next one is not to view them as a finished surface which will take stitch, my first thought is how can I change this page, change the surface, can I fold it? can I cut it? can I rip it? what can I add to it besides hand stitch?
These little exercises keep my brain ticking over and I already have plans on how this can be taken forward with my ''artist book'' class.
10/04/2017
a collection of design ideas
It's a repeat, a re run of a video from May 2016. I have been referring to this a lot lately, this collection, these ideas, this method of developing a design. Some of you will not have seen this before....
10/03/2017
folded handkerchiefs in a seam
In preparation for my new class, (you can read more about that here) I have started another needle case. I'm testing ideas for adornment, sampling seams and tape and stitch placement. Whilst working on this I'm making mental notes of new ideas arising from this, taking it all in and writing it down.
One of the fabrics has bled on this piece, the red one. I am shocked. I have used this fabric many times in the past and it's never happened before. It's a mystery. I am scratching my head again....the piece isn't ruined, I'm just irritated and perplexed.
I haven't forgotten ''artist books'' either...our 12 months of playtime with pages. We are a few weeks into that, looking at embellished scraps, creating surfaces, examining new ways to create a page. Today I am leaving needle cases to one side and have plans for working with paper which I hope will feed into our next class post.
10/02/2017
Handkerchief extras.
A new mini class....embroidered accessories for stitchers using hand embroidery, handkerchiefs, buttons, beads, sequins.....
the reason for my most recent works with hexagons, flowers and traditional hand embroidery stitches.
Handkerchief Extras.
Begins Monday October 30th.
6 weeks. Minimum one hour of video per week.
Private password protected blog.
Private Flickr group.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes to take part in this class.
Handkerchief extras, needle cases and layered pouches created from pretty handkerchiefs and adorned with ribbons, tapes, beads, sequins, tassels, buttons and hand embroidery.
Comprehensive demonstration will be given during the six weeks of this programme on the creation of delicate and pretty needle cases and an embroidered pouch created using layers of handkerchiefs and cloth.
10/01/2017
two
Two more pages adorned in my own ''artist book''. Two more embroidered samples, layered samples, embroidery, lace, bullion's, beads, paper, fabric.
I may not work on this little book with any kind of regularity but for me that's the best way to put these things together, no pressure, no urgency, plenty of time for consideration and thought. That way it's a gentle process which I hope transfers to the samples, to the pages. Although I don't ''work'' on this every day I do handle it daily. I turn pages and look, remind myself of little things which I then take forward into other pieces. Some of the process chosen for yesterday's pieces was informed by tiny samples in this book. One things feeds another and on it goes.
Later today I will be here. I am so excited!!
09/30/2017
binding raw edges
I've got four finished pieces now, four pieces ready to be sewn into my cloth book cover. If you don't know what I am talking about there is a post here which explains....
I do love these little scraps except........they crease as soon as you look at them, they don't look damp stretched even though they have been, I'm training myself to ''get over it''. The first three images are a new piece you haven't seen before, the others didn't have the edges bound last time you saw them. It's progress. There will definitely be more samples for this book. Most likely I will sew these in first before I start another one and I will then work a little more on my ''hankie bag'' idea.
09/29/2017
design sheet
This piece was started over a year ago, yesterday I added to it, extended the design. It's mounted on an A3 sheet (11.69 x 16.53 inches) with the design area measuring 10.5 inches by 14 inches. What's it for? That's one of the most frequently asked questions I get. If I was pushed I would say the most important reason for creating this is purely for the enjoyment. I like playing with all things creative be it cloth, paper or artist books.
People also say..........regularly..........I can't wait to see how this develops. That's probably the most important thing to address today...any of these pieces may not actually ever develop into anything even closely resembling them. What they do though is inform. Every single sample I ever make be it in cloth or on paper informs at some point in the future. Sampling on a big scale which is what I think I do in my creative practice feeds finished pieces, feeds design ideas, allows for creative thought to develop and prompts ideas. Normally I am only working on something for a short time before it sparks another idea. So....that's what this is for and when it does eventually ''become'' something be prepared for it not to resemble this piece in any way at all.
09/28/2017
coming together, a little cloth sample book
Another two samples, (not yet finished) to go into the hand made cover from a few days ago. I am now trying to work out how many I will be able to fit into this little cloth book. I do have a plan for attaching them and another plan if I need to add more to the spine for more samples but as I haven't yet quite finished these two I'm not going to work on that yet. It isn't a question of how many to make, putting a number or a limit on that....I could quite happily stitch and doodle these little things forever.
I'm jumping the gun anyway. There are three so far. One is finished, two aren't. Three will be nowhere near enough and I'm itching to put the next one together. I want this to have a ''weight'' to it if you know what I mean. You will definitely know what I mean if you are a stitcher.
09/27/2017
paper, in and out of class.
Just when you were beginning to think I spend every waking moment stitching hankies with flowers and hexagons....evidence that I do other stuff too. Some of this work is from artist book class, (which you can still sign up for here) and the large sheet is a plaything for outside of class, for me, to touch base with paper, to freshen my ''paper knowledge''. It's a mini design sheet, a sheet of ideas and mixing and matching to see what lives with what, what works best with what, like I said.....a plaything.
I made you a wordless video, a silent movie....
09/26/2017
newly finished edges
There are quite a few samples piling up here with unfinished edges, headers, lower seams. I'm gradually working my way through those adding lace, pom poms, beads, sequins and patterned bias strips. Once they are completed I can gather them all into sample swatch books similar to this one. I could also mount them in an embroidered hankie cover similar to the one I showed you the other day, more decisions to make.
Meanwhile I continue to make more samples....lol.....I fear finishing samples will be one of those tasks which will never be over. That's a good thing. I can't think of a better way, a more pleasurable way to fill a ''to do'' list.
09/25/2017
adding layers
More layers, this time for the lower edge of yesterdays piece. It's not trimmed yet, that will come later when I have more of these to put together. For now it's held together with pins and the piece from yesterday isn't finished yet either. There is embroidery outstanding on that one, a few stems and flower heads. You can see the doodles for those in the third image, pen marks which will be enhanced with hand stitch.
The last image shows this piece from earlier this week alongside the piece from today. Once I have four of these I am hoping to combine them and work on an idea I have for a bag, a titivated bag, a sequined, beaded, frilly bag with layers of lace and vintage cloth.
09/24/2017
labels and a scrap of lace
I'm enjoying this hankie work so much. Playing with the layout of cut up handkerchiefs with pretty edges, adding doodles...hexagons, flowers, petals, stems before adding hand embroidery stitches using bright, fresh colours. This one is the second piece of a plan I have, it will live with this one. There will be two more of these but not before I play a little with the lower edges of this one and fill the empty space you can see here.
My favourite area on this one is the hexagon flower which is shown in isolation in the second image. Ideally I would have preferred the applique piece to be elsewhere on that one, not centred but it is covering a stain. Despite laundering vintage cloth it is sometimes impossible to remove every mark. Some marks are worth keeping, worth showing but some definitely need a little disguising.
09/23/2017
a covering
I am hoping this piece which is now finished can be fashioned into some kind of covering for embroidered samples. I have a few small embroidered hankie samples and others worked on silk which are quite a lot bigger. (you can see one of those in the last two images) If you take a look at the little video you will see the bigger ones are a little too big. No worries there though, I will just have to make another, bigger covering for those.
I am going to continue with this hankie play so you will be seeing similar pieces to these for a while with artist book related work here and there but I have other hankie ideas I want to explore and there may be a ''mini'' class resulting from that. First of all though I need to play with a few ideas.
09/22/2017
in progress
This one isn't finished, it needs more colour. I am currently having a debate with the half of me that is scared to death of paint............ the half of me who says ''stitch it'' is winning. It will be tricky but it's doable. In fact, if it gets too tricky, fiddly in the extreme I could always thread wrap a card but that would be a cop out, the easy option. You will have to wait for the final instalment I'm afraid. I could take some time making a decision on this one.
09/21/2017
layering cloth
The latest hankie pieces I have been working on will be layered with other vintage cloth in a similar manner to what's happening here. This hankie piece is laid over two layers of vintage fabric which each have a pretty edge. They have been joined with cross stitch before having sequins added to the seam. There are plans for another three pieces like this but using different hankies, different cloth for layers, different stitches, beads alongside sequins. There's a lot of stitching to do basically. Alongside this and the next three pieces for this little adventure I want to create more pieces like this one and work a few more pages in this little book before taking inspiration from that and transferring, adapting ideas for use in the artist book class.
That's my timetable full for a week or so....how about you?
09/20/2017
all things embroidery related
I'm not here.....see you tomorrow.
09/19/2017
folding and stitching pages
More work, more playing, testing and sampling in this little book. I'm pushing the ''artist book'' ideas for class and although this little book won't be featured in class, work done here feeds my ideas list, sparks ideas for other things to pursue in class.
Pages have been folded here and secured with stitch before beads were added along with a little collaged and torn paper, the page was then finished with a little memory thread. I like to look at each page alongside previously embellished pages, to see how they alter each other. It's quite difficult to do that with this book, it is tightly bound but a little gentle rolling and bending usually does the trick.
You can sign up for the current ''artist book'' class here.
09/18/2017
two new pieces
Yesterday I was debating which of my two new pieces of ''hankie work'' to show you today. I couldn't decide so I am going to show you both of them. The first one is above, the second below.
and the three latest pieces are all together here
My brain is working overtime with these. I won't be saying too much about them as I have an idea for a ''mini class''. The beauty of my new 12 month class is partly the time it will free up for me to host mini classes and this could well be the first one.
I am having problems with my email. It may be best, if you need to contact me to use Facebook, Flickr mail or Instgaram direct messaging.
If you are registered for the ''artist book 12 month subscription class'' new video was posted on the private blog yesterday. I did send an email....
09/17/2017
moving things around
I've been playing with little samples, an exercise in composition and surface design, seeing what lives with what and what doesn't. Whilst I am working on various pieces for the ''12 month artist book subscription blog'' I am also conscious of my own little book which is yet to be finished and other little books I may wish to put together outside of class over the coming months. For now this little design is mounted on to a soft, linen like paper. It won't stay on here, these little pieces will be removed and used on other pages but I have a record, a prompt, photographic evidence to be used again and again.
I gave you a rest from hankie embroidery today but that is still going on in the background. I have two hankie pieces in progress which you haven't seen yet. Now I need to decide which one to show you tomorrow.
09/16/2017
a hankie sample
Hankie play is still going on, cutting them up, stitching on them...needle cases and other plans. The new piece here is the first piece for a new idea but since taking these images I have had another, more tempting idea. My brain has a lot to answer for. I love how this collection is growing and how it looks in the last image. The new piece won't be a needle case or a button cloth. Like I said, it's for something else and the only reason I'm not saying, not revealing the plan is in case it goes wrong. That idea will most likely be delayed for a couple of days now though because of the light bulb moment I had earlier, the other new idea.
Later today I am going to test something, pin a few hankies together, work out the technical aspects of a piece (there will be more head scratching) and hopefully begin the embroidery on the next ''hankie thing.'' I bought new fabric pens earlier this week. I will get chance to try those out too when the doodling on hankies part of all this comes into play. (I doodled on the others...can you see?) I speak about that patterning here, those doodling choices.
09/15/2017
beads, buttons and a flower
I spent a couple more hours with this yesterday. Along with filling pages I added pages....it's a good thing I'm in no hurry to finish this one. You will recognise the lilac scrap from yesterday. That is waxed paper, it's beautiful. It's so useful as it lives happily alongside almost anything. The smallest piece of it can transform a composition, a little piece of cloth, a different paper, lay a tiny torn strip of the lilac alongside and it completely changes.
09/14/2017
papers, pages, stitch
Aside from what's happening in the new class I am still creating this little book of my own. More embroidery has been happening to fill the spaces within that little book. Paper has been stitched to cloth, there are French knots, beads, ribbon and a textured piece which is a combination of paper and fabric. If I now spend an hour or so attaching these little pieces to pages my book should be finished in no time. Meanwhile, over in ''artist book'' class....our first day....this is happening.
Early stages, early days but hey...we have a whole year. Who needs to hurry.
09/13/2017
soft hankies and lace
Two soft hankies, one smaller than the other so one has been extended with a deep lace trim. Both of these hankies are hand embroidered. One of them was doodled on first, a simple pattern before the stitches were added and then they were joined, one for the front and one for the reverse. I have three of these now and I still intend to keep them. I can't bear to part with them at the moment. They are being regularly caressed and fondled, folded and unfolded, ribbon wrapped around then unwrapped....you get my drift.
This is the last one though, at least for the moment. I am still working with vintage hankies and doodles, similar patterns but I am trying to figure something else out, work my way through an idea that I hope to share soon. I am in the early stages, sampling and trying to figure out the technical stuff which is definitely not my strong point. There is a lot of head scratching going on between the bullion knots and doodles.
Meanwhile, tomorrow I can show you what we did in our first day in class.
09/12/2017
a few favourite papers
A few of my favourite papers, not new but revisited for inspiration. I am gathering these things around me, papers and lace scraps for little exercises in composition, sewing strips together, threading gimp across spaces and through holes in cloth, adding little stitches here and there along with beads and bells and buttons.
This type of exercise informs embroidery, the mix of pattern and surfaces. It will eventually lead to larger stitched works.....but not yet. I am having too much fun playing.
09/11/2017
hexagons and flowers
Continuing the flower and hexagon theme, the needle case theme. I am enjoying these explorations so much. It takes me back, way back to a big collection I created years ago when I was studying, studying all things Nanna related.
nanna (plural nannas)
It's basic, it's functional yet pretty, it's memories of tablecloths and hankies, it's comforting.
I'm not 100 percent sure what the end outcome of this will be, what will happen to the needle cases I am creating at the moment. For now I need to keep them, I can't bear to part with them, maybe I never will. I am getting ideas for other pieces from this work though. It's feeding my ''to do'' list...more of that soon.
The 12 month ''artist book'' adventure began this morning. It's not too late to join us. You can read more here.
09/10/2017
needle case number two
Needle case number two. How many needle cases does one girl need? The answer I guess depends on how many needles she has. This particular girl who has a lot of needles will however most likely get confused and forget which needle is in which case. That doesn't matter though. She will get pleasure opening and closing them until she finds the right one. I have already started number three. Why? Well, because I can. Why not?
It's been hectic this morning getting ready for the 12 month artist book class which starts tomorrow. It's not a last minute rushed thing, it's an excitement thing, checking and double checking everything is ready, wanting to race ahead with ideas and plans. I gave myself a good talking to though and reminded myself I have a whole year to fill...slow down Karen.
09/09/2017
the edge of a page
You saw this little book earlier this week here. I have been playing with it a little more, limbering up for the ''artist book'' class which starts on Monday. I won't be using this book in class but for a little investigation, a little testing of stitching on paper it is very useful. Most stitching in the new class will take place on cloth but the beauty of these little exercises is they are transferable across media, cloth, paper, a mix of both.
The sequined edge and the lace inserts were added last night. I am developing an obsession with this method of attaching sequins, I did it here too. Now I am constantly looking for other places to add this to, you have been warned. If it's not nailed down it will be sequined!
If you are registered for the new ''artist book'' class you will receive sign in details for our private blog later today.
If you would like to know more about the ''artist book'' class or want to join us all the information you need is here.
09/08/2017
Wrapping Cloth
I'm here, I am I promise you, I just haven't quite caught up with myself yet so once again I am fobbing you off with an old video. This will be a repeat for some and completely new for others. I made this video about 18 months ago shortly after returning from a teaching trip to France and as that is mentioned in the video I thought I had best clarify.....
Normal service will DEFINITELY be resumed tomorrow.
09/07/2017
pattern
Following on from yesterday, another repost, new for some of you......there are beautifully patterned pages within this book which aren't clearly visible in the video today but you can see those here.
When this post was originally published I was asked many times where to buy these books. In the UK they are available here and no, I'm not on commission unfortunately.
Since this video was first posted I have worked more on these pages, images below. Again, these will not be new to some of you. Normal service here should be resumed tomorrow.
Keep scrolling to the bottom for the video today.
09/06/2017
a completed artist book
I have had to go away unexpectedly for a couple of days. Rather than abandon my blog I am going to ''repost'' a couple of blog entries from last year. The first one is here and there will be another one tomorrow. I have new readers since these were first posted so for some of you this won't be like watching a repeat!
Watching these back, looking at the images, I can see the development of my work, how this work from last year influences and informs what I am doing now.
Class is till open for new registrations whilst I am gone. You can do that here.
09/05/2017
three little mirrors
My little artist book is filling up. Yesterday I added three little mirrors to collaged paper which I then used alongside a snippet of this piece I embroidered earlier in the week. There are still a few pages which are empty, white spaces dotted around this little book. I like the slow approach to this process. I like to think, to consider, to find the perfect piece for each page and if I don't yet have the perfect piece it's never a problem to make the one thing which will finish off a little composition.
If you are registered for the new ''artist book'' class which begins on Monday you should have received an e mail from me this morning. If you haven't received that please let me know.
If you are wondering if the ''artist book'' class is something you would like to be a part of then you can read more here.
09/04/2017
the lower half
When you last saw this piece here the lower half was unstitched. The doodles were there, the patterning but I hadn't gotten round to the embroidery. I have now.....flowers, flowers from designs in vintage embroidery transfers to be exact. I have taken my floral patterning from vintage embroidery transfers for as long as I can remember. There is usually a simplicity to them. Occasionally I have adapted the flower shape or the petal shape but these ones are unaltered or at least they are as near to the original as they can be.
This type of pattern, this transfer design reminds me of my Nanna Burns and my Nanna Garstang. It reminds me of the tablecloths they would stitch and it reminds me of my fascination watching them, begging to ''try'' , badgering them and more often than not making a mess which had to be unpicked.
This piece now needs an embroidered reverse, more doodling on vintage hankies, more simple patterning and a little stitch before it can become a needle case, yes, another needle case.
09/03/2017
Sunday
Wordless today. I am not here....shhhhh.....
09/02/2017
strips of lace
Strips of lace stitched together.....I had a hankering. Once I had satisfied that particular hankering I had to add a little hand embroidery. There are bullion knots, French knots, sequins, and buttonhole lace. It's frothy, it's light, it's delicate. It will be cut up for an artist book.
I ordered some of this yesterday. Perhaps that's what inspired me to lay strips of lace together. I am counting the hours until it arrives. Patience Karen, patience.
09/01/2017
paper, cloth, stitch, pages
And so it continues, layers of paper, stitched paper, added cloth, added embroidery, building little compositions, creating pages, cramming a little book. You have seen the samples before when they were first created, now you see them on pages, layered with other scraps, little compositions creating a crammed book that will never close. It falls open randomly, each time allowing another page to be visible. It needs a case, or an empty shelf or a book stand all of its own.
08/31/2017
needle case or button cloth
I do enjoy creating these little embroidered hankies. I enjoy doodling pattern on the cloth, no pressure doodling, familiar pattern and then adding little bits of applique and playing with simple stitches. I've yet to decide whether this will be another needle case or another cloth for buttons. I have more need of a button cloth but can you ever have too many needle cases? I doubt it. It's possible these will more and more become my ''cloth'' work over the coming weeks and months whilst I am concentrating on paper in ''artist books''. I won't be able to show you much of my class work initially so you and I will focus more on things like this.......little doodles, soft cloth and simple stitches. Sounds good to me.
08/30/2017
layers and sequins
I'm managing to spend a couple of hours every day creating pieces for my own ''artist book'' the first one of my collection. Please remind me in twelve months time that I had plans for at least six little books of my own especially if I don't have six..... It's quite a scary prospect as I know just how long each of these little books takes to create to a point at which I am happy with it. I prefer crammed, every spare inch holding information of some kind be it a button or and edge of lace or a little scrap of stitched paper. The rest of my little collection will be created in the upcoming ''artist book'' class. The format isn't going to be exactly the same for each one although they will be similar.
For this page I layered papers and delicate cloth with a little lace cloth and after a little embroidery added the what seem to be ever present at the moment sequins. The pom pom edge was already on this page having been added a few weeks ago. I definitely think all these pieces fit....
08/29/2017
buttons and a page
A picture heavy post today. I embroidered three buttons. The buttons inspired a page.
One button was added to embroidered scraps, paper, cloth, wisps of thread and a little gimp.......another page completed in my artist book. The remaining two buttons will be saved in my ''stash'' for the artist book class which begins in less than 2 weeks. 12 months of relaxed creativity, no pressure, access to class forever, access to me forever but don't let that put you off! and if you scroll through the class description there is a very short video of my new page at the end of this post....
Begins Monday September 11 2017
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
This is not an ''art'' class as you may imagine, my books will be enhanced purely through the use of stitch.
In response to numerous requests and following on from the success of my last ''artist book'' online learning programme I have created a 12 month online learning experience to which you will have unlimited access during the ''live'' 12 month period and beyond. Yes, one sign up, unlimited access...forever.
During our 12 month ''live'' programme I intend to provide video demonstration on a monthly basis with text blog posts weekly. It is possible and likely however that video may be required outside of this timetable meaning video provision is expected to be over and above that originally planned. My classes grow as they progress, they develop as new ideas are formed, I learn from you too, your needs, your progress, that process of learning and interaction invariably affects any teaching plans I have at the outset, allowing me to develop and extend course content as we progress.
Join me whilst I endeavour to fulfil a
long held ambition, the creation of a large collection of hand created
artist books, journals and ledgers comprising pages of stitch and
collage using cloth, embroidered scraps, beads, buttons, lace, pattern
and paper.
Your pages can be added to any book you wish, make your
own ledger with fine paper, with hand made paper, with patterned paper
or use a special sketchbook, maybe even a story book. These things will
be discussed and considered during our programme of creativity.
***please note. I have only basic book making skills. This is not a book making class in terms of the creation of finely bound sketchbooks, journals or ledgers. My own books will be very basic and simple. I am happy for you to be more experimental and adventurous with your own books. I encourage the pushing of boundaries, the exploration of idea and thought.***
My role is to demonstrate the creation of collaged and textured sheets of paper, cloth and embroidery, to illustrate the creation of stitched scraps for pages and to then share how a page can be adorned in order to enhance the presentation of your sampling. This in turn will lead to the creation of unique ''artist books'', a library of ideas and inspiration and a valuable resource for the future in terms of design and the extension of embroidery sampling.
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.
Images of my own ''Artist Books'' can be seen here. From viewing these images you will gain an appreciation of what can be achieved during this programme and beyond.
http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/artist-books/
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.***
You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes to take part in this class.
08/28/2017
edging a cutwork sample
A few samples were created during the initial, early stages of ''studies in stitch''. I'm now beginning to give them a little attention starting with the cutwork. I think there are only three of these in total, three pieces of cloth with cutwork samples worked on them but they should still make a good ''swatch book'' when they are titivated.
If you are new here you can see more swatch books here and here then you will have an idea of what I mean.
A bound edge has been added to this one with buttonhole lace and sequins to secure and embellish. The reverse is getting attention too.....sequins to follow there
Embellishing the reverse of pieces, samples has become important to me. I see it as giving recognition to the work which is visible there, the knots, the working threads because where would we be without those.
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