11/22/2018
12 months plus two months
12 months of artist books which have become 14, nearly 15 months of artist books and this is the result.
I was making a short 'recap', appraisal video for class this morning and gathered all the bits together we had been working on during this class. There's more than this actually but this image gives a good overview of the pieces we have created over the past year or so.
The class was listed to run for a year and should have ended in September gone.....I wanted to continue so continue we did. We are now due to finish at the end of the year but in truth I could go on forever. These pieces have inspired new ideas, further explorations.......like I said, I could go on forever.
11/21/2018
yesterday
A little baby dress which was hung up yesterday so I could pin things to it, play with placement, see what goes where and what else I need. This piece is our first project in embroidery school, stitch along. Hopefully when we've finished this dress will be festooned with all things pocket related, pockets for holding memory and emotion. Each of us will have our own memories, our own sentiments held safely within these pockets meaning each piece will be uniquely our own.
Today I've been playing with ribbon a little and layering cloth scraps over the white piece from this post. Hopefully I will add some embroidery to it this evening and share that with you next time.
11/19/2018
tiny white adornments
These images are of current work from embroidery schoool. We've been making tiny white dangly things. They're addictive. You might also spot a couple of tiny pockets here too. They're personalised but it's a secret unless you're in class. They really are small, the smallest, the one with the blue silk ribbon spilling out is only around one inch wide. The ribbon is significant as is the lace spilling out of the other one, again that is to do with the personalisation of these little secret places.
Each of these pieces is related to pockets in some way. I remain pocket obsessed. One of them is already a pocket, the white piece will be used to create a pocket and the other piece has pockets in the seam.
In other news...I'm slowly getting more organised but am astounded at how much stuff we have despite the amount of stuff we threw away before we moved. I think it must breed when the lights go out.
11/17/2018
paper, silk and embroidery
When I went on holiday I took two surfaces with me to embroider and titivate whilst I was away. You saw the first one here. This is the second piece which didn't get touched whilst I was away but I have remedied that this week, snatching a few hours every evening for embroidery. I'm amassing quite a collection of these delicate embroidered surfaces. Overlays, overlays, overlays, they will be overlays for the many artist books I have planned. (planned with fingers crossed and one eye on the clock lol)
Things are still a little upside down here. We have been here exactly two weeks now and although there are only 4 boxes left to unpack most things which have been unpacked are in the wrong place for various reasons. I'm hoping to put that right over the next couple of days. I'm also aimimg to post more regularly from now on. Probably not every day but definitely more frequently.
11/13/2018
welcome back to school
Both my groups of girls came back to class this week. (OK, they never went away it was me) this is a little glimpse of what we did on my first day back.
In artist books we worked on a page for a book which will be rather large compared to my usual artist books. As you can see it also won't have regular edges, there are bits sticking out all over. Creating overlays for this one will be interesting but I do like a challenge. More of that when it actually happens.
In stitch along, (the 12 month sewing class which has just begun) we were on pom poms, prairie points and pockets.....all the p's.
As you can see it's been a busy return. There are still boxes and a lot of waiting around for workmen but every day I find more of my essential treasure so managing my embroidery is getting easier all the time.
Both of these classes are open for registration here and here.
11/11/2018
phew.....that was some four weeks
I'm
here...I'm happier than I can say to be back. It's been an amazing
four weeks, wonderful and stressful too. Where have I been? We went to
Portugal for two weeks, a long planned family holiday with our kids and
their partners. The weather was mostly glorious, the family time
priceless.
We came back and moved into a new house, a new home for Paul and I. That's where the stress came in but it really doesn't matter anymore because I am so, so completely happy to be in this new place, be experiencing this new start for us both. I'm told I have made amazing progress with the unpacking but I would say there's a long way to go. It does look and feel like 'our' home but there is a little renovation to do, some decorating....then it will all come together properly.
I still haven't unpacked a lot of my cloth, paper, thread etc. etc. Those things are safer in boxes for now. There's also a lot of stuff at my mum's for safe keeping. She doesn't know it yet but that will be there for a little longer.....shhhh....don't tell her.
This work? I worked on this piece in the Portuguese sunshine. (it took me a long time to find this earlier today!)
So that's my news. I'm hoping to be posting and stitching regularly from now. If I see a cardboard box that needs to be unpacked I promise I'll shut my eyes and ignore it.
Registration is open again for both my current classes. Sorry it took me so long.
You can register here for ''stitch along''
and here for ''artist books''.
See you soon and thanks for still being here. xxxx
10/11/2018
sewing essentials
The most important things are now tucked safely in my suitcase, holiday stitching supplies.
It's been quite a year (yes I know it's not over yet). I never imagined I would ever leave this house but it seems I will be doing just that four days after returning from my holiday.
Our holiday has been booked for months, it was booked before I even thought about moving house. I don't think I have ever looked forward to a break as much as I am looking forward to this one. Most of the packing for our move is done, there's just a few things to sort out when we get back so I am going to wallow in the relaxation whilst I am away. (and try not to buy too much which will have to be packed when I get back)
So, 2018. A house move, a family trauma, lots of angst and not a little heartache but hopefully a happy future in our new place to look forward to.
I could be gone for three weeks. It depends how soon I can get online after the house move.
Miss you already.
10/10/2018
suffolk puffs for an edge
Another finished piece for the pile. (I say pile, actually it's another piece to be fretted over and packed ready for the move). I made some oversized Suffolk puffs to finish this one along the right hand edge. I was tempted by dangly things, dangly things I haven't actually made myself such as pom poms, beads or similar. Then I thought I best make something myself, create this edge with my own hand made titivations because I can't have you thinking I'm incapable of adorning an edge without the help of beads and pom poms.
For now this will be carefully wrapped and placed in one of the zillion boxes I have lying round here. Its future however lays in a huge artist book, a sample book, an invaluable resource and reference tool.
I'm going away on Friday for two weeks, maybe more. Registration for artist books and stitch along will close during that time. If you would like to register and use my absence to gently work your way through these classes then the cut off point is Friday morning. You can register and read more about 'artist books' here and 'stitch along' here.
I will be back tomorrow to say goodbye.
10/09/2018
mix and match
Over in 'stitch along' we're putting cloth together to make pockets, mostly plain cloth, some fancy edges and lots of scope for hand embroidery. I was gathering my recent stitched bits earlier today and began to wonder how they might work if put together for a pocket in place of unembellished pieces. These three appealed most for some reason, I'm sure they would work, that they would make a lovely pocket.
But
following yesterdays chat, I'm not making stand alone pockets for the foreseeable future so these three will become an integral part of my next artist book. There's no harm looking though, playing and thinking.
10/08/2018
lace and lemon sequins
This one is 'in progress', there is more to do and I have plans. The ruched strip has been cut from an old blouse, (not one of mine, a charity shop find).
I've been thinking a lot lately about these little embroidered pieces I'm obsessed with making at the moment. I think I have mentioned in my classes how I get much more pleasure from these and the resulting artist books than I would from a pillow, a throw or a bag. And there's also the current 'stitch along' project, an alternative to the artist book as a vehicle for displaying embroidered cloth, in that instance in pocket form but which would also work with pieces that aren't 3D like a pocket. That is possibly something we will explore later in stitch along as we progress through class.
So this morning whilst making videos for class I decided this is who I am now. Small embroidered pieces, (well considered and composed I hope), preserving those pieces in some form be it an artist book or another surface.......no more pillows and bags for me.
(you wait....I will come back from holiday passionate about making a pillow lol. I am nothing if not consistently indecisive)
10/07/2018
soft green ribbon
This lovely soft green ribbon found its way back with me from my recent trip to London and it's been calling me ever since. It had to be used, even if only a tiny amount. I love it against these vintage whites....I even managed to find a very old drawstring channel from an old nightgown which is attached here and has white silk ribbon running through it.
Drawstring channels, artist books, pockets, sashes, ribbons.....too many addicitions, not enough time.
I'm running a little late today in terms of where I wanted to be at this point in the day. There was great excitement this morning because of this. I best find out my wellies!!
and I've been doing a bit of this too....packing the tiny essentials.....the important stuff.
10/06/2018
Saturday morning
The ironing board was out this morning, not for the 'chore' stuff, the boring stuff but for 'stitch along' where we are making pockets and titivated sashes for a baby dress. (it's complicated and probably not what you are imagining) anyway...these images....taken after 'stitch along' stuff but still on the ironing board which has a towel laid on top.
I was just playing, seeing if I needed to add anything to this artist book and when I decided I didn't I played a little with paper and lace anyway....because I could. But now I need to get a shift on. I have papers ready to be embellished on the sewing machine and I'm working to a strict plan of packing at least one box a day. In reality I think I need to raise that to ten boxes a day but for now one box is all I can manage because I can't tear myself away from all this.
10/05/2018
decorative edges
The blue beaded 'abacus' like edge is the newest work here. It would seem I am consumed, obesessed with all things paper when in reality the past few days and the coming days have been and will be more about edges on paper and cloth. This work has been shared on here before in various stages. It's now become the start of something new in artist book class. It will eventually be the largest artist book I have ever made complete with some kind of overlays, (as yet unknow).
The cloth mentioned here? That's an idea I have which I'm going to share with my 'stitch along' girls first.
10/03/2018
stitch along and a little paper
Another little glimpse for you of what's happening in 'stich along'. It may not seem much but the ribbons were added in class this week....it took a lot of thought and testing. (we didn't eat cake all day instead honestly) and besides.....we have other things going on too.
The paper piece here has had an edge titivated with sequins and in addition to all the house move stuff I still have to do I'm hoping to create a few more paper surfaces to take with me to stitch whilst I am sitting in a little garden in Portugal.
Speaking of house move....I am now due in the attic, the final push to get that cleared. Once that's done I will breath a huge sigh of relief because after that task everything else should be a doddle. (let's hope)
10/02/2018
layers, pockets, lace
You may remember this piece from last week. It's been added to, extended, layered. There are pockets appearing....those are inspired by my work in stitch along. Like I said the other day, one thing leads to another.
It looks rather 'unkempt' in these images, like some poor ravaged rag doll. That's most likely caused by the drawn up cord at the top edge. It doesn't look so scruffy in the flesh honestly. It's very soft, beautiful to hold, light and delicate. Where does this piece go from here? I have no idea. At the moment I have no desire for bags, pilllows, pouches. Maybe it will be wonderful as an adornment for an artist book cover?
10/01/2018
little pom poms with pale blue beads
These pieces keep on coming, I have so many ideas inspired from this work and once I've created from those ideas more ideas pop up. It's never ending (in a good way) I must remember to refer back to this post next time I have a creative block, remind myself of the day when the ideas wouldn't stop coming.
These pieces will be taken further still in my 'artist book' class, there's a plan unfolding over there which I'm going to share with the girls later this week.
Meanwhile in 'stitch along' we are consumed with pockets. That too is feeding ideas and I'm working on something arising from that inpsiration which I am able to share with you so hopefully you will see that tomorrow.
09/29/2018
the next piece
Following on from my post yesterday....this is the next piece of the puzzle. I have a good idea where I am going with this now but I will share that with my 'artist book ' girls first, see what they think. It's good to have my groups to bounce ideas around with. Meanwhile I'm going to keep going, creating these little folded paper pieces.
(more stuff to worry about, to have lying around)
I don't think I have said on here before but touch wood, fingers crossed.....I am moving house soon. It's chaos here. If I go missing I will be packing or moving or will be in Portugal. (holiday imminent) tomorrow I'll be missing but I'll be here, delivering wrapping cloths and embroidery to mother's house for safe keeping whilst the upheaval continues.
09/28/2018
one thing leads to another
The big sheet you have seen before, the small piece is new. Working on this large sheet and others which will form my new, large artist book has given rise to lots of new ideas for works on paper, page forms, folded edges on sheets of paper and on and on....... The new small piece with the folded lower edge is the first piece of a new puzzle I have in mind involving small pages with turn overs and beaded edges so watch this space.
A reminder, my 12 month stitch along has been running for a couple of weeks now. Our private Flickr group is filling up with all manner of exciting work, incredibly innovative work and the enthusiasm from the group is inspirational. This class runs for a whole year, 52 weeks. If you think you might want to join us you can read more here.
09/27/2018
gathering cloth with linen tape
I created this little piece as I had a need to create a channel through which I could thread a strip of linen tape, yes really. Ever since I finished this piece I haven't been able to get tape, channels, drawing up, gathering off my mind. There are two layers of lace here with the channel defined using French knots and bullion knots. This little piece will be used in some way as part of an artist book, an overlay perhaps or maybe even a sleeve for the edge of a page. The beaded edge has been embellished using bling from a tassel I deconstructed. I am particularly looking forward to finding a home for that large orange coloured bead....
09/26/2018
stitched papers
Paper, some of it easier to stitch on than others yet all unique in how they respond to embroidery. Some of this paper was machine stitched prior to hand stitch being added, prior to embellishment with beads, buttons and sequins. The large sheet is the next piece for this project. One of the smaller white pieces is an overlay, the other the first piece of a new project we are working on in artist books.
I need more surfaces, more machine stitched papers to embellish by hand. That should happen later this week. I'm hoping to set aside a full day for that.....
09/25/2018
stitch along
I am now able to show you a little of what's happening in class, in my 12 month stitch along class. We are in the very early stages of this year long programme, we're making pockets. The first two images here are of my second pocket which for now is minimally embellished. This one is layer upon layer of aged cloth and aged lace. It will eventually be folded and resemble the image below.
The next image is work from the very first week of class. Our pockets are concerned with memory and history...that's all I can say about that really without giving it all away. The two embroidered scraps laid on the dress here reference special memories for me, special relationships. The vintage dress will also come into play with regard to this work but not for a few weeks yet.
09/20/2018
scraps
There are always scraps lying round here, scraps of paper, cloth, ribbon...my motto? never throw anything away. These little pieces are variouys scraps which have been gathered together and embellished with stitch, beads and ribbon. If you look at the first image where they are laid on a sheet of white paper............ try and imaging more being added to that sheet. I'm aiming for a mini design sheet here so there could be stitch, collage or more scraps I haven't decided yet.
(the paper is A3 size, the scraps approximately three inches long)
09/19/2018
extending design
You have seen the piece here on the left before. As part of my mounting marathon, the creation of my next artist book, my sample sorting it was the turn of that one. I've embroidered paper scraps here to sit alongside the piece on the left before attaching both pieces to a large sheet of acrylic paper which I have also stitched on.
There's a drawback to all this unfortunately....every time I mount one of these pieces, titvate and stitch the page I get another idea. Don't worry, I'm writing them all down.
09/18/2018
maybe a sleeve....
A little break from paper yet still book related. It occured to me that Clara never got a pocket. She may still not get a pocket, she may get a sleeve instead.
If you haven't got a clue who Clara is....Clara made her debut here during my 'stitching a story'' class where we embellished and titvated a story book. It seems like so long ago.
This particular book is,
Clara and the magical Hat Day by Amy de la Haye and Emily Sutton.
09/17/2018
pom poms on paper and funky puffs on an edge
I think this is number three, number three of the sample mounting marathon I began recently. If you look back at this post you will see how it has dawned on me that I have unintentionally started to create an unplanned artist book. Oh well....it's a win win.
I've been away this past weekend and whilst I was away I was thinking about what else I could create as a diversion from artist books. What did I come up with? Nothing. It appears I am morphing in to an ''artist booker'' as opposed to an embroiderer. Is that a bad thing? Personally I would say no. It's the best of both worlds I think, paper, fabric, embroidery, artist books.
Having said that....we are working on something special in ''stitch along'' using only fabric and thread which excites me just as much. (can't share that with you yet though sorry)
09/13/2018
an embroidered sleeve for an artist book
A glimpse for you of what's happenning in 'artist book' class. There is work still to do on the internal areas of this one but for now I am happy to gaze at the embroidered sleeve which serves as protection here.
The sleeve is beautifully soft, made from a mix of silk habotai, silk velvet and white trim which has been embellished with a combination of bullion knots, French knots, Turkey work, guilloche stitch and buttonhole lace.
There are little glimpses here of what's happening inside this one. Once that is finished and the girls have seen it I will share it with you.
09/12/2018
a table full of motivation
My table this morning....an appraisal, a look, considering and being inspired to keep going with this body of work. This too,
The early stages of an overlay...or is it a page? I haven't made my mind up yet. Paper laid over lace cloth, simple embellishment and a fragile edge.
There have been several enquiries about 'artist books', the class. It's natural to assume I guess that December is almost here (when class finishes) and that could concern people in terms of finishing work etc but to reassure....live videos finish in Decemeber but access to everything, everything is permanent. I think we are up to 115 videos now. Access to videos, images, blog posts is forever starting with video number one. I hope that clarifies.
We are in our second week of ''stitch along''. I'm not able to share any of that with you yet but tomorrow I will show you my latest work from artist book class.
The shop will be closed from Friday to Monday so if you were thinking of signing up for either class then please go here for Artist Books and here for Stitch Along.
09/11/2018
beaded and embroidered paper
More mounting, paper again. I do prefer paper in this instance, it reassures me my embroidered samples will remain pristine. You do know what's going to happen here don't you? An artist book is forming...a very big artist book. You know what comes next too I'm guessing? These large pieces are going to need overlays because it appears I am unable to create any kind of artist book without overlays. That's not a problem, overlays are never a problem. It just means my list is getting longer.....
09/10/2018
mounting embroidery on stitched paper
Following this sampling I decided to switch from cloth to paper as a means of displaying and also protecting my litle stitched samples. I am happier although the Ruane mind is hovering over another change of plan, yikes, make your mind up Karen. The advantage of paper as a mount is it's stability, the work is better protected. The embellishment of the paper background is obviously trickier but I'm renowned for my love of fiddling and I do like a challenge.
There are so many little stitched bits lying around here that I could be working on this mounting process for some time. I have a deadline, a self imposed deadline so I'll be tackling another one of these today.
My 12 month stitch along started last week....only another 51 weeks of embroidery to go! You can sign up any time, you will have access to everything which has been published since day one. Our private Flickr group is filling up fast with all the amazing creativity which has happened so far, the girls are working their fingers to the bone. (they make me proud)
If you would like to read more about 'stitch along', a year long class please go here.
09/09/2018
couched gimp
A simgle line of couched gimp, the latest addition to my white collection which is growing rapidly, which some would say is getting out of control. Yesterday I shared an idea I'd had for mounting these....I'm not feeling it today.
I'm getting a lot of pleasure from making these delicate white pieces, the same can't be said for the mounting plans. I have changed my mind so many times. The idea of mounting them on cloth, on silk did feel right initially but then I asked myself 'where is the protection'? where is the 'crease prevention'? (creases are very important to me, or the lack of them is) So I'm changing course again. Embellished paper mounts, that's the way forward I think but don't nod off because I could well change my mind again.
09/08/2018
a silk mount for a stitched paper sample
It's not final, my mind isn't completely made up yet but I'm toying with the idea of mounting my stitched white paper pieces on embroidered silk panels. This is the first part of playing, trying that idea out. I've embroidered along the top of a silk panel here, placed a piece of stitched paper under the embroidered header and now I'm thinking...looking at it every so often and thinking some more.
The eagle eyed among you will notice that one or two of my Guilloche stitches have acquired a curl, a kink, have become unruly. They will be severely reprimanded and replaced....please don't judge me.
09/07/2018
beads, sequins and a single tassel
A little scrap of stitch or should I say several little scraps joined together and then stitched. This is my latest sample...of many. You've been seeing these forever, what can I say. I'm building a sample library, a resource. The white pieces have been getting a lot of thought these past few days, these ones,
I think I've figured out how I'd like to prepare these for presentation. I'm hoping to start work on that now....this afternoon.
09/04/2018
still on an artist book theme...
Embroidered white paper, a page. I'm still on my artist book path after yesterday. There are now several of these embroidered white pieces and I'm trying very hard to decide how to combine them into artist book form. There's no rush, I'll take my time. These pieces need something light as protection, as a cover.
This one is stitched paper with fine cloth overlaid in parts which has then been embroidered with bullion knots, buttonhole stitch and Turkey work before little scraps of vintage lace have been added to seams. There's a fragility here as there is in the other pieces of white I have been working on, a fragility which I don't want to lose when they become part of an artist book.
09/03/2018
artist book
Remember the loose pages from yesterday? They aren't loose anymore....they are bound in this artist book. I'm not sure I'm completely happy with the cover. It may be that I play with that a little more. I'm going to sleep on it.
My 12 month stitch along started a couple of days ago....it is was it says....twelve whole months of embroidery. The first images have already been uploaded to our private Flickr forum, such enthusiasm from the group, thank you! It's never too late to join us. If you are interested you can read more here.
09/02/2018
unfinished pages
I had planned to finally put this artist book together yesterday................
But I discovered an unfinished overlay...shock horror, two naked edges....That was rectified last night with little brass dangly things and fluffy pom poms.
This morning the 'putting together' was started. I love this part, the part where it all comes together.
09/01/2018
Stitch Along
My '12 month stitch along' class went live earlier today. If you are registered for class you should have received all sign in information, passwords etc. If you haven't received those please let me know.
(Helen, your mail keeps bouncing back. I have messaged you on Flickr)
Stitch Along
A live blog running from September 1 2018 through to September 1 2019.
78 GBP for the full 12 month course. No extras, no hidden charges.
I speak about my online classes and
creative life in a podcast recorded recently with 'stitchery stories'.
You can listen to that here.
http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/2018/04/podcast.html
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.
Staged payments accepted. Please contact me for details.
This online learning programme is born from the success and popularity of previous 'fly on the wall' classes.
Join me for 12 months of creativity, a
unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my
working practice over a full year. Who knows what will crop up, what
will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page
of time and fill that page, that time developing embroidered works on
paper and fabric.
There may be artist books, there may be delicately embroidered laces along with decorative silk surfaces.
There will definitely be buttons, ribbons, sequins, beads and all manner of added titivation.
Posting once every fortnight I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various piece of work which result from explorations demonstrated in class.
Group interaction will be facilitated within the forum of a private Flickr group where it will be possible to upload images and receive feedback and encouragement from the wider group along with input from me. There will also be the opportunity for wider discussion within the ''discussion'' area of that group. Interaction in this manner is however voluntary. There is no pressure on you to participate within this forum. If you prefer to work quietly, on your own that is encouraged too. My wish is for you to use this learning experience in the manner best suited to you, to learn in a way which makes you happy and furthers your individual creativity.
Please note, certain tasks within this programme require the use of a sewing machine.
Access.... Unlimited. Forever.
Materials required.... List sent upon registration.
***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***
Please allow 24 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.
08/31/2018
a tiny cuff
There's a tiny vintage cuff tucked under a seam on this piece and if you look closely you can see the little button, the original button. Lace has been laid over Broderie Anglaise on the top section before the whole piece was laid on top of some pretty floral patterned cloth. The gold ribbon has been used to cover a raw edge, an alternative to a hem.
I think it's fair to say my sampling is going well. My collection is definitley growing.
08/30/2018
bling
The most recent samples I've been creating have been quite restrained, unadorned in terms of beads, sequins and bling. With that in mind I had these two pieces out today in an effort to inspire a blingy piece, a new sample that glitters and shines. We shall have to wait and see how that turns out as I haven't even begun to piece it together yet. First I need to add one or two finishing touches to a sample piece I started yesterday. I hope to show you that tomorrow.
My '12 month stitch along' is filling up nicely...thank you!! We start on Saturday so get your needles threaded girls.
08/29/2018
still practicing
Yes, still practicing, sampling, sewing litle bits together and adding beads, buttons, ribbons. It's fun, you should try it. I'm cramming my head with all things embroidery and making the most of the inspiration whilst it's here. I could go on and on and on.....not sure if my fingers agree and they certainly don't work quick enough to keep up with my head.
Practicing.
- repeated performance or systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or proficiency:
- Practice makes perfect.
08/28/2018
still gathering samples
I'm still gathering samples here, recently created samples, homeless samples and all the while I'm being inspired to create more.
Yes, I am surrounded by samples. That's a good thing. They inspire and regardless...they are wonderful just to 'have', to pick up and put down. There's no end to this sample love to be honest because I'm about to put another one together. Another bonus of this sample factory situation is that very soon I will have two more artist books (one cloth, one paper) crammed with inspiration and reference. It's a win win.
If you are registered for the '12 month stitch along' you should have received an email from me today. If you didn't receive that could you please let me know.
08/27/2018
mixing, paper, cloth and stitch....
The pages from yesterday....now laid between embroidered samples, embroidered cloth samples. I am loving the ribbon here, the green vintage inspired ribbon. There will definitely be more of that appearing in my work.
I'm not stopping long today. There's paperwork to do....I wish I could insert an emoji here....
The pages from yesterday....now laid between embroidered samples, embroidered cloth samples. I am loving the ribbon here, the green vintage inspired ribbon. There will definitely be more of that appearing in my work.
I'm not stopping long today. There's paperwork to do....I wish I could insert an emoji here....
08/26/2018
whites....
There's quite a collection building of these little white sheets. A mix of paper, cloth and lace, each of these has been enhanced with hand embroidery. Some have ribbon, some have sequins, some have beads. For quite some time I have been wondering what to use them with. Initially they were born from my 'overlay' making. I guess they are 'overlays' but this time they will be used as a protection for cloth samples, embroidered cloth, applique and cross stitch as opposed to providing protection for embroidered papers.
This morning I have spent a few hours preparing for the '12 month stitch along' which begins in less than a week. My table has been covered with these pieces and more. (the gingham bag holds my vintage handkerchiefs) I have begun work on our first piece for class....it's all becoming very real.
08/25/2018
hand embroidered cloth books and samples
Yesterday I had all my cloth sample books out along with samples that have yet to find a home. The cloth book in progress which you last saw here received a little attention too in terms of the raw edges being turned under and slip stitched into place.
When you last saw this one I was umming and ahhing about whether to make a lining for it, whether to titivate cloth for the reverse. Well....I decided. This morning I have pieced some cloth which I now need to embellish before using it on the reverse of the ribbon and sequin piece.
08/24/2018
a sleeve for an artist book
In artist book class we are currently creating a tiny artist book which will be protected with an embroidered sleeve. I have laid those pieces here alongside more pages from my embroidery stitches book which I showed you last time. You seemed to like that one. I have shown it before on here but it's always good for me at least to look at it again, to remind myself. Recently, as I said in my last post, I have been referring back to that one a lot in preparation for the new embroidery class which begins in just over a week. If you would like to read more about the '12 month stitch along' just go here.
Have a fabulous weekend.....I'm off to do my chores, the boring housework ones before I get my stitching out.
08/21/2018
embroidery stitches
The little stitch book we created in the last 'embroidery school' has come in very useful for the next embroidery schoool, my 12 month 'stitch along'. It's been by my side as I've been making stitch videos for the new class.
It might be time for another little stitch book to be created. Guilloche stitch definitely deserves recognition in this way, recorded, referenced along with the many other stitches not present in the little book you can see today. I guess it's time to make a list.....
If you are signed up for the new class you should have received an email from me today. If you didn't receive that then please let me know.
08/20/2018
four pieces
These four pieces have kept me busy over the past week or so. One of them, the paper piece, is something we are working on in artist book class. The other three pieces are embellished 'overlay' pieces. I am unsure what will become of those but I have a hankering for an all white overlay artist book, a record of these surfaces (which I love and am obsessed with), a reference, a library of surface and seam ideas, of edge adornment.
In the centre of the second image you should be able to see where I have worked two rows of 'guilloche stitch' side by side. That stitch is fast becoming a favouirite.....another favourite. The 'how to' is demonstrated in this post.
Thanks so much for the response to my last post where I speak about my embroidery essentials. Someone asked where they could get 'coton a broder'. I buy mine here, (and no, I'm not on commission...I wish!) As for overseas? perhaps someone out there could help with that in the comments?
The response to my new stitching adventure has been amazing too....thank you. You can read more about that here. I am so excited for that to start and am spending time at the moment creating video demonstration of my favourite embroidery stitches for the new group.
Finally, last weekend....... Indulge me please. I spent Saturday in a muddy field, in the rain at the foot of Stirling castle. It was amazing, never to be repeated, history in the making, the last ever gig by a band I have been following for as long as I can remember. I still feel sad, very sad. A world without Runrig? Hard to imagine.....
One of the band put this on social media and I couldn't agree more.
08/17/2018
basics
When a new class begins I always make a 'basics' video which remains on our private blog throughout. In that video I speak about my essential embroidery tools and demonstrate the embroidery stitches I use most often. As there is a new embroidery class beginning soon I have been thinking about that 'basics' video and how I might change it.
This time I have decided to create one video in which I talk about my favourite embroidery supplies, threads, needles etc, my essentials....... splitting that part of it from the stitch demonstrations which in the new class will be demonstrated on individual videos.
Today I'm sharing the basics video with you.... since making this I have decided to create a new one for my group so what you see here is slightly different to the one which my group will see but I hope you find it informative all the same.
(in the video I say coton a broder is soft wool. It isn't. It's cotton. I meant to say it is LIKE soft wool)
I will be away all weekend. I am going here very, very early in the morning. I'm going so early that I should probably go to bed now!
08/16/2018
a little follow up
I made a very short video to answer a couple of points which arose from yesterday's video where I demonstrated 'guilloche stitch''. I hope it helps.
08/15/2018
Guilloche stitch
During the first 'embroidery school' of this year we learnt a lot of new embroidery stitches. I had hoped to continue exploring new stitches after class finished but failed miserably. Today I start to put that right.
Guilloche stitch.
This stitch certainly fits the definition of the word 'guilloche'.
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ornamentation resembling braided or interlaced ribbons
08/14/2018
just about ready to be put together.....artist book
Piles of pages and overlays....this artist book is just about ready to be put together. Watch this space.
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