For centuries women have used cloth as a tool of comfort and as an expression of beauty within their homes. Creating cloth for warmth, cloth for shelter, our female predecessors embellished these linens with hand stitch using laborious and time consuming techniques thereby enhancing the functional beauty of objects which enveloped and protected their families. Inspired by these women I hope my creations pay tribute to and recognise the devotion expressed in cloth by our female ancestors .
''the use of traditional often time consuming process alludes to the devotion of a mother''. c K. A. Ruane 2007
Showing posts with label online learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online learning. Show all posts
Monday here was spent making videos for ''hankie class''. I was surrounded by hankies, edges of cloth, seams embroidered with beads and sequins, layers of lace and vintage trims using previously stitched pieces for reference, inspiration and demonstration. Everything you see here with the exception of the blue edged needle case in the second image will become a bag, a bag created with hankies, lace and vintage trims. These pieces were embroidered before class, with class in mind....a head start for me. I realised yesterday how good a plan that was as these served as a perfect illustration of what I hope to achieve aesthetically with the bag we are making together in class, at least I hope class thinks so when they watch the videos tomorrow.
A reminder....the artist book class last for a whole year, twelve months. There is plenty of time to view what has happened up to now and participate fully both now and going forward. (I was asked to clarify this yesterday) Access to everything which has been posted up to this point is included regardless of when you sign up and most importantly access is forever, no cut off date. I hope that helps. You can read more here.
A new ''half'' page, extended with stitched papers, sequins and French knots....a prelude to the next, exciting 12 months. Due to numerous requests and the fact I want to spend a full year creating a collection of Artist Books......a new class, a relaxed class, a no pressure class.
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 8 weeks 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.
A story..... a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader...
or....in this case....to record with stitch.
Stitching a story, a children's book, a little doodling, play, stitch on pages, stitch on cloth.
Beginning Monday May 2 for 16 weeks.
There will be a two week break after week 7 (from June 19 to July 4)
Actual running length of class will therefore be 18 weeks.
Two posts a week on a private password protected blog. A minimum of two hours video per week.
Access to all resources is permanent.
**you do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes in order to participate in ''patched pockets.''***
No prerequisites. Suitable for the beginner and the more experienced stitcher.
In addition to a private blog you will be given access to a private Flickr group where you will be able to interact with other members of the group, upload images of your work, receive feedback, give feedback, share technique, hints, tips.....
Previous online learning programmes I have hosted have resulted in the formation of a tightly knit group of like minded people who share the creative process in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. It's almost as if groups ''hold hands'' throughout. For me, this is one of the most appealing and rewarding aspects of these classes.
(I am also aware that some people prefer to work quietly with minimal interaction. That is OK too.)
There are no deadlines, no set tasks. You are under no obligation to create what I am creating. Many people in previous classes have merely taken notes in order to apply ideas to their own work. Please take as much or as little as you wish from this programme, tailor my demonstrations to suit your own creative needs.
During the course of this 16 week online class, using a children's book for inspiration and as a ledger (sketchbook) for design ideas I hope to develop stitched pieces on cloth which will be inspired by images from my children's book. Using processes such as stitching, doodling, collage, layering, cutting, pleating etc on the pages of my children's book, I will develop ideas upon and within those pages by allowing paper and page to become a vehicle for sampling and developing embroidery before beginning embroidery on cloth.
Stitch
Collage
Doodle
Layer
Fold
etc etc
The use of a children's book or any other type of book is not compulsory. It is quite acceptable to participate in this class at a level of your own choosing. For example, you may have no desire to work in a book of any kind, preferring instead to take information from video and execute your ideas directly onto cloth. That is 100% OK. I want you to take from this experience whatever suits you, whatever works for you.
Samples, class work, gingham, lace, pink, lace cloth....it's s proper hive of activity here. I now have so many of these sheets. When class finishes in a couple of weeks I will endeavour to photograph them all for you. Aside from the finished sheets I have stacks of samples which still need to be mounted, I could soon be swamped, buried under a pile of pink. That wouldn't be a bad thing I'm sure.
Meanwhile, along with pink and lace I'm playing with hankies in the background, seeing hankies as patches and patches as pockets ready for the new class.Maybe even pockets made from patches..... a little likethese....
Happy thanksgiving to all of you who are celebrating today!!!
- See more at: http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/#sthash.agbz5ppC.dpuf
Just a little peek for you today at what we are up to in the ledger class. The flickr group is filling up fast so if you want to see just pop over here.
Embroidery wise...my final section is finished. I still need to damp stretch that and then it's all systems go to backing my latest wrapping cloth. I get excited at this stage..well I am always excited about my work but it's a different excitement when something is nearing completion. My plan is to show you that tomorrow so fingers crossed for good light...rain rain go away!!
Yes...the May newsletter is finished and it's still May...phew! I won't go into detail here, if it hasn't popped into your mailbox then you can read it on this page.
The exciting part is the new class....all the links and information are in the newsletter....
There was a little unscheduled post last night did you notice? Well there was nothing on TV! I think I am going to develop a bit of an obsession for photographing my work on top of painting and drawing and doodling. I love how it looks. Having said that my 'painting' archive is VERY small, hardly anything in it at all and I am wondering if it's possible to fit the creation of more paining into my days....also it's not something which I find myself able to do calmly and serenely either. I usually end up ripping my hair out so maybe I should stick to embroidery.
Hi honey I'm home! Back from an eventful weekend in the amazing city of London with my little girl, on her birthday and having spent an afternoon taking tea with Alice in Wonderland. There will be more of that in a few days in my May newsletter....there are other things to share here.I ate cake, I drank champagne (and for someone who never normally touches alcohol that half glass of bubbly caused a little bit of a hot flush I can tell you) and I spent around 5 hours in hospital.....who says I don't know how to have fun!? Actually it demonstrates clearly why I hardly ever leave the house... I'm not to be trusted in public.....and I might add that this was the day before I consumed my half glass of champagne....
From nowhere......an incredibly painful, bloodshot and hideously swollen right eye appeared just as I was about to hit the shops. (it was the bank manager I hear you cry...well probably!) It was agony and I couldn't see....no help at all when shopping is planned. So off I staggered to the NHS drop in centre in Soho...sorry we can't help you....it needs to been seen at the Moorfields Eye Hospital....so the upshot after hours of prodding, testing, poking, shining lights in to my eye, sitting around, drinking copious amounts of coffee, trying to be brave and not cry......a scarred cornea girls, caused by an infection of unknown origin.....medication dispensed, refused an eye patch as apparently that would make it worse, reduced to walking around looking like cyclopsdue to the lack of a begged for eye patch....my scarred cornea and I are now home....I did go shopping, the next day. I didn't get everything my heart desired but never mind....an excuse to go back soon I think!
Enough of the drama though...today's pictures.....these are in honour of tomorrows new start for embroider, embellish, create...a last call so to speak. Get over here to sign up...and never fear, a half blind, Cyclops impersonating teacher is better than no teacher at all!!
A few images for you today of what we are doing in school, no two week Easter break for us, not with our dragon of a teacher!! We are on smocking...of sorts....old pieces from me which I hope will inspire new pieces in the others.
Today I am wondering where the sun went? Glorious Spring like sunshine last week....snow tomorrow apparently! I kid you not...good thing I panic bought my petrol yesterday. Yesterday I went out to eat too...no cooking..RESULT!!! Thing is it's my little boys birthday next week but he won't be here, (sobs quietly, tears dripping on the keyboard) he will be in Amsterdam having more fun than my plans for pass the parcel and musical chairs would provide. So we went out for an early birthday meal and very lovely it was too.....he will still have cake though, when he lands back at some unearthly hour on the eve of his big day...and candles and balloons...
These are my pieces forJanuary 2012 embroider, embellish, create.....I am trying to stay one step ahead of everyone else after all it's hard to tell someone how to do something if you haven't actually done it yourself! I am hoping that in the next couple of days I can direct you to the class flickr group and then you can see the amazing creativity that's going on. I won't do it yet because I am thinking that Rouleau loops are causing stress!!! so I am going to give everyone a couple of days for the tranquilisers to work!
I'm still playing with paper in the quiet moments which are few and far between...until tomorrow that is! From tomorrow onwards I will be a lady of leisure....of sorts anyway. You may find me elegantly draped anywhere, on the sofa? even at the computer it must be possible to drape yourself elegantly on the chair? Basically the madness will be over in the morning. My gifts were all safely delivered 'up north' yesterday before I take myself off south to London for Christmas. I delivered them personally, braving the M6 along with hail, rain and wind but it was worth it...we had cake! My cards are all in the capable hands of Royal Mail as are my parcels. I will still be stalking the computer though, I don't go away for over a week, Christmas Eve to be precise but that gives me lots of time to play, relax and witter away at you.
So for now it is paper, or has been paper. I adore these images......and can you see how tissue paper reacts to my needle? That really is precious and even more gorgeous in real life. I wish you could put your hand in here I really do......or maybe not. It may get quite grubby after a while.
The January embroider, embellish create class is now open for registration. The kettle is on, I have tidied up, I have pressed my cloth, I have sorted through my threads, I am ready....
A few close ups today of embroidery so far on my pocket. These pictures show very clearly how old the fragment of cloth from my Great Grandmothers nightgown is. The marked and worn areas are very visible in the third image. I don't mind them at all, I actually like them. This piece is formed from more than one layer of cloth. The base layer is Egyptian cotton. I then have a vintage handkerchief with a lace edge followed by the floral fragment and a piece of vintage Schiffli lace. It is quite lovely to embroider this surface, the contrast between the different surfaces feels lovely in my hands. I worked some more on this last night and hope to damp stretch later today. There is quite a large area of plain cotton to embellish and I am trying to give a lot of thought to each area......
The latest button class is off to a flying start...check out the work created so far over here...we are still in our first week so it is quite amazing to see what has been achieved already. It isn't too late if you want to join in either as all resources are available until March 2012. There are no deadlines and there is definitely no pressure to complete anything in my little school. Stress is forbidden and detentions very rarely given so if you are curious then just have a look here for more information.
I made you a little video today, kind of a button show and tell to share these little things with you and also to clarify a couple of points about the class which starts tomorrow. In the video I mention that you should pop over to flickr and see how everyone is able to develop these techniques in their own way. You honestly wouldn't think that the images on there were inspired by my offerings, individual style is so evident in the things created last time.The link to the class page is here and if you decide you want to join us then all the information you need can be found here....but watch the video first, it may help you decide.
In other news....I feel more normal today whatever normal is. I had a full nights sleep last night and woke feeling very refreshed...phew! This morning I had my flu injection and although I was very brave and didn't cry they never gave me a sticker!!! Last time I go back there!!! I continued to work on my latest white piece last night and hope to show you some more of that tomorrow. Thursday I may go out...yes out. I may leave my little cocoon in order to peruse some Christmas stuff. I have resisted this long but am beginning to wonder if I should start and get my act together!! Is it just me or does it sneak up on you too?
Finally we have embroidery! Only a small amount but embroidery all the same. This week has been strange, very strange. I think I am still on Vegas time which makes things quite difficult. There has been a a lot of action in the washing machine department, the unpacking department and when there was time for embroidery I was half asleep. Then there is some family stuff that required a trip up north yesterday so all in all can someone please tell me what day it is??? Anyway, I made it to what I am told is Friday, more family stuff to attend to but an hour for the computer so I am spending it with you....
This piece is the small white cloth that I started in preparation for the January class. I have added to it and it is all damp stretched and gorgeous now. Sorry that these are a little dark, good old British weather to thank for that. As someone in America said to me, ''Las Vegas gets 360 days of sunshine a year, England gets the other five!!'' how true. I have to say again that we had an amazing holiday and if you missed it there is a little chat and some images about it all here.
Finally for today.....busy here don't you know......don't forget that due to requests I am running thebutton classagain starting next Wednesday and it's filling up which is amazing!!! I wasn't going to as we are getting close to Christmas but it's only a 3 week course and all the resources will be available until March 2012 so if you are wondering, thinking or pondering you can get more info here.......
AND...if you want to see what all my very talented girls did on the last one then have a look here....
and finally, finally, yes I really am going now!! I am hoping to catch up with everyone over the weekend so get the kettle on!!!
yes I know, it's a mosaic, a mosaic of old stuff...thing is I don't have any new stuff to show you yet...I'm slacking, neglecting my embroidery duties because of jet lag, dirty washing and most importantly due to the fact that I don't even know my own name never mind what day it is, what century even.
I do have something for you though....holiday pictures....lots of them. I am one of those boring people who sends you to sleep with their holiday snaps...they are on my San Francisco page here because I didn't want to create a whole new blog for them...lazy? or caring about the cyber space environment? you decide....I have even put a little video on there for you...you are so spoilt!!!
AND.....the mosaic is kind of a reminder, a prompt, a visual feast relating to my button class that starts next week. You too could create buttons like these....probably can already, who knows. If you want to know more then just go here. If you couldn't care less then don't bother...either way, democracy, freedom of choice etc. I wouldn't blame you if you never came back ever actually. I seem to babble on about the same old stuff non stop.
Now a message for my girls...I am coming, sometime today to check on what you have been up to whilst I was away so you better get your heads down and tidy the classroom!!!
I've bitten the bullet again! Another course.....addicted, who me? Well yes actually. My six week ''embroider, embellish, create'' class is drawing to a close and I am going to miss it so much. I like to think we have had a blast, a positively worthwhile experience for everyone. I would have gone straight into running it again had I not been due to go away for two weeks in November, so that one will be run again in the New Year. I am still taking names too so just drop me a line if that's the one you want and your name will be added to one of the many lists I am sure to lose between now and then.
In the meantime, my schedule, get me..schedule!! as if...
My calendar tells me that I can fit in a three week course before I go away so here it is, I give you
''buttons and more''.
A three week course, commencing October 10 which will enable you to create unique, hand made ''sew on'' buttons using eight different embroidery techniques. Some techniques demonstrated are suitable for beginners, others for those with a little more experience. There is no compulsion on you to use every technique. Take what you wish from the demonstrations and use the stitches and manipulation methods in your own way. Also demonstrated will be the technique used to enable your embroidery to be transformed into brooches. Your creations will be ideal as Christmas Gifts or as added embellishment for your own work. All techniques demonstrated are transferable for use in other embroidery projects, not only will you have a wonderful collection of buttons or brooches but you will learn skills that can be used again and again in your own work.
Learning resources will be delivered in blog format and will include the use of video demonstration and PDF documents. A dedicated flickr group will be available for you to share your creativity with your peers and receive feedback from me on your work.
Access to the class blog will be by invitation only and password protected. You will receive the relevant information regarding this when you have signed up for the course.
The course blog and all resources hosted there will be available to you until December 24. PDF documents are downloadable and printable.
Images used in this listing are for descriptive purposes only. You will not necessarily create the same buttons and brooches that are shown here. I am hoping that you take the work in a personal direction, manipulating any techniques you learn into creations which are unique to you.
So there you have it, all the information you may need. If you are interested you can register over here.If you are not interested, well that's OK too....
