whites

Another piece has been created for my ''sample portfolio'' plan. Here I have taken photographs of the ''whites'' for this collection along with the new piece finished yesterday. More paper based work is needed and I intend to remount everything I have put together up until now....I'm not happy with the mounts. My paper has arrived for that but now I'm waiting for silk ribbon. meantime I will create more pieces. Sampling samples is what I have decided to call this process. Create embroidered samples, mount them, decide you aren't happy and do them again.... - See more at: http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/#sthash.vvcXPBNx.dpuf

stripes, silk, samples,

The latest ''in progress'' sample for my planned mini sample portfolios. This one has striped silk in shades of grey and off whites which I bought in London earlier this year. So far one seam is embellished with French knots and web stitches run the length of a strip of striped silk. When I laid this piece alongside the piece from yesterday it struck me how well they live together, it started me thinking about a bigger piece using this combination of cloth. I am resisting though, trying not to get distracted.

The main reason for my resistance is a plan I have to develop something which I have been working on for class, for ''stitching a  story....'' My girls don't even know yet but hopefully when it develops I can share a tiny glimpse of it on here for you. The girls get to hear about it on Sunday.....

(stitching a story girls......I may be able to post late Saturday afternoon. I will let you know :))

Simply Stitch 4 was re-listed as a work on your own class yesterday after a couple of requests.. You will find that here.

- See more at: http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/#sthash.lny5IhfR.dpuf

white and gimp......for a sample portfolio

Another sample, white, gimp, pleated net...the next step in my sample portfolio play. This one has couched gimp overlaid across pleated net,  a seam of French knots and four tiny cutwork circles worked on a strip of cotton lace. There was quite a bit of response to my queries, my ''wondering'' from Tuesday, thank you for that. I am leaning towards three double spreads, six embroidered pieces in total and keeping them all the same colour, consistent, for example...shades of white, subtle blues and grey in one collection. Other portfolios will have brighter colours, pinks, lemons, brighter blues......it's still very much a ''work in process'' and requires much more ''wondering'' but I am part way there. - See more at: http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/#sthash.jptzsoQX.dpuf

Sample portfolio, part two

The second ''page'' of my mini portfolio plan has been put together. I now have more questions to ask myself......should each mini portfolio have one colour scheme, should the whites and blues and off whites all be together? Should the pinks, the brighter ones all be together? or should I mix them up? If each mini portfolio was a similar colour, fabric, stitch combination that would make it a ''collection''. It could be a collection of varied colour and fabric but then where's the consistency? Who knew it would be such a minefield of doubt and query? 

Also.....I may have to remount these.....that thing called ''consistency'' again (plus I am not happy with the mounting of the one from yesterday.)

- See more at: http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/#sthash.BB5enzjA.dpuf

Sample portfolio

port·fo·li·o

 (pôrt-fō′lē-ō′)

n. pl. port·fo·li·os

A collection of works or documents that are representative of a person's skills and accomplishments

 

 

The penny finally dropped yesterday afternoon.....how to mount and display these little compositions and stitched works. This is the first ''page'' of what I hope will become six pages of embroidered samples, a mini design portfolio. I am thinking of these as an extension of my little artist books. Bigger pieces, more considered pieces, more surface embroidery, more composition, more layers....more.

 

The pink pieces are next....that will make two pages, four mini design samples. 

- See more at: http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/#sthash.Z6Hc4hhP.dpuf

portfolio in progress

My collection is taking shape in one sense, the organisation sense and growing in the other..... size. I have three mounted pieces now but I also have around three new ones....not a problem though, the more the merrier. I am also working on a final piece that will be more than a sample...it's nowhere near ready for public viewing yet but it is further proof if any were needed that all I do all day is embroider! I can show ''in progress'' pictures of that soon so don't fall asleep!

I have also done something very exciting...well I think it's exciting although I do need to get out more....I have started a new group on flickr! Nothing to do with any of my classes...totally independent of that and you can join too if you want.

As you know I occasionally embroider French Knots, sometimes with a Bullion thrown in too...well I searched flickr for a group for knots and there weren't any. Well I tell a lie, there were groups for fisherman's knots, camping knots, things like that which were far too manly and harsh for my delicate little French creations so I saw the need....if you want to join in just go here and request an invite...who knows we may morph into the biggest group ever seen! OK then probably not but we can dream....