Slow Progress

I've seemingly slowed down this week, not through choice but rather because extended amounts of stitching/crafting at the moment is leaving me rather uncomfortable and at times in pain. Seems like a slight exaggeration but my left shoulder is giving me jip, so I've had to ease off my commission peace till I am loaned a set of trestles which I think will help with some of the issues and following some advice from a very good friend (expert in all things muscle related) I am having to use ice or heat (can't work out what helps) and pain killers till I can see her. So I am feeling a little bit miserable and frustrated.

I am doing the odd little bit but I can't work as long as I used to without really aching because I can't find a comfortable position to be in. I had hoped to get the outlining done on the project, worried about running out of time, and I also hoped to get another batch of Christmas decorations completed. Trying to build up stock as I hope to do one of the We Make Christmas fairs, but its dependent on time, money and whether or not I have the stock. 

So short post today, I am going to nip off and get comfortable on the sofa and work on a few bits on my lap, and rest the shoulder. 

Oh and don't forget entry to my competition ends on Monday, I'll be picking the winner Tuesday evening. 

Click here to enter.

Merry Santa Bee Christmas Decoration

Merry Santa Bee Tree Decorations

Hand embroidered keepsake baubles.

A little happy Christmas bee ready brighten up any tree.

£8.50 ea.

I am thinking that there might be a fairy bee coming soon.

Pssst. 
Don't forget, only a couple of days left to enter my mini competition, click here to find out more.

Time to use the C word....Christmas

I love it when I wake up and find myself uber excited to get on with the day. Getting errands done and then settling down to get on with the weekend of doing things I want to do. Granted, I was meant to be working on my commission but the darn threads didn't arrive. But never mind, always room to work on some other bits and by Merlin's fuzzy pants did I! Whilst out running errands I stumbled across something that made me get my brain ticking to the point where I got home and whipped it up, and it worked.

It's so darn cute I almost want to squee....so let me introduce to you the Merry Bee Tree Decoration. I will be making more of these baubles over the next couple of weeks, so I'll keep you posted when they are available to purchase.

The Merry Bee will be joined by it's sophisticated friend, Paradise Bird Tree Decoration, for those who like a bit of glamour...Silk with Crystals. Couldn't get any more classier than that.

With the excitement of these baubles, I almost forgot that I wanted to upload the deluxe versions of my Little Planet hand embroidery patterns. Almost, but not quite forgotten. I am rather pleased with them, it took a bit of drawing to get them all sorted and tweeking but I've now got four page pdf patterns done and listed for Little Home Planet and the second in the series Little Planet of Trees. The basic patterns are available for free on my website along with the purchasable versions. I wanted to offer the chance to those who like to be able to exactly follow the sample, so the paid for patterns include stitch and thread guides, hints and types as well as a full colour picture of the original sample. The upgrade patterns are £3 each. I will be aiming to offer the two options for future Little Planet patterns. 

And now its time for a cup of tea and more stitching. 

Oh, and a reminder don't forget to take part in my competition.

Click here and tell me if you had a pet bumble bee what you would call it. Loving the name suggestions so far.

Competition Time! Busy Bee Bundle

Time for a little competition.

To celebrate the launch of my 'Hi Honey' hand embroidery pattern, I would like one lucky person to win a rather rare printed copy of it and not only that one of my equally rare mini button needlecases. So you have somewhere to store your needles whilst you stitch the pattern. The winner will also get some other little goodies too.

If you would like to enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post and when you do why not answer the following silly question, if you had a pet Bumble Bee, what would you call it?

I'd either call it Fuzzy or Bob.

Deadline for entries is the 1st October 2012, so don't delay enter today!

Niggly Bits

I am sorry I can't accept anonymous comments as entries

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It's open to anyone, where ever you are in the World

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I will be randomly selecting a winner using the random.org generator when the competition ends, winners will be announced here and on my Facebook page, so make sure your following them both :)

Going back and going forward in time

So on Friday I had the opportunity to go to Goodwood Revival thanks to the kindness of some very dear friends of mine. I was utterly stoked, like a kid in a sweetie store or on the eve of Christmas. I was so looking forward to going and going dressed up! I totally loved my RAF outfit perhaps a little too much, and was rather sad sending it back yesterday. It was so great being surrounded by lovely vintage cars, people dressed up from all manner of eras and generally just having a bit of a hoot.

Here are just a few images from the day:

Hehehe, I loved the hat way too much. Even though I had to keep tilting my head up to see where I was going...

This group were rather amusing, there to roleplay and interact with folks passing by, heading into one of the sponsors guest areas.

Do I want to go again? Hell yes. Do I know what I want to wear? Already planned it, uniform again but this time American. I highly recommend it to anyone, and if you go, dress up!

What else has been happening? Well I've framed up my private commission piece, though typically I've run out of webbing so have to wait till next weekend to get some. I've also finally gotten round to stitching, and finishing, another free pattern sample the second in the little planet designs.

In progress, lots of French Knots

There done!

I should have the pattern done by next weekend, and I'll be re-doing the other Little Planet pattern too, tidying up the layout and the branding of it. I am also going to be offering a deluxe version of the patterns which will be purchasable for around £3.00 which will include a stitch and colour chart, and tips on transferring the design onto fabric. Again I hope to have it completed by next weekend, so keep your eyes peeled.

I also hope to have started another luxe version of the Paradise Bird Peter Pan collars as I have some other lush silk to work with.

Want it Wednesday: Revival of the Eras

Some of your poor folks have been subjected to my numerous Facebook comments and tweets about the fact I am off to Goodwood Revival on Friday, to say I am excited about this is a major understatement. I've wanted to go for years, and thanks to the lovely and very special Walker family I am going. Naturally I couldn't go without dressing up so I will be donning 40s RAF uniform. I shall hopefully have a picture that I don't mind showing you over the weekend.

So I thought I would dedicate this blog post to the 40s, 50s and 60s.

1940s

40s Wool Coat - TwilaJeanVintage

Cherry Blossom WWII Knitting Book (Woolworths) - SubversiveFemme

1950s

50s Style Dress - CheriseDesign

Brogue Style Court Shoes - Melanie

Stitchcraft January 1954 - sewmuchfrippery

1960s

Vintage 60s Red Hearts & Flowers Dolly Mini Dress - Jenea Zeek

Soundwave20" Pillow - MadAboutMod

Me plus embroidery equals patience?

Tea, blogging and freshly baked biscuits

For a change I felt like I wanted to write a blog post that wasn't about a WIP, or something pretty too look at thought that will come during the week. I wanted to write about something that's been on my mind for a little while, the perception of embroiderers. Though I am sure there are many folks out there, including you lovely lot who regularly follow my blog (god bless you).

One thing I've heard countless times over the past six years and during my apprenticeship, is the following line 'you must be so patient'. Actually, I am really not. My friends have borne witness to this. One memory that sticks out to me, no wait two, occurred during my apprenticeship days, one where I threw my 3d embroidered box across the room having grown frustrated with it and the second was when I was equally frustrated with my coronation goldwork, I slammed it down...now I can't remember if that was onto the trestles or onto the floor but either way I was less than gentle with it. I should state in both instances neither pieces were damaged and in fact my goldwork went onto win a prize. So perhaps it was a good luck gesture?

What I would say I have oddles off is perseverance, I simply have to see something through to the end. Be that courses, classes, reading a book and especially when I am working on something. I'll admit there will be a lot of swearing and throwing of items along the way. I have a bit of a short fuse at times...

Perseverance and also determination does come at a bit of a price, you don't always see that you should have quit or taken a step back. Of course, there are moments of clarity and I do quit. A good example of this is the growing number of 'projects' that have been hidden.

I wondered then if anyone else had come across this with their own work? When I tell people I really don't have the patience of a saint, they don't quite believe it to be the case. Something's are easy for me to stitch that others might find hard so the need for patience isn't required, that gets replaced with the love of actually doing it.

I suppose this is a bit of a muddled post, I was never very good at structuring things out beyond my embroidery, but I think you get the jist. Although I hope I haven't ruined your perception of me.

Another question to ask you is would you say your easily frustrated, patient, determined....

Its a bit of a curious Sunday post.

Want it Wednesday: Don't Hate Me

Okay, whilst I squirrel away on a couple secret projects (Secret Squirrel how I loved that show) I can't help but think of all the lovely things I could make. A friend of mine Laura (another one!) of Lupin fame had posted on Facebook that she had purchased some lovely kits today and it happened to be someone whose work I also adore....and well I really want to buy one of her patterns. One day I will, perhaps when I get at least one of my secret projects done and then I might treat myself. Especially since completing the Hi Honey Pattern, which I am still rather stoked about.

Anyway side tracking, this is the lovely pattern by Alicia Paulson (Posie: Rosy Little Things). Isn't it charming! But don't hate me because it's on that festive theme that no one really likes think about when you've just had summer. But it's adorable, and I whilst I am back into doing the odd bit of cross-stitch this one really appeals.

Winterwoods ABCs Cross Stitch Sampler Kit