In Which I Stitched a Flower...

I'm going to skip with a usual opening of..my its been a while, as it is fairly obvious with the last post being back in October. I'll simply say I took a step back and let myself get on with other things. To be truthful I am not entirely sure if I'll ever get back to regularly blogging and making again, but I'm not going to let myself get caught up in feeling any guilt. It's funny how not doing any of these things can leave you with that sense of...'what if' or 'if I don't do anything people will forget...' in a nutshell, this has only ever done to keep me happy, and if your not happy with what your doing why let the guilt bog you down? Not worth it.

Anyway, enough of the introspection...I've actually made myself do some stitching, and it's been rather nice to do. What the hell I am going to do with the thing I've done, I'm not entirely sure, suggestions on a postcard??

Where did I begin?

As with most things I make, I started with a doodle. This one was inspired by a rather snazzy calendar I picked up during a visit to the States last year from Paper Source (WHEN WILL YOU EVER COME TO THE UK??). I think it was a Rifle Press design, but bugger me if I can find the makers mark on it. Anyway, a doodle and a play about with colours. I began the process of turning it into a piece of embroidery...cue some soft swearing and a 'why am I doing this' moment(s).

Looks so organised...stays like that for about ten minutes before each project.

I started with a single thread of floss, and split stitched around the outside of the shape, or in this case petals. Note, I didn't separate each of the petals, this was for a reason...well I had an idea and just went ahead with it. Once the split stitching was complete, I marked the order of the petals with some thought (ish). 

Each petal was then padded out in the middle with long stitches using two /three threads of cotton stranded. Now I know what your thinking, cream padding when your going to do satin stitch in bright pink over it?? Yes, I am a nutter, has been said many a time. I did because I had loads of cream thread, I wanted a challenge and lastly, I knew I cover of it (so modest).

By the way, that shiny thing at the top of the picture is my stainless steel mellor, or laying tool, normally I use it for gold work but it works a treat for threads using it so that they lay flat. Also it's shiny...*_* I have a sterling silver one too.

With each petal I used a different number of padding layers, between 3 - 5 to give it a bit of a my realistic finish. By the fifth petal I had hit my my stride, which is typical.

So shiny...I do love a spot of silk thread.

Time for the middle section, I started it one way and then started it again. Yeah, I had thought to use chain stitch padding for the middle but when I tried it out it wasn't giving me the height and frankly it looked rubbish. So well over an hour later, with copious amounts of swearing, I unpicked the chain stitch.

Once calm again, I opted for a simple approach...couching the padding, using around 12 threads of cotton thread, in a long length I couched it round and round the middle, so it looked like a doughnut. Once I was happy with the height and the filling, I started to satin stitch over the top.

Then the question of what to do next? I had a small idea that the flower needed stamens, and after a brief reminder how to do it, I used a thicker weight yellow silk thread, and pistol stitched the stamens.

And now it's complete....

Now do I add more flowers, leave it be...make it up into something.

I have some pondering to do!

A Little Hope and Wanderlust

With one project now properly concluded, finally sewn on the backing fabric, I can now really start to concentrate on the new piece, 'Hope'. There was a bit of a stumble with getting the pace and flow of this piece, but I am starting to get somewhere with it now. Two letters are near complete and the shapes, and curves of the letters are working better, though I say that, and looking at the shot below I am still a bit iffy about the top part of the 'H' but we'll leave it for now and see how the other letters look before I start messing with it any more. It is yet more split stitching, and two colours merging into one another. 

Once all the lettering is complete then I'll start to look at the border, which I envisage to be made up of oodles of little eyelets, and star-bursts in various shades of purples, lilacs, and pinks. 

This week I even made my way back to the Royal Academy, one evening after work, to check out the newest exhibitions, 'Wanderlust' on the works of Joseph Cornell. One thing I would say, if you are planning on visiting it does involve walking  up several flights of stairs, frosted glass stairs...which for me wasn't the best thing to be walking down (not a fan of any glass stairs, frosted or not *shudder*). 

Now onto his work. I'll admit I had never heard of the man nor seen any of his work before. This I feel is somewhat of an oversight on my part as his works are extraordinary. In more than one ways. Fantastical and whimsical. Makes you wish you could lay your hands on just a fraction of his paper ephemera collection. The lengths he went to construct some of his works are amazing. I was especially drawn to 'The Crystal Cage (Portrait of Berenice), 1943, not least for the work itself but it was the layers of back story that he constructed around the story of the girl called Berenice. 

I also rather liked the astronomy based works as they pull me back to my love of maps and navigation.

If you get the chance, perhaps combine it with going to see the Summer Exhibition at the RA, go and take an hour out of your time to view. Oh, and take a minute to watch the video of a man boxing with a Kangeroo...

Additional links

• Peabody Essex Museum
• Wanderlust Exhibition

A momentary Sunday Pause

My mind has been a bit befuddled this weekend. I had planned to write a small post on my visit to the Royal Academy on Friday, but instead I am going to mull on that a bit more, in order to do it some justice, and write it up during the week.

For now I need tea, shortbread and a return to a bit of bright stitching.

Just a small reminder, there are only a few more days left to enter my mini competition.

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend.

Sun = Motivation

It was very much a weekend of doing...

- Learning to Drive continues on a pace. Reversing into a parking bay, think I've got that mastered.

- The hallway woodwork is nearly complete...yeah, slight issue with the paint has meant a slight change of plans, plain white gloss as apposed to grey (actually looks better), though that wasn't quite as simple as I had hoped, issue with the primer has seen me having to yet more sanding and prepping.

- Finally taking photographs of a finished piece of work. The colourful patchwork banner is now hanging up in my study, when the bedroom is done I think it will go in there, to match the patchwork quilt...

- Bedroom Quilt is near ready for binding now! So excited. Ordered two colours, as I couldn't quite settle on either pink or mint. But heck, I might do both. The machine quilting is near complete, a few more bits but by the time the binding turns up next week I  hope to have it all done. Just itching to get the binding on and done! Then...well I can start thinking about the next one, right?

- I've done my February page for 12 Pages for 2015 project. The theme for this month was Boat, Broken with the bonus extra of using Watercolours. Spot of mucking about and I came up with a floating pinkish red watercoloured chipped teacup, floating on rough sea of torn paper. Simple, but fun. Added extra is that you can move the teacup about!

Cake was baked, housework was done, plenty of tea was drunk. Wistful thoughts on what projects to work on next, Mother's Day card made, and motivation to get myself going again. All in all a bloody good weekend. I have to say I think the sun that made it's brief appearances helped with the above.

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily

Zig Ziglar

Christmas Fair Stock Making

Hi everyone!

I've been awfully quiet of late on the old blog, but it's mainly down to stitching, lots of it and losing track of the time. The days are flying away at a rate of knots and I have so much I need to make before the Farnham Christmas fair, it's scary how that's just over 5 weeks away. Eeek!

Having one of those, what did I sign myself up to moments. 

*rocks back and forth*

That being said, I am plugging my way through and surprising myself that I've not driven myself nutty by stitching the same designs over and over...perhaps that will happen in a week or two. I'll keep you posted. I've managed to list a couple of new things this week including two new greeting's cards (see above image) one for Christmas 'Bee Merry' and the other a general greetings or notecard 'Bee Happy'. So pleased with the finish I always get a bit worried when relying on my photography skills when getting things printed sometimes the finish has been a bit poor owing to images being darker than I realised etc. But with these not a problem at all. 

I do have one question which i wonder if you could help me with, I was thinking of selling them not just as single cards but in packs of 3 or 5? What do you think rough cost I think would be around £6.50? At present for UK peeps, you can get one card for £2.75 including free postage. 

Before I get stuck back into stitching and generally not panicking, I just wanted to show a few items that I have been making for the show, if there is any of these left from the 2 day event will be listed. Perfect little stocking fillers and tree gifts. I must admit I've rather missed using my hot-fix crystal wand...

Easter Crafting

Happy Easter everyone! 

Or for me happily getting on with things that make me happy weekend. 

Although that was intermingled with quite a bit of things that didn't...such as re-caulking around window and door frames, filling in holes in the wall, doing my laundry and food shopping. Still I now have two windows looking a lot tidier, a hallway that's now prepped for painting and most of my household chores are complete. Really haven't been one to sit still, runs in the family! 

My idea of resting is getting out the sewing and I've thus far managed a lot this weekend so I suppose I have been resting :)

I've finally gotten around to giving Calico the Flying Pig a bit of a holiday makeover, and is now sporting bunny ear headband and a new pink ribbon. This pig his getting quite the wardrobe. Those ears were fiddly as heck to make and made from scratch, I now feel I could probably make myself a pair but I'll leave that for another lifetime. 

When I wasn't working on Calico's fashion fix, I was cracking on with my friend's monogram, with the trailing complete I moved onto stitching the padding. Lots and lots of rows of chain stitch using several strands of cotton. You might note it's a different colour to the other blue used to stitch the outline. That's because I don't like to waste the thread I am going to use for the satin stitch in case I run out, and because I have loads of anchor thread I don't particularly like to use in odd colours. If you stitch the satin (top layer) correctly you shouldn't see the padding stitches anyway, not that I would recommend using a red thread with blue, unless your looking for an interesting effect. 

The satin stitch is now under way and you'll note it's slanted so that it follows the flow of the shape, rather than straight satin stitch (going straight across). I do have to stop myself from stroking the stitching. 

When I found myself going a little blind from tiny stitches I returned to piecing my quilt. One of things I am determined not to happen is to totally forget about it, cosigning it to the pile of unfinished projects. I want it finished this year, ready for when I come to decorate my bedroom next year. So I have until the end of the year!

Which given we are not far away from heading into May I had better start getting a wriggle on again. With the fabric cut for the 3rd and 4th row done the other week, I've been setting about piecing them together, only one more another four blocks to go then that target is complete. After that it will be cutting and piecing one more row, then sorting out the sashing. It will be a little while before I get to that stage, which is fine because I keep changing my mind about how I want to quilt it. 

Going back to the monogram for a minute, when it is complete I'll be sorting out the sample for the next season embroidery pattern, you might recall the free embroidery spring pattern I released the other month. I also want to stitch my own monogram in a similar style to the one I'm stitching for my friend. With two then complete it will mean I can perhaps look to release it as a custom order option, depending on the level of interest. 

For now though, it's time to chill out with a film and another cup of tea.

I hope everyone is having a relaxed and happy Easter xx

Life is a Big Puddle Jump In - Embroidery Complete

There is always a silver lining to feeling poorly, additional days at home. And being the sort that always has to be doing something I've been able to finish my latest quote/typography embroidery piece, 'Life is a Big Puddle Jump In'. This piece is yet to be mounted, that's the next bit to do. And once I've got that sorted I'll be taking some higher resolution images to allow me to turn the image into purchasable postcards and greetings cards. 

Today is...

a goo'd' day. 

Yes, it really is.

I am, really getting into the embroidery piece 'Today is a Good Day' (designer Hannah Dollery), it's taking a little while to get back into the habit of doing padded satin, but I am really loving it now. Like visiting an old friend.

So here is a super close up shot of the piece in progress. 

It will, and I really mean this, be finished this week. Whether that also means framing it I am not entirely sure, we'll see I have a super oval shaped ring frame which I think it would slot rather nicely into. But who knows...I am fickle when it comes to how I want to finish something off.

For those who aren't signed up to my newsletter, the latest copy went out on Monday, and you can now view it online. I recommend having a peek as I revealed what the latest 'Honeycomb' Tutorial piece was going to be covering. Go on, have a look, you know you want too...

See you at the weekend folks x

Sunday: One down...

Bit of a nutty week at work, thus resulting in not a lot of stitching. 

But, I have managed to get at least one thing finished and a future project prepped. 

Firstly, the little bee that I briefly featured last week has finally ended up in it's finished form, a wall clock. Rather pleased with the outcome, so cheerful and friendly...and useful to boot. This also gave way to another idea for a new selection of items to go under my product line aptly named 'bees'. And the below shot is another sneaky shot of what's to come. I hope to have at least one completed, if not two, by the end of the next Bank Holiday weekend. Can I just say another three day weekend can't come soon enough. Tempted to make a four day.

Oh there was one other thing I prepped for this week, and that was the next newsletter, which will be going out in the next week. Thanks for all the lovely new newsletter followers. If you want to join, then do pop you email into the box on the top right hand of the screen.

Today...I try not to waffle.

Hey look it's another Sunday! This means that it's time for a blog post, sure came round quickly. I'll ignore the fact that it will soon be Monday...

I'm going to skip a bit of my normal waffle because words are seemingly escaping me today. the weekend has been good and productive, and so let's get to the juicy bits and some photographs. Because as we know a picture tells a thousand tales or in this case what I've been stitching. Although I have to admit with the somewhat dull/overcast weather the photography isn't at it's best, even after a bit of photo editing.

So my personal project is coming a long nicely, I've finished the first section of trailing, 'Today', and now working on 'Good'. The lettering will be a combination of diagonal Satin, chain and trailing stitch. You can't really tell but the thread colour for the 'G' is in a hot coral pink, the padding is in a different shade because I'm not wasting the silk thread, in the coral, for the padding. I should use a matching colour for the padding but I'm resorting to using what I have to hand, and to be honest if stitched well enough your not going to see the padding.

Patchwork Bee

The other project that I've been working on is coming on rather nicely, it's the design for a new clock, and I'm rather enjoying the look of it. Here is a bit of a close up look at it. I wish I had some more of this flowery fabric but it's only a sample piece that came with a magazine from Japan. That said, I've seen the new Liberty Tana Lawn prints, and I've got my eye on a couple. Next month I'll treat myself to a couple of 1/2 metres, it will take me an age to get through, and it's been an equally long time since I purchased any new prints. 

And that's near enough everything I've been doing this weekend, aside from tidying up, shopping and doing bits and pieces on the internet.

Ah, before I shuffle off, there are a couple of UK Government petitions flying about here and enough to make me want to get on a soapbox here, beautifully crafted one, and say if your in the UK, and your a crafts person or know someone that is or love to buy from them then please sign this petition to get the government to change  its mind on reclassifying craft as non-creative. Seriously, where do they come up with these things.

Granted I'm sure there will be some that will wonder what's the point of worrying about it, people will forever call it crafts, because lord knows Handmade Manufacturing really rolls of the tongue.

Okay, I started out saying I wasn't going to waffle, and near enough ended on a rant. Oops.

Anyway, if you are in the UK click here - http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/49537 

Testing out New Ideas

Today has been a day of finishing off small projects and trying out a new one. Although it's not really new it's almost going back to what I used to make when I first started out on Etsy which was embroidered jewellery. Funny how things end up coming round full circle. 

Recently I restarted making brooches again, the little bee, and now I am trying my hand at making necklaces or in this case a pendant. I am trying out different ways of working out how to speed up the process of making up the actual pendant not the stitching.  Not that I like the whole adage of time equals money but it does really, that and its also coming up with a sturdier finish. This has worked but I need to work out a better way of attaching a loop.

Of course, it would be good to get some feedback on whether there is the interest there to buy them. I have a small design which would feature bees and of course, the Paradise bird design as shown below. I would certainly appreciate any comments.

And finally, I've just listed the second version of the ring of bee pouches. So as I think I mentioned before there will be five of each design. I am rather fond of this blue fabric, just got enough left over to perhaps use it for another project, I am sort of keen to do another mini quilt, or for when I finally get round to attempting at making a faux taxidermy bird. I really want for the new place...

Sort of mid week crafting..

From my lovely week off I appear to have fallen quiet, but now I am back into the swing of things at work, I am now back in the swing of doing things in the evening. Tonight must say was productive, on top of doing all my chores (okay, skipped the bathroom, tomorrow I'll do it), I set about working on finishing off the stumpwork and got myself set-up for the next project. It will look familiar...

Organised chaos or just chaos?

Somewhere on this desk, I have the frame (on the right), and here you can see that I am just making some notes on sizes for the mount and what size I need to cut my card for the actual mounting of the embroidery. So much mounting..no pun intended..maybe a little.

Here I have cut the card, covered it in a basic white cotton, and laid the embroidered fabric on top and have started pining round, gently pulling the fabric taut, and the grain as straight as I can possibly get it without going insane in the process. I'll admit I am already pretty loopy.

Look a mini version of the bird, at least I can say I've pretty much covered every angle. Although tempted to do a tissue holder version too....although after this one, I might take a break on this design to work on the bee bits and pieces. Speaking of bees still waiting for the web button from the BBKA, better drop them an email tomorrow.

Enough about me, what are you working on? Do you craft in the evening, even after a long day at work?