Silver Linings...

At last! A full day of sunshine and not a cloud in sight, except for one rather pretty, silvery cloud that I completed during the week, it's all mounted and now ready for framing. With the brightened weather I even managed to get some fairly decent photo's of it and for a bit of a trial I ordered a small stack of postcards from Moo to see what it and other embroidered works looks in print.

I'm so thrilled with the outcome, from a random little sketch last year to this simple, shiny and uber effective appliqué. I'll admit I was really tempted to add more beading to it but stopped myself when I finished couching 'every' because I thought what it had was enough. 

Whilst I was mounting the piece I posted a picture over on Instagram, and I got the following question:

@themasonbee what do you mount it on? I’ve never done that before.
— Rebecca Greco (@hugsarefun) February 15, 2014

Twitter is somewhat limited to answer but I thought I might expand on it here. Using the picture in question I pinned the embroidered piece of fabric to two layers of mount board (preference is museum grade) Before doing that I put a couple of layers of wadding underneath, it helps keep the fabric layer smooth. Now normally I'd have wrapped a layer of calico over the wadding and not put it directly against the embroidered fabric but as the silk is already applied to calico I didn't want to add more bulk. I then laced the embroidered fabric around the wadding and card, then slipped stitched silk on the back to cover the lacing and the card.

I'll admit, that this is the easiest way of mounting work but it isn't the completely proper way of doing it. But noneless it's secure and does the job brilliantly for what I need it to do. Now I need to buy the shadow box for it to go into.

I do feel a bit forlorn now that it's complete but not at the same time as I have already the next design to work on. Essentially, I did a doodle of a dragon last night and I am so excited by the design that I'll be working on that next week. Whilst also finishing off my place mats (nearly all stitched), designing and making an ATC (Artist Trading Card) for a swap I'm involved with and I'm also considering signing up to take part in the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap not that I don't already have enough things to work on. I don't have long to decide whether or not to do it, but nothing like leaving it to the last minute to make a decision.

During the week, I sent out my first newsletter (check it out) for this year and I showed a few snippets of future patterns and I also mentioned with publications I am in this month. Now on that last point I make a correction. I thought that the project I did for Crafty was in this one, but it would have actually been in the March edition...I say would have been but if you didn't already know, the publication is being pulled. Gutting, and rather sad news, as I think it was really starting to find its feet and a cracking magazine. Now I am not sure where that leaves my projects, I need to get some clarification on that but it's probably likely I'll be able to release what I did on the blog instead or turn into little paid for patterns. Not sure, either way I'll keep you posted!

Finally, and not least if you wondered why I didn't blog last week, I had a very busy weekend of seeing good friends and being all cultural. On the Saturday I ventured up to London, despite the atrocious weather, to see a fellow Laura and to hit various smaller more obscure museums; Sir John Soane's Museum, The Hunterian Museum and Two Temple Place. It was a hoot of a day, tiring as hell at the end of it but well worth it. Highly recommend all the museums if your looking to go somewhere that aren't the usual suspects and they are pretty close together, in fact Soane is cross the square from the Hunterian. It was meant to be!

I hope you lovely lot are well and safe in this utterly mad weather!

Powering through

As I had hoped this week I  managed to finish several projects and on Saturday not only did I managed to photograph them but list them too.

So what did I get up too?

Well I created one more of the delightful Paradise Bird hand embroidered peter pan collars, and rephotographed the ones I had made a few weeks back. I am much happier with the outcomes, the images are crisper and brighter:

They just look so cool grouped together!

Lovely triplets!

But it doesn't stop there, I also finally mounted up the Paradise Bird hoop art, and it's looking rather snazzy in the variegated blue thread. I love this linen fabric it's light weight and wonderful to stitch on. 

I think I am getting better at photographing my work, and editing in Photoshop.

It doesn't finish there, I worked on another piece this week. It was another Peter Pan Collar, but a different design to the birds. Following on from the Honey & Bee Clock, I created a sweet little design incorporating tiny little buzzing bees. Like with the other collars, this is reversible so you can show off the bees or you can show off the monochrome flowers. 

I love stitching bees in the way I mastered some years ago, just works perfectly, you might notice that it's a slightly different way to the bees on the clock.  The bees are linked up on either side of the collar, by running stitch around the edge of the collar.

Phew...

*insert deep breath*

I hope you like the photographs. I have one more to share with you, call it a first sneak peek at the pattern I am working on....

Hope you like what you see.

If your interested in the collars or the hoop art then click here.

Finished!

This morning I picked up where I left off last night, and with several cups of tea in my system I finished the hair shortly before lunchtime, handy! I nearly did a couple of whoops of joy. Though it was a challenge to stitch the hair it was great working it out, because yes there will be at least another two of this design.....

(above & below) This is me working on the bow, it was quite a refreshing change working in red thread. This was the padded satin bow, now it was tough going because in certain places your going through several layers of stitches, and believe me it can be tough going on your fingers.

(above & below) As you can see I did a split stitch outline, and built up a few layers in double thread, going vertical then horizontal with the stitches to build it up. Then straight stitches over the top, angling the needle when brought down to give it a smooth edge.

I added a few highlights in a slightly darker red thread. At this point I did a few additional stitches for the hair to tidy it up, replace stitches and filling in just above the bow. 

As before I used tissue paper to transfer the design, the face is delicate so I used black machine thread to get finer lines. Then carefully I peeled away the tissue to reveal a very pretty sleeping beauty.

On the right was the original drawing by Heidi Burton (Making Strangers). Bloody enjoyed it, and so pleased I actually managed to get the embroidery finished today. Now I need to source the right clock hands to go with this design then mount it in the frame. Though for now I am going to take a break and perhaps finish the other design. So at least I have two finished clocks before I move to make more. In all there will be three of each design, though each will be different either in the colour of the threads, or the linen used. Which means a nice trip to London for some inspiration on colours. Then of course it will be the packaging which I am working on with Heidi then listing for selling!