Hexies a Plenty

Hi!

Yes, I am still here. 

I was going to write a post on Wednesday, I was mean too and was going too but then things sort of got in the way, was busy with family and life in general. But I am back. Today I actually sat down and did some proper stitching, feels so good. 

It's not to say I've not been stitching, if you follow me on other social platforms you'll see I've been somewhat suckered into the sweet life of Hexies. I think there must be some sort of medical condition for the compulsion to make hexies...

and keep on making them....

all the time and still not get bored??

Now these aren't just ordinary hexies, these are my uber cute hexie pouches. Originally made one for myself to hold my gum and mints in. Somewhat sick of the mint packets falling a part in my handbag. Also to curb the boredom of my commute. Then when with one made, another followed, then another and now I've made six, and put some up for sale over on Etsy, and now onto making a prototype pouch for a mirror....SEND HELP.

No, it's all right really. I really do love making them. It's nice way to break up a journey or two. It also helps to make a dent, albeit a small one, on my quilting fabric stash. 

As I said earlier I did also do some proper stitching, and that saw me return to working on the dragon embroidery. I have cut out, again, the felt pieces that will make up padding for the body of the dragon, and started the satin stitch on the shield part of the design. 

Body is in there somewhere.

It took five attempts or more, to get it to a point where I was happy with the direction of the stitching. I was in a very, very fussy mood today.

I now have a couple of weekends free so I can get cracking on it some more, in-between decorating the flat (hallway still not finished). My aim is to get the shield completely stitched, at least the areas I have padded. There will likely add more detail to the shield beyond what's been padded out but that's still to be worked out. I'll keep you posted!

Stumpwork Progress: Dragon Preparations

The preparation is finally, and properly, underway on the stumpwork dragon, which according to my mum is called Cedric. Not sure why, but we'll go with it. 

I'm quite glad that I have had quit a bit to sort out in terms of prep work i.e. padding both felt and stitched and other minor background details to work on as I've been pondering over the colour of the silk threads I want to use for the main details. It's taking me a while to make a decision, partly because I'm relying on computer screens to see colours, and types and it's a little frustrating when the photographs aren't clear and as silk threads can be on the expensive side I don't really want to go down the path of ordering a bunch only to find they aren't what I've been looking for. Its times like this when I REALLY, REALLY, wish there was a damn good haberdashers // craftstore in Farnham. Perhaps one day I'll be the one to run it but until then, I'll have to make do with the internet and attending the occasional fair.

Anyway, back to the thread selection, I'm just waiting on some samples to come through, and I have my toes and fingers cross they are a match. 

Back to the prep layer, thus far I have stitched the padding for the satin for the shield details, and applied the maypole fabric and vintage gold thread. 

I've done the maypole a little weirdly, in that there is a felt layer which has been wrapped round by the silk dupion, only one side of the pole can you see the stab stitches as the other side has been secured underneath the silk....probably the worst explanation ever!

Weird abstract art....otherwise known as padding.

The next bit is the blue felt padding which will make up the dragon, then I'll have to wait till I finally decide on the silk thread, bit annoying having to put it away again, but I do have the Frida pattern to get on with, and oh, and  I might have purchased a few items over the week, so I have them to play with too:

Four fat quarters of various weight printed cottons from Village Haberdashery, I didn't really need them but the excuse is one of them might be chosen to be the curtain for my bedroom. Otherwise, they were really, really pretty and I haven't purchased fabric in a while. Don't judge me. The other, perhaps slightly unnecessary purchase was some new art materials. I've been itching to get back to drawing, and it came about from doodling coats of arms, a bit of a small love affair of mine. I just love the way they are structured from the use of a limited colour range (tinctures) to the symbolism of the images used. I've stitched one or two coats of arms in the past, but I've gotten into the love of making my own up so I've been using watercolours, inks and promarkers. The latter I wanted a few more colours to add to my stash for use when I am designing embroidery patterns and so forth. So they were my naughty spends for the weekend. Which will and are being used.

This one eventually went really, really wrong owing to an accident with the ink but it was good to play around with paint and ink again. 

Do you have a secret passion or not so secret one that's perhaps not entirely associated with what you make create? Or have you purchased any materials lately that you didn't really need, but wanted anyway? Do share!

Hey look you can spot my work in Mastering the Art of Embroidery

Sometime ago I was contacted by Sophie Long, a fellow embroiderer who also did the apprenticeship at the Royal School of Needlework, to see if I had any images that I would like to include into her then soon to be book. Some months have passed by and the book is now available. 

Now being the curious sort and to see what images I had submitted were used, I purchased my copy, it was also belated birthday gift. There was another reason for purchasing, I've been after a new embroidery reference book, because even though I was taught everything that's contained within it, during my apprenticeship and what not, I still have moments of complete and utter forgetfulness and also it's easier to show someone what your talking about rather than randomly making hand gestures or silly doodles.

It was lovely to find on receiving my copy, that I have not one but two pieces of embroidery within it. 

My canvas-work piece based on my favourite artist Edward Hopper, it was also one of the first pieces I stitched during my apprenticeship. Which featured various canvas stitches and various types threads from cotton to wool and man-made fibers. I'm not entirely sure if I've ever shown you that piece before...

The other embroidery was my stumpwork piece 'Paradise Bird', which was fantastic to see. So I am utterly indebted to Sophie and her book editors/publishers for selecting the two pieces.

I should also say, if anyone is in need of a reference/instructional book on embroidery then this book may well be for you. Its currently available in hardback but I think it's set to come out in paperback too. 

I know some folks were asking me a few weeks back how I constructed my Kindisky inspired box, well you will be pleased to know that you can find clear instructions on how you construct a fabric covered box within it. This is the way I was taught at the RSN. 

The book itself is broken up into several sections ; Surface Embroidery, Counted-Surface Embroidery, Embellishment, Stumpwork, White Work and Three-Dimensional Embroidery. So basically any stitch your looking for it's bound to be within it. At 288 pages long, you'll certainly getting your monies worth. 

What was also lovely to see, when flicking through the book, was spotting various people's work, either from personal connections or from having seen their work floating about the internet. 

The book will sadly be packed away shortly, pending my move, but I look forward to having it on the bookshelf in my studio!

Book details:

Title: Mastering the Art of Embroidery

Author: Sophie Long

ISBN: 978-1-9064-95-6

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EDIT: 

The Aurum Publishing Group are giving you lovely folks the chance to get the book for £24.00 including p&p* (RRP: £30.00).

To order telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code JS202. Or send a cheque made payable to: Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3TG. Again quote the offer code JS202 and include your name and address details.

*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

Paradise Bird Stumpwork Framed

Cor, blimey. 

I got there, the piece as I promised earlier this week is nicely framed. I have to say it nearly caused me a headache or two. From choosing the right frame, mount colour to actually framing it. But it's done. It's all nicely safe behind glass, ready to go to a new home.

And here it is, photography took a while, and I think I need another frame shot, as I thought it looked okay but staring at it again now it's a little fuzzy. Darn it!

Anyway, I am very pleased with the outcome, but onwards to the next project as they say!

It will be available to purchase over the course of this weekend. Keep an eye on my Facebook page for the announcement.