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I'm back with the bright, colourful stuff today after the white yesterday. The little page I created earlier this week has been extended with patterned tissue, a little doodling and a little stitch......
this page....
It's a brief visit here for me today as I have ironing and packing to do.
I will be back in around ten days.
Miss you already x
We are building a collection of charm squares, stash squares and edge trims in embroidery schoool and whilst working on one piece from there yesterday, the largest piece here, I decided to go rogue, to rebel and create a smaller one from an idea that popped into my head without warning.
The small one, the rogue one doesn't really fit into my collection but that doesn't matter. I could build a new collection around that piece, use it as a starting point if I wanted to.
(if I had time....which I don't. If I wasn't going to Glastonbury on Tuesday, which I am......I'm counting the minutes!)
My shop will be closing tomorrow for eight days. If you want to sign up for any of my classes they will be unavailable after tomorrow evening until I return.
Yesterday I put the second 'back' together for one of the cloth pages in my little embroidered book. I also basted the first reverse onto a finished page so I would say that's good progress. The embroidery on this one, the second one is nearly complete, it didn't take me as long as I imagined it would. There is one seam left to embellish and I'm wondering about adding a thin strip of ribbon along the raw edge which is alongside the sequined bullion loops.
The white cloth with all the sequins.....I didn't add those, there really aren't enough hours in the day. I bought that cloth, ready sequined in London last week.
Inspired by my little page yesterday I added some floaty gingham pieces to the surface of this cloth page which in turn inspired me to make a little cord of gingham ribbon and tiny white pom poms. There is more beading this surface too....... along the edge of the floral ribbon. There are Swarovski pearls, lemon sequins and pink seed beads along there.
I am determined to make progress with the reverse of these pages now. Adding an embroidered reverse alters the weight of these and how they feel to handle, they become so much more substantial and there's something very satisfying about that.
We are five days into my new class 'stitching stories'. It's not too late to join us and my shop will be closed from Monday for 8 days as I am off to Glastonbury so if you do want to join in then you best be quick. Go here to read more......
I have three online learning progrmmes running at the moment, an embroidery one, a ledger one and a story book one. Occasionally I get mixed up and almost work a piece for embroidery class into one of the other two and vice versa....I spend a lot of time confused...as you can imagine.
Inevitably, whilst working on my classes I am inspired by all three of them, ideas form which include elements from each class. In order to clear my head I have decided to do this, pieces like you see today, little compositions in little sketchbooks which incorporate elements from each class. It's also something I can tick off the mental list, it's satisfying, it also informs and consequently reinspires. The circle of creativity goes round and round.
The next page for my little book of embroidery, my cloth book. Originally my intention was to sell this one, it was meant for the shop, not any more...I definitely can't part with it. I am completely and utterly in love with it. I made a little video for you of all the pages I have so far, that also helps me take stock, see where I'm up to.
(video at the bottom of this post)
I've also been working on all my classes this week, obsessively working for all of them to get ahead before I go away next week. This morning I made four new videos for 'stitching stories' which started yesterday. Our first post was a gentle introduction.....we have moved on a lot this morning girls, all will be revealed on Monday. Meanwhile, a glimpse for the rest of you of what we are up to. (and it's not too late to register, just go here)
Don't be fooled by the lack of much new stuff here. Mostly it's hidden in the large, firmly closed sketchbook and the children's coluring book. That's because my time is taken up with classes at the moment, more than usual because I am off to Glastonbury next week and I am trying to get ahead.
Stitching Stories began today and this morning I created the next post, the post for next week so have been working with imagery, pencil and ribbons.....quite a combination.
I have managed to put my first reverse together though for the cloth pages I have been working on. It's the white with vibrant pink ribbon and a little titivation. There's another page on the go too. I might be able to share that with you tomorrow when I have added a few more stitches.
I arrived home from London yesterday evening and really couldn't wait to play with the things I bought when I was there. There's an image of my goodies at the foot of this post. I was a bit pushed for time last night but did manage to add some of the lovely green gingham ribbon to one of my cloth pages. I don't know about you but I always, always wish I had bought more. There is 3 metres of this one but I get the feeling it won't last long and I'm guessing the same applies to the others too.
Now I need to get a shift on and start thinking about the backs of all these pages.
If you are registered for my new class 'stitching stories' which begins tomorrow you should have received an email from me this morning. If you didn't receive that then please let me know.
Thank you for all the positive remarks about my stitched book in the post yesterday. I am completely smitten with it and it now lives in a little glass cabinet in the corner of my dining room where I can see it every day.
Now that one is finished I can concentrate on the little book with cloth pages I have been working on. One of the pages was given a little attention last night......an edge was embellished with tiny pom poms and beads before turkey work and vintage buttons were added to the surface. I think this little book will consist of five stitched pages, all lined with embroidered cloth along with an embroidered cover.
I'm off to London for a few days tomorrow morning. It's time to replenish my ribbon supplies and maybe invest in a few scraps of cloth and some gorgeous paper. I'll let you know how I get on when I come back.
There are lots of images today and in truth there could have been a lot more.
This one has been a long time in the making and now it's finished I am missing the opportunity to work on it a little more, missing the excitement of picking it up to stitch on it. On the plus side I do have it to fondle.
There is a brief show and tell video at the end of this post along with information about my new class which strats on Monday....
Stitching Stories
Begins June 17 for 8 weeks.
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.
No prerequisites.
Suitable for all skill levels.
**this online learning programme is not a repeat of my ''stitching a story'' programme.**
A return to playfulness, to stories, fairytales and imaginary tales. Join me as I enhance a story book with stitch, cloth, jewels and a sprinkling of imagination.
Work in a printed storybook or create your own magical daydream using blank pages and doodles.
Using playful imagery we will doodle pattern, enhancing our simple pencil lines with stitch and pretty additions in the form of cords, beads, sequins.....using simple pattern and image sources as our starting point we will be inspired to let our imagination run away with us, adding our own interpretation to an unfolding story.
Any 'doodling' will be basic. Please do not be afraid of this aspect of the course. I doodle in the simplest form.
Doodling on a blank page is not compulsory. You can choose to work exclusively in a printed story book.
Exploration and stitch work can take place in a childrens fairytale book, a blank sketchbook or both.
I will be enhancing a printed storybook with stitch, I will also be creating my own story in a blank sketchbook using pencil to doodle pattern.
On registration you will receive access to a short video where book choices are discussed.