Karen Ruane

in search of bling

There isn't much embroidery happening here at the moment which is a good thing. It's a good thing because I am itching to play with the trimmings and adornments I am gathering for my next class 'creative portfolio'. If I set off too early I am likely to be finished before class even starts.

For now I am getting a lot of pleasure from the gathering, from looking in boxes which haven't been opened for an age, from searching through fabrics for the little pieces which will fit with my theme and from gathering these together and appreciating the potential.

The other reason for a lack of embroidery is knitting. I am almost finished with the second of two pieces I am creating for the little souls I am dying to meet next month. Once the parents have seen those I will share with you I promise.

 

 

gathering, sampling, questioning,

I hope you all had a wonderful festive season. It was quite quiet here, we are mostly hunkered down waiting for babies and I have got sparks coming off my knitting needles! such is my urge to get these things finished.

Both babies are due in January so I am keeping that month commitment free, that doesn't mean I can't play though or order inspirational things to inform my work for the new class 'creative portfolio' which begins in February.

I have copied more information about that class at the foot of this post but meantime take a look at the first things to arrive from my latest shopping spree and how I have used those for sampling, sampling which isn't really focused at the moment, it's a getting to know you and a getting my brain ticking exercise!

Begins Friday February 4th 2022 for 8 weeks.

Suitable for the beginner and the more experienced embroiderer.

You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes to take part in this online learning programme.

Content suitable for those with a love of cloth, a preference for paper based work or both.

During the course of this 8 week learning experience we will examine the basics of design for embroidery, recording our sampling, our colour choices, our thread and fabric selections in a creative portfolio which will be an invaluable tool for future work and a unique resource for your creative library.

Think play, think small stitched samples, think colour studies, think fabric swatches, think presentation, think adorning pages, think 'artist book' if that is your preference over portfolio.

Instruction and demonstration will be provided regarding the creation of both a paper based presentation portfolio and a cloth based presentation portfolio.

Included in our timetable will be space for live demonstrations using Zoom along with the provision of one to one, face to face zoom sessions for anyone who would like guidance, support, an appraisal of works in progress or even just a chat.

The timing of Zoom sessions will be finalised in the early weeks of class once I have ascertained the needs of the group.

Participation in any Zoom session is entirely voluntary. Should you not wish to participate in that aspect of the course, demonstrations which take place on Zoom will be available to you for private viewing.

All video and instruction will be hosted on a private blog.

Access is also provided to a private online image sharing group which also allows for group discussion.

Register here.

new ribbon, new sampling.

The embroidered ribbon is new, it arrived earlier this week and I couldn't resist a little sampling, a test of its potential.

I only ordered a small amount to see the quality for myself, it has blown me away and I will be ordering more.

There will be a lot more work added to this piece. I'm thinking raised, padded areas, lots of hand stitch and a few beads perhaps.

Today is my last post for a week or so.

I have Christmas stuff to do and also knitting, the knitting is backing up.

I will leave registration open for my first class of 2022 which begins in February.

You can read more about that here.

Have a fabulous holiday season and take care.

I will see you on the other side x

potential

The potential of a new artist book....fresh pages, blank canvas.

This is an old image but was just what I needed to see today to fire me up.

This book isn't yet finished. The pages were removed after this image was taken.

If you have just taken my last class you will know why....shhhhh.

Meanwhile, I told you I was knitting.

extending

The small embroidered piece from this post has been extended. More has been added including a little lace pocket. (I have put a button in that in the last image just in case you can't see it)

This piece could grow and grow. I have a lot of small embroidered paper pieces which would live easily alongside these.

Meantime, I want to make more of these, you can never have too many of those and of course, there's knitting to do.

Also, my first class of 2022 is now open for registration.

Creative portfolio....

Begins Monday february 4th 2022 for 8 weeks.

Suitable for the beginner and the more experienced embroiderer.

You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes to take part in this online learning programme.

Content suitable for those with a love of cloth, a preference for paper based work or both.

During the course of this 8 week learning experience we will examine the basics of design for embroidery, recording our sampling, our colour choices, our thread and fabric selections in a creative portfolio which will be an invaluable tool for future work and a unique resource for your creative library.

Think play, think small stitched samples, think colour studies, think fabric swatches, think presentation, think adorning pages, think 'artist book' if that is your preference over portfolio.

Instruction and demonstration will be provided regarding the creation of both a paper based presentation portfolio and a cloth based presentation portfolio.

Included in our timetable will be space for live demonstrations using Zoom along with the provision of one to one, face to face zoom sessions for anyone who would like guidance, support, an appraisal of works in progress or even just a chat.

The timing of Zoom sessions will be finalised in the early weeks of class once I have ascertained the needs of the group.

Participation in any Zoom session is entirely voluntary. Should you not wish to participate in that aspect of the course, demonstrations which take place on Zoom will be available to you for private viewing.

All video and instruction will be hosted on a private blog.

Access is also provided to a private online image sharing group which also allows for group discussion.

Register here.

 

 

sample and record, creative portfolio

My first class of 2022 is listed for registration today.

Think play, think small stitched samples, think colour studies, think fabric swatches, think presentation, think adorning pages, think 'artist book' if that is your preference over portfolio.

Once again this online learning programme will feature live Zoom demonstration, discussion and appraisal with a lot of chat thrown in. (timed to cover all time zones)

Bring your own cake.

You can read all about it here.

a tiny composition

Sewing circle finished earlier this week. On Monday we held two group Zoom sessions during which we had a good old natter and I demonstrated the 'putting together' of a little snippet for an artist book page.

Since then I have been embellsihing my piece and here it is.

I hope the group approve of what what I have done here.

edges

I've been playing a little with edges over the past couple of days.

More has been added to this piece and there are some large sequins at the back of the other embellishments on here, the fringe and the soft beads, which aren't easily visible so I moved one to the front in the last image so you can see.

For now the ribbon piece just has a few butonhole edges where the ribbon may fray. I intend to work some more on that piece.

it's a start

I reacquainted myself with my embroidery needle yesterday, put the knitting down for 24 hours.

This piece is a mix of paper and lace, It's partially worked, there is a lot more to add to this surface.

So far so good. I get a lot of pleasure from working these pieces.

I'm loving my knitting, creating things for the two little people I will get to meet in the New Year but I also love my embroidery. Both are calling me....

Today I will knit again, tomorrow it will be embroidery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this morning

I'm back.....phew. I have been back from London for a few days but have been extra busy hence my absence from here.

I've also been knitting as opposed to stitching, trying to crack on with baby things before the babies actually arrive. I may start campaigning for pregnancy to last 12 months so I can get my knitting finished!!

This morning however the embroidery was back. I made my last videos for 2021, quite an occasion I guess.

This is my work space, my creative clutter.

(it's tidy now, pristine!)