Karen Ruane

fifteen by six inches

Last time you saw this I mentioned I was aiming for a single bed size quilt.

Seeing as how they measure somewhere in the region of 53 x 78 inches and this piece measures approximately 15 x 6 inches there's still a way to go.

I should perhaps have started this piece when I was twelve years old.

(in the past comments have been made about the basting on my hexagons....too much, not done correctly. I am a great believer in doing what is right for you personally, no judgements, this is supposed to be a pleasurable pastime not a test. What can I say...I over baste everything, there's a nagging voice saying 'what if it comes undone'. It's a curse. I hope you don't have it too.)

I'm off again this week....won't be here until next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Registration will remain open for 'a sampler's cloth' which begins next Monday. (videos and first stitches already done)

High five to me!

paper and stitch

There was a little bit of embroidery on paper happening yesterday.

This is another page for the book which you can also see in the image.

The new work is the piece in the centre of the image with the pink floral paper.

(and it has a little pocket too)

resources

A question I am often asked is 'what do you do with the pieces you create'.

I rarely sell my work, the act of making gives me a connection to my pieces which I find hard to sever.

I am able occasionally to part with some pieces if they start life as 'something to sell' but otherwise I keep them.

(something to sell doesn't mean less thought, less time spent, less quality, it just means I am mentally prepared from the start to part with the piece)

That isn't the end of them though, they tend not to languish unnoticed, they are invaluable as resources for my teaching as illustrated here.

These pieces have been laid out, visible to me, for the past few days as instruction and inspiration for 'a sampler's cloth'.

This new online learning programme begins in just over a week and the first videos were made this morning.

I am very excited!!

edges, embroidered papers

Following on from my last post, I'm planning the edges of these paper sheets which hold my gingham samples.

Keeping the gingham theme going I'm auditioning little gingham suffolk puffs.

I still need to tie these on but it works for me....

 

gingham

I always struggle a little between classes with what pieces to work on, beginning new pieces etc. My instinct is to begin work for my next class but I often get carried away and make too much progress.

That's a problem because progress needs to be demonstrated in class and if it's already done, well......

This time I have decided to begin the finishing process for past class work, namely my stitch samples which are worked on gingham.

The larger pieces are being mounted on stitched papers, that process started some time ago.

There are small samples too and it's those I am working with now.

The new work here is the green gingham with applique and two rows of web stitches.

This piece will hopefully evolve into a cloth cover for those smaller sample pieces.

My next class, 'a samplers cloth' begins in less than two weeks.

You can read more about it here.

one inch hexies

This project is continuing, a couple of hours here and there.

I reckon it will be at least 12 months until it is even remotely near the size I am aiming for.

(single bed size)

The grandmothers flower garden pieces are photographed here on old sketchbook pages.

Keep going Karen, crack on.

A samplerscloth, my new online learning programme begins two weeks from today.

If you would like to know more the information is here.

Thank you so much to those who have signed up already x.

developing design

Work in this notebook is continuing.

I am stitching paper but thinking about cloth.

I'm making mental notes for my next wrapping cloth and this helps, this paper play.

A stitch is a stich no matter where it's placed.

beaded edge and box pleats

I've been working more in this notebook, box pleats, a beaded edge, hand embroidery stitches.

I am trying to avoid more sampling for 'a samplers cloth' because if I don't stop my work will be finished before class even begins!!

scattering

There was quite a bit of white space on this piece last time you saw it.

That space now has a scattering of little flowers, web stitches with bullion and French knots.

It occured to me when I was editing these images that perhaps a few French knots are needed along the cream coloured trim in the centre.

That's next on the list.

paper, sampling, stitch

I picked this up again yesterday, an excuse to play with some paper I bought in London.

When I got home late on Saturday there was a birthday to celebrate.

Today is another opportunity for me to say happy birthday James!

There is so much love for you, from the people who surround you and who also delight in your new life as daddy to Sonny.

Besides birthdays and cake there has been some domestic catch up to see to and today that continues but I am almost there!

Back to the book....it's been present quite a bit recently and if you missed those posts you can see them here and here.

Three weeks from today my new class begins, 'a sampler's cloth'. You can read more about that here.

If you're busy in May you have nothing to worry about as you have access to the class forever once you sign up.

Take your time, leave it for winter.

Whenever you decide to start the stitching you also have access to me forever too.

and if you do sign up, a massive heartfelt thanks for supporting my little, tiny, teeny embroidery school. xxx