The first thing I need to do today is apologise for the images. I must have taken one hundred photographs, battling against the gloom and grey skies.
White is hard enough to photograph.....give me a break weather.
I've been finishing the edges of this piece, mostly with hand embroidery but also with a few little pompoms and a pleated piece of vintage lace.
The important bit here, well the new bit I should say is the area of delicate white bobbly things with pink beads on the top. Those were worked yesterday afternoon along the edge of a page in my latest ledger. It isn't actually finished yet, that edge as I ran out of time but I got to thinking how page edges, embellishing edges can take longer than working on the page itself.
I'm hoping you can see how it's so, so worth spending that time from these images. Very often it's the edges I love the best, the droplets, the tangle of ribbons and trims and stitch and beads and sequins. My table this morning, prepping for these photographs made me happier than I can say. I'm not so sure I can say the same about the mess I made in my studio when creating for my online classes. (last image)
The edge with the green ribbon you saw last week. Following on from that one I was inspired to make another. These two won't necessarily live together but at the moment I don't really have plans for either except they have made me wonder how they might look in miniature, narrower ribbon or narrower cord perhaps for the edge of a page? I might just try that later.
I hope you all had a wonderful few days. I did and it continues...I have a revolving door of visitors. That will continue into next week but I'm going to try my hardest to come back on Sunday,
Meanwhile, registration is open for my 2019 class. You can read about that here.
A decorative edge. I've made two more since this one. We made this in embroidery school and it inspired to to make lots more.
I was thinking how I sample and sample and don't really make anything conventionally 'useful'. I decided samples are my 'useful'. My pleasure comes from the playing, the testing...the sampling. I then get pleasure taking these things out, looking and being inspired all over again.
A reminder, new for 2019. Ledgers, a record of stitch.
I am going to spend a whole year sampling and recording. Recording colour, pattern and design ideas in a new class.
You can read more here.
These images are of current work from embroidery schoool. We've been making tiny white dangly things. They're addictive. You might also spot a couple of tiny pockets here too. They're personalised but it's a secret unless you're in class. They really are small, the smallest, the one with the blue silk ribbon spilling out is only around one inch wide. The ribbon is significant as is the lace spilling out of the other one, again that is to do with the personalisation of these little secret places.
Each of these pieces is related to pockets in some way. I remain pocket obsessed. One of them is already a pocket, the white piece will be used to create a pocket and the other piece has pockets in the seam.
In other news...I'm slowly getting more organised but am astounded at how much stuff we have despite the amount of stuff we threw away before we moved. I think it must breed when the lights go out.
Here it is...finished, backed, titivated.....and edged with sequins on two sides. I resisted the temptation to use 'dangly' things. I love the contrast between the ornate sequined sides and the other two simply stitched using running stitch edges.
I guess this may qualify as a lap quilt...it's eighteen by twenty inches. It won't be used as a lap quilt but it will be on my lap a lot so I can examine it.
When you are in the process of creating a piece like this, or any piece for that matter you are always driven to continue, it keeps you going and feeds you creatively and even though I have lots of things which inspire me, work which is ongoing for online classes, plans for more design sheets.....there is still a hole left when something like this gets finished. There's a little bit of bewilderment about what comes next, at least there is for me. I may have several things 'on the go' but when one thing is removed from that group I am always left wondering how to fill the gap....
Yesterday, in an effort to reconnect with embroidered cloth as opposed to pages, I worked a little more on one of my sample swatches. I speak about that collection here if you aren't familiar with it. (there's also a short video on that link) A flounce has been added to the lower edge of this one, attached with buttonhole lace before little tassels were added to finish it off.
Some of you might remember my decision to also add embroidery to the reverse of these pieces, to recognise the reverse as of equal value to the front. With that in mind I worked a little on the back too. I used bias binding as a simple adornment for one seam and added a small embroidered panel to another. I speak more about working on the reverse in this post.
It's finished and in the shop. A silk pillow,, hand doodled cloth, embroidery, puffs, chain stitch, gimp, bullion knots.....
I do love working with this doodled silk as you will know if you saw yesterdays post. At the moment I am doodling on most things including Broderie Anglaise and paper. The patterning may not be perfect, as neat and precise as commercially printed cloth but the bonus with doodling pattern myself is that I get to pick and choose the fabric, the colour of the pattern, the distribution of the pattern......
It's all good today. Up early, ironing board straight up, fabric out. A new piece put together, (you may see that tomorrow) and a lot of excitement removing last nights work from the damp stretching board...I positively couldn't contain myself. I added to my next pouch thingy with bullion knots, a snippet of lace and two very appealing edges that have me obsessed. I can guarantee there will be more of those. I made a video to show you those closely. This afternoon I have an appointment. I don't want to go. I want to stay home and play.....
It's a long one today so put the kettle on and make yourself comfortable....first things first, embroidery and a very short video. I worked more on edges last night, not many edges as I had unexpected visitors. Nevertheless, an evening isn't complete without a little titivation. I even damp stretched it for you so it would be all crisp and lovely....as opposed to wrinkled and a dogs dinner. I talk more about this piece in the video but basically I am explaining the origin of the cloth....please watch the video, pretty please...it won't send you to sleep I promise.
Then we have ''Alchemy''. My new, long thought out, longer in the compiling and quite (very?) exciting new class. ALL the information is on here. For me it is a little daunting, from my perspective and considering my intended role it is a huge commitment. But I have faith, I am excited, it is a challenge, it has the potential to be an amazing experience for everyone.
Alchemy 2013
The medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter, esp. that of base metals into gold.
Aims and Content
During the course of this 12 week self directed learning package you will produce a unique piece of embroidered art with inspiration, technique, process and final outcomes determined by you, the artist. Your art piece can be created using virtually any media such as cloth or paper. I will serve as mentor, guiding and advising you at each stage.
A knowledge of basic embroidery is required for this class.
The early stages of this programme will reinforce the importance of drawing or ‘’mark making’’ and visual reference as a precursor to design for embroidery. Following initial investigations within a ledger concerning pattern, shape and colour it is envisaged that you will sample ideas with stitch as a means of identifying preferences regarding technique for use in your final piece.
Practical demonstrations will be built into the 12 week programme alongside regular appraisals of work in progress. Demonstrations will be determined by the needs of the group, driven by individual requirements re technique and process.
My Role
I will serve as mentor, guiding and advising you where appropriate, perhaps suggesting artists for you to study where I feel this is relevant to your own investigations. I will demonstrate specific techniques you may wish to use, appraise your work in progress and advise on surface design and colour choices. This is not an exhaustive list, merely an indication of the commitment I will provide to you and your chosen path.
Ownership
Your personal connection to this project will be its driving force. This process belongs to you, is self driven and all creative investigations and final outcomes should speak of you.
Demonstrations
These will be provided as and when required depending on the needs of the group and the individuals within the group. The requirements regarding the demonstration of specific process and technique will not be known initially but will become evident as the course progresses.
Forum
Demonstrations will be hosted on a dedicated, password protected blog. It will not be possible for video to be downloaded. All videos will have to be viewed through the
medium of the class blog. This is to ensure my copyright is protected. I hope you understand the importance of that particular aspect of this class.
A dedicated flickr group will be available where it is hoped you will post images allowing me to assess your progress and appraise/advise. Due to the nature of this programme the flickr group will be private, accessible only to those invited to join the group...in essence only those who have paid for the course. I anticipate certain comments will contain content which should only be available to those who have paid to participate in the class. This will provide protection not only for my copyright but for you and the monies you have paid to participate in the group.
You are more than welcome to post images of your work on your own blogs etc without divulging any of the process provided as part of the class.
***to clarify.....Images within the group will remain private, hidden from the wider flickr community. This is to protect the privacy of any comments I may make on your work***
Starting Points
Listed below are suggestions regarding starting points for your work, suggestions for images or objects you may wish to investigate for inspiration and development. You may choose any of those listed here or alternatively you are welcome to select an inspirational source of your own.
Reminiscence
Childhood, motherhood, school books, birth certificates, heirlooms, children’s drawings, fairy tales, dolls houses, family photographs, vintage domestic cloth.
Domesticity
Cutlery, whisks, crockery, floral furnishing fabrics, painterly wall coverings, framed artworks, home baked bread, cakes, cups and saucers, teapots, pans.
World Community
Global living, travel, natural fibres, folklore, ethnic art, Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese, Inuit, Aboriginal, rich embellishment, shisha work, kantha work.
Future Living
Innovation, new technology, computers, modern architecture, sound waves, kaleidoscopes, mobile phones, graphic symbols, signage, techno textiles.
Natural World
Coral, shells, sea life, animals, moss, plant life, volcanic rock, fossils, rock formations, agriculture, oceans, weather, cloud formations.
Expected Outcomes
It is anticipated that by the end of our 12 week run you will have a greater appreciation of the design process which has led or will lead to the completion of your finished piece. In addition it is hoped that you will have created an informative reference in the form of a working ledger alongside a collection of embroidered samples.
Ledger
Your Ledger will document your progress throughout the course and is a crucial element in the creation of your finished piece. A record of your experience, the ledger may include sketches, thoughts, diagrams, notes, photographs, artist/designer images that inspire and influence you, computer generated imagery, printed fabric, embroidered samples. This is not an exhaustive list, you may add anything of your choosing to your ledger which connects you to the work.
Registration
Upon registration you will receive further information in e mail form containing a brief outline of our weekly plan along with a list of suggested equipment for the course.
Access to all resources is permanent. There are no deadlines. I will remain available to you after the conclusion of our 12 week period in an advisory, appraisal role...however...new video demonstrations will not be provided after the 12 week period has ended.
Commencing January 7 2013