Karen Ruane

paper and fine cloth

This is what happens when you add paper to cloth, stitch a little on your sewing machine, add hand embroidery and get left alone with a lot of beads for a few days....

(create and embellish girls....you can do this with yours)

beaded edge

Well I don't know what they put in the water round here but I am so inspired at the moment. Last weeks creative brain freeze is history. This piece is 'overlay' like, it could in fact serve as an overlay. It's the softness, the delicacy and the fragile qualities of the paper areas that have me salivating. I have a plan for this one.....I need to attend to the reverse now before I can see if my idea works but I am so desperate to create more pieces like this, overlays, soft pieces, fragile pieces. Perhaps a little artist book of overlays? who knows...I am just making the most of this inspired state whilst it lasts. 

Working on these pieces led me back, poring over images from way back. Who remembers 'extending embellishment'? I can't believe that was in 2012. That work has similar qualities to this piece and it's evident from looking back how although my work has evolved the connections remain.

from 2012 'extending embellishment'

There's going to be a 2018 version of 'extending embellishment', of lace, of soft cloth, of fragile paper, of surfaces itching to be stitched...stay tuned for that one. There will be buttons thrown in too. Buttons was next on my list for a class subject so why not combine the two.

Meanwhile....exciting things are happening in Embroidery school. I am close to putting my stitch ledger together and tomorrow the girls will hear more about that...this little collection is building....

apologies for the light....it's a very dreary day in Lancashire. Video created very 'last minute' with my phone.

(I won't be here tomorrow)

 

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after the sewing machine

Yesterday I spoke about how useful my sewing machine is to me, how it has become an integral part of what I do. Today I can show you exactly what I mean with these images. This surface was created on my sewing machine in much the same way as the pieces shown yesterday. This piece has areas of hand stitch worked on it, applique, bullion knots, French knots, beads buttonhole stitch.....I won't be embroidering on the pieces from yesterday though, those pieces aren't for me.

I have a new online embroidery class beginning three weeks from tomorrow.....here is all the information.

 

Studies in Stitch

Begins Monday June 5 for 12 weeks.

***Please note there will be a two week break after week 2 from June 19 to July 3 which means this online class will run for a duration of 14 weeks. (12 weeks learning, 2 weeks break)***

Online learning format. Private password protected blog.

Access to all resources (videos, private blog, private Flickr forum) unlimited, forever.

You do not need to have participated in any of my other online learning programmes to enrol for ''studies in stitch''.

Suitable for the beginner and the more experienced.

Suggested materials list sent upon registration.

Join a group of like minded individuals with a love of stitch and handling cloth.

''Studies in Stitch''. Cross stitch, bullion knots, French knots, applique, padded applique, cutwork, half cutwork, beads, sequins, corded knots and on and on.
Take a stitch, take a process and develop it in as many ways as you can.

Cross stitch a pillow top, then cross stitch a button, cross stitch a binding.......
Embroider bullion knots with thread, add beads, stitch a pocket top with beaded knots and plain knots, stitch a button with bullion loops and sequins.......and much, much more.

Using traditional embroidery process and stitch we will create a collection of embroidered items, pockets, pin pillows, buttons, swatches, fabric panels, patchwork pieces......

For example, we may create a cross stitch pin pillow and six accompanying hand embroidered cross stitch buttons.
Bullion knots could be used to embroider a small, delicate pocket with bullion knot button fastenings along with an accompanying beaded bullion knot pin pillow.
A fabric swatch embellished with applique motifs could be complimented by a selection of hexagon pieces worked in a similar manner.
Collections, all related through process and stitch.

The size of your final collection, the number of stitch variations you use is entirely up to you. It is perfectly OK for you to pursue one idea through to the completion of our 12 weeks. There are no set tasks, nothing is compulsory. 

Register here.

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an edge of cutwork

paper and scrim, experiments...

Paper is a recurring theme at the moment. I am testing, sampling, trying out ideas....of which there are many. Part of me wishes I could focus but it's too soon. I know there is a lot of sampling to do but for some reason I want the answer now.......patience is on holiday it seems. 

This one is pleated with an insert of scrim...there is mileage in this. First I need to figure out how I want to embellish the fluffy mound of scrim and then think about the logistics of that. Then I need to see if this lives with other paper pieces I have played with recently, take a little area from one and add it to a little area of another. Mix and match is what I need here....along with a little patience.

delicate blue and white

I think I said here that I had been doing a little embroidery on some of my new surfaces...well here it is. I have only taken small snippets and added them to a base of white cotton but I can already see the potential of the textured cloth mixed with a smoother background. There are possibilities for rich seams and lots of surface embellishment too.

This one will most likely stay like this, a sample, an example of how these pieces can be used as part of larger pieces of work. Now I want to play with my other surfaces from here, create more examples, more ideas....move this whole process forward.

a list, of the best kind....

 

 

Yesterday I made lace cloth, two pieces. I am hoping to make another piece later today. I have a plan for these and the simply stitch group but don't worry, you will get to see it too. I have so many plans at the moment that I need a list. That's where the list comes from in the title. The list should be called ''plans''. This is  a good list though.....it's a list of things I am desperate to do, excited to do as opposed to things I do out of necessity like ironing, cleaning, shopping, you know....the usual chore stuff. 

Oh and before I go completely off topic........lace cloth....you can see more of that here, here and here.

So, plans......my plans.....

1 make more lace cloth

2 embroider on some handkerchiefs

3 pleat muslin

4 embellish seams on the body bag

5 extend the lemon pouch

I could go on but then I won't be doing any of it will I. Instead I will be tapping away here without a single stitch being created.

 

 

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adding lace to lace

a lace frill and yesterdays ironing board.

a seam....a join.....

a little piece of this....

 

 

 

 

 

I'm back. I didn't do a runner. You don't get rid of me that easy! Before I went I made a little piece of lace cloth. My days seem more balanced if I can manage even the smallest amount of creativity. This morning I have been planning my next piece of work, no doodling , except in my head that is. When will you get to see that? I'm not sure. I don't like to make promises in that regard incase I can't keep them.....one thing I can say about it.....if it works I can guarantee there will become a point where you will be sick of looking at it!!

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three pieces...

head clearing doodles and a small piece of white

froth....

 

 

 

I have been playing with this a little bit, creating more cloth with snippets, off cuts, scraps. It reminds me of the froth on a bubble bath....yes really. I suppose you need to see it in ''real life'' to get a proper sense of that......you will just have to trust me.

phew

 

 

I really can't believe I made it today......what a morning....you couldn't make it up. First thing. around 8.30,  I sent today's video to the simply stitch group.....then my internet connection went down. Never mind, give it an hour or so I can always be sewing. Ha. The collapse of the internet was followed by an unexpected trip to accident and emergency with my son. A sports injury...now strapped up and crutches for the patient. He is going to Glastonbury tomorrow???? Happy days!

It's a good thing I am organised......it makes a change I know. Some floaty, soft, light and fragile scrim with scraps of cloth  and a sewing machine. The best combination for half an hours self indulgence. Much better than chocolate. 

Later today,in around an hour actually I have an appointment. So much for not leaving the house until October. From 3 pm onwards my aim is for calmness and serenity, wish me luck.

details

I've been busy today. There was another, earlier post just look below. That was my table at nine o'clock this morning. These pictures are of the detail from yesterdays hanging cloths and also the final, finished edge of my veil thing.

The wrapping cloth now has tabs, bullion seams and a little bullion 'fence'. The festooned/veil thingy is now completely finished...woo hoo!!  Last night I embroidered more on my latest piece, my new muslin pouch and I hope to get images of that later. I have also put together a couple of small pieces, strips of cloth. They may have embroidery added before the day is out and then there is lace....a sewing machine...scrim and a plan for more to go on my curtain. I best get going then there's work to be done.

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an edge, a seam

loops and a corner

falling into place