Karen Ruane

Not all sketchbooks have to have plain pages

A follow on from my sketchbook post yesterday.....

Not all sketchbooks have to have plain pages.

 

2024 Embroidery School information here.

studying sketchbooks

Sketchbooks, ledgers....I have quite a few of these.

A lot of inspiration for embroidered pieces on cloth comes from looking back at past work, sketchbooks, images, cloth books, samples.

It refreshes and reminds.

As far as possible I approach working in a ledger/sketchbook in the same way I approach working on cloth.

Working on paper is obviously very different to working on cloth, it requires more patience and care but I don't think there is an embroidery process which is meant for cloth that I haven't attempted on paper.

2024 Embroidery School information here.

simple collage and a little doodling

A little simple collage and some doodling.

This work evolved from this post.....

I have plans to take this forward in stitch but I'm not quite there yet.

There is more doodling to do, some with added embroidery, stitched fabrics and more collage.

sketchbooks

I've been looking at some very, very, very old sketchbooks.....

renewing the ledger

The ledger/sketchbook/design exploration shown in these images was created sixteen years ago. A lot has happened in those sixteen years. For one I am more experienced, at least I like to think so, I would certainly hope so.

Recently, in Alchmey, I spoke about how my 'old' design work might look if I were to do it today. Vastly different is my guess.

The disaster that befell my white ledger a couple of weeks ago proves that even after a short period of time ideas develop, improve.

With that in mind, I am going to rework this ledger.

This work will remain 'untouched'. It's role will be to lay in front of me and prompt new ways of expressing these ideas.

At least that's the plan.

Technically the hard work is done. The design work is here, on each of these pages. All I have to do is interpret these designs using 'fresh eyes'.

Famous last words.

If you would like to join me the listing is copied below.

A new feature with this online learning programme will be regular video feedback on any images you upload to our private image sharing group.

This will not take the form of a 'critique', an Alchemy critique but will hopefully be so much more than a few written comments.

Renewing the Ledger.

Begins Monday February 8 for 12 weeks.

Suitable for the beginner and the more experienced creative.

Ledgers, sketchbooks, journals and design works have been integral to my creative life for almost twenty years.

Over time my knowledge and experience of creating these pieces has grown and developed.

During the course of this twelve week online learning programme I will look at past works and 'renew' them with fresh eyes, more experience and new process.

Without altering the actual physical historical ledger, I will use that ledger as a starting point for renewal, examining each page and recreating that work, refreshing those pages.

The basic design ideas presented in the original ledger will be preserved, my concern will focus on elevating that work with a new approach to documenting that information.

You do not need to have a completed sketchbook or ledger to participate in this class. Process demonstrated can be carried out using a collection of found images or a favourite illustrated book. I will provide guidance on those choices should you wish.

Techniques used and demonstrated in this online learning programme will include a selection of the following,

hand embroidery stitches,

patchwork,

applique,

paper manipulation,

paper embellishment,

pin pricking,

tracing,

basic doodling.

There are no deadlines, no set tasks.

Video and images will be hosted on a private, password protected blog.

Access will be given to a private image sharing forum where discussion can be facilitated amongst group members and where I can view and appraise your works in progress.

***New***
Verbal, video feedback will be provided on works uploaded to our private image sharing group on a regular basis.

There are no compulsory requirements to my online learning programmes. If you prefer not to become involved in online discussion or image sharing that is O.K. My only wish for you is that you learn and have fun.

My online learning groups are a place of friendship amongst like minded people who share a love of cloth and thread.

Images here are details of the ledger I will be examining and renewing during this programme.

Register here.

 

how you all doing?

How you all doing? I won't apologise for bringing it up, Covid 19.

Way back in March when all this started I thought we'd be over it now, that it would be a distant memory.

Instead we are in deeper and deeper lockdown, cases rising despite the erosion of our freedoms and I have no idea how we get out of this, what that process will look like or how long it will take.

If you feel anything like I do mentally then you have my utmost sympathy and understanding because I feel pretty crap about the whole thing.

I want to help but I don't know how.

I posted my free class earlier in the year. That has been taken down now out of respect for those who paid for it when it was live.

I don't have another one to post.

I am considering creating new video for here on a regualr basis but that will take a little planning.

Meanwhile I have been trawling past video and will post those as and when it's appropriate.

Remember these were created some time ago so some of what I say might be out of sync time wise.

Hang in there, I am with you. I feel exactly like you do. I'm done. Enough already.

 

A little page in a sketchbook

 

 

grids and guides

If there is a negative to constantly working in sketchbooks, artist books, ledgers and journals it's that one or two of them become neglected. I guess 'negative' is a little harsh, there really isn't a negative in any sense but there is the positive of having too many lovely books to work in.

This is my 'grids and guides' notebook which I haven't worked in for some time. Every time I post this notebook I get asked where you can buy it so the link is here....not on commission, I wish. I worked this little page over the weekend and below are a couple of images of previous pages in here. This book is so tightly bound it's impossible to flip or fold to show them alongside this work.

filling up my little book

This little book is getting more attention although it is getting harder to work on the pages as it's so crammed. It's also getting very difficult to photograph too because it insists on falling open on the centre page. A few strategically placed paper clips solve that problem temporarily and I wouldn't change that aspect of this piece because in addition to being really happy with each page I love the sculptural qualities which emerge as you work on these little books.

The latest page was worked to try out an idea I have for joining pieces, connecting pieces using tiny hand embroidered button loops. So far so good

a little journal

Another stitched page has been added to this little journal. The doodles were taken from another little book I had scribbled in. I thought this little patterned piece would live more comfortably in here. Stitched papers have been layered at an edge and there is also embroidery, beads and tiny pale blue pom poms.

This mini journal will be pored over regularly. I will add a few stitches every so often, create little compositions for these pages as and when the inspiration strikes. It already doesn't close properly.....and I love that.

Don't forget the September start for 12 weeks of new embroidery school. You can read more here.

documenting stitch

ledger definition: 1. a book in which things are regularly recorded

My current ledger, it's getting more difficult to close with each passing day. That's a good thing, it's crammed. I am so inspired by what is happening in this book.

The latest addition is a hand pieced paper page with embroidered lace and layered papers, fine papers.

When it's finished this embellished ledger will be added to my library of inspirational resources, other ledgers, little stitched books, hand made artist books. As I always say to the girls in class....you couldn't go out and buy this, it's unique, what you produce is unique to you. Each person in class is creating a personal record, an exclusive design resource and no two ledgers will be the same, we each put part of ourselves into our work, nobody can copy that.

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I wanted to share these thoughts from one of the group in my recent 'stitching stories' class. Lovely reflections Dawn......

 

September Embroidery School.

A live blog running for 12 weeks from September 9.

You do not need to have participated in any of my previous online classes to take part in embroidery school.

Online format.... Private password protected blog.

No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.

Staged payments accepted. Please contact me for details.

This online learning programme is born from the success and popularity of previous 'fly on the wall' classes.

Join me for 12 weeks of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice.

Throughout this online learning programme my aim is to use traditional embroidery process.

During the course of the first two weeks I will be playing with beads and buttons, creating unique adornments for use in larger embroidered pieces building a 'stash' of unique embellished trimmings.

Following on from this initial project I hope to create an 'art garment' piece, a purely decorative and heavily embellished cloth garment piece purely for aesthetic purpose, to be hung or draped and not worn. This piece will be embellished using traditional techniques of applique, cutwork and hand embroidery.

In addition, who knows what else will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.

Posting once every week I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various pieces of work which result from explorations demonstrated in class.

Group interaction will be facilitated within the forum of a private Flickr group where it will be possible to upload images and receive feedback and encouragement from the wider group along with input from me. There will also be the opportunity for wider discussion within the ''discussion'' area of that group. Interaction in this manner is however voluntary. There is no pressure on you to participate within this forum. If you prefer to work quietly, on your own that is encouraged too. My wish is for you to use this learning experience in the manner best suited to you, to learn in a way which makes you happy and furthers your individual creativity.

Please note, certain tasks within this programme may require the use of a sewing machine.

Our initial timetable will be as follows as I am going on holiday for one week on September 30.

September 9. Post 1.

September 16. Post 2.

September 23. Post 3.

September 29 (Sunday) Post 4&5

October 14. Post 6.

Access.... Unlimited. Forever.

Materials required.... List sent upon registration.

Images used here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces during our 12 weeks.

***No prerequisites, suitable for beginners and the more experienced.***

Please allow 36 hours from registration to the receipt of a welcome email.

Register here