Karen Ruane

making decisions

Whilst happily stitching away on the next page for my little design notebook I didn't realise it wasn't quite going to fit where I intended....oops.

In the first image you can see the two pieces which have had me scratching my head. The piece on the left with the large circular motif you have seen before. The piece on the right is a new piece.

I had intended to fold the piece on the left under the page and allow it to provide embellishment on the following page....like so.

What I didn't plan for and what I don't want to happen is by doing this my new piece would be partly obscured...as below.

What I have now decided to do is fold the first piece, the piece with the large circular motif around the page to the right hand side rather than fold it under the lower edge and then the new piece can be placed on the facing page ready to be folded under. I will have to plan better for what comes next.

It has taken me most of the morning to figure this out.....I hope you kept up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Karen Ruane (@karenruane) on May 4, 2020 at 3:07am PDT

stitching morning

A little shared stitching today, a short video where I stitch and witter on for approximately eight minutes.

 

still wrapping notebooks...

I can't seem to stop wrapping notebooks. By way of a better explanation and a better visual for you there is a very short video at the end of this post.

The fourth installment of my free embroidery class was posted yesterday. You can scroll down for that or alternatively go here.

 

folding cloth

There are two videos today...a before and after. The before video is longer, I'm playing with embroidered cloth, folding it into a book form, considering my options for reverses, assessing the amount of embroidery required to make it all fit together seamlessly.

If you are registered for my new class, 'a little book of sewing', you should have received a pre class email from me this morning. If you didn't receive that can you please let me know.

Saturday afternoon is going to be about ruffles here...how about your Saturday afternoon?

 

a light came on

in progress

a quick video explanation

You last saw this around a week ago when I tried to explain my plans for it....I have worked a little more on it since then and this moring made a quick five minute video for you in which I explain myself more clearly.....

 

the next page

The next page for my little book of embroidery, my cloth book. Originally my intention was to sell this one, it was meant for the shop, not any more...I definitely can't part with it. I am completely and utterly in love with it. I made a little video for you of all the pages I have so far, that also helps me take stock, see where I'm up to.

(video at the bottom of this post)

I've also been working on all my classes this week, obsessively working for all of them to get ahead before I go away next week. This morning I made four new videos for 'stitching stories' which started yesterday. Our first post was a gentle introduction.....we have moved on a lot this morning girls, all will be revealed on Monday. Meanwhile, a glimpse for the rest of you of what we are up to. (and it's not too late to register, just go here)

 

hand made artist book with embroidered wrapping cloth

There are lots of images today and in truth there could have been a lot more.

This one has been a long time in the making and now it's finished I am missing the opportunity to work on it a little more, missing the excitement of picking it up to stitch on it. On the plus side I do have it to fondle.

There is a brief show and tell video at the end of this post along with information about my new class which strats on Monday....

 

Stitching Stories

Begins June 17 for 8 weeks.

Online format.... Private password protected blog.

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

No prerequisites.

Suitable for all skill levels.

**this online learning programme is not a repeat of my ''stitching a story'' programme.**

A return to playfulness, to stories, fairytales and imaginary tales. Join me as I enhance a story book with stitch, cloth, jewels and a sprinkling of imagination.

Work in a printed storybook or create your own magical daydream using blank pages and doodles.

Using playful imagery we will doodle pattern, enhancing our simple pencil lines with stitch and pretty additions in the form of cords, beads, sequins.....using simple pattern and image sources as our starting point we will be inspired to let our imagination run away with us, adding our own interpretation to an unfolding story.

Any 'doodling' will be basic. Please do not be afraid of this aspect of the course. I doodle in the simplest form.

Doodling on a blank page is not compulsory. You can choose to work exclusively in a printed story book.

Exploration and stitch work can take place in a childrens fairytale book, a blank sketchbook or both.

I will be enhancing a printed storybook with stitch, I will also be creating my own story in a blank sketchbook using pencil to doodle pattern.

On registration you will receive access to a short video where book choices are discussed.

Register here.

embroidery catch up

There's a video catch up today, an overview of what's happening here creatively. I'm still hemming the lining of my wrapping cloth, my cloth pages continue to be embellished as do the pages for my paper based artist book......and I bought myself some rather lovely Swarovski buttons. Lucky me!

If you are registered for my new class 'Stitching Stories' you should have received an email from me this morning. If you didn't can you please let me know.

 

sequins, Suffolk puffs, ribbons and a new short class.

There's a short video for you about this one, the next needlecase. I'm choosing ribbon and as you can tell from the images I went with the green velvet. The Suffolk puffs which I actually only made about ten minutes ago will be added once the lining is attached as a final embellishment along the front. I love a pretty needlecase.

Keep scrolling for the video because before that I want to tell you about this.

 

Stitching Stories.

Begins June 17 for 8 weeks.

Online format.... Private password protected blog.

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

No prerequisites.

Suitable for all skill levels.

**this online learning programme is not a repeat of my ''stitching a story'' programme.**

A return to playfulness, to stories, fairytales and imaginary tales. Join me as I enhance a story book with stitch, cloth, jewels and a sprinkling of imagination.

Work in a printed storybook or create your own magical daydream using blank pages and doodles.

Using playful imagery we will doodle pattern, enhancing our simple pencil lines with stitch and pretty additions in the form of cords, beads, sequins.....using simple pattern and image sources as our starting point we will be inspired to let our imagination run away with us, adding our own interpretation to an unfolding story.

Any 'doodling' will be basic. Please do not be afraid of this aspect of the course. I doodle in the simplest form.

Doodling on a blank page is not compulsory. You can choose to work exclusively in a printed story book.

Exploration and stitch work can take place in a childrens fairytale book, a blank sketchbook or both.

I will be enhancing a printed storybook with stitch, I will also be creating my own story in a blank sketchbook using pencil to doodle pattern.

On registration you will receive access to a short video where book choices are discussed.

Register here.