Karen Ruane

doodling

Don't faint.

I picked up a pencil this morning and doodled.

Actually, I enjoyed it.

I'm about to say I should do it more often but I won't.

I'm averse to pens, pencils and paint.

I'm as surprisd as you are that this actiually happened.

 

this morning

Today is the first day for quite a while that I have been able to devote to me, just me and I am making the most of it. So far I have made a video for embroidery school, a short video for artist books (yes I know.....you thought you had seen the last of me. It will be with you shortly) I've also made a video for you whilst I have been toying with page ideas following on from yesterdays post. 

Yesterday I got new pins. It's a measure of how much the little things mean that I was compelled to take a picture of them and whilst I was doing that I just had to take a picture of a little pile of cloth which was close to hand. Maybe for the rest of the day I should walk round with my eyes shut so as not to be distracted.

Sunday morning stitching

Sunday has been good to me so far, embroidery, cloth, titvations, all things stitch.

Mostly I have been creating work for my 'stitch along' group but I took a little time out from that to have a chat with you too.

still practicing

Yes, still practicing, sampling, sewing litle bits together and adding beads, buttons, ribbons. It's fun, you should try it. I'm cramming my head with all things embroidery and making the most of the inspiration whilst it's here. I could go on and on and on.....not sure if my fingers agree and they certainly don't work quick enough to keep up with my head.

Practicing.

 

• repeated performance or systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or proficiency:
• Practice makes perfect.

 

 

 

 

Still practicing. #embroidery #broderie #embroideryschool #stitchalong

A post shared by Karen Ruane (@karenruane) on Aug 29, 2018 at 5:04am PDT

a little follow up

I made a very short video to answer a couple of points which arose from yesterday's video where I demonstrated 'guilloche stitch''. I hope it helps.

 

Guilloche stitch

During the first 'embroidery school' of this year we learnt a lot of new embroidery stitches. I had hoped to continue exploring new stitches after class finished but failed miserably. Today I start to put that right.

Guilloche stitch.

This stitch certainly fits the definition of the word 'guilloche'.

guilloche

noun

noun: guilloche; plural noun: guilloches

1. ornamentation resembling braided or interlaced ribbons

    

    

    

    

    

embroidered silk and discovering lost treasure

This panel of embroidered silk is now finished and damp stretched. If you remember this will be the cover of a ''rolled book'' in which I'll store embroidery samples. I still haven't decided whether to line this yet, I'm waiting for that penny to drop in terms of inspiration. For now I will lay this out safely and glance at it every so often. There's a short video at the end of this post speaking about that finishing process for this piece but first....I have been doing a little sorting out. Yesterday I found forgotten treasure, there was great excitement lol. I have been exceptionally good too as they are now all wound neatly on cards....

Just over two weeks now until the start of my '12 month stitch along', a full year of embroidery school. I am so excited.....

you can read all about that here. 

 

 

 

 

One little box, the first to be sorted today and look at the treasure I found 😲❤🏡

A post shared by Karen Ruane (@karenruane) on Aug 12, 2018 at 3:37am PDT

developing a page

A little more work on pages for my ongoing artist book. Also, a reminder about the new class. Twelve whole months of all things embroidery. I will post all the information at the end of this post, after the videos....

 

 

 

A post shared by Karen Ruane (@karenruane) on Aug 5, 2018 at 1:39am PDT

 

12 month stitch along

To register go here

 

A live blog running from September 1 2018 through to September 1 2019.

I speak about my online classes and creative life in a podcast recorded recently with 'stitchery stories'. You can listen to that here.

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 months of creativity, a unique fly on the wall experience. Observe my process, my day to day, my working practice over a full year. Who knows what will crop up, what will inspire and develop over this programme. We begin with a blank page of time and fill that page, that time developing embroidered works on paper and fabric.
There may be artist books, there may be delicately embroidered laces along with decorative silk surfaces.
There will definitely be buttons, ribbons, sequins, beads and all manner of added titivation.

Posting once every fortnight I will demonstraste my working processes, discuss my ideas and inspirations and develop various piece 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 require the use of a sewing machine.

Access.... Unlimited. Forever.

Materials required.... List sent upon registration.

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

 

 

 

embroidered sample books

As promised a few days ago...a mini show and tell of my embroidered cloth sample books. I'm thinking about the next one, the best format for that....

 

Also, I think you might enjoy this.

 

adding hankie edges and sequins

I'm extending this piece which you last saw here. Edges from a vintage hankie have been added to one corner and embellished with sequins.....

A  video show and tell.