More forest friends.... sunshine doe and a unicorn

A big "Hello" from Sunshine Doe!

The love is continuing.... a couple of new foresty friendy visitors wanted to pop on by.

Sunshine Doe has been one of those projects where I kept on having to add bits/colour splashes/ embroidery stitches....until I got to a happy place with her. Many hours later she is ALL about the summer...and I'm liking her alot! She's a keeper.

On finishing my first batch of foresty friends my teenage daughter was the first to ask if I'd make her one....  How could I refuse her request of  a unicorn ...15 years old and still believing in magic...*love* :)

So meet 'Legolas'.....aptly named by Maia....its all in the ears we've decided!

He looks so funny front on...... definitely elfin ears!

Lovely Legolas..... and a pink one is now in the making for the 6 year old who most definitely believes in magic :)

Hope you're enjoying the glimpses of sun and delighting in the fact there is only just over 1 week of  the World Cup left!!x

Bear unfinished....

I've been spending my evenings on a little sewing project inspired by some incredible artists that use embroidery as their medium. They deserve a post all to themselves (and completely show up my efforts!) but go check out  Hiroko Kubota  , Stephanie K Clarke , Tara Badcock , Kimika Hara .....you will be amaze-balled (yes that is the proper term!)

Its a 10 inch embroidery hoop to give you some idea of scale and this shows the bear 8 hours in...at this point I'm wondering if I have bitten off more than I can chew.

I got some lovely cheers of support over on facebook and with it a second wind to carry on 

12 hours in....can you even tell the difference?

This is where I am at now...around 16 hours later...... and I'm actually liking him less with the more stitches that fill him in. Hmph.....

I'm leaving him for a while until the next step becomes clear......maybe he'll end up amongst the many other projects  that were started but never finished .... however that's ok...nothing is ever lost. I walk away from this with the firm understanding that I work way better when the outcome is achieved under 8 hours! And I have developed an even greater respect and awe at the embroidered works of art I have the fortune of stumbling upon. x

Love & Magic!

I'm kind of in love right now.... and the most JOY-full of that "love" feeling is that is doesn't need to make sense in the slightest..... Now there's an opening sentence :)

I've been wanting to make some animal heads for a long time now, but couldn't quite get MY head around the fact that fake/fabric or not I would be creating something based on the idea that a dead animal head was going on a wall.... ick!
That was until active imagination stepped in (hallelujah!), and suggested that in actual fact the head belongs to a very much alive and  magical  (of course!) animal , who peeps in from some sparkly realm bringing with it a magical quality to bestow on the home it finds itself in.
Well....Yes! When you put it like that I can TOTALLY jump on board that creative adventure!

So let me introduce to you the new obsession  love  in my life......my "forest friends"...... *sigh*
This is Bernadette, bestower of the magical quality FUN and playfulness...

 Little Doe......I really do love her..... and the magical quality of Innocence that she brings.

And Mumma Bear Mathilde...who's magic carries the qualities of nurturing and comfort.....

I have begun something I cannot stop...... Love indeed :)

xx

A recent reminder

You'll proabably start to notice the blog posts start to get a bit thin from now on...summer is on its way (yay!) and the school summer activites have begun,starting with a dry sports day yesterday!  My oh my!

I've been continuing on the sewing bonanza, which I will share with you soon.....I really can't wait! 

For now I'll show you the mixed media stitched piece I did last week when I needed a reminder...Exciting things are on the horizon for my family (not business related)  and I really have to let go and trust that it will all work out despite the little voice that says don't count your chickens until they are hatched....

So "let go" has been my mantra..... a good one to live by I would say!

I found a geometric pad full of  Stu's calculations when he was studying  architecture a few years ago... I thought it reflected perfectly the very limited part of me that was trying to figure everything out. (without much luck...because I have no control over it! Darn) So you can see a little of that in the background. 

I used acrylic paint and a few stencils I'd cut out on top and then hand embroidered the letters.

It now hangs right in front of me when I sit down in my studio to sew....... x

New embroidery patterns!

I'm in the midst of so many sewing projects here, and full embracing it....there is a sea of cushions going on in my studio space, getting orders ready for posting. I will share a photo of the mountain when I'm not too lazy to get the camera out of its case! (disgraceful!)

There has also been a whole lot of sewing related stuff going on over on my new spangly website...Did I tell you I'd had a re-do?! I've gone all fancy pants and  got a rotating photograph and all! oh lala!  Here is the link! 

With the introduction of my embroidery kits, I wanted to create a little online sewing classroom which offered links to the sewing related tutorials I've done, and pdf's to download. A great place for those who are new to embroidery and a little nervous! There are some free embroidery patterns too which you won't have seen before:

If any of these take your fancy you can download them here.

Last on the sewing front is a new kit without the "Frills" which I've added to my etsy shop (here).

Unlike the other embroidery kits I showed you recently, this kit comes minus the packaging and guides/instructions, needle and embroidery hoop. I liked the idea of this as it not only makes it cheaper, but also giving the freedom to stitch with your own choice of colours and stitches, and letting you use your already existing large pile of embroidery supplies! The finished piece fits a 4" hoop. Sweet!

 Phew! I think that's enough stitchery news for one day.......time to dive into that cushion mound x

Kitschy Stitches!

Just coming up for air before I dive back down again...... this part always catches me out...the run up to a Trade Fair and the long list of things to do! Trade Fairs always seem to fall just after a school holiday...which I NEVER remember to factor in when it comes to getting things done.
*Sigh*
Stu has been a master child entertainer while I have been expanding my own repertoire of skills....the beginning of the week saw me as " instruction booklet maker".....yesterday I was "in-house  photographer"....today I'm "machine sewing expert" and "PR guru"!  Still got to own and wear the "Display officianado" badge.....which is the bit I've been putting off most......You see I need to come up with a design to display and showcase my items that I can carry with me on the train in a suitcase! ......
I just KNOW I am going to regret leaving this one till the end!

Anyhoos, today I wanted to share some new embroidery kits I've added to the items I'm taking down to London..and soon to offer in my shop. I'm so happy with how they have turned out.... kitschy stitchery kits! 

These couldn't suit me more! I love embroidering but am hard pressed to find designs that a) are my kind of style and b) can be used/displayed in some way that would work in my home.

These kits come with a piece of fabric with a colourful design already printed on, and parts of the design left blank to be filled in with stitches.The end result is a co-created textured piece of wall art! Yes!

I hope you love them as much as I do!

So back to the multi tasking...best go do some child entertaining for a while....the walls are being climbed!x

Sewing and smiles...

That's what my weekend has consisted of.. sewing and smiles....and how lovely it has been.
I had fallen behind on the sewing project which is not exactly setting the best example!..so I set to work to catch up...sharpened needles at the ready. After my youngest was tuckered out from her busy birthday party day on Saturday, I set up my laptop with 2 films at the ready and began stitching away on the blossom design. (design here)

Its funny how often things I'm  initially not keen on turn out to be my favourite...this design can join that club. I'm really pleased with how it turned out and the colours used. Pretty pretty indeed.

Sunday brought an opportunity to sew while yet another 6 year old had a birthday party, and this is where the squirrel started to take shape. (design here) He got finished off last night while watching Vikings (yes to  Ragnar Lothbrok!) If I were to do it again I'd choose a different colour for the squirrel and different fabric for the background...

However seeing all the flags I've sewn so far..I'm really liking how well they sit together.

I've been getting so many messages and such great feedback from the patterns and "stitchery lessons" I've been sharing over the last few weeks. Thankyou all so much to all those who feel inspired to take part. Jo has been sharing her take on the spring project work over on her blog and a bit of her process, which has been a joy to see. If anyone else feels like sharing their sewing I would be delighted to see and share. 

Sewn by jo at Sleeping dragons 

So I'll end with the birthday smiles....these were from the midweek "official" birthday celebrations....

Yes! despite it only being late afternoon that is Skye in her pj's..but as she told me ..it's MY birthday....

 "Fair enough "I said...."but you will need to take off your roller boots when you go to bed"....reluctantly she agreed :)

A return to sewing!

You guys! I'm excited...sewing and I have become "one" again!
Turns out if I don't HAVE to do it and give myself some time and space, the urge to get the needle and thread out returns....which is such a RELIEF. I tell you!
I've been feeling at odds with myself ever since I developed my "sewing aversion"...kind of like a fall out with a best friend. I do like to add a touch of drama, I know. But looking back there has been a hole!
Over Winter I've began easing gently back into it (with my stag head pattern among other projects). And with the approach of spring, realisations have come that I can and want to incorporate sewing back into my life (and business), I just need to be mindful of the ways in which I do it.
It's always a school day :)

A sneaky peak...

So I am wanting to try something out, and would like to invite you back here on Friday (7th March) to join in with some sewing. It's going to be FUN! It's going to be inspiring! and best of all it's going to be FREE! yippee!

Winter Sewing : Introducing a new pattern and a freebie!

I love a good winter project to keep me occupied over the dark cold nights, and so I've been enjoying sewing again. (though my sore fingers are telling me I am very out of practise!)

With that in mind I've set to work to come up with a few designs available as a downloadable pdf pattern, so that if you love a good wintery project too then there will be a few nature inspired ones available just for you!

The first pdf pattern that I'd like to introduce is this fabric stag head, designed as a cushion/softie/plushie for your wall, shelf or favourite chair!

I'm delighted with the way the stag has turned out and have to say I really enjoyed making this.

 The pattern comes as a 12 page pdf  ..all the details can be found here.

There are 5 embroidery stitches in the included stitch "library", but I chose running stitch as the main component of the hand stitching...I love this stitch..so simple and very therapeutic...the repetitive motion of weaving the needle in and out. Love it!

The pattern is now available in my shop here , there is a special  30% introductory discount available till Christmas ...simply type in at the check out:

WINTER13

And enough of the sale talk! Below I've created a sweet little embroidery design for you to print for FREE and get jiggy with if you feel the stitchery wintery urge. Simply click on the image and then "save as"  to your computer for printing. If I've got my calculations right (which is always debatable) the size provided should fit a 6 x 6" embroidery hoop.

Enjoy!!!x

My first exhibition

Finally I have some photos to share! In the end I popped back to the gallery to take some to show you, as it turns out the ones mum had taken from the opening evening were more a sea of heads rather than pieces! (You'll see what I mean later) I'm afraid these aren't the greatest of photos but I hope you'll get the idea...

I have shared the embroidery part of  the pieces you see above and below before..here they are finished with a pencil sketch added. These pieces are the ones I love the most as I put a mammoth amount of effort and time into each one (plus actual blood on occasion!)  But they also hold every element of what I love ...contrasts, layers, colour and texture..and magic too! Inspired by the saying "coming out of the woodwork" my active imagination wandered to animals stepping out of wallpaper....I have fantastic bamboo patterned wallpaper in the bathroom, and while brushing my teeth often smile at the thought of a panda just casually sauntering out from behind the foliage! ...

"Peering through the patchwork"

"A kingly stance"

"Seeing is believing"

I've been sharing parts of the beach scene over on facebook...I created them with the idea that they all sit together to create the scene but are individual pieces....they make me smile..and keep me dreaming of summer! 

It's the most amazing feeling walking past a window and seeing your work looking out at you :)

There are 40 individual pieces of mine exhibiting, including some books and soft sculpture birds. You've seen some of the pieces before and I've saved a couple to show you another time. I have to add I have never seen my home so clutter free! 

Here are the heads I was on about! :) 

Despite  nerves, the opening evening was incredible. Its hard to put into words how whole heart-FULLY blessed it feels to have people take time out of their own busy lives to come along and support little old me. Actually makes me get a wee lump in my throat at the thought. And still the support continues with visits from dear facebook connections and sweet emails enquiring. Just incredible, and amazingly humbling. So so grateful indeed.

                              
What I also take away from this whole amazing experience (apart from the dodgy photo! ) is the realisation and celebration that I have achieved something  I once thought was impossible...so watch this space for the next " impossible dream" to come true ..yipee!
Thankyou all for sharing this adventure with me too.