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

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

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 :)

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

The "not so" secret of getting published!

I am really delighted and honoured to say my work has been published in the Winter Edition of Sew Somerset, and not just one article but two!
I tell you it's a FANTASTIC feeling! (picture Julie Andrews bounding around the Alps singing "the hills are alive" tra la la la)

It's also had me marvelling  at the fact that something I once viewed as 'A Great Mystery'  requiring some kind of insider mystical knowledge, is in fact VERY straightforward and requires no secret handshake/special knowledge/genius talents.
It simply required a bit of action on my part (getting off my backside and actually sending in some pieces for submission to Stampington publications) and a touch of good fortune (that what I sent fitted in with what they were looking for at that time.)

It all comes back to that old addage "got to be in it to win it" or even older " if you don't ask you don't get".......

Which is slightly annoying, as the excuses no longer wash......you know, all the ones we tell ourselves as to why such and such is not possible/likely/ever going to happen.



Don't get me wrong...it does require you to put yourself out on a limb, offer your creations (and your heart on a plate) to be rejected and rebuffed if said creations don't make it to publication. But I assure you the picking up of a heavy heart is way easier to soothe when you know you did atleast try...the constant niggle of having never tried is not quite so...

I am NO expert at this, far from it! But even with my limited experience it is quite clear to me that if YOU happen to be flicking through a publication, appreciating what you see and pleasantly day dreaming about seeing your work or words amidst the same  pages, or worse still... feeling slightly envious and wondering "what have they got that I haven't"?....then it's time to take action! I urge you to check the submission guidelines, email an editor, dust off  some items and find an address to send them to. 

There are so many publications out there (not even touching on the online side of things) all looking for something/someone to fill their pages, share a little of their uniqueness and creativity. Meant in the nicest possible way...you just really need to get off your backside too!

And with lady luck/divine providence/(fill in with own chosen deity) on your side you will get to experience a touch of Julie Andrews in your life too.
Tralalala :) x

Added note:
haha! It appears we are all to be gifted some Julie Andrews/sound of music magic today.....amazingly and very randomly have just stumbled upon this image ...AWESOME!

by Sarah Bellar

from Hama beads no less!  :)xx