Catch up!

Howdy! I just wanted to pop in and say hello, as it's all been very "Sewing- teachery" focused and not much chat at all. There is so much going on behind the scenes here that  finds me brimming with excitement and feeling all the worse for not being able to share it. (due to "sewing teachery" mode).
So I hope you will indulge me while I get it all out!


On the home front our  DIY jobs are coming along nicely and we look set to putting our house on the market by summer! (gulp did I just write that!) I have been painting walls like there is no tomorrow...and skirting boards and doors..and...and!
Its my youngest's birthday this week too, 6 years old. A marvellous age to be! And bless her cotton socks she finally relinquished her hanging-together-by-my-shoddy-darning woolly tights for some new ones (Miracle of miracles.) There is an Owl themed party happening this weekend (I have been instructed) and some "top hats" amongst other party delights to be made.
There's also a huge amount of plate juggling going on  with getting organised for London's design Trade Fair in May, and the whole new range of items I'll be taking. My heart and soul is going into these items which I would love to share in another post another time.....suffice to say I've been pushing and stretching myself in every way and am going out on a rather large limb.....but it feels FANTASTIC!....
especially when fabric rocks up on my doorstep with my designs printed on them. Love love LOVE.

I'm leaving it to the nth hour to create and introduce some new items that feature sewing too...deja vu of this time last year but thankfully no leather hard painted canvas to sew through..my fingers are feeling a lot perkier as a result!

A couple of my foxy prints actually made it onto the Pulse website which is a real honour....ok, granted if you blinked you'd miss them....but the prints are there none the less :)

You can see my little bit of blurb over on the exhibitor bit if you'd like a sneak preview of some items I'll be taking along..I'll be adding more soon.

I'll be back on Friday with more stitchery teachery-ness and a new bunting flag design...this week I'm looking at stitches to use for filling...a wee colourful sneaky peak below...

Really loving that acid yellow colour at the mo.....can you tell ;)

Hope you are gooooood wherever you are xx

Always learning..

I'm very much a geek. Which feels good to say as for a long time the inner geek got dialled down to make way for social approval! The things we do :)
Anyhoos I am always on the lookout for things (online/books/classes) that'll teach me something new. For better or worse I'm always working away on something in the background. Last year saw me try out repeat pattern design and hand drawn lettering (through Skillshare which is a REALLY great resource and cheap CHEAP too!). I tried out hypnotherapy (a friend was studying it and needed some case studies...I'll share more another time) and energy moving techniques to satisfy my "woowoo" side!
What else? Many books perused like this and this, interviews listened to over on "Smart Creative Women" with Monica Lee...the list goes on.
Point of mentioning this? Well my recent learning opportunity is taking the form of Lilla Rogers' Assignment Bootcamp.

If you are interested in design at all it's likely you have heard of this colourful and dynamic (and very inspiring!) lady. I figured if I want to make a great living from my art, it would be a wise move to get assignments and insights from one of the best. 

                                   The point of Lilla's Bootcamp is to become part of a creative community, and fulfill assignments which get you drawing, drawing, drawing.The end result is plenty stretching and growing, some gentle support and hopefully a few finished pieces worthy of going in a portfolio!

You may have guessed that this months assignment involved cuckoo clocks! Which I love and took as a good sign as I've been working on creating a cuckoo clock design since the summer...and kept getting stuck on! 

The end  assignment suggested using the cuckoo design as a phone cover, this is where I've got so far....yep I'm stuck again! These cuckoo clocks are driving me cuckoo ;)

I've started a repeat pattern too...still more to add but thought I'd share so far also

So what about you? I imagine I am not alone in this quest for learning and growing and geekery! I'd love to hear what you enjoy getting your teeth into x

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