Blackwork Monday

Monday morning after the very sporty weekend ( for others I hasten to add as I just watched on the TV) and back to work. Does getting back to the computer make it Black Monday? I have decided not and have made it Blackwork Monday.

I am putting together this weeks lesson for the Hand Embroidery class and am looking at embroidery techniques which use charts.

This has been a trip down memory lane, as I started embroidery in my teens by working Penelope 'Tapestry' Kits. From these early days I had a go at designing cross stitch for needlecraft and cross stitch magazines, a few were   published. I then  joined a City & Guilds Creative embroidery class in the early 1990's and have been stitching ever since.

These are a few of my Blackwork designs for you to enjoy. 

Bev

Getting back in the swing of things

Having spent the last week or so in Spain, recharging the old batteries, it is time to get back into the swing of things.  Uploading some photos is first on my list so that I can have a quick peek now and again to remind myself of the holiday. When I start back at the computer it feels as if I have never been away so I need a quick reminder every now and then.

We spent a couple of days in Madrid

And a few days in Totana in Mercia. This is the facade of a house which was tucked away down a back street.  I love the intricate brick work and can almost see a quilt coming on.

Back to the sewing now and something which may get your eyes going. 

The picture is not out of focus ( I think ) it is the twin needle effect

I had a go using my sewing machines programmed stitches and the twin needle

 then I went wild and started a quilted doodle 

I like the painterly effect but it does affect my eyes.

I must make sure that my twin needles are taken out from the bottom of my needle tin more often, they have more potential for creative embroidery than I have tried so far.

Bev

Sampling Again

A few more samples which I have been busy on over the last couple of days.

It is always interesting to have a go at new stitches and there are a few here that I have not done before. 

I find that I can quite easily revert back to using just a few favourite stitches,  so having a go at some new ones can be quite rewarding.

 From the top there is  - Whipped Back Stitch

                                    Whipped Stem Stitch
                            Pekinese Stitch

                                 Raised Chain Band

                                       Chequered Chain Band

                                             Double  Herringbone Stitch

                                               Threaded Herringbone Stitch 

                            Guilloche Stitch

  I then went on to play with combining stitches to make patterns which I can use in the crazy quilting. 

I have worked it using perle threads on silk but I think that it would be better in stranded cottons and silks. 

And to finish off I have been adding more flowers to the  small 'hot border' embroidery 

Lots of hand work this week.

Do you have a favourite stitch?

Bev

Found Them

Found what?  you may be asking.

Well a few weeks ago I launched a swag bag giveaway on my Facebook Page, RoeMayo Creative Stitches

A mix of fabrics, threads and beads all in lovely Spring Greens. 

No - I haven't lost this bag of lovely goodies. 

I purchased from Bee Crafty some of their wonderful new range of embroidery threads which I promptly put in a safe place. As usual for me, the safe place is the one place I can't find when I need to. I have been known to put the phone in the airing cupboard!

Back to the lovely threads 

They are beautiful hand dyed threads by Chameleon threads of South Africa 

I have chosen two 100% stranded silks, one Perle No 8 and one stranded cotton.

These have been added to the swag bag and if you would like the chance of winning it go to my FB page,  Like the page  and share the swag bag post at the top of the page. 

Don't forget the ACEO giveaway too

Bev

I wish I had done this sooner

It has been a busy week with teaching and getting ready for an exhibition.

I belong to a textile group called Calico, which meets at Botolph Barn in Helpston near Peterborough.

We are having a small exhibition this coming weekend as a prelude to a main exhibition in September at John Clare Cottage, in Helpston.

I have been looking through some of my work and decided that I really should document some of my pieces as it would be a good to have a portfolio. It would also save time when deciding which pieces should be exhibited as all the information would be to hand.

This is the page I have started for the 3D vessel 'If I had Wings' which I have mentioned in an earlier post.

Doing all this cataloging put me in mind of a speaker we had to the Embroiderers' Guild many years ago. She had worked for Norman Hartnell in London and spent time drawing and sketching the outfits that were chosen by members of the Royal Family. She told us that the sketches were kept in portfolios for the Royal Family members to look through when choosing outfits for state visits and occasions. Certainly easier than looking through racks of clothes. 

I wish I had taken note of this and started my own portfolio of work years ago. I am now trying to remember where and when each piece has been exhibited. It is proving to be a bit of a headache but will be worth it in the end. 

Will you be starting to catalogue your work?

Bev

Silk Screens

Following the directions on PrintCutSew I have made these lovely silk screens and now can't wait to use them.

Just need to wash them to remove the excess sizing is removed and they will be ready to go. 

Next project is a larger print table.

Bev

If I Had Wings

The inspiration for this Three Dimensional embroidery was from the Preface to Cromwell by Victor Hugo

On the day when Christianity said to man: “Thou art twofold, thou art made up of two beings, one perishable, the other immortal, one carnal, the other ethereal, one enslaved by appetites, cravings and passions, the other borne aloft on the wings of enthusiasm and reverie—in a word, the one always stooping toward the earth, its mother, the other always darting up toward heaven, its fatherland”—on that day the drama was created. Is it, in truth, anything other than that contrast of every day, that struggle of every moment, between two opposing principles which are ever face to face in life, and which dispute possession of man from the cradle to the tomb?

Therefore "If I Had Wings" was born with birds breaking free form the earth and soaring above.

These are a few pages from my sketchbook

These are ideas which didn't make it in the final piece but that is the fun of starting a new project. 

The shape also developed organically as I cut the sections and re-pieced them.

It is another piece which is in need of some TLC. I sent it to an exhibition and it came back in a slightly different shape to the one sent. 

However it has made me take another look at my sketchbook and I am falling in love again with the torn paper shapes on the second image.  I can see the dissolvable fabrics coming out and some machine stitching.

Bev