Stitching and Puppies!

Dont know quite what happened - but somehow I missed posting for a whole year - again! I have had such a busy year - I had plenty to comment on!

Have completed my C&G Diploma now - thank goodness! It was at times fun - at other times not so fun. But I do think it was good for me to work within such a rigid remit. Perhaps it was my understanding - or my tutors interpretation - but I didnt find it hugely open to individuality. However - I now have my certificates - I learned quite a lot - and am officially qualified to teach it.

Talking of teaching - although the hands on classes at Missenden Abbey were hard - if not impossible to fill in this economy - my online classes still seem to be going really well. Which is great as I can be at home and teach people from around the world - which I love:) Theres been several classes over this past year and currently Im teaching Free Machine Embroidery with Confidence. There are about 30 students and its a great group - nice and chatty and helpful. Sometimes I think I dont get out enough and actually mix with people and I do enjoy hands-on teaching - but online is very convenient!

I also gained a new Grandson last April - cant beleive hes nearly a year old. Gorgeous and handsome of course - his name is Finn.

Amber (my dog) unfortunately died last October which was really difficult to deal with and I wondered if I would ever get another dog. However - last sunday - an 8 week old bundle of fluff arrived into my life! His name is Kai and hes a blue and tan GSD. I actually have a very busy few weeks ahead - new class to write and a couple of bears - yes bears - to make. I have a feeling things might get just a little delayed with this new puppy to distract me!

More pictures will no doubt follow soon - already hes used to the camera!

Bad Bad Me!

It has been such a long time since I posted anything at all - and after my New Year Resolution to do just that - I am disappointed with myself! Especially since its been such a busy time - for once I had lots to talk about!

So - what have I done thats been keeping me so busy I cant write a few lines? I have completed the first year of my C&G Machine Embroidery course - which has had its ups and downs - but overall I have really enjoyed the freedom of concentrating on something new. I really love working on the assessment pieces and probably get too complicated - but thats me! We have covered lots of different areas - such as gold work - which I really didnt think I liked and found that I do! And stitching on latex was definately new to me!! My first assessment piece had to be a 'functional item'. I chose to make a corset style garment - didnt I say I couldnt make things simple!?

The base fabric is made from embellished silk dupion with added strips of silk scarves and then hours of free machine stitching. I loved making it and it kind of set the standard for my other pieces. The next piece is the 'metre piece'. We have to make a piece of fabric at least one metre in length in one direction. I have concentrated on the woodland floor with lots of texture and lichens and fungus. I will share a picture very soon.

Tidying up loose ends ..........

I'll begin today with saying Thanks so Much to Allbear for your lovely comments about me leaving the bear world. I haven't seen TBS yet - must go get a copy. Kathy has always been supportive of my work - right to the end it seems! I will be there in spirit if not in body and I wish you all every success.

Only two weeks - well in fact less than that now - before my C & G course starts and Im excited to say the least. Have been madly trying to tidy up all the loose ends and unfinished projects so I have an almost completely clear slate - not that its ever likely I will catch up with everything - but I am making progress.






After several months of intermitted work I have at last completed my quilt. It was a huge learning curve as its the first quilt I ever made - but I really really enjoyed it especially towards the end when it was all coming together.

It has nothing to do with my upcoming course where the work will be completely different and experimental - but I still love this type of machine embroidery too.

Have also started another C & G course in the past few weeks - its a preparing to teach course which is required when working in the Adult Learning Sector. Has been a bit hard slog at times trying to take in all the acronyms but Im beginning to get there and see how it will benefit my teaching and therefore hopefully also my students. Lots of theory and reading at the moment


Those that know me well will know that when Im not stitching I love to garden. Its all looking a bit green at this time of year but still full of birds and there are some interesting bits that are worth a look. This view from lower down the garden shows just how green it all is but take a look at these fab pink nerines - they are enough to brighten any garden and do it regularly every year with no fuss at all.











The colour is even more striking when you see them in the flesh - more Barbie than bashful!



One last picture for today - and here she is............


Looking a bit grey now shes ten - but doing pretty good for an oldie. She still thinks shes a five year old - but needs considerably less excercise now!



Have a nice free afternoon now so will make the most of it and go stitch!!

More Embellishing

I mentioned yesterday what fun I was having testing out embellishing samples so here's a few pictures. This one is felt embellished with wool roving, covered with chiffon, cut up and woven then embellished again. It is amazing the different effects that can be acheived with this machine. So far no stitch on this piece - but that could change once I decide what Im going to do with it.

For this piece I decided to use cream felt as the backing as I wanted to create a softer more gentle look.


I love the way that the colours blend into the background but still give texture and interest.

I think it would make a lovely bag with some stitch and beading added.

I love this piece - lots of bits of silk scarves, silk roving, knitting yarns and stitch. My sister is really great at finding all manner of scarves for me at car boot sales so I have quite a stash to use.

Remember I said I had a new camera - well obviously it needed a pouch - so here's what I made with a piece of the above fabric. Just added a velcro closure. It feels nice as well as protecting my camera from knocks and scratches.

Lots of people ask what they can do with their samples so perhaps this will give an idea. Just cut them up and make something. The great thing about the felt backing is that it doesnt fray of course.

Hopefully get some pictures of the quilt up soon - coming along nicely now.

Apologies

Didnt I say I was new at this blogging!? So sorry - I have two comments that I havent responded to - I will get there soon I promise!

Firstly to Gina - thank you and I hope we will meet at the Abbey. I too am teaching there as well as being a student to Pam so I hope our paths will cross soon.

And to Icky Bears - thank you so much for your lovely comments. Im not sure if we met or not but I really appreciate your thoughts.

Must keep this blog more up to date - sorry again!

Embellishing

Been a few days since I posted again - busy busy with my Embellishing machine! I've been sampling all the things this great machine can do and so far have only got as far as using felt as a background. I always enjoyed using felt as a backing for hand needle felting so it was a natural progression for me. Of course i since notice that lots of other people like to use felt too - notably Maggie Grey who is such a big inspiration to all of us stitchers and textile people. Ive taken tons of photos since this sampling is preparation for an online class - which probably wont be available until the new year - but I have so much else going on in between that Im trying my best to be organised with it all!

Was also my birthday last weekend and I was lucky enough to have a new compact digital camera so there will be no stopping me now - and just in time for the fungus season - Im sure Im not alone in finding fungi fascinating? Will be longer walks for Amber and in places where Im likely to find interesting textures to photograph - Im sure she wont mind! The picture above shows what happened when I played with a close up of moss - still trying to learn all that programme can do - but already I can see this as a basis for an embellishing project.

Still also working on my applique/embroidered quilt which Ive promised myself will be finished before I start the C & G course. Getting there ..............

Will try to post some of the embellished pieces tomorrow.

Bears are gone .............

My best of intentions have already flown out the window! I had intended to update this blog at least every other day - but with this past week being so busy with packing up bears to get off to collectors - I havent had time for much else.

The picture on the left is a fabric book which I made as a sample for one of my online classes. Its a really fun book to make as it includes lots of different materials and techniques. I included pictures of my family printed on organza and fabrics and just had fun with each page really.

My mother loves it and Im tempted to give it to her - but I also really like it myself and dont keep much of my work. She will be 80 - next April and David (son) suggested that I made one for her. What a great idea - solved that problem of what to buy! I will include lots of family stuff that she will love. Better than giving her this one I think.

The other photo shows a trio of 'reworked' objects which is the basis of another class. I had fun transforming an old picture frame, a paper mache chest and a sketch book into something pretty to have around the house. I used a postcard of a fox to fill the frame as we have a family of foxes visiting our garden regularly and they are just fascinating to watch. The frame etc includes transfer foils, FME and 3D poppies.

Must get the workroom really really sorted out - so much stuff around that I probably dont need any more. Having said that - you know what happens as soon as you throw something out ........... maybe hang on to some of it at least!

Really looking forwards to starting my C & G course now. Am getting up to date with finishing all the unfinished projects so I have a clear desk ready to start.