The promised flower

A few days ago I posted a picture of the flower made with water-soluble paper. Here it is now that it is sprayed.


I used a metallic paint and it is mounted on hand-dyed paper.

Missenden Abbey

If you are looking to book a date for a weekend workshop later in 2008 or 2009 I have just updated the Missenden Abbey information. You can find the entry via the link in the sidebar. No further published details yet, but at least the dates are there.

Missenden Abbey

If you are looking to book a date for a weekend workshop later in 2008 or 2009 I have just updated the Missenden Abbey information. You can find the entry via the link in the sidebar. No further published details yet, but at least the dates are there.

A weekend off

I have a whole weekend off! Now, what does that mean?

When I'm not teaching we usually spend the weekend visiting shows or colleges/courses with Winifred Cottage. As I said, last weekend we were at Textiles in Focus. I have spent the week beginning to restock our supplies, and a 'weekend off' means that that will continue! There are also three wholesale orders for Sassa Lynne that need attention, so the dyepot is red hot and I am working away with colour. Specific orders mean no time for experimentation, named colours are mostly the order of the day, but as I need still more Embellisher Rolls with the vegetarian silk I'm having fun with those too. I will also pop some yarns into some Serendipity pots, these are the experimental ones that will eventually make their way into the named range.

I did take an hour off this morning, though! I went to visit our newest grandson. He is now 6 months old and growing apace. We had lots of smiles and giggles amongst the hugs, so I've now had my 'fix' for a few days. We will see him again next weekend when we babysit for an evening while his Mum and Dad go out for a meal. It will be a busy week with trips to Heather Quilters, where I'm speaking about the Embellisher, Urchfont Manor and also the Quilters' Day at Selsey. If you are passing the stand - don't forget to say 'hello'. As far as Urchfont Manor is concerned - there is a very good exhibition of Art in the Garden that is well worth a visit.

TIF or TIF?

We arrived back from Textiles in Focus late last night. It was an excellent show with lots to see, very good exhibitions, and an interesting selection of workshops. I taught a couple of hand-stitching workshops using water-soluble paper and you can see the sample here.



The flower was made from scrim and then applied. The next step is to spray the finished piece with metallic paint. It is too cold to do that today, the paint will probably freeze as it leaves the can, so I'll post another picture when it's finished. This is a technique that I love, and creates surfaces that can be put to a number of uses - including book covers and box tops.

It wasn't until I thought about this post that I remembered our abbreviation for Textiles in Focus is TIF. I could so easily be confused with the Take It Further Challenge!

February TIF Part 2

This is just a bit of preliminary playing along with my original thoughts. There's still a lot to do.

Missenden Abbey Weekend Workshop

This is the view that greeted me from my bedroom window at dawn on Saturday morning. As a tutor I was lucky enough to be accommodated in the main building at Missenden Abbey. The view is over lake, and it was truly magical to see it unfold. As the sun rose the white frost began to shine. The camera couldn't capture it, especially as it is taken through a small pane of one of the windows.

There were students on the course from all over the UK, including Northern Ireland. We had lovely weekend and they produced some fantastic pieces. Stupidly I forgot to ask their permission to put their pictures on my blog, so you will have to make do with this view instead.

Back to the grindstone today. Lots more dyeing to do for Textiles in Focus at the end of the week. The Vegetarian silk in the fabric rolls has really taken off and I have once again sold out. I honestly thought I had enough to last us until after TIF! so it's back to the dyepot....... Now is the time to place any special orders and I'll incorporate them into a dyeing session!

Take It Further:: February

True to her word Sharon posted the February challenge earlier this month. I have been thinking about it, even whilst finishing that of January

My family memories of the past are extremely good. This has been a real blessing recently as I have been able to reminisce with my mother about all sorts of things. My earliest memory is being taken for a ride in my pushchair while staying with my grandparents in Brecon, S Wales. As my brother wasn't yet born (I wouldn't have been in the pushchair if he had)and my mother wasn't even pregnant with him yet (her pregnancy meant she could no longer travel) I must have been younger than two.

I certainly don't want to commemorate that, however. I have been thinking a lot about babies, though, prompted I'm sure by recent visits from our newest grandchild. I have had two pregnancies and both my children were born in the Louise Margaret Maternity Hospital in Aldershot. Although this was a military hospital (it was closed a while ago) it was also open to civilians, and that's how I came to be there! Shortly before my daughter was born an IRA bomb was detonated close by. This meant that there was much security in place, and some roads in Aldershot were closed (and have never been reopened). This is not something I would like to dwell upon or commemorate either. My son, however, was born 4 years later in much more relaxed circumstances, and in the middle of a heatwave. To tie it all together I've decided that that's what I'll consider for my Take it Further Challenge for February. The heatwave!

Is anyone visiting Textiles in Focus next week? We'll be there so come and say 'Hi'.

Take It Further January

Well, it's finished. The colours are much closer in reality, but here is the initial design




And here is the finished piece.



I'm surprised that the stitches aren't more in evidence in the finished piece. I have layered scrim over a layer made on the embellisher, The scrim has been pulled into a textured layer. I'm quite pleased with it and enjoyed doing it - even though it is blue!

Vegetarian Silk

At last I have been able to upload a picture. There are more,but they will have to wait until tomorrow.

These are sheets of vegetarian silk. I have discovered it quite by chance, and it is beautiful. It works like a dream with the Embellisher, and makes a lovely surface for stitching too. We are selling them rolled together with other similar surfaces including scrim. Vegetarian silk? It's other definition is pre-felt made from cellulose fibres from a sustainable renewable source. Let's call it one of our contributions to the environment!

Busy, busy, busy

January has been out busiest ever. Although we are now into February we are still sorting ourselves out after our visits here there and everywhere! I also have to prepare for teaching at Grayshott on Wednesday and for a weekend at Missenden Abbey starting on Friday. Both are on the Embellisher, so I know they will be fun and that everyone will go home with lots of pieces.

It's during times like this that I miss having times to create as much as I would like. I still haven't quite finished my take it further challenge, but that is well on its way, and it should be finished by the weekend. The new challenge for February is already up, and I know what I will be doing for that, however, I won't share that here until the other is completed. Part of the delay has been caused by having to use every available surface for sorting. Wednesday of next weeks sees us heading off towards Cambridge for the annual Textiles in Focus in Cottenham. This is a lovely show, and it will be good to meet up again with friends and customers that we see regularly. I've been dyeing more of the Embellisher Rolls, we sold out of our stock over last weekend, and have been packing orders for these and other goods at the same time.

The above should have been scattered with photos and scans, but uploading isn't going to happen now, it would appear. I'll post this now and update the pictures later when things seem to be working better.

January Take it Further Challenge - Vulnerability

Well, the task that I have set myself is to become more vulnerable within my creativity. For that reason I am going to share the following poem that I wrote last year. I haven't shown it to anyone except my close family, so this is quite daunting in some ways, But here goes. Some of you may remember that baby Jack was born very unexpectedly 7 weeks early, this was written the day after he was born when we saw him in the Special Baby Unit, and for the first time. I am pleased to say that he is now thriving.



For Jack

Silent, you lie there,
Oblivious of the tubes and pipes,
Accepting and contained.
Your world is small
No noise except the cry of babe
Hungry and impatient.
No knowledge yet of deep maternal love,
Of father, standing by
With arms of love and strong protection.
No thoughts or fears,
Complete in self, yet so reliant.

Sleep well, sweet babe,
for in that sleep grows strength.
Surrounding silence intensifies the love
That soon will be apparent.
Take naught for granted, love is all,
And God is Love.

Courses and Workshops

Details of workshops, courses and summer school 2008 can be found by clicking on the links in the sidebar. Several more workshops are currently being planned, and will added as details are available.

January Blue Take it Further Challenge

Well it isn't often that I am up with the 'trends', but it seems as though I may be this year! Here is an interesting item about blue.

I've got the blues

I never work in blue. I have the greatest difficulty in working in blue, so I have chosen this colour for the Take it Further Challenge.

I have been playing around with paints and printing, and have come up with this design. I'm not sure if it's finished yet, I think it needs a little tweaking, but it is a start.

I'd be interested to have your thoughts.

Trying to Take it Further!

Gosh, this is hard. I didn't realise that I was such a coward!

I don't make New Year Resolutions. However, I have decided that this year I must work on making myself more vulnerable. It is going to be a question of small steps, and I will apply them to the Challenge as it progresses.

How will I start? I have decided to choose a colour scheme that I wouldn't normally use. I'm not sure what I will use yet, but that seems to be a step in the right direction.

Thanks to those of you that have left positive comments. It's an exciting start to the year, isn't it?

January Take it Further Challenge

I have rashly decided to take part in Sharon Boggon's Take it Further Challenge. I tried to do the TAST challenge last year, but once a week was just too much to add to other committments. Hopefully a challenge that only has to be finished once a month will be easier to accomplish. The challenge for January has been posted. I have thought long and hard about it, just whom do I look up to and admire? I have come up with two names.

The first is Ann Stone. I am willing to bet that none of you have heard of her. She was a friend and neighbour for nearly 20 years. I first met her when she and her husband moved into the bungalow opposite. For many years she had been a professional dancer, and now she was able to indulge in her passion for art. Her paintings were amazing, but she had many other skills including stitching, and she was the first person I knew who created art from textiles. Her work inspired me to have a go, and Ann encouraged me on every step of the way, always telling me that I could do it, even when I had serious doubts about myself.

The second is someone I met almost by chance about 5 years later. I was now fully seduced by textiles, but needing a new direction. I was introduced to Vicky Lugg by a fellow stitcher, eventually spending a number of years attending her Masterclass in stitched textiles. Vicky was a very supportive mentor and teacher, her support for all her students going far beyond the call of duty, and enabling each of us to call her our friend.

So what was it about these two ladies that is so appealing? What is it that I particularly admire and wish to emulate? I have to say that it was their vulnerabiltiy. Each was willing to push the boundaries and expose parts of themselves in their work. Sadly, they are now no longer with us, but their inspiration lives on.

I'm not sure I can do this in a month. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to expose my vulnerability! However, I have at least admitted that here, and if I keep working away at it I may achieve something by the end of the year. Thanks for the challenge, Sharon. I'm willing to give it a go.

Another quick post

Still no opportunity to upload photographs, I don't know how long I will be online. It is very frustrating to be half way through something and then switched off for no apparent reason. I am hoping that I will have some free time (ha ha) next week and that I can at least solve half of the problem. In the meantime - just words which can be written offline and then just copied and pasted. If only blogger didn't take quite so long to upload pictures I could do the same with those.

However, today I am off to Newport in S Wales to teach a session on the Embellisher at Busy Bees Patchwork. It is a flying vist, and I am looking forward to staying with Sandra of Busy Bees and her husband. I will leave shortly after lunch today, and try to get there in daylight! I am teaching a taster session on the Embellisher, if you are in the neighbourhood I'm sure Sue and Sandra would love to see you at the Craft Workshops at Tredegar House, and maybe I will let you have a peek at what we are doing! I will post pictures when I can.

Tomorrow I must leave as soon as the session is finished as I have to get home to unload, then reload. On Sunday we are off to Urchfont Manor to see Sian Martin and Lynne Horniblow and their respective students. If you ever get the chance to take a course with either of these tutors make sure you grab it. They are both excellent and you will learn a lot.

I may be offline, but I'm not sleeping..........!

Can you help .....

...... to find this quilt? I was given this link by phone today. I hope it works! Maybe you have room for a comment on your blog too.

Hello again

Well, it has been 3 months since my last post, and to say the least those three months have been eventful. However, not in the way I would have wished!

Firstly, I have hardly been able to get online. I'm not sure when the problem started, in fact I don't think I realised that there was a problem at first. I was aware that emails had suddenly become very infrequent, and that I seemed to be switched offline more than I was online, but I just thought it was because people were on holiday, or that the Internet was very busy. However, then I discovered that I couldn't send emails. They would just sit in my outbox, and when I finally discovered this there was a long queue, no notification, they were just quietly waiting for something to happen. This situation is still continuing, we can only send on one of our addresses, sometimes 2. We can receive on these too - but sometimes we can't. Is there any logic? I don't know, but apparently my Firewall is reacting with the ISP and causing problems. The problem now is that I can't stay online long enough to sort it out. I am writing this post in Word, saving it onto DVD and will then put it online, maybe at my son's. If anyone has been trying to get in touch please keep trying - even if you have to resort to leaving a comment below with your email address included. I do want to hear from you, please try again.

Next there was an injury. Now I'm not sure how it happened, I didn't know that I had injured myself. I was aware for some time (from about May) that I had pins and needles in 2 fingers in my right hand (this is my dominant hand). By the end of August the pins and needles had turned to pain, not an ache, a definite pain. It was agony to do anything, writing or stitching (or knitting etc) was nil, at times it became all consuming. Sleep was impossible as it seemed to be worse at night, I was unable to find a resting place and painkillers didn't touch it. A visit to the doc's informed me that I had damaged the nerve on my elbow. Now how on earth could I have done that without knowing? I don't know - but I did. Rest was the answer, and, although the symptoms lessened while we were on holiday, the problem is still there.

You may or may not know that we had a new grandchild during all this. Our daughter-in-law gave birth to our third grandchild in mid-August. He was early, not due until early October, and, although he worried us for a while, is now doing well. I had a lovely long cuddle today, you can imagine how much I enjoyed that.

Next we had the postal strike. What fun that was! The collection service locally was supposed to be working, albeit intermittently. Packages were taken to the Post Office, but took days to arrive which was most frustrating for the recipients. A couple were returned as undeliverable. They must have been sitting around in strange places for a while, they were in quite a state when they were returned, at least the packaging was. Thankfully we had put our return address on the back of the packages - always worth doing. Customers were contacted and the goods were sent on their way again. However, those that had only sent an email address were more difficult to contact - no email as detailed above. Mails from a different address were neatly stacking up in others spam boxes, a lesson learnt in always checking spam, even if it only turned out to be something not required.

We had other dramas too. Other members of the family needed looking after requiring a stay away from home again. We managed to get through several shows without too many mishaps, but phone calls from customers morning noon and night began to make us feel a little like the Windmill Theatre ('We Never Close'). We usually work at weekends, so one customer rang us at 6.30 on a Sunday morning to catch us before we left - please could we post a packet of machine needles to her tomorrow! Phone calls have also been received at 11.30 pm, and not from customers overseas who have miscalculated the time.

Phew! I've got all that off my chest. Now, maybe I can start to make the odd entry or two, adding pictures may be a problem, but I'll face that when I have to.

Oh, and if you want a little light relief you may like to look here.

My absence from blogging has been enforced by internet problems. If anyone has been trying to contact me please will you email

Festival of Quilts

This is a particularly busy time of the year and I have hardly been here to post anything. If anyone is passing we will be on Stand J22 at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham UK from Thursday until Sunday. Pop by and and say hello.

A justifiable wrist slap!

I have just had a conversation with a friend who has chastised me for not updating the blog over the last while. Yes, I freely admit that I have been tardy. Life get's in the way, but then maybe I ought to regard this as part of life! I have tried to keep work and 'life' apart as I'm not sure why people really visit a blog. I follow some blogs because they are full of interesting 'arty' stuff, and others because they relate to real life. Those that mix the two don't really grab my attention, especially if the life is the main excuse for not producing art. Of course, you haven't seen much 'art' on this blog anyway, it has mostly been quick ways of using the embellisher. I know that some of you read my life blog, and for those of you that haven't and want to (no obligation) here is the link. (Of course, due to life, I don't update that one every week either!)

I have also had my wrist slapped for forgetting to tell you the name of the fabric I mentioned in an earlier post. It is called Evolon and we sold out of our first delivery within 48 hours of anyone seeing it. More is on the way and will be here in time for Worthing Textile Arts Forum on Saturday 14th July, and we will hopefully have enough left for Ardingly on 21st July. I really like using it. Hopefully you will see some results before too long, but I'm working on a number of items for the Summer School at Missenden Abbey at the beginning of August.

Another giveaway has been announced at Dye-A-Lot. Pop over and take part. The perle 8 can be used on a sewing machine with a topstitch 100 needle, and the perle 5 is lovely for cable stitch, also using the sewing machine.

Lastly, thanks to everyone that left a comment on the last post. I have also had a number of emails and it would appear that the problem is even wider than I at first thought.

Another day, another Exhibition

I don't want you to think we have been idle since my last post. Far from it. This time of year is full of different venues. We have spent a lot of time travelling from place to place, and later today we are off to Eastleigh College for the exhibition at the annexe in Cranbury Road. Open tonight from 6pm - 8pm and again from 10am - 3pm tomorrow, pop along and see what has been going on for the last few months! The exhibitions cover embroidery, quilting, flower arranging and art. They are usually well worth seeing.

On Sunday we are off to Salisbury. St Edmunds Art Centre is the venue, for an exhibtion with Inspire Stitchers. This promises to be worth a visit too. Only open from 10am - 4pm. After that we are hot foot to the car to career off down the road towards Urchfont Manor. I've forgotten what's going on there, too much to take in this week!

The winner has been announced on the Dye a Lot blog pop over and see who has won - and then go back next week for a new little competition. I have had fun reading all the emails from everyone. A total of 72 people took part in the last draw.

I am wanting to have a little moan. It has been brought to my attention that a tutor I know vaguely has developed a list of workshops based solely on other people's work. Apparently the last episode involved a visit to an exhibition where she saw something she fancied. On arriving home she made a complete and apparently fairly exact copy. This is now being offered as a workshop. I'm interested to know what you all think. Any comments? I know that at least 2 workshops are based solely on my book - and another is based on a book by a well known textile artist. Customers have mentioned this to me and complained - I have told them to complain to the tutor in question, but I don't know if they have. I've seen the results of some of the workshops, so know that this is more than just a rumour. I'd like to know what you all think.

How big?

Yesterday, in my post, I mentioned fabric postcards. These are sent through the mail and are usually 6 inches by 4 inches. I came across this today (scroll down for details and the dimensions). Now that really puts fabric postcards into a different perspective.

Forgive me

Forgive me if I wax lyrical about a fabric that isn't only useful as a background for the embellisher! I am having so much fun with it at the moment that I couldn't resist adding these pictures to the blog.

I am in the process of making some bookwraps, for a workshop I am teaching later this year. It stitches like a dream, by hand and with the machine, and can be used for both the cover and the inner pages.

The first picture shows part of a left over scrap after painting. If only the colours were as vibrant on screen as off.

This one was coloured using a different process. Can you see the angel?

And the name of this mystery fabric? Well, you will have to wait just a little longer to find out, however, if you are at the end of term Exhibition tomorrow evening (Wednesday 20th June) at Fareham College, or at Open Day, Missenden Abbey on Saturday 23rd June, you wll be able to buy some. Winifred Cottage will be at both venues with an exciting sales table.

Just tell them that I sent you LOL

And I can't wait to use it for ATC's and postcards, I know it will work like a dream.

Lutradur

I have often used Lutradur as a backing for fibres and fabrics on the embellisher, however I thought you might like to see this layered sample. It has given a lovely scruchy effect, just needs more stitching now!

Stitching

This is an ATC that is off in the post today. The theme is garden, and the background is hand painted.

The one below is another. I wanted them side by side, but must have uploaded them wrongly!

Blue Inchies

Nine blue inchies on their way to a swap. The background is embellished, the buttons are hand made and those are cross-stitch kisses! I think the cross stitches qualify them for TAST too!

Roseland Mews Studios, Liskeard

Details of workshops in Cornwall - follow the link

Missenden Abbey

If you followed yesterday's link to information about the courses at Missenden Abbey you may like to know that I have updated it with further details.

The Bramble Patch

Full details of this, and also to book, can be linked from here

Husqvarna Studio

Four dayschools have been arranged for Husqvarna Studio. Further details are here. They are each individual workshops, but they will be progressive, so don't be afraid to sign up for all four!

Missenden Abbey

There are several courses arranged between now and summer 2008. You will find more information here.

Grayshott Workshops

These workshops have been running for a while. If you are interested in these there is more information here. There is a break over the summer, more dates for the autumn and there will be more dates soon for 2008.

More information on courses around the country following shortly, including Busy Bees, Newport, Missenden Abbey and Husqvarna Studio.

Help find Madeleine

Bloggers are international. If you can post a picture on you blog someone may read it with important information.

You can find updated information on the BBC website

Oranges and Lemons

This challenge got me thinking. How could I display oranges and lemons without the inevitable shapes. Read how it was done, then have a go and see what you come up with. Leave a comment below if you do do something. (The theme can be anything you like, the object is to try the technique)

The background is black felt, the squares are orange and yellow felt. These were cut at random and well worked onto the black so that it appeared to be just one fabric. I counted out the letters first, applying just enough squares to complete the phrase, but remembering to add one between each word to act a 'space'.

When turned over the shapes were clearly visible from the back which helped. Now to write the message from the back - working from right to left, and remembering to reverse all letters!

As I hadn't written the letters first I just traced each the right way with my finger and then reversed the action with the needles. Tracing it first made sure that I got the letters the right way round. Some were easier to do than others, especially as the space was quite small.

This exercise took about 20 minutes. It was done freehand, and could have been more neatly done if I had drawn the letters on the back before meshing. Have a go and let me know! Any questions - either leave a comment or send an email.

Go with the flow

On Saturday we were at a Quilt Exhibition (we were actually there on Sunday as well, but this relates to the Saturday). The morning was quiet, and I just happened to have the embellisher with me! Working was obviously a little disjointed as it is difficult to serve, talk, discuss and embellish all at the same time, but the above picture shows the result of pulling apart roving and other fibres and just laying them on a background. There was no real thought to their placing, this 'just happened'. So, if you haven't got the machine out of the box, or if you have but are scared of trying something new. Don't be! Just go for it and 'go with the flow' The above needs more work. It will have hand and machine stitching in the end, and will be a bag - probably. At the moment I too am just going with the flow.

There is another prize draw on the dyeing blog. Don't forget to enter. The prize this time is 2 Yarn Twists. They are worth having - I will be using one to hand stitch on the above.





























































































There is another prize draw on the Dye-a-Lot blog, don't forget to enter.

A bit of fun

I needed a card in a hurry! Out came the embellisher and this is the result.

The background is fibres meshed onto net, added yarns and then reapplied to previously made felt.

The knitting is with Sassa Lynne Coton a Broder

And now for something completely different

I have a 'thing' about teapots. I think it is the shape. They are comforting, and there is nothing quite like a cup of tea.

This is part of a hanging. It is machine stitched and has nine patches altogether.

Just to let you know that I do sometimes do things other than use the embellisher!

Hearts and Flowers

This was particularly easy to work on. The background and square are woollen blanket, the flowers, pre-felted wool, and the hearts wool/viscose felt. The needles loved the fabric and worked very quickly and easily. Well worth a try. I used the Pfaff again for this challenge.

Enter before it's too late

There are only a couple of days to go before this prize draw will close. It is open to everyone, so have a go if you haven't already done so.

A new bag

I had such an exciting delivery today. I was browsing Etsy last week when I came across this bag. There was something about it that said 'buy me', and so I did. I have to say that it is even more vibrant than in the photograph, and I love it. It's even got a little heart bead over the 'popper fastening.

The best part is that I had already had contact with the maker, so it is from someone I know! I couldn't see any more bags on there today but here is the link to her Etsy store. I'm sure the situation will soon be remedied and there will be more there.

Another stitched sample

The fabric shown in the previous post was such a joy to handle

that I have used small pieces to stitch two more samples. Just tiny

ones, and aimed at My Efforts blog!

Just for good measure!

Well, just to show that I mean business here is a scan of a quick sample of fly stitch. This is also stitched onto an embellished background. French Knots have been added too. The background is scrim with wool and viscose fibres added. I made this sample using the Pfaff 350P.

Take a Stitch Challenge

How silly of me, I have deleted the scan of my stitches from the above before loading it here. However here is the link to find a few stitches on some embellished felt.

Patches

Published now as a sample of 'Patches', some of you will have seen it before, it is one I use in workshops. I produced it to prove a point.

This has been through the washing machine and the patches still stay fairly secure. There is no stitching anywhere.



Don't forget the offer in the last post, there is only a week to go!














This is the back. It's difficult to see the texture in this photograph, but this too would make a good background for further stitching.

An offer you can't refuse?

Here is an offer on one of my other blogs.

Trapped

It has been some time since I posted

due to pressure of work!

However, this is my effort for 'trapped'.

Paper flowers are sandwiched between chiffon and sizoflor.

Purple Challenge

Well, maybe this is a slight cheat! However, red and blue do make purple, and I have always said that all interpretations count!

This is the front of a book cover and the sample for the 2 hour workshops at Cottenham. It isn't the best of pictures, but at least gives an idea of what we did. The blue shapes are felt made (on the day) using roving and the red/blue are a combination of fibres and fabric.

Cottenham was an excellent event. If you didn't make it this year make sure you do next.

Textiles in Focus

We are off to the above event for a few days. It is always worth a visit, so if you are in the Cambridge UK area this weekend I can recommend it. If you would like more details there are links here.

Have a look for us at the Winifred Cottage stand. I will be teaching a couple of sessions, but the rest of the time I hope to be demonstrating and signing the book. I look forward to seeing any of you there.

Different Backing

Tearaway backing made from cotton fibres produced and interesting background to try.

In fact I have meshed same to same by tearing pieces from another sheet. The background is coloured with a dilute solution of walnut ink mixed with a few drops of red food colouring. The applied shapes came from a sheet coloured with procion dyes















This is the back of the finished sample. You can see the areas where most meshing has taken place. Too much work will produce holes, but that can be an interesting feature too.

The Spice Challenge

This is not the easiest way to work on scrim. Scrim is a very flimsy material with an open background that easily works into holes. Triangles are easy to distort and a firmer backing would have helped. The points push through the scrim, and it would also have been easier with a different type of felt. I chose hand-dyed wool/viscose felt and this breaks up if worked too hard.

What I am trying to say is that this really was a challenge. I'm glad I did it as I learnt a lot, even though the result looks really simple.

I am teaching a dyeing course at Missenden Abbey at the end of the month. We will also be covering materials that are suitable for use with the 'embellisher' machines. If you would like more details send me an email

nuvofelt@gmail.com

Spice

I have just run out of time. I am away teaching this weekend, so I won't be able to post this picture until I return. The new challenge will be posted shortly, though.

Emerald

Take bright emerald fibres, place them on a black background and this is the result.



The base colour is all important when working with a specific colour as it will influence the final result. The flowers were pre-felted on the embelliser, trimmed and refelted as they progressed. I then well embedded them into the piece. It was worked from the side that you see and then a little from the reverse.



This is the reverse and the result for which I was aiming. Much more sublte. I have machine stitched the outline, but more stitching will be added later today as it is a class sample needed for tomorrow! I will post a picture of the finished item after the weekend.

Blue

When I set the challenge I was actually being selfish and thinking of myself! I find it very difficult to work in blue, and try as I might nothing seemed right as I worked. You will see that in the end colour won over! You see, BLUE was only the inspiration that got me started!

Layers

I call this effort 'Altered Ego'. It isn't really a self portrait, but it looks more like one than the original artwork! Originally designed with torn paper shapes this was put together with layers of hand-dyed felt, partly felted, then cut back and finally meshed together.

Looking forward to seeing what the rest of you have done.

Take a stitch Challenge 2

Another effort for Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge. I can't put a link in directly to the challenge at the moment because Blogger won't let me, however I will try again later and you can get to it circuitously by clicking on 'Another effort' above.

Watch this space for 'layers', that too will come later

Worth a look

It is always a pleasure to come across something by accident. I don't often browse through sites, so it was kind of Kjersti to point me to this work by Karin. Lovely colours and thoughtfully produced. I'm sure you will agree.

Take a Stitch Tuesday

As a textile artist there is nothing better than stitching. However family commitments and other obstacles have been in my way for too long. It was for this reason that I decided to join Sharon Boggon's Take a Stitch Tuesday challenge. Of course, because I WANT to stitch doesn't mean that there will be lots of time to do so! Consequently my effort so far is minimal. I have used a perle thread from the Sassa Lynne Serendipity range, (not yet on the website but worth enquiring about) and 14 ct canvas painted with copper fabric paint.



I could have uploaded stitching from a while ago, but this wouldn't have solved my current craving for stitch. I intend to do more, and you can follow my efforts here.


More on the Embellisher later this week. I'm looking forward to that too.

The new challenge

The challenge for this week has just been posted at
http://needlefeltchallenge.blogspot.com

How about making a New Year's resolution to take part? Layers is fairly easy, let's face it, a piece of felt with something on top constitutes a couple of layers - so how can we make the most of them? If you are stuck, try this and then work from both the back and the front to see what happens. I look forward to seeing some stunning work.

Rainbow

This small sample is just to show you how effective fabric can look when manipulated under a needle-felting machine. Cheap polyester organza was 'embellished' prior to being applied to felt. The surface is much more interesting than before.

Workshops for the New Year

There are a couple of new workshops to tell you all about.

Firstly, two more for Grayshott in Hampshire

1 Taster Day

Wednesday 31st January 2007
Another chance to try the different machines. There are currently 3 machines to try, decide which one you want to buy or just play and have fun. This is a good opportunity to compare machines, and you may be surprised.

2 Felted Bag

Wednesday 7th February
Make a bag in one day. Made from wool and an unusual technique. This will be fun, but you may need a couple of spare needles!


Friday - Sunday 16th -18th February 2007
TEXTILES IN FOCUS

This is advance notice of 2 x 2 hour workshops at Textiles in Focus at Cottenham near Cambridge. If you would like more information, send a large stamped addressed envelope to the following address. I suggest you do it quickly as the event is ALWAYS well attended and tickets for workshops are sold very quickly. There is plenty of accommodation in the area, so if you are thinking of travelling a distance and staying for more than one day it is worthwhile.

"Textiles in Focus"
COTTENHAM VILLAGE COLLEGE,
COTTENHAM,
CAMBRIDGE CB4 8UA


There is also a competition, not aimed at 'embellishers', but....

C O M P E T I T I O N

Make a piece of Jewellery that will fit into an A4 padded envelope.

All techniques are valid, but there will be a prize of Sassa Lynne threads for 'Innovative Use of Hand-stitching'. For further information, and an entry form, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to the following address

"Textiles in Focus"
COTTENHAM VILLAGE COLLEGE,
COTTENHAM,
CAMBRIDGE CB4 8UA

IMPORTANT If you are sending from abroad, enclose reply coupons from your post office to cover postage of the information, regretably you won't have a reply without these

Holiday

Not a very exciting rendition, but I am working under unusual conditions at the moment.

Glitzy yarns were meshed onto green hand-painted felt. A few stitches have been added by machine using metallic thread, a triangle cut and the shape glued onto a card.

Have a happy Christmas everyone.

Rectangles

Well, not very precise ones, but a sample for the current challenge. Yarns meshed onto white felt, cut into shape and remeshed onto black felt - alternating the top surface.

Do Something

A little late, but here is a response to the 'Do Something' challenge.

Carrier rods have been meshed onto yellow felt. Originally quite hard, the carrier rod has been transformed into something quite soft.

Life and things

I haven't been able to post much over the last short while as real life has been 'in the way'. However I have been busy and promise to put some pictures up shortly. I am not connected to the scanner or camera while I am away from home.

Next week is the Play Day for the Embellisher. I am really looking forward to it, I'm sure we'll have a good time.

Embellisher Taster Day

Well, the first of these was yesterday, and we really had fun.

We had 3 machines. The BabyLock, a Janome and a Bernina with an attachment. Everyone was able to try them for a decent amount of time, and make up their minds as to which one suited their needs.

We used a variety of materials, but mostly yarns and fibres.

I'm looking forward to the next time.

Pictures later

A handy hint!

Sometimes working on the Embellisher with flyaway fibres is a real nuisance. They can move around and sometimes bounce right off the background. I thought I would tell you about 2 methods of dealing with this.

In both instances you need to lay the fibres where you want them to be.

1 Cover them with a piece of dress net and get meshing through the net. When you have finished you will be able to pull the net away, leaving just the fibres.

2 Work in the same way but substitute a piece of Saran Wrap (Cling Film) and you will find it just as easy.

I have used both these techniques in workshops and students have been amazed at how firmly fibres are held in place. I hope it helps you too.

Janome Xpression

Well I have finally had time to try the Janome. All in all I like it. It was only a quick tryout, another one later perhaps, but it handled felt and fibres famously!

Nothing too strenuous for me at the moment, my emotions are elswhere (http://ssshhhitsasecret.blogspot.com)

Good to hear that some of you are accepting the challenge. Keep me posted with how you are getting on http://needlefeltchallenge.blogspot.com. Don't forget, it's open to owners of Babylock, Janome, Bernina - and any other machine etc

If you want a cautionary tale, have a look here. I can relate exactly to this story!
http://www.tonicarroll.com/Sewing%20in%20Micro/Sewing%20in%20a%20microwave.htm

A challenge

I have to be honest, I have no idea how many people read this blog. However, I know that I get emails from all over the world, so they must generate from somewhere. Many of them confess to the fact that they have an Embellisher machine, but that they have never used it. Some of these machines have stayed in their boxes, still there after 2 years or so.

Today I decided that something must be done. The following link will send you to a new blog with a challenge

http://needlefeltchallenge.blogspot.com/

Anyone can take part, but I do hope that some of you will be the ones who have yet to discover the joy of taking the machine out of the box ;-)

An Embellisher - now, what else?

Well, anyone following my other blog will probably realise why I have been quiet, however, work must go on, so I thought I would offer these thoughts for you today.

I have an Embellisher, do I need anything else? I'm not suggesting that you go out and buy a new machine to play with, no, rather asking if there are any other pieces of 'kit' that would be of use. I thought I would tell you about 2 items that I find invaluable.

The first is a mini vacuum cleaner. I find this invaluable. It removes the last bit of dust from the machine, and is especially useful around the needle area. Sometimes it is difficult to remove all the fluff from inside the needles. I have a small battery operated machine, and this just does the job beautifully. The best part is that they are available all over and are very inexpensive.

The second piece of equipment I have is slightly more unusual. It is called a 'Hackle'. Here is a picture with some fibres that need conditioning, and with a sample just started

A hackle is an ancient tool for mixing and conditioning fibres prior to spinning. Of course there are other methods of doing this these days, but I find that for The Embellisher it is ideal to have one sitting on the table next to me. It looks a little like a block of wood with a number of nails sticking out! The fibres are gently stroked over the sharp points, and gradually smooth fibres are mixed. I use it a lot, especially when making Nuvo Felt. I don't sell them, but if you need one I suggest you contact Francesa Lawrence at Cae Gwydd, Moelfre, Conwy, LL22 9RL, Wales, UK.

While we are on the subject of Francesca, do try this recipehttp://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=11&storycode=5298 which I found quite by accident! It's delicious.

My postcard fabric

Well, the postcards for the swaphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Embellisher_Art_Postcards/ are on their way and possibly already arrived. I thought you would like to see the fabric before the stitching.

Too much excitement?

I am awaiting delivery of the new Janome embellishing machine. I am really looking forward to trying it and comparing it with the BabyLock. I have a feeling that there will be things that can be done with one machine that are difficult on the other. I have been trying the felting attachment with the Bernina. It certainly is different from the BabyLock.

All I need is time. I've started the 2nd book, and am working on projects for it. Practice the techniques in the first book - you will need the skills for the second!

Ooh, yes! They've promised me an 11000 too. Just want to get going, so maybe tomorrow.......

Embellishers at Missenden

It's a week ago now, but this is a quick shot of some of the students working on their machines during the last weekend course at Missenden Abbey. It was a good weekend and a lot was achieved.

More weekends to follow, and a summer school next August.

Postcard Swap

It was so exciting to arrive home from holiday and find the above postcard in the post. It was sent to me by Jenny, and is the first in our Embellisher Postcard Swap.

If you are interested in joining in for other swaps visit us at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Embellisher_Art_Postcards/

We intend to have some fun.

A handy bag

This is a simple bag that I have made on the Embellisher. I just love the texture.

Workshops

Wednesday November 15th 2006

Embellisher 'Taster' Day

If you or someone you know is wondering about buying an Embellisher machine this is an ideal opportunity to try. The session will include hand needle felting, and each person will also get a good length of time using a machine.

Workshop to be held in Grayshott, Hampshire, UK, from 10am to 4pm.

Enquiries and information: nuvofelt@gmail.com



Wednesday December 6th

A chance to get started with your machine. We will look at some of the techniques from the book, but also introduce something new too. If there is room we can also accommodate a couple of 'Taster' students too.

Workshop to be held in Grayshott, Hampshire, UK, from 10am to 4pm.

Enquiries and information : nuvofelt@gmail.com

How small is my book?

Over recent months the book has been a fairly large part of our lives. Today we are sending a copy to the British Library http://blpc.bl.uk/about/didyou.html. This is a legal requirement for every published work in the UK, but follow the link to see just how insignificant my effort is going to be!

As promised, here are scans of the cover of the book.

Here is the front






The image is a piece of Nuvo Felt












And here is the back. This shows lovely scrummy fibres just waiting to be used.....!










Let me know if you have a go at making Nuvo Felt. I'm just about to embark upon a piece large enough to make a waistcoat, but probably won't finish it until we are back from France next month.

Embellisher Course

The course at Missenden Abbey is now full to overflowing. However, due to the waiting list another will probably be organised shortly, although not advertised in the brochure. If you would like to receive information or details send me an email
nuvofelt@gmail.com

Knit one .....

Now that the book is out of my hands and well on its way (due at the end of this week) I can finally get on with some new work. I am about to start making some small bags, and this picture shows the basic fabric.

I have knitted the basic shape to my own pattern. That took about an hour, to get it to this stage on the Embellisher took about 45 mins. It just need stitching together now, but that will take a day or two as I want to mesh some more bag fabrics first. If anyone is coming to the Knitting and Stitching Show at the NEC Birmingham UK next month I will have patterns and the yarn for sale. Look for us on stand H39, Winifred Cottage. (We will have the book there too.)

The Embellisher! Let's Get Started!

Title The Embellisher! Let’s Get Started!

Techniques for needle felting using
The Embellisher machine, suitable
sewing machine attachments,
hand-felting equipment, and introducing
Nuvo Felt

Author Myfanwy Hart

ISBN 0-9553932-0-5

Published by M & J Enterprises

Price £10.95

UK Postage £2.00
Please enquire about overseas postage

Publication date 1st September 2006

Advance orders now being taken. Please email for information

nuvofelt@gmail.com

Nuvo Felt

I have had a request to explain about Nuvo Felt.

Nuvo felt is a fabric which is made from scratch on the Embellisher. It is a technique that I developed while trying to create a specific effect.

Instructions for making it will be in my book called 'The Embellisher: Let's Get Started!' which is due to be published at the end of August. Details, including cost and ISBN number will be posted here as soon as I have them.

If you have any further queries, send me an email to
nuvofelt@gmail.com

Postcard Swap

If anyone is interested in swapping postcards made using the Embellisher this new group may be of interest.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Embellisher_Art_Postcards/

The image above is that of a postcard due to be sent in the post today.