WIPW

The knitting continues, after many trials.

The tapestry sampler is still here.

And I have some old printed doilies that I want to make into needle books, and

I have 9 little designs drawn to make necklaces for children

Nothing very interesting. But when I think about it the tapestry sampler has exercised my wrist and hand to the extent that I have regained a lot of my former skills, even if I stitch more slowly because of the pain but I can stitch through that pain.  I can stitch evenly now with the wool thread, and my stem stitch, in embroidery cotton, is passable. 

It just shows it is worthwhile keeping at it.

Still finding inspiration

I just keep finding inspiration on the Fabled Thread site.

The article "Finding inspiration in flowers", had me looking with more attention at the still life painting of artists and thinking how I might be able to use elements of their work.  I have never looked in detail at a lot of this kind of work and the painting by Paule Marrot has got me thinking.

His use of paper cut outs for the birds and some of the flowers would all translate into embroidery designs.

I am drawn to the graphic images of Sarah Birtles.   

And there are elements of glass artist Tom Moore's work that could translate into embroidery.

I have long been a fan of Margaret Preston and the more I look at her work the more I see.

So I am finding this web page a wonderful starter and of course it is so easy to just look things up on the net.

Winter

The weather here has finally turned cold and the wind is talking to us in a loud voice as it rushes through the trees.  It feels good to be inside in the warm with my sewing and not outside where it is only 5 degrees C, which isn't cold for some people but is for me.  I have given my embroidered wool blanket to my daughter as she is moving into her new home in just over a weeks time.  Up on the downs the temperature has dropped below zero and I know they are starting again with no furniture and little in the way of bedding etc.   (If I go to visit I will have to take my fold up bed and bedding. I might put that visit off for a while.)

I am thinking about what I might stitch next.  I am still to finish my tent stitch book cover, and I have another piece ready to stitch  but I have been looking around for inspiration.  I thought I might stitch some cushions for my daughter's new home and there are some really striking simple designs on The Fabled Thread.

These Florentine examples  are interesting.

I have to say I find this website a great source of inspiration.

They have a great range of kits, if kits are your thing and I think I might get one for one of my grand daughters, Jasmine.

(Jasmine is 13 y.o. and a super crocheter.  I gave her one lesson and all the links on You Tube, then she taught herself. She is working towards her own stall at the local markets with her jewellery and is also crocheting Poppies for her whole school for Anzac Day next year. )

The fact that this company has supporting videos for most of their kits is just the thing for this generation of sewers.   The Year of Stitches is a great resource.

 

As older embroiderers we sometimes overlook that although this is not the way we learnt it is the way my grand daughters generation learns and if she needs help I am always on hand, which happens quite often.

This little video is also a good one and I love her stock of needles.

 

 

Tidying up

That Email fairy has been at it again!!

I just received a bundle of comments from back in MARCH!!

That was at the time of the cyclone.  They must have been put away 'safely' by the good Email fairy

Source: bluebird fairies

Or Maybe it was those bad fairies?

(source: Amazon.com)

Whatever the hold up I did get them and have read every one. Thank you.

 

 

New Book

I am just loving this little book.

It was the cross stitched cover that caught my eye and the needle through the eye just topped it off.  It is translated from the Swedish language and is a delight.  It is only about half the size of a normal book, 11X16cm,  easy to read and very amusing.  (The main character is really not normal.)

I think I will have to stitch that skull!!