Pins and Needles 2011

For the first time I have a stand at a needlecraft show!  It has been very hectic getting it all organised but Pins and  Needles yesterday was great fun.  I really enjoyed meeting so many interesting stitchers and chatting to old and new friends -  and there are still two more days to go!  If you are at the show do pop by and say hello.

Just spent the last couple of hours lacing my most recent pieces.  Well, actually lacing two - I got so fed up that I used double sided tape for the last one which is an example for a workshop rather than a 'proper' piece.  It is such a boring job but they always look better for stretching properly.  Here is a photo of the latest offering.  I have used ribbonwork to embellish a photograph that I have transfered to fabric.  For this one, I scanned an old copyright free postcard and enlarged it before printing it onto photo transfer paper.  It was then ironed to transfer the image to calico.  It did stiffen the fabric and transfered a bit patchily but I quite like the aged effect for this piece.  Generally though I prefer to treat my own fabrics with Bubble Jet Set which I find does not alter the handle of the fabric.  This was an experiment but I think I might now dig out some old family photos for this treatment.  Can't think of a title though - any ideas anyone?

Chinese Embroidery

I've spent today at the Oriental Museum here in Durham amongst some wonderful stitching.  A small group of us from the Durham Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild volunteer at the museum each month and are privilged to see and help to conserve some amazing needlework. This butterfly is from a silk jacket and you can see more pics like this in my picassa album here http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/patashtonsmith/ChineseEmbroidery#

The jacket is currently on display at the museum along with many other treasures.  http://www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum/  The museum celebrates its jubilee on May 28th with a special exhibition which will include a fabulous Dragon Robe (right) there are some more photos of this at the link above but it needs to be seen up close to really appreciate the incredible stitching.  Some of the Pekin Knot work is so fine you need a magnifying glass to see the individual knots!  If you are in this part of the world do pay the exhibition a visit just to see this.

Challenge up-date and new work

I hope you are all doing better than I am with the HEN stitches. I'm ashamed to admit that I am falling behind with them but I have completed two pieces of work this past month which is quite good for me. The first is 'The Little Mermaid' a piece of raised embroidery which continues the fairy tale theme I have been exploring and the second is the result of a weekend course with Angela Madden, a machine quilted celtic design. Pics above. I have also been writing an on-line course for a small ribbon embroidery, Fuchsia Pot, which will be available on HEN shortly, have created a new Montmellick design for a workshop and kit (just need to stitch it) and made some progress with a doll challenge. I didn't realise how much I had done until I started writing this. Perhaps I should stop feeling guilty but I still need to finish Fiona's quilt - maybe this week. I'm beginning to regret deciding to make it two sided. Just need a few more hours in the day or a friendly elf to do the housework, cooking etc........

Funghi

Hi Everyone, this is my first attempt at 'blogging' so I may well just be talking to myself but if there is anyone out there I hope you will find something interesting/useful/amusing/informative here from time to time and that you will leave your comments and let me know what you think.

I took this photo of funghi growing on an old log a week or two ago and played around with it in Paint Shop Pro, thinking it might provide inspiration for a new embroidery. I haven't started anything yet but I like the images. Somehow ended up with this kalidescope - its amazing what a few clicks in the 'transform' menu can produce!