10-05-2008 - Exciting things to come!
This last week has been a really busy one!
First I was making up stock for a lace and needlework fair I am attending tomorrow (Sunday 11th May) in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. If you are in the Thorpe wood area tomorrow why not pop in and say hello? It starts at 10.00am and finishes at 3.30pm.
I was also keen to get my crazy quilt block ready for a new Round Robin I am taking part in. This will be a sampler RR with each person in the rotation stitching a seam using a particular hand embroidery stitch. By the end of it we should all have learned something new. I chose to go with creams and neutrals for my colour scheme for this one, which you can see on the left.
This block is not the only "white" thing I have been working on. Readers of my newsletter Stitchin Time will remember that I promised a whitework band sampler in the step by step format that we worked the blackwork sampler last year. Well it is now designed and stitched and I am working on the instructions and drawing the diagrams.
Once all the hard work is finished (on my part) you will be able to sign up and participate in this exciting venture. The last one went down really well and was great fun for us all. You will have access to password protected pages on the site, explaining all the stitches, in full detail, along with clear computer drawn diagrams that are so easy to follow that a total beginner can work from them.
Most of the bands use pulled work stitches, with one simple hemstitched band to help you see the difference between pulled fabric and drawn fabric work.
If you think you would be interested in joining in and having a go, why not drop me a line from my contact page to let me know. The more interest I get in this the more incentive I will have to get it done quicker and the cheaper it will be for all! Don't leave me guessing, if you want it, let me know.
Oh I expect you would like a quick peek to see what you will be making? Here you go.
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30-04-2008 - We have a winner!
Congratulations to Carole Sullivan from the USA who was the lucky 1000th subscriber to the Stitchin Time newsletter! Carole chose the blackwork e-book for her prize.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your lovely comments that I have received when you sign up. I like to think that I am chatting to friends about our mutual hobbies when I write the newsletters and it seems that message comes across. Its so much fun sharing my knowledge and experiences of all types of needlework with you all.
Don't forget that if there is something I haven't covered and you would like me to, just let me know and I'll try to include it.
Regards,
Carol
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27-04-2008 - Under the sea crazy quilt block
I need your help! I have made a needlelace mermaid to inhabit my under the sea world on a crazy quilt block, but cannot decide where she looks best.
Should she sit on the ocean floor surrounded by shells and seaweed, or on the rock to the left hand side of the block? Or perhaps you think she would be better somewhere else entirely?
Traditional needlelace was worked in white or ecru threads but nowadays all colours can be used. For this young lady I used machine sewing thread in flesh for her skin, a hand dyed cotton for her body and silk for the end of her tail. I'm not totally happy with her hair as the thread I picked, DMC flower thread, was too thick, but as this is going on a crazy quilt block I can work over the top of her hair to make it more realistic.
The stitches used included corded brussels (for her skin), pea stitch (one of my favourites - used for her bottom half) and single brussels for her tail fins. Her hair was sort of made up as I went along, another reason why I am not really happy with it.
You can read more about the history of needlelace by following the link. Or have a go yourself by creating a beautiful spring daffodil.
I will leave you with a closer look at the mermaid below.
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21-04-2008 - Prize for number 1000
Stitchin'Time, my (almost) monthly ezine now goes out to 984 subscribers. I am offering a prize for the 1000th person to sign up. Yes the lucky person will get their choice of free pattern from all my designs! I will keep my eye on the numbers in the next couple of days and that person will receive an email telling them they are the winner. Will it be you?
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Step into my world, that of a needlework designer living in the lovely English countryside and share with me your love of all types of stitching.
Together we will explore everything and anything connected with needlework. Whether you want to learn a new technique or more about the one you already love. We will cover blackwork, cross stitch, hardanger, needlepoint and other types of whitework.
