I'm Back! News and Updates.

After so long away from Blogging, I thought I would update you all on what I have been doing since my last post.  I still can't believe that it was in May I last wrote!!

I've finally done some cross stitching.  I was in Hobbycraft last week, when I spotted a little chart I have always wanted to do.  And here it is, a little "Baby Owl" by Mouseloft.

Baby Owl by Mouseloft.

In May, we went away on holiday to Norfolk for a week.  It was very cold and I packed my winter clothes.  This was quite a contrast to our holiday in June, when we visited the Lake District.  We were expecting wet and cold weather, but instead we had glorious sunny weather and we walked around in our t-shirts.  We saw red squirrels and got some lovely pictures of them.  We went on a steam train, followed by a cruise on Lake Windermere.  Always wanted to have a look around the Cumbrian Lakes and we saw it at it's best.

Red Squirrel

Another Red Squirrel

I can't believe that it's July, and Horizonfest has started.  Today, I had my own workshop on Hardanger for Beginners.  I had 5 lovely ladies having ago at there first piece of Hardanger. Here is what we achieved in just over 2 hours.

Hardanger Heart.

I designed and stitched it myself to see how long it would take to do.  It took me one hour to stitch, but I knew it would take longer when you are teaching others.  Below is a copy of the chart, the little dashes show the cutting lines.

Small Hardanger Heart.

Square Filet filling stitch.

Top - Finished Heart.  Below - Kloster Blocks before cutting.

For those of you who are in Sheffield, please go along to see the stunning 42 display panels of "Creation: A Celebration".  Produced by artist Sue Symons and depicting the creation story from the book of Genesis.  It is a combination of needlework and painting.  The centre of the panels are painted with borders by hand and machine stitched needlework.  The detail is amazing and well worth going to see.  Following on from Sheffield it will transfer to Westminster Central Hall in London.

Until Next time, Happy Stitching Everyone.

I'm Still Stitching!!

Hi Everyone

I can't believe how time has flown and it's May already.  But I have been stitching, or though I'm a bit slow at the moment.  I thought you would like to see a progress report on the Hardanger cushion I'm stitching.  There is still lots to do, but here's a picture of what it looks like so far.

Wedding Cushion

I've only just done the butterflies and pulled out the threads.  So it's lots of woven bars and filling stitching to do.  Then I shall use some pearl beads to add a bit of sparkle.  It's taken me longer than I thought.

-ooOoo-

Knitting, nattering & crafting

Back in February, my friend Sue phoned me, to let me know of a new group just started at the Horizon Methodist Church.  It's every Monday morning from 10 am to 12 noon.  The publicity material says "Accomplished crafters and complete beginners are welcome!  Bring along a project or try something new.  Needles, wool & cross-stitch kits are available to get you started.  Come along and learn, develop or share your skills in a fun and friendly setting". As soon as she told me about the group we decided to go every week.  It's something I've always wanted to join and at long last there is one in my area and very easy to get too.  We have met some lovely ladies and some men also, who love to knit and do other crafts like cross stitch, tapestry, crochet etc.  I brought along my Hardanger and the ladies were fascinated with it.  I soon had people asking me to teach them.  

Horizonfest is starting on 1-21 July 2013 at Horizon Methodist Church, Sheffield.  The main exhibition is called  "Creation: A Celebration" by Sue Symons who has turned to the text of the Genesis account of creation for inspiration. The 42 breathtaking panels of embroidery, painting and mixed-media are a luminescent piece of storytelling which took two years to complete.  I can't wait to see it.

Creation: A Celebration by Sue Symons

There will be a chance to take your pick from a full programme of activities to suit all ages and tastes.  Meet local artists and craftspeople at work on site each day.  There will also be a chance to sign up for a workshop and watch demonstrations.  I have also been asked to give a workshop on Hardanger embroidery.  I've now got to get organised and get supplies together, as well as find a suitable chart design or design it myself.  I will let you know how things progress.    

Until Next time, Happy Stitching Everyone.