Talking & listening to threads

Welcome to my blog.  I will be posting about the progress of new works and generally letting you know what I'm up to.

Pictures of completed pieces and extra photos of new work can be found in the Image Gallery.

I am posting less on here these days but on-going progress is being shared via Instagram, use the QR code below for my page.

 

Novel Inspiration

Novel Inspiration

One of my Japanese embroidery friends often returns from visits home to Japan with 'treasures' to share with us. Two of these have been sample books of stitches for Japanese embroidery. Included are standard stitches that we use all the time, others are variations on those or on novel effects. I thought I would share some of these with you, I hope they inspire you to try something a bit different with your stitching.

Written on 19th April 2016

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Boxes within boxs

Boxes within boxs

I love parcels. I collected this one from the depot tonight on the way home from work. You know how you are looking forward to a parcel arriving and when it does it isn't as nice as you expected? Well this isn't like that!

Written on 4th April 2016

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The Beauty of Kimono, part 3

The Beauty of Kimono, part 3

New blog post - I have been working on two long standing projects since my last post, they are both quite slow to grow so there isn't much progress to show. A good excuse for another Beauty of Kimono post. As usual all these pieces come from Ichiroya and are linked back to their site.

Written on 17th March 2016

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Shadow Chrysanthemum

Shadow Chrysanthemum

There has been a bit of a chrysanthemum fest here over the last few weeks. This all follows on from Black Heart which I embroidered in 2011. I had always planned to do more chrysanthemums using just two colours or two tone. Events and ideas overtook me and I never started another one despite having a number on my 'to do' list.

Written on 13th February 2016

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Merry Chrysanthemum

Merry Chrysanthemum

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. I've been off work for a few weeks while I wait to start my new job on 5th January so I've been able to get in some serious stitching time. As well as completing my Moon Cherries design I've completed another design which I embroidered as a Christmas gift for my sister. Now it has been delivered I can share it with you.

Written on 27th December 2015

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Moon Cherries - complete

Moon Cherries - complete

I've had some spare time over the last few days so have done a lot of work on Moon Cherries which is now complete. It's taken approximately 35 hours of stitching time.

Written on 27th November 2015

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Slow progress and new design - Moon Cherries

Slow progress and new design - Moon Cherries

Things have been quiet on the stitching front since I last posted. I have made quite a lot of progress on the module 8 maple leaves, but it doesn't look much different so no pictures. I completed the design of a new piece for the Japanese Embroidery Academy last year. It was inspired by hanging ikebana designs, an antique obi design sheet, and some lovely kimono silk. I've been itching to get the embroidery started for the last couple of months so I gave myself a break from the autumn leaves and made a start.

Written on 23rd November 2015

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More Than One Maple

More Than One Maple

Be careful what you wish for they said! Well I have commented in the past that I wanted to be learn more about weft valley layer (fuzzy effect). Whether it was luck or the fates taking a hand but I was asked to come up with designs using this technique for Japanese Embroidery Academy, so I got my wish.

Written on 31st August 2015

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Japanese Embroidery Academy - Shell Box update

Japanese Embroidery Academy - Shell Box update

I am pleased to report that Japanese Embroidery UK is moving forward. It's been had work getting the structure and designs in place but we're getting there. Students have started to stitch the modules and our plans to encourage them to make design decisions about their pieces is producing great results.

Written on 17th August 2015

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The Beauty of Kimono - part 2

The Beauty of Kimono - part 2

It has been quiet on the embroidery front since I last posted, it's been too hot to stitch and I've been to both the York and Selby branches of the Embroidery Guild to give talks. So with little or no progress being on my current work I decided it was time for another selection of kimono from Ichiroya.

Written on 10th July 2015

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The Beauty of Kimono - furisode

The Beauty of Kimono - furisode

I was awake bright and early this morning so went on-line to have a look at what beautiful things might have appeared on Ichiroya since I last visited. I often look at their site as a feast for the eyes/inspiration/colour ideas or just because. There are often examples of Japanese embroidery techniques which can be very useful. Of course I never ever buy anything, ever ... well maybe ... occasionally ... possibly ... but only as a treat ... well ok, busted

Written on 6th June 2015

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Experiments in flat silver

Experiments in flat silver

On my last post for the Five Fans design I mentioned I'd been trying flat silver with varying degrees of success. We don't often use this type of thread in traditional Japanese embroidery and when we do it's generally in a small area or as an accent. Of course I decided to be different and wanted a foundation of flat silver.

Written on 4th June 2015

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