One of Twelve!!

I've been slowly working on Mary Corbet's Twelve Trees for Christmas, a collection of twelve 3" Christmas tree designs for hand embroidery. Seven of the twelve are done. This is the latest one.

Five more to go!!

The weather here in Pine Grove has been varied which has been great for landscaping. We have lots of deer resistant bushes and ground cover planted out front. At least, the deer have stayed away so far. Time will tell if they fill up on them or not! Mulch has been put around all the new plants and yesterday, lawn seed was sprinkled in place. It's slowly getting in shape.

• Embroidered Felt Star Ornament
• Twelve Trees for Christmas
• Christmas Tree Embroidery Pattern
  
• Owl Felt Ornament  
• Embroidery Trees on Pinterest  

Enjoy!

Stay safe and get vaccinated

 

 

Spring!

Well, it finally moved from early spring to mid spring - I think! The spring weather here in Nova Scotia hasn't been as warm as last year and there have been lots of gray days. However, when the sun did shine, it was warm. On one of those sunny days, we made a trip to a couple of plant nurserys. 

Last fall, all the grass was stripped off the lawn between our two driveways  -  75' by 40' (and that doesn't include about another 40 feet on the other side of the driveways)! All the sod and a foot of clay was taken out and replaced with new topsoil and compost. There was also a layer of rocks put in front of the 'lawn' to keep the soil from running down the slope.

This year, the soil and compost were rotor-tilled together. We now have a two foot wide strip filled with ground cover plants across the front. I'm hoping these plants will spread down over the rocks. Of course, we get visits from deer and bunnies, so that determined the types of plants we used!

The next warm day, black ground cloth covered with mulch, will be installed around these plants. At the moment, we have no plans to replace any of the grass. I believe this endeavour will be a work in progress for the next couple of years. 

Four Gold Star Juniper - 3' x 6'

Five Blue Rug Juniper - Genevrier Wiltonii - 8" x 6'

Four 'Wiltonii' Juniper - 10 cm x 2.5 m

Twelve Periwinkle

Embroider a Garden:

• Kathy Thomas has lots of ideas on her Pinterest page 
• Stitch your own garden  Mary Corbet 
• More Pinterest ideas HERE,  HERE, 
  
• DMC - free embroidery patterns
• How to Hand Embroider Flowers    
• YouTube: 10 Gorgeous Flower Ideas  
• How to Embroider Flowers

Enjoy!!

Stay Safe 

 

Don't forget to check out my new website https://judycooper.ca  I've been adding photos, blog posts, etc. Take a look around!

 

Happy Valentine's Day

 A day late as I forgot to publish it! Darn!!!!

My granddaughter loves 'stuffies' as she calls all stuffed animals. She's never been one for dolls but has lots of stuffed creatures. Here's her Valentine stuffie bear. (we had a sleepover so she got this when she woke up)!

Tonight I also uploaded Lesson Two of Four, Garden Sewing Box, to the Virtual Threads group (Embroiderers' Association of Canada). They will have a busy two weeks.

 

• Valentine Gnome from Quilt Doodle (idea for next year) Lots of interesting projects on this site
  
• Mary Corbet's review on Making (Embroidered) Boxes - Books & Resources
• Embroidered Boxes on Pinterest   
• How to Make a Fabric Covered Box from Scratch
• Fabric Box and Basket Patterns (free)

Enjoy and stay safe!

Book Review: Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery

I received Sharon Boggon's book, Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery, for Christmas. This book is a visual guide of 120 embroidery stitches. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced embroiderer, this book encourages you to create new patterns by playing with the stitches. For example, to manipulate the height and width of a stitch, to overlap and stack stitches, to combine laced and threaded stitches . . . Page 27 has a list of 21 questions to consider when using a particular stitch, such as

• How does this stitch behave on a curve?
• Can this stitch be laced with another thread?
• What happens if I add beads?

Lots of stitch combinations to consider!

You won't be disappointed with the coloured photos throughout the book.

You are probably familiar with Sharon's website, Pintangle. If not, and you are interested in hand embroidery (beginner or experienced), please check it out. 

Another TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday) challenge started today. So it's time to get your threads and doodle cloth ready for stitching!

More links about hand embroidery:

• Nordic Needle   (free patterns)
• Freebie Gallery  
• Needle 'n Thread Network (Mary Corbet)
• Jo Butcher, artist  
• Emma Mattson, artist  
• Needle Work,  Needle Painting
• DMC free patterns   
• Tanja Berlin, Canadian designer 
• EAC, Embroiderers' Association of Canada   
• 10 Contemporary Embroidery Artists   

Enjoy!

Squash Squad: Sue Spargo's Stitch Along on Instagram

Yesterday was the first day of Squash Squad, another of Sue Spargo's Stitch Alongs on Instagram. This is my progress so far. The metallic braid, by Kreinik, is couched on the squash with Valandi #8 perle cotton, colour 18. The chain stitch on the stem is Valandi O154.

Hopefully, I'll get the vine and leaf stitched tomorrow as well as playing catch-up!

• Free Projects for Fall
• Autumn Stitching     
• Fall Sewing Projects on Pinterest    
• Autumn Embroidery with Mary Corbet    
• Embroidery leaves on Pinterest (lots of inspiration for stitching)

Enjoy!!

 

 

 

First Circle Stitched - Instastitchwithsue

Here's my first circle stitched from Sue Spargo's instastitchwithsue on Instagram. I'm very satisfied with this one. The cream fly stitch, lime pistil stitch and burgundy colonial knots, are embroidered with Valdani threads. The bullion knots, variegated outer edge and center, are from Sue's collection which were purchased at Sew With Vision, Halifax.

I do have number 2 finished but I am thinking of adding another colour to it as I'm not happy with it. I'll post the before and after photos on my next post.

Stay safe, stay home and wash hands! I keep a fragrance free hand lotion on the bathroom sink to help with skin dryness.

A few links to check:

• Stitch Dictionary from Pintangle
• Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread stitch videos
• Tutorials from Shawkl Designs (Stitches for Crazy Quilting)
• Kelly Fletcher Needlework Design 
• Pinterest HERE (stitch tutorial from Kelly Fletcher)  

Enjoy

Snow Happens Update / Mega Storm in Newfoundland

Slow and steady wins the race. Really?? In any case, I have a bit more done to my hand embroidered snowmen. Here's the pieced border that had me say a few choice words over it yesterday.

I have the four sides trimmed and ready to stitch onto the piece.

On another note:

Thinking about my relatives and friends in Newfoundland today with the mega snowstorm playing havoc to the point that the mayor of St. John's declared a state of emergency today. My friend, M, has been keeping me updated on the storm.

To read more about it and to view some video clips, check out CBC HERE .  This weekend is going to be one of digging out for the residents of St. John's and area.

Now for some fun stuff (depending on how you look at it), here's a few links to explore:

• Mary Corbet's Needle n Thread blog has some free hand embroidery patterns for you to use.
• DMC has lots of free patterns for hand embroidery.
• Get a head start on 2020 Christmas by sewing up the Felt Christmas Tree Ornaments at Bugs and Fishes.
• Inspired by the snow, check out the free pieced and quilted Little Landscape wall hanging. 

Enjoy!!

New Book Added to My Library

My new embroidery book arrived today. Stumpwork Flowers by Sachiko Morimoto, is just delightful! According to the write-up, this book 'offers a modern perspective on the traditional floral motifs that have been a stumpwork mainstay for centuries. There are 19 beautiful designs to choose from, and 8 projects showing how to use the motifs to embellish pillows, napkins, pouches, books covers and more.'

The step-by-step instructions and diagrams are easy to follow so is ideal for all levels of embroiderers. I was attracted to the smaller scale designs and this book did not disappoint me. This is a great addition to any library (guild or personal).

If you really want a full review of this book, visit Mary Corbet's Needle n' Thread HERE.  Her review sold me on this book. Thanks, Mary.

Crazy Quilted Post Card

As I posted on November 27, I won a gorgeous crazy quilted postcard from Magpie's Mumblings. It arrived a few days ago and is lovely. The button embellishments are quite tiny and the beaded stocking is very dainty. Thanks again, Mary Anne.

• Crazy Quilted Christmas on Pinterest HERE.   
• Christmas Crazy Quilt  
• Christmas Stocking  
• U Tube how to sew a Crazy Quilted Stocking 
• Crazy Quilt Embroidery Stitches  
• Crazy Quilting at Needle 'N Thread       
• Tutorial from Pin Tangle  

I also added Sharon Boggon's Visual Guild to Crazy Quilting, to my library.  In this book, Learn crazy-quilting techniques with colorful photos that show every detail. Sharon combines fabric, embellishments, and 35 stitches as well as endless variations of these stitches to create stunning crazy quilts. This is a 'must have' if you like making crazy quilted projects.

Enjoy!1

Snowlady With Birds

Here's another hand embroidery finish to add to the collection. It will eventually be a small quilted wall hanging. This time the carrot nose is orange, the holly berries are red and the snowflakes are silver. I'm calling it 'Red Work' with colour. If "Whitework with Colour' is accepted than so can this.

By they way, have you heard about Trish Burr's newest embroidery book, Whitework with Colour?
Mary Corbet has a fantastic review of this book on her blog. See it HERE.   PS: I broke down and pre-ordered it!

Enjoy!!

Stitching!!

In honour of World Embroidery Day, I hope you managed to do some stitching. It was 31C in the shade at my brother-in-laws house here in the valley, NS , so I sat out on the deck and stitched for a short while.

Now for your pleasure, here are a few stitching links:

• Let's make a hussif tutorial (lots of stitching projects)
• Feeling Stitchy
• Stitch School
• Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread
• Sublime Stitching
• Embroidery as Art
• Racaire's Embroidery and Needlework
• DMC Threads
• Polka and Bloom
• French Knots
• Make It Coats
• Stitchin Fingers

My friend, Verna, made this beautiful Temari Ball for my birthday mid July.

Stitch Samplers

A while back, I posted about my stitch sampler and a photo of one I did a number of years ago. Today, I'm showing you what I've done so far. I get at it periodically to practise stitches and to experiment with various types of threads, ribbons and some yarns. I think some of my stitching will be used for some under water themed pieces.

Before showing my sampler, have a look at theses from Mary Corbet:

• Stitches and Samplers
• Jacobean Jumble
• Basic Embroidery Sampler
• Stitch Fun: Lattice Sampler
• Stitch Fun Index
• Embroidered Spot Sampler
• Sampler Archives

I also did a search for Embroidery Samplers showing lots of PHOTOS.
For those of you interested in a bit of history on samplers, check HERE and HERE.

As I posted before, my intention wasn't to embroider a 'pretty' one but try out various stitches and embroidery threads, floss, yarns . . . I am making it colourful and I use a hoop for most of the stitching.

Enjoy!



Note the magnet to the right corner holding needles.

The green ribbon is not silk but it works well.

The two variegated flowers are done in an eyelet stitch.
I used an awl to poke a hole in the center for the yarn.

Practice Makes Perfect?

I've started to do some experiments with different stitches. It's sort of a sampler of stitches using various weights of threads. My intention is not to have a 'pretty' piece when the cloth is all stitched but a practise piece that I can reference when needed. I have a length of fabric that I've hooped. When the hoop is filled, I'll just move it down to the next clear space. It's not pretty but it works for me!  Some stitchers have been recording on fabric sheets that they bind together into a book. Others do line samplers. Mine will just get rolled when this length is filled out!

I'm using the book by Judith Baker Montano, Free-Form Embroidery as a guide. This is Judith's third book in her stitch dictionary series. Sixty traditional stitches are featured along with her watercolour illustrations, which shows the reader how to distort the stitch into organic shapes. The final chapter covers “Thinking Like a Painter” and features some of her land/seascapes and underwater projects. 

Personally, I like this book.

For online reference I usually default to Mary Corbet's Needle'n Thread web site. Have you looked at her Stitch Fun Index. "Stitch Fun is a series of articles featuring step-by-step photo tutorials that explore various hand embroidery stitches and the fun things you can do with them."  However, Tips & Techniques is another section to explore.

This is the 'pretty' stitch sampler that I did for a hand embroidery program a number of years ago. There are over 50 different stitches in this piece. Wool was used on linen. I was a bit of a challenge but I'm pleased with the result!

A Bit of This & That

Today is sunny but brrrrrrr at -10 C! Yesterday it was +10 C. So much for weather in Newfoundland. It can change in the 'wink of an eye' or is it 'blink of an eye"? Whatever! I could write a book on all the changes I make to some of the odd sayings. Changes I don't even realize I've made until someone points it out or it suddenly comes to me that I did it again!

Anyway . . . a good friend was in Scotland this summer and visited The Great Tapestry of Scotland. To quote her "It took my breath away"! The tapestry consists of 160 panels (not connected) and is 143 metres long when put side by side. It's worth a visit to the link above. Be prepared to sit awhile, so get a cup of something to keep you company.

Next, Mary Corbet kindly offered a lovely Christmas Tree pattern to embroider. I did print it out. However, it will be added to my future 'to do list'. Also check out Mary's free embroidery patterns.

The Inspired Wren has a tutorial on making felted Christmas ornaments. It is quite nice and easy to make in felt or paper. Lots of other great tutorials on this site too.

Want to make Christmas Crackers? Go HERE. They can be made in either fabric or paper.

Sew Can She has lots of nice things to make. I like the shark pencil case. Why? My little granddaughter just got a pair of shark slippers from Costco (Chicago) and was delighted to show them to me via Skype!

The Christmas Ornaments from The Red Brolly are just lovely. More 'stuff' to add to my 'to do list'!

I can now close the various links in my browser and search for more ideas to make.

Enjoy!

Hand Embroidery

Today the focus is on hand embroidery web sites and blogs.

• Mary Corbet's Needle 'N Thread is the 'go to' site for almost everything you need to know about hand embroidery. 
• Mary Joan Stitching has lots of sites with free patterns and tutorials
• Sharon B's Pintangle
• I Sew Free   
• About.Com Embroidery
• Needlework Craft Gossip
• Bad Birds 
• Needlework
• Eglantine Stitchery
• Craft Leftovers
• Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials
• Sublime Stitching 
• Hand Embroidery Network
• Stitchin Fingers
• Textile Artist
• My Sweet Prarie

Previous Posts

• Hand Embroidery (May 2012)
• Hand Embroidery (Feb 2010)
• Embroidery (June 2011)
• Happy Stitching (Jan 2012)

These two pieces are original designs. The applique and hand embroidery evolved from the hand embroidery piece. I was pleased with the outcome.

Applique and Hand Embroidery

Hand Embroidery (Crewel with Appleton Wool)

Happy Stitching

This afternoon was for relaxing! I spent some time catching up with blogs I read. My focus was on hand stitching - something I hope to do more of in 2012. Several years ago I took part in a three year, 5 level hand embroidery course. I was not a lover of crewel work and stitching with wool. However, I came across some Jacobean leaves by Kelly Fletcher, on the Feeling Stitchy blog. I just may do some of these this year! Feeling Stitchy has some wonderful stuff.

Also check out the following:
Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread
Stitchin Fingers
Hand Embroidery Network (HEN)
Curiosities 808 (from Hawaii) - not just crochet
Racaire's Embroidery & Needlework (Ausrtia)
DMC Threads with Emma Broidery
Polka & Bloom
French-Knots: all things stitchy
Hand Embroidery from Sadalas
Pin Tangle


Hand & Machine Embroidery by Judy Cooper

Raphael's Sistine Chapel Tapestries

While in England, I had the opportunity to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The focus for the visit was on four outstanding tapestries designed by Raphael for the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and the Raphael Cartoons  from which they were woven. 'The Cartoons have been on display at the V & A since 1865 but the tapestries have never been shown before in the UK. This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to see these stunning designs and tapestries together - something Raphael himself never witnessed. The Acts of St. peter and St. Paul are the only surviving tapestries designed by Raphael and were commissioned almost 500 years ago by the Medici Pope Leo X for the Sistine Chapel. Both the Cartoons and the tapestries are renowned masterpieces of High Renaissance art'. The photo shown is from the V & A Web Site.

While catching up on my email (I had lots to read), I found that Mary Corbet's Needle 'N Thread - October 1 newsletter, made reference to these same tapestries. But the best thing, she had a link to an online video about them. Have a look! Photos of the tapestries were not permitted.

Embroidery Art

I received the latest posting from Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread about the embroidered portraits of artist Cayce Zavaglia. The portraits are truly fantastic and I know from experience a lot of work was involved! In a previous post, I displayed my stitched portrait of Theodora, which was stitched using one strand of silk thread on a silk background.

The following sites also have some interesting embroidery that I thought you might like to see.
Takashi Iwasaki - embroidery art
Male Master Embroiderers from Worksofhands
Chinese silk hand embroidery art from Suzhou China
Helen M. Stevens embroidery
Su Embroidery Studio

Straw Needles

I was just reading about different stitches and needles to use for embroidery. Most stitches can be created by using regular embroidery needles. However, according to Mary Corbet, using the right needle is the key to making perfect French Knots and Bullion Knots. On her blog she says that using a straw needle or milliner's needle is the perfect tool for making these stitches. If you have any of these on hand, you will notice that the shape of the straw needle is different from other needles. There is no bulge around the eye therefore making the shaft and the eye the same size the full extent of the needle. So when you pull the needle through a series of thread wraps, it goes through easily without the eye getting caught up in the wraps. Check out the rest of her article and see a picture of straw needles.

A couple of years ago, I did a three year hand embroidery course. Over the months, one of the class members kept saying that she only joined the class to learn how to make French Knots. This got to be a bit of a class chuckle. After the course was finally finished, we had an exhibit of all our work. We called it, "All I ever wanted to learn was French Knots". In fact most of the ladies who took this course still meet every Thursday evening to stitch, thus the name FETE (friends every Thursday evening).

Tanja Berlin has a lot of information on her site about embroidery needles.
Check out Victorian Embroidery and Crafts for information of selecting the right needle for your project.

Needle 'n Thread

I've been asked how I keep coming up with something to post everyday. It amazes me too but something seems to always happen to trigger an idea. Today, my friend, Marilyn, sent me a link that her sister sent her and now I can share it with you, too. It is Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread.  This site has over 50 video tutorials on learning to do all kinds of stitches, knots, fill stitches and more. The tips & techniques section has a wealth of information for all levels of embroiderers. And yes, there are free hand embroidery patterns.

Here is a piece of hand embroidery I did in 2007. Theodora is stitched using one strand of silk thread on a silk background. Needless to say, it took quite a long time to do it. It was part of a three year hand embroidery course.