Hoop Art -revisited

Hi Everyone 

The Hoop Art Project has another outing. It’s the finishing part !

This project has been underway for a couple of weeks and our Making Workshop (yesterday)concentrated on completing the stitching and finishing of the hoops. I intended to get photos of all the beautiful hoops but unfortunately failed on that one !  I’ll try harder next time. See the original Hoop Art Project introduction post here for background on this story. My own hoop has undergone only minor changes since I last shared the work. I’ve added a few simple pearl beads to one of the embroidered lines and white washed the hoop. 

 

                      

I have a specific location in my bedroom where a I want to display my hoop so wanted the embroidery to compliment the space. The room is very much a light, white space and the hoop is perfect for the job. Generally, I’m very pleased with how it’s turned out. I still have a few of the many thread ends to weave into the back of the work. The edge of the fabric (square shaped at the moment) will be trimmed to form a circular shape approximately 4/5cms larger than the hoop. I’ll create a running stitch around the fabric to allow the circular shape to be gathered, forming a neat and secure edge to the back of the hoop. I’ve also added a layer of padding behind the embroidery, this gives a pleasing domed shape to the front of the piece. 

I’ve really enjoyed this project and am looking forward to the finished Hoop finding its way to my bedroom where I can look at it everyday.

Hopefully, I can finish these little task later today and hang my hoop. 

Thanks for calling in today.

Stitched Story continued.

Hi Everyone 

Yesterday, I gave an update on the process of the Stitched Story and it seems to be working well. 

I’m at the stage where I can think about and make individual embroidered ‘patches’ to add to my story. I’d started the latest patch, a dragonfly/butterfly- like shape. I’d already stamped the shape onto fabric and started to add stitches. Ive completed the outline and worked some more Chain Stitches and tiny Satin Stiches to the insect. I’ve also added a simple boarder to the patch, which is particularly pleasing to work. Generally, I like the patch but am wondering what I can add ? My process involves leaving the piece for at least a few hours and reviewing where a I need to go. If no inspiration comes, I will leave it and work the next ‘thing’. Although, I must say, this hasn’t happened yet !

       

If I get slightly anxious about what to do next, I simply refer to my list of things to think about. I’ve placed these things, ie ‘thinking prompts’ in a simple list for quick reference. This list is the one I developed at the beginning of the project and I’ll make another which looks pretty, but the initial list makes my point :

           

I’m not sure how long this specific stitched project will take ? - but I know I will keep going with Stitched Stories.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back with more tomorrow.

The Stitched Story (week 2)

Hi Everyone 

Its the second week of my Stitched Story Project and things have come together, at last . I’ve taken time to consider how I want to develop this project and it’s been a struggle to find a formula which works. There’s a lovely creative process to the project but it can get overwhelming. It’s more about what to leave out rather than finding things to add ! - although, at the beginning of the project there seems to be a potential problem of where to start. This project needs to translate to other Makers and somehow there is a neeed to think, plan and reconsider, several times. This process can be frustrating and it’s very easy to loose sight of the enjoyment the project can bring. 

I’ve rewritten my personal process several times and I think, I’ve got a reasonable starting point with a few practical steps which can allow for being creative. My new list (read back last week for the previous plan) for starting the project is to begin with  an image or photo and come up with a theme from the photo inspiration, followed by a phrase which can sum up the theme and then a date which could relate to the image and/or experience. I feel at this point, a Story is developing. In order to develop the story and add embellishments which further express the story, I’m adding things which I’m calling ‘bits and pieces’. These are difficult to categorise hence ‘bits and pieces’. However, when thinking and looking at the initial image these little extra’s can start to creep in. Ultimately, the whole project is about the Maker telling their Story and I feel enjoyment comes from focusing in, on the detail. This needs to be a slow Make.

Here’s a look at my progress so far :

                             

I’ve had a few frustrations with this project but the time I’ve spent stitching has been great. I’ve loved finding interesting stitches to place in my story and am inspired to keep finding new places to add interesting stitches. I’ve tackled the stitching elements in little sessions and have hugely enjoyed the process.

Call in tomorrow for more on this one.

Thanks for calling in today.

Fibre Friday (2/3/18)

Hi Everyone

Today, I’m sharing my fibre work for the week. Considering I’ve been held up in the house most of the week because of major snow in our area, I’ve not got too much to report in terms of finished items ! However, I’ve done lots of work on my From Scratch Sock Pattern. I had finished the socks earlier in the week but the pattern on the leg was not quite right. If you look very hard, the picture story below shows the slight difference in design :

                     

The leg of the sock, just above the ankle line has three welt like sections (in the centre of each coloured band) - I created these welts with two rows of purl stitch. When the sock is worn the welt lies flat, so no problem with an uncomfortable ridge. However, as I started the purl row at each side of the sock using magic loop with circular needles, the pattern produced was very untidy. I repeated a few times and didn’t like the result. Plan B was to start the purl rows in another place, ie. not where the needles needed to be pulled through at each side. However, I still wasn’t happy with the pattern and almost through out the pattern idea. Finally, after re knitting several versions of the whole leg, I’ve decided upon a slight gap in the welt at each side  of the leg. The result is much neater and I think the new design gives a much improved look to the socks. At last, Ive almost finished the written pattern, and only a few centimetres of Stocking Stitch leg and a short 1x1 Rib knitting to finish the socks. I had previously made a 2x2 rib but I do prefer the 1x1fornthis design. I will definitely complete this project in the next few days. I already have an idea for the next one !

My next fibre story is the new fibre from my monthly Fibre Club, The Time Travellers from Hilltop Cloud check it out here. I’m very excited to spin this fibre. It’s a combination of silk, merino and eider. There are lovely muted colours of browns, reds, orange and black in the fibre and it smells very ‘sheepy’. I don’t have an idea of how I can use the fibre or how it will spin but I  feel a ‘need’ to test it out today. I’ll share what happens next time. 

I’m still working on my cardigan from last week, Coinneach by Kate Davies. Look back last Friday for images. I’ve done a little more and am ready to start the second sleeeve. Somehow, my sock project took over. Hopefully, I can make more progress this week. As you can see from the photo, I’ve acquired another cardigan pattern. This is another Kate Davies, the Carbeth cardigan. I love the shape and the colour of Kate’s sample. I’m not sure about what colour I will go for ? - I do have some orange yarn which could possibly work ? I keep thinking about that one !

No crochet again and no spinning to speak of (tiny bit of my big jumper project- read back a few Fridays for more on the big jumper project). However, as mentioned my new fibre from The Time Travellers will get some attention later today.

Thanks for calling in today, I’ll be back on Monday. Have a great weekend.

Silver Day (1/3/18)

Hi Everyone

I’m a bit late today with posting my blog, it’s a Snow Day here. To be precise it’s the second Snow Day this week. Here in Northumberland (UK), we have lots of snow and the roads are very difficult. However, I’ve not needed to venture out and about, so no excuse for me, we (our family) have simply had a very lazy morning, cozy inside our house !

I need to get started with my Silver Day work schedule ASAP. 

My job today is to work on a little Collection I started a few weeks ago. This Collection (called Small & Simple) is all about small earrings. I’ve developed a few sketches and have started work on some the designs but I need to firm up the prototypes and test them out. Here’s a quick look at the sketches :

                     

All the designs are very simple but as such, each one needs to be just right. I’m referring to the proportions as well as the soldering of the designs where two different gauge wires or shapes will be involved. 

Hopefully, I will get a version of each design completed today.

Thanks for calling in. I’ll be back, hopefully earlier, tomorrow.