Sew Inspiring #9

Time seems to be running away from me recently, I feel like no sooner I get home from work and start sewing its time to go to bed! Im thinking I may have to start sewing in my sleep to get everything done...

The other day I came across this project called 365 Lucky Days the idea is

'One hand embroidered art work will be created with love each and everyday for one year'

Picture from 365 Lucky Days

I enjoyed looking back through her Flickr set of all the pieces she has created so far. I love the use of vintage fabrics and the scenes she creates, really inspiring!

I also have to mention this post that appeared in my reader from Too Crewel guest blogging at Wild Olive. 

Liesi whipped up this little bag so she can embroider on the go without losing all her thread and pins, what a lovely idea! 

Picture from Wild Olive

I think I will have to make myself one of these now I have a new found love for public embroidering! 

Pretty in pink knots

Over the past few weeks, I have been thinking of new ideas for my Etsy shop (that WILL be opening in the not toooo distant future, honest!) as I want a variety of items to sell, so far I have a few bag designs (which I love!) and not much else so I decided to try out a pattern on a cushion.

For my first cushion I gave the french knot design which I first tried out here a go. Doing this pattern on a bigger scale was quite difficult as I would sometimes get carried away and do too many close together and have to unpick a few. If you have never tried the french knot I would recommend giving it a go, its quite therapeutic when you get into it! 

For the cushion I used the full 6 strands of the floss compared to just 4 last time - I honestly have to say they do look more defined using 6 and seem to cover a slightly larger area -which is much better for bigger pieces!

I used 4 different colours in total; a dark magenta in the middle, a slightly lighter pink for the main bulk of the knots followed by a pastel pink and then finally a slightly tinted pink colour. 

I really do love this cushion, I think it will be great for adding a bit of colour to someones room - like you can see on our very blue and white bed above! 

I'd love to hear what you all think about it...

Public stitcher number 1

This weekend we took the train to the beautiful city of York to see two of our friends tie the knot. We had a lovely time catching up with old pals, we ate good food and danced the night away.

I wanted to show you these lovely framed cross stitch lyrics that were dotted around the room. The songs were played later on in the evening, what a nice idea!

I also wanted to mention that for the train journey I took some sewing that needed doing. This was the first time I had ever stitched in public so was feeling a bit nervous about it. I was hoping we would get our own little two seater area so I could sit next to the window and hide from peeping eyes but we ended up with a table reservation for the whole carriage to see!

Rightly so I had nothing to worry about, I stitched away quite happily for most of the journey and only once did anyone say something… One of the lovely old dears sat opposite me asked me what I was sewing and that she thinks its wonderful that someone of my age is doing embroidery. I asked if she stitched any more but she said not, although she used to and she misses it- Im really hoping she will pick up a needle and thread this week! So my first time public stitching was a very nice one indeed!
Do you regularly sew in public? I'd be interested to know if you have had any good/bad comments?


If you're interested in what I was sewing, it was one of the sea-scape bags I talked about here, having a stocked Etsy shop is getting closer…! 

Sew Inspiring #8

This week I have been catching up on some on going sewing projects that I have been neglecting but they are STILL not finished so I wanted to share some peoples work that have caught my eye whilst I should be working...

Sally Nencini is one seriously talented lady. She creates bespoke upholstery and knits which are all beautiful! I have included a few items that have caught my eye from her website but I recommend you head on over to her Etsy site and snap something up. The toys are so cute and the cushions are perfect, I wish I could get one of everything.

Picture from Sally Nencini

Picture from Sally Nencini

Picture from Sally Nencini

I found Erin Dollar's work on Etsy and after looking through her blog found these lovely abstract embroidery landscapes. I really love the simple clean colours on the materials she uses, such a lovely idea!

Picture from Erin Dollar

Picture from Erin Dollar

Best get back to catching up with my stitching!

Stitchetables

This past week has been filled with lots of fun, as well as the celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee it was my boyfriends 30th birthday. We took the week off work and went to visit family and friends and had an amazing time! These 3 pictures perfectly sum up our week...

Because of all the excessive cake eating I haven't got round to doing much sewing this week but I did manage to finish this vegetable bag which is a gift for a family members birthday.

I used the design from the second bag I made but altered it slightly. One side has summer vegetables (rhubarb, corn on the cob, asparagus etc) and the other side has winter veg (carrots, squash and leek etc) which means it can be used all year round.

I hope they like it! 

Sew Inspiring #7

Its not often that something catches my eye enough to make me completely stop what I am doing and give 100% of my attention to. But when I came across miss lila mae's work, I let out a little gasp and put the TV on mute so I could sit and stare without being interrupted.

Picture from miss lila mae

Her freeform embroidery is so beautiful I am finding it difficult to put into words. 

Picture from miss lila mae

I love the colours she uses, they work so well together and really compliment each other, I feel myself getting so drawn in. 

Picture from miss lila mae

Just look at those beautiful detailed flowers!

Picture from miss lila mae

When I find someone producing work like this, it makes me want to be better and learn more - this is why I love embroidery so much, it has many talented people producing work this amazing. 

I don't know much about miss lila mae but you can look at her blog here and her flickr here. 

A load of hot air

Sometimes, things don't work out the way you imagined them to. This week I have been working on a new design, which when I imagined it in my head, looked like the best design EVER.

I was on the train home last week and I saw a girl wearing a lovely scarf with tiny hot air balloons on it, so I go home and start sketching hot air balloons to fit on a bag. The drawing looks pretty good so I transfer it to a bag and start stitching - first I use a range of different colours which I quickly decide I am crazy for and unpick everything and choose a singular red/pink colour.

After I finished I didn't get that feeling I usually get when I have just finished stitching something. I normally feel excited and like I could take over the world one stitch at a time but this made me feel…flat.

I didn't particularly like it nor dislike it. To be honest, I think it is just quite a dull drawing and needs a lot of improving.

So back to the drawing board I go. You win some, you lose some.

Don't you love the size of this bag though? I think my seascape design would look perfect on this!