Yarn Speak

Earlier in the year, I did a project article for the UK Embroidery Guild's Stitch magazine entitled, Letting the Yarn Speak.  It was about stitching with variegated yarns and changing the stitch when the colour changed - literally letting the yarn dictate the stitches.  I've done a few samples, inspired by an experiment I did that ended up in the Prairies show with Focus on Fibre Arts last spring.  With the end of my grant deadline fast approaching, I suddenly BURST with the desire to do just one more embroidery...

I'm so happy I did!  It's 8 inches / 20cm square.  It consists of seed stitches, and three knots: blue French Knots and Colonial knots, and yellow Sorbello Knots.

It's a good size (ignore the oversized pen there, it's throwing off the perspective!).  It's really quite full of texture too!

I just want to JUMP RIGHT IN!  ; )

I had a fun time photographing it's lusciousness!  : )  Stitching it took a long, long long many days.  Using these yarns was no nice though.  Each stitch was like a swoosh of blended paint.

I had originally stitched the top third of it with single French Knots of yellow, and decided it was horrid.  I cut them all out.  I changed to these big Sorbello Knots which look much less boring.

plus... yellow rhymed with sorbello.  lol

It doesn't have a name yes, and won't be framed for a couple weeks.  But... ta-da!  : ) I don't know if these images do it justice.  I am really proud of it, and proud of myself for not tossing it half way through.  In hand stitching, the 'ugly phase' seems to drag on a bit.  I perservered!

Next project, I plan to set a timer each time I sit to work to see how long these things really take.  : )  I'm really proud of this new body of work.  I have a couple pieces at HandMade House and last week I got the most wonderful reactions.  It's exciting to be there when it happens!  This one might just end up in Handmade House unless it gets snapped up beforehand.  My new work is moving pretty fast so if you ever see something you like, just say so.  Otherwise, I'll let you know when the next show & sale is.  There's one in September just outside of Saskatoon.

Enjoy the summer!
xo

Stitch (UK) Part Two!

The newest issue of Stitch is out!

Stitch UK  Issue #94  April-May 2014

So happy, so happy!  I'm not sure if it's in Canada at McNally's or Indigo yet.  They may still have Issue #93 on the shelves.  This is issue # 94 and inside is a technique article they asked me to write to accompany the From Sketch to Stitch article.  I had no idea they would be in separate magazines, which is pretty darn cool!

I can't post an image where you are able to read all the text obviously, so i have blurred it out.  Sorry - no need to adjust your glasses.  You are seeing. it correctly.

So pretty!  I love this spread.  There's more on the next page but I'm afraid I don't like my images.  I had them colour corrected on my dying laptop last year, so a couple of them are incorrectly accidentally yellowish pink mucky and not nearly as vibrant as they are in person.  It's okay though - this spread makes up for it.  : )  Thanks again Stitch magazine!

This is really exciting for me.  I've been doing the threadpainting for over 5 years and have sold a LOT of work.  I run into people now that I've never met, but they know me for my threadwork.  It was so scary to try something new and worry about people walking away / losing interest.  I couldn't help it though - I had to branch out.  I was just feeling way too inspired not to.  It's been slow, but this year, interest in my handwork has really picked up.  People are loving it enough to take them home.  Some are asking specifically for the handwork.  That's a huge thing for me.  On one hand, it's so humbling.  On the other, it totally fuels me to experiment more.  I can't articulate my gratitude for the opportunity and support to experiment and spread my wings.

And if any of you try out the technique described in Stitch, I would love to see what you come up with!  I hope you enjoy the article.  They whole magazine is full of gorgeous eyecandy.

I only have one that came to me, but I'll let you know when this newest issue arrives in our bookstores.

Have a great day!
xo

Things I Love Thursday - It's Here in Canada !

Oh my word.  This was like waiting for the tooth fairy that kept missing my house.  It's finally on the shelves here in Saskatoon, so it must be everywhere else too.  We can only blame the weather for this.  I just got a phone call from Indigo (Chapters) saying Stitch / UK issue #93 has arrived!!  I assume McNally Robinson's across the street would have it too, but you should probably phone first.

Issue #93  Feb/Mar 2015

Yippee!!

From Sketch to Stitch 4 page article

There are several threadpaintings displayed in the magazine that I'm sure the owners will be excited to see!  There are pieces residing in Saskatoon, Calgary, California, and Jackfish Lake collections.  : )

feature article:  From Sketch to Stitch

I hope you enjoy the article.  It has a different slant on the use of sketchbooks than most artists might, because I begin my art with collecting and editing photographs.  I owe the 'lightbulb moment' to the work of Canadian artist Sharron Begg.  You'll have to read the article to find out why.  ; )  You can also head over to her blog to enjoy her work, and DO click on her Inks tab.  I love her inks.

I'm about to hit the highway, so perhaps I'll pick up more copies in Regina.  I'm off to Wolseley to do some workshops at a 3 day spring quilting retreat.  I hope I spelled that right.  No matter how I spell it, my computer tells me I'm doing it wrong.  ; )  I'm really excited about this trip, because I have never attended a quilting retreat with food and lodging - like, ever!  Thanks so much Liz at Tiger Lily Quilts for inviting me to do this.

See ya!
and have a Happy Thursday,

Stitch U.K.

I have been waiting and waiting to tell you the exciting news.  Last year, while sitting at the kitchen table flipping through the UK Embroiderers' Guild Stitch magazine, I received an email notification.  It was the editor of Stitch, introducing herself, her magazine, and the regular article feature called, 'From Sketch to Stitch'.  She wondered if I had heard of the magazine, and would I be interested in writing an article?

I nearly fell over backwards.  I snapped a quick cell phone photo of the magazine, open to that particular article on my lap and wrote back within seconds, "Yes! and Yes!"   Is that crazy serendipity or what!?  What are the odds?

That was a year ago.  I was knee deep in the earliest stages of our home studio renovations and had to politely request a later date.  How embarrassing, but she was so very kind and agreed.  In September I finally wrote my article for, 'From Sketch to Stitch' and sent it in.  Last week the published issue arrived in my mailbox!  I am over-joyed.

UK magazine publication.  Stitch issue #93

I had a couple emails prior to seeing it from people in other countries.  They all said, 'what a great looking article.'  That made the wait even more exciting.  I have to say, I think they are right.  I opened my copy and gasped.  It looks REALLY good.  The printed colours are perfect, the photos are large and clear.  WOW

I just don't even know what to say.  This is a pretty big deal for me personally.  It's beautiful.  It's a magazine I highly admire.  Stitch has published so many well respected embroidery artists.  It's an absolute honour to be in these pages.

Thank you Stitch!  : )

Usually I purchase this magazine in Saskatoon at McNally Robinson Booksellers.  It's also at Indigo across Canada. Unfortunately, this particular issue has not made it to Saskatoon.  I had my issues mailed to me directly from overseas, but I have been keeping an eye out locally.  Too bad!  I did put in a request at both our big bookstores, so we'll see what happens.  In the mean time, I'm awaiting an order directly from the UK Embroiderers' guild.

Stitch (UK) magazine, article  published on pages 18-21 of Issue #93

If you would like a copy but cannot find it locally, they ship worldwide.  You can find the link HERE if you are interested.

WOW~  They aren't kidding when they put 'the WOW factor' on their cover.  !