in featured on the mastered website

http://blog.mastered.com/

Check me out featuring some examples of my design, tambour and mood board skills

silk tulle tambour embroidery

attempted sample using tulle. The design was not intentional to look phallic. But one day my working ideas might look as good as these

practice makes it better eventually

Still a long way to go before I become anywhere near professional but I'm getting there.

I thought it would be easy but its really hard to get the tension correct and the stitches the same size, but still hanging in there.

Thought I had it

I thought  chain stitch then beads was difficult but tried sequins this week and they are difficult probably because they are so small, then just as I thought I had the hang of it I decided to try the next stage advanced tambour, working on a thick fabric, felt!. Well lets just say the images say it all. Back to the drawing board.

I know this was not meant to happen but I do love the effect of the pearl beads on the left. 

Tambour beading

I've enrolled for a new course Tambour beading which I love but still trying to pick up the skill. It looks so much easier than the reality, holes in fabric, bent hooks, split thread etc etc.
here are my first examples.

getting better but still along way to go

Compared to many of the other students on the mastered.com course I  have a long way to go, but since when I have ever given up on a challenge. Onward and upward.

New addition to Dad's tie. I have used a different part of the design, but kept with the gold theme although it has no gold beading. I've  received excellent feedback, so much in fact that I have bought a few ties/ cummerbunds and bow ties to start embroidering and selling.

final ties after print and embroidery

tie with gold pigment print 

looks great with a black shirt!

why have I left posting a comment this long? is it due to my busy life and working schedule or just because I m not sure if anyone really views my blog or really has any interest in it. But I've finally reclaimed my confidence and realized no one will know leave comments or follow me if I don't blog regularly. So! here it is 2014 I'm going to blog at least once a week, sometimes just pictures of my work or other peoples work I am inspired by, others posts will be comments and my up to date technical skills with tambour beading.

What have I been doing since last April?

Working as a Teaching assistant in a secondary school and even though I'm still a teaching assistant I'm pleased to say  my time is generally spent  focused on supporting the Art and Design department. AND resurrecting my desire to return back to teaching to teach art, albeit pat time so that I can continue with my passion and learning of all things to do with hand embroidery. If my confidence continues to grow I may even start selling some of my work.

Here are some hand embroideries  I've been doing over the last ten months.

new books new inspiration

just read 'Mans search for meaning' and 'the book thief' both of which have given me loads of inspiration for 39-45. The wonderful ladies at Embroiderers guild Merseyside have also been in touch with me asking if I would be interested in doing a workshop, obviously I said yes! so finally things are starting to come together.
Anyway this is what ive been doing so far, apart from reading. Sorting out a colour palette. I think they scream 39-45, Europe and design. Europe because of the colours, but also design because If I hadnt of gone back to art college I would not have appreciated architecture, history, hand embroidery  the way I do now.

Dad's 1960s tie

What have I done? well printed a design on my Dads original 1960s tie then sat and hand embroidererd and hand embellished it. I love it!

so where do I go from here?

I came back from Birmingham with high spirits thinking about starting up workshops, possibly doing the MA Ive always wanted to do or even going back to freelance design work, but a week later and my head is still confused as what to do. All I know is I need a new job that involves working with people and textiles, but not sure how to go about it with the economy the way it is. If anyone who views my blog has the time to write a comment or give advice I would truly appreciate it.

Im back from the NEC

Anyway Im back from Birmingham. Thank you Madeira for sponsoring me and choosing me as one of your sponsored students to exhibit my work. I had a great time at met some great like minded people. Thank you to everyone who commented on my work you gave me a lot to think about. My sketchbooks and hand embroiderered garment shapes received  so many positive comments it has inspired me to reintroduce these techniques into my current work. One again thank you to everyone who took the time to look, speak or even photograph my work.

Heres my stand in all its glory

my innocence, passion and restraint pieces. which captured the ears and laughter of many a visitor

karen the great

lisa the wonderful

karen being all professional

Anita the genteel

Janet the creator



My Dads 1960s tie that I patiently embroidered during the exhibition. Not yet completed.  



close up of the gold sequins I was using, (the bullion from the Sari I had bought in a second hand shop).




hand embroidered fashion shapes