Tag: techniques

No chatting?

Do you like a formal class atmosphere – sit still – back straight – no chatting? Or do you prefer a more informal setting with lots of information, inspiration and stimulation? I prefer to teach in the latter style, and the forthcoming course Paper Fun will be no exception.

Amongst other things we will be looking at recycling, but not in the ways that you might expect. For instance:

007

the above might convert to something like this

025a

 

or

 

006a

 

or even

 

020a

but not all will be suited to each technique. The above is just a small part of the course. Interested? There is still time to enrol.

Subtle Neutrals and more

Introducing new colours in my favourite machine thread!

If you have spoken to me about machine embroidery threads at a show, or been to one of my machine embroidery workshops, you will know that my favourite thread is Polyneon by Madeira. It has a strength and sheen that makes it perfect for all techniques, and is especially good for beginners. This week we received our first delivery of a new range of multicolours. Pictured above you will see that they are all beautiful combinations and I can already see many uses for them in my own work. One of the best things about this thread is that it is also ideal for DECORATIVE SEAMS. In other words – it is strong enough to hold a garment together AND to decorate it too, so once again it will be perfect for a project that I have in mind. They were viewed by the public this week for the first time, and the concensus of opinion was that they are BEAUTIFUL! The photographs don’t fully show the subtelties of the colourways – but if you click them you will start a slideshow that will better illustrate the variation.

1511 and 1515
1513 and 1516
1517 and 1512
1510 and1519
1514 and 1518

I have photographed them in no particular order, but the colour numbers are underneath. They retail at £5.50 each for 1000m.

Next weekend, 28th, 29th and 30th of March, will be the third Be Creative Weekend. Initial details are here, and if you subscribe to that blog you will receive each prompt as it is published. The community on Facebook has grown and we have seen some lovely creations both as a result of the prompts (which are optional) and also of ongoing work. The emphasis is on doing SOMETHING each day. On many days I can manage no more than 15 minutes – but it is surprising what you can achieve if you just get on with it. No excuses – just DO IT!

Finally, the next online workshop is due to begin on 1st April. Details are here, but I can assure you that it will cover far more than just the basics outlined in the description. It even contains more than I have been able to share over a week’s residential course, so as you can see, £75 is actually very good value.

Be Creative!

Creativity can take many forms and sometimes it’s good to indulge. Over the years I’ve found that doing something regularly is the best way to warm up the creative juices and find something we really enjoy. I’ve blogged about this before when I first joined postaday a few years ago and now I still post every day – but in a variety of places according to topic. It isn’t the blogging every day that has been important but the doing something that has enabled me to go on and do more. Every day I squeeze in just 15 minutes (obviously more if I can) and do something creative. I keep misquoting Picasso – but as he said ‘Inspiration comes, but it has to find you working’. My circumstances don’t always allow me to indulge as much as I would like – so those 15 minutes are precious.

This coming weekend is destined to be a CREATIVE WEEKEND why not join us? Find 15 minutes – more if the fancy takes you – and do SOMETHING! Maybe try something new – or indulge yourself in something you LOVE! Take a look here on Facebook This is the Friday page – but if Saturday or Sunday suit you better then there are events scheduled for then too. Then join us in the group It’s a closed group – that just means that you have to be approved. As it’s me doing the approving you can always let me know who you are blogwise if you wish. So far there are people from the UK, USA, SA,  Aus and NZ. Several from Europe too. After last year’s illness I’m still finding it difficult to do the things I really love – but I’m determined to get back into full flow this year and finish all my outstanding commitments and work on some new ideas.

I hope you will join us, but even if you can’t maybe you will spread the word. It could be a GREAT BUMPER WEEKEND. What qualifies? Almost anything – photography, writing, poetry, carving, collage, blogging, art, textiles, stitching, embroidery, journaling, quilting ….. even numbers are creative – so…… what’s your excuse? 😉

See you there…..