Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Well, we don't have to worry about a white Christmas in my area. We have more than enough. It is funny to think that we were thinking a snowy winter was long gone since the last few winters have had less snow. It does make it beautiful, especially with a full moon and the trees full of snow. The holidays will be busy with designing and sewing...just the thing for snowy, cold days, sitting by the fire. Merry Christmas to you! All the best in 2014!

A Busy, Busy Time...

I know it has been a bit. Now with the holiday season, the days just fly by. I belong to the cyber guild of The Embroiderers' Association of Canada. We just had our first on line meeting. I love how people from all over the world can join together. I also belong to The Embroiderers' Guild of America's CyberStitchers. It always amazes me how people not in the same room can create such excitement and inspire. If you haven't tried one of these guilds, I strongly suggest you do. It is perfect for those that can't meet up with a guild in their area, whether because of your location or your work. Our first Cyber meeting for EAC was wonderful. There are some great ideas and projects starting. I only wish I had more time to do it all. I have offered to get s stitch of the month project going. I love the challenge of coming up with a design for all levels, and a design that you can use any fabric or thread. It is still in the planning stage but I have picked a linen and threads for this new idea. I look forward to working on it and seeing where we go with this as I haven't done anyhting like this before. I have many other projects on the go. I am finalizing designs to be used for fundraisers for Seminar 2016. Again the challenge is to design something for everyone and keep it reasonable in price. I have been looking ahead to next year and have one ornament completed and one in the works. I am hoping to post them in a magazine for next festive season....I will let you know how that goes. I hope you are finding time to get ready for the holiday season. I have to admit that because I have to work ahead for magazines, I work ahead on holidays for the family. I think most things are ready (except the tree which will go up very soon) although I still have cards to send out. Enjoy the holiday season. If you have a minute check out the cyberguilds. We use Yahoo groups to meet and share. Happy Holidays!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I love this time of year.  The cool nights and warm sunshine during the day.  It is always amazing how the sunshine really gives more to those changing leaves.  It is very fortunate to live in an area where we see all four seasons.  I love all four seasons but Autumn is a little more special to me.

I know I haven't posted for a while...it's a busy time.  I have been designing.  I have two autumn designs ready for Creativ Festival in 2014 and 2015.  I am working on some Halloween designs now and writing instructions for five other designs.

I really like how A Needle Pulling Thread photographed my ornaments. Their latest issue is all ornaments.  I love the selection.  I am also working on one for next year in case they decide to have an ornament issue again.  This year my ornament uses reversible blackwork.  I like this technique because finishing is easy.  it is the same on both sides and with some nun stitch edging...it's done!

I like to design things that don't take too ling, especially when you know people are busy with things and want something that doesn't take long.

Enjoy your weekend!

Autumn is Coming...

I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer.

You can now notice the change in the air.  Trees are starting to turn, some more than others.  It is also a time to reestablish routines. Kids go back to school, dance and hockey starts up again for another year. Maybe I will make more routine entries to this blog....we'll see

 

With the days getting cooler (at least the evening and early morning) hopefully some will find time to stitch.  How many of you have started an autumn or Halloween pattern?

I have been designing pieces for these themes....nothing to show yet, but I know you will see them in the year to come.

Autumn is a wonderful time to take pictures to use for inspiration.  Last year I chose one tree and photographed it every day until all leaves were gone.  It is neat to look back and see the gradual change that occurred.

Have fun,

 Happy Stitching!

Kim

Summertime and Inspiration

I hope you are enjoying these summer days, and keeping cool when it is needed.  I know some people that don't spend as much time of sewing in the summer as they do in the winter.

I find I make the time to find a shady spot to sew in summer, just like in the winter I find a cozy spot (usually next to the wood stove).  I also find I take more photographs of flowers, birds, landscapes now and save them for designing whenever the idea strikes.  Sometimes I will take a series of photos of a flower as it goes from bud to complete flower to have on file for designing.  I will take photos from different angles in case when I am designing I need a particular perspective.  These photos are also great for matching colours. I know there are many on the Internet but I find using ones I have taken mean a little more to me.

So when outside (rain or shine) have the camera near by... you never know where or when the inspiration bug will get you...

Enjoy the summer!

A Couple Special Projects

I know it has been a bit since my last post.  It has been a busy time.

I thought I would share a couple special projects I completed over the last month.

The first was something my husband wanted done.  He has a group he golfs with on a regular basis.  There is a it of rivalry between them.  They have two teams of four.  Last year his group was going to have shirts designed. I designed a cartoon for them to use. Unfortunately, the shirts were never made.  This year, he went to investigate cost and decided there had to be another way.  He asked me if I could do something.  I made my cartoon smaller and found matching golf shirts.  I transferred the design to the shirts and then stitched them.  We decided to go with just the black outline to keep it simple and so I could complete them quickly - there were four to do.  Here is a picture of the shirt:

We like it.

The second project is tatted.  I needle tat.  I had some friends ask me over the past few months if I was going to make anything for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the birth for their first child.  I have sent The Queen ornaments for Christmas and recently a sampler for the jubilee. Since I hadn't done any tatting for a bit, I thought I would make a bonnet.  Here is a photo of the bonnet:

I will be sending it this week.  I will let you know if I receive a reply.


Before I go, I would like to wish all dads a Happy Father's Day tomorrow!

Have fun, Happy stitching.

Kim

Sharing

Well, I had a very special opportunity this week. I was invited to a meeting of the Trillium Embroidery Guild in Whitby.  I have to say, what a very special group!  They made me feel very welcomed to their group. 

I was invited by a friend, Carol A. who I met while attending the A Needle Pulling Thread booth at Creativ Festival.  Carol does some amazing work. She is very creative. I always enjoy talking with her about things.

She invited me to one of their meetings to talk about what I have done so far in my needlework journey.  I have to admit, preparing for this was a lot of fun!  I had to the chance to go through the many pieces I have created and stitched through my journey of 13 years so far.  Okay...I have been busy, because I had so many pieces to choose from.  I loved looking at the progress the pieces showed...I will write more about this later...

Carol had asked me to bring the pieces I had completed for the Mastercraftman in Counted Thread through the Embroiderers' Guild of America.  I decided to bring pieces to show where I had started in embroidery and where I was now with designing and being published.

The groups was very welcoming and I felt at home as I spoke about some of the pieces and how I got the idea to do what I have done.

In case you're wondering, my theme seemed to be..."be curious", ask "what if...", and "see what happens."

I found as I was speaking, it is true... if you are curious, you explore and discover. 

If you ask "what if I..." then try it.  I did that when I decided to send an ornament to Queen Elizabeth.  I wanted to see if I would get a response.  I did!  In fact, now I have three letters from her. I sent another ornament and a sampler to celebrate her jubilee.

As to the "see what happens..."  I have done that with trying to get designs published.  I have been very fortunate and will write more on this in later posts.

The important thing is to find something you enjoy, be willing to try something new and have fun!
I would like to thank the Trillium Embroidery Guild.  I really enjoyed my visit.  I look forward to the next time we meet.

Happy stitching this week!  I hope you have fun while you create.

Hoppy Easter to you!!

I hope you have an enjoyable weekend.  I hope you find time to stitch, design or create.  It is amazing how many people are turning to a craft to help with getting away form the stress of the day.

 I know personally, I look forward to my time to have needle in hand.  It is relaxing, and gives you something else to focus on for a bit of time.

Have  a great holiday!

Kim

Sharing Designs

I enjoy seeing people work on my designs.  I also like to use designs from others and take it to the next step.  I did this when Kathrin from Gitta's in Mississauga started posting pulled thread patterns.  She envisioned a sampler.  Kathrin had also mentioned a box top.  Once she realized the size would be too big, she left it at a sampler. 

I really liked the thought of a box.  I like to make things that are usable.  I have to admit I only have so much wall space. I decided to use the squares and adjust the border to make a box. Sixteen squares would make a nice sized box. I randomly assigned the patterns to each side of the box.

 I then decided to make things to go in the box.  I randomly assigned a pattern to each piece and here is what we ended up with:

I sent Kathrin two patterns as a follower of her blog had asked for them.  I would have posted them here first but having them sent for Kathrin to post, I wanted to stay true to my word.  Today she has posted the patterns for the pin keep and the scissor fob.

If you go to Kathrin's blog: http://gittas-kathrin.blogspot.ca/ and follow the links, you can get them.  Check out her blog while you are there.

Please feel free to let me know how the directions are for completing these.  I am always looking for feedback to make them better and easier to understand.

Happy Stitching!

K

Inspiration

I have been asked by a few, where I see this blog going. I will be honest, just like my needlework and all I have accomplished, let's see where it goes.

Most of the things I have managed to accomplish have been through the viewpoint "what if..."  and that is what I am going to go with. Let's see where this goes...

Many artists talk of inspiration.  I get my ideas from many things.  It can be something outside the window, the time of year, an occasion, or an article where I love the colour arrangement.

As I write this, St. Patrick's Day approaches.  I am thinking of designs to compliment the biscornu in Cross Stitch And Needlework magazine last year I created.  It had a St. Patrick's theme to it.  I would like to complete the set.  The ideas are in my head and need to get to paper.  I also need to complete a couple other things I have on the side table to complete.  I know magazines work well in advance of where we are in the year.  If I get the designs done and present them, maybe these new pieces to match the St Patty's biscornu will be part of Cross Stitch and Needlework.  I will definitely let you know how that goes.

Time to enter the 21st century

Hi

Well, we finally did it.  It is hard to imagine that in this day, with the technology we have, there are still places where dial up is the only access available.  I have patiently waited, and waited, and waited.  That is part of the reason for the lack of posts.  You just can't do stuff with dial up connections anymore.
So, we are going to try this again, I will try to post regularly.

As I have mentioned before, I am a designer. I still am learning as I go along.  My background is not exactly Artsy, as I would call it. I actually have a math and science background.   It has taken a bit to get use to be referred to as a designer.  I design needlework of various techniques, tatting (usually needle as I still can't figure out the shuttle) and felting.  Many of my designs come from things around me.  I have been very fortunate to have many designs published around the world and to have pieces displayed around the world.  I really like hearing from people how they like my designs and can't wait to complete the latest to come out.  I have met many wonderful people.  I am pleased to call myself a designer and am thankful for the opportunities I have had so far, and those to come.

I have completed my Mastercraftsman in Counted Thread through The Embroiderer's Guild of America.  I am presently working on my Teacher Certificate with the Embroiderers' Association of Canada. 

Along with creating my own designs I like to complete other designer's pieces. I have a few favourites, such as Victoria Sampler and Jeanette Douglas.  I have attended workshops with Jeanette and would highly recommend attending one when or if you get the chance.

Sometimes I like to take other's ideas and take it to the next level.  I did this in the fall with patterns provided by Kathrin of Gitta's.  She designed squares for a fifteen sided biscornu or a sampler.  I love biscornu and wanted to change up doing another sampler.  I decided to create a box with accessories that used the patterns she provided.  here is a photo of the set:

I had a lot of fun with creating the pattern pieces.  I have some ideas to use these patterns to create other sets in other techniques.  It will take a bit of time, but I will keep you informed of how they come along.

Well, I need to go work on a couple designs now,

Happy Stitching!  Have a great day!

Kim