Summer time 2015

Hi I am sure everyone has enjoyed this summer so far. I know I have kept busy and haven't been writing much. Time to play catch up. Last time I wrote I did not include that I had entered Nordic Needle's Hardanger Design Contest. It was my second entry and I managed a Honourable Mention. I was very proud. I created a needle case. Today, they returned the needle case with a copy of my write up that is in the book and a rosette.

Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine have posted a few photos of the Fall 2015 issue. I made the cover. In the spring, they asked to do an article on me, so that is also in there. it comes out soon. Can't wait to see it in print!

This summer I have also had the chance to try some quilting....a lot of fun when you have the right person with you... I have also tried crayon tinting. I really like this as I can control where the colour goes. I can also recreate the look of cards that I make. I am working on a couple things using crayon tiniting - we'll see how they turn out. Here is one of my first attempts:

Enjoy the rest of your summer! Happy Stitching! Kim

2015 is quite a year!

Hi I hope all is well with everyone. I have to admit, I am having an awesome year. I guess it is time for an update. First, the Spring issue of A Needle Pulling Thread is now out and I have some more Hardanger featured. I have another piece in the Summer issue, followed by another design in the Fall issue. This is the first time I have had designs for a full year! This is a photo of my piece in the Spring issue:

Next, Seminar 2016 in Calgary just wrapped up for the Embroiderer's Association of Canada. Unfortunately I never get to go because of the day job, but I don't let that stop me from entering pieces in different categoeries. This year, with the inspiration from a creamer, I felted a pumpkin. I really liked how it turned out but wanted to do more embroidery. I decided to do a pumpkin in Blackwork and another in Pulled Thread because I couldn't decide which technique I preferred. The Blackwork one was entered in the Original Design and the Pulled Thread pumpkin in the Pulled Thread. I was very fortunate to have both take the awards.....awesome!!! They just arrived home.

I am considering offering them as a class for Seminar 2018 for EAC. I have a few other designs to submit, so we will have to wait and see. I have been asked by Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine if they could feature me in an article for the Fall issue. They will have a smalls set I designed - sorry no more details there until it is out. I look at this as a wonderful opportunity to share my path so far and where I want to go with my designing. Last but by no way the least, Inspirations #86 is out. I have a piece of Hardanger in it called Queen of Hearts. As I think I have mentioned before, this is my second piece is this beautiful magazine. My first piece was in 2007. It was my second published piece ever. I had no idea at the time what an accomplishment it was, but now cherish both. This present design I had sent for a competition they had last fall. I had sent some other designs asking if they would be interested. They replied that the piece that had arrived had caught their eye and that they would like it for the magazine. I, of course, said "yes".

Like I said it has been quite a year and I look forward to the rest of it! I am still designing and sewing like crazy in my spare time....wouldn't have it any other way! Happy Stitching! Kim

Creating something from nothing

At a recent retreat, a friend had an neat little item that caught my interest. She had made it at a quilt workshop. It was a collapsible Ort Container. This is something that holds the thread ends from projects. What I liked about this, was it folds up almost to nothing, leaving more room for the more important stuff. I found instructions on the internet and set to work. It didn't take much time and was really easy! Here are the results:

Happy Easter!!

Keeping busy and Zentangle fun

Hi It has been a bit. I have spent these wintery cold days designing and stitching. I just completed a thread painting course with Tanya Berlin. It was great! her instructions and feedback are high quality. Here is the finished piece:

I also completed a piece for Inspirations 11 X 11 Competition:

Last June, I took a Zentangle course through EGA. I really enjoyed it. It took patterns from Zentangles and added paint and embroidery. I have been working on a creative journal where this has been my focus - one zentangle a week. I have recently been making them for some challenges. The Embroiderer's Association of Canada has a Fibre tile challenge and I created

I created two ATCs for an exchange with Virtual Threads - the online cyber guild through EAC

and this little project

So, you can see I have been keeping out of trouble. My last little bit of news for now (and I have manage to keep a secret since September) is I will have a Hardanger design in Inspirations again. I feel very fortunate to be contributing again. The design will be in Issue #86 - out around May. Hopefully Spring will surface soon. I love the longer days...Spring must be close Happy Stitching! Kim

Happy Holidays!

Hi Well, the holiday season is here. I remember thinking in the summer, oh it is a ways away, but it came quickly. I am busy organizing and finishing some things before the New Year. I like to start a new project on New year's day but also like to have a few things cleaned up. 2015 will have some exciting events for me...can't share yet...it is hard to keep a secret! I hope you 2015 is full of stitching and good health! Happy Holidays! All the best in 2015!

A busy, busy time...

Hi We are half way through the summer and when I look at all I have achieved so far this summer, all I can say is wow! This has probably been my most creative and productive summer yet. While I have been stitching new designs, I have a few that are being published as we speak. The latest Cross Stitch and Needlework issue features an article I wrote about reversible blackwork, as well as, a design for an autumn bookmark. It does show some of my other reversible blackwork pieces.

I will be teaching at Creativ Festival in the fall. I was just featured on their blog. If you wish to check it out: http://csnf.com/blog/2014/08/bemish/ There is an ornament design coming in the fall issue of A Needle Pulling Thread. I hope you get a chance to see it. I just found out last week that I was one of the winners of Nordic Needle's Shamrock Challenge. Here is my entry:

I have been working some other pieces for next year and will let you know where they end up. Have a great August! Kim

Happy Summer!

Well, the sun is shining and it is very busy. I am playing catch up on a few projects and trying to complete some new designs. It is nice to check things off as I get them done. Sitting by the water and stitching is definitely the way to spend these summer days. I hope you are enjoying the summer as well. I promise to post in August and try to get beck into routine with this blog. Happy Stitching ! Kim