Finished yesterday, this piece is definitely not bashful! With all the bursts of yellow daffodils and some handsome visitors to my garden, I definitely had a Spring time tale to tell. A wonderful excuse to use some of my most vibrant fabrics and threads for piecing and stitching these colourful characters.
And for now, back to the sewing machine to tackle the blossom that is in full bloom.
Happy Stitching.
I know Spring is in the air when the blackbirds make themselves known in and around the garden and hedgerows. I couldn’t resist their charms this year so they are featuring in a new stitched book. There is a sneak peek of the first layer below along with one I did earlier! It will be a mixed media piece and will take the form of a concertina with a little bit of running stitch to finish off.
You can join me for a workshop on Saturday, 1st April to make your own stitched book at Castle Court Quilter, Whittington, Oswestry. For further details or to book, contact myself at suzettesmart1@btinternet.com or Tel 07966983868
Inspiration is sometimes in short supply during the month of January. The skies are grey and Christmas feels like a long time ago. So I dig deep into boxes of fabric and threads and take a closer look at the landscape around me. Plants, animals and birds soon have me piecing and stitching away. A new must buy of recycled sari silks helps too!
Next week I will be out and about visiting Staffordshire Patchworkers and Quilters with more tales of inspiration behind the stitch. Please see their website for further details.
And finally, a couple of workshop dates for your diary.
Birds or flowers at Castle Court Quilter, Whittington on Saturday, 18th February, 2017. Experiment with a variety of fabrics for collage and use free machine embroidery for mark making and drawing to create a piece of work with either birds, flowers or both! Times 10am to 4pm / Cost £40
Within a landscape at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry on Saturday, 13th May, 2017. Experiment with a variety of fabrics for collage and use free machine embroidery for mark making and drawing to create a piece of work inspired by the landscape. Times 10am to 4pm / Cost £40
A belated happy New Year and happy stitching x
These pieces along with others will be in exhibition later next year. With work pinned and hung around me, the ideas and stories are easy to develop. A little observation at the bird table helps too.
As for this forthcoming weekend, I’m looking forward to stocking up at the Knitting and Stitching Show @ Harrogate. A new thread or piece of fabric can add something new and unexpected.
I’m also excited to see Anne Kelly’s Gallery where I will find this piece of work. A stitched tale of two lovebirds.
Happy stitching
May must be one of my favourite months as the trees and hedgerows are dense with blossom and cow parsley. That’s why I couldn’t resist stitching this new emboidery.
An alternative name for cow parsley is Queen Anne’s lace, so it was quite fitting that a little bit of lace found it’s way in.
Borders and hedgerows workshop on Wednesday, 21st September. See dates for the diary for further details.
Happy stitching.
childhood dress PAPER DOLL CUT OUT add more flowers
make do and mend TURN UP THE HEM add a new collar
i loved my vintage dress with the great pink flowers
I still have a couple of pieces of work I’d like to finish, but finish or not, my door will be open as part of the BVA Open Studios for the next two weekends. 11th/12th & 18th/19th June, 2016. Group Exhibition at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry.
There will be old and new pieces on show and a little impromptu stitching too! All are welcome.
Happy, stitching days.
Garden inspiration
New work
Rose Queen
I hold on to pieces of fabric and clothing which I know one day will find their way into or be the inspiration for a new piece of work. This current embroidery is inspired by a Rose Queen sash from 1952 and includes other vintage fabrics too.
I hope to have it finished this next week and then it’s back to the cupboard for some more delectable treats.
Happy stitching …
I’m known as One Pin Smart to a quilting friend of mine but all that is about to change. With shiny and straight new quilting pins purchased I’m about to begin quilting a large embroidery. (120 cams x 125 cms approx)
Here are the first stitches in the embroidery and the last in North, East, South and West.
With the preparation done and the quilting about to start, I know this is going to be a challenge, but nothing is gained from ever standing still.
Happy quilting days …
The inspiration for this new piece, is covered by the title.
“I took a map, and walked towpath, hill and field”
At 120 cms by 125 cms this embroidery has allowed room for exploration with theme and medium. It has also meant that I have had to dig deep in my boxes for the perfect pieces of stitch for recycling and scraps of fabric!
Happy stitching …
