My Kitchen

Finally got the new tops in my kitchen, I've been waiting a long time for this.







New top and sink











New hob












New oven













We now have to paint and put up some wallpaper. The two doors will take the longest to do as the frames need a repair job. Only then can we lay the floor. So a long way to go yet.

Band Sampler

At long last I've come back to my band sampler started in Hull with Carol Tinson. It's called 'I did it my way'.

Half of the design has been done. I'm still not sure about the drop beads, I have some pearl drops, thanks to Jo, so I will try them next.

The last time I did anything was at the start of June. I'll have it as my UFO on Tuesday so I might get some more done.

Embellisher

I've been asked several times 'What is an embellisher?' Click on the link on the title and you will see one direct from 'the horses mouth' Babylock. The pictures above show a few pieces I created. Note the metallics were added afterwards. The Embellisher just creates the background fabric.

City & Guilds

Sorry if I've been a bit quiet recently but my course started last week. So been deep in research all week. The History of English Embroidery Bede to present day. Thought I'd done quite a bit already, but there's still so much to do. It's fascinating though. I've seen pictures and actual artefacts that are fantastic. how girls as young as 8 and 9 produced such fantastic work I don't know. I've actually seen some restored Blackwork that is in the EG collection, it's wonderful.

As well as that I've got a commission piece to experiment with and I've got a new toy - an embellisher, so been playing with that. More about that later - I hope.

Kitchen

At long last my new kitchen top is going in. Today the difficult bit which is a right hand join was cut and put in place along with the section over the boiler. Tomorrow one more piece to be cut and the holes for the sink and hob to be put in. Whow. I've waited so long for this to happen. Don't mind the fact that we have to 'eat from the microwave' tonight.

Wonder how long I'll have to wait for the floor and decorating to be done? DH doing that, bless him.

We decided against a whole new kitchen as we liked the layout so a revamp was the other option, new tops, sink, cooker and hob. My cooker went in after the electrics were renewed, tops, sink and hob being done by a workman - rest by DH. Won't post photo 'till it's further on - hopefully tomorrow.

A Big Thankyou

Thanks for all your comments Helen (both of you).

Stitchingranny don't call x-stitch boring. There are some fantastic pieces out there. I admire the patience and determination that people have in completing some very complicated pieces that take months and years to do.

If anything I'm very impatient and want instant gratification. I also love varied textures so love hardanger and mixed stitch and media techniques. Not that some of these are quick to complete!

Experimentation I also love and am constantly learning new techniques. So you will find that my Webshot album (Gandalfstitcer) is full of picture of many different types of stitching. I aways say I am a butterfly and flit from technique to technique and piece too piece.

Hampton Court and the Embroiderers Guild

Well I'm off on my rambles again later today. I'm staying with my daughter in Surrey and visiting the EG collection at Hampton Court on Wednesday. This is all part of my research into the history of English Embroidery. Looking forward to seeing a small part of the collection throughout the ages.

We'll have a meet up with DS in London - tubes permitting. then back home on Wednesday, so just a flying visit this time.

Metal and Velvet structure

Just realised that my metal and embellished structure picture isn't very clear so here's a better one standing on my mantelpiece. DH says the mount colour isn't right, but it was the only one that went anywhere near. I'll think about recolouring it sometime.

Stitching in Wooler

Just got back from an intensive three day course with Val Stoddart called 'Limited Editions' a Textile Peepshow. We had a great time and worked very hard indeed. I was introduced to an embellisher and WANT one.

Here are a few of the photos I took of my work. Some are completed such as the structure with metal, the bookmark and the small square picture.

Others are just backgrounds which need more work done to them (the blue tree) The sketchbook is amazing. There are several peepshows in there made from writing, torn up pictures and drawings.

As you might have gathered I'm fired up even more and must go off to create more items to show at our next EG meeting in a weeks time