Stitching a surprise! workshop

In September 2024, I designed and lead a workshop on Stitching a surprise! Creating pattern-free, process-led fibre artworks for Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild. I’d be happy to facilitate similar workshops for interested groups or individuals.

Please Contact me if you’re interested.

Do you sometimes think, “I wish I could do that”, when you see a fibre artwork that’s clearly not from a pattern, or colourful abstract stitching that suggests a theme or landscape rather than recreating it?

If you’re great at following directions and creating stitched perfection, here’s your chance to relax the rules and let yarns and colours inspire you. If you struggle to count stitches or if charts confuse you, you’ll enjoy creating from your imagination.

Stitching a Surprise offers the chance to be free of expectations and enjoy the adventure of stitching something individual and uniquely yours.

October 13, 2024 1

Highly Commended for “Memories of Blue”

I’ve just won “Highly Commended” in the Craft section of Kāpiti Arts and Crafts Society Inc‘s annual awards, sponsored by Forsyth Barr. The award is for my diptych, “Memories of Blue (i) and (ii)”. These are two of five (so far) in my new Ghost Trees range.

The exhibition theme is “Past, Present & Future” – a nod to Kāpiti Arts and Crafts Society‘s 50th Anniversary this year; you can visit the exhibition and see the winning and highly commended works in both Art and Craft sections this month.

Kāpiti Gallery hours: 10 am to 3 pm, Thursday to Sunday (or group visits by arrangement outside these hours),

May 18, 2024 1

Ghost trees!

In the past month, I’ve stitched four new fibre artworks entitled “Memories of Blue”, in my new Ghost Trees range. The two most recent aren’t yet framed.

You can see the completed ones and the works in progress here.

April 14, 2024 0

Terracotta and Blue Village

I’m happy to have finished and framed this latest in my growing “Village” series, although there are more Silver Birch Trees in progress, too. This is my first cross stitched village on tapestry canvas; previous ones were more effective, I think, for being outlines on fabric. (One day I might try a similar, but brighter, village scene, when current work’s complete.)

Anyway, here it is and I hope you like it; stitching detail, then framed.

February 25, 2024 0

Trio of Silver Birch forests

I’ve been asked to create two more, similar works, to be displayed with my recent “Three Silver Birches” in a gifts, homeware and soft furnishings outlet. More details when the works are completed and I have a more formal agreement with the gorgeous, destination shop – but for now, it’s very exciting.

Very pleasing, too, that the owner bought one of my “on spec” fibre artworks then and there, for her own home. I’m feeling pretty confident about this commission, and she says she’s “excited” about my work – and about jewellery that’ll make especially for the store, too.

These works will not be listed in my online shop, but my other works in the series are – you can see them via the link below.

Home

Silver Birch forests

Online shop

February 20, 2024 0

Steampunk Stitching (i)

Work in progress:

Happy with my recent stitched village projects (I might have to start a new range), and also recently making steampunk inspired jewellery, I thought I’d have a go at steampunk/Victorian houses. It’s taking a while and I’m waiting for some cottons that I had to buy online, but am happy with it so far.

September 14, 2023 0

Crossover Stitch

Another fibre artwork that could fit into a couple of categories. Have a look on my “Luscious Lavender” page for my latest creation.

August 11, 2023 0

Pink meadow with birches – work in progress

Because someone admired another stitched work that had already been sold in a local gallery, I set out to create something similar. It’s not quite finished, but you might like to see this work in progress. Should it be included in my Silver Birch Forest series?

I just need to finish the sky, and decide how to complete the landscape: bright flowers or serene grass? We’ll both have to wait and see…

August 2, 2023 0

Stitching on fabric – a new technique

Stitching on fabric rather than tapestry canvas is a whole new experience for me, and I’m enjoying the speed at which I can complete a work: hours rather than weeks!

Here’s my most recent stitching work, which I’m pretty pleased with as it’s different from anything I’ve done before. Although working cross stitch and long stitch on tapestry canvas will probably remain my favourite way of making fibre art, it’s good to have new tools in my skill set.

See my other recent stitching on canvas (I’m still reluctant to claim ’embroidery’ as I don’t think I have the skills yet) here.