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Two New Designs
cleopatra*
From her glossy black wig (adorned with a brass scarab and gold beads) to the jewelled cuffs that decorate her arms and wrists, cleopatra makes no secret of the fact that she's a DIVA! Please note that Cleopatra has a choice of 2 outfits... the second is a bright, sparkly retro-Mod mini-dress. For complete details about Cleopatra, please click here.
If you'd like to see how the first Embroidered Paper Doll, or several other charts were developed, please browse through my Design Diaries.
* 'Cleopatra' is the 2nd Embroidered Paper Doll and the 1st Diva (a new line of historic women as Embroidered Dolls)
Dream
This atmospheric little piece (it measures just 3 3/4"h x 4"w) is stitched in muted beach-y tones that recall perfect Summer afternoons spent in the company of a good book and a cup of coffee. For complete details about this design, please click here.
For a list of U.S. stockists, please click here.
For a list of Canadian stockists, please click here.
For a list of stockists outside North America, please click here.
Stitchers aka Pointillists
The similarities between Georges Seurat's (1859-91) beautiful Pointillist paintings
and counted thread work never cease to amaze me!
Most of us are familiar with his 1884 work, "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" (at left above and at the top of the page). This oil painting, which is held by the Art Institute of Chicago, is composed soley of tiny dots of colour. When viewed from a distance, the dots melt into one another to create a gorgeous piece of art. I find it very satisfying, while stitching single 'dots' of colour to think of this connection with a Great Master.
For more information about Georges Seurat, please consider a side-trip to the Metropolitan Museum.
Fabulous Treat
After many long months of research, development and fine-tuneing, John Wilkes of Hearthside Craftworks has created a very special product for needlework-lovers. His ultimate Stitcher's Cabinet bears the hallmark of all Hearthside Craftworks products in that it incorporates intelligent design and exquisite craftmanship. Individually hand-crafted (mostly from solid Oak), John's Stitcher's Cabinet offers many features including: a removable Tool Caddy (for your scissors, extra needles, thread conditioner, marker pens, beads, etc.); 4 drawers with adjustable compartments (sized for Plastic Bobbins and/or DMC stitchbows or Kreinik Thread Spools); storage space for patterns or magazines and a removable insert in the top of the cabinet (which can accomodate and frame a stitched piece).
Of course, we-stitchers shouldn't greedily claim this cabinet all for ourselves. It will be loved by those who tinker with model trains, planes and automobiles (with their tweezers, small parts, assembly sheets, glues, decals, tiny paintbrushes and enamel paints). By people who make jewellery (to ferret away gemstones, pearls, assorted chains, pliers, metal cutters, hammers, wires and jewellery findings). By stained glass workers (with places to store their metal tapes, flux, solder, soldering irons, glass cutters, patterns, assorted pieces of coloured and textured glass). By fine art painters (with all those brushes and tubes of paint); fly-tiers (hooks, nylon and metallic threads, feathers, beads and bits) and by those who build and furnish doll-houses. The "Not-Just-For-Stitchers Cabinet" is a very beautiful and, obviously, tremendously versatile product! For images and complete specifications, please visit the Hearthside Craftworks site.
A Wonderful Afternoon
On Thursday, January 24, 2008
I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon chatting about 'Artistic Inspirations' with around 70 extremely creative textile artists at the
Canadian Embroiderer's Guild
in London, Ontario. Our discussion was based on the premise that "the way that each of us sees the world shapes and colours our attitudes, opinions, outlook and, especially, our art." The photo just to the left above was part of this audio-visual presentation and there are several people I need to thank for their support in this adventure.
Mannie, Alma, and Grace all helped set everything up at the CEG London end of things (and Grace's husband, Pat, offered invaluable help).
Carolyn Mitchell wears many hats... she runs her own needlework design company, is in great demand as a teacher and, this year, she's celebrating the 20th Anniversary of her shop Mrs. Twitchett's Eye. An incredibly gifted woman, Carolyn is also a very supportive mentor.
Connections Fibre Artists
The Hippy image at left was part of the presentation I've mentioned above
and I'm very glad that it gave me an opportunity to meet Johnnene Maddison (one of the founders of a very talented group of textile artists called
Connections Fibre Artists).
In 2007, Gallery Lambton hosted an exhibition of pieces that were inspired by the groups' experiences of and feelings about the Hippie movement. Thank you, Johnnene, for sending me the catalogue... the pieces are both beautiful and thought-provoking.
Threads of the Valley
The Embroiderer's Association of Canada is preparing to host over 200 women at their annual seminar from May 21 to 25, 2008. This year, stitchers will be gathering in Kelowna, BC at the aptly named "Threads of the Valley" seminar. Please visit the Embroiderer's Association of Canada for more details about this wonderful event.
Hand-made Books
I've been indulging in a little play and thought that you might like to see the results.
Please click on the thumbnails for more photos of each book.
Just a Little Reminder
In 2005, Wendy Mesley (a popular TV journalist and co-host of CBC's consumer show, 'Marketplace') was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her diagnosis, subsequent treatment and recovery led her to investigate the rising incidence of all forms of cancer throughout North America. The end result was an informative and much-repeated television show, "Chasing the Cancer Answer" which exposed startling facts about the fight against cancer and our environment. CBC has also provided online tips about avoiding carcinogens in common household products.
Please don't forget to familiarize yourself with the signs of Ovarian Cancer and to ensure that the men in your life remember their PSA checks.
Thank you so much for your visit and for taking the time to read this newsletter. I hope that you've found it interesting and useful. Til next time... take care and Happy Stitching,
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