Handmade Christmas decorations...using black(red)work embroidery

This year, I made some handmade Christmas decorations for my mother to give to her friends. In the summer I did a two-day course learning blackwork embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework. Although we were learning traditional blackwork techniques, we worked the sampler with red embroidery thread. At the time, I thought it would be a nice effect for Christmas.

Using one of the sampler patterns, and worked on white belgian linen, I embroidered each of the individual motifs.

Each of the decorations was backed with a red fabric with white stars.

And then stitched together with a 2mm satin ribbon loop

Turned the right-side out and pressed, ready for their filling and finishing touches

Filled, and a small ribbon bow added for decoration.

I think they look quite festive!

Customising bathroom storage...

One of the rooms I plan to redecorate/lightly renovate this year is the bright blue bathroom. I've been gradually collecting bits and pieces as I've seen them that will be added to the room. The new vanity mirror, wall sconces and ceiling light are ready and waiting.

I spent months stalking ebay for a glass-fronted cupboard to add much needed storage to the room. The bathroom has an Edwardian style pedestal sink, so there are no other places to store/hide the clutter of bathroom essentials. While I was in Australia I finally found a cupboard that was the perfect dimensions to fit the space, and at an equally perfect price (only £20!). I collected it once I returned and it is now in place ready for the other elements of the room to change around it.

One of the problems with the use of a glass fronted cabinet, is finding pretty storage options for what will go inside it - those that should and shouldn't be seen. When I was in Home Sense last week I found this nice metal storage crate. It had the perfect dimensions and I thought it would be just right to store spare hand towels and loo roll. However, I was less than impressed with the rough canvas insert.

So, using fabric I had left over from when I made the kitchen blind, it now looks like this...

Much better - and with some pretty cotton lace detail as well. Now I just need to get on with making plans for the rest of the room...

Paisley crewelwork at the RSN, Hampton Court Palace...

I am belatedly catching up with and completing some embroidery projects that I started in the latter part of last year. One weekend in November, I returned to the Royal School of Needlework to do a two-day course in paisley crewelwork. The tutor for the course was Florence Collingwood who I hadn't learnt from before, but whose teaching style I very much enjoyed.

This was a very enjoyable piece to work as it included such a variety of stitches, including some of the very traditional Jacobean elements such as trellis. It also included stem stitch, block shading, long and short, satin stitch, bullions and french knots, single and double seeding, herringbone, cretan and vandyke stitch, and finally some whipped and woven wheels. A number of these stitches were new to me, and for others it was a good refresher.

Paisley designs are inextricably linked with the town of Paisley (near Glasgow in Scotland) which was one of the major centres of shawl manufacturers. Originating with weavers in Kashmir who had produced exquisite cloth shawls for centuries, shawls began to be brought to the UK through the movements of British travellers, troops and merchants. With increasing popularity, the silk and cashmere shawls became covetable fashion items. Local industries then set out to produce similar items at a lesser cost to meet the growing demand. Paisley shawls were manufactured in a range of textiles including woven cashmere, embroidered wool and printed silk. One of the most common motifs used in paisley work is the tear drop design.

Of course a trip to the RSN at Hampton Court Palace is not complete with at least some time spent admiring the beautiful grounds from the vantage point of the RSN classroom windows...

The first day was one of those beautifully sunny winter days we do get on occasion here in England - however, the long, low shadows certainly indicate that winter was definitely approaching (and from memory, the second day of the course was misty, cold and damp!). However, the Saturday was still revealing some late blooms in the rose garden...

I spent a bit of time over the past weekend finishing off the design. It was the first time I had embellished my embroidery (other than when I did the goldwork course), but I like the effect that adding the vintage buttons and a few sequins provided - I think it gives a bit of whimsy to the design. I plan to frame this piece (along with some of the others I've completed at the RSN) to line my hallway.

One of the reasons I wanted to complete this piece is that I'm off to the RSN again this weekend where I am doing another Jacobean crewelwork course. But it is nice to tick one of the 'unfinished' projects off my list!

Developing crewelwork at the Royal School of Needlework...

In 2014, I attended another three short courses at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. Somewhat ashamedly, I have only just managed to complete the first project, despite actually attending the 'Developing Crewelwork' course back in August.

For two lovely summery days, this was our view from the teaching studio...

Part of me thinks that the view is worth the course fees alone...

During the course we were taught how to transfer our design onto the fabric using the prick and pounce method which was new to me.

And many months later, here is the finished product - well the embroidery is finished. I think I will likely make this into a cushion for the sitting room...but first I need to definitely come to a decision as to what final colour accents I will be using so I can chose a toning backing fabric.

As ever, the teaching quality of the RSN programme was excellent - if you are UK based, or here on holiday it is such a lovely way to spend a day or two...

RSN Silk-shading project finally completed...

It is now over a month since I attended my introduction to silk-shading course at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit it has taken me this long to finish the project, but it is now complete.

I'm feeling a little ambivalent about silk-shading as a technique. I was pleased to learn a new technique, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to embroidery, and I found this technique one of the hardest to master. I think my colour shading is 'clunky' - but perhaps that is one of those things that improves with practice.

It was certainly the first type of embroidery I'd tried where you have two and sometimes three different colours in needles and work them simultaneously. Additionally, the majority of this is worked with single strands of embroidery thread, so understandably it can take quite a long time to complete a section.

Nevertheless, I'm pleased I tried it, and I think my shading in other types of embroidery will now be more proficient as a result.

I still can't recommend the RSN short courses highly enough. I'm already looking forward to my next course in April.

And in other embroidery news...

...some simple bullion roses on a baby-grow to welcome a new daughter of a work colleague...

Silk-shading at the RSN and Hampton Court Palace...

Last Sunday I returned to Hampton Court Palace and the Royal School of Needlework for an introductory class in silk-shading. This was the the third of the day classes that I had booked after my first lovely two days at the RSN back in August. I was keen to try silk-shading as it is one of the core modules on the certificate course that I think I'd like to try at some point in the future.

I was in a different teaching room from those I've been in previously. It was on the other side of the palace courtyard with these lovely round windows looking out at the palace gardens. All around the room are examples of beautiful embroidery...

During a stroll in the gardens at lunch time, the spring bulbs are looking lovely...

And finally, here is what I'd managed to complete by the end of the day...

...as you can see from the faint blue outline of the pansy, I have a lot of homework to do to finish this project! And whilst this was meant to be the last of the courses I was undertaking at the RSN, I've since booked three more for during the summer and later in the autumn...

Adding to the capsule wardrobe...

I've been on a bit of a sewing spree lately. Late last year, I spent a couple of weekends at Sew Over It in Clapham making a 1940's wrap dress. It was such a lovely experience. So when I saw that they were advertising a new class for a lace dress, I thought it was finally a brilliant opportunity to make up the fabric I bought in Sydney (ahem...over two years ago). 

I've subsequently spent the last four Wednesday evenings being taught how to make this dress by the lovely Julie. I decided to make it with a soft beige colour lining to make more of the embellishment on the lace. The yoke and sleeves are unlined...

So, I now have a lovely new cocktail frock to add to my wardrobe.

In terms of a capsule wardrobe, the majority of my dresses are either shift dresses or wrap dresses. I do love both styles. I previously had a black and white patterned wrap dress from Banana Republic that I finally had to retire last year as after so much wear as it wasn't particularly looking black or white any longer. Sew Over It offer a class in making their Ultimate Wrap Dress, but unfortunately, I couldn't make the dates for the upcoming class. So, instead I bought a copy of their pattern, and now have this hanging in my wardrobe...

This was a great dress to make - it was reasonably quick to sew up and the instructions were very clear to follow. I think there will be some more of these made in the coming months...

On simple pleasures...

I was reminded this past week of the delight one can take in the simple activities that bring pleasure. When one lives in a busy city like London, it can be easy to be swept up into a pattern that seems to revolve around work commitments and commuting. Even planned social events can sometimes take on a feeling of responsibility rather than enjoyment. This seems compounded after several conversations with people for whom there seems to be a level of competition over who is the busiest or having the most difficult time at work.

This week I was given some reminders of the benefit and importance of balancing what I need to do with what I enjoy doing. Firstly, we seem to be in one of those infrequent periods where there is actually quite a few lovely television programmes to watch. I've been watching the Great British Sewing Bee for the past few weeks - which has whet my appetite for some more dressmaking. This past week also saw the first episode broadcast of Mary Berry's new cooking programme - I loved it. The episode focused on afternoon tea, but it was more the grace and experience that this wonderful lady portrays - you can see that she still takes so much pleasure from baking and cooking for her family and friends.

Yesterday, I returned to the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace for the third time. This time I was undertaking an introductory course in goldwork. Again, I was surprised at just how quickly six hours can pass when engaged in an activity that I find so enjoyable.

So this afternoon (after I had caught up with yesterday's postponed chores), I have spent a happy few hours finishing off my goldwork sampler. I had an audiobook playing for company, and outside the sun is beautifully shining, heralding spring's approach.

It was a nice reminder that building in these opportunities into my week makes the rest of the more mundane tasks much more palatable...

Embroidering for baby...

While I was in Sydney, one of my mother's good friends had a baby grand-daughter...so I offered to embroider a couple of vests/singlets for her to give as a gift.

These are so quick and relatively easy to make - and the added fine ribbon really adds to the cuteness. They probably took me less than an hour in total to complete.

Bullion roses, stem-stitch, lazy-daisy and a few french knots and a lovely, personal gift is ready to be given...

A crewel-embroidered cushion and a small birthday celebration...

...and back to this sadly neglected blog after another hiatus...

I've spent the last three weeks in a mainly sunny and warm (and occasionally very hot) Sydney visiting my family. It was a busy time as I was helping my mother complete some redecorating and decluttering. We decided to refresh the paint in half of her home - so I had my very first attempt at proper painting (painting is one of the activities in which my father never let us participate...I think he probably had visions of either a very poor finish or paint everywhere). But, my mother was happy for me to give it a try. To be honest, I really don't know how people redecorate for a living...it was exhausting! However, the end result was worth it - the rooms look so lovely and light and fresh. Not to mention, good practice for when I have my own home to renovate! I'll complete the remainder of the house on my visit next summer.

Having no current outdoor space, I also enjoyed spending some time working in her garden. Is is a little embarrassing to admit how much I like weeding? There was something very satisfying about achieving a lovely cleared flower bed. I think it is probably akin to my like (not quite love) of ironing and bringing order to all of those wrinkles. I also helped with planting some new shrubs. Both my parents and grandmother have/had a green thumb - something I am hoping rubs off on me when I have a garden of my own.

It was also my mother's birthday while I was in Sydney. For one of her gifts I embroidered her this cushion. In terms of the required timeframe to have it ready for her birthday, I had to complete it before I undertook my recent course at the RSN...but in retrospect I didn't make any glaring mistakes.

The design is based on a traditional tudor design, and adds a little brightness to her study.

We also held a birthday lunch for close family. I made smoked salmon blini's for the first time as an appetiser, along with some mini-quiches.

This beautiful platter belonged to my great-grandmother. It is such a joy to be able to use my mother's collection of antique serving and glass ware.

Lunch was boned and stuffed roast chicken, accompanied by my sister's fabulous potato bake and a spinach and strawberry salad. It was the first time I had made the salad which I saw on Jenny's blog last year, and it was fabulous.

Obviously, we rounded off lunch with a birthday cake. Another first attempt for me in baking a Victoria Sponge - I was attracted to the slightly modified version that Lauren had on her blog last year...and so were the rest of my family if the proof is in the eating...

The three weeks in Sydney passed all too quickly. I'm now back to the rain and horrendous winds in the UK. I am fortunate to still have no detrimental effects from the flooding, unlike so many other poor people in parts of the south-east of England.

 But I'm already missing these two delightful little people who make my visits home such a joy...

Returning to Hampton Court Palace and the Royal School of Needlework...

Well, that was a slightly longer blogging break than I originally anticipated. But, the weather has been so hideous here in the UK, that I've been very disinclined to set foot outside of the house other than when I absolutely had to (e.g. to get to work). However, I have been very fortunate that despite only living a two minute walk from the Thames, I suffered neither the power loss nor flooding that affected so many homes over Christmas, and which is still causing problems in Surrey, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

However, Saturday dawned as one of those lovely bright winter days, so it was well timed that it coincided with my return to Hampton Court Palace for another day programme at the Royal School of Needlework. I completed my first programme at the RSN in August - and enjoyed it so much that I immediately enrolled in 3 subsequent day courses.

This course was an introduction to Jacobean embroidery. I have done crewel embroidery in the past, but I enjoyed learning a range of new stitches and refining my technique...

Lunch time break... Not quite half completed

I finished off the embroidery on Sunday, and was quite pleased with the result. Now I just need to find time to take it to the framers...I was thinking that having it placed in a small wall frame would mean that it could be part of a gallery wall in my future home (for which I am still hunting)...

Roll on March and April when I will be back at the palace again to learn about silk-shading and gold work...