A little this and that tactics going on!!

So little time to keep up!

Isn't this a beautiful brooch...straight copying from a Royal School of Needlework book on Stump work by Kate Sinton...this adorns my winter coat and I'm constantly receiving compliments.

One of the reasons I am trying to teach myself Stump work is using the technique for a book I have had in my mind for years...years!

So far I have several sketches of scenes within the story....I have made a start on the cover...

Its finished but not complete as I have to wait for the measurements from the completed pages...I love it from its layered fabrics to the printing ink colour and the hundreds of hand stitching...and Shisha mirrors!

I have my Introduction page finished too.

Here's a detail image of the capital letter...

So next came a Forest scene...this was my first choice to do as I 'thought' (!) it would be an easy one to start as I knew the techniques I wanted to use...here's the sketch for the page...

I wanted a larger than life scaled Stump work appeal....

Painted calico baking.  Machine embroidery tree tops in the background and grass in the foreground.  Drawn work tree trunks, wrapped with Linen thread and colour painted with alcohol markers.  Wired slip leaves in Buttonhole needle lace and felt leaves.  

The chair is 3D too with a front drop down storage pocket...This has a small piece of green sea glass for the dragons eye!  In the foreground the rest of the fauna is made up of French Knots and Picot stitch.

So finished but not complete I think I want to put a few tweaks on there and perhaps re-write the description on separate calico...but overall I'm quite happy with it and I wanted to move onto to some Stump work figures....

I haven't got an image of my sketch for this one...but this is to go with the Introduction of the Grandfather ill in bed and Keal.

So this is the calico background painted for the Grandfathers bedroom...colours turned out a little dark but should be OK adding to a feeling of depth!

On here I have used Stem stitch to define the floor boards and the wall edges.  The window in the background is a felt frame with plain organza behind...I will add stitches to the panes when I've sorted the figures!

So this is where I'm at...the bed is felt covered Pelon stiffener and the stitching is Stem stitch again.

I am a little pensive now on the figures...I've trialled a few sized heads for the grandfather in the bed!!  But no conclusions as yet a bit more experimenting with grandfathers head!  Watch this space!

My summer project was this monster of a job!

I bought this as a kit thinking I wouldn't have to think...just cut on the lines, sew a few zillion of sequins and sew down where its drawn....No I did enjoy doing most of it...hopefully my grandson will love it!

Then I decided I needed a needle case!

Then I saw this project in the Cloth Paper and Scissors magazine....perfect for a Young Embroiders Guild member project...

I'm working on a heart shape one...but it can be extended for a hair slide, fone cover flap...loads to use this technique on...so a good one!

And still the Grandfather is awaiting his head!!!

Well that's me....thanks for reading!