Wonderful Wednesday #71 - Chloe Redfern

I adore this Blue Jay Embroidery Pattern by Chloe Redfern. Look at all the dense detail in those stitches! Her patterns look well-designed and give you a chance to practice some beautiful stitch filling techniques.

I have been keeping up with Chloe's embroidered bird series for some time now - and they just keep getting lovelier and lovelier!

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A post shared by Chloe (@chloeredfernembroidery) on Mar 2, 2019 at 2:41am PST

If you follow Chloe on Instagram @chloeredfernembroidery, you'll get a wonderful window into her creative process as well - as she shares images of her sketches and preliminary designs, which are also delightful:

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Sketches for a new bird pattern in progress 😊 I’ve decided to work on a blue jay next 🙂 Thank you so much for all of your lovely kind comments on my last post, they were so appreciated 🙏🏻 #embroidery #handembroidery #birdembroidery #embroiderypattern #birdembroiderypattern #bluejay #bluejayembroidery #hoopart #embroideryhoop #embroiderersofinstagram

A post shared by Chloe (@chloeredfernembroidery) on Feb 26, 2019 at 6:08am PST

12 Months of Christmas: Colly Bird

Hi all! Apologies for my late post in the 12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong - I have had a few health issues lately which kept me from adhering to my stitching schedule last month. The good news is I'll have some recovery time later this month, which will hopefully mean: more stitching! Up above you see my the results of my efforts on the Colly Bird pattern by Mmmcrafts. And yes, that's Colly Bird, although you may have heard "calling bird" as well, Larissa explains a bit of history on the song, in this post on her blog.

Here's how the set of first 4 patterns is looking so far:

I did a few things differently in my stitching, as I've mentioned before, I like to "wing it" with Larissa's patterns. :) I've once again left out the little bead on the bottom - why? Maybe just laziness? :) On the eye, I chose to use a sequin and bead, instead of a French knot.

I also cut a small oval shape for the eye area, instead of stitching around the eye:

I added a little bit of extra stitching to visually "join" the tail section to the rest of the body:

Once again, I used metallic DMC threads, and a similar palette of felt and thread colors. All of the felt came from the Benzie Design felt bundle for Partridge and Pear, and that heathered light blue on the wings comes from their Healthered collection.

A funny thing I am discovering as I stitch these is that sometimes I prefer the look of the ornament before I stuff it (particularly the birds). Maybe my stuffing method is just clumsy, but I feel it really changes the charm of the design when it's stuffed. I might experiment with stitching some "flat" versions of these, at some point. What do you think?

JOIN THE 12 MONTHS OF CHRISTMAS STITCHALONG!

Would you like to join in? Remember, joining this stitchalong is easy, and no-pressure! To join, visit Larissa's shop to purchase the Twelve Days pattern of your choice. Tag your pictures with the hashtag #twelvedaysornaments and #12monthsofChristmas on Instagram so we can find them.

Leave a comment here with a link to your blog, or any space on the internet where you are tracking your progress. And don't miss the page Larissa has set up with lots of tips for stitching this series: http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/p/twelve-days.html. Next up is Gold Ring! Let's stitch!

Previous Stitchalong Posts

        #1-2: Partridge and Pear; Turtle Dove;                  #3: French Hen

Christmas Countdown #4: Cozy Blue

This Folk Holiday Kit by Cozy Blue is just lovely, isn't it? I love the golden-mustardy color of the pre-printed fabric, and having the option to do this up in simple white or go a bit crazy with colors, as you are inspired.

Stitchy Snippets - Birds

These incredibly realistic brooches of birds are created and embroidered by Polish artist, Paulina Bartnik. Paulina adopts the Needle Painting embroidery technique, which she applies to a felt base. Such stunningly colourful and realistic pins would surely make the most perfect Christmas gift :) See more of Paulina's work here.

Wonderful Wednesday #40: Diana Watters

This Sea to Sky cross stitch pattern by Diana Watters Handmade on Etsy is just fabulous. I love the minimal textures and colors and modern look to this piece!

From Diana's bio on Etsy, this Toronto artist is: "a designer, and metal fabricator, that has a serious penchant for cross stitch and colour." I'm really looking forward to seeing more from her!

Follow Diana on Instagram: @dianawatters_handmade
(https://www.instagram.com/dianawatters_handmade/)

Christmas Countdown #22: September House

These Festive Flock patterns by September House are gorgeous - I love the elegant colors and imaginative stitches:

Christmas Countdown #16: iManuFatti

I adore this Cute Christmas Robin pattern by Etsy seller iManuFatti. Seriously, it is filled with delightfulness, if that is even a word. :)

And there are so many more sweet holiday ornament patterns in Manuela's shop:

Just wonderful - for more visit iManuFatti's shop!

Christmas Countdown #13: Erica Hite

Continuing the vintage Christmas charm are these lovely Felt Christmas Ornaments patterns by artist Erica Hite. I love how these patterns can either take a lot or a little embellishment and still look fantastic!

Stitchy Snippets - Miniatures

Brilliant miniature jewellery fashioned by Russian artist Julia Gorina a.k.a Fly Fenix. Intricately detailed, richly textured,complimented with hand embroidery and beadwork; I think her jewellery is irresistible. See more of her work on her website.

Stitchy Snippets - Dreamlike Embroidery

Canadian based artist - Amanda McCavour creates beautiful, dreamlike, large-scale embroideries. Her basis in drawing led her to experiment with various mediums to create line and she was intrigued to incorporate embroidery in her drawing. Shading and colour are worked into her embroideries as one would do with a paint brush or pencil. Drawing and line remain fundamental to her work 'I would describe my work as being drawings that are made out of thread. I am interested in thread as both drawn and sculptural line.'

Amanda uses a sewing machine to create her pieces and embroiders free-hand onto water soluble fabric. Once the fabric is dissolved in water only the thread is left and these thread lines form the structure of the installations. Amanda 'is interested in thread’s assumed vulnerability, its ability to unravel, and its strength when it is sewn together.' The embroideries appear delicate however the countless, layered stitches create a new fibre and the pieces hold strong without a base cloth.

Amanda's knowledge and experience of printmaking is also apparent in her work. One particular installation is influenced by doodling. Amanda explains 'I made more than 400 neon orange thread "scribbles" and hung each from the ceiling with a pin and a piece of thread. I was hoping that this repetitive imagery and action would create a mass of thread, a giant scribble. It was all of these similar repeating parts that created a larger whole. Some of the repetition in my work relates back to these ideas which are present in printmaking.'

Amanda talks about the impact of fibre in contemporary art. 'It seems to be that the possibilities for fibre in contemporary art are endless and that the role it might play is one of expanding and broadening the boundaries between art, craft and design.'

Patterns: Chloe Redfern

Goldfinch by Chloe Redfern

I love Chloe Redfern's bird patterns, particularly her goldfinch design. I think this or any of her patterns would look great on a wall at home.

Patterns: mmmcrafts

Photos from mmmcrafts Flickr

You know how certain things always seem to pop up on your Pinterest? Well the little bird on the left (a bookmark) has popped up so many times on the boards of people I follow on Pinterest, over the last week or so, I just had to investigate who this brilliant designer was further!

It turns out that the bookmark was made by the creative spark behind mmmcrafts and although the bookmark doesn't seem to be a pattern, you can find loads of other mmmcrafts patterns here and here. I particularly like the Flora needle book and the snow bird  patterns. Flor, the editorial brains behind Feeling Stitchy, also really likes the snow bird pattern, she's made loads!

Cesto da Roupa...

Olá! The first weeks of this year I'll be showing some more works from Portuguese embroiderers. I believe it is a great way of beginning the year... isn't it?

And let's begin with Isabel Jardim and her blog "cesto da roupa"... I would translate it as clothes basket... Because I believe she did not mean laundry basket... but maybe the real problem is with my English. :)

I got to know her work three years ago and I loved the originality and freshness of how she worked with fabrics... so different from what I usually see. But I only discovered embroidery on her work very recently...

Some years ago Isabel begun publishing beautiful painted  laundry bags and bed sheets but soon her charming bed covers became a success and I believe that was when she started showing her embroidery stitches... soon delicate stitches began embellishing many of Isabel's works. And she brought them from the bed to the table. Later, her doll lavender bags with cute embroidered faces were the confirmation that embroidery was there to stay. :)

Today I bring you some photos of more recent pieces of work with embroidered details that make them so special and unique... 

Photos from Cesto da Roupa

Photo from Cesto da Roupa

Isabel's bunting banners and this beautiful bag embroidered with little birds show her inspiration from vintage motifs...

Photos from Cesto da Roupa

 And this toilet bag surely shows Isabel's preference for floral patterns...

Photo from Cesto da Roupa

Lately, Isabel has been dedicating some of her stitches to our little friends... and she embroidered a beautiful collection of pillows for pets...

But I will leave the best for last... so don't forget to pass by next week. I'll show you my favorite works from "cesto da roupa" and you'll learn a little more about Isabel and her relation to embroidery.

Countdown to Christmas: Holiday Birds

Stitched by floresita

I am in love with the Snow Bird pattern by Larissa Holland, and although it is late in the season I am busy crafting away at little birds for last-minute ornament gifts. A quick plug for the wonderful pattern, which is incrediby detailed, easy to follow, and well worth the purchase price. I purchased mine in combination with the stocking pattern, and they are both well-written and lovely.

To view more of Larissa's patterns, visit her store.

Back to school

Olá! Here is my last work... My younger daughter needed a new school backpack and surprisingly she asked me if I could embroider it... I loved the idea!! Making something with our own hands to our children is always so special. And even more when they are growing and still like having something made by their mothers...

We bought a common backpack... All choices were of her... She asked me if I could use the "bird pattern" inspired by pottery and the pastel colors... And here you have the final result... Rainy days didn't help the colors of the photos....

Back to school...

Flying from pottery to embroidery

Olá! When I started my project agulha não pica (needle does not prick), I decided that my embroidery patterns would be inspired by Portuguese culture, that they should have a "Portuguese soul". Soon I discovered that although the inspiration from Portuguese Regional embroideries would be endless it could be very challenging to bring some motifs from arts & crafts other than embroidery. One of those arts deep rooted in Portuguese tradition and culture is pottery, that you'll find from the North to the South of our country.

I bought this (and many other) pottery plate 20 years ago in Redondo, a beautiful small town in Alentejo, in the South of Portugal, renowned for its clay products and wine. It was made by an artisan, Adriano Martelo, that claimed to use ancestral techniques.

The richness of the work of the artisans from Redondo comes from the use of traditional patterns like floral motifs, portraits of the daily life from rural Alentejo region and reproductions of antique plates from the 17th century. Flower baskets, small cottages, birds, cork oak trees and shepherds deserve special attention.

pottery plate, my photo

I love this plate and decided to transform it into an embroidery pattern. I asked the help of a friend with better drawing skills and I was delighted with the final result of this pattern inspired by rural pottery.

Recently I used it to decorate a linen/cotton apron made in the region of Guimarães and embroidered it with cotton pearl size 8 from Limol, choosing the pastel colors box.

Using carbon paper to transfer the pattern, my photo

Transferred pattern, my photo

Patel colors, my photo

Embroidering... My photo

Embroidered bird from Alentejo, my photo.

And here you have how a beautiful bird flew from pottery to embroidery... 

Do you have a special embroidery pattern's story, too? Share it with us...