embroidery « Narrative Self

Been Etsy busy!

By Stephie, on Saturday 7th August, 2010 at 18:45 pm

From the Loft is looking good. I’ve added a goodly number of rose-scented hearts and sachets today, which I hope you’ll want to snap up, or at least go and ‘favourite’. I’ve only got three people ‘favouriting’ my shop so far, which is giving me a big pouty bottom lip! The little gallery below (and in the right hand column) shows prices in US dollars, but when you go to my shop you’ll see them in Sterling as well; annoying I know. I think the hand-made hearts are a bit of a bargain considering all the commission fees and postage to be taken off – oh yes, there’s free postage to UK addresses! (And it’s fairly reasonable elsewhere.)

Aaah, I feel like everything’s coming up roses

Still got the cushion covers to add, but it’s been yet another very dull grey day here – meaning poor light for taking photographs with my not so hot camera! Fingers crossed the sun pokes its head out from behind the clouds later on, or failing that TOMORROW!

Think I need a run now, before I forget how!

Bye bye for now
love Stephie x

Final heart

By Stephie, on Saturday 12th June, 2010 at 16:28 pm

Yep, decision made: no more hearts, unless they’re gifts for family and friends. Sorry I shall put these three in my shop (hopefully Monday, fingers crossed) at what will be a ‘silly price’, considering labour and materials – and ignoring running costs and profit!!! I know I’m not a business yet, or even self-employed, and it may be some time ’til I feel well enough/stable enough to do that, but I believe in starting as I mean to go. Especially in this case, there is absolutely no point in making things that are just not viable. Each one was individually made and took over an hour to complete. Yes, I know I could get the time down if I made lots together, but that’s not what I’m about, and it still wouldn’t be viable anyway – I’ll leave manufacturing to those that get their products made in India and China (just so that we can have stuff ‘cheap’, but what cost I daren’t think about.) Am I ranting?!! Sorry, it’s just the sort of stuff that goes through my head when I’m making things!

Viable or not, I still think these wee hearts are sweet and I enjoyed making them – rough, rustic and ‘make do and mend’ was the look I was going for. The last one is probably my favourite one, I like the darned effect of the applique. What do you think?

More experimental embroidery on this one

It's a rough kind of darned effect, finished off with a wooden button

I’ll let you know when they’re up for sale, but I’m off to plan a run now (can’t have this half-marathon just creep up on me!); we’re aiming for a long one today, 8 or 9 miles I hope. Bet we can’t even make 6!

Enjoy the rest of the day, hope you’re out enjoying the glorious sunshine (if you have any!).

love Stephie x

It’s hello from me

By Stephie, on Sunday 21st February, 2010 at 02:36 am

Hello everyone! It’s been a while since I last posted hasn’t it?, much longer than I intended so I hope you’ll forgive me. I would blame half-term, but Kim’s not been here (I miss him so much ), so that’s no excuse. The truth is that I’ve been feeling rough again, not despairing, but very, very low. I’ve had a lot on over the last week too, so any chance I’ve had to sleep I’ve taken it. Busy doing what you ask? Here’s a sample: we took Kim to see Shaun the Sheep at the Eden Project; I’ve had a horticultural exam; I’ve been to a three health appointments (one of them lasting 5 hours), and I seem to have inadvertently taken up running again (twice this week). I have a rather deluded friend who seems to think that if I train with her I’ll be able to run a half marathon in the summer…she has more faith in me than I do, I’ve never run more than about 5 miles before – and that was always enough!

I have plans to put together a post with some photos of some of the more positive things I got up to last week. Hopefully I’ll finish it tomorrow, but in the mean time I thought I’d cheer us all up with a bit of colour. I certainly need it, and I hope you like it too.

An injection of cheeriness

All these lovely threads make me want to do some embroidery - funny that!

And today’s eye candy is…

By Stephie, on Thursday 4th February, 2010 at 23:30 pm

not some slinky ‘babe’ with her bits hanging out. It’s not even Mr Depp. Or Mr Pitt. Nope, it’s a bit of colourful Moda fabric all made into a knitting needle roll. How visually splendid is that then?! I knew you’d agree. This is one of a couple I have on the go, destined, at some point, to arrive at Art House 2 in Hampshire. Might just have to keep it around to look at for a bit longer though. And get my knitting needles back out. There is a black lacy scarf with my name on it. Well, actually, as you know, it’s got someone else’s name on it…

I love the orange colours - fresh!

Ooooh, colour and sunshine!

What a nice place to stash your tools!

A touch of embroidery brightens up the inside. Ok, if you insist: a touch of sophisticated RUNNING STITCH brightens up the inside!

From the heart

By Stephie, on Wednesday 3rd February, 2010 at 11:51 am

I thought it might be nice to have something to lighten the mood around here a bit today, a bit of light relief from my outpourings; what do you think of these? They’ll shortly be available from Art House 2. Not only do they look sweet, they smell as sweet as roses too!