Hello Everyone
How are you? This week I would like to introduce someone who has become a great source of inspiration for my Whitework designs but before we start there are three things I need to chat to you about:
1. New Whitework Kits
Firstly please accept my apologies for the delay in the release of the new whitework kits. We have been having recurrent load shedding (power cuts) here in South Africa and this has resulted in the printers and screen printers having to work around these power cuts so everything has been delayed. This also applies to re-stocking kits that have sold out in the Etsy shop, so please bear with me they should be back in stock by next week. As a side note I have found a new use for my battery operated Purelite magnifying lamp – it is good for standing on the kitchen counter and lighting up the area when cooking chicken on a two plate gas stove! Who says us embroiderers aren’t resourceful?
2. Book Review
Secondly Mary Corbet kindly did a review on the new book Miniature Needle Painting yesterday. You can read about it here: In the acknowledgement section I asked her to “be nice to me Mary” and she was very nice, so thanks for that Mary! One of the concerns that came up from readers in the USA is that the Gutermann polyester sewing thread that I use for outlining on miniatures seems to have a different numbering system in the USA to the European ones. Rest assured that we are working on a solution and Mary Corbet has kindly offered to take my list with her to the shops this week and find substitute colours. I will share these with you in a future blog post but they will also be listed next to the Gutermann threads available for sale in the Etsy shop. More on this later.
3. Whitework Book
Thirdly further to my announcement that I would be working on a book Needle Painting Birds Of The World – it has been decided by the publishers that this will require more time to produce as the projects are slightly larger and more time consuming and so will be delayed slightly and follow on from a book on “Shades Of Whitework. I call it this to distinguish from pure white on white embroidery as I add touches of colour. I am very excited about this one, it is quite diverse to needle painting but very freeing and the projects are great fun to work on. This will hopefully be released late 2016. To those of you who have written with requests for birds, your suggestions have been noted, thank you.
Which brings me to Jill Buckley. Jill is a Canadian quilter, designer and artist you can read all about her here and in an interview for the Canadian Quilters Blog. Jill designs the most stunning doodles, some of which have been built into the library of Janome Embroidery machines, and published in books to name a few of her achievements. Like me she came into her own later in life and finally found her niche so we have a lot in common. Her artwork has a lovely flowing composition which caught my eye whilst browsing for ideas on Pinterest and I soon got in touch with her to request the use of some of her designs for whitework projects.
Now you are probably not aware of the potential battle that goes on to gain permission from artists/photographers to use their artwork? Not all artists are forthcoming some just say a flat NO, some ask for unrealistic licensing fees, and in one case I received this reply from the agent of a prominent nature artist in the USA: “We are not interested its just too small a deal…” there was no dear Trish or yours sincerely, just that, then of course there are those lovely, generous artists who are only too willing to share their work and Jill was one of those. When I first approached Jill she was a little apprehensive but eventually agreed to let me use the outline of her cat, the result of which you can see below.
Having seen the completed embroidery of Katarina The Cat she agreed to let me use more of her designs and since then has actually been designing exclusive doodles for me to use in the new book, how lucky am I? Of course I have to re-draw and adapt the original to make it suitable for whitework embroidery but the idea source is there and it allows me to spend more time on the designing and stitching, and less time on sourcing images. I am in heaven! I wish I could share them with you but of necessity they have to remain secret till the book release, but I am sure you are going to love them – there are lots of different, gorgeous designs, which have inspired me with all sorts of wonderful ideas for the final projects.
If you have a specific idea that you would like to see in shades of whitework let me know and I will certainly consider it. Next time I hope to share with you how to overcome some challenges that people experience with needle painting, specifically long & short stitch. Meanwhile, wherever you are in the world, remember “Embroidery forever, housework whenever!” Keep smiling and happy stitching! Trish
j’adore vos livres et vos motifs pdf grâce a vous j’ai enfin broder de beaux oiseaux un enchantement c’est aussi mary corbet qui donne de magnifiques renseignements bientôt des traductions en français?
merci beaucoup
Trish, your book is fantastic, I just keep looking at it and have trouble putting it down. I keep finding new information, I think there is so much that it needs reading over and over again, (that’s my excuse anyway).
I had a job to find the Gutermann colours in my local shops but John Lewis online (England), has them all.
I really like ‘Katarina’ and hope to be able to attempt it at some stage, how you manage to keep coming up with all these beautiful things is amazing. I’m looking forward to ‘Shades of white-work’ as I’m sure it will be equally exciting.
Alex
Thank you so much Alexandra, so glad you are enjoying the new book:) Trish
Thanks for letting us know about the gutermann threads at John Lewis x
Hi Trish,
Ah, ‘Whitework’ it has always appealed to me – I’m more Ivory and Coffee, but you know what I mean. It always looks so elegant and classy. I have to say I was quite relieved when I read that your next book on the subject won’t be with us until 2016, as that gives me plenty of time to improve on my needle painting.
Now, speaking of needle painting. When I read Mary Corbet’s review of your latest book the other day, I was like the cat that got the cream. As you know Trish, I already have my copy, and I have to say it’s just beautiful. Beware all those considering a purchase – you may find you spend at least a week just looking and reading, and not stitching, but it really is worth it.
I agree with Mary’s comments that you need good lighting and magnification, however, I need that already for standard size project. I use the Purelite lamp, and as well as being excellent for cooking chicken by lamplight 🙂 it’s very good for embroidery. In fact, I have recently been researching for a new lamp with higher magnification, but as yet I haven’t found one. Purelite state that the magnification is x2, whereas the Daylight Company (one I really like the look of) says their magnification is x 1.75. So for now, I’ll stick with my Purelite.
I have to admit Trish, I did laugh when I read the artists agents response to your request. Not that it’s funny, as there’s just no excuse for bad manners, but that’s what ‘money’ does to people. I think this is why I find people who embroider a different type of ‘species’ altogether. In the main, they are only really interested in beauty – it’s a lovely little world to be in, well I think so.
Keep safe
Love
Shelagh xx
thanks Shelagh as always for your lovely comment. I also did have a laugh at the short curt reply from the agents – we have to laugh! I have been using my purelite more and more since the power cuts and it is a lovely light, I especially like the fact that it does not get hot like some of the other lights. x Trish
Once again Trish –it all appeals to me so different and beautiful love Ellie xx
Thanks Mum:) xxx
Obviously you know I have the book and think it is great and I get Mary’s daily blog so was so pleased to see her do her thing and this has to be the best way to get your book promoted out there as thousands get it every day! As for another design what about mushrooms? Have always liked them and they come in such nice shapes for embroidery – just a thought. Counting the days Trish.
Luv
El
xx
Good morning Trish ~
Complete 2, a Complete lesson in Whitework is lovely. Where might I find this for purchase ? I didn’t see it on Estsy.
I was happy to hear Mary Corbet was going to find the USA color #’s for the Gutermann thread. I was wondering why I could never find any of the colors locally.
Thank you,
Stitching keeps our souls content, Sharon Shetley Threads in Bloom
Thanks Sharon. Sorry probably did not make it clear in the blog but the 3 new kits have been delayed, hopefully they will be in Etsy next week. Trish
hello this whitework is beautiful.. Ellie
Trish, I wrote a comment on your new book soon after mine arrived…. JUST SO BEAUTIFUL and have shared it with all my sewing group girls who also lived it. Now I have the task of sewing those beautiful birds and flowers and children. Book has pride of joy sitting on my table beside my recliner.
Thats lovely thank you so much Heather:) Trish