Transparent life

Last week I spent three blissful days in Grassington at the Stitching in the Dales course run by the local Embroiderers' Guild.  Our tutor was Kate Stewart and she led us on a painterly journey of stitched landscapes using transparent fabrics.

Our starting point was a background of painted cotton organdie and the main image was built up using fragments of coloured voiles and organza.  They look rather ordinary against an opaque surface but hold them up to the light and the colours sing out.  With clever layering you can build up a depth of field creating a wonderful 3D effect.  The fabric is stiffened with thick plastic sheet to make a mini screen or more sculptural piece like the pot of auricula's below.

Hot Pink!

Perhaps not the most popular item of clothing for May but I do live in Yorkshire!  These bed socks have been a long time in the making - I think I started them about 5 years ago and abandoned them when it was too difficult to use the circular needles that I'd bought. Thankfully I have been rescued from this nightmare by the loan of a set of double pointed needles from Fiona at the Stitch Society. The socks were finished in a week!

They are made using Rowan Yarns Kidsilk Haze from their book "Little Luxury Knits".  It uses two different coloured yarns, a hot pink and a softer, more muted pink.  The two colours are knitted together for the main body of the socks but the frills are worked in separate colours.  

My daughter hasn't taken them off since they were finished and describes the experience as 'like walking on clouds'. Lovely!

Blue and Yellow

Blue and yellow - a classic spring combo!  I made this chic little box at The Stitch Society, Make and Take workshop last week.  Both top and bottom are made from a square piece of paper, folded and cut to make a box.  I just love the print used on the lid.  The whole thing is begging to be filled with chocolates!

We also learned to make little bags with fan-frilled tops and bows that stayed flat. No more boring present wraps for me.  It was a lovely way to spend a Wednesday evening.  Thank you to Fiona and Shelia for their tuition.  

Shades of white

My friend Helen has been growing some lushous double tulips in her garden and I loved them so much (and took photos!) that she very kindly gave me some so that I could take as many photos as I liked.  

I watched them open up to the sunshine and I loved their blowsy abandon. The creamy white colour was highlighted with yellow streaks at the centre whilst shadows cast grey tones over the curved petals.   Even when they started to die back they retained an elegantly sculptured curl.  

All I have left is my watercolour painting.....