Little Crochet Birdie - crochet experience preferable

This is easy to crochet. Make 5 or 7 chains (or more, depending on how large or small you want this birdie to be) Single crochet 'all around' cast-on chain - increasing 1 single crochet, at each end - I'm afraid, you will need to judge the increases as you go. Continue building up the size until required size is achieved (folding it in half will show you). Sew up straight opening (top of birdie) - leave a small gap to push in stuffing. Sew up remaining gap. Decorate with a beak, an eye and wings. If you have any problems, please email me.

TeaBag Embroidery

You can, of course, embroider on anything. Here, I used some old teabags - dried out, cut and ironed flat, tacked (or stuck) on to a piece of calico backing, then machine and some hand embroidery.  I also added a small piece of burnt metal in the centre.  I pierced small holes through the metal, which was thin, and stitched it on to the fabric.  -  Very satisfying bit of recycling.

Nancy Nicholson

 



Joan Nicholson

Nancy Nicholson has the most delightful designs in her sew-kits. She also has stationery, printables, and lovely other stuff.   Do have a look.
Blog link.

Evelin Kasikov - CMYK Embroidery - Cross Stitch - on the edge!

Evelin Kasikov

Machine Applique

This is an applique technique - mostly machine stitched, with added sequins and some hand embroidery.  Different fabrics and nets are applied to a background fabric and decoratively machined and hand embroidered. 

Elizabeth I

Paintings of a younger Elizabeth I

Anne Boleyn - Mother of Elizabeth I

Coronation Painting of Elizabeth I

Henry VIII - father of Elizabeth I

Elizabethan embroidered book binding - (Katherine Parr's?)

This is just a teeny collection of Tudor and Elizabethan paintings of
Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I.  The paintings were usually 'propaganda' to show their regal strength, but I think there is always an insight into their characters and also ................. show their beautiful clothes and accessories.  I also love to try and spot the likenesses between them - just to see who they make take after!

Linda Miller - embroideries

I've always loved embroideries by Linda Miller
Linda's Blog

Temari Balls

Link 1.
Link 2.
Link 3.
Link 4.

Japanese Temari balls are a symbol of perfection.
Click on the above links if you want to find out more about the history,
some instructions and more patterns.

V&A Postcards

This is a man's theatrical costume - Gorgeous! -
(gold embroidery on velvet)
I think it could be worn now -
It's Italian and dated 1740-60.

This is an extended fan leaf with a view of the interior of a shop selling export wares.
It's possibly Dutch and dated 1680-1700

The costume and 'fan leaf' is at the Brit.Library's current Henry VIII exhibition.
These postcards are from exibits normally at the V&A.

Henry VIII - The British Library

Went to a wonderful exhibition today about Henry VIII - at the British Library. The Library is well worth a visit. It's a very 'user-friendly' - place.

I'm very interested in historical portraits, many of which, in this exhibition, hadn't been seen before, and almost like looking through a family's photo album - you can put a face to Henry's parents, siblings, his wives, of course - and many other important personages in this period. (You can also check on family resemblances!)

There are love letters from Henry to Anne Boleyn and many historical documents and artefacts to browse. Politically this was not an easy time in which to live, with strong religious differences from north to south, but my interest lay in the creative side of their lives and I found the costume detail in the paintings just as fascinating as the actual history.

Catherine of Aragon - divorced - (but not according to some!)
Mother of Queen Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary).
Catherine was married to Henry for 24 yrs.

Anne Boleyn - married - (but not according to others!) - beheaded (poor thing) - Mother of Queen Elizabeth I

Jane Seymour - bore him the son Henry wanted, Edward, but she died shortly after the prince was born.

Anne of Cleves - Henry didn't like her one bit and kindly set her up in another palace -
a goodlie distance away!

Kathryn Howard - was rather flirty - beheaded too.

Katherine Parr - she seemed to give him some stability and outlived him.

More info. on The Wives
Elizabethan Embroidery link 1.
Elizabethan Embroidery Link 2.

Verybigjen's Pincushions !

Jen has an Etsy Shop with a gorgeous selection of imaginative pincushions and a super How-To.
Her Flikr album is here - please eyeball them!!
(These have to be my next 'thing' along with knitty cupcakes!)

ORIGINS Exhibition at Somerset House

Lubna Chowdhray - ceramic tiles

Marlene McKibbin - acrylic jewellery

Linda Miller - embroidery

Katie Mawson - stitched textiles

I visited the Origins exhibition yesterday - some wonderful stuff!