Saturday 28 December 2013

Hats ...

These are embroideries of my grandma and grandad - free machine work on cotton batiste with vintage lace appliqué and hand embroidery on their hats.

 

Thursday 28 November 2013

On my work table today ...

Another new piece in my "Map" series - free motion embroidery on cartridge paper with watercolour, beeswax and embellished with hand embroidery.

Sunday 17 November 2013

Application ...

That's it - all done! My application for a big event in 2014 - keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!

Saturday 2 November 2013

Tracks ...

A couple of pieces from a new series looking at where I live and the marks we leave on our surroundings, the tracks we leave as we walk, signs of passage ... And a pic of me and my husband having a fab few days in the Lakes with our beautiful daughters. We stayed in a hotel that I used to visit every summer as a child - revisiting the tracks I made with my family then ...

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Update ...

 

Have been working very slowly over the last few weeks and not getting very far!! Here are a few close up photos of samples I have been playing around with. I have got some ideas brewing ... More to follow shortly I hope!!

Saturday 7 September 2013

Sunday morning stitching - early!

I am too excited to be able to wait till Sunday to share this with you! I went on a hat making day in Hull with my friend Lisa, run by HEYCreativeworkshop. I blocked this cloche hat and had a great day. I love my little hat - my girls were not quite so impressed when I said I was wearing it today to take them to Harrogate - I didn't wear it :(( You know when you try something out and you can't stop thinking about it and want to make more - we'll that's me today - I want to make more hats!! Just need to save up bucket loads for a hat block now ...

 

Sunday 25 August 2013

Sunday morning stitching ...

During my massive studio clean out I have rediscovered some pieces that have been stacked in a corner. This is a hand embroidered piece inspired by my trips to the Northumbrian Coast. It represents the sea and waves crashing against the beach. The shell is one I collected from the beach and is sewn onto a hand felted panel. The threads and wools used for the background are in beautiful colours of pale blues, lemons and a hint of lilac. There are some small iridescent sequins attached which sparkle as they catch the light like the surface of the sea. This is the first piece I have placed in my new etsy shop KMasonEmbroidery - a big leap for me - the shop is a WIP so bear with me whilst I learn the ropes ...

Thursday 22 August 2013

Tidy studio ...

Completed at last - Echoes of the Past - the first (hopefully) of a series of embroideries on sheers. This has been photographed in a window, the pic below shows it against a cream wall.

I have been very busy tidying the studio over the last few days after the chaos of getting ready for Art in the Pen. It's lovely and clean and fairly organised today which has obviously made it a more productive place for me to work as this piece has been waiting for me to finish it for a little while!

I met some really lovely people at Art in the Pen and received lots of comments about my work. I was also asked whether I would be prepared to run workshops. This is something I have been thinking of for a while. I will keep you posted when I have had chance to think a bit further and done a bit of research into what people might be interested in doing - free motion embroidery, hand embroidery, temari balls ... I have posted a photo below - what do you think?

 

 

Saturday 17 August 2013

Art in the Pen - day 1

Setting up - my pen at the auction mart ready to be transformed into a mini gallery ...

A few hours later with the assistance from my two fab helpers ...

A great day at Art in the Pen today - such lovely comments about my work - and a whole auction mart filled with the most amazing creativity. Looking forward to day 2 tomorrow!

 

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Last minute preparations ...

3 days till Art in the Pen - I was going to take you a photo of the studio today but its utter chaos in there - the floor is full, the work table is full, there is stuff everywhere!! Last minute preparations (panic stations) are underway and I am working my way through a long checklist - the basket in the photo has some fish and houses to hand stitch together this evening then I am just about there I think.

Sunday 11 August 2013

Sunday evening stitching ...

I am very late with this post today ... Sorry!! Two pictures of the latest addition to my house collection, the first shows the houses with their little lights inside and the second how they look in the dark. Antique lace and vintage paper appliqué with free machine embroidery and hand stitch.

Saturday 27 July 2013

Thursday 25 July 2013

Setting out ...

This morning I have turned my studio upside down - i am praying no one will decide to visit today as its a complete tip!! I have taped out the size of my space on the floor for Art in the Pen and have started to set things out. Am glad I have started this now - it could take me till 15 August to organise it!!!

Summer sketchbooks ...

Something a bit different today - I have been taking a trip through some old sketchbooks and rediscovered this one from our summer holiday last year. Sunshine, sea, shells and seagulls - perfect!

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Another marble ...

Another marble finished - all titivated and frilly. Thought I would try taking photos outside this evening and I think it looks quite good against the stone background.

 

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Our house ...

More colouring in! This has just been finished this evening - going to get busy making some more.

 

Sunday 14 July 2013

Sunday stitching ...

Works in progress - today has been about pulling things together and trying to get organised for Art in the Pen. Have managed to tick a few things off my To Do list but ended up adding some more so it hasn't shrunk any!

The photo shows some marbles with embroidered slips appliquéd on, they are now ready for more embroidery. A finished piece of vintage lace with embroidered tissue paper. And finally my crow - he has been hanging round the studio for a while now and I haven't yet managed to find the perfect placing for him - but I have had an idea for him - if it goes to plan I will report back!!

Thursday 11 July 2013

Ladies in Hats 2

Ready for framing - the second Lady in Hat. Machine embroidered base with vintage lace appliqué and lots of different hand stitches. I have got another lined up ready for hand embroidering, but have really enjoyed "colouring" these in that I might have to do some more!