Stitching Idyllic

Stitching by Ann Bernard

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Spring Flowers
  • Summer Flowers
  • About Ann

May 5, 2022 by Ann Bernard

SNAD, An active and vibrant school of embroidery in San Francisco.

SNAD.  If you have not already heard of SNAD, you are now formally introduced.

Founded about 10 or more years ago by graduates from RSN, it is taking on a life and purpose of its own.  Recently moved to new accommodation, its program now features embroidery courses on site but also, on line.  In the interest of us all becoming motivated to stitch again after the gap caused by Covid19, I thought that you should know about SNAD.  This may not apply to you, the reader,  but I think it may be appropriate for some members of the embroidery community, including myself.  It has been a long and boring intermission in our lives but we are now ready to stitch again and a brand new project is always exciting.

These are just two of the several On Line Courses ad there are more  on their Marvellous May Newsletters. They have an excellent Library, are a resource for teachers and supplies plus lots of enthusiasm.  Enjoy browsing and I hope you find a course that will interest you.

San Francisco School of Needlework & Design <info@sfsnad.org>

 

 

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

April 30, 2022 by Ann Bernard

Post Covid19. RSN’s 150th Anniversary is this year.

Covid19 is not a subject to joke upon.  Every one, everywhere, is hoping that it is history but we still cannot be sure that this is correct. There are still many people infected and we wish them a recovery that is free of complications.

I hope you have all survived the last two years.  I live in an Independent Seniors Residence and we had a number of shut downs which were tedious but worked.  We had no resident with a serious illness but staff experienced a lot of time off work because of testing positive.  My husband died in early March of this year but he had Parkinson’s and neither of us had Covid19.  This, and Covid19 explains my two year silence on this Blog.

The stitching world is becoming active again.  Here is some information you should know about.  Virtual courses are now a reality. Even if you are unable to travel, you might like to explore an on-line course.

This is the year that The Royal School of Needlework celebrates their 150th Anniversary. It is a hugely busy year for them.  Here is their information copied for you,

Royal School of Needlework is at Fashion and Textile Museum.

2ummpnh5sg2ti1h03r07l5eh1d  · London, United Kingdom  ·

‘In celebration of the RSN’s 150th Anniversary and our exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum London, we have created a series of films which share captivating insights into our acclaimed collection of contemporary and archival objects.⁠

In this film, Chief Executive & Exhibition Curator, Dr Susan Kay-Williams talks about the story behind the design for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Robe of Estate in 1953.

A selection of our archival lingerie collection is on display at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London. In our exhibition, ‘150 years of the Royal School of Needlework:  Crown to Catwalk’. Follow the link to book your tickets: https://bit.ly/38eGdd1 The exhibition is now open and will run until 4 September. * * #RSN150 Fashion and Textile Museum #royalschoolofneedlework #royalneedlework #crowntocatwalk #bridaltrousseau #trousseau #1930s #1930sfashion #1930slingerie #dresshistory #textilehistory #embroidery #handembroidery #embroiderydesign #embroiderydesigner #historicaltextiles #fashionandtextilemuseum #embroiderersoffacebook #bordado #broderie

The Royal School of Needlework is located in Hampton Court Palace which is upstream from London on the River Thames.  Their skills and knowledge are remarkable and you will be privileged if you are able to attend in person. There will be Summer School as usual.

They will also be having courses On Line and if you are unable to get to London this summer.   This is your chance to participate in the celebrations. The courses look really tempting.

I hope that this information is correct. There is a lot of reading and pictures of gorgeous embroideries for you to enjoy.  Do not miss the section introducing the Members of the Board of RSN.

I will also be sharing information on other courses that are happening this summer somewhere in the wonderful planet we all live on.  If you have, or know of a source for Courses on Embroidery, please let me know and I will include them in this Blog.

Apologies that there are no pictures this time but you will find plenty when you go browsing.

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

March 9, 2021 by Ann Bernard

A Mouse, a Hedgehog and a Water Garden

Today, I am featuring the embroidery of Joan who is a member of our very special Broiderers group.

Joan has her own ideas and always creates something that is a little different from anyone else.  She also has grandchildren and these embroideries were created for her young people.  The mouse is the latest piece she has stitched.  It would have been finished a year ago if we had stayed another 10 minutes at our last gathering which was just before Covid shut us down.  Perhaps, this is just the right moment to display him as it is exactly one year that he has been waiting patiently in his box.  The brown part of the body is applique but all the rest of the mouse and the strawberries is stitched by hand.

The background fabric is definitely grey but when I took another look after he was mounted on foam-core board, the grey had taken a tinge of pink from the strawberries.  Interesting!

Almost everyone I know has stitched a garden but only Joan thought of a river or stream rather than a path. The overhanging tree is wisteria with lots of texture in the bark.  The bush is a magnolia.

The hedgehog was Joan’s first piece and already belongs to a grandchild.  It is wandering over a hillock of plants and earth. How do you like the pink pea plant?  His coat is all prickly just like a real hedgehog.

Joan is a creative soul whether it is gardening, interior decorating or making a door decoration.  On her door one day, she had a swag of woven twigs and forsythia which was absolutely stunning.  She is also a champion swimmer and has been able to resume this activity now that the pool here has reopened for a limited number of people.

Joan’s husband is an avid photographer and he took this last photo which is way better than the ones I took.

Hope that everyone is staying well and that you are enjoying the more springlike weather if you are living in the northern hemisphere.

 

 

 

 

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

March 4, 2021 by Ann Bernard

A Unique method of creating flowers. Lynne lives in Australia.

Lynne Stone – Fibre artist and Botanical Embroidery.  FaceBook, a video and a book.

facebook.com/…5542/videos/475694300477081
Meet Lynne Stone.  After she retired, she adventured around Australia in a converted van with her sewing machines.  She proceeded to make lifelike representations of the flowers she met on her journeys.  Her methods are unique and impressive.
The trailer is 4.50 minutes long.
Her FaceBook pages are also very interesting.  She has pieces of her work for sale and has written a book about her techniques.  Fascinating!
Enjoy another day avoiding Covid.
Ann
·
·
ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

February 28, 2021 by Ann Bernard

Bayeux Tapestry now digital and on line.

France Puts Its Historic Bayeux Tapestry Online for Virtual …

www.travelandleisure.com › … › Visual Arts

Feb. 11, 2021 — France’s famed Bayeux Tapestry, which has been off-limits to viewers in Normandy since the start of the pandemic, has gone digital. … And now, in 2021, it’s available for the world to view online. … Go to Opt Out Form.

Famed medieval Bayeux Tapestry goes online – every thread

www.houstonchronicle.com › entertainment › article

Feb. 10, 2021 — … medieval Bayeux Tapestry may be off-limits to visitors because of the coronavirus pandemic, but its keepers have put a digital version online …

 Must include: now

Famed Medieval Bayeux Tapestry Goes Online – Every ..

www.usnews.com › News › Entertainment News

Feb. 10, 2021 — The world-famous medieval Bayeux Tapestry may be off-limits to visitors because of the pandemic, but its keepers have put a digital version …

Explore the Bayeux Tapestry online – Bayeux Museum

www.bayeuxmuseum.com › the-bayeux-tapestry › expl…

Discover the entire Bayeux Tapestry following online the 70 meter-long … the source: “Official digital representation of the Bayeux Tapestry – 11th century.

I hope that one of these connections will give you access to the digital version of the Bayeux Tapestry.  It is excellent.  Never having seen it so close up, I am amazed at the renditions of the faces.  You can see the differences between the people involved and recognize them as they appear, and, reappear through the story. (history).

I am having computer problems so hope you receive this and are able to access the digital edition.  Thanks to Mary Corbet of Needle n thread for bringing it to my attention.

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

November 17, 2020 by Ann Bernard

A parting gift for Diana.

Diana, the leading light of the Broiderers group of Guelph, is leaving us in the middle of December.  She has been our leader for longer than five years during which time we have not only retained our members but acquired a fair number of new ones.  Our meetings have always been well attended because we all enjoyed the social atmosphere fostered by Diana, as well as getting some stitching done.  Diana’s husband endured a long illness and died nearly two years ago.  She has been busy with all the business and legal work that has to be done plus sorting and emptying their house.  She is returning to live in England where all the rest of her family live.  The group got together and made her a mini quilt in remembrance of all the good years we have spent together.  We each embroidered a small design on three square inches of fabric and Josie, who is also a quilter, assembled it into a personalized panel that will remind Diana of us all.

We are also blessed with a professional photographer living in our village.  With a population of well over 1000 residents, we have many who have useful skills.  His wife, Joan, also happens to be a member of the group.  Here are some close-ups and introductions to our members

The square on the top left was stitched by another Diana who is a textile artist.  She uses hand and machine stitching plus embellishment techniques to express herself.  To the right, Pat used ribbons to bring the flowers to life.  Maureen used her favorite Turkey stitch.  She created a squirrel with a large, bushy tail using Turkey stitch so she is a Turkey expert.  The last one is mine using some of the spring flowers I developed.  Daffodils, crocus, forget me knots, tulips plus a few snowdrops.

Joan says it all with a Heart and Peace on Earth as does Christina with Thanks for being a Friend.  Mary created a cameo with flowers. Mary is our resident expert on Bullion Knots I am sure that there are some in her bouquet.  It was Pat who made the knitted doll Patsy in the last blog.  She writes, Best wishes for a wonderful life in England. Love and Friendship

Marguerite loves stitching crewel designs and her piece is reminiscent of crewelwork.  Lilian’s bluebirds are pouring tea for Diana with something delicious on the side.  Frances contributed a large and perfect tulip. I am/you are, unable to read the words inside the tulip petals but they are memories of the multiple years she and Diana have been friends.   Edna also celebrated English tea time with lovely gold and blue cup and saucer

The lower right foursome features a Canadian Maple Leaf with Bon Voyage from Ruth.  Bev hosted the farewell event with everyone having some together time with Diana while maintaining Covid distancing.  Her embroidery is a butterfly angel. Josie also thought of teatime which is a feature of our weekly meetings as is doing a lot of talking.  Last, but, not least, please meet Betty.  She is our oldest member and is our Tea Granny.  She has made the tea for us for years but Christina has taken it over recently.  Thank you Betty.  We have all appreciated every cup you have made for us.

It was Marguerite who organized this and us.  Thank you, Marg!  We are happy with what you achieved.

We wish Diana a safe flight and a smooth landing in England.  She will be there just in time for Christmas.  We hope that Covid avoids her and that the spring in England will be particularly beautiful this year.  We also hope that she will continue to circulate the jokes and memorabilia that we all enjoy and will keep in touch with us.

Wishing you a Happy Travelling and a Blissful New Year.  You will be missed.

If you have a creative suggestion for this blog, please tell me about it.  Ann

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 18
  • Next Page »

Search the web site

stay up to date. Subscribe to our newsletter!

Name

Email


Connect with us socially

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

Hand Stitch Recognizable Spring Flowers Ebook

Stitching Spring Flowers

Hand Stitch Recognizable Summer Flowers

Stitching Summer Flowers

Recent Posts

  • How to stitch Snowdrops. Quick and Easy!
  • Inspirations, All Stitched Up! from Australia
  • Newsletter Märchenhaftes Sticken – Jessica Grimm
  • Cotton Quartet 1: Preliminaries & First Stitches
  • Hand and Lock. London Craft Week. May 9 -15 2022

Recent Comments

  • Rosemary Norman on How to stitch Snowdrops. Quick and Easy!
  • Ann Bernard on September 20, 1066 The Battle of Fulford Gate
  • Mrs M Moverley on September 20, 1066 The Battle of Fulford Gate
  • Kathleen (Kate) Simeri on Stitches Sampler from The Royal School of Needlework
  • Ann Bernard on The Changi Quilts

Archives

  • February 2023
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012

Categories

  • Royal School Of Needlework
  • Stitching Colleagues
  • Stitching Equipment
  • Stitching History
  • Stitching Materials
  • Stitching Techniques
  • Stitching Tutorials
  • Uncategorized

Tag Cloud

Acid Damage And Mounting Canada 150 Chain Stitch Coral Stitch Couched Thread Crewel Designs Cross Stitch East India Company embroidery Jacobean Period Stitching Mary Corbet Masonite Medici Wool Queen Mary RSN Student Shading In Stitching Stem Stitch stitching Water Damage Stitching Worsted Wool Thread

Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design