at Busy Bees Patchwork Tutor: Beccy Paget
City and Guilds Hand and Machine Embroidery 7161
Much has been happening at the studio here at Busy Bees, creativity abounds as we step forward toward another year. My, how swiftly those hours and minutes go by. I was speaking to a lady in the shop the other day and she banks her sewing time. For every 15 minutes of must do stuff she banks herself 5 minutes of me-time! Which I thought was an extremely good idea otherwise the must do stuff gets in the way of the really important time that we should set aside for ourselves and do something that we love to do instead of what you have to do. So often I hear “I would love to sew, but I don’t have the time” my reply is usually oh dear! or never mind, but really I want to say why are you it putting aside, if it is something you would really love to do – just do it! Don’t wait you may find that “one day” or “when I retire” will never come for what ever reason. Just have a go and make the time to do things that make you happy, picking up a piece of sewing be it patchwork, embroidery, quilting or cross stitching it has been proven to be very therapeutic and good for the soul!
Here are some finished pieces from the last few weeks:-
Much has been happening at the studio here at Busy Bees, creativity abounds as we step forward toward another year. My, how swiftly those hours and minutes go by. I was speaking to a lady in the shop the other day and she banks her sewing time. For every 15 minutes of must do stuff she banks herself 5 minutes of me-time! Which I thought was an extremely good idea otherwise the must do stuff gets in the way of the really important time that we should set aside for ourselves and do something that we love to do instead of what you have to do. So often I hear “I would love to sew, but I don’t have the time” my reply is usually oh dear! or never mind, but really I want to say why are you it putting aside, if it is something you would really love to do – just do it! Don’t wait you may find that “one day” or “when I retire” will never come for what ever reason. Just have a go and make the time to do things that make you happy, picking up a piece of sewing be it patchwork, embroidery, quilting or cross stitching it has been proven to be very therapeutic and good for the soul!
Here are some finished pieces from the last few weeks:-
Lynne has completed this fab little picture depicting the colour wheel on an umbrella, simple but so very effective!!
Kay has been experimenting with metallic foils and stitching into leaves, this piece has a japanese feel to it which she has been researching for one of her hand embroidery textile artists.
Kay has really blown us away with this piece, again worked from inspiration found in her research towards hand embroidery textile artists. Very poignant and contemporary!
Mel has created this piece using the Gelli Plate.
Strong and bold, a piece that makes you think!
Sonia has made this amazing evening bag from a workshop we did
creating shapes and then contouring the shape with kantha stitch. Beautifully worked and a real statement on a special evening.
Celia has made a beautiful book cover/folder from the same workshop, glorious colours and a fantastic shape that she has created from our exercise on shape creation. It is so satisfying to bring design into a completed piece.
Another folder made by celia from our Gelli Plate workshop. The one square looks like the sun dancing on sea in the Caribbean and the other looks like frozen water in the Antarctic.
Creates a wonderful sense of movement and stillness at the same time.
This picture doesn't really give justice to Kays evening bag, but again produced from the shape creation workshop and kantha stitch.
Beautifully stitched and executed it would definitely grace any evening occasion!!
Ann's piece below is a culmination of the Gelli plate workshop and the shape workshop, she has used skeleton leaves on a painted background with silk rods trapped under fine organza. Ann has machine stitched this piece and it looks sensational.
Well, a feast for eyes I’m sure you will agree!!!
I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
See you in the new year and if you think you would like to study the City and Guilds course yourself then please don’t hesitate to call.
Very Best Stitches
Beccy xxx