Thinking about renewing my logos etc...might use this?! Thought s welcome!

Brilliant beetles...

Okay, so to start with, I blogged the other day about the contentment my family brings.  I am indeed very happy with my lot...but catch me at around 6pm most week days and I may not look like the picture of contentment...fellow parents may well know what I mean!  Ah little cherubs that they are!

Anyway, now for a little ray of loveliness in the form of some fantastic modern stumpwork.  Many of you reading this may have already heard of this lady as she has sold her pieces world-wide, but I just discovered the work of Claire Moynihan a few days ago when the current issue of Selvedge plopped onto the doormat.  I would love to have one of these pieces to own for my own home...especially the snail...enjoy.  

Starting over...

So...sitting here in front of my computer clicking through websites and Facebook, I thought that it's about time I blogged again.  Penny Kinnersley was born in May and is a wonderful addition to our family!  I originally started this blog to post about my work in textiles and the work of others which I find interesting and inspiring.  Now I've always believed that "you can find inspiration in everything, and if you can't, look again" (Paul Smith) but it seems that since having Penny and being off work again on Maternity leave I've been reminded of this quote and it's meaning.  I've done a little bit of freelance work recently, and it was wonderful to get back to some sewing again; but I find increasingly that I am inspired to create by those around me and by the contentment that my family brings.  So maybe this blog may take a new turn.  I hope to be lucky enough and find the time to continue my freelance work and will enjoy my teaching when I return in Spring, although we will all have to settle into a new kind of routine.  But perhaps when I do blog I'll add some of my less obvious snippets of inspiration.  Winter walks, changing seasons, baking (Alex loves to bake!).  Hmmm...let's see then...

I'll make a start again with some little snapshots of my recent work...

 Couching

Beadwork

It's been a while...

Hello all, it has indeed been a while since I've posted my ramblings and pictures here.  I have lovely news (and also possibly the reason for the lack of posts!), I'm expecting again!  New baby Kinnersley is due soon and boy have I been tired!  Today I'm posting news which I should have mentioned a couple of months ago; the book which I was busy working on on last year has been published.  100 beaded Trinkets, Treasures and Charms is available to buy now!

Amanda Hinson is the author, the brains and creativity behind the wonderful beaded miniatures.  I did the fabric work in the book (I even get a mention in the credits woo hoo!)  If you're interested in crafts and bead work it's definitely worth a look!  It really is a lovely "how to" book and very easy to follow.

It seems fitting to do this week's Folksy Friday on vintage florals!   Click on the link below each image to visit the seller's shop.  Scroll further down for the lovely vintage floral wallpapers from Belsay Hall which I posted yesterday!

http://www.folksy.com/items/1786870

http://www.folksy.com/items/2098317

http://www.folksy.com/items/2229929

http://www.folksy.com/items/2042461

http://www.folksy.com/items/2112441

Vintage wallpaper

Just wanted to share these beautiful vintage wallpapers I found at Belsay Hall.  Although much of the downstairs is stripped back to bare stone, some of the original wallpapers upstairs remain.  Floral and faded...gorgeous.

Catherine Howard Designs at Belsay Hall

I spent a very relaxing afternoon at Belsay Hall's Christmas gift fair today.  I'd like to feature the work of Textile designer, Catherine Howard, whose stall looked rather yummy!  Catherine had an assortment of goodies on her table, including her tailored waistcoats and some highly decorative Christmas tree baubles.  Catherine runs Textile workshops here in the North East and is quite an inspiration when it comes to surface decoration, embroidery and print techniques!  She teaches Textile Design and has also given talks for the Embroiderer's Guild.  To contact her and see more of her work visit www.catherinehowarddesigns.com