I thought I would share a few pictures of the June subscription kits that are now available as standalone kits on the website. If you fancy stitching something pretty, nostalgic and beachy I think this one will tick all of the boxes! Yes, there’s a little fabric painting but it is very easy and you only need add a little colour to get the desired effect. (Also, if you’re not going to wash the embroidery once it’s finished you can use regular watercolour paints, there is no need for special fabric paint.). You can find it here if you’d like to take a look.
I admit that I am anxious about the country coming out of lockdown. Things have been returning to normal here in our neck of the woods and the road by our house has become noisy again. Sigh. I have only been to the essential shops (art supplies and coffee, of course) and there have been reassuringly strict measures in place at both of those shops.
We had our first meal out on Sunday at the local pub which was definitely different but - oh my goodness - absolutely delicious. How I had missed their Sunday roasts! My parents have been able to open their static caravan in Norfolk and we are going for a few days later in the month. I can’t wait to see what Lottie thinks to the sea and sand!
I have given myself the summer to get slowly back to normal; I don’t plan to go out socialising and there won’t be any workshops at the new studio until the Autumn. I am keeping a low profile and working on all of the projects I want to complete (and the exciting new ones I want to start). My notebook of ideas, designs and dreams is bursting at the seams and some of them feel within reach now, which is amazing. There are so many things I am learning as I go along, working on one kit inspires an idea for another, and there is loads I want to share here with you.
As you probably know, I have no formal training in textiles or art. My qualifications and experience are in the corporate world; I worked in magazine advertising for 10 years and finance for 15 years. Despite being reasonably good at art at school, with definite potential, I was always encouraged to take a more academic route and I feel as though I am making up for lost time now. My mum and maternal grandma are very artistic and creative; mum has always sewn or stitched (she has formal training in garment sewing but did a lot of knitting, embroidery and cross stitch too). My great-grandma taught me to embroider when I was 6, I held knitting groups at school when I was 7 and I spent my childhood constantly writing letters and stories or copying drawings from books.
I don’t regret the years that I spent working in magazines and banking - I have had some amazing experiences and met some truly lovely people - but I am seizing every available opportunity to do more and learn more now that I can. I have done a few online art classes which were wonderful (more about those another day), I have signed up with a creative mentor and I am currently working through a watercolour and illustration class online.
I can’t wait to tell you more about workshops at The Stitchery and the new kits coming but for now I must stay focused and get the work done! Our home needs some TLC too. I’ve got a lot of decluttering and deep cleaning to do, I want everything shipshape for the new term starting in Autumn!
I hope you are keeping well and staying safe. Thank you for being here.
Love
Nicki x