Herringbone stitch returns . . .

I have returned to this sampler again lately . . . 

Shelley Rhodes workshop in Northumberland

Over this last weekend, I have been fortunate enough to join in on a Shelley Rhodes weekend at Gallery 45, in Felton, Northumberland, with the north east textile group - Fusion.
It was lovely to be able to create if only for a weekend, using various mixed media textile art techniques, which are generally quicker than traditional embroidery techniques.

So my fascination with textile art begins to grow, whilst most of my working life is dedicated to traditional embroidery.

Here is one of my creations based on edges.

The start of shading . . .

Shading, long & short shading, natural shading, and blending . . . 

Contemporary trellis work . . .

Beginning the trellis . . .

Basic running stitch across the trellis . . .

Using four colours . . .

Using heavy chain stitch for the edging . . . 

Running stitch outside the heavy chain stitch . . .

Back on the crewel work . . .

Back on the crewel work, but only just!  So, so busy with the 'teaching', but hope to do more on this over the summer.  Still experimenting with ideas, and colours.

In the meantime, I have been feeding my creativity exploring textiles arts.  

Coming soon . . . 

An alternative to trellis work . . .

Straight stitch - working with the twill weave of the fabric

Whenever I have any time, when not teaching, I try to return to this crewel work piece.  I am still playing around with a few ideas, including working with the twill weave of the fabric.  

Experimenting with trellis work . . .

Experimenting with Colour

So far . . .

Trellis work ideas

Working on some ideas for this crewel work design.  Still sampling colour, and different approaches to trellis work. 

Framing up and preparation . . .

Framing up on a mini slate frame

Love this frame!

Design transfer onto a blue indigo twill furnishing fabric using a silver gel pen

Design number one

Design number two

I did plan to work these two designs separately, and on plain natural coloured linen, however, I found this fabric in a furnishing fabric shop in Benton in Newcastle upon Tyne (north east England) - Absolutely Fabrics, and thought - Yes - I will try this instead!

I also had to hand, this lovely hand-crafted mini slate-frame - used, but ideal for my next project.

Now ready to start . . . when I have time . . .