Pantomime season

Happy New Year everyone! I do hope the Christmas holiday season has been a good one for you. Hopefully, 2011 will have plenty of joy to bring as well.

We had an ongoing pantomime with a mouse that decided it didn't think very much of the British winter in this part of the country. It had moved in lock, stock and barrel by Christmas day, and led us on a merry old chase throughout the holiday season. I did everything I could think of to eliminate food and water supplies in hopes of forcing it to pack its bags and leave under its own steam. They are not supposed to like mint so I even applied peppermint oil to all the radiators and along the bottom of a door that it had tried to chew. The chewing stopped, but it was busy making nesting material out of some minted cotton balls I had left in a strategic place last evening so I'm not as convinced now. That was the final straw for me so I spent most of last night lying in wait for it. In the end, I successfully convinced it to enter a shoe box long enough for me to slam the lid shut. My Hubby wasn't keen to drive it at least a mile away at 3:30 a.m., so we released it on the grass expanse across the street. A car came past as we were deciding how best to lift the lid without scaring the mouse up one of our legs. My Hubby reckons the driver probably thought we were up to no good, but driver, if you are reading this, we were simply letting the mouse go. Honest! Last we saw, the mouse was speeding off down the hill so with any luck, it won't be putting in a reappearance. I'm now busy disinfecting the places it accessed, and stuffing lots of steel wool into potential entry points. We are also remaining vigilant in case it invited some friends along for company but the amount of mess it left behind suggests that it was a one off. And, no, I won't be making a cross stitch pattern to commemorate the event!

Speaking of patterns, I have designed a bookmark pattern that I will be using to facilitate the blackwork workshops I will be conducting at the Pins & Needles 2011 show at the end of March. These tutorial sessions are only one hour in length so I'm keeping it pretty basic. I'm preparing instructions to accompany it for finishing at home as most visitors will want to spend more time checking out the show than stitching.

My exhibition at Saltwell Towers has now ended so I'm setting my sights next on the Pins & Needles show. I also have something in mind for the Morpeth Gathering, and there is still the Hoopoe to complete. So, it looks as though I'm going to have a reasonably busy start to the New Year. I would like to go back to Seaton Delaval Hall through the summer but that has yet to be arranged. I'll keep you posted of events as usual here.

Must go for now as I need to complete the steel wool task before night sets in. But I'll be back in the not too distant future.

Seaton Delaval Hall blackwork pattern is now available

The debut for my Seaton Delaval Hall blackwork pattern has now passed so I've been working a bit on this blog today. I have added a Blackwork Patterns tab so it is easier to distinguish between the two types of designs. I have also updated my photos of the various patterns with their stitched models.

I will be applying a facelift to the How To tab over the next few weeks as I work on my next design. At the moment, this tab acts mainly as an example of what to expect in the way of instructions inside my patterns. I would like to expand this area into a better teaching aid. Cross stitch and blackwork lend themselves well to demonstration so I hope to add some videos. I think that will be much easier to follow than the written word in most cases.

I have also been experimenting a bit with some Google business features. I have to admit, despite a computing background, I have actually struggled with this. Although I have finally worked out how to use Google Places and Google Maps, I don't think they are going to be as useful as the theory first suggested. The updating process is so slow that new information falls out of date before it can appear in the maps listing, if it appears at all. Whether or not it attracts more custom is something I will be monitoring over the weeks to come. Meanwhile, I certainly won't be giving up my blog!

Other features I want to look further into include the free website that Google advertises, and Google Talk. I was asked by a stitcher, on the weekend, if she could call me if she got stuck with anything in my pattern. This prompted me into thinking how useful it would be to show the person rather than try to talk them through it over the phone. Skype allows free video calls providing both parties have an account with them and web cams with their computers. The account is also free to set up. I already have Skype and am hoping that Google Talk works in a similar fashion. It's a step on from both the telephone and videos because you can ask a real time question and get an answer that is tailored specifically to your situation.

So, there are lots of plans afoot. I'll do my best to regularly update this space but I do have a mini-exhibition coming up early in December (Saltwell Park) so I'm going to be a bit busy for the next couple of weeks. After that I should have more time to work my plans out in a sensible fashion.

Bye for now!

Debut of Seaton Delaval Hall blackwork design

The day has finally arrived... the Seaton Delaval Hall pattern is ready! So, it is having its debut today at the craft market being held at St. Paul's Church in Seaton Sluice. There may be a small entry charge to the venue. Hope to see some of you there!

Seaton Delaval Hall in black work

Here is the proof that I really have finished stitching my Seaton Delaval Hall design.

Seaton Delaval Hall, in black work
Copyright © Linda Morris, 2010

It will have its debut at the craft market at St. Paul's Church in Seaton Sluice on 13 Nov. 2010. That's less than a week away so I must get back to writing the instructions so there will be some patterns on hand as well! Bye for now...

Black work designing progress

Good news for those patient people waiting in the wings... I have finished stitching and charting the black work design of Seaton Delaval Hall. I just need to write up the instructions and transfer the pattern to printed form now. However, I think it is safe to say that it should be ready in time for the craft market in Seaton Sluice on Nov. 13th, 2010.

I am not as optimistic, though, about completing the black work design of the Hoopoe by then. I think that one will have to wait a bit longer. But, I do intend to have it done before Christmas, especially since I'd like to show it along with the others at Saltwell Towers in December.

Must get back to work now, but I hope to see some of you at Seaton Sluice. Thank you for your patience!

Seaton Delaval Hall design edging ever closer

I do apologise for the length of time that has passed since I last posted news of my black work design of Seaton Delaval Hall. Home life has been making some demands on my time but I am now edging back on track with my designs.

The Seaton Delaval Hall design should be finished in time for the craft market on Nov. 13th in Seaton Sluice. Famous last words... I've probably jinxed it now! However, that is my intention. I also hope to finish the Bewick Hoopoe blackwork pattern that was set to one side while I've been cracking on with the Seaton Delaval Hall design. No pressure!!

Needless to say, I have some work to do so I shall end this post now and get on with it!

Progress Report on Seaton Delaval Hall design

Those of you who are patiently waiting in the wings will be pleased to hear that I am making progress with the Seaton Delaval Hall design. I have stitched all the major features now, and am starting on the fill for the remaining stone work areas. My first attempt, on a small area, did not create the effect that I wanted so I'm taking another tack. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel now. All I can say now is "Watch this space..."

Home instead of Away

My homestead has been sadly neglected over the last few weeks while I've been concentrating on my Seaton Delaval Hall design. Although it isn't quite complete yet, I'm taking a couple of days off in order to catch up with some of the chores. I will get back to it shortly so those of you who are patiently watching for the chart to become available needn't be faced with a long wait. The grass is long enough to make hay now, so, while the sun shines...

Preparations

It's that time of the week again... preparation time for tomorrow's centre stage spot at Seaton Delaval Hall.

centre stage spot for Linda Morris, Seaton Delaval Hall

This is what I'm aiming for when I prepare for my day at the hall. Don't be fooled by the lack of people in this picture. Believe me, I talk to a lot of people throughout the day! I just thought I'd catch the scene before the view was blocked.

So, today is being spent getting all the loose ends sorted out. I'm ironing the table cloths, printing out some more promotional material, and packing everything into a suitcase. Everything, that is, except for my design of Seaton Delaval Hall. I'll continue to work on that once everything else is ready.

Meanwhile, here's a picture of what I've done so far...

blackwork design of Seaton Delaval Hall
© Linda Morris, 2010

I am actually using brown thread on a natural colour linen but it is still loosely considered to be blackwork. I chose brown because the black clashed with this particular fabric. I am stitching across two threads of the fabric so it works out the same as had I stitched on 14 count Aida. I chose linen over Aida because I thought it better suited the historic nature of this property. It is also easier to make straighter lines where necessary. I'll try to finish off the details that require a lot of concentration so I can get on with the seed stitch I have in mind for highlighting the rest of the stonework tomorrow.

Lots to do so I shall leave this for now with more to come at a later date.

The world of marketing

Friday has finally arrived and I am really looking forward to my day at Seaton Delaval Hall. I always enjoy talking to those of you who visit this property. Today is going to be my chance to redress my equilibrium as it follows on from one of the most irritating days I have ever suffered at the hands of companies who insist on forcing their marketing strategies upon me.

Yes, I know that businesses need to make a presence if they are to compete successfully. After all, I'm one of them. So do charities. However, the current strategy of ramming it down my throat is not endearing me to any of them. Ringing my doorbell and then thumping incessantly on the door in a futile attempt to drag me away from my work only serves to irritate me. This happened not once or even twice. I can't remember for sure but I think there were 4 different occasions whereby the battering strategy was applied to the door. When I didn't bite, each one of them blocked up the letter slot with a bag demanding clothes for charity - a different one in each case, and not all of them from actual charities. I just threw the bags onto the pile that has accumulated over the past two years so I can re-use them for other things. Had I not remained vigilant with removing these bags, our mail would never have been delivered. And, had I filled the 100 or so bags that have arrived during the last two years, Hubby and I would now be greeting the world stark naked! Just how much clothing do you think we have to donate to charity? Truth be told, we wear our clothes until they are beyond repair and then they go to the local recycling depot to be used as stuffing in furniture or car seats.


Between batterings on the door came the phone calls. I have to answer them in case they are related to my business. Each claimed to be for market research but turned out to be companies wishing to draw my business away from current suppliers. Two of them were definitely from companies that I have told several times now to remove our phone number from their lists. We registered our number with the TPS 11 years ago so they really haven't any excuse for flouting the law. I've also registered our address so we will receive considerably less junk mail through the door. To say the least, both approaches are failing miserably.


So, what is the upshot of all of this with regards to my business? I definitely do not want to be remembered for badgering potential customers. I absolutely will not spam you if you e-mail me. I will not add your address to any mailing lists as a result of you doing business with me. I will not sell your personal details to third parties. I am happy to release my phone number to people who are genuinely interested in my work but I am not displaying it in this blog because I know it will be abused if I do so. I do give out some advertising materials while I'm exhibiting or selling my work but only to those of you who seem keen to have it. Hopefully you will pass it along when you are finished with it. I know it is going to take longer to get my name known out there as a designer this way, but I'd far rather end up with happy customers who pass my name along to others for the right reasons. I enjoy cross stitching and blackwork... and I want to keep it that way.

As my blackwork design grows...

I've had yet another interesting day centre stage talking with lots of you during your visit to Seaton Delaval Hall. I did manage a bit more stitching this time though. I've worked out a plan now that allows me to do the trickier bits through the week and leave the easier bits for my actual visit. And it is looking as though I've passed the halfway point now. I have several ideas for stitches that will add even more depth to the scene but, at the same time, I don't want to make it too busy.

These centre stage spots are proving to be quite an interesting way for me to experience a National Trust site. As I study each detail of the architecture, I find myself becoming more attuned to the building and pondering what life might have been like for the people who ventured into it during its heyday. I can't help wondering what they might have thought of my attempt to capture this view of the hall through needle and thread. Paintings and drawings were more the norm back then, and blackwork techniques would have been applied as decorations on clothing. At that time, the North East of England was already busy acquiring a long list of very talented people who were unafraid to try new things. So, I like to think that they might have approved of what they probably would have perceived as my slightly offbeat application of blackwork, for the times.

As many of you who have already talked to me know, the North East of England is not where my origins lie. I was born and raised in Canada but now call the North East my home. A very special Geordie lad is responsible for my decision to up sticks and move... but that is another story! My needlework enables me to explore the history of this area as well as is influenced by it. I am not short of admiration for the many talented characters that are associated with this region. It's downright impossible not to be inspired! I feel so lucky to be living here.

Thanks to these centre stage spots, I have now added Seaton Delaval Hall to my list of favourite places and am busy capturing it in blackwork. I have more ideas for further designs of it... I just wish there were more hours in the day so I could explore all of my ideas for all of my favourite places here! Needless to say, I can't wait for Friday to roll around so I can park myself centre stage once again. I hope to see you there!

Back to Seaton Delaval Hall I go...

I'm going to be back at Seaton Delaval Hall this coming Sunday, the 8th of Aug., 2010, and again on both the 13th and 20th of Aug. I am making steady progress on my blackwork design of Seaton Delaval Hall so these dates should hopefully push me into finishing it by the end of August. Famous last words!! At least that is my aim. With any luck, I'll not be too long after that producing the charts for sale although I'm not actually able to sell them from my table at the hall.

The support and interest in my work has been fantastic - thank you one and all for that. And I am really enjoying chatting with everyone so please continue to stop by for a 'hello' at the very least. Hope to see you there on Sunday!

Seaton Delaval Hall centrestage experience

All I can really say about yesterday at Seaton Delaval Hall is "Wow"! I haven't talked to so many people for a very long time. Far more of you stopped to have a chat than the week before - many thanks for that. I honestly don't know where the time went.

Needless to say, not a lot of stitching was accomplished, but at least I did have enough in place before I arrived so you could get some idea of what I was doing. Working for oneself can sometimes be quite isolating so it is really useful to be out in the public eye from time to time. You are proving to be quite a motivator for me so I sure hope I will be granted a few more spots there.

And, I must also give a big "thank you" to the National Trust for granting me these centrestage spots. It allows my business to stand out from the crowd. It's a bit different to the usual sort of publicity such as flyers and adverts. I appreciate the opportunity to 'put a face on my business'.

So, what's next? Well, I shall keep working on my Seaton Delaval Hall design so there is even more progress to show the next time I'm there. And I would like to finish the hoopoe design so that chart can go on sale. So it's onwards and upwards with drawing pictures on fabric using needle and thread!

Centrestage... again... preparations

As promised, I've made great strides with my Seaton Delaval Hall design, in blackwork, this week. Progress will be very apparent tomorrow when I'm centrestage again. Hope to see you there!

Post centrestage at Seaton Delaval Hall

Well, yesterday certainly went by quickly! My thanks go out to all of you who stopped to have a chat and admire my work. I had a most enjoyable day as a result. Unfortunately, I didn't make much progress on the blackwork design I am creating of Seaton Delaval Hall for you to see it grow. I will be back there again on Sunday though, and I am working on it throughout the week so progress will be apparent on the day. I promise!

I will be converting this into a chart for those of you who might be interested in purchasing it to stitch for yourselves. I need to finish stitching it first so there will be a bit of a delay while I work on the chart contents. They take some time too although I now have a template to speed things up a bit. I'm really going to press myself to get it ready before the end of August.

Although I am stitching it on 28 count linen, I am doing so over 2 threads so it could easily be adapted to 14 count Aida. If all goes according to plan, the finished design should even fit within an 8 x 10 inch frame. Ha! Ha! Does anything ever go to plan? Well, I will try my very best.

So, there we have it. A most successful event and more to look forward to besides!

Centrestage day has arrived

The day has dawned sunny and bright. I made a list... and checked it twice... So, I'm pretty sure that I'm ready for my centrestage day at Seaton Delaval Hall. They do charge an entrance fee to the property but there is no extra charge to have a look at my work. I am also willing to troubleshoot cross stitch and blackwork problems so bring along the piece that is causing you grief. I'm looking forward to meeting you there!

Getting closer

I am only 2 days away from being 'centrestage' at Seaton Delaval Hall. The last bits and pieces are coming together nicely so it should be a fairly relaxed day on site. I'll bring along the Hoopoe so you can decide whether or not to include a background. And you'll be able to watch my newest design grow throughout your visit. Any ideas as to what it might be?

Centre Stage at Seaton Delaval Hall

I am about to go centre stage at Seaton Delaval Hall on July 25th. There is a charge to visit the property. You are most welcome to stop by for a chat, or for help with a cross stitch or blackwork problem, while I stitch my latest design. Finished and nearly finished designs will be on display. Samples of printed charts will also be available for viewing but sales are not possible on the day. Hope to see you there!