Bewick in Blackwork Demonstration

I'm all set for demonstrating blackwork at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead for the opening of their exhibition about Thomas Bewick tomorrow. I've pulled together a few examples of Bewick's work which I'm turning into postcards. These can either be sent through the post or kept as collectors' items and are ideal for displaying on small artist's easels or dish stands. I'm stitching samples only at this stage in order to simplify the final patterns that will be available for sale. If all goes well, I might actually have the patterns ready for sale by the end of the exhibition. So come back from time to time to see the progress. You'll find me there May 1, 12, 19, 20, 26 & 27.

Next on the agenda

Now that the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering has ended and I've met my deadline with the commissioned piece, I can look at my calendar.

Blackwork demonstrations are next on my agenda. April 29, 2012 will find me at Cherryburn National Trust (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.). May 1 will see me demonstrating blackwork at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead for the opening of their exhibition on Thomas Bewick. I will also be around at the latter venue on May 12, 19, 20, 26 & 27. In all cases, I will be interpreting Thomas Bewick's prints in blackwork, primarily through textile postcards that I have designed based on his work. I am looking forward to this opportunity as I've always felt that much of his work would lend itself well to this medium.

Now it's time to get on with the myriad of things that need to be done in preparation for these events. Hope to see you there!

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!

Work in progress

At last, I have advanced enough with my new design to be able to post some progress pictures here for you. I started this while participating in a stitch-a-long hosted by the Cross Stitch SAL group on Facebook. I am interpreting Thomas Bewick's "Hoopoe" print in cross stitch and blackwork.

I began with the cross stitch although the normal practise in blackwork is to start with an outline. Since I am doing this on 14 count Aida, it was easier to stitch it this way around.

I finished the cross stitching on the crest a little later in the day...

I then applied the backstitched outline of the bird and long stitched the beak.

The next stitch-a-long happened towards the end of June. I was concentrating on other aspects of my business during the intervening time so not a lot of progress was made. It also coincided with a rather busy craft market but I did manage to finish the feet and legs. I also started outlining the wing in the foreground.

Meanwhile, I managed to make a lot of progress during yesterday's craft fair. I haven't quite finished the blackwork on the bird but that should take only 10 minutes or so.

I want to use a French knot for the eye. Also, I'm debating on some modern style blackwork for the background. Thomas Bewick featured each animal with an environmental background so I would like to include a representation of this as long as it doesn't overpower the bird. So, there is at least one more progress picture to follow...