Stitchery Stories

Justine Warner is inspired by the beautiful Yorkshire countryside on her doorstep and has developed a distinctive style for the textile art landscapes she creates. She works under the brand Pearl Loves Paisley.

She loves to experiment with different techniques and materials. A VERY surprising and very important element in her work is... patterned men's ties. Yes, stripey, spotty, and particularly paisley. When you look closely you can see those patterns hiding in plain sight in her atmospheric landscapes of woods and rolling hills.

Justine shares her inspiration, techniques and her story of how she has developed her art practice alongside being a busy secondary school teacher.

Susan Weeks chats with Justine Warner about:

• Her love of recycling - even old photographic plates
• Renovating old stables into a lovely new studio
• Hiding patterned men's ties in plain sight in her landscapes
• Oooooo winning a prize at the village show as a total newcomer!
• Creating landscapes inspired by the local scenery
• Blending the patterns, textures and richness of the ties
• The delights of the village Jumble Sale
• What to do with all the labels from all those ties?
• Using Tyvek, Lutrador, painting on Bondaweb, and burning back the layers
• It's hard to know where to start capturing the beauty and variety of the Yorkshire landscape
• Having a love hate relationship with seed beads
• Practical solutions developed by trial and error
• Creating personal connections combining a loved ones ties and their favourite view
• Juggling school teaching and her own art practice development
• Setting up Zoom online workshops
• When we love what we are doing, it doesn't ever feel like hard work!
• Who is Pearl and why does she love Paisley???

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Justine's textile art at https://www.stitcherystories.com/justinewarner

Visit: https://www.justinewarnerartist.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/JustineWarnerArtist/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/pearl_loves_paisley/

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:

Fran Brammer

https://www.stitcherystories.com/franbrammer/

Lynn Comley

https://www.stitcherystories.com/lynncomley/

Laura Edgar

https://www.stitcherystories.com/lauraedgar/

North Yorkshire & East Yorkshire places we also mentioned:

Millington Woods

Thixendale

Hornsea

Pocklington

Nunnington

Sheriff Hutton

Boggle Hole

Sandsend

Driffield

Yorkshire Arboretum

https://www.yorkshirearboretum.org/

Castle Howard

https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/

Nunnington Hall

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nunnington-hall

Nunnington Galleries

https://www.nunningtongalleries.co.uk/

Salt gallery, Beverley

https://www.galleryatsalt.co.uk/about

And here are a couple of links to some lovely photographs around different areas of Yorkshire:

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/countryside/a518/pictures-of-yorkshire-that-are-so-beautiful-it-hurts/

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/incoming/gallery/beautiful-yorkshire-300714-7533874

https://unsplash.com/s/photos/yorkshire

Sharon Boggon embraced the internet back in 1996 and has been an inspiring leader in embroidery both online and offline, for many years. She has a passion for building enriching communities of stitchers and strives to keep embroidery alive.

Sharon reminds us how difficult it was in the early internet days to make and share images and create web pages, and tells the story of how her online stitch directory has developed from such technologically trying times.

Fast forward to 2020 and Sharon is still building communities, it's much easier with Facebook! As well as continuing to push forward the creativity of hand embroidery stitches with her second book coming out in November 2020. YAY.

Susan Weeks chats with Sharon Boggon about:

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Sharon's embroidery at https://www.stitcherystories.com/sharonboggon

Visit: https://pintangle.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/pintangle

Pin: https://www.pinterest.com.au/sharonboggon/boards/

Join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/696049427533461 (creative embroidery)

Join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/128698983911229 (take a stitch tuesday)

Join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1968574283398317 (fabric books)

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:

Susie Martin https://www.stitcherystories.com/susiemartin/

Jessica Grady https://www.stitcherystories.com/jessicagrady/

Jan Dowson https://www.stitcherystories.com/jandowson/

Today on Stitchery Stories we have a very unique story, where embroidery has been the catalyst for a personal journey of discovery, of re-connecting with family and deep spiritual meanings.

We are usually chatting about embroidery as an art form, or decoration of functional items. For Erika Maizi however, the interest in embroidery has grown from meditation, spiritualism, and the symbolism within the embroidery and connections with her Kazak and Siberian families.

Sacred embroidery as we discuss today, is not embroidery used in churches. It is the deeply personal symbols that emerge through a meditative state, whilst exploring one's own past and destiny. We talk of fascinating elements of Norse and Russian mythology, and cultural traditions, and therefore embroidery, from Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.

This is a fascinating story of healing and reconnecting with ancestors and family, and the women's wisdom and stories within embroidery.

There are many terms, places and people that will be very unfamiliar so I have also listed them on Erika's episode on StitcheryStories.com to help you make further discoveries.

Susan Weeks chats with Erika Maizi about:

• Re-connecting with family in Kazakhstan
• Her journey on the Trans-Siberia Railway
• Discovering the symbolism and personal stories within sacred embroidery
• Creating her first 'Rushnyk' - her destiny towel
• The story of creating her embroidered symbolic destiny dress
• Her vision of preserving cultural embroidery from Kazakhstan & Mongolia
• Connecting with powerful goddess energy
• The symbolism within goldwork and the power of golden threads

For this episode...

View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Erika's sacred embroidery at https://www.stitcherystories.com/erikamaizi

Visit: https://erikaamaizing.me/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/groups/232724404592026

Look: https://www.instagram.com/weavingdestiny

Tweet: https://www.twitter.com/erikamaizi11

Watch https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWGODpjFUsuPCw_rO-PfvFA/videos

Read: https://erikaamaizing.me/my-book-thewyrdingway

Aluna The Movie

http://www.alunathemovie.com/

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:

Louise Gardiner (and her Cape Of Empowerment)

https://www.stitcherystories.com/louisegardiner/

Diane Gaffney Textile Traders

https://www.stitcherystories.com/dianegaffney/

The inspiration for today's episode of Stitchery Stories comes from litter, running and Sheffield Embroiderers' Guild. David Morrish is enjoying his exploration of digital embroidery and he very much enjoys collaborating with other artists to grow awareness and appreciation of embroidery as a vibrant and fascinating art form.

David, who has a background in fashion, shares his very interesting story of how he started creating and exploring digital embroidery. Working through his Masters Degree in Fashion & Textiles has pushed his creativity and developed some fascinating ideas. I discovered David through his connection with Sheffield Embroiderers' Guild and his 'marathon' embroidery project which documents the prevalence of litter along the route of the Windermere Marathon. Since I love running, hate litter, love embroidery and sharing a great story, and of course with my involvement with the Embroiderers' Guild, this was a perfect Stitchery Story!

David is so full of enthusiasm and creativity, and I love the way in which he is reaching out to other artists in different mediums and collaborating with them. The results are fabulous!

Susan Weeks chats with David Morrish about:

• documenting his full creative process not just the outcome
• the power of just asking
• why did they say yes?
• what is digital embroidery?
• using the power of the computer and machine in a unique creative way
• combining running, embroidery... and litter?
• loving the idea of many people creating together
• A BIG shout out to Sheffield Embroiderers' Guild
• 1 foot to 1 mile, it's a marathon of embroidery
• combining Peter Rabbit with a can of Strongbow cider
• on being an Embroiderers' Guild scholar
• promoting embroidery to a wider world through collaborations
• learning to value our work
• celebrating all forms of embroidery
• what happened at Mile 15?

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of David's digital embroidery at https://www.stitcherystories.com/davidmorrish

Visit: https://www.kingflytailoring.com/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/kingflytailoring

Read: https://bit.ly/2STWVDF

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:

Clare Hunter

https://www.stitcherystories.com/clarehunter/

Anthea Godfrey

https://www.stitcherystories.com/antheagodfrey/

Hayley Mills-Styles

https://www.stitcherystories.com/hayleymillsstyles/

Other artists & places mentioned:

Woven In Kirklees

https://woveninkirklees.co.uk/

Unravel at Denby Dale

http://www.unravelcrafts.co.uk/home/

Dugdale Bros & Co The finest luxury cloth

https://www.dugdalebros.com/

Sadie Williams

Instagram @sadiewilliams_studio

Daryl Watson

Instagram @darylwatsontattoo

Richard Kilroy

Instagram @richardkilroy

Phillipa Turnbull is an expert on historic crewel embroidery and has spent the last 25 years building her embroidery business The Crewel Work Company, which sells exquisite crewel embroidery kits and organises luxury embroidery retreats.

Phillipa shares many inspiring stories around the ups and downs of building a business based around embroidery. She also shares her passion for ensuring that those of us who work in the creative arts and particularly embroidery and textile art are paid fairly for our creative endeavours. I think we are all with Phillipa on that one!

It was really interesting chatting with Phillipa about her business challenges and growth, and of course how she and her fabulous team have adapted their working practises so they can continue to send out crewel work kits throughout the coronavirus pandemic. In Phillipa's case, it truly DOES take a village to keep the business moving forward.

Susan Weeks chats with Phillipa in this episode of Stitchery Stories:

• Giving back to the historic houses who inspire the crewelwork designs and kits
• From doormats & livery stables to historic embroidery
• Building long-term friendships over embroidery
• Mother & daughter making a fabulous team with complimentary skills & personalities
• Growing a sustainable embroidery business
• Being passionate about 'paying people properly'
• Developing a love for crewelwork from watercolour painting
• The unique qualities of embroidering with wool
• Crewel work is so calming
• Using good posture with needlework
• Fabulously simple advice for capturing your original perspective on your topic
• Recreating the 1619 costume of Lady Anne Clifford
• Crossing over into the world of historic re-enactors Harnessing skills in your team to grow and benefit everyone

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Phillipa's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/phillipaturnbull

Visit: https://www.crewelwork.com/

Like: http://www.facebook.com/crewelworkco

Look: http://www.instagram.com/crewelworkco

Tweet: http://www.twitter.com/crewelworkco

Pin: http://www.pinterest.com/crewelworkco

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:

Lianne Van Leyen https://www.stitcherystories.com/liannevanleyen/

Tracy A Franklin https://www.stitcherystories.com/tracyafranklin/

Other places & people also mentioned:

Alison Cole https://alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/

Jessica Grim https://www.jessicagrimm.com/

Kate Barlow https://www.katebarlowembroidery.com/

Nicola Jarvis https://nicolajarvisstudio.co.uk/

Jenny Adin-Christie https://jennyadin-christieembroidery.com/

Mandy Ewing

Sarah Thursfield https://www.sarahthursfield.com/

Jacqui Hyman http://www.textilerestoration.co.uk/

Appletons Fine quality tapestry and crewel wool

https://www.appletons.org.uk/

Collette Kinley is an embroidery artist who uses both free motion machine embroidery as well as hand embroidery, although she is really enjoying hand embroidery at the moment. Collette shares her story of how 'going for it' and a new piece of embroidery has sparked several exciting opportunities for her.

Collette talks about her artistic journey so far, which started with sewing childrens clothes! When Sue catches up with her, Collette has been inspired by creating hand embroidered 'birds eye view' of allotments.

By the way, in the UK, an allotment, according to the National Allotment Society, is an area of land, leased either from a private or local authority landlord, for the use of growing fruit and vegetables. ... An allotment is traditionally measured in rods (perches or poles), an old measurement dating back to Anglo-Saxon times.

Anyway, we had a lovely chat!

Susan Weeks chats with Collette in this episode of Stitchery Stories:

• Being inspired by allotments
• Changing subject to avoid creative block
• Do allotments exist in other countries?
• Feeling nervous about posting a different style of work and subject matter
• Put yourself out there!
• Stop worrying about 'the likes'
• Learning new hand stitches
• Developing confidence and your artistic voice
• Being on a 'knife edge' with your embroidery!
• Dealing with procrastination
• Having the haven of a studio to escape to
• Doing the best we can
• The enjoyment of creating PDF patterns that sell
• Give it a go.. and see what happens :-)

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Collette's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/collettekinley

Visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewnbyColletteKinley

Like: https://www.facebook.com/SewnByCollette/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/sewnbycollettekinley

Tweet: https://twitter.com/sewnbycollette

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:

Amanda Cobbett https://www.stitcherystories.com/amandacobbett/

Laura Bray https://www.stitcherystories.com/laurabray/

Other places & people also mentioned:

Poppy Treffry 'Freehand Machine Embroidery' https://poppytreffry.co.uk/collections/shop-by-category-making-books/products/fmebook

Janine Heschl Textile Wildlife Art https://www.stitcherystories.com/janineheschl/

Saatchi Gallery Instagram Takeover

#SAATCHITAKEOVER https://www.saatchigallery.com/

Society For Embroidered Work S.E.W

https://www.societyforembroideredwork.com/

National Allotment Society

https://www.nsalg.org.uk/

Alison Carpenter-Hughes is a mixed-media artist who loves free machine embroidery. Today on the Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Alison shares her life in fabric and thread. And since she decided to give her art practice her focus and 'go for it', there have been some fantastic opportunities reveal themselves to her.

Alison talks about her artistic journey so far, and of course, how she has had to adapt everything she had planned, due to the corona virus pandemic.

Susan Weeks chats with Alison in this episode of Stitchery Stories:

• Taking part in the Artist Pledge initiative
• Adapting everything in response to changes caused by corona virus
• Her current fascination with eyes as her hoop art focus
• Opportunities happen when you 'get out there' and be proactive
• Working with an online business coach
• Teaching herself free machine embroidery
• Her creative spark in 2018
• Winning awards and developing her artistic confidence
• The power of having goals!
• The hazy contrast between dreams and reality and our connections with each other
• Using materials not often associated with sewing
• The stories behind 'Little Connie' and 'Girl On Train'
• 'Freedom Of Expression' is her next challenge
• Working towards a sustainable art career

For this episode...

View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Alison's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/alisoncarpenterhughes

Visit: https://ajcgallery.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/ajcgallery/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/pootlesmoon/

Tweet: https://twitter.com/pootlesmoon

Pin: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pootlesmoon/

Other places & people also mentioned:

Artist Support Pledge

https://artistsupportpledge.com/

Studioname http://www.studioname.co/

Needlecrafter OF The Year award (2019) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/goodlife/living/national-needlecraft-awards-2019-pictures/needlecrafter-yearlittle-connie-alison-carpenter-hughesthe/

Meredith Woolnough shares her insight and techniques around the beautiful machine embroidered natural specimens she creates. They are inspired by the skeletal forms of flora and fauna, particularly those she finds on walks and scuba dives.

Meredith has specialised in working exclusively with water-soluble fabric, using machine embroidery to re-create the lacy, delicate forms she loves so much. Once embroidered, and after the fabric is washed away, Meredith then creates a more sculptural form to create her delicate 'specimens'.

Susan Weeks chats with Meredith Woolnough about:

• Creating a series of 100 machine embroidered pieces
• Exclusively working on water-soluble fabrics
• Natural forms and structures are her main inspirations
• A fine line between creating a cohesive series and getting stuck in a rut!
• Challenge of creating the series so it all works together
• Creating framed artworks makes them easier to sell
• Potential purchasers of textile art are often concerned about how to care for it and display it.
• Planning your boundaries and methods for your projects to ensure success
• A change in scale often adds another layer of challenge
• Liberating embroidery from it's base fabric!
• Making scary choices
• Matching technique, materials, and subject matter
• Combining art, science and nature and lots of research
• Doing the best that you can to juggle life, family and art

For this episode, View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Meredith's work at

https://www.stitcherystories.com/meredithwoolnough

View: http://www.meredithwoolnough.com.au

Like: https://www.facebook.com/meredithwoolnoughartist/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/meredithwoolnough/

Read: https://amzn.to/2DBIrnl

Other things, people and places that we mentioned:

Tamworth Textile Triennial National Tour

https://www.tamworthregionalgallery.com.au/open-house-tamworth-textile-triennial-national-tour

Today we meet Jenni Dutton who shares stories around her powerful work and the unique way in which she creates her large portraits. Although starting her creative journey as a fine artist, creating large oil pastel landscapes, Jenni ventured into textile art portraits.

We talk about how life takes unexpected twists and how surprising opportunites can pop up as we share our work and thoughts. Jenni's largest body of work is her Dementia Darnings which document the emotional journey of her mum as she declined through dementia. Jenni has also started to explore her own ageing process through her Absurd Sewn Selfies series. She wonders if she could still be making those into her eighties!

Susan Weeks chats with Jenni Dutton about:

• The challenge of going back to a series you thought you had finished
• The theme of loss and repair with darning
• Trying a new approach with her latest portrait
• Why mask off areas on a piece of work?
• Don't let your logical brain upset your artistic vision
• The anxiety caused by deadline
• Discovering the delights of Anchor tapestry wools
• The emotions involved whilst documenting her mum's decline through dementia
• Confronting one's own ageing
• The horrors of 'lockdown' hair!
• Sharing our work as a counterbalance to our solo artistic time
• Can embroidery be improved with a blow torch..... or beeswax!
• Problems with moths, anyone?
• Being fierce about guarding our time

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Jenni's work at https://www.stitcherystories.com/jennidutton

Look: https://www.instagram.com/jennidutton9342/

Tweet: https://www.twitter.com/jennidutton

View: http://www.jennidutton.com

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like: https://www.stitcherystories.com/sorrellkerrison/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/suestone/

Other Places & People Mentioned:

The Horniman Museum

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/

University Of Iowa Medical Museum Gallery https://uihc.org/medical-museum

The Absent Gallery

http://theabsentgallery.co.uk/ http://theabsentgallery.co.uk/acearts/

This is where you can visit Jenni's 'Dementia Darnings' exhibition in a virtual gallery.

Today we meet Annie Crane, from Fort Collins, Colorado, on her birthday. It's a milestone birthday and Annie is marking it as a new beginning. After years of putting everyone else first, Annie is stepping out into the creative world. She is excited about (finally) giving herself permission to develop her art and to create with whimsical abandon.

Annie shares her story. She started making and painting things in tin, and has always loved embellishing clothes, shoes, and many other things. But what made her switch to using textile art as her medium of choice? As she has navigated life and caring for others, she has made some brave steps towards calling herself an artist, and now feels 'ready'.

Susan Weeks chats with Annie Crane about:

• Creating with whimsical abandon
• marking her 60th birthday
• taking and making more time for her textile art
• why she started making quiet bracelets
• it's OK to leave holes in clothes
• or embellish the repair with embroidery
• growing up hunting for treasure!
• the importance of how Annie feels about something
• the inspiration that comes from emotions
• creating a place for people to share their stories
• her strangest collection of stuff in her stash
• the excitement of burning holes in her work
• developing new friendships to share her love of textile art
• being a determined 'go-getter'
• the stress of commissions
• being ready, acknowledging it, and being excited about it

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Annie's work at

https://www.stitcherystories.com/anniecrane

Look: https://www.instagram.com/coffeefishco/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/coffeefish/

View: https://www.coffeefish.co

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like:

https://www.stitcherystories.com/alexhall/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/janesanders/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/annekelly