Hello!
I’ve moved at last to my official web page www.stitchcity.co.uk which i bought about 4 years ago and just left uselessly sitting there. I figured it was time to move to a more professional looking platform and actually start using my proper page!
Ive transferred all my previous blog posts over and I’m still using wordpress so you should be able to keep following!
I’m sorry I havent posted in a while! I have been working away but I don’t seem to be able to finish any projects, as soon as I get close to finishing I get distracted and move onto something else…. So whilst I try and get over this strange and unproductive habit I’ll show you some of the awesome books I’ve picked up recently from the library where I work:
This week I managed to get on with a massive new collection of notebooks. I’ve had a huge stash of recycled paper building up for the past year and now’s the time to use it!
The books are all made with 22 pages of folded a4 paper, mostly old documents and photocopies that would have otherwise ended up in the recycling bin (i haven’t thrown away a blank sheet of paper in literally YEARS).
I use waxed linen thread which is a really strong thread that can withstand a lot of pulling and knotting, I can actually split the thread into thinner strands and it still works just as well.
There are loads of really beautiful and intricate ways to bind, (just look at all the amazing work on Pinterest) but as I always cover the thread with double sided tape, I just use a really simple method which is similar to Japanese Stab binding.
I’ve also been working on some new cushion cover designs this week, and had another go with my sewing machines free-hand foot. I find it so difficult, but I thought I could at least manage to colour in the hedges in my latest map of Victorian era London.
Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a great December, mine was super busy with lots of markets, it was hectic but so nice to get out and meet people and display my work after being holed up in the studio for so long!
Now that Xmas is over I can show off these custom pieces. I had some really nice presents to make for people this year – let’s hope all the recipients were happy!
Firstly this Welsh Christmas decoration – I had sold out of them already!
This map of London shows St Pauls and the Millenium footbridge across the Thames –
And I really enjoyed making this lovely pair of West London map cushions for another customer!
Just a quick PS – It’s January which means I have to have a sale in my shop (it’s the law!!) so if you had your eye on anything now is the time to buy! Use the code JANSTITCHSALE for 20% off 🙂
So! I’m planning on doing plenty of markets this Christmas, heres the Stitch City schedule for the coming weeks!
Sunday November 23rd – Rhiwbina’s Handmade Market.
This fair was so much fun last year, a great selection of makers and food stalls – tea, cake and mulled wine, and I came away with some great stuff. This years even promises to be even better!
Saturday 29th November – Cardiff Christmas Bazaar at the Abacus.
I’m really looking forward to spending the day at the Abacus and to taking part in this great event for charity. Along with some great stalls there will be live music, craft workshops and food and drink!
Sat/Sun 6th & 7th December – GIFT at Penarth Pier Pavillion
Penarth Pavillion are hosting this fantastic fair, featuring plenty of super talented makers in the beautiful surroundings of the pavillion gallery. After doing your Christmas shopping you can head to the cafe for tea or take a walk on the beach. Sounds nice!
Its nearly time to start thinking about Christmas! I actually hate having to deal with Christmas until at least December 1st… but this year I’ll be super busy taking my shop to various craft markets around Cardiff and I need to be prepared! I’ve never considered making Christmas themed goods before, it’s so difficult think of anything original! But I thought I’d give it a go this year with a couple of simple projects that will hopefully xmas – up my stall a bit.
These decorations are a festive take on my bright cross stitch designs from earlier in the year, I really like scandinavian design so I reseached nordic xmas patterns and came up with these tiny framed pieces, which can be hung anywhere around the house or even on the tree!
Nordic cross stitch decorations – £6 each.
I have also tried my hand at card design this year! I always really struggle to find Christmas cards with designs I actually like so I thought about what I would like to see when coming up with these. I wanted them to be really colourful and quite simple.
I have made the cards in 2 sizes – packs of 3 A6, and packs of 5 A7 (i think theyre A7 – theyre tiny anyway!) and all packs will cost £4 each.
Some photos from my super trip to Bristol zoo earlier this month!
Sleepy lion
Avert your eyes!
Chameleon boy
Dwarf Crocodile
Gila
Tortoise mates
Standing proudly next to its own poop…..
Paddlefish
Shrimpy guys (sorry i cant remember the name for everything!)
Clammy
Silverback
Agile gibbon
Gibbons!
Agile Gibbons (my favourite)
❤
Swinging gibbon
Baby Meers
Wrestlers
ahhh!
Meerkat baby!
Some pictures from our trip to St. Ives last month 🙂
Also! I’m running a great discount code until the end of October, go to my shop and use the code HAPPYOCT14 to receive 15% off your order. Keep your eyes peeled for more blog post about the run up to Christmas with Stitch City 🙂
So a couple of these pieces have been getting a lot of attention on Etsy this week – I think thanks to the awesome new homepage feature which allows everyone a personalised homepage showing featured items that are relevant to them! Then I realised I hadnt actually made a blog post about these maps which I finished a few months ago.
South Bank Wall Hanging
I wanted to make something really amazing, without worrying about time constraints which is always a massive issue when selling hand stitched products. I want to make work that is affordable to everyone, but at the same time I have a massive compulsion to hand stitch everything! So I usually compromise by combining hand with machine stitching, painting, applique, or trying to make the pieces as simple as possible (that last one…. never happens!) But for once I just wanted to stitch some maps for the love of it, and so I made these wall hangings. They are a much higher-end product than I would normally spend time on but I just love how they turned out!
South Bank Wall Hanging
South Bank Wall Hanging
Euston Wall Hanging
Euston Wall Hanging
Euston Wall Hanging
Marble Arch Wall Hanging
Marble Arch Wall Hanging
Marble Arch Wall Hanging
Piccadilly Wall Hanging
Piccadilly Wall Hanging
Piccadilly Wall Hanging
Stitch City 