Stars over Bethlehem dimensional sample

I promised earlier to show you a small video of how my new embroidery designs, Stars over Bethlehem, can be given a 3 dimensional look
to bring the poinsettias to life. For this example I stitched the flower insert in ivory on tulle and wash away stabiliser.
When it was removed from the hoop I carefully trimmed away everything. A little Fray check will hold any threads cut by mistake.

I then stitched the embroidery design and stopped it before the last but one colour, and carefully pinned the insert in place.
Then I moved the design on another colour and finished it off with the yellow fill pattern, which holds the flower insert in place.

Here is my video showing how the insert it stitched:

May I suggest that you use some hot fix crystals in the centre of this design to give it a little more Christmas sparkle.
These designs can now be pre ordered at Graceful Embroidery.

Happy hoopings from Hazel

http://www.gracefulembroidery.com/index.html

gracefulembroidery@hotmail.co.uk

http://gracefulembroidery.wordpress.com/

Embroidery Exhibition

I was so excited when I saw that an Embroidery Exhibition was being held locally. All digitizers need to go out and be inspired and get ideas. This was a wonderful opportunity to view some vestments, burses and veils some of which dated back to the early 1900′s. Although there were samples of machine embroidery it was the hand embroidery which captured my attention!

Beautifully worked by hand these remarkable embroideries featured gold work and some were embellished with stones and pearls.

Imagine my delight to find a beautiful embroidery featuring pomegranates:

Many of the embroideries had intricate blending of colours:

Overall this embroidery was my favorite. I definitely came away inspired and challenged. I hope you enjoyed seeing a little part of this wonderful exhibition.
Happy embroidering from Hazel

Bridal Grace

This is my latest design for this collection. I am determined to get a natural flow to these flowers and this is almost the look I trying to achieve.
Would you believe this was all done on my iPhone! I love these gadgets when they work. What fun!
From Hazel

Royal elegance stitchout

Today I tested my first Royal elegance design in a 4×4 hoop.  I have used my usual method of only hooping my first layer of stitch and tear, and then adding two further layers with temporary adhesive. I choose greens and golds for this sample and decided to reduce the number of colours.  A little editing is required but overall I think you will all like it. I may experiment with the gold centre medallions as the satin fill is not quite right. It will be exciting to see more of these designs stitchout, but it is quite incredible that I can bring them from my studio into your homes so easily. Modern technology is great fun when it works.

The first set in this collection will be ready in early July and has 16 designs for your 4″ by 4″ hoop.
These designs commemorate the Royal wedding and will also have an accompanying set of florals to reflect the occasion called Bridal Grace.
To pre order it you must be a member of my Embroidery group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gracefulembroidery/

If you have suggestions for future videos or tutorials do let me know.
Thank you for visiting me in my Embroidery studio.
Happy embroidering from Hazel
p.s Sorry the link doesn’t work. I will sort it out as soon as possible.

Welcome to my blog!

Hello!

I have long wanted to explore the possibility of “blogging” about my passion to create “graceful” embroidery designs.  In this blog I will share my experiences as I experiment with the embroidery designs I have digitised, and also with some of new techniques that are being introduced into the world of machine embroidery. I look for inspiration in creation, especially in the delightful variety of flowers that we have been blessed with.  Blogging enables me to share photos from my embroidery studio and to make comments almost instantly, and I hope that my experiences give you ideas for your passion as well.

Today I am putting the final touches to Bridal Lace 2 for 4″ by 4″ hoops. I have tried several colours and have settled for a pale lemon and green look. You will be able to purchase these designs by Monday, and I think you will love them!  If I have done it right you should be able to go instantly to this new set by clicking on the picture.
 

I hope that you will enjoy my blog. It is a whole new learning curve for me but I am excited by the prospect of learning how to do it, and of sharing my embroidery experiences.

Happy embroidering from Hazel