This spring we're looking forward to welcoming embroiderer Linda Miller to the InStitches studio. Her densely stitched pictures have held a fascination for me for a log while and I can't wait to have a go myself!
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As you can see from the picture, Harry and Betty have already decided that they'll make fine subjects for my embroidered picture!

So, who/what would you choose to stitch, bossy cats notwithstanding?   If you'd like to join us, and we hope you do, hop over to our web page to find out more details.

Hazel & Terry

How do you chose a colour scheme?

Do you go for bold and bright?

or do you prefer a more subtle palette?

If you would like to create your own bespoke stash of fabrics too then head over to the Bringing colour to life  page and read all about our brand new year-long course.  We are very excited about it as it'll bring all the techniques we love using to colour and add texture to fabric into one course.  Plus we will be in our new 'new' studio by the time it starts in September.  We'll be telling you more about the new studio shortly, but as it has been built with us in mind we will have masses of light and space plus plenty of height adjustable work benches - so come and join us, be inspired!

This year I've challenged myself to draw daily and, via the Instagram #10minutedrawingproject, everyone else too. I did wonder if anyone would join me... but they have! After much fiddling, I've managed to work out how to save a copy of the images, so here is just a snap shot (no pun intended!) of some of the drawings already posted...
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By the looks of things most people are using drawing/sketchbooks, but Terry has confessed that a time or two to using what ever comes to hand - including the back of an envelope! Which just goes to show that when the moment strikes you can be flexible! And what are people drawing with? Different media are being tried and used, including different weights of pencils, coloured pencils, drawing pens, Sharpie markers, even the humble Biro. Which all goes to show that no complicated or expensive equipment is needed...

I know for a fact we have an adamant 'I don't do drawing' participant (you know who you are - I'm thrilled you're joining in!) so what's stopping you from joining us?? You can start (and if it's not for you, stop) the challenge anytime you like. You don't even need to draw daily; although the more you do the more relaxed and confident you'll become and in time your drawings will reflect this. You can keep your drawing private - but if you want to share (and we hope you will) then post them on Instagram with the hash tag: #10minutedrawingproject - that way we can all see them.

Remember, practice makes perfect: so grab a piece of paper and a pen and we'll see you on Instagram soon,

​Hazel & Terry

Welcome to 2018 and the first of our new series of blogs.  It seems fitting that as the door to the old year closes and the one to 2018 opens that doors are featured! 

I've been lucky to travel to many different countries and I always seem to come back with plenty of photographs, with doors featuring time and time again! 

Some of the doors can be very grand and imposing with lots of gilt and decoration.

Or others which are scruffy and broken with peeling paint; it doesn't mater to me.  

All these fancy door knockers were photographed in Chania when I was on a  walking holiday in Crete.  It  was a bit of a disappointment to find that anyone could buy a hand, I'd thought they were a sign of something mystical happening behind the closed door!

What do you find yourself photographing time and time again?  If you have an interesting door,  share it on Instagram with the tag: #Institchesfindinginspiration, I look forward to seeing what you post.  Now, where did I put my window photographs.......

​Hazel & Terry