27 February 2009.

This year has started off really well on the stitching front for me. The most exciting bit of news has been the publication of 3 pieces of my work in a new book out by Annabelle Ruston, called Framing and Presenting Textile Art.  The foreword has been written by the Royal School of Needlework so I am really pleased with this endorsement.  My thanks of course go to Lyn Hall of Fringe Arts - see links - who has framed all of my work over the past three years and done a superb and innovative job.  She has actually written a chapter for the book as well. There are lots of good tips on stretching work, etc. Those of you who know me well, know how I always 'bang on' about all those hours spent stitching and the monies involved therein, only to be spoiled by poor presentation in a cheap frame.  Annabelle Ruston has written a number of books on this subject.

I have had a few more pieces accepted for publication by Stitch magazine so watch out for articles in hopefully not the too distant future.

In the last 2 years since working as a designer, I have worked with a range of embroidery products and threads across the board and now use a combination of products in my kits or a list of suggested alternatives. I do need to share though, the discovery of a fabulous new silk ribbon that I have been working with.  I was truly sceptical when the owner of the company, River Silks, suggested working with 1-2 metre lengths of silk when doing canvas work, saying it was stronger than any other similar product. I have to say that I have never worked with anything as strong - it does not seem to ladder at all, even though I am working with longer lengths in my floral ribbon work, with stitches like the inverted stab, where one is continually working into the ribbon. I will be doing a few designs for her in the not too distant future and hopefully my patterns will soon be available on the American market.

I will be demonstrating silk ribbon embroidery, stumpwork and 3-dimensional techniques on my stand- ZH21- at the NEC - Sewing for Pleasure - 12-15 March, so do pop along to see my latest designs.

Keep stitching

Lorna