Well, here we are, and the rain has finally stopped … though it WAS nice weather for ducks. And it might as well rain until September now, as there are only a couple of days to go, but it looks as though it is looking up!

This rather lovely white duck featured in one of my books a few years ago: its a fun technique to bring elements in front of and behind each other – whichI have done here with the spider’s web.  It really gives a three dimensional effect.

 Looking around atthe hedgerow at the moment, there are lots of these lovely effects which you can capture in embroidery … this is  an image which incorporates several:

The holly blue butterflies are in their second flight at the moment, but more spectacularly the larger butterflies are begining to make their cocoons and – in the case of Red Admirals weaving silken nets around them to create hammocks to protect them…. particularly among the stinging nettles – so it’s hard to get very close without getting stung.  OW!!  You will find directions on how to stitch spiders’ webs and other “floaty” effects in various of my books!

There don’t seem to have been many of the “aristocrat” butterflies about this year – I think because of last year’s hard winter, but the second fight of admirals (which will have hatched from the eggs of the scarce first flight) are truly gorgeous!  So I’ll sign off with one!  If you want to see more take a look at Embroidered Butterflies in the Masterclass series…

See you in September … and keep dry!

 So I’m back from Venice … and with me I bring ideas ….

Though I confess they are not all wholly new to me, they have reawakened my love of the Rococo, Italianate, classical concepts and although I have not forgotten my promise to return to some English landscape pictures they will now have to wait until after my International Students have left (details of all that on my facebook page!) when I shall be able to look at my garden and focus on “home” once again!

Meantime, I was thrilled with the lace 0n Burano island in the Venetian lagoon.  This lady was actually working it … and was happy to be photographed!

Being a cat enthusiast, of course, I could not help buying a piece with cats and kittens (which for some techno reason does not want to be put up onscreen!  I’ll see if it will go up on facebook!) so you will have to make do with a picture of my cats from some years ago when they were kittens:

  How cute is that?

I really love the scrolling frame on this piece … in my book ”The Timeless Art of Embroidery” I devoted a whole chapter to this period… 

Anyhow, it’s about time I thought about getting ready for my Students.  I’m sure it’s still pretty obvious that I am a beginner at this blogging business and my layouts are less then brilliant.  But give me time, my brilliant techno friend Paula has promised to give me a course in uploading!  Well, I can stitch, I don’t profess to be able to blog quite so professionally yet!

Love, till next week,

Helen xxx

How wonderful – in my garden last evening some beautiful hawkmoths drinking from my great willowherbs … I always leave them to grow wild to attract the moths!  Quick sketch – embroidery later!!

Well, it’s a week since my last post and in that time I’ve been to Italy and back! Whilst in Venice, I could not help recalling Robert Browning’s  ”Home Thoughts from Abroad“…  I have a feeling that he, like I, loved coming home even more than visiting such beautiful paces.  Inspiration, of course, is a great thing, and the waters of the Lagoon, certainly make for that!  But all in all, the village green, a welcome back from the cat, and knowing that friends are all around one make for homecomings just as memorable as the trip itself!

Beautiful lace on the island of Burano in the Venetian lagoon made me want to revisit some of my embroidered “lace” pictures.  Here, I was playing with using the impression of Tudor blackwork coupled with needlelace to create a modern take on a traditional form of stitching …

But I have not forgotten that we were going to talk about some landscape work.  When I have got myself oprganised again I will share some thoughts.  So now, its back to the unpacking …. and must go and buy some cat food!

….. someone’s hungry and the cupboard is bare! 

Till then, bye for now!

Wow, it’s August already and – what with the death and resurrection of my computer, I don’t seem to have done much of this blogging …. but I am here, and so is my trusty needle - I said trusty, not rusty! – and whilst I may not have been doing much on the keyboard, what with the exhibition and all, I have still found time to stitch.  And (I must be honest up front) I have also found images of some of my earlier embroideries which will illustrate this “Diary” and also help explain my techniques … so there should be something for everyone.  Oh yes, by the way, if you comment and your remarks don’t appear on-line immediately, it’s just becaue I’m still learning how to work this thing!! 

So I mentioned last time the creatures which share this little corner of Suffolk … did I tell you about the tawny owls?  They are making their presence felt: the baby owlets are fledging and all night Mum and Dad are calling to them!  At least it is not the shreik of the barn owls, but a lovely soft hoot!  Mind you it does not seem so soft at 3.00 a.m. when they have been at it for hours!  I saw two young ones in flight the other evening.  Not as young as this, but still wonderful to see!

Baby Owls

A lady what embroiders, eh, and in the countryside? … seemed like a natural title!

So, here we are then … it’s a bit  like beginning a new book (and I’ve done a few of those!), a thousand blank pages and nothing to write. Well, hardly, the whole point of this is to keep everyone out there who is interested up to speed with what is going on in the world where my embroideries are created. Which is what, you may ask? A busy corporate studio? A hive of dynamic, creative business ideas? Not quite … it’s a small Georgian cottage on a Green in a small English village. Oh, yes, we have many neighbours … some lovely human ones, but also a great many of the four footed, furry, two footed, feathery variety … and they are the ones that give the inspiration for my work.  (You are just going to have to bear with me while I learn all the technical stuff about laying this out – it’s a bit hit and miss at the moment – anyone remember Juke Box Jury?)

Living alongside wildlife can be quite exciting – the bats in the belfry (well, attic!), the jackdaws in the chimney, the mice in the garden shed, you certainly never feel alone!  Oh, and did I mention the cat?  He takes an active interest in all the above… and the embroidery.  So this first post is just to say “hello”… it wont even go up until the new website is running – but it’s the first of the month and a good time to start … Maybe I also should mention some of the lovely new innovations on my website … kit of the month, etc.  No, maybe not now, I’ll let you wait for that!

Rumour has it that red squirrels have been seen locally – I shall be on their tail – sorry, trail, very soon!

Welcome to Helen Writes.

This is where you can add all your news and upload your pictures etc.

Almost exactly ten years after the foundation of the True Embroideries Studio, Helen was commissioned to write her first book, The Embroiderers’ Countryside.
Helen’s publishers, David and Charles took a chance and allowed her to create the first in a new genre of books – “embroidery books not just for embroiderers” as Helen has always described them! Books that celebrate the love of textile through Helen’s own unique art. The Embroiderers’ Countryside was quickly followed by The Embroiderers’ Country Album, it’s companion volume – and both were reprinted, in hardback and later in softback format. First editions are now collectors items, signed copies changing hands in excess of £150. More followed, and there are currently 6 titles in the “Inspirational” collection. Running in tandem with these, and in response to a demand for some more “hands on” books, Helen created the “Masterclass” series. Whilst still full of fascinating and anecdotal information, these books concentrate more on technique, and each features six full page projects, together with colour charts and step by step instructions allowing you to work alongside Helen as she captures her subjects. In 2008, fifteen years after its original publication, The Embroiderer’s Countryside was reissued in a new edition featuring “Masterclass” projects. The Series had come full circle.