Autumnal Inspiration....

Hello my lovelies!

November already.....

Wowie.

Just exactly where has this year disappeared to?

(answers on a postcard pleased to Tilly @confusedoldlady.com)

It really doesn't seem possible that we are turning our thoughts towards that

time of year....

dare I actually say the  'C' word out loud?

As many of you know I'm really not a lover of the torrent heat of summer but neither am I a fan of the bitterly cold Winter.

 I much prefer the gorgeous seasons of Spring & Autumn...

the seasons when you can wander out in just a thick wooly, some boots and a warm scarf to keep your neck all snuggled.

How about you?

I absolutely adore walking in the Autumn mists and smelling the change of season in the air...

Last week I managed a beautiful walk early in the morning when most people were asleep.

Greeted with early morning mists, dewy cobwebs and damp carpets of muddy grass I ventured out with my little camera for company.

At times like this, I do wish I had a lovely dog to have as a faithful friend to accompany me on my wanderings but hey, you can't have everything in life I guess...

My mission?

Simply to take in the sights, smells and sounds of Autumn early in the morning.

I've always been a fan of early morning since a teenager, when I had a paper round.

There was always something quite magical about the quietness of the day.

My thoughts have never altered and I still love to walk early in the morning when I can.

Mother Nature didn't disappoint and I managed to snap loads of beauties...

I do wish I had a better camera to get the really fine details and sharper colours.

(It's on my Christmas list!)

I love to save my shots for inspiration when designing especially when doing some free motion embroidery.

I always go home feeling very inspired from the sights I capture however big or small and then love taking some time out to doodle away in my journal a little, like a modern version of the Edwardian lady - Edith Holden.

I wonder if she would've enjoyed my sketches and embroideries?

As I wandered home with my collection of wet leaves I had collected along the way I decided I wanted to do a little tutorial for you all to help get started when taking inspiration from Mother Nature as many of you lovelies have said you sometimes struggle with knowing how to start etc.

Watch out for my next blog post with all the details...

In the meantime I'm off for a cuppa or two...

Will you join me?

Toodle-ooh til the next my lovelies!

Tilly

x x x

Inspired by Seaside Photographs - FREE TUTORIAL

Hello my lovelies!

At this time of year I know many of you will be like me, returning from your summer holidays with loads of seaside smiles and a host of ideas which hopefully will give you some inspiration for your next sewing or mixed media project...

As a textile artist I am continually being asked how and where do I get my inspiration

for my own designs?

Mother Nature always provides me with such gems and is my greatest source of inspiration.

It doesn't matter where you are visiting or for how long. 

Each region will have it's own special sights, sounds, smells and treats.

For me, Cornwall always delights.

I love visiting and soak up every little jewel I come across.

I carry my camera with me where ever I go and photograph snippets of my day using my lens as my creative eye.

I thought it would be a nice idea to give you all some tips and ideas as to how you too can get started using a photograph as your inspiration source and capture those treasured memories.

Inspired by Seaside Photographs -Tutorial

So where to begin....

First, what project do you have in mind?

Collage

Cushion

Notebook Cover

Special Bunting

Whatever the project, using a favourite pic can always help you to get started...

So, how?

If you are not reproducing an exact copy of a snapshot how can you use it for inspiration?

Here are some tips that hopefully will help to give you some basic ideas....

You may want to draw out your design copying the photo to help with dimensions or scale. To do this simply print off your photograph and use either tracing paper or greaseproof paper to out line the main elements.

Don't be afraid to exaggerate the details. remember it is your design. there are no rules!

Also don't worry if your dimensions don't match exactly... 

Try and create a mood board for your project. I know many of you may say why bother if it is only for a cushion but believe me it is definitely worth it!

I love collating loads of ideas from alsorts of resources...

Attach them to an old picture frame, write them down in a book or simply doodle on scraps of paper that you have to hand.

Believe me when I say they will all come be handy to refer back to.

Use your photographs to help with colour schemes...

They will give you an idea of how to blend colours for backgrounds or individual elements of your overall design.

You may be using various fabrics to build up your design or colouring them in with free motion embroidery, or perhaps you want to make your design to have a 3D effect?

Of course you need to think about adding textures and patterns...

maybe to represent shells, rocks, beach huts, rocks etc

Don't forget to add in those extra special details that will make your designs more individual...

All those little memories you have can be added into your designs...

And talking of textures....

use Mother Natures box of jewels to help you decide what elements you may want to stitch, crochet, embroider or sew on as embellishments...

I hope this quick tutorial has helped to get you inspired to give it a go...

Just remember it really doesn't matter what your design is going to be.... it may be a cushion cover that you want to use applique on or you may decided to have a go at a mixed media collage.

Start small and then run with your ideas...

We are all creative in some way or another.

As so many people have asked about designs and ideas I have decided that I am soon going to be selling my own inspiration kits via my blog.

I will also be offering online tutorials alongside them with ideas for your projects.

I would love to know your thoughts on this, so if you have five mins do please drop me a message at the end of this post or an email to  tillyrose10@gmail.com 

You can also find me via my Facebook page 

In the meantime Happy Stitching my lovelies!

Enjoy your weekend...

Tilly 

xxx 

Fun in a Doncaster Marquee!

Hello lovelies!

Wow...what a lovely weekend!

I have just returned from a weekend in Doncaster FULL of crafty loveliness!

I've been surrounded by fabric, threads, buttons, different yarns, shiny gems, stamps and so much more... in fact I have been in craft heaven (if there ever was such a thing!)

It was so busy but I did manage to have a quick look around before anyone arrived which was a real treat!

I thought you might like a quick nosey?

This was my first actual major event with thousands of people all wanting to say hello!

I was doing a 'Make & Take' workshop for 100 people as part of Summer Crafts at Doncaster.

The event was organised by Create & Craft TV.

It was wonderful to have the racecourse all to myself (well several hundred as well) early in the morning...

I felt I was trespassing as it was SO quiet.

The sun was so hot even at 8am in the morning but that didn't dull my enthusiasm 

( I don't like the heat at all)

It was the first year that Summer Crafts have ventured into offering customers fabric, haberdashery and yarns as a tester.

The crowds just LOVED it!

So many people said how much they loved the crossover from paper crafting with sewing which is music to my ears....

Sewing is no longer JUST dressmaking or home decor.

Mixed media is becoming very popular as well as collage work and introducing sewing into making cards and scrap booking.

My 'Make & Take' table was offering crafters the opportunity to make a gorgeous vintage heart corsage Tilly Rose style...

Was I nervous?

Well yes I have to say, just a wee bit.... but boy did I have FUN!

I really wasn't sure what to expect...

So many lovely people took the time and trouble to come and find me to say hello and tell me how much they've enjoyed my TV shows which was just lovely.

The night before, I had actually said to Mr T. "what if no-one wants to visit my table?"

I do worry sometimes!

Needless to say I was a very happy bunny when some lovely ladies turned up!

It was fab to see a variety of ages, abilities, a mixture of friends, family and different generations all sharing a love of  being creative... and all leaving with happy smiles :)

So many hearts were sewn!!!

Everyone had the same kit to start with and yet we had 100 different variations...

how wonderful.

I met so many lovely peeps during the event and made loads of new crafty friends.

I am so very lucky to be able to 'work' doing what I love and to be able to share this with everyone over the weekend was simply bliss for me...

A very BIG thank you to you all for making my first show a success!

Here's to next year....

Tilly

xxx