Here's the hoop-la

I have been working on my hoop-la design.

I have spent the past few days having fun with the kids, who have been on their Reading Week break from school. Even though they are quite mature -- and they frequently tell me I am not -- we  have been enjoying our time together.
What with the shopping trips, having a nice dinner out, and watching movies on TV, my creative time has been a bit sidelined.
However, I did finish sketching out the hoop-la design for the CreativFestival in Toronto this April. I will be showing people how to do embroidery stitches and other surface embellishments at A Needle Pulling Thread magazine's booth.
 This is a lot of fun for me, since I enjoy talking with people, and showing them how to do something they think they can't do. In just a few minutes, they usually gain confidence and after they try a few stitches, they are eager to try more. This is how our ancestors taught the skills we were slowly losing, and certainly, I learned at the elbows of talented older needleworkers. I am glad to be part of the renewed interest in embroidery and surface design, and happy to share what I know with others.
 I like the way my little Tilda bunting flags dress up the design. The next step is to trace it onto linen and tack down the flags using fusible tape. I plan to fix just the very tops of the flags, to create some texture and allow the bottom flags a little "movement". I am considering which colour to use for the script. I was leaning toward red, but I think a deep pink might be nicer on the cream coloured linen.
Have a wonderful weekend, y'all! Who knows? I might even get my mannequin dressed -- as soon as everyone gets back to the books.

Fanciful birds take flight at CreativFestival

Here is my surface embellishing project for the CreativFestival.

This coming weekend, on Oct. 13, I will be demonstrating some surface embellishing techniques, including embroidery, adding sequins and beads at the CreativFestival in Toronto.
I have prepared several of these hoops and will be teaching at A Needle Pulling Thread Magazine`s booth at the festival. The idea is that people can put on a few sequins or beads, or a few embroidery stitches and then leave the hoop at the booth. I think I will be cool to see how the birds look at the end of the day.
The CreativFestival is a huge event for Canadian creative types. There are literally hundreds of demonstrations, make and take opportunities, classes in all kinds of creative pursuits from knitting to jewellery making. There are also many, many vendors at in the market area of the Metro Convention Centre in downtown Toronto.
I am looking forward to teaching others what I love to do.
Also, can I help it if I do some shopping along the way? No, of course not!
I will post some photos after the event, provided I get some good ones.
Have a lovely week, everyone!