It is amazing when you release the pressure, relax and chill a little what happens. Drawings spill out and sketches become abundant - even though I want to race off into the studio and begin stitching I know the best thing is to just sit with pencil and paper in the evenings and draw, each sketch brings another idea and before long I am surrounded by artwork.
In a week my HB pencil has shrunk to almost half it's size.
Here are some rough drafts I have been playing with - sketching onto baking paper when I need to reverse images quickly or repeat an image across more than one design. These are the very first stages of something new, a new collection, new creatures, new ideas hot off the pencil.
It's a hard choice but this is the moment in design I love the most, when it's just me, my pencil and imagination.....and then I pick up the needle and that's a whole other story.
Now you know what I have been doing this week - no sewing, just a lot of great ground work and enough sketches to keep me busy for quite a while.
Ok - so back to the last competition post and the two winners of signed Cotton Floss books. You are all awesome x 336 times for taking the time to enter the draw and leaving a comment - more than thrilled to hear you are excited about the book release and love the designs.
So two random names...
Congratulations
Ancret Shipton - "Oh oh, am I too late to get my name in the draw????? I meant to do this ages ago, I'm blaming baby brain :-) I would LOVE a copy of your gorgeous book!" x
and
Kelly Rachel - "Oh Natalie! A book...signed??? I'd have died and gone to heaven! I just adore your work. And the colder weather makes me want to stitch...some of your projects would be perfect to work on!"
Ancret and Kelly - let me know your details and a special signed copy will be on it's way in the next post.
If you are looking to buy a copy please ask for 'Cotton Floss' at your local quilt store (I would love to see the book in your home town) you can also check out the Cinderberry Stitches stockist page for the latest information.
Quick - go get your 'Cotton Floss' on
Till then,
Natalie x
I'll check out Cotton Floss next weekend when I'm on my stitchy retreat.
Posted by: Boiler Service Indiana | January 12, 2012 at 07:00 PM
Creating new ideas and designs needs a lot of concentration and focus as well as inspirations.
Posted by: Superannuation Trust of Australia | December 16, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Yeah a book! You're one of my favorite embroidery designers!
Posted by: Kristen@sohappy | June 12, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Congratulations on your successes. i am sure we will all enjoy them too.
Posted by: Scarlette | June 03, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Have purchased the book and love it - OOOOOHHHHHHHH so BEAUTIFUL are the pages between those covers. well done
Posted by: Bliss | June 01, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Congrats to the winners. Can't wait for the big reveal.
Posted by: Homeowner Insurance | May 31, 2011 at 03:15 AM
Congratulations to the winners...you lucky ones! *grin* Wow! You used all that pencil...can't wait to see the next book, Natalie! Have a wonderful weekend. Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | May 28, 2011 at 08:18 AM
Congrats to the winners. I got mine today, so Cotton Floss is already in Spain. It's sooooo beautiful!!
Posted by: Debora Aguire | May 27, 2011 at 06:49 AM
Can't wait to see who you are sketching up now and what projects they will become!
Posted by: krista - Poppyprint | May 27, 2011 at 05:05 AM
It's looking very interesting...can't wait for the big reveal :) Barb.
Posted by: Barb | May 26, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Looks like that pencil has been getting a good workout! Look forward to seeing your new designs and I'll check out Cotton Floss next weekend when I'm on my stitchy retreat.
Lucky winners!
Posted by: mistea | May 26, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Wow! I'd give my eye teeth to have your imagination and ability to sketch. In the meantime I've ordered Cotton Floss... yes it has arrived in the UK and by tomorrow there will be a copy in Scotland! You do get about!
Posted by: Josie | May 26, 2011 at 08:22 PM
From what I can spy, it look like another book in the making? :)
Posted by: Candice Lyons | May 26, 2011 at 07:53 PM
Love the fact that your pencil got so small. The baking paper idea is a good one. I will have to keep that in the back of my mind.
Posted by: Michelle @ The Crafty Little Fox | May 26, 2011 at 06:46 PM
Congratulations Ancret & Kelly - enjoy your books!
Posted by: Kate | May 26, 2011 at 06:13 PM