India Grace Designs

Email malfunction

2012-01-17T19:29:00.003Z

My apologies if anyone has been trying to contact me via the info @ indiagrace.co.uk email address. It only just occurred to me that it would have been messed up by the change of hosts. I think that I have got it working now. If it still plays up then please try vickim @ tiscali.co.uk

Website disruption 2

2012-01-14T11:27:00.000Z

OK, the domain name isn't working right now (wish I knew more about this side of things) but the host of the original site is still fine so can be accessesd at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/indiagracedesigns . Hopefully I will figure out what is wrong soon.

Full info on the classes

2012-01-12T12:09:00.003Z

As the website may be down I am putting the information here

A six week course running on

Saturday Mornings, 10.30-12.30

£8 per 2hr session

starting 21st January

at Curves Gym,

Talisman Square, Kenilworth.

This is a comprehensive couse designed for complete beginners or experienced embroiderers who want to learn a new art.

It is set over 6 weeks so that each element is taught thoroughly and can be revised in subsequent sessions. Once completed, this course should give you the confidence and skill to tackle any Hardanger based pattern that you come across.

The course is friendly and informal. You will need to be able to complete certain areas in between classes. This is so that the sampler is ready for you to move onto the next section the following week and also shows if you are happy with the stitches once on your own. We will go over any difficulties at the start of the next class.

You will need
28 count evenweave fabric 11.5" x 15" (30cm x 38cm)

1 ball size 8 perlé thread

1 ball size 12 or 16 perlé thread

size 26 or 28 round ended tapestry needles

these are available as a kit for £5.50

If you prefer a larger count of fabric the dimensions for 25 count would be 12"x16"

The kit is only for 28 count. If using your own fabric it is advisable to machine a zig zag stitch around the edge for stability.

You will also need
Sharp pointed Hardanger scissors

A frame or hoop large enough to hold it (unless you prefer to work without)

design size is 5.5" x 9" at 28 count

a highlighter pen and a pencil

A folder suitable for A4 handouts

Please email info 'at' indiagrace.co.uk to book a place.

As Curves is a women only gym, places are limited to women only.If any men are interested, please email me and I will arrange another class.

Website disruption

2012-01-12T12:03:00.000Z

I am changing hosts for my website. This could cause disruption for up to 72 hours so please bear with me if you experience problems. If anyone needs an order urgently please message me and we can sort it out offsite.

Classes - the start date

2011-12-29T15:24:00.001Z

OK I finally have set a start date for the classes. 21st January with a revised start time of 10.30 so that people from slightly further afield could consider coming. Please tell anyone you know in the Warwickshire W.Mids area of the UK

New prices

2011-11-30T00:05:00.000Z

This is an advance warning. I shall soon be putting up the prices of charts and kits. I haven't raised the prices since I started the business 8 years ago and I haven't changed the postage in 4-5 years despite it nearly doubling in some cases. I just can't afford to continue with these prices so I hope that this won't put people off. It's still cheaper than a round of drinks in the pub! I'll leave it a week before I start making changes to give people a chance at the old prices.

2011-11-22T17:22:00.001Z

This is a photo of the Hardanger sampler that I will be teaching at the classes in January. It's a pretty sampler using all the stitches that you need to feel confident tackling any other Hardanger based pattern that you come across. I won't be using black fabric in class as that's making life too difficult. In a few days I will post another version of it that has been sewn by a complete beginner during private classes.

Hardanger classes

2011-11-01T10:18:00.003Z

The Hardanger classes are back on. I shall be running them in Curves Gym, Kenilworth from January. It will still be a 6 week course 2hrs per week. Probably running 10-12 on a Saturday morning. The cost of the course will be £8 per week plus a fabric and threads pack (should you need one) for £5.50. As Curves is a Women only Gym I have been asked to restrict the classes to women however if any men are interested please contact me and I will arrange another class, given sufficient interest. Please let me know if you would be interested so that I can start compiling a list.

New design onsale

2011-07-14T16:52:00.006+01:00

Matilda is now available for sale via the website. I think that this is a lovely warm piece with just a hint of sparkle about it.

Twitter and an update

2011-07-13T11:45:00.002+01:00

I have given in and decided to join Twitter with the business. It's on as IndiaGraceDsgns as they wouldn't let me have enough letters for the whole of Designs. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing yet but if anyone wants to follow I'd appreciate it.

In the meantime I am just finishing the 2nd in a series of 7 designs using Gentle Arts Sampler threads. These are part of a big challenge that I have set myself. I want to get all 7 designs published in Magazines and I am trying to find magazines in 7 different countries. If anyone has any suggestions I'd be really grateful. I can't post any photos yet but I am thrilled with the 2 that are complete and looking forward to sewing the other 5.

New US Distributor

2011-06-13T19:39:00.004+01:00

Those of my customers stateside might be interested to know that 6 of my designs can now be purchased through Nordic Needle and their outlets. They are currently stocking Rosa, Marguerite, Madeleine, Grace, Aurora and Elfie. If those sell well they may be interested in expanding the range so please do check them out at http://www.nordicneedle.com/CTGY/000-00-00.html"

Latest New Release

2011-03-26T23:04:00.004Z

Introducing Crystal. I have been working on this one for 2 years and am very pleased with it. The photo doesn't do it justice as it is a very sparkly piece in shades of peach and copper.

I am also putting Rosa onsale through my website as I was informed by the magazine editor yesterday that that particular issue of the magazine is already sold out.

Mackintosh Inspired Rose and Thistle Armorial

2011-03-03T11:31:00.003Z

Not a new release as it has been on sale for several years but, as I designed it as a commission, I never sewed a model for it. I've been working on it as my 'in between projects' piece ever since so it deserves an outing!!

2 New Designs released

2011-02-22T19:23:00.003Z

2 New Designs are now on the website, Seraphina and Elfie. Seraphina was designed with the idea of 'gift for a man' in mind and so is a subtle design in black and silver with smokey crystals. Elfie uses some gorgeous finca aqua colours with a hint of light effects threads and beads and crystals.

I have also released Flora and Hestia's Flame for sale. These two designs were originally published in Australian Magazines.

Counted Wishes Festival

2011-01-30T14:35:00.002Z

I am going to be premiering 2 new designs, Seraphina and Elphie at the online counted wishes festival http://countedwishes.com from Feb 1st -7th. Please pop by and have a look. There are lots of fabulous designs by new and established designers as well as first chance to see these two.

New Year Update

2011-01-04T22:39:00.012Z

I've realised that I have been neglecting this blog lately which is very remiss of me so I guess I had better update things.

The magazine has been out since the end of November and you can still get it in the shops for a couple more weeks. The response has been fantastic, people really do seem to like the design. I still have kits available through the website if anyone wants one.

I have released 2 new designs lately, Julie and Ylva (the latter kindly model stitched for me by Ylva Saleem) They are both now available for sale on my website.

I shall be taking part in the Counted Wishes Festival at the Start of February. There will be another 2 designs released especially for the show so hopefully you'll pop by and take a look.

Exciting News

2010-10-07T13:41:00.002+01:00

This is my first UK magazine publication. It is called Rosa and can be found in the next issue of 'Stitch' The Embroiderer's Guild Magazine. It is issue 68 published on November 25th and available in larger Newsagents.

I am very excited about this as this is one of my favourite designs and the magazine is lovely and full of fabulous ideas. I will also be selling kits to accompany it through my website once it is released.

I have redesigned the front page of my website to show my latest designs and I am also going to create a gallery page as I know a lot of people have sewn designs using different colours and threads and it would be great to see them. If you have one you'd like displayed please email me a high quality jpg photo. I have also added a new guestmap as the old one had expired so please pop by and put yourself on as it's looking a little lonely right now. There is also a link for the India Grace Designs Facebook page.

A Good Review - thanks Margaret!

2010-09-20T00:46:00.002+01:00

This was posted on one of the boards that I am a member of and I was so touched that I asked if it would be ok for me to add it to my websites.

I just have to tell you about the wonderful job Vicki from India Gtace designs has done for me . My friend is getting married next year and i wanted a wedding sampler for her. All the ones I could find were a bit too flowery for someone of our age. As she is Egypt craazy I asked Vicki if she could design an egyptian wedding sampler and she certainly has come up trumps. I received it today and am delighted with it. I cant wait to start. She has done a lot of research and every symbol has a special meaning. She did it in wonderful time and her prices are very reasonable.

This is not the first design she has done for me and i would recommend her to anyone. So if you are looking for something special or just cant find what you want, I recommed you give Vicki a try.

Thank-you so much to Margaret this is very very kind of you.

A new release and an update on classes.

2010-08-22T17:26:00.002+01:00

This is my newest release 'Michelle'. I've been playing with trying a quite 'modern' colour scheme. The piece uses Finca, Caron and DMC threads and Mill Hill beads. It should be available on my website by the end of the week.

I am hoping to start classes mid/late September. Saturday mornings probably 10.30-12.30. Classes would be £6 per session with 6 sessions in total. I need a minimum of 5 people to make it worthwhile running the class so if anyone is interested please let me know asap. I will also be providing a fabric and threads pack to accompany the class (if you have your own this is not compulsory) this will be priced at £6.50 and will provide all you need to complete the class project. You would need to bring your own scissors and frame.

Quick update

2010-04-22T10:41:00.002+01:00

Just popping in with a quick update as I haven't posted much here lately. There's been a lot of work going on behind the scenes but not a lot that I can show you. The classes didn't go ahead unfortunately due to lack of interest. I am still keen to run these and feel that if I can find a cheaper venue that there will be more interest. If anyone local is interested please let me know and I'll keep you updated.
I'm working on a couple of pieces that I hope will be picked up by magazines. It's such a shame for the speciality stitch section of the industry that we have lost Classic Stitches in the UK as there's nothing else quite like it in this country and I really would like to break into the UK market. I have a beautiful (and quite different) piece that I am offering at the moment but responses are slow. Creative Embroidery and Cross Stitch from Australia is fabulous and I hope to continue working with them, I have a piece on the go that I hope they will like.
There are a few other projects on the go but at the moment they have to remain under wraps. Hopefully I will have something new to show you soon.

Hardanger Classes Update

2010-02-17T22:15:00.004Z

The classes are now going to be on Thursdays and Saturdays to allow people who work during the week to attend. They will be starting on Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th March. Both sessions will be 10am -12pm and will run for 6 weeks. Classes are £12 per session. Places are limited so please book early. Contact Linda Harper's to book.

I am keen to expand these classes into other areas so if anyone reasonably local has a venue to suggest then I would be keen to hear about it.

Hardanger Classes

2010-01-18T14:21:00.002Z

I am going to be teaching classes in Hardanger at Linda Harper's Haberdashery shop in Kenilworth for 6 weeks from March (date TBC) Thursday mornings 10-12. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll put your name down.

The final part

2009-12-31T10:13:00.004Z

Here it is, December, the final picture from the Calendar Partwork. It has been great fun designing and sewing this piece and I really hope that everyone who has taken part has enjoyed it too. I'm seeing a few different uses for the patterns, one person has decided to make them into a pair of bellpulls which will be lovely I'm sure and Julie has been sewing individual patterns as gifts as well as the calendar itself. I look forward to seeing some photos.

The partwork will be taken offsale on the 1st Jan because I am working on putting it together in a single 'book' format. It will be back.

November's Partwork

2009-12-02T22:31:00.001Z

Everyone taking part in the Partwork now has their last set of instructions so the time has come to show everyone else November's part.

I'll unveil December at the end of the month.

Guinevere now onsale

2009-11-10T20:10:00.002Z

I am glad to say that Guinevere is finally onsale. I would like to give belated thanks to Catherine of www.silkenstrands.co.uk without whom I would not have been able to identify the Madeira thread and I would like to encourage everyone to check out her fabulous range of stock that I would love to have a day browsing through for ideas!!!

October's Partwork

2009-11-06T00:02:00.002Z

It's a little late this month but finally available for your viewing pleasure is October. Hope you like it.

2009-10-02T00:02:00.003+01:00

This month I am introducing, not only September but a picture of the completed calendar which I finished about an hour ago. It's showing a little small here but there's a larger picture on the Calendar Partwork page of the website.

August's Design

2009-09-01T23:58:00.001+01:00

Now that September is upon us here is August's design for viewing.

New release

2009-08-14T21:13:00.003+01:00

Introducing my new design 'Guinevere'. This is a very sparkly design so I felt that a name from Arthurian legend suited it perfectly.

I hope to have it released by September but am currently trying to find out the code number of a Madeira Blending Filament that I used in it as I purchased it as part of a multipack and they didn't come with numbers.

July's Partwork

2009-08-01T15:46:00.003+01:00

Another month has sped by at a rate of knots and I have now released August's section to those taking part in the partwork.
Here is July's picture for those who are interested. I really hope that everyone is enjoying taking part.

Calendar Kits Update

2009-07-08T10:13:00.001+01:00

The last of the 28 count kits has gone. I still have 32 count kits available. I will start a waiting list for more 28 count kits but can't order unless I get 6 people.

June's Design

2009-07-07T10:12:00.004+01:00

It's that time again - the new month has been released to participants so here is last month's for everyone to see. I can't believe we are already over half way through the year. The calendar is really coming together now and looking lovely.
I have enough left to make kits for 1 more 28 count and 5 more 32 count. I am not currently planning to re-order once these are gone. It costs me a lot of money upfront, which, as I only charge cost price for the kits, leaves me out of pocket until they are all gone. After this point I am willing to make a list and order once I have a full set of people but that could be quite a wait as I need 6 for 28 count and 7 for 32.

New Release

2009-06-15T17:16:00.005+01:00

Introducing my latest release, Aurora.

I am really pleased with this design which has been named after the Northern Lights because of the light and sparkle on the black background. It uses Light Effect threads and Mill Hill Beads.

It's available now through my website in the small pictures section of the Speciality Stitches area and is £5 plus P&p for overseas orders.

May's Partwork

2009-06-02T20:32:00.000+01:00

Now that June's part has been released to participants here's May for those who would like to see it.

India Grace Designs on Facebook

2009-05-29T20:40:00.000+01:00

I have finally created a business page for India Grace Designs on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/business/dashboard/?ref=sb#/pages/India-Grace-Designs/204233085606 I already had a group but this is more business like and you can become a 'fan'. If anyone is browsing and fancies a look please pop in!

Exciting News

2009-05-21T12:23:00.000+01:00

I'm being published again!!

Flora's Garden is to be published in the Australian Magazine 'Creative Embroidery and Cross Stitch'. It is in issue 16-10 due out on the 21st August. This is the second one of my designs to be published by this magazine so I am really excited.

April's Design

2009-05-05T22:42:00.000+01:00

Now that we're into May, here's a peek at April's design. The calendar is really starting to take shape now and I am pleased to see progress pictures.

I only have 1 kit left at 28 count now and 6 at 32 count. Due to the drop in price of the pound against the euro it will cost me more to order fabric now so these are the last at the current price. I'm not sure yet what the new fabric will cost but by the sound of things it could be around 10% more. These kits are available on a 1st come 1st served basis.

Please keep the progress photos and updates coming - I love to see them.

Update and March's photo.

2009-04-04T21:34:00.000+01:00

Now that April is upon us, here is a picture of March's design from the Hardanger Calendar Partwork. I'm really enjoying running this and am hoping that those taking part are enjoying themselves too.

I now have enough threads to make 8 more kits, enough fabric for 4 28 count ones and 6 32 count ones. These are selling quite fast so if anyone would like one please order via my website.

February's Partwork

2009-03-02T00:04:00.000Z

I've sent out the patterns for March so here is the picture of February. I hope that everyone is enjoying sewing this.

Southern Hemisphere Partwork?

2009-02-18T00:35:00.000Z

It just occurred to me that I have designed the calendar for the Northern Hemisphere and that the colours don't match the seasons for the Southern Hemisphere. If anyone would like a Southern Hemisphere version (a simple change of month on the pictures - is June the equivalent of January?) I am more than happy to create it. Just let me know.

January's Partwork

2009-02-02T14:33:00.000Z

As February's design has just gone out I thought I'd give you a sneaky peek at January. Somewhat appropriate as I'm looking out of the window and seeing snowflakes falling. There are quite a few people taking part and I am really looking forward to seeing progress pictures soon.

If anyone else would like to take part the new thread/fabric packs should be available in about a week. Half the 28 count ones have already been reserved so please let me know asap.

Fabric/Thread pack re-orders

2009-01-13T11:22:00.000Z

I have decided to reorder now as there has been quite a lot of interest. I can't get hold of the threads until the start of Feb but as soon as I can they will be available. I have only ordered enough fabric for 6 28 count packs and 7 32 count packs so it might be advisable to email and reserve them in advance as the last ones went quite quickly.

New release

2009-01-04T23:59:00.000Z

Over a year ago I was commissioned to create an Arabic sampler for someone, it had a line drawing of mecca at the centre. After spending over a month working on this the person who it was for never got back to me. I've decided that it is time that I released it as I'd worked so hard on it. Well actually this isn't quite the same as the one in the sampler (which I may release later) It's larger and more detailed. This piece is 26”x15.5” on 28 count, 29”x17” on 25 count and 33”x19.5” on 22 count. I don't recommend using a count smaller than that. If anyone is interested it is now on the Blackwork page of my website which is in the Speciality Stitches section

Calendar Partwork Starts

2009-01-01T23:25:00.000Z

Today sees the launch of the Calendar Partwork. 12 patterns, 1 for every month, released on the 1st of the month, each month of 2009. They build into a wall hanging calendar. You can see the main colours being used in the picture. The Chart costs £12 for the year and is sent monthly by PDF. I have been providing fabric and thread packs too (shown in the picture) which provide all the fabric and perle threads. There are some other stranded cottons and metalic/light effects used, also beads which are not included. These packs are currently sold out but if anyone is interested I am taking names for a new set - I need 6 people interested for the 28 count and 7 for the 32 before I can afford to order the fabric.

I will release photos of the piece on my website and on here as it grows (first participant to finish each month gets their picture featured)

I'm being published

2008-11-13T10:29:00.001Z

My latest design 'Hestia's Flame' is to be published in the Australian Magazine 'Embroidery and Cross Stitch'. Issue no. 16-2 which goes on sale on the 29th of January 2009. There are some examples of previous issues at the link below.

http://www.ericas.com/xstitch/magazines/embandxstitch.htm

It's is called Hestia after the Greek Goddess of fire and has a real sparkle to it.

I am obviously really excited about this and look forward to seeing it when it comes out.

India Grace Designs on Facebook

2008-11-07T11:08:00.001Z

Just for fun I have added an India Grace Designs group to Facebook. If anyone would like to become a member they'd be most welcome.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43449709358
I am very conscious of security issues with sites like this (I only add friends that I know in the flesh for just this reason) so I promise not to send you any spam or bother you in any way!

Would anybody be interested in joining a partwork?

2008-09-20T12:46:00.000+01:00

I am considering launching a monthly partwork, starting January 2009 and going through to December 2009. Details are under wraps at the moment but I can say that it is gong to be Hardanger based and a calendar. If anyone is interested in this they can sign up for it by joining my Yahoo Group (details below) and entering their name in the poll created for this purpose. I need at least 10 people signed up to make it worthwhile. I have promised members of my group who have already expressed an interest not to make it too expensive materialswise (I will run a co-operative buying scheme if there is enough interest) and each monthly part will be about 4" square on 32 count evenweave so not big projects. Further details are available in the discussions on my Yahoo group.

Update and new releases

2008-07-18T22:56:00.000+01:00

I'm pleased to be able to show a couple of new releases as I've been working on some bigger projects this year and haven't had much new to add.

This is Iona, named after the island on which the famous Celtic work the book of Kells was created, as that work contains some of the most fabulous examples of Celtic knots and artwork that I have seen. It uses 2 thicknesses of the same colour and co-ordinating beads.

This one I am still having trouble naming. I'm quite excited about this design as it is bringing in some new ideas to add to the Hardanger technique. Last summer, whilst on holiday in the Lake District, I was introduced to Ruskin Lace by a lady who had taken classes in it and who, when she saw my Hardanger work, brought hers out to show me. I loved the intricacies of the patterns and was struck by its similarities to Hardanger. I have been experimenting with adapting these ideas to work with Hardanger and have a large piece that I have been working on since that summer which I hope to finish soon. This piece is my first release incorporating these ideas and I hope to use more in the future.

Ruskin Lace is a needlecraft that originated in the Lake District in the 1800s. To find out more about it please visit http://www.ruskinlace.org.uk/ I thoroughly recommend buying the book or DVD as it is a fascinating art and these needlework traditions should always be passed on.

These two designs will hopefully be released via my website soon.

New idea

2008-04-14T14:16:00.000+01:00

I am introducing a new scheme for those people who would like a hand embroidered family crest but aren't stitchers themselves. These can now be sewn to order especially for them.

I have been producing Armorial kits for the last 3 years in association with Heritage and Heraldry of Eton, Windsor. All designs are authentic and over 250,000 surnames are available. The designs, as featured in the kits, are 7.5" x 10.5" and involve approximately 3 months work so will be priced accordingly using the minimum wage as a guide. Larger sizes will be available for a proportional rate.

The image shown here is a finished embroidery. They are sewn using the best quality fabric and threads by experienced stitchers. For further information please email me.

A new release - finally

2008-04-07T22:30:00.000+01:00

I finally have something new to show you, this is Miriam, a birth sampler for a little girl using hardanger and other speciality stitches. I hope to have instructions completed in about a week and it will be available through my site.

I haven't had much that I'm able to release lately but there is a lot going on behind the scenes, some of which I am very excited about and hope to be able to show you soon

India Grace Designs Yahoo Group

2007-12-17T20:45:00.000Z

I have created a new Yahoo group for anyone who is stitching one of my designs or just interested in them. It goes by the name of India Grace Designs so if anyone is interested please feel free to join up. I'm hoping that we will be able to follow stitch alongs of some of the designs and see some of the alternative colour schemes that some people are using. I can also use it to answer any queries people may have and offer online assitance.

Update

2007-11-24T22:32:00.000Z

Things are very busy here right now, which is fabulous. I have a number of commissions which I am really excited about and I am concentrating all my energies on them so it will be a while before I have a new release to show. The castle has gone back into the 'maybe someday' pile but it isn't forgotten.

Marguerite is nearly complete and should be available to buy through my website by the middle of next week.

I hope to have some more exciting things to show you soon.

Eid cards launch

2007-10-26T22:39:00.000+01:00

Due to popular demand after my last post I have released the Eid cards that I designed for my friend. They are now available in the cross stitch section of my site under 'cards'.

The original design that Marguerite was inspired by is shown here.

New release and update

2007-10-20T00:10:00.000+01:00

Introducing my latest design 'Marguerite'. I am particularly pleased with this design. It was inspired by a geometric pattern that I created as a cross stitch Eid card for a friend. I liked the shape and wanted to see what could be achieved with it using hardanger and other speciality stitches. Added glitter is achieved by the use of Mill Hill Beads. The design is 8"x8" and uses 5 colours in addition to the beads. I hope to have the chart available for sale in a fortnight (Half term is slowing things down a little) It will be £7 for UK orders plus P&P for overseas.

I have been putting in some work on the castle that I mentioned in my last post. I am currently transferring the part that has been charted from 16 year old penciled charts to computer. It has taken me 8 hours so far just to do the left hand end of the garden wall and the pillar - this is going to be a long process!

New design and Update

2007-09-25T10:41:00.001+01:00

Introducing my latest finish - Samantha. Samantha explores variations of shade and texture using threads from a single colour range and varies the pattern of stitches to highlight the changing colour. This design is 6"x6", uses 7 colours and will be available from my website in about a week for £5 (UK orders only - overseas orders include appropriate P&P costs)

Natalie should be available on my website later today if my computer behaves, I have been having a few technical problems. It will also be onsale for £5.

I am adding a progress piece here in the hope that it gives me the impetus to finish it. This is going to be a very long term project. I started it back in 1991 but RSI forced me to abandon it. I think the time is right to try and finish it.

This is a castle where I stayed with friends and the first large piece I started designing. I have now a massive job ahead to take all my faded pencil drawn bits of chart and transfer them to computer before I even get to carry on with it so don't expect to see it onsale very soon.

New Birth Sampler and Update

2007-09-02T20:46:00.000+01:00

This is my latest finish, a Cross Stitch and Hardanger combination birth sampler. In keeping with the rest of my hardanger designs I have given it a girl's name which may seem a little odd as it was initially designed for a boy but it will be provided with colour keys for both boys and girls. It is to be called Natalie from the latin natalis : birthday.

Suzanna is now available to purchase directly from my website but for the next fortnight will also be available, along with my other hardanger designs, from the Online Cross Stich Expo http://www.cross-stitch-expo.org/ . Designs will be available at a special discounted rate from the expo site.

Update and new design preview

2007-08-13T11:23:00.000+01:00

This is Constance, the first of my collaborations with Kay at Kay's Kullors http://www.kayskullors.co.uk/ . It uses 3 different varigated threads on hand dyed fabric and will be available in a variety of colour schemes.

It's taking me a while to get the instructions for the new designs ready at the moment as I get a lot less done during the summer holidays and I'm a perfectionist, don't like to rush things just to get them out. They will definitely be available by mid september but hopefully before that.

Whilst away on my holidays this year I was chatting to a lovely lady who introduced me to a new technique (well, new to me) which has similarities to Hardanger. I shall be researching this over the next few months and hope to create some designs inspired by it soon.

New Design Preview

2007-07-20T20:53:00.000+01:00

This piece was designed for my daughter's teacher who retired today. I wish her a fabulous retirement. It is the first of my Hardanger pieces to use beads. There will be more!

It should appear on the website in about a week once the instructions are finished. I'm a bit slower during the school holidays as I lose half my working time.

I would also like to introduce my new logo. There may be a few minor adjustments later, but this is pretty much it now.

Update

2007-07-06T10:07:00.000+01:00

I have finished another hardanger design which will be released in 2 weeks. I'm keeping the image under wraps at the moment as it has been sewn as a present but check back in a couple of weeks. The next release after that will hopefully be the first of the range created using Kay's Kullors http://www.kayskullors.co.uk/

I've also got a new draft for my logo from my friend

I've tried it out by putting it on the Baby Samplers page of my website. As always and comments and feedback are welcomed.

New designs now available

2007-06-26T23:12:00.000+01:00

The Three Sisters and Incy Wincy Spider are now available for sale through my new look website. I hope you like the new image!

Website Update

2007-06-21T18:12:00.000+01:00

I am currently making some changes to my website which should speed up it's loading. In the meantime you may find a few links that don't work - hopefully they will be fixed very quickly but if you spot any I appologise.

Logo Quest

2007-06-15T10:20:00.000+01:00

As some of you know I've been trying to get a new logo for a while. When I started the business I used the teddy as a logo because he was the first design that I finished for sale. Whilst he is perfect for my nursery based designs I don't feel that he fits all the designs that I'm producing. I've been looking for something that says something about me, without it clashing with any of my work. For this reason I've been playing with a spotlight theme as it's a way of combining my old life in the theatre to illuminate the new (if that makes any sense) I asked a friend's husband who is a graphic designer to work on something and he came up with these.

They need colour and my friend is a busy person so I've been having a few tries myself.

I'm just not sure how I feel about them though so I guess I'm asking for a bit of feedback on them, even if it's 'scrap them and start again from scratch.' Thanks in advance.

New designs preview

2007-06-12T00:35:00.000+01:00

Introducing my latest designs. A trio of Hardanger pictures based on the same theme. When I first started designing the Hardanger range I named the designs after the friends that I made them for. I decided to stick with the theme of using girls names for all future designs in the range so these three are named Olga, Masha and Irina (The Three Sisters).

I have quite a lot of work to do on the instructions before they can be added to the website for sale, but I hope to have them available within the fortnight. They will be sold as a 'Chart only' pack, containing all three designs, for £7 (plus p&p on overseas orders).

I have sewn the three designs on a single piece of fabric, one above the other, and mounted them with a double mount in silver and blue. This is one I am keeping for my own wall!

Also to be released in the next week is Incy Wincy Spider. This is a large design (8"x30" on 18 count aida or equivalent) The image below is a computer simulation of the design as the finished cross stitch is too large to scan well into a small picture. This design will also be sold at £7 (plus p&p on overseas orders).

I am intending to make some minor changes to my website in the next few weeks too so please check back soon.

Welcome to my Blog

2007-06-07T20:39:00.000+01:00

Hello and welcome to the new India Grace Designs Blog. I've never tried blogging before so please bear with me. Here I intend to post information about what is happening with the business, new designs, exhibitions, collaborations etc. I'd love people to post feedback too, especially if you've enjoyed sewing one of my designs.
I'm starting to take India Grace Designs in a new direction and will hopefully begin selling my 'chart only' packs through shops. I'm redesigning the logo because I feel that the current one doesn't work with a lot of my newer designs. As soon as that is finished I will start pitching to shops starting with the UK , so hopefully India Grace Designs will start appearing at your local needlecraft shops soon.
I am currently taking part in the online cross stitch expo http://www.cross-stitch-expo.org/ it runs from the 1st to the 14th of June and features a range of new designers and some good bargains.
I'm starting a collaboration with Kay's Kullors http://www.kayskullors.co.uk . Kay produces lovely hand dyed fabric and threads and I am designing a range of Hardanger designs using these threads. Hopefully we will be able to launch these later in the summer.
Other designs coming soon - A triptych of Hardanger designs (three variations on a single theme), a Hardanger/Cross stitch birth sampler and several other ideas including a cross stitch Incy Wincy Spider.