Welcome

 The beginning - better late than never!

It's only taken me 12 years to get the nerve up to do this! At last I am taking my stitching journey beyond the hobby it has been till now and undertaking the certificate at the Royal School of Needlework. 

It is very intimidating! Very exciting and daunting. 

I am an experienced stitcher, I've completed many kits and designed my own work. I'm going to outline my stitching story, to refresh my memory and in case someone decides to read this diary.

I stitched at school and took art A level with a printed fabric element. I studied Art and Sociology at university and did a module in textiles which I loved, producing a number of textile pieces for display but generally I was a poor student, I wasn't motivated to learn and didn't follow any career path. 

I had up to this point only completed works begun by my Mother, she was very keen to stitch making clothing for herself and us, but when she started creative projects she didn't complete them. When she died recently I found a number of kits she'd bought and never completed; she did this all her life. I never asked why - I rather wish I had. 

I bought and completed my first kit for my son. It was a crewel work, 'All creatures great and small: Tree of Life' which I still have.

I continued to complete kits of all types, cross stitch (not a favourite) and embroidery. I would give these  to my Mother, as cushions or framed.

I followed my artistic path through painting and discovered West Dean College short courses in the early 2000's and I have attended a number of courses over the years, painting, automata, felting, gold work and 'printing with light'. But I have come back, every time, to stitching.

So here I am about to embark on the Royal School of Needlework Certificate course. Which is why I am starting this blog. I have found other blogs which have discussed and described the course very interesting. I hope this will provide me with a record of my progress and maybe inspire new students in the future. Who knows, I've been encouraged by others stories, this may encourage you.