A productive weekend!

After last weekend in Dorset with the Kingcombe Group, I felt inspired to finished my stargazer lily free machine embroidered fascinator.... and I'm really pleased with the finished result!

 The feather and wired crystal stamens were fiddly, but I think it was worth it.

 I've also finished this weekend, my dusty pink flowered fascinator with birdcage veil

and suffolk puffs with pearls and crystals on the back. 

 I have been busy making vintage lace garters as well..... as you can see they are all different... and can be personalised with a secret message embroidered to the inside... check out my Folksy Shop for more details.

 I think this is my favourite this time...Cotton lace made on old Nottingham Lace looms in Nottingham with "something blue" ribbon bow and diamante heart...

 and my new "handmade by www.extraspecialtouch.co.uk" label.

A wonderful time in Dorset.....

I arrived home late Sunday night after a wonderful two days at the Kingcombe Centre in Dorset, with the Kingcombe Embroidery Group. This is a group of ladies, ran by Sandra Coleridge, that have been meeting over the last ten years. The members are textile artists, that exhibit regularly over the UK and teach workshops and write articles about their textile art. I feel very honored to be invited to join the group, and I'm looking forward to by first exhibition at Killerton Hall, near Exeter in April.

Showing my work to the group was pretty scary! But, I had lovely comments and great tips of advice.... new supplier information and a few ideas of new stockists.

The setting for the meeting is the Kingcombe Centre, which is in the middle of the Dorset Conservation area, and simply stunning.... look at the lane outside our Beech Cottage!

I have been working hard during the weekend, and the three pieces below are nearly finished....

Dusty pink silk fascinator with crystals and net....

Stargazer Lily fascinator with feathers and wired crystals... and ivory silk embroidered rose fascinator with lots of feathers.....

These will be on display at Killerton Hall in April (unless they are sold first!)

A huge Thank You to Sandra for inviting me to the group... and looking forward to seeing you again in a few weeks xx

The winner of our competition is announced!!!

Our winner was pulled out of a hat (or ice bucket) yesterday and after she had been notified via email, I can announce that Kayleigh Barton won! Well done Kat!
Your two personalised napkins will be dispatched to you asap!!!

If you would like to see our full range of personalised napkins.... which, after lots of requests.... we will be adding black napkins to soon, check out our website http://www.extraspecialtouch.co.uk/

Kingcombe Group Weekend...

This weekend I am down in Dorset at The Kingcombe Centre, and I feel very lucky to be invited the Kingcombe Group who will be exhibiting at Killerton Hall over Easter. I arrived late last night, so I unloaded the car, and then had a glass of wine and a chat with everyone.

 This morning I showed my fascinators, and it's lovely to hear comments and advice for all the other embroiders.

Sandra Coleridge is working opposite me, (and also runs the group) and creates wonderful felted and embroidered landscapes... check out her website to see more of her work and workshops she teaches all over the UK.

The group meet at Beech Cottage... which is in the middle of no where.... especially last night when I was trying to find it in the foggy and it was pitch dark!!

 View from the back of Beech Cottage... simply beautiful!

 And the quiet road outside!

Stargazer Lily petals I have been working on today.... drying on the radiator ready for making up in the morning.....

now time for a few glasses of wine :))

Competition Time!

To celebrate we have reached 800 likers on the Extra Special Touch Facebook page... we are launching a new competition!

We specialise in embroidered personalised cotton napkins.... and you know have the chance to win two personalised napkins! These could be used at your wedding, or as wedding gift, or they are ideal as a gift for your second wedding anniversary where cotton is the traditional gift!

All you have to do is answer this easy question by leaving a comment on our Facebook wall or on this blog (this is just to say your are entering the competition)

.... and emailing the answer to heidi@extraspecialtouch.co.uk

The winner will be chosen randomly at 5pm on the 27th February 2011!

Q. How many standard lettering or font styles do we offer on our personalised napkins?

The answer can easily be found on our website

http://www.extraspecialtouch.co.uk/

Here are some ideas of how you can use your personalised embroidered napkins!

Good luck!

 They are gorgeous to use at your wedding breakfast... and many guests will take them home as a souvenir of your special day...

 You could simply have your initials (either just your own , or the letters of both your first names) ....

Or a fancy monogram, with your first letter from your first names either side, and the letter of your surname in the middle...

Or you can have a personal message embroidered.... eg. for a special anniversary.... how how about for your second wedding anniversary, where cotton is the traditional gift!!

Has been busy making more embroidered fascinators....

Q. Do you know what these are??? I didn't till a few weeks ago!

A. Flower making tools! They help you to shape silk fabric into 3d petal shape.... and they are wonderful!

I have treated myself to some new flower making tools, which help to shape fabric into a 3D petal shape.
So instead of using wire to shape my petals, I can shape into a far softer petal shape.... and I think the embroidered rose petals are simply beautiful!
 

I think this sweet little fascinator, in 100% brown silk looks so vintage.... I love it!

And my new "Handmade by Heidi" labels.... add the perfect finishing touch!

You can find it in my Folksy Shop.... or I can make it in your own colour to match your outfit... (I have a supplier of over 160 colour shades of silk... so I'm sure we can find just what you need!). 

How are my embroidered fascinators made?

 I have always loved embroidery, fabrics and textures and have dabbled in both things crafty! For my fascinators, I am using a range of techniques and putting them together to make beautiful head pieces, which can be made in your own fabric to colour match your outfit.
Below, I am showing you the process of making the fascinator.....going backwards!

Nearly finished... the flowers are hand stitched firmly in place... ready for embellishment to cover the wired flower stems.

Back of the fascinator... wire stems are hand stitched in place.... 

Detail of the embroidered petal with matching crystals....

Fascinator base is covered with silk piped fabric.....

Silk fabric is edged in matching silk piping cord...

Silk piped fabric and millinery net fascinator  base....

Individually embroidered petals.... this design of petals are created by decorative embroidery stitches, and then the edge is wired with self coloured jewelery wire....

Flower petals are embroidered, in this case, with black silk organza on water soluble fabric...

To see ready to buy fascinators... please see my Folksy Shop.
For details of making a fascinator to match your own outfit... please email me on heidi@extraspecialtouch.co.uk