What Delilah Did

Let's Tessellate

 
If you visit me here often you probably already know that there are two sides to me: the traditional, period-drama-obsessed Tudor throwback who exists for most of the year; and the modern geo/neon-lover who has a tendency to surface every time the sun shines. When CrossStitcher asked me to design something for their summer issue it was a particularly sunny day, and I think you can probably tell from the picture above which hat won out.

You can find the project in the July issue of CrossStitcher (issue no. 267) which is in the shops now, or available in digital format here from Zinio. You can also see a roundup of some other designs from the issue on the Mr X Stitch blog.

On a related note, if you are familiar with Alt J then you have probably already guessed what I was listening to when I designed these. I took my baby sister (Cassia) to see them recently and somehow managed to get front row balcony tickets, which never happens. Normally I am stuck behind a gaggle of giants, which for a hobbit like me is somewhat problematic. It was my Cassia's first gig and the seats were amazing, the stage design was beautifully simple and stylish, and the band was flawless. A charmed introduction for her I think. Being a total fan-girl she also wore the triangle necklace I made her for Christmas:

Because triangles are our favourite shape...

 Delilah x

Cross Stitch Primer Workshop at Hoop Haberdashery

To celebrate the launch of the book I will be at Hoop Haberdashery in Tenterden, Kent on Saturday 20th July for a meet and greet followed by an afternoon workshop. If you or somebody you know would like to learn how to cross stitch then it is absolutely the place to be! Places for the workshop cost £30 and are very limited, so if you would like to book one you should call Vanessa at Hoop on (01580) 388011.

If you are already a super-stitcher and don't need teaching but live nearby, then please do come and say hello - we will have original samples from the book on display and I will be in the shop to meet people between 2pm and 2.30pm before the workshop begins. It would be lovely to meet some of you.

Delilah x

It's The Book!

I have been itching to tell you all about this for so long, and with precisely one month to go until my book launches I am finally allowed to show you the cover!

Of course I am somewhat biased, but I really do think it is one of the loveliest book covers I have ever seen. When we were talking in the early stages about how I wanted the book to look, I said that I would love an illustrated cover and in my dreams it would be something a bit like the artwork that my favourite artist/illustrator Julianna Swaney does (she's the same lady that designed my new logo a few months ago)... well my publishers only blinking well managed to get her on board to do the whole thing didn't they? I was so excited when I found out. She has really outdone herself and created something even better than I could have imagined. The beautiful paper cover wraps right around the book with a cut-out for Mr Fox, and it just looks incredible. I can say that without blushing because I didn't paint it!

As for what's inside... the book is called Storyland Cross Stitch and is a collection of projects and stories set in a wild sort of a fairyland. There are patterns big and small; things for beginners and seasoned stitchers alike, and a lovely little miniature kit in the back so that you can start stitching something right away.

I hope to be able to show you more as we inch closer to 4th July when it launches, but if you hop over to the LoveCrafts blog in the meantime, you can see a sneaky peek of one project behind the scenes at the photoshoot. LoveCrafts is the website run by my publisher Collins & Brown, so it's also the place to keep your eyes peeled for more news on the book as they will have exclusive images/competitions/interviews/offers etc. before anybody else.

T minus one month and counting!

Delilah x

New Printed Cushion Kits + Launch Discounts

So you know all that newness I have been working on behind the scenes...? I am finally ready to share the first instalment: new printed cushion kits! I don't think I have ever been so excited about a new product as I am about these. Normally when I work for so long on a single thing I am sick of the sight of it by the time it is ready, but I still love these, so I know that means they must be a little bit special.

There are four different designs (lacework with stags, birds or flutterbies, and a geometric pattern), each in a number of colourways, and they are just so nice to make. And really quick in embroidery terms too. I designed them partly to have something less daunting for beginner stitchers to tackle, since a lot of my designs seem to appeal to people who have never done any stitching before and would like to try but are put off by the thought of counting stitches etc. Also I wanted to make something that was really usable and quick to make up - these are designed to make a washable, durable cushion cover with no raw edges or faffing about with zips, all in the space of a long weekend.

There are so many more details I could bore you with, but I am supposed to be getting ready for a birthday party and am late as usual! So rather than waffling on, you can read all about them and see more pictures/colours etc. here in my shop.

I am offering a string of discounts over the next month to celebrate the launch of the range - the discounts get smaller as the month goes on though, so if you want to snap one up then now is the time to do so...

Sunday 2nd - Sunday 9th June: 20% off printed cushion kits with the code LAUNCH20

Monday 10th - Sunday 16th June: 15% off printed cushion kits with the code LAUNCH15

Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd June: 10% off printed cushion kits with the code LAUNCH10

Monday 24th - Sunday 30th June: 5% off printed cushion kits with the code LAUNCH5

To use the discounts you just need to enter the code in the box when you check out and it will calculate the discount for you.

Happy Sunday!

Delilah x

Mastering The Art Of Embroidery

Almost two years ago I was asked to contribute some images of my work to a book on modern embroidery written by super-embroiderer Sophie Long. I had all but forgotten about it when the publisher contacted me to let me know that it was being released and that my work had made it into the final thing: Mastering the Art of Embroidery - whoop! I didn't really know what to expect but my copy arrived the other day and I was blown away. There is just so much packed in - a veritable who's who of contemporary embroidery.

The book covers every aspect of embroidery you could possibly hope to encounter: Surface Embroidery, Counted-Surface Embroidery, Embellishment, Stumpwork, Whitework, Three-Dimensional Embroidery, and Machine Embroidery. Each discipline is introduced with a bit of history, followed by a glut of beautiful interpretations by modern practitioners to get you good and inspired, and then rounded off with clear step-by-step tutorials to show you how to have a go at some of the stitches yourself.

Obviously we all know that cross stitch is my bag - the anally retentive mathmetician in me just can't help it. In fact the whole counted surface embroidery section really floats my boat. But I would also love to have a go at crewel embroidery, and the whitework chapter has some amazing things in it too.

I'm guessing that if you are reading my blog you have probably already fallen down the rabbit hole that is modern embroidery, in which case I can think of nothing more appropriate to feed your addiction than this book. Just be aware that you will likely lose many, many hours under its influence...

I am really proud to be featured alongside so many incredible artists, though I can't deny that it is a little strange to see my humble bedroom wall in print! It has been in a few magazines, but it seems different somehow when it is nestled within the pages of a hefty hardback...

Delilah x

All images taken from Mastering the Art of Embroidery.

The One Where I Start Making My Own Clothes...

   

I promised myself that I will learn proplerly how to make clothes (and knit and crochet...but more on that later). Primarily because I can never find anything that I like and that fits properly - the two seem to be mutually exclusive. Consequently, this week I finished my very first ever dress - wohoo! I grant you my little denim pinafore is quite possibly the simplest design that has ever existed in dressmaking (in fact it looks rather like the sort of thing the BFG would make) but I like simple things and I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew for my first attempt because it would just put me off. So I drew out a rough shape of what I thought might work on some lining paper, made up a toile in some cheap cotton... and it was a hideous sack. Many adjustments and two more toiles later I finally have something entirely wearable. In fact I am wearing it right now, which makes me indescribably proud and happy.

It probably would have been easier to work from a ready-made pattern, but what I wanted was so basic and I knew I would need to alter it so much to fit that it seemed pointless to get one. There aren't any fastenings at all, so once I had the pattern right it was really easy to put together. I mainly wanted to make sure the fit was right and that everything was finished nicely on the inside, and in the process I taught myself how to insert darts into a pattern and how to make and use bias binding for the neckline and armholes. I french seamed everything because I loathe overlocked seams, and I figure if you are going to take the time to do something, you might as well do it properly so that it will last. It looks a little odd on my dress form as she is breastically-challenged, but it fits me beautifully with no puckering or gaping. I actually tried putting one of my bras on her (I wish I was joking). It didn't work. It looked as though I had stuffed socks down her top (which obviously I had). Embarrassing. So I just left it looking all strange and gathered at the front - please ignore that part. It probably would have made more sense for me to show you a photo of me wearing it, but I am not in the habit of plastering pictures of myself all over the internet so I'm afraid you will have to take my word for it.

Anyway, next up something a little more ambitious. Maybe this or this or this.

I am just finishing up sampling colours for the new kits so am on the home stretch now. I can't wait for you to see them. I am so excited about these ones...

Delilah x

For The Love Of Brown Paper

 

My new postcards have arrived and they look AMAZING. I am so pleased with them that I kind of want to go into town and just hand them out to random strangers...but I shan't. From now on I will be putting one in with every kit order so you can see them in the flesh.
I designed them so that you can stitch over the top of the pattern and make them into something nice - such as a birthday card or bookmark - should you so wish. I like multipurpose things.

I got some business cards too. They make me feel almost like a proper grown-up. I sat lopping off all the corners yesterday (because I have a penchant for rounded corners and a special skill for creating unnecessary work for myself).

 

     I don't often divulge my suppliers because I spend an exhausting amount of time searching for them, but I just really want to mention Awesome Merchandise because they were so helpful and did such a brilliant job - if you need things for your own business you should absolutely give them a try.

Delilah x

The Best Logos In The World Ever? Probably.

                         

                                

I wanted to wait until I had finished re-designing my website before I shared these, so that you got the full effect, but since things keep stopping me from working on it I decided I couldn't wait any longer.

 

 

I am so in love with them! They make me smile every time I look at them. The fabulous Julianna Swaney made them for me - I have been enamoured with her work for so long and I am over the moon to have some for my very own. You can see some of the working sketches on her blog here, should that sort of thing interest you (it does me).

 

I have made do with my own little scribbled banner up to now, but with the book and all the new things in the pipeline for this year I really wanted things to look more polished. So I have stripped the website right back (above) and treated myself to a few little business-luxuries like the logos to start the ball rolling. I have designed some little postcards to send out with orders too and am getting some proper business cards made, all of which should arrive next week. I am so excited! Small things.

I also have a tonne of new things which I think are all going to be ready quite close together. I didn't plan it that way, but I have been trying not to rush things because that way I end up hating them. Plus one of my biggest aims for this year was to regain a bit of a work/life balance, so things are taking a little longer. I think they are going to be much better for it.

Whilst anyone who knows me will tell you that I still have a very long way to go when it comes to stamping out the workaholic mentality, in comparison to how things have been for the past few years I have been making epic leaps and bounds. We're talking occasional whole days off: making time to cook, swim, find my dream kitchen (here), become obsessed with Game of Thrones (obsessed I tell you), and spend time with friends old and new...

But the thing that I forgot about life is that it has a habit of biting you in the bum if you let it. It is unpredictable and uncontrollable and, whilst these can be the very things that make it so awesome, for a control-freak like me it can be a little hard to swallow sometimes. I think the point I missed was the idea of balance. I was craving life so much that I forgot I need both. The certainty that work brings - that if I put in enough effort I can affect the outcome that I want - is something I really can't live without. The one thing that I can control. The knowledge that when things go a little pear-shaped elsewhere I can fall back on something solid. And so for the first time in so long I am relishing the fact that I have a mountain of work to keep me occupied. I can't wait to share the results.

Delilah x

New Bag Kit + Update

Afternoon all. The sun has disappeared behind a bunch of big fat clouds here today so I thought it was a good time to brighten things up and show you my new bag kit. I can't get my camera to do the colours justice, but they look awesome in person: minty aqua + chartreuse + mink. I always think the more unexpected combinations look the best. This one is in the shop now; I plan to add a coral version in the next few weeks too.

Peeking out of the top is my new favourite book - Lily Vanilli's Sweet Tooth:

It's almost the exact same colour as the aqua thread. I am a bit obsessed with that colour - I admit I wanted it before I even looked inside. If you haven't seen this book yet then you should absolutely get it, it is so good. We did secret santa gifts at Christmas and I bought a copy of it for the friend I picked out. I was so close to keeping it for myself but I was good and wrapped it up. Anyway, when we all opened our presents another friend had bought the exact same thing for me so I got one after all! Serendipity. I haven't had time to make anything from it yet, but the photos and recipes all look so beautiful that I can't wait.

Speaking of good recipes, I recently made up another batch of these:

It's been an age since I made them and I forgot just how yummy they are, and super-easy to make. Try them, you'll like them.

Oh, and I also just found out that my book is being released on 4th July! Exciting. I think it is coming out on 6th August in the USA too, so there won't be much longer to wait if you are there. I'll tell you more when I know.

I'm taking a few days off this weekend as I will be busy turning 24* and have all sorts of hijinx planned with my friends and family. I absolutely cannot wait. The shop will still be open for patterns but my last Post Office run will be tomorrow morning, so any kits ordered after that will be posted on Tuesday when I get back. Oh, and Royal Mail have treated us to yet more price rises, which means I will need to look at kit prices/delivery again before April...so if you want to take advantage of the current prices then now is the time.

Have a fantabulous weekend.

Delilah x

*I wish! It's the big 3.0. Hmph.

The One With The Harry Potter Valentine

It is no secret that I am a massive Potter geek, so when I discovered this little lot waiting for me yesterday afernoon I lost the power of speech for about ten minutes. It is without question the most wildly extravagant, imaginative and excessive Valentine's gift I have ever received.

In all honesty I was adequately impressed with the Hogwarts acceptance letter that I found on my doormat after the postman had been, but apparently the letter alone wasn't enough. Cue a gigantic Lindor truffle ("the subject of an Engorgio charm"), a miniature bird cage (for my owl, obviously), and a trunk covered in Gryffindor paraphernalia ("everything you need for Hogwarts"), filled to the brim with Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, bars of Galaxy in an array of sizes, a heart shaped box of chocolates, and enough Lindor truffles to make me morbidly obese for all eternity. Utter madness + completely excellent.

Truffle anybody?

Delilah x