Ding Dong Dubai!

I have two mahoosive things to tell you, the first is that at the end of March I’m going to be leaving my position at the RSN and in April I’m going to Dubai! My partner Ian has been offered a wonderful opportunity to work out there and we’ve decided that I’ll go with him. I’m going to be very sad to leave all of my friends here but I’m also excited to have the chance to experience a completely different culture as well as having the freedom to develop my own work. I have big plans for my time over there, I’ll be developing my website and blog, creating new ranges of kits and products and starting work on my second book.

I’ll be returning to the UK regularly so you may still see me pop up at fairs/ exhibitions/ events, I’ll keep you posted on what I’m up to. We plan to be out there for around 18 months in total. When we do come home I’m hoping to re-launch Jessica Aldred Embroidery with a view to making a serious go at being freelance full time and making my business a success. So please don’t let out of sight be out of mind, you’re going to hear more from me when I’m in Dubai than you do now!

The other big news is this…

Last Saturday I got a huge surprise when Ian popped the question! We had a small gathering of family and friends at home and I think we were all stunned when Ian dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him, I was so stunned I forgot to answer him! When I came to my senses I of course said without-a-shadow-of-a-doubt-in-my-mind YES!!! My family have given us their blessing and we are all absolutely over the moon. I have never been so happy and to top it off I now have a wedding to plan- the makey/ bakey/ cakey/ crafty possibilities are endless!

Woohoooooo! xxx

What’s Occurring?

A very belated Happy New Year to all of you lovely people! There have been many changes afoot in the world of Jessica Aldred Embroidery, most notably as of next week I will be part-time Education Coordinator at the Royal School of Needlework and part-time freelance designer/ embroiderer!!! The back story to this is that it became unmanageable to keep running my freelance career alongside working full time, and the sacrifices became too great. I think because I’ve been overtired and stressed I had quite a bit of ill-health last year which culminated in a little operation just before Christmas. I’m doing fine and hope to be back to full health within the next couple of months.

The plan is that I’ll be working three days a week at the RSN (Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays) and have two days a week to focus on my freelance work. There have of course been moments where I’ve panicked about losing a chunk of my regular income but the Gods have been smiling down on me and work is coming in think and fast!…

I have two large commissions to do- writing a Stitch Manual for Fine Cell Work, which we hope will achieve continuity in how inmates are taught across the 27 prisons FCW volunteers work in. It will also help the volunteers to teach, encourage interaction between inmates and create a much clearer path of progression for their learning. This project is being funded by the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers, and both myself and FCW are incredibly grateful to them for facilitating this invaluable work.

The other commission is a large wall hanging for a branding company- 1.5m x 85cm, which has to be done by 11^th March in order to be entered into various design awards!!! The details are yet to be finalised so I won’t say who it’s for or what it’s about just yet but if anyone out there can get to my houseboat in Hampton and fancies lending a hand, any help would gratefully be accepted!!!

I’ve also just received a stunning 1950’s cocktail dress which I’m restoring for a private client as well as being booked for various workshops and lectures over the next couple of months. I’ve recently teamed up with the lovely Alice Hainsworth-Millar, owner of Handmade by You, and we have a very exciting event coming up on 9^th February! I’ll be giving a workshop in how to make hand stitched Valentines cards closely followed by Alice who will be showing you how to make your very own 100% natural shampoo!

The workshops will be held from 7-9pm at The Zita Else Design Academy in Kew, Richmond and most importantly will be accompanied by wine and nibbles! For further details and to book click here- http://www.etsy.com/listing/89809177/valentines-craft-night-9th-feb-2012. And last but not least I’ll be giving a talk at 6:30pm on Friday 24^th February and workshops on Sunday 26^th February as part of The Vintage Boutique at London Fashion Weekend, Somerset House. Full details TBC but you can be kept up to date here- www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk.

With all of that in mind the next couple of months are going to be quiet on the blog front I’m afraid but you can keep up to date with my to’ings and fro’ings on my Facebook page (Jessica Aldred Embroidery) and Twitter (@jessicastitch). From April onwards I’m going to be working on developing this blog and posting much more often so please do stick with me folks, 2012 is going to be HUGE!

Lots & lots of vintage stitchy goodness and love to you all,

Jessica xxx

NY and QM2

I recently had a wonderful holiday with my Mum, Dad and sister Kate, we visited New York for a couple of days before sailing back on the famous Queen Mary 2. The trip marked my turning 30 and I couldn’t have asked for a more brilliant and stylish way to celebrate my birthday! But it wasn’t all fun and games, we visited Ground Zero and even though ten years has passed since the horror of 9/11 occurred I still found the experience moving and upsetting. In the church I read a letter from someone who worked for Verizon at the time. As the emergency services couldn’t deal with the volume of calls coming in on that day some were outsourced to cell phone companies. The person who wrote the letter had taken a call from a lady who was inside the World Trade Center, at that point of course no one imagined the towers would collapse. As the drama unfolded the lady told her that if she didn’t make it she wanted her family to know that she loved them. Sadly she never caught her name so the letter was addressed to anyone and everyone who lost someone that day, telling them that they were thought of and loved by the people they lost. Heartbreaking. I think this photograph of my sister really captures our mood on the day we visited Ground Zero.

 

We lightened things up with a bit of retail therapy at Macy’s- hello Karl Lagerfeld coat for $40! And I managed to have everyone crying with laughter by walking into a glass partition in a coffee shop- I can be such a doofus sometimes! Before we knew it it was time to board the QM2, here I am just before we set sail (that’s a teeny tiny blurry Statue of Liberty I’ve got my finger on!)

 

Travelling on the QM2 was the experience of a lifetime. It took us 7 days to sail from New York to Southampton but I would have stayed on for a lot longer if I could have. The ship is stunning with an art deco interior, the white star service is incredible, the food is beautiful and there’s so much to do on board. One of my favourite parts was dressing for dinner every evening, here are a few of our outfits!

Tallyho!

I’m so tired that I practically have one eye closed,  but my work is nearly done and on Monday I’m off to New York to celebrate my impending big 3-0! Please note that I will be uncontactable between Monday 14th November and Thursday 24th November, any messages sent or orders placed on my website will be dealt with on my return. Just before I go I’d like to share a few photographs with you from my bestie Gemma’s wedding. Gemma married her gorgeous scotsman Derek last weekend and it was a fantastic day…

Isn’t she beautiful! She looked like a grecian goddess and to top it off she wore Christian Louboutins. When she knelt at the alter we could all see the red soles- how cool!

This to me is Gemma in a nutshell, always composed and dignified, but with a naughty and cheeky side.

And here’s me with my amazing chap who, by the way, is currently road tripping it from LA to Las Vegas in a red convertable. As much as I’m excited about my trip I’m also very jealous!

Have a great couple of week ladies and gents, can’t wait to share my adventures with you when I get back.

xxx

Busy Bee…

Somehow the run up to Christmas has become chock-a-block without me really noticing, how did that happen? My festive season begins next week when I’ll be teaching a workshop on behalf of Fine Cell Work at the 20th Century Theatre, Westbourne Grove, London…

On Tuesday 8th November there’ll be an evening reception (give me a shout if you want to come) and on Wednesday 9th November I’ll be teaching a stitch workshop, for more information click here- http://www.finecellwork.co.uk/news_and_events/blog/144_fcw_and_the_festive_season.

From Friday 11th until Monday 28th November I’ll be incommunicado, I’m going to be in New York/ on the Queen Mary/ celebrating my 30th birthday! Please note that any orders placed on my website or any messages sent during this time will be dealt with on my return. But there’s still plenty to look forward to when I get back!…

On Sunday 4th December I’ll be at the Clothes Show Live at Birmingham’s NEC as part of Future Publishing. I’ll be doing a book signing/ demo/ mini workshop, come and see us in the Sknitch Zone!

I’m thrilled to be involved in the Duckie Christmas Market at London’s Barbican Centre (I’ve heard great things about the Duckie people!).  In their own words this will be your chance to ‘browse and pocket the bestest and most original handmade and homespun- so bring your mates, and your Mum and your handbag dear!’ The market spans almost 3 weeks and I really do think it will be worth going on multiple occassions as the traders will change every day. I’ll be there on Saturday 10th December and Saturday 17th December, on 10th I’ll be teaching workshops in how to make a gorgeous Christmas corsage and on both days I’ll be selling books, kits, buttons, brooches and the full Hynch Vintage collection. For more info go to www.duckie.co.uk.

And last but by no means least following the fantastic news that mine and Emily’s book will be sold in Liberty’s, London’s most famous and beautiful store, we’ll be making an appearance and demonstrating on Sunday 11th December from 1pm to 4pm.

If you can make it to any of the above events it would be great to have your support!

Inside Mellow Haze

I’m always harping on about our lovely home so I thought it was about time I showed you a little bit more of it. When I tell people I live on a houseboat they’re always fascinated and have lots of questions, usually they ask- is it cold? (No, its cosy and warm) Is it damp? (not at all) Does it move? (yes, if there are lots of boats going past or its very windy, or if the rowers are racing!) Can you move it? (no, it’s permanently moored and attached to the land by wires and columns which it moves up and down as the water level changes) and could it sink? (in theory yes, it has happened to other houseboats! Although it’s unlikely as ours has a steel hull).

There are 5 of us who live here, myself and my boyfriend Ian, the brilliant Zack the cabbie, the gorgeous Abi the events manager and we’re getting a new housemate this weekend- John the fireman who is also a comedian and a magician! (I can’t wait, I’ve already made him promise he will NEVER share his secrets with me!). Of course, not forgetting Dave the cat and we also have a Freeman cruiser boat which is most commonly used for trips to the local pub. We have a lot of fun together, and refer to each other as our urban family. I’m looking forward to having my own home one day and really being able to ‘nest’, but we have a wonderful life here and thoroughly enjoy being on the river.

This is mine and Ian’s bedroom which is currently also home to my collection of vintage clothing (for sale!), I can’t find anywhere else to put it!

We’re lucky to have a walk-in wardrobe, and inside it here are a few of my favourite possessions- my ‘Miss Atkins’ silk blouse, a 1940′s reproduction, my star scarf which I’ve had for years and my pins and needles scarf which was made for me by the supremely talented Rachel Doyle.

In our guest room/ workroom we have this red sofa bed and on it my cushions from Fine Cell Work, the charity I teach for in prisons.

This is in our living room, I bought Ian the big jar of retro sweeties last Christmas, and he’s still not finished them! That’s Zack’s golf trophy in the background, he’s very proud of it.

A few bits and bobs on my dressing table…

My favourite vase by Rob Ryan. There are union jack flags around the house and on the roof terrace which are left over from the royal wedding, I can’t bear to get rid of them!

Need I introduce you? Mine and Ian’s beautiful cat Dave, he’s coming to my parents with me for Christmas which my family are thoroughly looking forward to. (They’ve not seen how mental he can be!).

I’ve got lots of news about workshops and appearances I’m going to be making soon so do check back later this week.

My Family

As I mentioned in my previous post we recently celebrated my Nana’s 90th birthday, family came from far and wide (USA, Ireland and around the UK) and we all had a wonderful time celebrating with Nan. She’s incredible, she lives on her own on the Isle of Man (my Granddad sadly passed away two years ago), and is totally self sufficient. Some of her joints are a bit creaky and her hearing is poor (which is sometimes quite comical) but other than that she’s in full health, she’s a trooper! I didn’t take very many photographs as my Uncle Adrian is a professional photographer and my efforts could never even come close to his, but here we all are…

So here goes, from right to left- Auntie Carole (Mum’s sis and someone who I couldn’t breathe without, also known as ‘Tanti’), my Mum (I know its a cliche, but she really is my best friend), my second cousins on Mum’s side Heather and Miriam, my gorgeous cousin Pheobe, my Dad (and idol), my Uncle’s goddaughter and her Mum, my Auntie Allison and Uncle Martin (twins, and Dad’s bro and sis. Uncle Martin lives in America, I adore him and have spent loads of time there over the years), Martin’s wife Barbara, my beautiful sister Kate (a huge inspiration to me, and the only person who truly gets my ridiculous sense of humour) my boyfriend Ian (love of my life) and a few of my Nana’s friends. At the front there’s me, my cousin Martha Rose (she is super cute!) behind me, Nan, Uncle Adrian (married to Auntie Allison and parents of Pheobe, Martha Rose and Xavier) and my cousin Xavier. Got all that?

Knitting and Stitching Show

So, last weekend was mine and Emily’s first official book signing at the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace. I was so excited when I saw this! The day started a little slowly but soon picked up, and we met some really lovely people. Here we are before the crowds formed (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration!)…

It was pretty damn cool signing books and pretending to be famous, but equally as much fun having a good old gossip with my beloved co-author, we don’t see nearly enough of each other. In the afternoon I had a marvellous surprise in that three of my old friends from the Opera House came to visit me, one of which has since moved back to Denmark and I thought I’d lost touch with her.

In other news my Nan turns 90 this weekend- how amazing is that! So next week I’ll be boring you all with photos of the fah-mi-ly.

Mwah x

Better Late Than Never…

After weeks of having no internet connection and therefore not being able to work on my website or update the blog I’m finallly back in electro world- hurrah! I know I’ve had a few new subscribers since I last posted- thank you for joining me and a very warm welcome to you!

You might have noticed that I’ve renamed the blog Fine & Dandy, this is because my life and work are no longer just about embroidery and my stitchy adventures, the new name encompasses my passion for all things vintage too (‘fine’ being the embroidery and ‘dandy’ being the vintage, you probably got that!). Not only that but after weeks if not months of work and preparation my ONLINE SHOP IS FINALLY OPEN! Sorry for shouting but this has been a long time coming and I’m thrilled to have fulfilled the promise that I made to myself and my wonderful supporters. Please pop over and have a look- www.jessicaaldred.co.uk- and do let me know what you think! Also if you spot any mistakes or if anything doesn’t make sense please do give me a shout and I’ll amend it asap.

So, next on the agenda is the Knitting & Stitching Show (for my international friends this is the biggest craft exhibition in the UK, well worth a visit). I’ll be there on Friday 7th October representing the RSN and on Saturday 8th October I’ll be on my publishers stand (GMC). Emily and I are doing a book signing from 10:30- 11:30am and a workshop at 2:30, please come along and say hi if you can!

In other news last weekend I organised a hen do for my friend Gemma Spice (yes that is her real name- isn’t it brilliant!). We started by having a boat ride in my boyfriend’s boat, he dressed up in his tux and captain’s hat and I decorated the boat in ‘Mrs Murray’ bunting! Then we went for lunch where I donned a wig, glasses and a big red book and presented ‘This is Your Life’ as Michael Aspel! Next we went to a Cupcake Making workshop, then had dinner at the gorgeous restaurant and champagne bar Kettners in Soho and on Sunday we went to Go Ape. Everything came together really well but boy, I was whacked by the end! As I was so busy being the hostess with the mostess I didn’t take many photographs but here’s one of me with the bride to be…

The massive glasses were part of a dare and Gemma loved them, the only problem was every time she turned to look at me I laughed so hard I cried and could barely eat my dinner! The dress I have on here is vintage (or course!), it’s a beautiful shape but halfway through the night the silk embarrassingly split on the side of my waist! Thankfully no one noticed but I need to repair it and lose a little weight before I wear it again. Gemma will be married on 5th November and I’ll be wearing a 1940′s reproduction suit, I’ll post photos at a later date.

I’m in the process of creating a couple of embroideries for classes I’m teaching, I’ll post pictures of my progress on my Facebook page (Jessica Aldred Embroidery for those who haven’t checked it out yet). I’m also in talks about doing a Christmas market, as soon as it’s been confirmed I’ll let you all know the details.

Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend!

Work- Life Balance

I get asked all the time how I manage to have a full time job and a business- to be honest I don’t think I’m very good at it! It certainly requires making some sacrifices! I tend to work in bursts (apart from my job of course which I’m doing all the time) so I’ll be hammering it for a while, working seven days a week and long hours and then I kind of crash and burn for a couple of weeks and struggle to achieve anything.

Last year was really hard with doing the book as well, I look back on it and even I’m not 100% sure how I did it, but I’d signed a contract and as far as I was concerned I had to deliver. I remember finishing the silk shaded bird at about 3am one night, and then wandering around the house in a stupor almost like I was jet-lagged!

I am trying to find a balance, I don’t think it’s good for me when I feel like there’s nothing left of me.  I also have to be really careful not to neglect my amazing boyfriend, family and friends. I sometimes find it hard to come to terms with the fact that I can’t do everything, or fulfill every idea which pops into my head but then I also know this won’t be forever- there will definitely be changes to my working life over the next year which will allow me more time to work on my business/ next book (yes, there will be another one if my publishers will have me!).

At the moment I’m reading a book called ‘1940’s House’, some of you might remember it, it was a television series in 2000. I’m learning so much about how people lived during the war, how they managed on rations, how they coped without modern conveniences and how they had to be super organized. You’re probably going to think I’ve lost the plot when I say this but I really think that so many of the ways in which people lived could work for me and help me find a balance. I find that when my domestic life is in order my mind is clear to focus on my work, it helps me to develop ideas and gives me space to come up with new ones.

A friend of mine, Nuria, sends me links to amazing blogs, she’s wonderful as she saves me so much time researching (thanks Nuria!). She sent me one recently which I’ve totally fallen in love with, and one particular post has some great advice for finding a work/life balance- http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/04/on-being-a-workaholic-still-having-a-life-.html.

At the moment things are as busy as ever, I’m spending the whole of Saturday photographing things for my website and have promised myself that my online shop will exist very soon! I also have a little secret present to make for a friend, a bespoke kit to make for a customer (if you read this don’t worry Ruth, I’m on it!), a stitch manual to write for Fine Cell Work and an amazing commission is also in the pipeline (thank you to you, lovely Janet, for putting it my way!). That’s not to mention new designs and kits that I have in my head which don’t exist yet! It’s all about the forward planning though, I’ll get there.

In the mean time here are some photos of what keeps me sane…

My beautiful houseboat and everyone who lives in it…

And my baby David who is mad as a hatter and a constant source of entertainment (although he doesn’t help much as he usually wakes me up at 5:30am, good one Dave!)

Do let me know your thoughts, that all for now folks! x