Today's Sale update

Update - Saturday Nov 24, 9am:Today's sale will go ahead unaffected by recent flooding. Staverton causeway remains closed, so please approach from the Trowbridge or Melksham  side of Hilperton

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation ...

It's been a busy few weeks with a lovely weekend teaching whitework at Dillington, and I will be teaching whitework again at Weston super Mare this weekend.

But mostly time is taken up with preparing for my move from my current workshop in Hilperton, to my new workshop at home in Bradford on Avon, as we prepare for the arrival of our second child in the spring.

I will be holding a relocation sale on Saturday, November 24th, as I need to get rid of sewing and embroidery materials, frames, books, fabric remnants, threads, accessories and much more - all at bargain prices! My embroidery kits will not be included in the sale, though they will of course be available to buy on the day,

The sale will run from 10.30am to 4pm at Marsh Farm. For directions, click here 

I hope I will get to see lots of you on the day.

Hanging Out

The stumpwork washing line - for the class on September 8th - has now been stitched. Here is a picture of the finished piece.

There are still some spaces left on the class. Click here for details.

It's been a busy few weeks, as I am also currently working on an altar frontal project for a local church.

Feline Classy?

Details of my next set of Saturday classes are now available on the website. It includes a rather gorgeous blackwork cat, pictured, a stumpwork washing line design, and the Dillington rose, which includes silk shading and goldwork.

I have also been asked by a number of people for an "unfinished projects" class, so the workshop on November 17 will be about finally getting to grips with those embroideries you've put to one side and never returned to. I'm hoping to be able to help you get over any stitching hurdles that might have scuppered the project in the past. Or you can bring along a design you haven't even started yet. If you fancy joining this class, please let me know a bit about what you will be bringing in advance, so I can prepare myself.

Jubilee Crown

So here it is - my completed "Jubilee Crown".

The goldwork design, celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, features appliquéd red silk and white velvet for the fur trim. The jewels on the crown are worked with sew-on gems and brightly-coloured gold purl threads.

There are some places still left on the class on Saturday, May 5th. Please get in touch if you would like to join us.

There will be more Saturday classes announced soon.

Rose and Crown

It's been a busy few weeks, with an enjoyable weekend at Dillington House back in March, where I had a full class. Many were stitching my new design - what soon became known as the Dillington Rose (pictured).

I have been working on various small commissions, including embroidering a wedding waistcoat for a groom and a christening gown.

I've also been preparing for a number of classes, including a goldwork coronation crown - especially for the Diamond Jubilee year. This class will be running on Saturday, May 5, at my workshop. Get in touch if you would like to reserve a place.

A few people have asked me to let them know when I had satin boxes in stock once again. I have recently received a new supply - a range of shapes, sizes and colours. Again, drop me an email if you would like more details.

I will be teaching my first class at Ardington School of Crafts, in Oxfordshire, on the last weekend of May. They now have a website up and running - visit it here.

Crewel World ...

I spent another enjoyable weekend at Dillington House teaching crewel work last weekend. I stitched two new projects for the class, both in shades of reds and blues.

The smaller of the two, Forget Me Not (named for the small blue French knot flowers in the design), I made into a cushion with a gingham surround, and the other, Summer Leaf (pictured), is a larger project for those brave enough to take it on.

Both will shortly be available as kits.

If you missed the crewel work classes at Dillington, and fancy a break in the new year, the classes are re-running (due to popular demand) on January 6-8.

In other crewel work news, I am now stocking the excellent new crewel work book from the Royal School of Needlework. I'll be uploading a PayPal link for this soon.

While we're talking about books, part of my silk shading book is to be included in a compendium of other Search Press beginner guides - a big hardback book. This will be out in May.

The third and final Christmas king (which is worked with copper threads) is now a kit, and will also be available online soon.

We're looking forward to our first Christmas with George (he is doing well, and is growing fast!), and wish you all a happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you soon.

Class Conscious

The Saturday classes are filling up quickly, and I would encourage you to get forms back as soon as possible before they fill-up completely!

Here are the images of the first two classes - the drawn thread work (October 22), below, and the embroidered padded hanger (November 5), above.

The drawn threadwork class gives you the chance to stitch a small sample of drawn thread work which can be used as box top or a small coaster.

Once you have drawn the threads out, you will learn how to weave patterns back in using a coloured thread and ribbon to create a delicate design.

The embroidered padded hanger will give you the chance to make a lovely Christmas present for somebody. The embroidery will be on silk dupion fabric and will include silk shading and other hand embroidery stitches.

Saturday classes ... now online

My latest series of Saturday classes are now planned, and you can find full details on the website by clicking here.

The first class, on October 22, is a drawn thread work class. This is a dainty project, which fits one of the new satin boxes that I now have in stock.

I have been busy stitching all the Saturday class projects, and all the pictures will be online soon.

In another development, we have now set the website up to allow you to order and pay for kits online using Paypal - this already seems to be a popular move.

I've recently visited Wells to give a talk to a group of ladies at Wells Museum, and was delighted to discover a room full of beautiful samplers on display there - it is well worth a visit.

I hope there will be a class to tempt you - look forward to seeing you soon.

Mid-Maternity Leave Update ...

Still enjoying my maternity leave - but taught for the first time since George's arrival, at Dillington House last weekend.

Some of the students stitched my latest design, a stumpwork castle (pictured) which was inspired by the piece I recently completed for the newly reopened Holbourne Museum in Bath.

I was asked to stitch some step-by-step samples of how stumpwork is worked. They are incorporated into the new display surrounding the King Charles II stumpwork at the museum - which is worth going to see.

George is doing very well and is a very good little boy, sleeping through the night and letting mummy get her beauty sleep.

George Arthur Clensy has arrived!

Clare and David are delighted to announce the safe arrival of George Arthur Clensy, who arrived on January 20, at 7lbs 11ozs.

It was a long 60-hour labour, and Mum and baby are still in hospital, but are doing well.

One important delivery made ...

For the past six months I have been working on the restoration of a beautiful Victorian altar frontal and super frontal for St Cyriac's Church in the National Trust village of Lacock.

The silk shaded motifs had to be removed from the old silk and reapplied to new silk damask. The fringes were replaced and the whole thing was reupholstered on to the wooden frame on which it hangs.

The ornate altar frontal is to be used on high days and feast days in the church, for the first time in years. I managed to complete the restoration to deliver it in time to be used on Christmas Eve.

The completion of this job allowed me to start my maternity leave. The baby is due on January 10th ... so watch this space for news!

Wishing you all a very happy new year.

Poppy Silk Shading

The poppy class on October 23 went well, and the poppy is now available as a kit (see picture). It is in silk shading and is worked on a silk dupion background. The kit is priced £14.50.

This weekend's Mountmellic class is full. It has proven to be very popular, so I will run it again at some point next year.

I won't be confirming next year's class dates until after Baby Clensy has arrived in January, and we have settled into a routine. But I'm hoping to get them going again after Easter. Watch this space.

Vine Embroidery "10 Years On" Exhibition

My exhibition, Vine Embroidery "10 Years On", opened at Bradford on Avon library on Friday, and I've already welcomed lots of visitors.

The exhibition, which is held in the upstairs space at the library, in Bridge Street, is an opportunity to display some of the work I've done over the past 10 years, since setting up Vine Embroidery.

I staged a similar exhibition at the same venue after returning home from the Royal School of Needlework, so it's nice to be able to put this show on in the same place.

The exhibition features many of the kit samples I've worked over the years, commissions, magazine pieces and lots of pieces from my Royal School apprenticeship.

It runs until September 16, and I'll be there each day. Admission is free, and we're open in accordance with the library opening times (except Fridays, when I'll close at 5pm). Click here for details.

To read the interview with me in the West Country Life magazine (in the Western Daily Press), on August 21, 2010, click here.

It will be lovely to see you there over the next couple of weeks.

West Country Life

Exciting news ... There will be a feature on my work in this Saturday’s Western Daily Press (Aug 21st) – in the West Country Life supplement – ahead of my exhibition next month.

If you want to pick up a copy on Saturday, the newspaper is circulated throughout the West Country.

Summer stitching

The Saturday classes for this season filled up very quickly - there is now only one place left, which is on the silk-shaded poppy class on October 23rd.

However, due to popular demand, I have arranged an additional Mountmellic class, which will be held on Friday, October 29th. There are four places currently left on this extra class.

It was nice to see my Saturday classes mentioned in this month's "World of Cross Stitching" magazine, which listed them in a top 10 of crafty getaways. I know some of you spotted the piece already - thanks for the tip off!

I'm also busy restoring various vestments from a number of local churches at the moment, and doing some other antique restoration.

New season of classes

Details of the Saturday classes for the next six months are now on the website and the letters are going out this week for those of you on the mailing list.

They include designs using silk shading, stumpwork, gold work and Mountmellic (whitework).The classes always fill quickly, so do get in touch if you would like to book a place.

For more information about class dates, click here. Images will appear online as I finish stitching each project (they are all well underway!).

I have also designed the third and final king to complete the set of wise men that I have stitched over the last two years. Although I’m not doing him as a class, he will be available as a kit later this year. Keep an eye on the website, or drop me a line if you are interested.

In other news, I had successful weekend at Dillington House earlier this month teaching whitework - as usual it was a delightful place to spend a weekend, and it comes highly recommended.

I shall returning to Dillington to teach blackwork in July - there are still a few places available. For more details, contact Dillington on 01460 52427 or visit the website at www.dillington.com

Venetian Mask

I recently completed the Venetian Mask, and it proved popular at last weekend's class. Inspired by my honeymoon in Venice, it featured silk shading, goldwork and sequins and beads.

The mask was wire-edged so it can be cut out and stands as a three-dimensional mask on a dowling handle, which is wrapped in navy ribbon.

It is available as a kit, priced £18.50.

I know lots of you are waiting for the next season of classes to appear ... I'm working on them currently, so keep an eye on the website as they will be put on here soon.

A winning weekend at Aintree

I've just enjoyed a successful weekend demonstrating at the ICHF Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts show at Aintree.

It was a lively show, with a good mix of stands, and we met some lovely people across our three days in Liverpool.

I was demonstrating the technique of silk shading across six half-hour taster sessions. Hopefully even in these short sessions people were able to get a feel for the technique.

On the Vine Embroidery stand, the kits sold well - some selling out altogether! For those who ordered sold out kits, they will be on the way very soon!

Vine Embroidery: Ten Years On

As this year marks the tenth anniversary of Vine Embroidery, I've decided to mark the occasion with an exhibition of my work, "Ten Years On".

I've booked the upstairs room of the Bradford on Avon Library for Friday, September 3 until Thursday, September 16.

This is where I had my first exhibition when I came home from London in 2000.

So please do come along and help me to celebrate a decade since graduating from the Royal School of Needlework.

In other news, the goldwork exotic butterfly (pictured) is finished for the class on May 15. Unfortunately this class is full, but the butterfly is now available as a kit (although it is not yet on the kit list, if you would like one, please get in touch- it is £16.50).

New Saturday Classes

Happy New Year!

Details of the Saturday classes for the next six months are now on the website.

They include designs using silk shading, crewel work, gold work and three dimensional embroidery.

For more information, click here.

The classes are filling quickly, so do get in touch if you would like to book a place.

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree ...

The Partridge finally made it into his pear tree - just in time for the November class. He proved so popular that additional students wanting to stitch him are coming along to the Christmas King class on December 12 to work on him. So there will be a real festive theme.

There are a few places still available.

I'm currently working on my list of classes for next year, so keep an eye on the website for them in the next few weeks.

I've been working on a few commissions this month, including a lovely Mother's Union banner featuring a Madonna and Child.

I'm also currently stitching the designs for next year's classes, which should include a new silk shaded piece and something a bit unusual inspired by my honeymoon visit to Venice.

Reader, I married him ...

At last our big day came ... and it was sunny!

David and I were married on October 17 at St Katharine's Church in Holt, Wiltshire.

Thank you to all those who came to the church, sent cards and gifts, made special presents, and worked on the embroidered bunting for the reception - it all added to our truly magical day.

The dress was made by Alison Miles Couture in Bath, with lace ordered specially from France. Although I didn't embroider all of my dress, I beaded the lace around the rim - there was nine and a half metres of it! I did embroider a monogram on the hem, see picture.

Lots of you have asked to see pictures, so here are some of the snaps. If you click on them, they should come up bigger.

Lots of love,

Mrs Clare Clensy !

Stitching and stilettoes

The new Christmas King is well underway. Last year's king featured goldwork, but this year I've decided to use silver threads, with a turqoise base for the robes.

Last weekend I spent a day at Dillington House (pictured), for their open day, to promote the goldwork weekend in February and the whitework course in June.

I am also busy putting together the sections of bunting that my Bath class kindly embroidered for our forthcoming wedding - they look beautiful, and feature lots of different techniques, ranging from ribbon embroidery to antique lace with beading. I'm sure they will be much admired on the day.

Somewhere along the line in recent months I've lost my much-loved antique stiletto - which I always use when teaching whitework. If anyone finds a white-handled stiletto among their things, I'd be very grateful if you could let me know. But don't pop it in the post, as it's rather sharp, and I would fear for our postman's safety.

Prayers and stitches

I was recently commissioned to make a new altar cloth for the Manor School in Melksham.

The main white cloth had an appliqued golden cross, above which I had embroidered (in the purple of the school uniform) the words "Bless this School" - which is taken from the school's prayer.

The cloth had three sets of different coloured runners, denoting the different seasons of the church year. Each of these had the school logo embroidered on them, and will be rotated throughout the year.

The frontal was blessed at a special assembly earlier this month by the Rev Derek Smith. It was a little worrying when he splashed my delicate stitches with Holy Water!

But of course, the frontal survived unscathed, and I was able to talk to the children about its design.

The event even made it into the Melksham News!

I've done a lot of work with Rev Smith over the years, and sadly he is now leaving the area to take up an exciting new position in a parish in Cyprus. We all wish him well.

I've also been back to Dillington House since my last blog entry, to teach at their summer school. The ladies worked on stumpwork flowers, and some beautiful pieces were produced.

The Partridge in a Pear Tree class in November proved so popular that it quickly filled up.

However, several ladies who were keen to do the design, are coming along on December 12, and I will run the Partridge workshop alongside the Christmas King workshop. There are still four places available on this date, if either of these festive designs take your fancy.