February Newsletter

Emma Broughton
Jun 12
5 min read

Hey lovely stitchers!

I've decided to shake things up a bit and write a proper newsletter! So a big "hello" to my new subscribers!

I would love this to be a collaborative community so do you have a general embroidery question you want answered in my next newsletter or maybe you have finished one of my kits, can I share it in my newsletter? I would love a regular student showcase section. Just hit reply or message on my socials. Feel free to share your ideas and events with me, my inbox is always open!

Outside of Mercers Hall, London, for the Broderers Dinner

I attended my second Borderers' event up in London this month at Mercers Hall, it was wonderful, we were treated to an Operatic performance by a couple of students from the local theatre school which ended with the main song from Phantom of the Opera, honestly there's nothing quite like seeing it in person. I chatted most of the night with the Lovely lady sat next to me who's Dad is a Liveryman. I plan to start my journey to be a Liveryman/woman and gain the freedom of London soon, now I've attended two events the process can start....I mean who wouldn't want to heard sheep over London Bridge 🤣

Student Showcase

These collages were started during my in person class, aren't they fabulous? I forgot to take more photos before everyone packed away.

These collages were started during my online classes and kindly sent after they were finished. They are all so different in style but I love how each student has worked differently to create such lovely pieces.

Thanks ladies for letting me share these.

What's Been Happening at Fairy Wren

I've been continuing work on my summer school designs for the Royal School of Needlework, I can't fully share these yet as I'm awaiting the final class name wording...why you might be wondering, surely I get to name them myself? Well usually I do but these designs as a bit different because they are "Inspired by the RSN Archive and Collection" so due to the newly introduced criteria, I need to wait for approval and add this in the class title. These designs will therefore Exclusive to the RSN for two years but that means if you can't make the first running it will be offered again.

I'm working on three new designs, two beginners and one advanced, I can't wait to share them with you because they are fabulous but only one is finished, one is almost there and the other is still in the design stage but it will get there. The Tudor rose above is one of the new classes, I've been sharing close ups on my socials and I'll share the full piece when I can.

Hopefully the class dates will launch soon, I'll let you know on my socials when they do. There's lots of extras being planned for this year which I'm excited about and why its taken a bit longer but it'll be worth the wait. Its going to be a busy few weeks of classes but at least I have a holiday the week before!

Sadly 6 students couldn't make the new Spring Flowers class date but we popped them back on sale and I'm delighted that we have resold all the places and are now full again. Don't worry if you missed out there still spaces online and it will likely run again in person next year.

Personal

The evening sky over Amesbury Country Park

I'm still continuing to work on my quilt, or as my Husband (Gary) likes to call it my Infinity Blanket 🙈.

it was half term here in the UK last week so I was with my boys for the first part of the week while Gary was working. We had some building work going on so it was tricky to get out in case they needed to ask me things, which they did as it wasn't straightforward so they had a lot of problem solving and it took most of the week on/off around other jobs rather than the two days it would normally have taken!

It also meant I wasn't able to get on the treadmill at all last week as they were in and out of where I do it but I've got straight back to it this week, its become so much a part of my schedule that I missed doing it.

The photo was taken of the sunsetting last weekend as we walked home from a lovely meal cooked by my brother in law for my in laws 50th wedding anniversary.

Artistic Practice

So what you've all be waiting for.....introducing May Day.

Please do not share this anywhere until you see it on mine or the RSN social pages.

Blackwork Portrait of Elizabeth Moss as Offred/June from The Handmaid's Tale

More info in the RSN March E-news, so if you haven't signed up now's your chance to do so! I don't think this photo fully does it justice, its so hard to photograph because its so large, the visible area once framed is 572mm x 393mm and I've planned it so that there's very little boarder so its more like a traditional painted portrait.

Once its live you are free to share as much as you like, please be kind in the comments. This is part of the reason why I've been worried about sharing it (and the issue of copyright which I will go into later) and while I understand why its a delicate issue its more than just about one particular issue, my future portrait work will help make the collections message clearer.

will give more details about my inspiration and the intricate details stitched into the piece in my March Newsletter so if you have any questions please do send them to me and I will try and include as many as I can. I will also be adding pages to my website with my new artist statement.

What's Coming Up

My next class after Spring Flowers is a Beginners Box Making Class, you can choose the initial you want on the top and work a Nigella Flower, this is perfect for beginners in both embroidery and box making so if you've wanted to give box making a go this is your chance!