Here comes the wedding car

Back detail on flowergirls dresses

Flowergirls made to match your wedding dress.

Pleat it, gather it, be inspired. Silk taffeta pleated and silk tulle gathered, highlighted with silver lined glass beads, another creation.

Thanks to Inspirations, Carla Barbaglia comes to Northern Ireland!! The most amazing floral artist from Italy comes to demonstrate to us, creating masterpieces with shape, form and colour. I just love what she does with leaves!! You will never look at leaves in the same light, chop them, fold them, pleat them, knot them don't let your imagination stop and then add a few flowers. The containers seem to be the first guidance to the colours and shapes of the flowers and foliage that you are inspired to use. I just loved the whole experience and loved what Carla did with the flowers and foliage.

I saw an advert in the local paper for an exhibition up at Queens in the Naughton Gallery. It was by Michael Brennand-Wood, the man that probably 28 years ago made me realise how exciting embroidery could be. This guy is a true fine artist that uses embroidery as his medium. Look him up on his website to learn more about his work. He definitely inspired me to do embroidery as I felt it was such a versatile medium. Forget thie idea of embroidered table clothes this guy did massive pieces of work on wooden frames, something origina.This latest exhibition was called "Pretty Deadly". It was poignant that it was Remembrance Sunday that I saw it as there was quite alot of reference to dead soldiers. It was exploring the symbolism of flowers, it was colourful, imposing and strong. Look him up and see his work. Embroidery is anything you do with a needle and thread.

Once you get started then there will be no stopping you. Have fun enjoy playing with beads laid down to create something personal.

Get a needle and thread, a packet of beads and have a go. If nothing else it will teach you to appreciate how much time and effort is involved, but hopefully you will enjoy it too.

It is just beading, I could teach anyone to do it, as long as you have got the patience. By simply graduating the pearls you can get lovely simple effects. Hope this inspires you to have a go.