Apologies - a lull in creativity

Work and lots of home decorating (groan) appears to have taken over all my time at present so nothing interesting or new happening creatively!

I will be back soon.........................

Collagraphic Workshop - Dionne Swift

Yesterday I attended one of Dionne Swift's workshops - Collagraphic Printing. I did quite a bit of this during the last year of my degree, but I feel that attending workshops gives you new ideas and spurs you on to renew skills. Unfortunately I dont have a press at home - I would love one!

Had I been a beginner I would say that this workshop is perfect for both inexperienced and experienced. Dionne's teaching is clear, she gives you time to go through each process (of which there are many) and you progress through to take home some good and useable pieces for future projects, framing etc. This is a lengthy process and takes care and time, but very therapeutic!

Here is the link for her future workshops:- http://www.dionneswift.co.uk/workshops/

She is presently renovated her new studio in Holmfirth, which looks like a fantastic space for her, so looking forward to visiting her there. 58 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3AZ

Thank you Dionne x

Please excuse the slightly wonky photo!!

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap - BLOOM

I have received my lovely postcard from Linda Abbott from Alberta, Canada. Even the envelope was decorative which was great surprise when I opened the post box.

Thank you Linda.

Festival of Quilts, Birmingham - 2011

Had a wonderful day yesterday at the Festival of Quilts - met up with my good friends Fiona Wilson and Dionne Swift who were giving talks and workshops there.

I went with my friend Carol Wilson (Fiona's mum) and we shared a stitching session within the Studio 21 exhibition called "A sense of Place" in which we were able to add a small piece to a larger textile banner. The table was full of goodies - lovely hemp threads, printed fabrics etc we could have stayed there all afternoon (but there was just too many quilts to see...). Above is my tiny added piece, people put their date and place of birth (Horror.......) The main work by Studio 21 was beautiful - a landscape created by different artists.

The person who stole the show for me was Mary Lloyd Jones http://www.marylloydjones.co.uk/ and I hope she doesn't mind me putting on an image of her work which was stunning. Some of it was done in the 1980's and it was so exciting now - but apparently not everyone was ready for it then! It just made me stop and stare that is the best comment I can give.

(copyright ML Jones of course)

I was very disappointed with my quilt - it was meant to be displayed double sided but ended up hanging on black fabric which killed it really. Of course it wasn't a conventional quilt - so looked out of place I felt - I will have to try harder next year!

All in all a good show.

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap - BLOOM

I have finished my stitched postcard and it will be posted tomorrow to Vanessa Beylea in New Hampshire, USA.

My 'Bloom' is a Sea Holly 'Eryngium Maritimum' which I love to see in the sand dunes walking along the beaches in Cornwall. The photograph below shows it in full bloom and colour on the beach - mine is based on when it dries and dis-colours but its beautiful in each stage.

I have posted onto the Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/66216594@N05/6031190121/in/pool-1392335@N25/

Can't make to receive mine now.

Mister Finch - Leeds

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77709629/soft-sculpture-beetle-made-from-vintage

This is Mister Finch's Etsy shop and I hope he doesn't mind that I have copied an image - I love his work. He makes amazing jewellery but his embroidered insects are just beautiful (which can be worn as jewellery or framed).

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap

Titled "BLOOM" this year. This is the first year I have taken part but I love the idea of exchanging something creative with a "swap partner" and mine is with Vanessa Belyea is from in the USA (people from 20 countries taking part) so I am really looking forward to the swap now which needs to be there for 14th August so let the postcard commence!

http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/swap/

Festival of Quilts, Birmingham

Will I finished my entry and posted it today (late so they may not accept it!).

Wasn't entirely pleased (are we ever?) but its gone and its my first Art quilt - so forgive me all those quilters out there as it is not a conventional quilt at all but 4 layers of silk organdy, hand painted and stitched.

Glorious Hostas

Shibori Silk photos

Unfortunately I had to miss the second workshop for Shibori Silk but here is the link to the first one I did. Can't complain I have just had a holiday in majorca for the past week relaxing!

Frantically finishing off my art quilt for the Festival of Quilts now as it needs posting to get there by Friday - oh well........

http://artistsinbusiness.blogspot.com/2011/07/shibori-silk-workshop.html

Shibori Workshop

Had a lovely afternoon using silk and steam fix dyes (done in a microwave). Obviously only learnt the basics but it was nice to do something new and I am really pleased with the bright results - two scarves and sample piece hanging on my line.

I did this through http://artistsinbusiness.blogspot.com/ who have run several workshops recently and the last one - stage two of the Shibori is on 23rd July. There are 3 places left for any locals (Ilkley area) wanting to have fun and learn a new skill. Details for contacting Jo Whitehead who ran it today are on this link.

Went with my good friend Sue - obviously had to go have a nice coffee afterwards!

Glorious Hostas

Finally got out my Colouration kit (bought from Dionne Swift http://www.dionneswift.co.uk/shop/textile-art-supplies/colouration-kit/) and started work on my entry for the Festival of Quilts "Art Quilt". Titled as above.

I love it when the Hosta plants in my garden (and anyone elses for that matter) are being eaten by the snails, they produce such beautiful textures within the leaves that they turn into lace. So I don't moan but rejoice in the amazing transformation that takes place.

Bradford School of Arts & Media - end of year show

Last night I went to the preview of the End of Year show at Bradford. It was really strange because this time last year it was me showing my final collection. I have to say I felt quite sad going back and seeing all the amazing work friends/colleagues had done. For me Textiles stole the show - which isn't to say the Fashion, Graphics and Fine Art weren't good - its a personal choice.

Other shows are Leeds College of Art and Huddersfield - just not sure I will be able to get to them this time.

It also made me realise the lack of personal work I have done over the past year, all due to getting settled into full time employment, juggling family/house/garden - life gets very hectic. I am not making lame excuses its perhaps allowing myself something instead of thinking of others all the time - So I have all my fabric and designs ready for my entry into the Festival of Quilts this year, an art quilt and need to get myself into the practice of being creative, giving myself a little bit of time each week.

I hope that soon I will actually have something to show on my blog instead of just talking.

Thanks Bradford for a great quality show

http://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/culture-and-arts/summer-shows-2011

1000 birds Project Complete

Just thought I would publish an update on the Help Japan project by Makiko Hastings.
She made 1000 birds and more importantly £4933.20 for Japan. There is a video on the link below showing her making them.

Well done Makiko - our little birds are sitting proudly at home.

http://makikohastings.blogspot.com/

HELP JAPAN 1000 Birds Project

http://makikohastings.blogspot.com/2011/03/help-japan-1000-birds-project-now-open.html

Ending tomorrow for mail order:- please look at this lovely blog and Maki's little birds in aid of Japan. I have ordered a few for my daugther's printing trays they have on their walls. Perfect little pieces of art.

Unfortunately I cant get to the Knaresborough Easter Fayre this weekend where Maki will be. I hope she doesnt mind that I have copied this image from her blog but I just wanted to promote it. Please pass this on to anyone & everyone!

I

Quilting - Log Cabin

I had a lovely day on Saturday with my friend Fiona Wilson - I challenged her to teach me more about quilting! We spent time planning our "log cabin" design and ended up with a small sample by mid afternoon. It was very therapeutic and we were very pleased with the results.

We talked about how the Americans obviously are the queens of quilting and about how lovely it would be to grow up quilting in groups with family and friends. The sharing of stitching - taking time, creativity and friendship (and quilts sewn with love). How lucky you would be in that environment.

Fiona will post a photograph of both our samples shortly: http://fiona-wilson.blogspot.com

So now its time to start planning my miniature quilt entry for the Festival of Quilts this year and again say a big thank you to my dear friend Fiona.

Fabric Swap - Fiona Wilson

http://fiona-wilson.blogspot.com/2011/02/idea-for-fabric-swap-anyone-interested.html#comment-form

Check out the Link above:

I am liking the idea from Fiona Wilson - Fabric swap. Look at her blog - I always like to see (and share) other peoples fabrics, buttons etc you just never know what you will find!

Sketchbook completed

I have finally finished my sketchbook project and posted it to the USA today! http://arthousecoop.com

I have to own up to re-working an old sketchbook but I felt I had a lot of material that just seemed to be in a box so now it can at least be viewed. I really enjoyed working in such a small book and my subject matter of being "a bee for the day" lent itself well to some oversized images on pages.

Looking forward to seeing other peoples sketchbooks on the website as well.

Its been a busy time since I finished the degree, starting work etc but I know realise that you do have to be focused and very organised within yourself. So new exhibitions to see, research and start afresh. Also you do miss uni once you finish so its time to join the Embroiderers Guild again.

Time to get busy, get busy and back to blogging!