Found and Revived

I have a new project on the go called "Found and Revived" and here is a sneak peak.  I love vintage scarves even when they are slightly damaged and worn in places and by embellishment and embroidery you can revive areas.

They won't be wearable because they are too delicate - this is a Nylon one made in Italy (looks like 1950's/60's) and there will be four in total.

Susan Crawford

Last November I met Susan Crawford at the Knitting & Stitch Show in Harrogate and yesterday had the pleasure of meeting her again. She adapts vintage knitting patterns and resizes them - but stays true to the original design. She has written 3 books (two co-authored with Jane Waller) A Stitch in Time (Vol I&II) and Vintage Gifts to Knit. Vintage fashion, patterns and the history of British knitting are her obsessions (her words) and I would say she is unique in her style and adaptation, reclaiming and reviving amazing designs.

My knitting is basic to say the least but I hope sometime in the future I will have time to (try) knit one of her designs.

Studio Space

I have been using our basement for quite some time as my studio space but always sat in my dining-room to sew because of the large windows and the light being better. So I finally made the change into our spare bedroom upstairs which is a lovely light/bright space - I should have done it years ago.

A lot of de-cluttering has had to take place which is good and I now have a more creative room to work in. There is still a lot to move up here but essentially I can now work straight away which makes me feel so much happier. Light is so important when sewing.

Its tidy at the moment - not sure what it will look like in a few weeks time.....

The Library of Lost Books: Get Involved

The Library of Lost Books: Get Involved: This is a big project and it needs your help! The Library needs workshop facilitators - folks who would like to work with the public on ...

This is a fascinating project - have a look

Studio Day - Dionne Swift

Had a lovely time with Dionne Swift today. She held a Studio Day - not a workshop - but time you could go and work alongside her (she was busy getting ready for another exhibition). They were several of us dyeing, printing and stitching and I managed to get quite a lot of printing done which was really satisfying.

Thank you Dionne - your new studio is a fabulous space - lots of light, well organised and a relaxing space to think and create.

Photographs to follow.

Spices - work in progress

A peaceful morning at home which is a luxury - so back into stitching. Lots more to do...

Back in the Saddle again!

Spices

Cornish Landscape

Happy New Year - click on the link!

I have been looking at fabrics and ideas in my need to get creative again after my months of nothing (well actually I have been very busy but not in my own creative work!).

Setting myself two little projects with very different themes;

Spices - A lovely friend gave me pieces of fabric she picking up in India - actually off the floor whilst she was having a jacket made and knew I would appreciate these which would otherwise be thrown away. The colours of the silks reminded me of lots of lovely spices. There are also off cuts of saris which I purchased from The Beetroot Tree at the Knit & Stitch Show last November.

Cornish Landscape - I was in Cornwall 2 years ago and did quite a lot of drawing so wanted to re-visit this theme.

So I'm back in the saddle again.........