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.........

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).