Weaving, a way of life?

If you're not scared of spiders click on the photo for a larger image. Woke up this morning to a very grey and misty day, which just about sums up how I feel at the moment.

I seem to be doing lots of things for other people, not that I mind, but I need some "me" time this weekend. In preparation I have tidied the studio/workroom of all the left overs and tidied threads and machine bobbins. Some photos on my photoblog

The fabrics are still in a mess, but I know I shall be using them a lot soon, so there is no point in sorting those out to look neat, as I actually need to use them.

Paint brushes have been cleaned and put back, although not for long as I need to use them again soon.

Full sketchbooks are so difficult to store, I want them within reach, as I do refer to them often.... but they also get in the way, being so bulky. What is the answer?

Well for the moment I shall be using an old new one... if you get my drift. Its one I started using and still has lots of empty pages, so I shall be a meany and use it up.

Suspect my grey mood this morning is also partly due to the fact we went out to dinner last night with some really good friends, lovely enjoyable evening, but maybe too much wine? Maybe I will leave the machining I had planned until tomorrow. Could I be charged with Drunk in charge of a sewing machine... probably as lethal as driving a car ! Know you can be fined for being drunk in charge of a bicycle or horse. Interesting thought.

The exhibition in Iliminster is being put up next weekend, still have to post some of the work for that, and I am also looking forward to going to the Kitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace on Friday 10th October.

In the week before K & S I have been asked to teach the teachers again, apparently they really enjoyed the "how to teach drawing " I did with them, and now would like me to do a session on colour and mixed media. Lovely group of people. I am really looking forward to that.

Wonder if any of you can help me with a problem... this little quilters ruler came with a huge sticky label, which I have removed. However it has left an annoyingly large sticky patch on the plastic. How do I get rid of it?

Stitching and other stuff

A strange month and certainly time to catch up. I have had the chance to do lots of work and most is still quite embryonic, but I have been missed my blogging sessions. Thanks to those of you who have regularly visited and apologies for the lack of news for you. So what have I been up to?
Well, I was inspired by fellow GWE members to get involved with the coral reef crochet and have been idling my time away with this, its quite mindless. This yarn is really hard on the fingers as it is weaving wool. I shall take it to the knitting and stitiching show in Alexandra Palace in October, and add it to their mountain of coral.

Our GWE mini Exhibition last weekend at Steam was a great success and was well attended, and even though I did a lot of talking, I also managed to do a lot of hand stitiching. Angela has some great photos on her blog.. look here

(Thanks for taking this photo Shirley)

The studio session on Monday at the Blackthorn Art Centre got off to a great start and again I managed to get a lot of printing done for the exhibtion next year. I played with transfer dyes and crayons. When I have done some more work, I will share some photos with you. If you would like to come along next month, then please let me know, we have room for another two people.

I have also received a new toy, which has kept me very busy uploading CD's. If you know of any really good podcasts for textiles, embroidery, dyeing etc... please let me know.

My BQL bag for September is also finished, I was dreading this one as it involved log cabin patchwork, and way back in the olden days Log cabin made with strips onto calico is the technique that made me giveup doing any more patchwork... I hated it. However this newer way with rotary cutters and rulers is so much easier...... I actually managed to make the bag. Such an achievement.

Needless to say, Mr Siamese is rather thrilled with it too, he is using it as his latest body warmer.

As it has a zip, I thought I might use it as a project bag. Thats if I can get it back!!

I shall finish today with a sad blog entry Our Moggie passed on at the beginning of the month, and I was much sadder than I expected, she was 18 and has had such a good life. We had fostered her for 17 and a half years, she was very independant, and her biggest joy was to scratch the life out of the stair carpet. The local vermin lived in fear of her too, and she frequently was known to throw temper tantrums if she did not get her own way. Mr Siamese is missing her very much as well as us.

Thanks to everyone for the messages of comfort for poor hubbie and his knee and for Daughters ill health. I am not good with the nurses hat.. but some times that just has to be!

Must get back to loading the i-pod with my music...... see ya!

End of the month and New workshop group

It has been a very busy time here, some emergency hospital attendances, which involved lots of baby sitting and the donning of nurses hat, and as you know that is not one of my most endearing past times.
As I write this I am also putting the final touches to the workshop I previously wrote about in a previous blog.. see here...
We will be meeting on Monday 15th September for the first time from 10.00am -3.00pm and then every 3rd Monday of the month thereafter. If you would be interested please e-mail me and I will give you more details.

However I have managed to escape to the workroom whenever possible and am pleased with the creative moments I have managed to snatch. I think it saves my sanity! Just a snippet of the work for you, as its a secret at the moment.

I am also trying to get some work resolved for 2 exhibitions, the first one is a mini exhibition for the Great Western Embroiderers at Steam Museum.. click here. It is the Swindon Railway Festival, so something for all the family. If you live locally , I would love to see you, I will be there on the Saturday 13th. On the Sunday I hope others can take over from me!

I see that my buddy Ken White will be there as well. He is a now famous mural artist, but He worked with us about 25 years ago before all the fame. A great guy. Of course if it all gets a bit much you can always give the plastic cards a bashing at the Designer outlet village.. just 10 paces away. click here .......

The other exhibition that needs my attention at the moment is in Ilminster.. I still have a week or two to get stuff together for that. I was very chuffed to see they had used one of my images for the publicity brochure. So although I had not planned to include that piece... I will.. there is nothing worse than being attracted to an event by an image and then its not at the exhibition! So it will be there....

Then I must start thinking about the big exhibition next Spring at Steam Museum. Lots to do....