Stow on the Wold

Had a lovely day today teaching a workshop to the Embroiderers at Stow on the Wold

They worked really hard and at their own admission outside their comfort zone at times, but that added to the fun.

The group meet in a village Hall, just outside Stow and it is such an idyllic Cotswold setting, a most enjoyable day with hard working enthusiastic stitchers. Weather was warm and sunny for Autumn.... Absolute Bliss!

Artsite Gallery

Although the Open Studios officially finished at the weekend, the Exhibition in support at the Artsite Gallery continues for the next couple of days. As a member of Artsite I have 2 pieces of work there. So I spent a very pleasurable afternoon stewarding yesterday.

The weather was not very pleasant, but we had some lovely visitors.

I am pleased to say this couch had been moved away from under my work during the exhibition . I can understand it may have been needed for the launch evening. The exhibition is closing this weekend.... so get along soon if you want to see it.

End of Open Studios

Here is part of my studio, ready for visitors yesterday... isn't it tidy? It has been a great 2 weekends of Open Studios, I have really enjoyed inviting friends and fellow artists into my studios and talking about the work and the studio itself.

I did manage to get some work done whilst talking and showed visitors how to use the embellisher machine.

I was also thrilled to know that many of my visitors will be back, as they also interested in working with me in my studio to learn how to dye fabric and threads, how to batik, and also free machine embroidery. so have booked classes with me. I can manage 2 people at a time in my studio, so they will get lots of personal help.

I even made use of the sink area to show off a couple of my sketchbooks. Look how clean the sink was too!

Now comes the hard work, carefully putting away the bits of unsold work so I can get back to normal and creating my mess.

Think I would like to do this again next year.. it was great fun.

Jane Greenoff visit to her studio

This is the stitching I did for today. Had a wonderful day stitching with Jane Greenoff at her studio in Fairford, which is just down the road. This is her new Flowery mead band sampler. A variety of stiches and techniques. The lunch was fabulous too. Jane is most generous and if you get a chance to attend a day with her.. do go. Well worth it.

New Family addition

Isn't he cute!

I'll help You Nanny! ....Day 2 of Open studios

Youngest granddaughter was determined to show visitors to the Open studio the amount of work that gets created in the studio. The usual table has been removed to the kitchen to make a little more room, so demonstrations had to take place on the floor. What a wonderful helper she is.

Lots of my work is displayed on the walls for visitors to see, and I will refrain from showing you too much at the moment, in the hope you will come along next Saturday or Sunday to see for yourself.

Here is my work corner, so I am working at the same time. I am happy to chat to any visitors about my work. This weekend I have been using the embellisher machine... next weekend I intend to do some free machine embroidery.

It has been a wonderful weekend of interested visitors. So look forward to seeing you next weekend.

Swindon Open Studios 2011

This was the launch party tonight at Artsite-- a quiet corner of the gallery, but lots of people came. More photos tomorrow.

Swindon Open Studios, starts tomorrow at 11am until 5pm and also on Sunday.

My studio is open and I shall be working all day and would love to see you and have a chat . Hope you can make it .

My kind of washing!

Spent the day with Kim Thittichai in Marlborough today....... here is my Lutrador/spunbond waiting to dry after being painted with acrylic paints.

Some of my finished pieces which have been given the soldering iron treatment.

Have been layered with bondaweb.

This piece of work does not photo very well, it is heavily layered and looks better in the flesh.

These pieces are all ready to have some stitch put into them and I may do that as part of my demonstrating at the Open Studios this weekend. Thought I also might put the embellisher through its paces. It is in need of an airing.

Fun day at the Studio

First time on the sewing machine and such excitement. This Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine is such a favourite with the family. We worked upside down so that the chain stitch showed on top of the work.

We spent the early afternoon at the park... real fun, and this time it was not raining. We had spent so long at the park playing, we were really tired when we got back to the studio.

It was quite cold though.....................

The fun and games in the park were replaced by lots of fun in the Studio, and they went home with pencil cases that were completely original and designed by them. All ready for school on Monday.

Getting ready for the Open Studios.

This week has been spent sorting some of my work. Finishing off and framing being the main activities. Yesterday I delivered 2 of my pieces of work to Artsite Gallery in Swindon, as I am a member.

The Artsite members Exhibition starts on the 9th September until the 24th September and runs alongside the Open Studios.

The launch party for the Open Studios also takes place on Friday 9th September at the Artsite gallery. I hope to be there, and my studio will also be open both weekends in September...... but more of that next week.

There was a short article in the local paper.. have a look here