Working in the October heatwave

The granddaughters have been back to the studio, it was very hot, but the studio was pleasantly cool despite the wax pot. The 2nd waxing of the batik work took place today.

The second layers of colour dye were also applied, they were thrilled with the results. A great deal of discussion around the topic of how to use them was developed. I think the decision is for me to bulk buy some small A5 sketchbooks and these will be beautiful covers for them.

So we decided to use up all the left over dye to dye some fabrics in plain/ space dyed colours to complement the batik, so we could make the backing covers for the sketchbooks too. Their respective parents were very surprised to find all these plastic bags of dye and fabric going home
and instructions for the rinsing and washing to be done today.

In the meantime I have not been idle.. I have finished 2 of these using different hand dyed threads for the kantha quilting.

I have also been playing with the lettering capabilities on my embroidery machine and making slips which I have then machined down and quilted by machine. It has been great fun, and I feel sure I have not even touched the surface of the capabilities of my sewing machine for lettering.

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

Studio work.....

Had to share this with you.... this is swinging in the rain.... what a hoot we had!!!!

I am taking part in the local Open Studios this year.... and am pleased to have received the posters advertising. I noticed in the brochure and on the Open Studio 2011 website I am numbered 23 on the map. However at the moment the studio is being well used by the grandchildren during their summer holidays.

This is another session of Batik and we worked very hard to get the designs right. All freehand and no drawing before hand. The grandaughters became very confident and skilled in using the hot wax.

Here are the cooled wax designs being painted with dye.. notice the rubber gloves! Interestingly... I was the one who had dye stained fingers.... much to the amusement of the granddaughters.

We took a break after lunch to the local playground to have a go on the swings...... as you can see in the 1st photo. The fresh air was really good for the creative process. We returned to the studio with great enthusiasm.

Some of the completed work.... so fantastic.

Printing ideas and good friends.

One of the great aspects of having really good friends is that they are so generous in sharing new ideas and knowledge. I am so grateful to a good friend coming over and sharing the products and her personal sketchbook relating to a great course she took in New York recently. So .... so.... inspiring.....have a look here.

I had a little experiment with the ideas, but I have to say it has totally re-ignited my desire to investigate getting designs from the computer screen to fabric, and I am all excited to get going.

Autumn Fruits

Went on a lovely walk this afternoon, whilst the rest of the West of England were having rain showers, we had wonderful sunshine. The air was feeling autumnal, despite the warmth of the sun. The blackberries are ripening fast and the rose hips are huge this year. If I had the recipes of my great aunt, I would be making rose hip wine and blackberry syrup.

The clouds were impressive across the town... but no sign of rain, thank goodness. I did take my umbrella in case though. ( all photos will enlarge if you click on them)

Stourhead

Not only did we decide to have a day out on the promise of the only day of good weather this week, but also decided to take the A 303 to get to Stourhead. Mmmmm! After a short while we came to a total stop, mush to the amusement of this herd of cows... however I think they were busy looking across the road to a very famous site.....................

Yes thought you would recognise it.. Stonehenge. The car was at a total standstill... so could not miss the photo opportunity.

We crawled a few yards along the road... so I took another photo...... we did finally getto Stourhead at lunchtime.. but well worth the slow journey.

The sun was shining and the gardens were splendid.

I walked all round the lake and must confess my legs were aching by time I got back to the car.... wonderful day out. I did take loads of photos.... but.. something wrong with the camera ;0(

Batik

Great day with the new Batik pot and 12 year old granddaughter. We played all day.... great fun.

New wax pot is fantastic, thermostatically controlled too.. how posh is that? Granddaughter is a talented and enthusiastic artist...... a great combination for fun.

When my daughter saw the wax pot... she remarked that is the same one they use for waxing legs.... what a waste of wax I replied!

Brockenhurst WCE Exhibition

The Brockenhurst Exhibiton had some really excellent examples of Embroidery on show, made and entered by all the groups in the West Country.

A group of us from Swindon stewarded all day. Not many visitors, but the Village Hall is rather remote and sign postings had been taken down by some-one anonymous. Shame really, fortunately we had a Sat Nav and the postcode, so managed to find the location all right.

Caravan thieves- please help catch them

This post is very different from my usual post... but my eldest son's caravan was stolen and although the pictures are grainy CCTV... perhaps you can help? All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

This is thief leaving the compound..... later driving a green car, which is parked in the background at the roundabout.

A close up of one of the thieves, wearing a hoodie and white trainers... very skinny legs in tights perhaps... is it a female?

Here is the red Izuzu trouper that hooked the caravan up to steal it.

Here is the Izuzu driving off with the Swift Carisma 590 6 berth caravan.... did you see it around 9pm on Friday night in Swindon. On the CCTV footage the green car drives off in front of the caravan.

My grandchildren are really upset, they were going on holiday in it shortly. How can people be so mean as to steal others pride and joy and deprive children of a happy holiday?