African fabrics

I purchased these African fabrics about 18 months ago, and really liked them, but had no idea how to use them. In fact I have over that time gathered 14 fat quarters of indigo fabric and 1 red. I bought them from Magie Relph... have a look here.

With an exhibition looming for the new year, and the theme being patriotic colours..... I suddenly had a lightbulb moment and have decided how to use these lovely fabrics. I have a design and idea in mind, and so the first stage was to wash the fabrics to remove the excess indigo dye. I have about a month to complete this.... will I manage to meet the deadline? I'll let you know.

Ice Hockey

I took this photo some 20 years ago. My youngest son played for the Great Britain junior Ice Hockey team at the time.
He has just taken up Ice hockey again with the recreation team and had his first match last night. He is loving it, but I am pleased he is proving he is fit, and has emerged uninjured from the match.
He was chosen by the manager to play on the first line defence, and had plenty of ice time.
He thoroughly enjoyed himself. Well done Peter.

Am I becoming a bag lady??

I had just finished making this lovely bag and had used 3 fat quarters, which I had purchased from Cupcake Cottons a local quilt suppliers based in Burford. I had a look at their blog last week and found they were celebrating their 1st Anniversary of trading with a give a way. I was so proud to have won a prize in their give away and even more pleased when it arrived.

This lovely bag .. do have a look at their shop in Burford if you are in the area... it is really lovely.

Venetian Purse

As a trade in of class skills, Kath came to my studio and gave me a class on making a venetian purse. It is a workshop that Kath gives to Embroiderers groups around the country. I had given a class to Kath all about dyeing with procian dyes. We had great fun on both workshops, working with each other.

Stitches use and abuse

One of the tables at a recent workshop, I love to see the creative nests that members like to work in.
This is one of my favourite workshops that I teach. This time I was teaching the Great Western Embroiderers. They were great fun and very hard working.


Just a small selection of the results..... fantastic. Hope to see these pieces of embroidery next month with even more stitching.

Swindon Magnetizer Exhibition

I received an invitation to join a most unusual exhibition. The request was to submit an image that could be used on a fridge magnet. The fridge magnets will form an exhibition around the town and if a member of the public likes it.. they take it with them.

In return for loaning my image I too will get a fridge magnet as a thank you. There is also the opportunity to exhibit the original piece of work in the Wyvern Theatre. More information here...

Knitting and Stitching, Alexandra Palace 2011

This is the famous window at Ally Pally from the outside, I only realised on this visit that there are statues right up on the top of the roof.

It was a wonderful sunny and clear day, and as you can see the view across London was splendid. You can click on any of these pictures to see more detail.

Started from home at 7am and travelled up with the coach, getting to Ally Pally by about 11am.

Inside at the Show, I visited the sellers area first, and helped my daughter to make the purchases on her shopping list. Unfortunately I was taken ill half way round and kept fainting... so were rescued by 2 very kind ambulance men. I really did feel silly not being able to walk myself to the fresh air.... but I am very grateful to them for wheel chairing me. After about an hour, and a cup of tea and a chocolate bar... all recommended by my medical attendants, I felt a lot better.

First stop was to go and see my dodger mate Dale... I only ever manage to see her once a year when she comes to Ally Pally... we managed to get a few minutes to chat, as she is alwys so busy on her well stocked stall- The Thread Studio.

I managed to see many of the exhibitions I had highlighted.. but as you can imagine had to leave a lot out to. Many of the exhibitors would not allow photos... so I shall leave them out.

However the Practical Study Group- now renamed the Textile study group

allowed me to take photos. I really enjoyed the work, especially as I know a few of the artists.

Another Exhibition in which I was able to take photos was the Islamic Exhibition by John Gillow. I did enjoy inspecting them carefully.

Another exhibition which I enjoyed was Beryl Dean, celebrating 100 years since her birth. She was a wonderful and dedicated Church embroiderer. A huge showing of many of her works... no photos allowed alas as they were selling a catalologue for £10.00

Must also give a huge thank you to Kevin of Art Van Go.. when he heard about what happened to me... he gave me a hand fan, and I have to say it was a great help during the afternoon.

A great day, which I thoroughly enjoyed despite the unexplained fainting bouts. As usual spent all my money, but very sensibly on procian dyes and transfer paints. I also bought Jan Beaneys and Jean Littlejohns new book, which I have dipped into and it is very inspirational.... just what I need today as part of my recuperating.

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.