Back to Cubism and stuff.........

Had another session at playing around with the concepts of cubism, from my weekend away in May with my Mentor -Julia Capara. ( for the previous relevent post on blog- click here). This is one of the ideas from my sketchbook.

Looking amongst my sketchbooks, generally for designs which I think will translate well into machined chain stitch, think this one might be OK. The inspiration to do this has arisen from the first sample I did with the W & G. I really like the way the machining creates the line drawing and shapes - click here for a reminder of the sample. Next decisions will be colours and whether to crop the cubist design image, and how to describe the shading with stitchery marks. Lots more to think about.

Went to an exhibition of last night of work by students I had previously taught. I am very proud of them. Seemed strange to go along as a visitor, with some-one else being responsible for the organising, setting up and associated headaches of the exhibition. One of the advantages of recent early retirement. No more headaches! Good re-union though. .

I was so distracted with chatting to friends and colleagues.... that I did not take many photos.... sorry!

My excitement- update

I have managed to get some stitching done today, my fingers have been itching to get back to my W & G machine. Displacement activity has taken place, digitally photographing the instruction book, and reading it!

However I know the piece of work had not finished"talking" to me. It was hard to get started again, but then the little machine inspired me all over again and "told " me where to put the marks.

Sounds silly, but if you have experienced this in executing a piece of your work - then you will understand what I mean. Sometimes the English language does not seem to have the right words. Or maybe.... you could help me ... suggesting word ( s) I could use to describe this feeling. I know in other languages there are often more appropriate words too.

Here is the result.

I think it is finished.............. but again it needs to be up on the wall for a while before I finally decide.

Here is a close up, the suggestion in the comments of Cezanne did influence the final outcome... .........as did the mark making of another famous artist. Bet you can guess who that was in this close up.

To finish this post, I'd like to share another image from the famous Constance Howard mural. This is the only man featured in the hanging, talking/lecturing/instructing a group of ladies. Another of my displacement activities this week has been to refine my list of talks and gathering and sorting the visual images to support these. Just need to post my CV and list of talks and workshops to a number of organisations that may be interested. More displacement?

Just hope my future audiences will be just as attentive. I love the chicken feeding and apple picking in the background.

Textile Treasures

This seems to be a very relevant photo for my blog, it is part of a wonderful textile, described at the end of this post.














Unfortunately the dog portrayed is not a Schnauzer... but its a lovely dog all the same.

Went over to Denman College near Marcham ( Oxfordshire) today. They have a very special week this week..... get along there if you can.... you will not be disappointed. Click here for a link

An Exhibiton called " Textile treasures of the WI" drew my attention. Gill -my internet buddy had invirted me over to visit, as she is staying there all week to welcome members and non-members to see the work on display. You may be able to catch the full exhibition near to where you live, as ICHF are exhibiting the show around the country.... click here for details of where.




















Some exquisite work is on show, drawn from the collection of the Womens Institute. Quite amazing. Banners made in the 1920's look as fresh and as beautiful as the day they were made. It was interesting to see work that had originally belonged to the Needlework Develpment Scheme ( which disbanded in 1970) on display alongside these WI banners and tablecloths. This is one of our favourites.




















The staircase of Denman College also had some visual delights, a range of traditional smocks. The embroidery was so dine.















Then Gill took me off to see one of the highlights of textile art at Denman College. In 1952 they were given a textile mural designed by Constance Howard and made by students at Goldsmiths College. the mural is called Country Life. See here for information on Constance. It is rumoured that one of the students pieces is made by Mary Quant. It is in need of restoration, and must confess I would love to learn how to restore a valuable textile such as this.
This collaged Mural was made for the Festival of Britain

End of the tennis

Wimbledon is over, and we haven't eaten any of this seasons strawberries yet. However, a treat is in store for us this evening. Finding British Strawberries has been quite difficult this summer. The local Asda store had loads from USA, but the British berries were at the back of the top shelf in the chiller. A long way for strawberries to come, from the USA... global warming comes to mind, to get them here. I am sure they were delicious too. Pleased we found local ones though.

To go with them, we have some "naughty but nice" ....yes cream....

Making my mouth water just thinking about them.

Have not done any more stitching to the landscape picture from the last post. I am still thinking about what I am going to do.

Have spent some time photographing the instruction booklet that came with the Wilcox and Gibbs machine. It was very fragile, and I was going to photocopy it, but it is even too fragile for that, so I now have a digital copy. Brillaint.

Will have to add to this post later........ its strawberyy time......... yipeeeee.

Up Early............flowers and other stitching excitements...

The sun was shining today for a change, and it was sunny, so I could not get back to sleep. At 6.30am I was in the garden and noticed how everything had grown because of all that rain I assume. I have never seen such large buddhlia flowers, and last year these were pale pink.

The Hydrangea has managed to stay white, and is a joy to look at. Just starting to burst.

The Fuchsia buds are starting to open at last. Its been a long wait this year.

Then........................after some chores......back to the excitement.................but soon realised I had not engaged brain before I started !

I took some green calico ( muslin), that I had dyed last year, and also cut up a red chiffon ribbon that had been around a bouquet of flowers, and with my W & G started stitching it down. (Had an image in my head of ploughed fields in the summer.) This is called sketching with fibre, in other words no paperwork designs first.

It did not take me long to realise that the chain stitch is underneath, and I want it on top. How will I know where the ribbon is ---- if I stitch from the back (Have I lost you yet? bear with me).

My other friend came to the rescue............................

This is where 1883 meets Summer 2005 ( Have I really had the embellisher 2 years? How time flies). As you all know, the embellisher pushes the fabric through to the back... in other words...guidelines. How clever is that?

Feeling really pleased with myself..... so with Scissor Sisters CD (Ta-Dah) blasting out to the stereo, I am hand cranking my W & G to the music....fantastic rhythm

So here is a close up of some of it............ back to work now............... better give the W & G some more oil. Have loads more stitching to do........ when I have finished will let you have another look.

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Have updated this a few hours later.......

Did you know it is 07-07-07 today?? ...... I have only just realised!

Have been stitching for a while this afternoon...... had to change the music to Phil Collins... But Seriously -Cd, the pace of the Scisssors Sisters was making my arm ache.

As promised next instalment. Now I think I need to sit back and look at it for a while, before I carry on. Any thoughts are most welsome..... leave them in the comments please.

Antique or Contemporary

So......... its little and large, or traditional and contemporary, or old and new. These machines were made 114 years apart, one in 1883 and the other in 1997......Mmmmmm..... I love them both, but for different reasons.

My trusty Bernina, can be hooked up to the computer and I can stitch anything my heart desires...... I do need an electricity supply, and an abundance of knowlege to make it work.... but I love it just the same!

My W & G will happily stitch -just using elbow grease, and look at the quality of the stitch. I spent this afternoon doodling on the piece I had started in a previous post, curves, wavy lines, straight lines, so soothing to just stitch! (If you click on the photo it will enlarge)

Confession.... kept looking for the foot control!! Brain is not engaged to hand machine operation after all these years of electric. Made me giggle!

Suspect you will have to suffer a few more posts of me raving about the W & G.......... hope you are not bored by my rabbiting on.

I like todays Art quote:-

Art is born of humiliation.W. H. Auden

Back to my stitching now.

Waiting for.........

This one is just for Maggie G. ...... photo of ......Herr Schnauzer. The adolescent puppy who has matured into the truculent teenager.

I must have read your thoughts this morning, Maggie. I had just brushed and combed him before dh had to go out, and here he is waiting with dh's slippers, by the front door waiting for the return of his master. Aaaahhhhh -so cute. Just had to take a photo.




"Home alone"

Cotswold Day out

Met up with my internet pal Gill today , we met in Cirencester. We were very good and gave the chocolate shop a miss. Gill could not resist going into Sahara and buying a lovely linen skirt. I was sorely tempted, but resisted.

Went back to Gill's for a lovely lunch, and to admire her fabulous newly furnished studio. It was good to have a chat too. Gill is off for a few days to the Textile Treaures Exhibition at Denman College ( click here for details). I hope to be able to go along next week. Gill showed me some photographs of a few of the textiles which will be on show.

Gill lives in the middle of the Cotswolds and the drive to her house is really interesting. She drew me a map to get back to the main road..... I did get lost..... the roads are narrow, and do not have names. As you can see from the map, its turn left when you get to the long wall at the bottom, etc etc. Yes Gill.... I did get home safely!! Some very steep hills and one track roads in the Cotswolds...... not sure I would want to visit in the ice and snow!! Lovely day. Thanks Gill.

The Excitement

As promised will give you the results of the mystery stitching. I suspect quite a few of you guessed, but were too bashful to leave the answer. Here it is:-

Can you tell, Siamese is as excited as I am. Here's a better photo.

I bought it from e-bay and absolutely love it. It stitches beautifully and so fine. It came with the box, and a number of original attachments, oil can and loads of needles, and most importantly the instruction book.

Did you know, originally it came with an oilstone to sharpen the needles. Love the idea, recycling the needles instead of buying new. The only problem with this machine was the belt was broken, but I ordered a new one from e-bay ( loads of it , as it was for a treadle), fitted it this morning. Now is stitching fantastically. Here's the proof.

This is the chain stitch side, and that is the side I intend to use. Isn't it fine?

I cannot see the hole in the needle to thread the machine up and it is too fine for my needle threader.... so its a case of guesswork. Such fun!

Also had to find a fine crochet hook from the stash, to help me thread the machine.

I am so happy, I do love sewing machines, whatever their age.

I think I can blame my father for my love of mechanical things. He would annoy my poor mother by taking his motor bike engine apart on her kitchen table. I would be roped in to help with piston rings and the like. Anything that needed a delicate touch or small fingers. I grew up with the smell of engine oil! My house would be full of all sorts of sewing machines,if husband would let me, especially if they needed repair and TLC. Just love them.

Lots of Excitements.........

Can you guess what this excitement is about ? Here is a taster, actually 2 tasters.

Taster 1.

Ok - so this is the right side of the fabric, and yes I can hear you, ordinary stitching!!! Keep reading........

Here is taster 2.

.

This is the wrong side of the fabric. So my question is: Do you know what stitched this wonderful stitching??? Bet lots of you have got it right now. Answers in the comments please!

I will reveal all later this evening when I have returned from my Yoga session.

The other excitement is - I had to go to Cirencester yesterday and dropped into the Brewery Arts Crafts shop... like you do...... and bought these..... it was the colour I fell in love with first and then the simple but elegant shape. Drawback..... the large pot is for olives..... I don't eat olives!!! duh!!! the little one is for stones....... so I thought I would put cherries in them. Looked in Tesco and cherries at half price are £3.99. So maybe not!

See you later.......

Batik Dyeing

I have ironed and then washed my batiks. they now all need a second ironing. As I said in a previous post, they are all illustrative pieces of work. Not quite sure where I will go with them from here......... if you have any good ideas ........please share them with me.

Here they are.

Bowl of blooms

Tea Dance

Siamese Cat

Leaves and stuff.

Diana Memorial Concert and latest.

Well....... did you watch it? Have a look ........ here....... Thought it was a great show. Wembly was fantastic as a venue. What a shame it is constantly used for football! Utter waste .......

Rod Stewart sang my song....Maggie May..... Why did I stand him up at Sloane Square Underground station when we were both at Art School?? I could have been a rich wife! Yeah dream on................ We all used to meet up at the Six Bells pub in Kings Road and then this particular evening we went on to a party in the Fulham Road, that's where I met him. Forgot the date though and therefore stood him up, apparently he was pretty miffed with me!! He did not last long at Art School.

Also remember Reg Dwight bashing the upright piano down the bottom end of the Kings Road in another pub we used to frequent. He performed at the concert last night too, brilliant performance at the start and finish.

Great times we used to have, but a long time ago now. So pleased that younger generations are still enjoying the music we helped to ferment. Enough of past times, back to the present.

Now I promised to tell you about the purchases from Urchfont. I was very restrained. What do you think? I was such a good girl!

Today I went to the Embroiderers Guild Marlborough Branch,

(Marlborough High Street)

to a most enjoyable and informative talk. It was about Chinese Embroideries, Miao Embroideries to be precise... click here for some pictures and information.

Anyone living or visiting the West of England can catch an Exhibition in Bristol called" The Happy People" it runs from 8th September to 20th October 2007. For more details ..... click here

Wonderful Day

I am writing this blog up whilst watching the Diana Memorial concert at Wembley. Watching on the TV- I am not actually there! So if I make typo errors , accept my apologies.

I have just returned from Urchfont Manor in Wiltshire, a truly inspirational day and lots of exhibitions and opportunity to shop. When I woke up this morning, I grabbed my laptop and cup of tea and planned to have a lazy time surfing the blogs......... then I read Maggie G's blog, and realised it was July 1st and the Urchfont Open Day. So quick shower and putting the face on, and breakfast and off we drove..... great day.

On the way to Urchfont - I saw this- If you click on this picture, it will enlarge and you can see the little birds the thatcher created on the ridge of the thatched roof. Obviously his signiature, as so many of the thatched roofs in this area have these. Do you use an individual signiature on your work? Something to think about.


Lots to see at Urchfont , I started by sending dh to buy the homemade cakes, chocolate fudge cake and apricot and cherry. Yum Yum.

There was a lovely small exhibition of Val Campbell Harding' work in the sitting room at the Manor, and appropriately showing the work of many of her students. It was a taster of the exhibition we will see at the Knitting and Stitching shows, that Maggie Grey and Jane Lemon are putting together. Click Here and scroll down the page to see details for the K & S show..

Here is one of her A2 teaching boards.



Maggie tells me thay have completed about 16 A1 boards of Vals teaching samples so far. Quite a mommoth task and I for one am very grateful to them both for undertaking this work. I know that Val was a prolific worker and inspired so many of us with her books and her many courses.

This is a piece of work that Maggie did last year with Val ( isn't it beautiful), and apologies to Jane, I neglected to photograph her fantastic bag. If you look very carefully on the table, you can see it its circular, maroony red with tassels.... exquisite.

Next I went to the Stable yard, great exhibitions there and it was good to see Sian Martin. Sian had her masterclass exhibiting as well as her Distant Stitch students. It was lovely to have a chat and see that Sian was exhibiting alongside her masterclass. Fantastic work, always an inspiration, as I am sure all her students will agree. If you are interested in the City and Guilds course, Sian does teach as an online distance tutoring package - for details click here, as well as at Urchfont Manor.

Sian runs a summer school for her Distance learners every summer at Urchfont Manor, and I know that this year they will have Maggie Grey as a guest tutor as well. It starts tomorrow, and I bet they will have a great time, must admit I feel very envious of them. Maybe Maggie will be able to tell us a little more about it on her blog when she returns on Wednesday.

It was also great to meet Jenny, who knew who I was, because she reads my blog, what a small world....... Hi Jenny, you will have to start blogging now! If I remember rightly, Jenny is a machine knitter. Hope you enjoyed the exhibitions and the atmosphere as much as I did.

In the Masterclass exhibition there was some truly georgeous work. Have a closer look at Val Williams shoes.... can you see the creepy bugs. She is a gifted artist, and works extremely hard too.

and.......... isn't this jug amazing?

Here is a small selection of other artsits. Just wish I could show them all. Hopefully you will be able to see their work in the future.

Patricia Hubbard

Carol Griffin

So what did I buy, as always there are wonderful traders in attendance. Well from Art Van Go, I bought some art supplies, and Myfanwy was there too, of Winefrid Cottage, and also Artway ( who used to be Pennies from Heaven) and I bought some lovely hand made paper from them.

Status Quo are playing at Wembly now.... can you hear me singing..... ? rocking all over the world... yeah!!! Here we go...... laptop is jiving........ wow..... great stuff!!! Can only be Status Quo. No good got to get up and rock!

More later......................................