Knitting & Stitching

Well, despite all the threats of the weathermen I did make it to Harrogate for the Knitting & Stitching show on Friday.  We were lucky because our snow didn't arrive until yesterday and we saw very little of it all the way to Harrogate.  My dear DH stayed home to look after mum for me, what a trooper!  

I decided before I went that I would take the day very steadily and not do my usual trick of running round like a demented chicken trying to see everything and as a result I had a lovely relaxed day.  I did think though that there were less stands than other years.  Not all exhibitors allowed photographs but I did manage a few.

This cheerful Santa greeted everyone as we came in and, in the manner of these displays, everything was knitted, including the grandfather clock.  

The first main exhibit was Clyde Olliver's 'Transitions', which included a variety of materials and forms.  I had seen the piece below when it was on display at the Hub near me but it was good to have another look.  I am always intrigued by the combination of stitch and slate together with rusty pieces. 

 There were a couple of pieces like the one below made from shaped slate in what looked like its natural state with stitch incorporated into it.  I love slate and I think this piece would be quite relaxing to live with. 

I didn't manage to find Maggie Grey's stand although I believe she was there but I did find this piece below of hers on the stand of Wessex Textile Artists.

The piece is entitled 'The Long Diary' and includes digital images of the many places Maggie has travelled to in the course of her work.

As well as the main halls displays are set up in the refreshment area in the basement (as I call it) and many of the colleges offering textile course had stands there and were offering inspiration packs (more of that shortly).

Needless to say this area is a hive of activity at lunchtime.

Suitably refreshed I made it back up to the main halls for a little retail therapy, trying very hard to stick to my short list and budget.   

  

I have been thinking about getting Jane Dunnewold's book for sometime and having had a look through it at K&S decided it was for me.  It is packed with information and hopefully I will get plenty of time to read it while sitting with mum.

I couldn't resist these fabric sample packs from Textile Techniques who specialise in hand-made textiles from around the world.  I love shibori fabrics but doing it myself is so painful for my hands that I couldn't resist the ones above.  There should actually be 6 pieces but one is hiding!  Similarly the green themed fabrics were irresistible for their colour!  what can I say?  I'm a weak woman ;-)

These inspiration packs were put together by students on textile courses and were very cheap!

I did buy one or two other basic supplies but my biggest sin was a lightweight computerised Janome for taking to classes and sewing days.  I got £50 off plus a free darning foot and it will free up my poor little basic Janome for playing with paper, metal and rusted fabric which I have always been too scared to sew on the machine in case it damaged it.  No excuse now for not playing, except that while Mum's here I haven't got anywhere to set it up.  My new machine is the Janome BCC30 which is being sold to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness so I have done a little bit for charity too.

I was really looking forward to seeing the Julia Caprara retrospective and I was not disappointed.  I never met Julia when she was alive but I so admire her beautiful colourful work and her powerful, energetic sketchbooks.  

Excuse the reflections from the glass case in the photograph above.

This wonderful detail is from a larger piece and when I saw some of Julia's work several years ago at Festival of Quilts it encouraged me to start this journey that I have been on with stitch and fabric.  I particularly like the way she put colours together and used different textures of thread and stitch to build her work.

What else caught my eye?  BOLT:Echoes was a fascinating stand and Jean Littlejohn's sea paintings which incorporated stitch and beads  were  mesmerising.  I'm sure she had used Zwarowski crystals as they sparkled beautifully (and didn't look as tacky as you may be thinking they sound).  I did take photographs but was asked not to put them on the blog.  If you follow the link to Bolt you can also explore work by Jessica Abraham and Linda Westerman who also had their exhibition 'Exposed and Eroded' at Harrogate. Speaking of echoes, Gizella K Warburton's work, which was close by Clyde Olliver's stand, echoed the colours of his slate works (just by coincidence). Gizella's works were in very muted colours and had wonderful frayed edges.  Again, no photos, sorry.

Yesterday morning we awoke to a little of the white stuff

 

nothing by Northumberland's standards but enough to make me glad my trip to Harrogate was on Friday.  My studio has ice on the inside of the windows and I had a happy few minutes taking photographs that I hope will be very useful for textures in Photoshop.

My DH is being a star in helping with Mum and looked after her while I went to the Show.  He even offered to help her with her shower, a quick hose down in the yard!!! :-)  He needs something to distract him - his computer has been infected and needs a complete clean out.  Whatever will he do while it's away?!  Heaven help us! ;-)