Sunday 28 November 2010

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! ;-)


16 comments:

Heather said...

Super post Julie - I feel as if I have been to the K&S Show. Love the slate piece and Maggie's Long Diary. I did a distance learning course with Julia Caprara some time ago - she was a lovely tutor and so encouraging. I love her use of colour too and her sketch books are full of life. Hope your lovely day didn't tire you too much and that your Mum is progressing. Your husband is obviously a very good son-in-law and Mum is a very good mother-in-law.

Gina said...

Sounds like you had a lovely time in Harrogate Julie. What a super DH you have.

ju-north said...

Well, that made up for not being there! But I missed seeing you. I once did a course with Clyde O and loved it, all the drilling etc. Still have pieces of slate around the house! Love to your mum and hope DH survives without his computer ..

Maggi said...

Lovely post Julie, what a treasure DH is. You made some lovely purchases and Jane Dunnewold's book will keep you busy for ages, it is fabulous.

Su said...

Sounds a lovely day - I'm sure you're love your new sewing machine, I bought a similar janome one a few months ago and after some initial trepidation am really loving it.

Sandra Wyman said...

Sounds like a good day out Julie! The Julia Caprara exhibition was one of the real highlights of the exhibition for me. Sorry I couldn't be there on Friday but you seem to have got a lot done without me there to distract you! Hope we can get together sometime in the New Year (current weather is sending me into hibernation for the time being and everyone keeps telling me Christmas is just round the corner) Hope your Mum is making good progress. Love Sandra

Unknown said...

Glad you managed to get there Julie and your photos are lovely. I took have the Art Cloth book but so far haven't done anything from it, bad girl must do better. Love your new treasure too.

Linda Vincent said...

Great pictures Julie....some things I recognise from Ally Pally.
I'm so glad you were able to go....your DH was a star.
Enjoy all those purchases!

Katney said...

Oh, I think I need a show. You inspire me to get tickets to our Sewing and Stitchery Expo as soon as they are available. I hope the passes are clear by then--they should be, but with this winter, you never know. Maybe I should make hotel reservations NOW and not do it in one day or depend on staying with dd. It doesn't come till the end of February.

Unknown said...

Thanks for some images from K&S I had to cancel this years trip south :( Never thought (so much) snow would be a problem!

Anonymous said...

wow Julie, thanks so much for sharing your photos. Clyde Oliver's work is just amazing and so too Maggie Gray. Hope you are feeling better. xox Corrine

JP said...

so glad you got there and enjoyed the show - you have had your share of caring this year - take care of yourself too

Julie said...

JP I think I had your email address but I've lost it ;-( Could you email me please, my address is in my profile.

pam said...

Glad you had such a super trip to Harrogate - it looked a great show. Hope DH and Mum had a relaxing day. Enjoy your new machine.

mrsnesbitt said...

Wow Julie - I fel as though I was there with you too! Well we are in Day 7 of the snow and what a week it has been Thought of you and S a few times as the Pickering Road has been closed and the news programme kept showing the Dalby Forest road sign and it brought back memories of your visit here Our village was on the news too when a coach left the road at a nasty bend. I am keeping warm here at home and just keeping in touch with all my blogging friends Love to S and your mum.
Dxxx

liniecat said...

I made it to K&S too and featured that gravestone slate on my blog as well, I lusted after it right away for my own final plot!!
Put afew of Caprars work on mine as well, we have a similar eye.
Im in Hull so where abouts in lincs are you then?
Lyn