Embroidery Exhibition

You wait for weeks for a blog post and then 2 come along together!  Today I've been down to Art & Stitch in Peterborough to see an exhibition by Peterborough Embroiderers Guild celebrating their 25th birthday.  The exhibition contained a wide variety of work, all of it to a very high standard and very inspiring.  I only had my point and shoot camera with me so my photos area bit fuzzy but I hope they give you an idea of the exhibition.

Er Zullen Altijd Wel Soldaten Zijn (There Will Always be Soldiers) Elaine Harburn.  This moving piece features transferred photos of a family of World War One soldiers embellished with found objects.  I liked the added layer of sheer fabric strips.

Memory Box by Kate Isaacs.  This beautiful box is made of old lace, doillies and fabrics from a scarp box, enhanced wit stitch, all with memories of the past.

This beautiful altered book and the one below is by Lin Oxley.  Fabulous work!

A Warm Glow by Pamela McDonald above started life as a vessel but soon became a lamp.  The following three pieces are also by Pamela and combine to form 'Time Passes'.  You can read about it in more detail on her blog where she also has more images of the exhibition.  Scroll down through a few recent posts so you don't miss anything.  You won't be disappointed.

Above is 'Sylvia's Workbox' also by Pamela McDonald.  I was mesmerised by this beautiful subtly coloured piece.  It is a tribute to a multi-talented friend whose workbox Pamela inherited.  There is so much detail in it you could look at it for hours and not see it all.  It is in a canvas and I think is about 24" square.  What a wonderful way to honour the life of a creative soul.

I think this beautiful altered book above is another by Lin Oxley.  The book is by Catherine Cookson in case you wondered.  All that central detail is pages rolled over on themselves.  The colour is a bit off but hopefully you get the idea.  

Paula Mason made this piece above to celebrate a very busy Summer 2012. 
 

These 24 pieces arose from a Toltec challenge whereby the same pattern could be interpreted in any materials.  There are some lovely interpretations.

If you live in the Peterborough area there is still time to visit the exhibition which finishes on Sunday 14 October.  There is much more to see than the few glimpses I have shown here and there is the added bonus of shopping in Art & Stitch!

Hiatus

Have you noticed how, once there's a bit of a break in your blogging routine it gets harder and harder to start blogging again?  Just lately I have been finding it quicker and easier to throw a few words on Facebook and my poor blog has been sadly neglected.  I had so much to share with you and it's all still waiting patiently to be aired.

If you do connect with me on Facebook you will know that we have just had our annual pilgrimage to St Ives.  Two weeks of blissfully drinking in the wonderful light and colours and listening to the sea pound against the shore outside our rented flat. 

A certain lady who 'Loves Stitching Red' enjoying the view from our kitchen.

We saw Porthmeor Beach in all its moods including this early morning rainbow. 

We were even treated to a few sunsets

Following on from my workshop with Dionne Swift at Festival of Quilts I was excited to do some sketchbook work while we were away and I'm pleased to say I got quite a lot done.

These are collaged cottages made from waxed paper, newsprint and magazine paper.

 Inktense pencils above.

Background from my screen printing and squares from a collage project.

Collage inspired by St Ives.

Playing about with paint effects and masking tape resist.

I didn't have any acrylic paint with me other than white so I painted a base of vaguely cottage shapes in white acrylic and then added detail with Koh-i noor dye paints.

Our Sunday walk to Carbis Bay saw me picking up leaves which I collaged to a background of black tissue.  Once the piece had dried I pasted over torn coloured tissue papers.

Scavenging on the beach I found scraps of different tyre treads so printed with them.

The greaseproof paper I used as a pallette was torn up and applied to a painted background.

I had fun cutting out the alphabet from a magazine and filled in the background with Inktense pencils which I should probably add water to to bring out their strength of colour.  Can you spot the not-deliberate error?

Our visit to St Ives coincided with the annual September Festival and there was plenty going on in the town.

There was evidence of Yarn-bombing on the harbourside with Jo McIntosh's knitted bunting.  Jo held a joint exhibition  with Carolyn Saxby earlier in the year which sadly we missed.

This pretty little view is from Madeleine's Tea Room in the centre of St Ives.  If you ever go you must call in there and sample their delicious homemade cakes and cream teas.  

Various singing groups and Morris Dancers performed in the streets and you can see from their expressions how much effort they put in and how much fun they were having.

The RNLI opened up their station for a coffee morning and I found this view from inside the station fascinating. 

The surface of the lifeboat provided some interesting patterns.

I was also drawn to these markings on the bow of the lifeboat.  Maybe they'll appear in a future piece of work.  

Needless to say my eyes were open all the time for textures and patterns around us and I'llshow you some of those next time.  I'm going to be really busy for the next few days as I am going to th Knitting and Stitching Show on Saturday and then continuing down to Sussex for my beautiful stepdaughter's hen party!  We're going to Goodwood for their last race meeting of the season so if you're going be afraid, be very afraid! LOL

Opening Day Postcript

With many thanks to Ray at Stitchcraft I now have a photo of Wendy's sewing machine cover houses.

I think if I made one it would have to look like a Cornish cottage :o)

Opening Day!

Saturday dawned a beautiful sunny and warm day and I presented myself bright and fairly early at Stitchcraft Studio for their Opening Day event.  I hadn't really known what to take with me or what to expect but hoped the day would be well attended.

Kathryn and Christine had already hung some of my quilts on the wall behind my area. The second from the right is not mine but is by my friend Wendy Skinner who was also in attendance with some of her quilts and her beautiful sewing machine covers.

As there wasn't much hanging space I laid my journal quilts out on the table and invited people to pick them up if they wanted to.   My portraits of DH and I attracted a lot of attention and laughs, especially as my DH is quite well known locally from his years working at the hospital.

I took a range of work going right back to when I first started stitching and before I had ever thought of making anything with the word 'quilt' attached to it.  I felt quite delighted to have my name in 'lights' LOL

My companion in the studio (one of several workrooms at Stitchcraft) was Wendy Skinner who, amazingly, started me on this journey more years ago than we'd both care to remember when I joined her Painting for Pleasure group.  Both Wendy and I were kept busy all day with a constant stream of people popping in for a look at all the work and for a chat.  I am sorry to say that I don't have a photograph of Wendy's lovely sewing machine cover houses as I had a problem with my camera. but if you have Fabrications magazine from April/May 2012 her pattern is in there.

As we were somewhat trapped in the room with our quilts we didn't get to see any other proceedings in the lecture room and the shop but when we eventually emerged it was to find the shop had been hectic all day and the talk by Dawn Cameron-Dick had been well received. 

The shop looked wonderfully tempting now it was more fully equipped and I came home with a few Valdani threads.

I had hoped to show you how busy the venue was throughout the day but as I said, my camera let me down so the photos above have been kindly supplied by Christine's husband.  Take my word for it, the place was jumping!

To round off the day Kathryn and Christine asked me if I would consider leading one or two small workshops so I am going to give it some thought.  I get very anxious about standing up in front of people or trying to describe the procedures for making something but maybe I'll give it a go.

I mustn't forget to thank Heather and Joe for keeping us supplied with refreshments all day.

So, after all the excitement of the launch day I wish everyone at Stichcraft the very best of luck and success for the future.  I'll see you soon.

Stitchcraft Studio

In just seven days' time a new and exciting venture will open in Grantham and I for one can't wait!  We are going to get our very own quilting, patchwork and stitching centre!   Until now we have had to travel for shopping and workshops but very soon all this will be on our doorstep!  I've blogged about Stitchcraft before when I first went to meet the ladies who are starting it up but it's now looking much more like a shop and the workshop is already in use.

When I called in on Friday Sharon, above, was already  bringing everyone up to speed on the first workshop she is going to be teaching on basic patchwork.

The cafe is lovely and large and airy and is being cleared of its previous occupants to make way for lots of happy stitchers we hope.

Just one side of the shop with its stock of dyes and fabric paints ready stocked and fabrics beginning to fill the shelves.  I had a sneak preview and there are some beautiful, very tempting fabrics on display!

This is where I will be on Saturday morning (8 September), sharing my quilts and sketch/notebooks and talking to people about my journey towards textile art over the last 5 years.  My friend Wendy Skinner, who actually started me on the whole art journey back in 1988 (!) will also be showing her textile art.  Dawn Cameron Dick is giving a lecture entitled 'One Woman Quilt Show' and also a one hour quilting demonstration  so the place will be jumping.

If you live in the East Midlands (UK) or are anywhere near Grantham on Saturday come and give me some moral support and be in on the start of this new venture.  I have no affiliation but I do wish Kathryn, Christine, Sharon and all the tutors who have made a commitment to Stitchcraft the very best of luck and a long and happy stitching future in Grantham.  If you can't come on Saturday please spread the word. (Facebook page for Stitchcraft is here).  These are difficult days to be starting a new business but hopefully Stitchcraft will become a happy meeting place for local stitchers.