The Shop Floor Project

Have a look at the Shop Floor Project's blog for today ( listed as The Shopkeepers Journal in Blogs I am following). My daughter has just embarked on a massive screen printing project documenting some strange British folk customs. This range called Country Pursuits is available exclusively from them. If you sign up to their e- newsletter you get some lovely tempting products appearing regularly in your in box.

Alice is also featured in May's Marie Claire with her Royal Wedding celebratory poster.. She is overtaking me!

MAKE

There are still some places left on the "Precious Memories" course I am running at MAKE in Allendale on May 22nd. See http://makerecycledcraftworkshop.bigcartel.com for booking details. One of the big attractions of the course, apart from learning to bring together special sentimental items into a textile collage like this, must surely be the lovely lunch provided by the Allendale Bakery next door and a chance to work with a small number of other students in Kate Jackson's inspirational workplace.

Flower

Shepherds Dene

Have been hanging work all day within rooms at Shepherds Dene, a retreat house near Riding Mill. Shepherds Dene was built in 1906 and is an outstanding example of the Arts and Crafts movement, using high quality natural materials, which have stood the test of time. It is surrounded by 20 acres of gardens and grounds with lots of woodland and a walled garden.

The exhibition brings together the work of myself, Jane Veitch, Teresa Toms, Cathy Duncan, Kim Lewis, Penny Cuthbert and Jenny Mathers. We form the "Overlap Group" and meet every 6 weeks or so to crit each others' work. We each have a room or section of the house showcasing our work. The house is not normally open to the public though many people pass through it every day as it provides residential and day courses. We will be having an open afternoon and evening in May and June when you will be able to gain access to this wonderful house and garden and have a look at our work. I will post information at a later date.

Entrance to house

Looking out of the window from the Terrace Room where my work is hung.

On the Terrace

Many comfortable chairs and quiet places to sit all around the house

Lush William Morris carpeting

and original Arts and Crafts wallpapers

Spring distractions

I am making slow progress with my Maidens Garland work because I have been spending every spare minute this week gardening in the lovely weather. I have completely redesigned my front garden and on the allotment have planted broad beans, red and white onion sets, shallots, gladioli and first early potatoes. I keep a mood board going on my studio wall which reminds me of what I should be doing........

Variations on a Theme

Some new work made for an exhibition opening at the end of March at Shepherds Dene, a beautiful Arts and Crafts style country house near Riding Mill.

Newcastle Vintage Fashion Fair

Some of you may remember the wonderful vintage fairs at the Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle. The last one was some years ago and vintage addicts like myself really miss it. Anyway instead of moaning about it fellow old things junkie Jayne Turner http://missjayneemma.blogspot.com. and I have decided to revive it ! We are at the stage of taking bookings and already have quite a number of quality vintage fashion dealers on our lists. For more information please click on the image and get in touch with us.