Thread and Thrift Workshop

I still have places left on the Thread and Thrift Workshop at The Shipley Art Gallery on Saturday 20th October. This course is all about Folk Art inspired appliqué and stitch and you get to work on bits of old quilt or lovely tweed and wool backgrounds. Book through my web site HERE.I will show you how to build up a folk art picture of your own, how to make templates, cut and sew the components and embellish with stitch.

 If you want to see some samples of this type of "handiwork" then come and see me at The Shipley this Saturday for their "Threaded Together" day which brings together  embroiderers, quilters, lace makers and offers free workshops with acclaimed textile artist  Deirdre Nelson.

Bernina and the Burrell at Berwick

Working on my machine on to the bonded backgrounds of my pieces for the Berwick exhibition.

Pinterest

I admit it I am totally addicted to Pinterest ! I try and limit it to 15 minutes a day when I am listening to The Archers after supper but could spend  large parts of every day on it as it is such a delight. For those of you who haven't heard of it it is a way of creating noticeboards on to which you pin pictures you like from the internet or repin from other people's boards.  It is visually educative and supports one's practice ( thats  what I like to tell myself) and leads to new discoveries. If you are already hooked then please start "following" me so I can find you too.

Newcastle Vintage Fashion and Textiles Fair

I have been packing up fliers to send out to our dealers for our next Vintage Fair. We have a strong cast of people with beautiful clothes, accessories and textiles who come from all over the UK to be at our fair. This is what makes ours the best in the North East! Put the date in your dairy NOW.
If you are interested in having a stall I am sorry but we were completely booked up within 3 weeks of the last fair in May. We are looking to expand next year though.

Bonding and the Burrell at Berwick

Working on the commission today. Have sorted out lots of blue and white fabrics to use. Its always important to me to use materials wherever possible that I already have, have been given or have recycled from our cast off clothes. Started bonding collage pieces on to the backgrounds. In this piece I am working on one of the very elegant oriental ladies on one of the vases. The rest of the pieces I am working on are all to do with the natural imagery - flowers, leaves, birds and insects.

Pele Tower Vintage and Craft Fair

Shipley Lates tomorrow but on Saturday (29th September) I shall be having a stall at a little Vintage and Craft Fair  held in the Pele Tower in Corbridge. Its free to get in and on from 10am till 4pm. Call in and see me if you are around the area.

Backgrounds for Burrell at Berwick

Working on backgrounds. Here are bits ( originally a white damask tablecloth)  laid out all over my sun room floor at the beginning of the day....

and by the end of the day they have turned into these textures and marks,  already for appliqué and embroidery.

Not sure at the moment if the marks are too dominant, they are taken from torn up photocopies of my drawings which I have transfer printed on to a painted background. A few days  of reflection now  before I move on with this project.