Log Cabin Birds

I usually have a bird on the go and  have made a whole lot to take to Staithes this weekend and hopefully will have some left over for Knit and Stitch at Alexandra Palace. People keep asking me if I am going to put more in my on line shop ( at etsy) which has been looking decidedly empty so have decided to release these two and make them available for sale on online. Here is a  LINK if you are interested. Every bird I make is completely unique, there have never been two the same and the patchwork background is very old and also special. I find it very difficult to let them go!

Beamish

Interesting day at Beamish getting a sneak preview at some of the objects that Tate Britain have selected to show in their major British Folk Art exhibition next summer. Here are some of my favourites.

Two lovely Victorian pincushions

God in a Bottle x 4

Boudie ware

Victorian signature quilt from Gateshead

Staithes

At the end of next week I pack up and move temporarily to Staithes to take part in the Festival there ( Sat14th and Sun15th September). I am in residence at "Singing Waters" down near the harbour and hope some of you might come and see me there. This is the second year of the festival and promises to be even better with more than one hundred artists involved and scores of houses and cottage open with pop up galleries and cafes. There will be walks, talks, workshops and music events throughout the weekend.There is a concert on Saturday evening and an outdoor film show of Staithes Heritage pictures and a finale concert on Sunday evening. To find out more please click on this LINK.

I will be showing a mixture of printmaking and textiles but it is quite a small space so mostly small prints. I have made quite a lot of new seaside inspired monotypes to persuade you a day out at this Festival might be a good idea!

Generous

Adjective (of a person) Showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected. Showing kindness toward others.

Synonyms liberal - bounteous - bountiful - munificent - lavish At Festival of Quilts I was so happy to make new contacts with people from all over the world and talk to other artists about their work. One artist was very supportive in what they said about my work and I was almost tearful when I received a gift box from them last week with many precious fragments of textiles for me to "use" in my work. These picture show only a small proportion of the lovely things contained within the beautifully wrapped parcel. True generosity. Thank you again if you get to see this and I have already cut one piece up and incorporated it into a new collage.

Elizabeth

Detail picture of a textile collage nearly finished today. It just needs ironing and a border . It incorporates an old piece of unfinished petit point and the back of a 1930s hexagon quilt and other bits and pieces. Quite a lot of hand embroidery keeping it together. It is to hang with a skirt I am working on in the studio. The girl reminds me a little of Elizabeth Taylor! It is quite a pretty palette and one I don't usually work with but the quilt fragment is leading the colour scheme at the moment.

Design for Appliqué

Can't wait to turn this embroidery drawing into an applique design

Studio time

Back in the studio today making new work.