Anticipation- new workshop

I have decided to run a workshop at Avant on my new passion -alcohol Inks- I have had a few for a long time and have only rarely used them, as not really sure what I could do with them.

However after looking at Pintrest re alcohol inks, I bought a book- like you do!!! I also purchased quite a few additional colours, some yupo paper and alcohol rubbing ink.

I have managed to make a few samples, on yupo paper, encaustic paper, canvas and fabrics- silk works really well!

I am going to have a go on leather, tile, glass and metal.

You can achieve some very strange effects, by manipulation and sheer luck.

The workshop is Tuesday 24th May 10.00-4.00 at Avant Garden Centre, Wigan Road, Leyland PR25 5XW 01772 433777. £40.00 which includes full tuition, a light lunch and refreshments. Contact Avant to book and obtain the requirement list.

I will add photos of my masterpieces when I get home.

Encaustic Workshop

Hi I have just got back from the sunny climes of Haslingden!

I ran an encaustic wax workshop for a lovely set of ladies who are also carers or have been carers in the past.

The day went well, with most of the ladies making earrings or pendants. One lady started a lovely bangle for her little Great Grandaughter in delicate pinks and silver using foam board, whilst another lady decided jewellery was too fiddly and made 3 bookmarks.

Below are some photos taken on the day.

Hopefully many will wear their precious unique earrings and pendants with pride.

Capability Brown

The Embroiderers Guild are holding exhibitions all over the country which will run together with  Capability Brown's anniversary.

I have been working on a few pieces and below are  my latest

Applique piece worked at an EG workshop with Gillian Travers

Piece set onto painted canvas with stencilling

close up

layered  fabrics including sheers and velvets which have been free machined stitched.

Layered - workshop

Hi feeling pretty grim at the moment with a dreaded cold for which I do not have time!!!

However managed to run a very successful workshop on Tuesday 23rd Feb at Avant Garden Centre.

I had seven students, and although some where more experienced at machine embroidery, most only seemed to get their base fabric together. Time really flies when you are enjoying yourselves!!

They all seemed to get the principle of free machine embroidery, and we only had a few problems with the sewing machines, which makes a nice change.

The idea was that strips of sheer fabrics, lace, ribbon etc be stitched onto a plain ground, and then embellished with free machine stitching, and made into a bag, book cover or hanging at home.

Below are some photos of the students at work and some close ups of them & their work in progress.

busy at work

deep concentration

star pupil who managed to get to the embellishing stage

Linda having a few problems with her 'tension'

Mavis looking very pensive

Liz hard at work

Anne at work

Abigail going frilly

I think its working now!!!

Obviously I started my own project to demonstrate each stage of the process, which I intend to complete and make into a bag. I will add the photo when finished-Watch this space.

my layered clutch bag

close up of free machine embroidery embellishment

avant shop

Hi all well exhibition now removed from Avant Garden Centre, and we did very well- see Natural Progression blog.

I have hired a shelving space for a month to see if I can sell some of my work,

I think it looks great, and hopefully I will do well and clear some of the stored items from my house- I need the space!!!

Here are a couple of photos- so judge for yourselves!

'Layered' machine embroidery workshop

I am arranging a new workshop at Avant Garden Centre - Students will make a bag or hanging, using layered light fabrics such as voiles and sheer materials, which have been embellished using the technique of free machine embroidery,

Details below-

'Layered' Machine Embroidery workshop with Sue Chisnall-Sumner Tuesday 23rd February 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Avant Garden Centre, Wigan Road, Leyland, Lancashire PR25 5XW 01772 433777. £40.00 which includes full tuition, a light lunch and refreshments. Contact Avant to book and obtain the requirement list.

Bag showing edges which have been made by free machine stitching into stretchy fabric on a frame and then cut out with scissors to represent seaweed.

close up of bag



The bag is made from sheer fabrics & fancy threads which have been layered and free machine stitched.
I have based the colours and textures on the Sea and Seaweed. Beads and scrim  have been added for focal point.

hanging based on a  landscape inspired by Capability Brown. I have used velvet fabrics, satin and sheers which have been free machine stitched to give texture. The trees have has dyed scrim added to give depth.

extended dates for 'Art & Soul' exhibition

Nicky and myself arrived at Avant Garden Centre yesterday at 9.30am to take down our exhibition, to be met by two good bits of news. I have sold 3 small items, two scarves and a bag, & most best of all I have sold a hanging the day before, It was my favourite, but was obviously someone else's as well.

We have also been asked to run the exhibition for a further three weeks until 26th January, so hopefully we may sell some more items.

Eileen also sold a hanging, so we have done really well.

Now Christmas and New Year are over I must start organising my next workshop at Avant, which will be on free machine embroidery, but with project in mind. I will have to work a couple of samples, so that's my project for next week.

NW Embroiderers Guild Summer School for 2016 is going well, with one workshop being virtually fully booked and the other now going well after a slow start. In February I will have to start assigning bedrooms etc, so that should be fun.

The calender for this coming year is already starting to look busy, with January and February already full with visitors, 3 workshops, a Regional Committee meeting, Patchwork classes and visits to Lytham Hall for a talk on Capability Brown and a Stitch show at Event City in Manchester.

Loads to look forward to. I will post more info and photos later.