Julia Triston workshop- 'Design-Colour'

We had a great day on Sunday 19th March with Julia Triston. It was arranged by me for members of Natural Progression Textile Group, and we were joined by a further five members of One-Step-On.

It was a busy but productive day, with plenty of tearing, sticking, and glueing- Play time.

However the aim was to help us design work, by learning how colour changes and enhances.

A very complex and difficult subject to tackle, but Julia taught us how to deal with this, and how to look at colour in a different way.

Firstly we  decided which colour we each preferred and which colour we did not really like- Green won the preferred list, and either yellow or red were the most disliked. All very much subjective.

Green was the tricky one, and we did have a laugh when looking at the results of our green experiment- all in the eye of the beholder-

Believe this or not, each downward row represents a specific shade of green, you can see either how each student perceives the shade or how badly they mix their paints to achieve the outcome!!!

We all did an exercise on warm & cold colours, by collaging torn pieces from magazines, then making bundles of fabric and threads in those colour ways.

We then chose a picture or photo, isolated an area & had to work out the percentages of every colour in that area- nightmare for most of us that cannot do maths- the calculator on my phone came in very handy.

We then had to wind threads around a card, representing the amounts of each colour in ascending order- brain ache!!!

We were then given a project to make a design of our own choice in the percentages of each of the colours.

This was to mainly be in fabric and bondawebbed onto a backing- this proved difficult as my bondaweb was past its best & would not behave- however some glue and a lot of cussing proved to work in a fashion.

All work was to be in a sketch book, which could be used for future designs.

I chose to work in a Bauhaus Theme, as this is what Parbold EG will be using at an Open Day in 2019. Good planning I hope???

Action after a quiet period

Hi well March is turning out to be a busy time for me. Unfortunately I have had the dreaded vertigo, and was out of action for quite a while. I have now nearly recovered thankfully, and will have to soldier on.

I was asked to give Lytham Embroiderers Guild a workshop- 'Nifty Needle Felting' on 15th March.

My friend Caroline helped me out as driver and technician, and I am very grateful, as they had over 35 members and visitors. A huge amount of ladies to teach and help.

However due to help from Caroline and the really goodwill of the lovely ladies from Lytham, we managed, and I believe they had a great time.

We had less than two hours, so it was a bit rushed, but everyone joined in and I think all atleast started on a piece of work.

My aim was to get them to make a small item that could be finished off at home. Brooches, boxes, bracelets, needle cases etc were being constructed. I sold quite a few of my packs which contained all the materials to make either a box, bracelet or brooch, along with directions. So we may have some budding needle felters.

Here are a few photos taken by Caroline of the ladies at work, I have not included the one of me as I look very flustered, hot and fat.

                                                               

Here are some of my samples-

1" & 1 1/2" boxes

Brooch

bracelet

Group exhibition pieces

Hi its a long time since I blogged but I have been extremely busy with EG and making items for Towneley Hall.

I have at last put together the panels for our Group piece based on how far women have come since winning the right to vote and WW2. We are depicting some of the occupations that women now do, but were deemed to be mainly for men.

I can show you a sneaky peak, but if you want to see the panel in situ you will have to visit the Exhibition at Towneley Hall in July-more to follow.

I am still working on Tracey and my joint piece based on refugees. Which is pretty apt in todays political climate. Again I can show you a liitle look.

Still a few things to be done yet, but getting there.

I have managed to make some more travel tags- which will be part of our second group piece.

Now I hope I can concentrate on my own work for the exhibition!!!!

I forgot to mention completing my quilted tote bag, sewing machine mat and iron caddy. Where does the woman get her energy from??? maybe thats why I'm always flaked out!!!

Tote bag for cutting board etc

Iron caddy

Oriental Quilt

Hi well I have atlast completed my Oriental Quilt- the blocks have taken me 3 years, some traditional, but most are applique, embroidered or random.

I have used some recognisable blocks, eg Grandmothers Fan, but I also designed some myself eg
bridge and pagoda similar to a Willow Pattern, kettles and Kites.

The Trapunto blocks look really good, and I decided to use plain white or cream backgrounds, with a little hint of colour by using gold & green embroidery threads.

I was looking for a really random effect, as I dislike a set look. It was suggested that I surround each block with a black border, which would make the blocks pop and give the effect of a laquered screen.

I will never repeat the process again  as it was a complete nightmare, however I think the finished piece although certainly not perfectly stitched, looks pretty good and is in place on the bed in my guest room.

After Christmas I will take some photos of my best blocks which will show the details.

Hopefully this quilt will become a family heirloom!!!

Cabus Exhibition and craft fair

Hi well I have had a really busy two weeks, cultimating in a non appointment for my hair and a great meal out with Aqua Aerobics. I will explain that due to a serious crash on the M6 all roads into Preston were completely grid locked, and where is my hairdressers? you have guessed, yes, the other side of Preston. Hence a one hour car drive only gor me a few miles, and after stopping in desperation, I decided to fuel up my stomach and spend more money in a craft shop, Then I decided to go back home with messy hair.

Anyway the exhibition at Cabus Village Hall looked good, photos of my pieces below-

needle felted piece above, with two wet felted pieces based on Peru

'Upset Stomacher' and 'Double it', both appliqued &  machine embroidered, the lower one is needle felted.

Not brilliant photos, but you get the idea?

We had decided to do a craft stall on the Sunday- maybe not a good move as hardly anyone visited, I think due to so many other events going on in the area. It certainly was not due to the hard work the organiser - Sue from Blossoming Art, put in. She advertised it well, had organised food and planned the event down to the last detail.

However I managed to sell some items, which covered my costs with a little to sell. Caroline sold a needle felted brooch, but unfortunately Nicky did not sell anything.

We had plenty of admirers, but not many buyers.

Never mind better luck next time I hope.

Nicky trying to hide

Well hidden

screen with silk scarves(green one sold) and Nicky's beautiful pictures

Any surface will do even an old piano

looking a bit messy, but its organised chaos.

Please look at Parbold E.G. News on pegstitchers1.blogspot.co.uk for photos on our exciting December meeting re Christmas Challenge.

The Tree House cafe

Hi I have now set up a small display at The Tree House Unit 116 sandy Lane Centre, Sandy Lane, Skelmersdale. WN8 8LA.

Caroline and myself have rented a shelf at the above Shop/cafe.

Not alot of space, but you never know- we may sell something.

Here is a picture- not too clear as taken through glass window.

Photo showing Caroline's bag on the left and a bag of mine, plus scarves & jewellery


If you are in the vicinity drop in, lots to see & buy.

Craft Fair at Chapel Gallery 26th November

Hi sorry I haven't posted much recently. I have been very busy with craft fairs, Christmas etc etc

However Caroline and myself ran a stall in Chapel Gallery Ormskirk last Saturday, and for a change did very well. I must be a glutton for punishment!!!

I sold quite a few things, with the money going into my EG Summer School fund.

Here are a few photos of us looking fairly happy for a change- especially as we were given two stalls for the price of one! Bargain. (and the cake!!!!)

Caroline 

Close up of caroline

Me looking reasonable for a change

Actually smiling!

Posing!!!

Apart from eating loads of cake as mentioned above, we were given info on a new venture in Old Skelmersdale- called The Tree House. this is a community based project, which is run on a volunteer basis. It has a great cafe (More Cake), exhibition space and a shop for local artists to sell their work.

We have decided to take a shelf, to hopefully sell a few items- pictures will follow next week.