up the lakes

We arrived yesterday to lovely weather- the scenery is breathtaking- we are off to Carlisle on the Coast Train today- I will hopefully add some photos when I get home. Not such a great day as after we had decided to visit the Museum I read the road map wrongly & we went the opposite way!!!

Next day very good, went to Sizergh Castle - beautiful grounds- Wool in theWoods exhibition of local knitting groups & schools, however battery run out on camera & only a few photos.        

The castle is very interesting with some beautiful lace work on a bed cover & exquisite embroidery in the bedrooms.

May was also a special month for children -50 things to do before you're 11 & 3/4 launch- I wish I either had children with me or I was a child, as there were super things to make- kites, bird or insect boxes or wooden creatures- I would have been in my element!!!

I did however slip in the rockery- luckily I did not fall in the pond- obviously a few spots of rain on limestone rocks do not mix, & even stout walking boots did not save the day- you could say a day of ups & downs!!

Our trip home was very good as on the Monday we decided to visit Stotts Bobbin Mill. What a revelation, I love the smell of wood & steam- the lady-boiler-looker-after?? said the smell reminded her of a Sauna.
I took a lot of photos there as I had recharged my batteries-literally!
I also managed to get a long strip of shaven wood(like you do!) with the idea of incorporating it into a wall hanging or something one day.

getting on with 'stuff'

Hi I have nearly finished my pieces for the exhibition 'Spirit of Place'- just a bag to make, embellish some silk scarves and make a 'whirling dervish' man-if it works out???.

I have now decided to put my hand embroidered silk purse into the exhibition- this was completed with a Dorset Button made using an earring finding(very fiddly) & a loop, plus a fine handmade cord. I am extremely pleased with the result as I do not usually incorporate much hand stitching into my pieces of work, & this piece is all hand stitched apart from the machine stitched edge- Victory I have found my hand stitch mojo!

The folded purse is very small and dainty-not my normal style- but with all the hard work involved as all 10 squares making up the purse are hand stitched in a variety of stitches, I have decided it will not be for sale. Can you blame me?

'Asian Heritage'

 My whirling Dervish picture inspired by my trip to Capadoccia in Turkey, has been printed with a handmade stamp onto cotton fabric, and embellished with free machine stitch & mixed media, with the main 'dervish' being made by free machine embroidering onto sheers sandwiched between two layers of dissolvable fabric. This gives it a stand alone quality as I did not remove all the glue.

'Sema'

 Hopefully everything will come together, the catalogue will look stunning, the labels will look professional & the hall's refurbishments will be complete!

forthcoming exhibition 'Spirit of Place' Natural Progression Textile Group.

Hi I am very busy at the moment, trying to finish my work for the forthcoming exhibition 'Spirit of Place'.

Along with that I am preparing our Group's catalogue and  labels. A bit of a nightmare job, but gives a more professional look to the overall exhibition.

The details are:

 'Spirit of Place'
An Exhibition and Sale of Contemporary Textile Art by Natural Progression Textile Group.
30th June to 2nd August
Alston Hall, Alston Lane, Longridge, Lancashire  PR3 3BP
Telephone 01772 784661- parking & disabled access available.
Free entry.
Open 9.00am to 5.00pm & some evenings (check with hall first)

Preview Evening- Thursday 3rd July 7.00pm to 9.00pm -Everyone Welcome.

Please come along & visit.

Colours of Calabria

Light & Shade

felted landscapes

Had a very successful day on my latest workshop 'Felted Landscapes'- seven students all very keen & producing lovely results of their work. Hopefully some of the work can be embellished at my next workshop.

Caroline & Kath

Margaret at work

Helena, Irene and Kathy

Polly and Kathy

Piece yet to be felted 

 

Caroline's felted landscape

B

                                    resists yet to be removed

 resists yet to be removed

My piece of market in Inca Valley- yet to be embellished.

Calabria

Nearly finished my hanging on Calabria- not yet thought of a title, but will come up with something when completed- Decided against using patchwork techniques as too perfect, so used the tried & tested technique of bondaweb & ironing on the pieces of naturally dyed fabrics- spent all yesterday afternoon free machine stitching- but the results look good, especially after rubbing over with a teabag to distress the buildings.

Have now finished the hanging, by adding more free machine stitching & for a change I have framed it with glass. This finished the piece off as it is pictorial & looks great in the frame.

Won't be adding a photo just yet as piece will be going into Exhibition 'Spirit of Place' at Alston Hall on 30th June.

Current Workshops

I am running a further workshop at Avant Garden Centre on Wednesday 4th June 10.00-4.00 'Embellishment made Easy' this will be a follow on to workshop 'Felted Landscapes' which is being held on Wednesday 30th April. However the two workshops do not have to be linked & can be attended in isolation.

In the second workshop you will learn how to embellish by hand using hand stitching, beads and needle felting tools. You will also have the opportunity to learn how to free machine stitch & use an embellishing machine.

If you have an embellishing machine at home which you have not yet come to terms with, bring it along & learn how to use it!!!

This workshop will give students the inspiration & motivation to complete any unfinished  pieces of work left hanging around at home, by embellishing & completing. You can also work on your felted pieces which you would have worked on at the 'Felted Landscape' workshop.

Of course you may wish to start a new piece on the embellisher!!!

To book & obtain a requirement list please contact Avant Garden Centre, Wigan Rd, Leyland, Lancs PR25 5XW T 01772 433777-The cost for the workshop is £35.00 which includes a light lunch & refreshments throughout the day.

Been stewarding at Arthouse, Southport. Only a few visitors & no sales yet!!! Live in hopes.

Heard that shop now open in Scotland- Owl & Pussycat & that they have had some very good comments & feedback. Hope for some sales there.

Family up for a week- we had a great week, very tiring but we did do loads of stuff. Took some inspiring photos up the Lakes- we did a long walk, with Caleb(aged 7) as Guide Leader- not sure how his little legs felt but mine were very tired.

Had a great day in Manchester, but no time to get to Fred Aldous as Grandchildren wanted to look at toys & clothes. Caleb broke a hand off a manaquin in Debenhams(sorry!) He was shaking it at the time, and it came off in his hand.

Immy bought a prom dress- how quickly they grow up- but she did look stunning in it.

Jared found a new friend( Star the dog) & went to a Rugby match with his Dad, brother & Grandad.

Back to normality now, house will seem empty when they go home today.