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.

Needle felting workshop -Haslingden

Just ran a workshop with a carers group in Haslingden. My friend Chris was staying with me for a few days and therefore got roped in to be my apprentice technician.

I had 12 students, with some of them being fairly experienced crafters and some with no experience, all seemed to enjoy the session.

Some produced brooches, some cards and a few started boxes. I don't think 5 hours is enough time to complete a project, however they all took what they had produced, with materials to complete it at home.

Chris and I were fed meat and potato pie, cheese and onion pie, mushy peas and mince pies and tarts. A bit heavy on the pastry-bang went my diet!!!- but very welcome as it saved taking a lunch box.

A very enjoyable day with lovely people!!!

A few photos below-

Chris trying to look as if she is enjoying herself!!!

I also took samples of my encaustic jewellery as the group want me to run a further workshop next February.

Chapel Gallery craft fair

Hi its such a long time since I last posted, but my computer has been sick! Well I am off to another craft fair in Adlington today,but I really don't holdout any hopes as the weather is diabolical!!!

Last weekend's craft fair went fairly well, with Sunday being much better than Saturday. We had a bit more room in our corner as the  lovely  ladies on the next stall had already done Friday, and Saturday was their last day- so we had their table as well.

The stall looked great again, although slightly too full of items. Most of the Christmas stuff did not sell, but I did quite well and sold quite a bit, and actually sold a box that I made at least 4 years ago.

You can never tell what is going to sell. I also have a commission to make a pair of pulse warmers, which I must try to make & send before Christmas.

Here are some photos of the fair, and I will try to post details about today, good or bad.

Caroline busy 

putting up Christmas stockings

you can just see the blue box-and Caroline again!

she gets in everywhere

there she is again!!!

Weird Week!

Hi yes what a weird week!!! euphoria to smack in the face back to euphoria! The best laid plans & all that???

Well I can't say too much about the smack in the face, but it was not literal. I will only post about that problem when its been solved.

Back to nicer things---- I have put up exhibition 'Art & Soul' at Avant Garden Centre- please look at Natural Progression Textile Group blog attached for photos.

It looks great, so hopefully we may sell some items as near Christmas.

I have been sorting out stuff for Craft fair at Chapel Gallery, and will post some photos etc. It is running from today until Sunday- but we are only doing Saturday and Sunday. I am doing demos of needle felting on Sunday & giving the public a chance to have a go them selves.

The photos below show the state of my guest bedroom, which hopefully will look more like its self after the event. 'Oh no it won't' as I am also doing a solo craft fair in Adlington Saturday week, which is a new venture for the organisers, so may go pear shaped!!!

New Position

HI as usual I am taking on something new- I have recently been elected on then NorthWest Embroiderers Region committee, and have unofficially taken over the roll of Summer School organiser.

Due to recent problems with Alston Hall confirming they are closing down as an education centre, we have had to source an alternative venue. Luckily I had heard about Waddow Hall near Clitheroe, Lancashire which is a Girl Guiding Centre, but has a beautiful 17c House & provides full bed and board. It also has 3 lovely rooms that can be used as workrooms, so ideal.

I know have the problem of booking 2 tutors, but have already hit lucky hopefully with one- so onwards & upwards.

I am not sure how I get so involved, but I do like to keep busy and do my bit.

I will keep you all posted.


Here are some photos to wet your appetites- please ignore the very dull Lancashire weather, look past it and imagine how it will look in the Summer.

one of the lounges-check out the fire

a further lounge

view of the dining room to be redecorated after Christmas

beautiful fire surround

view of the River Ribble in full spate

front of the house

house & wood walk

picnic area

stormy view of Ribble

house

side elevation and two of the outbuildings