More exhibitions.

Went to the "Art of the Stitch" exhibition last weekend. What a wonderful selection of textiles. So varied too: From the body printing "Purge" with its amazing fabric and stitch details (by Colin Jenkins); to the stitched picture, "The power and the glory" by Helen Fletcher; to the truly amazing cartoon strip in applique with stitching, "Perseus Chapter One" by Zara Merrick.
I wish I could show you photos, but no photography was allowed.
The exhibition is a biennial presented by the Embroiderer's Guild (UK). It is a travelling exhibition which I saw in Birkenhead, at the Williamson Art Gallery.

http://www.embroiderersguild.com/

On my way home, I popped in to visit the embroidery and craft shop, Voirrey. They had a small and interesting exhibition too - by the Chester branch of the Embroiderer's Guild. The following photos were taken in the car park. It was a beautiful windy day.

http://www.voirrey.com/

Cranford Exhibition and ongoing projects.

The Cranford Exhibition was held yesterday in the delightful surroundings of Knutsford Methodist Church. Many congratulations to all those who had work on show. The whole exhibition showed quilting of a very high standard which was enjoyed by all who came. Well done! The newly repainted building gave everything displayed a warmth as well as space, in which even the largest quilt could be admired to full advantage.
Many thanks are due to those who put this show together to such wonderful advantage. Thankyou so very much.

Now on to something far more basic.






















My first felt picture. I decided to try out the paisley design currently part of a challenge by the Stitching Post. The next stage is to add the embellishment - I shall be adding quite a lot of stitching to this piece before it is complete.

And now an update on my other piece of felt.
















I have added two paisley motifs, but have not washed the dissolvable paper off yet. Hopefully, with the rest of the motifs added as "ghosts" around these two, it will start to improve.
The next photo shows the back, giving details of the stitching so far.

Red, black and white.

Its been rather too long since I last added to this Blog. Sorry to those of you who drop by hoping to find something new. Work has been getting in the way just lately.
Never mind, I recently finished the ninth block of the Red, White and Black quilt. It was nice playing about with the blocks and trying out what they might look like when I finally put them together. The sashing will be red, unless I find it doesn't work as well I hope it will.
The final three blocks are now cut and ready to sew, but will have to wait for a few days more. I am helping out at the Cranford exhibition this Saturday, so won't have much time to sew this weekend. Never mind, it will be a lovely day with friends. I might even find the right red for the sashing I need.



These are the completed blocks for the quilt - nine of the final twelve.



These are nine of the blocks made for the backing, just to give a feel of what it may look like. The sashing here may be red or even black, rather than white. The red from the front would show through too much.

Encrusted Crazy Quilting.

I have been very lucky to be able to start this course with Sharon B.
http://www.inaminuteago.com/blog/
http://www.joggles.com/
As part of this I've had great fun playing with colour.


Its really interesting, looking at things in a very different way. Thanks Sharon.

Feltmaking.

On Monday I had a great time trying to make felt. This was my first attempt and was great fun. I go to a Textiles class run on Monday evenings in the local Sixth Form College. Its a good opportunity to go and have a chat whilst getting to learn how to do new things.
Feltmaking is messy, wet and lots of fun. The piece of felt I made is nothing exciting or brilliant, but that doesn't matter. Ruth, our tutor showed us all how to do it and then away we went.
A lovely, chatty evening, being creative. Wonderful!

Too long.

Its been rather too long since I sat down and added some words to this Blog of mine.
Sorry anyone who is reading this. Work has been taking over and time has had to be used for other things.
The stitching still goes on, but slowly.
I shall get my work-life balance back under control somehow.
Meanwhile, anyone got any advice? Or have you found the perfect way of enjoying your hobby whilst earning?

Its been a while.

Hello there, sorry its been rather a while since I last wrote anything on this Blog. Been rather too busy even to sew!
The photos are of a piece of black work started recently, this has turned into a sampler and will have strips of different designs all in autumnal (Fall) colours - brown, red, orange, yellow, etc. I've started it in YLI Jeans Stitch thread, which is rather nice to use for handstitching. The work is being stitched on 28 count fabric.
The little book shows what happened to the sample I made to try out the motif. I couldn't waste it, so I made it into a little notebook. Not sure what I shall use the notebook for.....
The motif comes from a delightful book by Pamela Warner, called "Tudor treasures to embroider" (ISBN 1-86108-249-5).