All The Swallows Have Flown Away...

Next year I am very excited to be part of a group exhibition entitled 'Time' at The Steel Rooms in Brigg.

This piece has taken me many hours and is a bit of a departure for me.

It is based on a page from my journal, it records that feeling at the end of the summer, when time has gone too quickly.

Stitching the christening gown took hours of work.

It was laborious and repetitive, but in a way the process was almost more important than the final result.

It made me more conscious of the actual passing of time, as though I was trying to 'trap' time in the folds of the fabric.

(Hope I don't sound too bonkers here!)

I liked how the stitches changed the structure of the delicate fabric, it became paper- like and the gown itself became contorted.

But no matter how hard you try,

or how carefully you stitch,

Time will slip away.

(Don't know about you, but I'm off for a cup of tea now after all that musing and pondering!)

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A Day At Cowslip...( Part One)...

One of the places I had always wanted to visit in Cornwall was Cowslip Workshops in Launceston.

I was lucky enough to visit on the day of the Cowslip Summer Fair, the sun was shining, there were textiles stalls a plenty....

I was in heaven!

The first stall I visited was Donna Flower Vintage.

I follow Donna on Instagram so I was so excited to meet her!

I also spied Teresa Dunne from Willapark Designs, it was like a textile Hall Of Fame!

(I was also slightly guilty of stalking these poor ladies so that I could take a photo!)

Just look at these vintage treasures...

(I confess, I had to buy the mermaid pin cushion!)

(But I could have bought a whole lot more!)

Sarah J Perry's work was exquisite, full of beauty and life.

Linda Clift's stall was full of antique textiles and French treasures...

I spent a long time having a pootle and a chat...

I also met Jo Colwill, who owns Cowslip Studios and makes the most exquisite quilts.

There were stunning quilts displayed everywhere, some from the Shipton Quilters in Gloucestershire, some by students at Cowslip and some by Jo herself.

Anyone that can stitch so precisely has my ultimate respect, I can't even measure accurately!

By this time my stomach was rumbling, I was overly giddy and there were still so many stalls to see!

Time for a jacket tattie....I'll show you more photos next time chucks x

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Cornish Colours...

During my holiday in Cornwall I managed to do a little bit of printing in my caravan when there was a rainy day.

I'm trying out some mono printing techniques for my Hope And Elvis workshops that are coming up.

I really enjoyed it, rain tapping on the roof, cups of tea and 'Murder She Wrote' on the telly.

I noticed that the muted Cornish palette had crept in.

It's funny how your work can change, maybe my holiday mood played a part too.

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As I Was Going To St Ives...

St Ives is one of my most favourite places.

I had an hour or two to wander around alone,

here's a few snapshots of this and that.

I love the colour of the sea when it's a bit mean and moody.

I know it's naughty, but I can't help but stare at the gorgeous cottages.

Loved this little graffitied dog.

I managed to do some sketching too, drawing the people queuing at the beach front chippy...

All in all, a perfect morning...

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Something New...

I've just returned from a lovely holiday in Cornwall.

I was fortunate to go to a two day Abstract Landscape workshop at the very inspiring Newlyn Art School.

We worked on paper,which I don't often use, and tried lots of new painting techniques.

We chucked paint and water around, scratched, sponged and dripped.

In short, I had a lot of fun.

Afterwards I cut up and collaged some of the painted papers to make these two pieces.

Hope you like.

X

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Charity Ch-reasure Of The Month!

I think that this is the best button packaging I have ever seen!

50p!

I am so happy!

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A Small Frippery...

Here's a small hare embroidered picture.

He looks a little startled.

I love it when I stitch something and its character emerges.

(I've told him there's nothing to worry about!)

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