Cathedral inspiration

Figures on the front of Exeter cathedral inspiration for more pieces in my Guardians series, they are really interesting.

Rhinos in Devon!

We came across these colourful beasties on a recent trip to Exeter the last time we saw creatures like these it was is Sydney! Sorry to emphasise our worldwide travel! They are going to be auctioned for charity would love to have one of these in the garden.

Festival of Quilts Winner

This was the winner of the Fine Art Quilt Masters, interesting piece! What do you think?

Perhaps I'll have a shot at it next year......................

Festival of Quilts 2016

 A flying one day visit to the festival, very strange being there and not working, someone else sitting in my seat ! (Mary McIntosh) but great to see so many old friends and a chance to catch up with no pressure. Here are just a few of the pieces that caught my eye.

Soooooooooooo excited

Today I have been to visit Kelly Swallow www.kellyswallow.com to organise getting my little chair re-upholstered in Kelly Swallow style (patchwork!)

This is my little chair that I was lucky enough to have when my father in law's house was cleared.

And here are 2 of Kelly's chairs beautifully upholstered in the sort of colours I have chosen. Can't wait to see what it looks like! Lovely to meet Kelly and her husband, so much to talk about, and what fun digging through the piles of fabrics choosing the ones to include.

Quilt mystery

I recently went to have a look at this patchwork, a massive piece of tiny hexagons all in silk and still with the original papers tacked in. It had come to light quite by accident and acquired by a local lady who isn't really a stitcher but thought it looked too interesting to pass by. A textile historian may be able to date the fabrics - all silk! and the papers may give up some secrets, they look like they have been cut out of a London newspaper - possibly mid-Victorian but no dates found yet although some mention of Prince Albert in a Court Circular announcement and he died 1861.

Quilts for Minerva

a few shots of the pieces I have sent off for the Sentinels Exhibition at the Minerva Arts Centre in Wales, the exhibition opens on 25th July and I do hope to be able to get to see all our work in situ, I think its going to be a great show. I have to admit though that its been a marathon effort to complete the 4 pieces! the biggest hurdle was actually getting going, once I had decided what to do it was straight forward but getting the initial ideas together was soooooooooo... difficult! Anyway done now and onwards and upward to the next challenge.

More dungarees!

Just can't help myself found this lovely giraffe fabric and went to town making another pair of dungarees for the lovely Harry.

Jake's Birthday Present

We had a lovely day with Jake last weekend this is his birthday present, a playhouse, he just loved it and we all had to have a turn inside, even Pippa the very large flatcoat

and of course Mummy and Daddy!

OK so I'm going to be teaching a taster day workshop at Sew Much To Do in Ely on 16th July, 10am to 1pm. Screens and inks will be supplied (although limited designs - just what I've got) if you would like to come along and have a go with a bit of tuition you can always order your own designs from the ready made screens at www.thermofaxscreens.co.uk

 

Come along and have some fun you will go away with your own unique fabrics, wrapping paper and greetings cards

 

Contact Sew Much To Do 01353 664000 to reserve your place.

I'm back!

Very naughty of me not to continue with my blog so here I am again - will try harder!
After my wonderful trip to New Zealand last year everything else seemed rather an anti-climax so after a year of re-assessing my life and assimulating recent changes - we now have 2 rather lovely grandsons and retirement looms on the horizon- I feel I can move forward. I have made a the decision to scale back my teaching commitments and all that goes with it and to concentrate more on my own creative work and spend more time with my family, particularly the little ones before they grow up and not need Nanny.

I have been busy in the studio producing some new pieces for an exhibition in Wales with Anglia Textile Works from 25th July at the Minerva Arts Centre, these are going to be titled The Guardian pieces - working in series!

I've also had fun making dungarees for Harry, well it was fun once I had mastered how to do the poppas!

I'll be back!