Open Studios and Exhibitions

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These garden birds and other work can be seen at my home studio and at The Willow Gallery next month as part of Open Studios in and around Oswestry. (10th/11th & 17th/18th June) There will be demonstrations and I may have cake!

And some of my embroideries will be flying further afield this Autumn as part of the following two exhibitions.

Birds of Wales Exhibition 16th September – 5th November at Oriel Ynys Mon, Anglesey

Winter Curiosities 2nd December – end of January at Twenty Twenty, Much Wedlock

http://www.borderlandvisualarts.com

http://www.birdsofwales.org

http://www.twenty-twenty.co.uk

 

Stitched books

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With a little mixed media and plenty of stitch, I’m very happy with these finished books. I worked the various layers across the base fabric, and didn’t define the ‘pages’ until the very end. The covers are more detailed with a title, running stitch and bullion knots.

I like them as they are but would quite like to open them out and frame them too! Choices, choices.

They will be in The Willow Gallery, Oswestry, from next week. (unframed)

If you would like to make your own Mixed media / stitched Book, join me for a workshop at The Qube, Oswestry on Wednesday, 5th July.

info@qube-oca.org.uk / 01691 656882

Stitch, create and be happy.

Garden visitors

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Garden Visitors
Garden visitors

 

Finished yesterday, this piece is definitely not bashful! With all the bursts of yellow daffodils and some handsome visitors to my garden, I definitely had a Spring time tale to tell. A wonderful excuse to use some of my most vibrant fabrics and threads for piecing and stitching these colourful characters.

And for now, back to the sewing machine to tackle the blossom that is in full bloom.

Happy Stitching.

Stitched books and blackbirds

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I know Spring is in the air when the blackbirds make themselves known in and around the garden and hedgerows. I couldn’t resist their charms this year so they are featuring in a new stitched book. There is a sneak peek of the first layer below along with one I did earlier! It will be a mixed media piece and will take the form of a concertina with a little bit of running stitch to finish off.

You can join me for a workshop on Saturday, 1st April to make your own stitched book at Castle Court Quilter, Whittington, Oswestry. For further details or to book, contact myself at suzettesmart1@btinternet.com or Tel 07966983868

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Natural Inspiration

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Inspiration is sometimes in short supply during the month of January. The skies are grey and Christmas feels like a long time ago. So I dig deep into boxes of fabric and threads and take a closer look at the landscape around me. Plants, animals and birds soon have me piecing and stitching away. A new must buy of recycled sari silks helps too!

 

Next week I will be out and about visiting Staffordshire Patchworkers and Quilters with more tales of inspiration behind the stitch. Please see their website for further details.

And finally, a couple of workshop dates for your diary.

Birds or flowers at Castle Court Quilter, Whittington on Saturday, 18th February, 2017. Experiment with a variety of fabrics for collage and use free machine embroidery for mark making and drawing to create a piece of work with either birds, flowers or both! Times 10am to 4pm / Cost £40

 

Within a landscape at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry on Saturday, 13th May, 2017. Experiment with a variety of fabrics for collage and use free machine embroidery for mark making and drawing to create a piece of work inspired by the landscape. Times 10am to 4pm / Cost £40

A belated happy New Year and happy stitching x

Stitching news

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These pieces along with others will be in exhibition later next year. With work pinned and hung around me, the ideas and stories are easy to develop. A little observation at the bird table helps too.

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As for this forthcoming weekend, I’m looking forward to stocking up at the Knitting and Stitching Show @ Harrogate. A new thread or piece of fabric can add something new and unexpected.

I’m also excited to see Anne Kelly’s Gallery where I will find this piece of work. A stitched tale of two lovebirds.

The two lovebirds

Happy stitching

 

 

Queen Anne’s lace

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May must be one of my favourite months as the trees and hedgerows are dense with blossom and cow parsley. That’s why I couldn’t resist stitching this new emboidery.

An alternative name for cow parsley is Queen Anne’s lace, so it was quite fitting that a little bit of lace found it’s way in.

Borders and hedgerows workshop on Wednesday, 21st September. See dates for the diary for further details.

Happy stitching.

Open Studios

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I still have a couple of pieces of work I’d like to finish, but finish or not, my door will be open as part of the BVA Open Studios for the next two weekends. 11th/12th & 18th/19th June, 2016. Group Exhibition at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry.

There will be old and new pieces on show and a little impromptu stitching too! All are welcome.

Happy, stitching days.

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Garden inspiration

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New work

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Rose Queen

 

Vintage Rose

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I hold on to pieces of fabric and clothing which I know one day will find their way into or be the inspiration for a new piece of work. This current embroidery is inspired by a Rose Queen sash from 1952 and includes other vintage fabrics too.

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I hope to have it finished this next week and then it’s back to the cupboard for some more delectable treats.

Happy stitching  …