Category Archives: workshops

Garden and Studio

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The garden has definitely been winning over the studio these last couple of months, feeding my creativity and well being all in one. Firmly back in doors and I’ve been working on some new exhibition pieces for a group exhibition at The Willow Gallery starting late August and another called ‘Old Roads, Ancient Tracks” at Oriel Ty Meirion, date TBC. Some of these pieces are shown here.

As Open Studios is of course cancelled this month, I’m also sharing a collage of some of my favourite textile books. A staple of any talk or workshop.

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon, happy stitching x

 

Stitching in 2020

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Well 2020 has got off to a stitching start with one large work almost finished and plenty of smaller pieces ready for framing. I’m continuing with all things jug and cup and connecting these to life outside my front door. Workshop samples and ideas have also had a boom, which I can’t wait to share. A little mixed media and plenty of stitch!

More exciting new places to visit this year including Alexandra Waylett later this month, The Minerva Arts Centre in May and Oxford Summer School in July. Check out “Dates in the diary” for more information on these and other workshops.

Happy stitching x

A Still Life and Oxford Summer School

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Newly Stitched Still Life

This newly stitched still life was worked on a vintage garment I found on my Summer travels. Further inspiration came from the jug fabric I’d made a while ago to cover a lampshade and the addition of some Honesty to my Autumn displays. As only a small piece of the garment was used, there will be one or two more of these works to come.

 

Oxford Summer School. Arts, Crafts and Music Courses

Very excited to be teaching at Oxford Summer School of arts, Crafts and Music in July 2020. The new brochure is now in print and can also be found at http://www.oxfordsummerschool.com  A perfect four days of mixing it up with image transfer, collage, stitch and some gorgeous bird boxes to finish!

Family Album

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I can never resist making a new book or scroll, and with new workshop images needed it’s been a perfect week for it. This is one that I’ve been wanting to create for a while and will be followed by more of the same I’m sure. It’s made up of a selection of images from my old photo albums and collections of letters which were altered before transferring them onto an old piece of linen. The collaged images were then embellished and blended with repurposed fabrics, free machine and hand stitches.

I deliver Talks and Workshops for Guilds and Groups throughout the Uk with regular workshops a little closer to home at Westhope College, Craven Arms and The Willow Gallery, Oswestry. Please get in touch for more information or go to Dates For The Diary. Happy stitching x

http://www.westhope.org.uk

Open Studios 2019

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Well I can’t believe it’s Open Studios 2019. 8/9th & 15/16th June 10am to 5pm Where did that year go? Anyway, I’m doing things a little different this year and instead of visiting me at my home studio, I’m moving to a pop up studio at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry. The group exhibition is in the main gallery and I will be somewhere out back along with Judith Harrison, printmaker.

As part of Open Studios, I will be running a Mini Mixed Media Workshop at The Willow next Tuesday, 11th June. 10am to 1pm.  Combine one of the mixed media techniques I use with a little free machine embroidery or hand stitch if you prefer. Cost £25 All abilities. For further details email me at suzettesmart1@btinternet.com or Tel 07966983868

 

Mixed Media Collage
Mixed Media Textile Books

Happy open studios and happy stitching to you All!

 

Open Studios 8/9th & 15/16th June 2019

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This isn’t an all new piece but one I’ve added to and embellished further. I am known for taking a pair of scissors to something I’m dissatisfied with but I thought this was worth saving. 

There will be opportunity to see it and other works in the BVA Open Studios Exhibition at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry (18th May to 29th June)

As a little extra this year, I will be  running a Mini Mixed Media Workshop on Tuesday, 11th June at the Willow Gallery from 10am to 1pm. Cost £25. We will be stitching too and some materials are provided. For further details you can contact myself at suzettesmart1@btinternet.com or TEL 07966983868 

For open studios itself, I will be in a pop up studio along with printmaker, Judith Harrison behind the gallery. As well as work for sale, we’re going to have stitching, printing and mixed media demonstrations and for those who would like to have a go, there will be opportunity for this too! The open studios weekends are 8/9th June and the 15/16th June 10am to 5pm

http://www.willowgalleryoswestry.org

http://www.borderlandvisualarts.com

Workshop at Waddow Hall

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Last weekends workshop took me to Waddow Hall in Clitheroe which overlooks the River Ribble. A beautiful setting to spend a few days stitching with members of the South Cheshire Embroiderers Guild.

A quick start on Friday afternoon and a full day of stitching on Saturday ensured there was a little time for some final embellishment with beads and hand stitch on Sunday.

I can’t believe how much we got done! Thank you All for making me most welcome.

 

Waddow Hall

A painting of Waddow Hall circa 1690

 

 

Small Boxes With Free Machine Embroidery And Fabric Collage
Travelling Sewing Box
Small Box (detail)
Small Boxes
Fabric Collage and Free Machine Embroidery

It’s been a while

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It’s been a while folks! So I’ve put together a collage of images from recent workshops, work and events.

My Jay is finished and waiting to be framed. I was adding the final stitches during open studios in June when someone gave me a Jay feather that they had picked up on a walk that morning. I like it when that happens. It adds an unseen layer to the stitches.

That’s me in the top picture at the beautiful Westhope College in South Shropshire. It was their annual open weekend and exhibition of students work. An inspirational and creative place which I was able to enjoy from the garden with basketry demonstrations happening around me. My workshop dates at Westhope can be found in Dates for the diary and on their website.

http://www.westhope.org.uk

A mixed media layer and text have definitely found their way amongst the fabric collage and stitch in recent workshops. I’ve tailored my next date at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry, to experiment and play with these layers further. This will give me an excuse to get messy too, not that I need one of course! For Willow Gallery dates, see Dates in the diary and their website below.

http://www.willowgalleryoswestry.org

Happy days are those spent stitching x

 

Textile books and bird boxes

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Creativity is now in full flow after a slow start to 2018 and with some new textile books and a couple of bird boxes made, there is no stopping me! With a couple of tweaks the mixed media bird boxes will be ready for a workshop date sometime soon. They have already had a trial run at my kitchen table sewing days with gorgeous results!

 

Bird box (detail)
Mixed media
Mixed media
Mixed Media Bird Boxes
Mixed Media Bird Box

 

And with the close of The Winter Curiousities Exhibition at Twenty Twenty, Much Wenlock, I said goodbye to these garden birds.

 

with a tilted up-tail
Autumn and Spring song

Happy stitching x

Alsager Creative Stitchers

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A fabulously creative workshop yesterday with Alsager Creative Stitchers who made me most welcome. With the same starting point, members then developed their pieces individually with painted bondaweb, fabric collage, machine and hand embroidery. A busy day with plenty of tea and biscuits to keep us working!

Natural inspiration
Building up layers
Fabric collage
Machine and hand embroidery

Stitching days x