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.
A painting of Waddow Hall circa 1690
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.
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
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!
And with the close of The Winter Curiousities Exhibition at Twenty Twenty, Much Wenlock, I said goodbye to these garden birds.
Happy stitching x
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!
Stitching days x
Last weeks workshops for The Ow Bist Project with The Qube Oswestry were full of colour and energy. On Tuesday the group took inspiration from Autumn leaves and mandalas to create richly colourful pieces of work. Then on Wednesday morning and afternoon, I teamed up with fellow Ow Bist Tutor, Ade Powell, for a day of drumming and textiles. While half of the group filled the room with rhythm and energy, the other half used mark making and resist techniques on lengths of calico to respond to the sounds of the drumming. All in beautiful settings around Oswestry.
For further details on the project please go to http://www.qube-oca.org.uk and look for special projects.
And with the end of The Birds of Wales Exhibition at Oriel Ynys Mon, Anglesey, I said goodbye to this tale and two other pieces as they went off to new homes.
Happy stitching days x
After a busy time in the run up to The birds of Wales Exhibition, it took a few days to settle down to stitching. Once I had taken a look at the new colours emerging in the landscape and the berries on the trees, I was ready! There are just a few more stitches I want to add and then this piece will be ready for The Winter Curiosities Exhibition at the Twenty Twenty Gallery, Much Wenlock. (2nd December – end of January) Another work to be included will be my Spring time pheasants, so lots of rich colours on show.
“come to tea”
“come to tea” (detail)
Workshops
A varied programme of workshops this Autumn including stitched books, birds and boxes. See Dates for the diary for further information or get in touch if you would like a list of dates suzettesmart1@btinternet.com
Stitching days x
A colourful workshop with members of the Much Wenlock WI brought Open Studios 2017 to a delightful end today. Textile stories and techniques have been exchanged as those who stitch do! Thank you for all my lovely visits.
And I said goodbye to my blackbirds as they went off to a new home.
Happy Open Studios 2017
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.
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
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
