Garden and Studio

Posted on June 15, 2020 by suzette smart

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

Family Album

Posted on October 30, 2019 by suzette smart

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

News!

Posted on July 10, 2019 by suzette smart

I’m absolutely thrilled to find out today that the piece below has been accepted into the inaugural Vlieseline Fine Art Textile Award Gallery at The Festival of Quilts this August. The gallery can be seen again at the Knitting & Stitching Shows in the Autumn. I’m going to say it again, I’m thrilled!!!

Mixed Media Textile Books

On another note, it’s a busy weekend ahead with a workshop at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry on Saturday, and then on Sunday I shall be demonstrating at Westhope College, Craven Arms on their Open Weekend. Plenty of stitching, chatting and drinking of tea!

Happy stitching x

http://www.westhope.org.uk www.willowgalleryoswestry.org

Open Studios 2019

Posted on June 5, 2019 by suzette smart

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!

I do not write poetry

Posted on March 22, 2019 by suzette smart

I’d written a little something in stitch a while ago which has been sitting patiently for an embroidery to call its own. As an embroiderer, I don’t waste anything I stitch. Whether it’s cut up and collaged into something I’m working on, or the foundation for an entire new piece as this one is. Anyway, here are the words with pictures following.

“I do not write poetry,

I do not write prose,

Give me a pen and I shall learn then,

How to draw my world in words.”

Mixed media, machine and hand embroidery

There’s a lot to be learnt when I’m working on a piece of this scale, this then filters through to smaller works, stitched books and workshops. A lovely flow of ideas, techniques and inspiration. For further details on workshops please go to dates for the diary.

Mixed Media Textile Books

Mixed Media Collage

And now for some lovely news from a couple of weeks ago. I have now joined a growing number of artists and makers in becoming a new member of The Society For Embroidered Work or S.E.W. for short. Look them up at http://www.societyforembroideredwork.com or follow the #societyforembroideredwork on instagram and twitter. Stitch, create and be happy xx

An embroidered tale or two

Posted on November 25, 2018 by suzette smart

It’s been a busy few weeks making with a couple of lovely visits to share stitching ideas, inspiration and tales. Last week took me to Trinity Quilters in Sutton Coldfield and this week I visited Frodsham Patchwork Group. A big thank you to both who made me hugely welcome x

As for the making, I’ve been busy creating amongst other works these small mixed media landscapes each with it’s own bird, tree and stitched tale to call it’s own. They can be found in exhibition at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry, until the New Year. http://www.willowgalleryoswestry.org (27.5 x 29 cm framed / middle of first row is sold)

: Small Works

Following on from these smaller collages, I couldn’t resist stitching a few more trees! With some familiar characters added including a Great Tit, a fox or two and a funny little animal, there are tales aplenty. The backgrounds are mostly vintage money bags which are beautiful to stitch in to and inspired the night time scenes. These pieces will be back from framing this week with “out under a clear sky” off to his new home.

Signing off with a happy stitching to All,

Suzette x

Workshop at Waddow Hall

Posted on October 16, 2018 by suzette smart

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

Small Boxes With Free Machine Embroidery And Fabric Collage

fabric collage with free machine embroidery

Travelling Sewing Box

Small Box (detail)

Small Boxes

Fabric collage and free machine embroidery

Fabric Collage and Free Machine Embroidery

It’s been a while

Posted on July 18, 2018 by suzette smart

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

Sneak peek

Posted on March 21, 2018 by suzette smart

With so many favourite bits already, I couldn’t resist this sneak peek of work in progress. Although, currently at 1.4 metres x 1.35 metres I could be here for sometime. A blackbird and a pair of red shoes can be found in it and the remnants of a 1970s house coat. With props like those it’s going to keep me busy for a few more weeks yet.

Happy stitching

Textile books and bird boxes

Posted on February 9, 2018 by suzette smart

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!