Tag Archives: textile atrtist

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!

 

I do not write poetry

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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.”

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


 

 

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

Sneak peek

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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

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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.

 

Autumn and Spring song
with a tilted up-tail

Happy stitching x

Dear Robin

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In the last post I shared a new piece entitled “come to tea”, now we have another invitation with “Dear Robin”. With such a rich crop of fruit and berries this year, these tea time narratives are just waiting to be stitched!

Dear Robin
Dear Robin (detail)
Dear Robin (detail)
Dear Robin (detail)
Dear Robin (detail)

 

Happy stitching x

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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.

2017-09-26 14.58.34

“come to tea”

2017-09-26 14.54.55

“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

Exhibition at Oriel Ynys Mon

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Last Saturday saw a busy and exciting opening to The Birds Of Wales Exhibition at Oriel Ynys Mon, Anglesey. After having a sneak peek earlier on in the week when I was delivering my work, I couldn’t wait to get back! The show is beautifully brought together with work from artists and makers from across Wales and the borders, all depicting the ‘Birds of Wales’ in their own unique way.

You can join me for a workshop at Oriel Mon on Saturday, 28th October. Stitch your own piece of work using free machine embroidery and fabric collage. For booking and enquiries please contact The Birds of Wales Group TEL 01407 720962

 

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