Thursday 27 June 2013

Been A Busy Bee!


I've been pretty obsessed with these patchwork pins recently.
I've really enjoyed stitching my sketches and playing with my newly found love of blanket stitch.
Hope you like!

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Back To Saltburn-On-Sea!


Just fancied a pootle around Saltburn, want to join me?
After my first visit at Easter I was gutted that this little shop of curiosities was closed.
So I vowed to return!
This little nest of tables nearly came home with me!

Saltburn, I'll be back!

Saturday 22 June 2013

Mixed Media Workshop!

 www.thesteelrooms.com
Had a fab time today at The Steel Rooms, teaching a mixed media workshop to a very creative group of arty folks.
Firstly we discussed about how it can be tricky to start a piece of work, and how building some sort of imaginary narrative can help to kick start your imagination.
This is how I love to work, with the bits of frippery that you pick up on your travels suggesting ideas.
We experimented with transfer techniques and began to build up layers:

You can almost hear the concentration!
Here's my little demo piece...I think I'll work on that at home, she seems to be a bit of a character!
Here's 'contemplation corner', for when inspiration (or chocolate consumption) is required!
Is that chocolate I spy?
Surely not!
Everyone worked incredibly hard and it's amazing to see how different everyone's work was.
Pat, Chris, Liz and Julie, you done me proud!

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Stuff And Nonsense At The Gate Gallery!


I have always been a great admirer of the work of Sue Stone and her exhibition at The Gate Gallery, Grimsby is a real highlight in the art calendar.
It is incredible to think that every stitch has been done by hand, and many of the pieces are large scale.
These incredibly intricate pieces are at first deceptive...embroidery is automatically considered a genteel past time.

Yet Sue's themes are both nostalgic and contemporary at the same time.
Issues including family memories and reminiscences jostle alongside innocent victims of war and cups of tea are sipped elegantly alongside graffitied walls.
Yet the over riding message of these incredible works is that of female friendship and unity.
'Stuff And Nonsense' runs until the 29th June.
http.www.gategallery.co.uk/
http.www.womanwithafish.com/

Sunday 16 June 2013

Appleby Fayre!


I loves a vintage tractor I do!
Well, it was the end of a long day and tea cosies are so this season!