Christmas is coming

Preparing for the Christmas themed workshop coming up at Cottenham College on 22nd November. We will be making either an Advent Calendar (see image) or a Christmas table runner or table mats. 

Feels a bit odd making Christmas things whilst it is still 20 degrees outside

Knitting and Stitching Show 2014

Out of the Fold are exhibiting at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace from Wed 8th October until Sunday 12th October 2014 and 3 pieces of my work will be part of that exhibition which then goes on to Harrogate from 20th - 23rd November 2014.

The theme of the exhibition is 'The Journey Unfolds' and here is just a little bit of my hanging called 'From Shawl to Shroud' to entice you to come along and see the whole thing.

From shawl to shroud (detail) 

 There are 12 very talented textile artists on Out of the Fold with some exiting and original work on show. I will be stewarding the exhibition on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th October in Ally Pally so please do come along and say hello.

I just love ice-dyeing

I spent a happy morning ice-dyeing some fabric to sell at the Tin Hut Textiles exhibition now on in Bury St Edmunds (4th - 9th October 2014)

I got some OK pieces but also 2 glorious confections of ripples and swirls in gorgeous reds and pinks. Here is a glimpse of the results below. These pieces of dyed cotton poplin cloth are on sale at the exhibition.

1 metre ice-dyed fabric (detail shown) Cotton poplin £25

1 metre ice-dyed fabric (detail shown) Cotton poplin £25

Off to make more ice-cubes............................

PS I teach this technique as part of my 'Crazy About Colour' dyeing workshop. Next one will be held at The Cosy Cabin in Risby on Sunday 9th November  www.thecosycabin.co.uk

Tin Hut Textiles Exhibition

Just back from hanging the Tin Hut Textiles exhibition in Bury St Edmunds which opens on Sat 4th October and runs through until Thursday 9th October 2014. Open every day from 10am until 4.30pm.

The exhibition has all of the 'Elements' series which the group has been working on for the past 2 years with 'Tin' from 2012, 'Copper' from 2013, and 'Silver' from 2014 being joined by the latest (and probably last) series on 'GOLD'

Gold 12" x 24"

 The other theme of the exhibition is 'SUFFOLK' where each of the eight members of the group have tken some aspect of the county on which to base their piece. Mine is all of the things that can be found in a Suffolk hedgerow......

Suffolk Hedgerow 34" x 50"

 There is lots to see at the exhibition so please come along and I look forward to seeing you there.

 

Layer de la Haye

A new teaching venue is opening at The Old Pumphouse Water Treatment Works at Layer de la Haye in Essex and I will be offering a Quilting for Beginners Course starting in September 2014. We will be making the same 48" x 48" lap sized quilt as we made at Cottenham

Nine-Patch Wonder

Dates: Thursdays  11th, 18th and 25th Sept and 2nd October 2014

Times: 10am - 3pm

Venue: The Pumphouse, Water Treatment Works, Church Road, Layer de la Haye, Essex

To book please contact Abberton Rural Training
www.abbertonrural training.org

Cottenham College Summer School

I had an exhausting but exhilarating week teaching at Cottenham Summer School for the first time. The course was called 'Quilt in a Week'. We started with a pile of crisp new fabrics on Monday morning with the aim of going home on Friday afternoon with a completed quilt. We worked hard in steamy conditions and everyone achieved more than they thought possible and several people made their first ever patchwork quilt. A lovely group. Here are some of the completed 'Cottenham Nine-patch' quilts - didn't they do well!

Mica's First quilt - ever

Val's first quilt

Diane's first quilt

Jean's first quilt

Barbara's first quilt

Veronica's first quilt

Shirley's first quilt

Come and See Me at Festival of Quilts

I will have my own stand in the Quilting in Action Zone (QIA8) at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham from 7th - 10th August 2014.

My 'Finer Focus' quilt which won 3rd prize at Uttoxeter will be on display in the QIA Gallery and I have entered a quilt into the Guild Challenge Class 'In My Garden'  - here is a bit if the detail...............

In My Garden - dyed, printed and stitched