Dear Diary

Oi - are you reading

cute Spike on basis animals grab attention

Wow, wow, wow - half a year has gone by and I've not posted here.

Truth is I've been feeling out of sorts for a long time, and so the blog was neglected.
In an effort to recharge - few weeks ago I revamped the blog, making it a much simpler layout and style.  I've removed lots of extras, gone right back to basics, with the hope that simplified means I can return to more of a diary of my art life, leaving all the extra and more formal info on my website, and snippets on my FB page.

Soooo what's happened then?

Well lots and nothing all at the same time.

I have become involved in the Working Party of the Rochford Art Trail, which to date is very interesting, and reveals what talented people there are around, aside from beautiful art work, all sorts of skills are needed to assist with organising such an event.
I continue to be a Member of The Material Girls, with Exhibitions around the corner, which require work, of course for group projects and individual art pieces.
The Embroiderers' Guild is still a very important element, with shared interests, guest speakers.  I've been a guest speaker myself at Suffolk East Branch.
And along the way visited excellent Exhibitions both locally and many miles away - oh and bought some artwork too.

Trying to juggle all of the above in my head is my main difficulty, especially not feeling so vibrant as I should.  One week I had two committee events - was asked to look over legal based paperwork for another, trying to do work for a third group and asked to deliver info to yet another group.

fallen asleep yet - Bandit

So let's hope the blog will put me more on track, in terms of noting what is to be done, and what I am doing.

I will be back with some nice info - a poster for an Exhibition, and news of another event.  But I think I'll save that until anyone wakes up to see. Meantime, highlighted links above take you to the various Facebook pages, where you can find more information.
See you soon....

enough cute cats

Its 2019 (with closure on 2018)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Firstly time for a catch up.
I've not posted in such a long time - mainly because not really feel well, not ill, just not well, I chose to have a defined course of action elsewhere, for me.
It is always so difficult to share things here, because a lot of what I make is for Exhibition, and its only right that first look goes to those events.  So it can very much look like I'm not doing anything, when there is something going on.

Following the Art Trail and Art Fair events, I didn't have anything else planned for me personally.  However, I did help the husband with his entries into the Essex Open, one of which sold on opening night.

At a friend's suggestion I have become a Member of S.E.W. 

I was somewhat hesitant, not sure if it was for me, but my friend persuaded me to give it a go, can only try and see.  I also expressed that I was really wanting to find a group I could join which involved BookArts.
So I sent off my application, following an open call out, and to my utter surprise it came back with... Yes we'd like you to join with your Books!!!  So that involved happy dancing.
Its a new venture, so will await developments, it could be that I/we/me are not a good fit, but we shall see.  Its nice to have the opportunity to investigate though.

I've got an event coming up - well if you call 2020 coming up.  New to me again, but decided to stop being a wimp and give it a go, so said Yes.

And a piece which was in my local Art Trail, sold independently in November.  So this has a new home.

detail of Strata

In the pipeline for 2019 is:

~plenty of work for The Material Girls exhibitions planned and pending

~joining in the Sketchbook Project  doing a Mini Sketchbook this time

~local Embroiderers' Guild Branch Competition - not done in many years

~signed up to Lifebook 2019 - new to me starts today

~possibly an Art Trail - may be the Art Sale Event

~possibly get around to the list I made out in January 2018!

Don't know when I will be back here - but hopefully will, with something I can share.

Have a happy creative, and funfiled 2019

Preparing for New Projects

So the endless hot days here are making it so anything is hard work.  We are not used to such here in the UK.  I even questioned if the radiators were on, as they felt warm to the touch.
The room where my stuff pending creativeness stash is kept is South facing, so its mega hot.
Anyway thinking the best way to get myself in a better creative thought process is to sort and tidy a cupboard not touched in years.  So here it is - boxes have been done, but all of this has to go back in its place, but way too hot to do that.  Today we've got rain predicted all day.

So I need to get ready, as I think there will be updates to the creative diary, as in new things and new deadlines.

One of these came about this past weekend.  Something which I had thought wasn't taking place this year, suddenly there's an email, a deadline 10 days away and an event a month away.
But, but but.... of course, it clashes with something else...
There must be something about certain weeks in a year, as I often find there is nothing for weeks or even months on end, and then suddenly two or more things crop up for the same date.

Its my local Embroiderers' Guild meeting this coming Saturday - I volunteered to help with any stitches people struggle with.  One which often crops up is French Knots.  I've stitched one or two....

Little Makes

Mhmm, I think I live in a time vortex, blink and lost days, ha weeks.

Domestically I'm not in a routine which is conducive to intentions, and there is a lot of "today I'm going to..." and it gets sidetracked, 5 minute tasks taking hours, and the wretched Data Protection stuff, not only having to answer endless emails for myself, but sorting things for organisations I belong to.

For the first time in years I'm not participating in any Art Trails.  Not all of my making.  Having done so and enjoyed the whole process, I feel a bit lost over it all.  So I've been looking around to see if there are any other opportunities.

I have come across one, which is open to me, because I've enquired, but is also an entirely new process, to me.  One of these display work for a weekend and people buy there and then. Applications aren't open yet, but its on my radar.

I am also making something for a US based project, which I hope to share on the blog later.

I have finished off a couple of little pieces made at my Embroiderers' Guild Branch meetings.

First one, we had an afternoon inspired by Lynn, using scarves found in charity shops.  Lots of variety for end results.  I picked up some pieces and a single A4 piece of Khadi paper and made this:

Tore the paper in half, joined it back together and added some scrunched fabrics to make this little sample book.

Our most recent practical workshop was led by Jo - stitching on paper.  Now that makes my heart sing!
Lots of options, this is my finished piece.

Not how it originally started.I did some stitching on the map, but didn't like so cut it off.  I then cut out the paper flowers from the printed paper and stitched those on.
I've always wanted to paper cut a map, and having seen someone else do it, I decided to do that to remainder of my map.  As luck would have it, it fitted back together with the piece I'd stitched on.  So coloured in the patterned paper and overlaid. Not much by way of stitching, but several techniques.

Most of the group stitched parabolic curves, but I've already done several of those, take a look.

A Little January Colour

Its another dull grey January day here, so let's have some colour.

I have joined in (again) with Wanderlust 2018  for January the theme is Pathways - the first lesson is a personal pathway, road, journey.  I decided I would log the types of home I've lived in, only 7 homes, but 4 different types - this is a more unusual one.

Yes, for a year I lived in a blue caravan

At our last Embroiderers' Guild meeting, we had a guest tutor, Kirsten Yeates, who gave us all a practical afternoon in silk painting. This is what I made, I choose simple shapes.

I added the lines when I got home, with watercolour pencil

because that's the set of pencils to hand!

Having promised myself not to keep buying books, given book case collapse in middle of night, I have been good and made use of the library.  However, reading the blog of Karen Ruane, sigh, and seeing my friend Sue's posts about it, my fingers twitched and I hit the  'buy' button.

Its not a book about lots of different stitches, and if you know embroidery likely you will know all of the ones mentioned.  However, it is about construction of the stitch, and that is what appealed to me, especially as I have made my own grids etc

My promise not to buy more books isn't really working, given I have 2 more on order.  They are not creative books though, so won't go in 'my' bookcases, so don't really count, do they?

Oh.... I might just tell you about the Sketchbook I ordered too, another time!

2018 Already!!

Happy New Year

Here we are already good way through first week in January.

Last year was quite full on, lots achieved and done, but not always to my personal satisfaction.  Record keeping of all sorts has gone amiss, inc in blogland.

I won't say its a Resolution to write more, but let's just say the intent to do is there.

2017 saw

The Material Girls with FOUR Exhibitions

John Harle at second venue

Essex Environment shown at two venues

and a very successful Exhibition Goodnight Children Everywhere

My Embroiderers' Guild Branch

held a very successful Exhibition

then there was the National Day of Stitch

which was packed out all day

and I received a Certificate for being a Member for

25 years.

On a personal level

Once again had work in Rochford Art Trail

September, October and November

saw attendance at Workshops

Art Van Go

Seth Apter

Dali Graham

Phew, a lot there,

2018 may be a quieter year as lots of organisations seem

to be taking a break.

I do have plans and commitments to things, and await notifications of

any new opportunities.

Encyclopedia - what tales you tell

Recently at my Embroiderers' Guild Branch, we had a most excellent talk by Amanda Clayton - one of those filled with snippets of information, the sentence in the midst of the topic which strikes a chord.  And of course the work, I loved.  Her own collection of things, handmade books, and, just pure deliciousness!

One of the things she brought along was an old copy of Therese de Dillmont's Encyclopedia of Needlework.  Two things I loved about this - its age and the fact it was a very fat little book.  I do already own a modern reprint of this book, but felt the need to buy an old copy.
So, Ebay search and this came through the door.

Its only A6 size, but over 800 pages

Look what I found within the pages

There's no date as to the print of this copy, save for it being a revised and extended version with colour plates.  It is full of wonderful phrases not used today, such as:

"Decoration of the gathers, known as Smocking"

Here are a couple of paragraphs which caught my eye.

"Mechanical power" - ooooh

So often we don't sit properly to work, and end up with neck and back ache.

"an awkward attitude" - mhmm does that include having a hissy fit when it all goes wrong.

This book is not so beaten up by time or use, I wonder who owned it, did they use it, was it a present for someone who hated stitching, but it was expected of them.

Who knows, I might make up a story of who owned it and when.

Diary Dates - Embroiderers' Guild

Saturday 5th August 2017

Once again my Branch will be participating in the National Celebration of Stitch day.
I will be along from lunchtime to steward.  Please come along, we will have Make & Takes, a chance to share stitching and to chat with Members to find out what the Guild is about.

Saturday 12th August 2017

Branch Meeting

1.45 - 4.30pm

Balmoral Centre

Westcliff on Sea

This is our usual Branch Meeting, which will be a practical afternoon.  Bring your sewing kit. The theme of the afternoon will be Metallics.  There will be a variety of hands on practical sessions for you to join in.  I will be running one myself on Decorative Cords.

For more information on our Branch click, HERE 

I hope to see you at one of these events.

Paper and Pages of Books, Events and Inspiration

Well the tidy desk soon became a mess again.

Covered with papers, buttons, paints, glue,

with the window sill occupied too

more paints, paperwork etc

So next tidy up will be when I lose something.

So what have I been doing.... well the Embroiderers' Guild Branch Exhibition is now over.

Lots of lovely work, met up with those not seen in a while and new faces too.  Please come along to the Branch.

The Spring Open Exhibition where I had one piece in, has also ended - told there should be another around October time.

I've entered the Rochford Art Trail - waiting for my venue.  Someone asked me how many years it had been going, well.....this will be Number 9.  I've been in every one, inc the pre-Trail tester exhibition.

I've also sent off a Statement of Intent for an Embroiderers' Guild event, but so far nothing more than that is in hand - pile of paperwork on window sill, its in there somewhere.

And now yesterday info on another local event, which I will have to be quick on, if I want to enter as deadline is only 10 days away!.

Toddled off to see a couple of things.  Up to Norwich to look at Turn the Page Exhibition, which is nothing but book art.  Lovely. Click on the link to see images from the event on their Facebook page.
I've seen some of the Exhibitors several times, can recognise their style. I saw a first time Exhibitor who clicked with me, Paula MacGregor.  One of these spooky muzak things, as I'd been working on 'found poetry' or 'found stories' - been frustrated by my efforts though.  If you don't know, its where you take original text on a page and highlight words to make something else.  I've managed to turn Charles Dickens into a daring burglary and escape by plane.  But my means to reveal this aren't as I'd like.  Paula's work showed me I could have a different viewpoint of this.  It felt much more comfortable to see her interpretations.

Keeping with books, I went to see friend Juliet's work with the group she belongs to - Seven.  Wonderful collection of Art Journals.  They had some common elements to use and/or techniques, but each gave their own interpretation to the artwork, in gorgeously well expanded accordion books. bursting with colour.

I'm currently doing lots of book things, ideas aplenty, hope it doesn't look like I'm copying because some of my ideas have been in existence prior to seeing others work.

I had better post this, before I lose yet another week and nothing gets done here.

Paper Play

I had a very indulgent day playing with paper, only drawback is the need to clean up the floor afterwards!  But I love love love these - no project in mind as yet, its enough to do and sit and stroke.

Tomorrow sees "Ruby Stitches" Exhibition open.  Its my local Branch, South & East Essex, of the Embroiderers' Guild.  Over 60 pieces - contemporary, traditional, 3d showing the wide range of techniques which embroidery encompasses, proving that the Embroiderers' Guild has something for everyone.  Do come along and see - on until 17th June with Members in the Gallery at varying times, and a 'Make and Take' day free to all, on Wednesday 31st May.

Racing Through January

Wow, we are racing towards the end of January already.

I've completed my commitment of taking the Meeting at our local Embroiderers' Guild, and new year brings a flurry of information and notices to share out to the Members, so the computer has been occupied for a while.

I've already started with my online courses, though of course I should have realised, that one which is committed to videos no longer than 15 minutes, doesn't mean it only takes 15 minutes to replicate the technique!

The Material Girls have now removed the exhibition work "With the Compliments of Capt John Harle" - however, not only is the work to be shown in another venue, the Exhibition time as been extended.
So now you will be able to see this body of work from 29th March - 8th July at Havering Museum.

Take a look at The Material Girls website and blog to see what is coming next, because the Group will be back exhibiting at the Hall in September.

I still have a piece at Rainham Hall, and it will be there for, an as yet, unknown to me, time period..  This is because it (purely unintentionally) fits in with the display of the original Will its based on.  My work in the fireplace.

Its the entire Will of Capt John Harle, machine stitched onto paper.  From memory its over 20m long.

I would love to show you other things, but let's think.... new work for The Material Girls, no can't share that.  New work for the Embroiderers' Guild, no can't share that.

Don't forget though the Essex Open Exhibition is still on, until 11th February - and the CD Project at the Inchmore Gallery in Inverness continues until March.

Hopefully I will come back next time, with pretty things to share, but thought it was time for a catch up.

As I update the sidebar to the right, and any of the individual pages, I do add a notification to that effect at the top of the blog page, so keep an eye on that.

2017 - Here I Come

NEW YEAR

Salutation and Felicitations

2017

What a weird year 2016 was... all sorts of things left me feeling discombobulated. Anyway what do they say, New Year, New Start.

So much to do.... The Material Girls have lots of plans for the year.  My local Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild have an Exhibition, so I wish to participate in that.  I wish to attend the Book Fair again.  So it looks like May will henceforth be known as Manic May.

As I write I still have three pieces of work on display in the Essex Open Exhibition - this is on until 11th February.  Do try to visit, its in what was previously the Library, two buildings down from the Southend/Liverpool St rail station.  There's a small car park next door, and parking opposite.  Details of items in this post.

I also have work still in Inverness - as part of the CD Exhibition - this isn't due to return to me until March.  Would be nice if I sold one piece - but with so many to choose from.... you can see my pieces from this post. 

As if all of this wasn't enough, I've got so many things I want to create and try, but they don't come to fruition, as other work takes priority.  Plus, working for events, they have the 'look see' first, so I can't really share until the moment, and it looks like I do nothing!

So, wanting change, wanting exploration, wanting fun - as part of that I've signed up for two classes - yes I know mad, but its self regulated, so its down to me what I do and when.

The first is this one.

Its already started, and consists of daily short video of technique/project, from the world of Mixed Media.  It is what it say, Jumpstart, so is only for January.

The second is

This one has yet to start properly - later in week, and lasts the year.  I've joined this one because I follow several of the tutors via Facebook or blogs, so like their style.  Again no pressure to do.
Actually its been a surprise to see more and more people are adding stitch to their paper projects - so as you can imagine, I'm very happy.

As my ideas for Fun didn't work out last year, I thought if I actually schedule Fun into the diary, and having paid for it, I will do it.  I believe this is the premise also in the book, 

which I've partially read - the premise being to make a habit of doing.  Whilst yes I do create and make, its not such a regular scheduled thing.  Partly I don't want this, but also partly I think I need it!!  So we will see.
I've also changed the format of my 'art calendar' this year so will see how that goes.  I have this propped up near where I work, in part also so him indoors can see what I need to do, and when I need the car!

Next on the Agenda is the EG January meeting, at which they have to put up with me! Nothing too taxing, we are just looking at ways to frame and mount work for exhibition, and means of packaging etc.  We have several new Members so no doubt latter especially useful.

So here we go again with whatever 2017 brings forth - all I know is that it needs to change in all sorts of ways for me.  I don't know if anyone ever comes and reads this blog - in some ways it doesn't matter, because I use it as a means to record what is happening in my art world.  So if you do read, please say hello, and please keep me company for the forthcoming year.

Catching Up

Saturday was the Embroiderers' Guild National Celebration of Stitch Day.  As mentioned in older posts,  my Branch were involved, offering sit, chat and stitch at a local library.  I participated for a couple of hours, and met some very nice people, hopefully some from the day will come along to one of our meetings.

So whilst inviting others to stitch on prepared fabrics, which I had already helped start off with some stitching... I did my own thing.  Made this.

Its very me, and I have made similar in the past.

Its given me ideas for another project.

Yesterday, in the sunshine, I went out on a research trip.

Not far from my home, down very twisty turny country lanes, is a village.  A term to use very loosely, in that its an area two parts, quite a distance apart,  consisting one street each, and each street comes to a full stop.  The road ends you can't go any further.  At one stop there's a pub, which we frequently visit... but this time we went to the other area.  The road probably has no more than 10 houses on it, all on same side.  So we went to the end to take photographs, very quiet, except today for the buzz of harvesting.

See the distant telegraph poles?

They are along the road to the other part of the village.

Its important, to remember to look up!

Lovely to chill and just be..... until..... emerging from beside the hedges, through the fields, a party of about 15 walkers.  They chose to stop and have a lunch break. 

So left them to enjoy and went on to the next planned location.  This time what is the more usual layout of a village.  A place of history, and tales of witchcraft.  Sitting high up on what passes for a hill round here, with views across the countryside.

My home is down and to the left

Brilliant sunshine, if breezy, it was point, click and hope.

So between my point and shoot camera, and himself with two camera, lenses and all sorts, I think I have enough info.  We take very different photos, I look at the texture and detail, and he looks more for composition, which is why the field photos are his, playing with new camera!

You will have to wait and see what I've been photographing and the end result... but its not the images here!

This coming Saturday is an Embroiderers' Guild meeting.  'Share a Skill'.  I believe we will have about four areas with various tasks, in response to what Members asked for.  So someone wanted beading and I said 'I can do that' - so I am!!  I believe in making contributions if you can.... and I'm sure the Members don't want to taste my efforts at cake, heck even birds reject it.

Circling the Square

My afternoon workshop at the Embroiderers' Guild was well received I believe.  We had a nice mix of regular Members, from Members who now live long distances away, and we welcomed many new faces.  The word Guild had put them off, they were of the view that the Guild is very old fashioned.  Not sure what they made of my painted and dipped in wax piece!!!

The term 'guild' has been a source of discussion as long as (and likely before) I've been a Member.  (24 years).  Perceptions are always made whatever words and phrases are used.  Best advice give it a go and see.

So I can reveal that my Workshop involved using the puzzle page from newspapers as a design source.

I am in this photo, but which one?

Mwah ha ha.....

Photo courtesy of Penny

Last week was the regular monthly meeting of The MaterialGirls.  As always, moving forward with new ideas to explore, tentative plans for many months ahead are starting first thoughts. Sometimes its tough, but I joined to challenge myself and it provides that, in many varied ways.

You may have noticed, reference to the Eastern RegionTextile Forum has disappeared from this blog.  I have not renewed my membership, having been a Member since inception and played a large role in the creation of the current website.  Its been Eight years and simply I've changed, my needs and wants are not the same, and the organisation has moved and changed, so we are no longer a good fit.  I have met some lovely people, enjoyed their company, but I think I've found my natural end point.

I've not done much creating this week, however I have been watching some daily real time videos of making, from those who use paint and paper and others who stitch.  I like the quirky reality, the mistakes, ie the dropped brush, the unthreaded needle, in real time span.  I wonder if this is the way things are going, many people offer video tutorials for free, and others are doing these webinar things, ie watch as live and join in via comments.  As a severe (getting a little better, see above) photophobic, videos would be a long way off, unless its just hands!!!! 😀. Plus we perhaps are an unusual household, don't own and have never owned video cameras, just have the facility which comes on mobile phones and cameras.  But cameras.... we could open a shop!!

I have a new toy....

 a flower stitch foot

I've been looking at them for a long time.  For my machine the cost was prohibitive.  Last year I looked again and saw I could buy for £15-£20 but still hesitated as to how much use I'd have and was it just indulgence.  Then last week I found I could buy one for £6 with no p&p - well rude not to.

Had a little play and these amongst first trials - love it!

Current task - work out how to cobble together a quilting guide for the lefthand side of sewing machine, and still keep the right hand side guide.  It likely involves wire, paperclips and pliers..... whoever thinks textile art/embroidery are refined genteel exploits.