Raggedy wreath

My friend Anne has sent me this photo of her raggedy wreath to share on my blog.

She used 5 fat 1/8ths and a wide gold organza ribbon on a double florists hoop.

It looks stunning 

Thank you Anne

for instructions on how to make your own raggedy wreath see my previous post

Bev

WOW where has the time gone?

The last few months have been super busy what with decorating, moving office and finishing projects before Christmas. 

Firstly I just want to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to all my students for completing their City & Guilds level 1 courses, ( machine embroidery, hand embroidery and patchwork & quilting) We heard yesterday that they had all passed so it is a wonderful early Christmas present to everyone. 

I also heard today, that I can offer level 2 courses next year so I am over the moon. I will need to get back down to earth soon but will enjoy today.

Last night my friends popped round for a Christmas make - raggedy wreaths. A great make as there was no stitching or sticking involved.

To make one you will need a wire hoop and at least 2 different fabrics and some ribbon ( 1" wide)  or organza to add a touch of glitz

 The above finished hoop was made with a florist hoop which has 2 rings. 

The pictures below show a single hoop which is of the sort used to make dream catchers and lamp shades. I purchsed it from Fred Aldous and I have to say delivery was super quick.

Fabric - 2 fat quarters and some ribbon or organza to add a bit of glitz.

A double hoop will take more fabric and some of my friends used 5 fat 1/8ths which worked very well.

Cut the fabric, ribbon and organza into strips 1" by 5" (2.5cms by 12.5cms)

We found that knotting the fabric with the right side on next to the hoop made the knot lie better. 

Keep knotting the fabric round the hoop (randomly choosing the fabric strips, ribbon or organza) until it is covered.

Then fiddle and tweek to fluff up the fabric. The left side of the photo is before I fiddled and the right side shows some tweeking.

Bev x

Marbling

Are you like me?

I buy something which catches my eye at a show and then wait months before I get round to using, playing or experimenting with it. 

Or do you delve in as soon as you get home?

Well a  few months ago I purchased a marbling kit and it is only in the last few days that I have managed to start playing with it. 

marbling4fun

As you can see it is now well used

These are a couple of pieces on fabric

And as Christmas is galloping towards us 

I couldn't resist making a few gift tags. I think I may go all brown paper parcels and home made gift tags this year.

Bev

Out and About

It has been a busy few weeks and I feel that I have lost touch with my blog.

To get you up to speed, my current City & Guilds students have finished their courses in machine embroidery, hand embroidery and patchwork & quilting. There is just the final push to make sure all the samples and notes are completed before the student showcase at Bee Crafty in November.

I have been out and about visiting new sewing shops. It has been lovely going to new places and meeting some wonderful people. 

The first was Tudor Rose in Oakley near Bedford. With a lovely coffee shop and and an enticing display of cakes it took a lot of self control to restrain myself. However their fantastic range of batik fabrics could not be so easily passed by and I couldn't help buying a few for my stash. There is an impressive range of patchwork fabric, wools, and haberdashery just to name a few of the items 

My next visit took me in the opposite direction up the A1 road to a brand new shop near Oakham. Rutland Sewing Centre in the Rutland Village next to Rutland Garden Centre in Ashwell. This shop has only been open a month and things are certainly looking good. With a lovely workshop area it is a lovely bright airy space.

I am looking forward to many a visit over the next year to both these new venues.

Also don't forget the second of Grayson Perry's lectures

The Reith Lectures on BBC iplayer

Reith Lectures

Grayson Perry is giving this years series of Reith Lectures on BBC radio 4.

 Not a usual blog post but I have just listened to the first and want to share it with you.

Playing to the Gallery - Democracy Has Bad Taste

Fresh Take At Burghley House

We were delighted by international exhibiting textile artist Anita Bruce on Saturday at our branch of the Embroiderers Guild. Anita is well known for her sculptural forms knitted in wire, and came to share her new work and the work of five local artists in the Fresh Take at Burghley exhibition.

Fresh Take is a contemporary art exhibition with artists responding to the history, interior decoration and collections at Burghley House in Stamford.

Burghley was built by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. He hoped that Elizabeth I would visit Burghley but an outbreak of smallpox prevented this from happening. This event has been depicted as a wonderful pair of shoes by sugar craft artist Kathryn Parsons. Kathryn has also made another pair of shoes full of delicately crafted flowers

Anita was influenced by the bird imagery found throughout the house and blended photographs of tapestries and paintings with feathers she had drawn. The result is a beautiful heavy silk fabric with rich feather designs.This has been used to create the silk Trophy Birds which hang at the top of the Hell Staircase. 

Jason Duckmanton's Danse Macabre zoetrope, 

Lindsey Holme's the Little Bedlam Club 

Sue Shield's delicate narrative fragments 

And Street Artist, Stuart Payn's innovative cabinet all make for an exciting new Fresh Take on Burghley

Meet the Artists at Art Pop-up

Anita brought some fabric remnants to whet our appetites

Certainly not an exhibition to miss and with the Burghley Flower Festival starting this Saturday (5th October) there is even more reason for a day out.

Bev

Apologies

Hello everyone

I haven't deserted my blog, just been busy catching up on marking. Lot's of time spent at the computer and not enough in the studio, so not much creativity to report. I have been busy making the Blue John #1 block for the International Block Swap, but it has been decided by the group not to publish photos until December, so I will have to keep you in suspense. 

I have received my new flyers for the City & Guilds courses which I am pleased with as they are so colourful. 

Also the Calico group have an exhibition at John Clare Cottage in Helpston starting next week. 

Normal posting will be resumed soon, Bev