Inspiration is never far away...........

Some weeks the words for my blog flow easily, at other times it takes a little more effort!  I have a feeling this my be one of those weeks.......so this could be a shortie!

Challenge 2018 - Week 22

I mentioned last week that I really needed to move away from my comfort zone for the next Challenge.  So I decided to poke my nose into one of my favourite mixed media books to get an idea.  This is the result.  

I do like a bit of dissolvable fabric so I made the most of the moment and did a long awaited extended version.  I had hope to make a second piece each week but sadly that hasn't happen, but I am rather happy with this one. 

Expanded - Week 22

It is also on fabric paper and mounted onto some beautifully textured watercolour paper.  

Now to think about next weeks.........

I reckon that these will be a good basis for another round of workshops, so watch this space for more details.

The Sewing Studio is now taking bookings for the workshops that I am running with them.  Full details can be found at The Sewing Studio, and by following the link on my website, if you are interested.  Thank you.

Before I go...........here are a couple photos taken on our walks at Brodick, Isle of Arran and Bedruthan Steps, North Cornwall.  

Habour Wall - Brodick - Isles of Arran

Although both are of course 'man-made', they do have a very interesting quality with their textures and patterns.  

Cornish Wall - Coastal Path - Bedruthan

Inspiration is never far away if we only open our eyes!!

Thank you again for popping by......

Carolyn

Never a dull moment.........

Well, what a weekend......one minute we are walking the Coastal Path to Bude, having a quite 98th Birthday celebration, then back home for a street BBQ!!  

Sea Pinks - Coastal Path - Bude

But that's not enough for us, oh no!! Next morning was spent packing up our camping equipment (last minute decision!!) followed by a Gin tasting evening with friends! Phew!!

Our camping equipment got an airing at Acton Field Campsite with two of our children and their families.  We were blessed with beautiful weather, and although it was only a very short break, it was super.  

Chapman's Pool

I have spent several holidays in the Bournemouth area as a child, but didn't really know much about the Swanage side.  It was beautiful.  Picture perfect villages and of course a very impressive Corfe Castle.

Chapman's Pool - Anchor

I have also managed to finish Week 21 of my Challenge 2018.  I like a bit of manipulated fabric, and although this one is okay, I am hoping that now I am half way through my Challenge I will be able to move away from my comfort zone.  I think I need to be a little more daring!

Week 21

One thing is becoming clear though, I do rather like hand stitching!  Not the neat and tidy embroidery that my Nana would have done but large and expressive stitches that are very happy to be random and rough!

  Although my greatest passion for quilting/textiles comes from the freedom of creating something in mixed media with very few rules, I do, now and again like to touch base with the traditionalist in me that likes to test my accuracy in making the 'perfect' block!!

Sunday Lunch - Prep 

So, welcome to my 'Sunday Lunch' Quilt.  It is still in the preparation stage, but it is coming along nicely.  There will be a pattern available once it is finished and of course I will post a photo of the completed quilt.

There we go, that should keep me busy until the next round of workshops start on Thursday 14th June!

Thank you again for popping by...

Carolyn

From fabric painting to house painting...........

Is it only a week since our lovely break in Scotland and The Lakes? 

How time flies!

 We are now completely back to normal again and can be found painting the outside of the house!!  The weather has been spectacular and it has be great have an excuse for being outside!  Exhausting though!!

I have decided to leave last weeks Challenge 2018 un-finished, complete with tacking stitches and papers in place.  At a later point I intend to make a larger version that will be completed!!

So, to this weeks Challenge........I really enjoyed making the samples for my latest workshops and so decided to use a few snippets in a small collage.  It is of course in my favourite colour!!  

Challenge 2018 - Week 20

Before we went away I had the Collage workshop at St Eval and now that we are settled back I thought that I would include a couple photos from our day.  It was a super, very cosy with just a couple of us, but nevertheless it was lovely.  

Younique Collage Workshop

 One of my ladies had been to all 3 workshops and so was able to use samples from them.  The master stroke was to over-lay a transfer dyed sheer which just added an extra dimension.   

Adding Finishing Touches

My other lady found a small twig on her way to the workshop which was the perfect addition to her piece of art.  It included the fabric paper that she created at the previous workshop.

 

Perfect Hanging

I am looking forward to running this course again in a few weeks, and seeing what stunning pieces of work will be produced then.  For now though it is back to a slightly larger paint brush and finish the house!!

Thank you for popping by. 

Carolyn

   

Workout and Workshops

My Challenge 2018 for the week we were away had to be something that I could take with me and easily pick up and do.  So, I drew a quick sketch (I'm no artist) of Mawgan Porth and took a selection of hand dyed fabrics away with me to work with.
  

Week 19 - work in progress 

It just needs a few decorative stitches to bring it to life and complete it.

In the meantime back to our Northern Adventures

After a few days in Scotland we treated ourselves to a 'Break the Journey' overnight stay at Ings by Windermere, which turned into two!!

A long way up!

 A stunning walk up to Stickle Tarn along Stickle Ghylls which was a workout for the heart and knees, but I'm pleased to say both behaved and were up to the challenge.  

Stickle Ghyll

I could have found a new outlet for my affections and need to have a strong word with my 10 year old self that prevented me venturing back to the Lakes in the past!!

My Flickr page will have more photos from Scotland and The Lakes.  If you would like to take a look please click on 'My Inspiration' at the side of this blog  .

Getting back to all things textile, I am excited to say that following a meeting with Stacey & Darius I will shortly be running some workshops at The Sewing Studio Redruth.  

The first one will be '5 metres of Hemp' on Friday 10th August.  

Snap-shot of '5 metres of Hemp'

This is a collage using purchased fabric with a design that can be extended with stitch.

Other dates are:

Friday 7 September Vintage Wall Hanging. 

Snap-shot of Vintage Wall Hanging

Following a pattern make a personalised wall-hanging with photo fabric, lace and buttons

Friday 26 October Christmas Collage.  

Snap-shot of Christmas Collage

Using your own creativity make a seasonal wall art collage using scraps of purchased Christmas fabric, decorated with hand and machine stitch.

Friday 23 November Angus Cushion.  

Snap-shot of Angus

A very popular workshop that I am delighted to run again. The cushion mixes wool, linen and various weights of cotton together with a photo of your choice on photo fabric. 

Also at the Catalina room St Eval I will be re-running the 3 part Collage workshop for those of you that missed it first time and have had your appetite whetted.  There will be plenty of hands on practise as well as demonstrations of each technique.  All you need to bring is an apron, some fabric scraps and a little free spirit, the rest including all paints, dyes and papers will be available each day.  If nothing else the coffee and biscuits are pretty good!

Thursday 14 June - Day 1 - Transfer Dyes, Stencils & Mark Making #1

Thursday 28th June - Day 2 - Fabric Paper, Painting Fabric & Mark Making #2

Thursday 12 July - Day 3 - Create your own Collage

I will be adding to these dates shortly with new workshops trying out different techniques.  

The details for all my workshops can be found on my website.  

Bookings for the Catalina Room are via my website but for The Sewing Studio or Coast and Country they are via their websites, thank you.

Thank you again for popping by.  

Carolyn

From Fabric Paper to the Isle of Arran........

Again a little delay in my blogging..........this time due to a rather lovely break in Scotland followed by a couple nights in the Lake District!

 

But before we get to that...............Day Two of the Collage Workshop at 

St Eval, was a fabulous day, thank you Ladies.

Inktense Blocks

We had a great time adding colour to fabric with my favourite medium - Inktense Blocks 

Fabric Paper

Making some beautiful pieces of Fabric Paper! 

First Free Machining

And also investigating 'mark-making' with Free Machining and another spot of Hand Stitching. 

It was great to see my enthusiasm for these techniques rubbing off.....

Artist at work!

  I'm looking forward to seeing which of these new and 'younique' fabrics will be used in the collages at this weeks Workshop.  Photos will of course follow. 

  

Not wanting to miss out on any opportunity, I couldn't resist showing the ladies the effect of heat (in the form of an iron) being applied to a beautifully painted plastic bag which had been used to protect the table! The resulting texture will most likely become part of my Challenge 2018 at some point!

Talking of my Challenge, I seem to have a little catching up to do, so here are the latest two that I have finished.

Challenge 2018 - Week 17

 Week 17 is another weave.  While I was getting samples ready for last workshop I used a small piece of muslin to 'mop-up' the excess paint.  

The resulting fabric was rather lovely and so I used it for the challenge. 

Challenge 2018 - Week 18

Challenge 2018 - Week 18 is a study of stitches on a piece of Inktense painted fabric.  I have been making samples up for the workshops and loved the simplicity of the stitches, so decided to use them to add texture to the fabric.   

Now back to our northern adventures.....

Arran in the Sunset

Every now and then we all need to step away from the norm and take a little time out. 

This was us, so a trip to Scotland was called for to visit our oldest and dearest Friends. 

Corsewall Point

The weather was very kind and showed Ayrshire off at its very best. 

Brodick - Isle of Arran

We also had a long a-waited trip to the Isle of Arran, which was planned to perfection with flat calm seas for both the out-going and home-coming ferry crossings. We whiled away several hours beach combing in the glorious sunshine and came home with some rather lovely 'finds'.  

Brodick Beach - Isle of Arran

The Gorgeous Girl was a superstar and had the greatest fun with her oldest pal. 

I was very spoilt, while we where there and was treated to a 'school loom' from WeftBlown, which I am so excited about using.  

I love doing a bit of weaving, (you may have noticed if you follow my blog) and have wanted a loom for a while now.  

It will be an adventure experimenting so please watch this space for my attempts. 

Thank you again for popping by, there will be more on our adventures in the north in my next blog......

Carolyn

So that was April!

Armed with my second coffee of the morning, and in an attempt to dry out after our wet and windy walk on the cliff, I thought it time that I sat down and wrote something on my blog!!

A friend mentioned yesterday 'I am not sure where that month went'........well I'll second that!  I can't believe that the last time I put fingers to the keyboard was 2nd April!! It feels like only yesterday that we were getting ready for visitors over the Easter break!!  

One of our trips over Easter, was a lovely day at Lanhydrock, wandering around the gardens, with the Grandchildren.  

A little early for Bluebells and Magnolias but beautiful nonetheless.  If you have never been; Lanhydrock has the most amazing kitchens.  A wonderful place to mooch around in and soak up the atmosphere!

Another adventure was a quick trip to Dartmoor.  Day One was gorgeous but.........Day Two.....that was quite another matter.   (No photos of Day Two)

 Dartmoor is always fantastic whatever the weather and so good for the soul.  The trip was a real walk down memory lane, as we have returned to this spot, on our own and with the children several times over the years!!

It is amazing to think that Sir Francis Drake had the foresight to create this Leat for the the people of Plymouth all those years ago.  

 The next adventure was Day One of the new Collage Workshop at 
St Eval. 

 It was a super day, lots of laughs, chatter, paint and some hand-stitching!! 

I am very much looking forward to Day Two next Thursday (Catalina Room).  Each workshop is designed to explore different media and techniques that will add colour and texture to fabric.  

They can be done as a set of 3 or as individual days.  

Day Two will explore amongst other things, making fabric paper, which once it is dry can be stitched into and use as any other fabric.
  
The only difference is that it is truly unique and made by you! 

A couple days after the workshop I popped down to our local Village Hall for the Plant & Produce Sale.  It was a great couple of days meeting lots of interesting folks.  'Thank you' to everyone that took the time to pop in and see us. 

 One lucky lady won a voucher for a Younique Textiles Day Workshop in the Sunday raffle.  

Now to the Challenge 2018............I have to admit at this point, that I have been a tad busy with workshop samples and 'life' but saying that I have pieces to show. 

Week 14 - Weave

 I have decided though, that these last 3 are not finished pieces but in fact techniques only. 

Week 15 - Fabric Paper

I am still working on this weeks Challenge, but it will be ready shortly.  

Week 16 - Transfer Dyes

Well that is it for today, can't say that my second coffee helped to warm me up on this Super Sunny Spring Day, (please can someone tell the weather it is Spring and it would be rather lovely if it was a little bit warmer!!).........but at least the Gorgeous Girl and I are dry now.

Thank you again for popping by, 

Carolyn



   

Making a mark!!

Since my last blog we have had a whirlwind trip to Cheltenham and also a visit to family in Salisbury.  

While we were at Cheltenham, we got to see a beautiful collection of tapestry panels created by ladies of the Royal Air Force Association Gloucester Branch in celebration of RAF100.  

Sadly, I didn't/couldn't take any photos but if you click on this link it should take you to their page.  The work that has gone into them is incredible as I am sure you will agree. I think my favourite one is panel number 2; the detail is so amazing it looks just like a sepia photo. 

So from experienced Stitchers, to the next generation!

Recently on one of the blogs that I follow, I saw a collection of work that was created with a theme of 'crosses'.  The crosses came in all shapes and sizes, with one common denominator, the size of the cloth. Sadly, for 2 minutes I can't remember the name of the lady who created this lovely work, but as soon as I do I will add a link. 

Anyway, the reason for my rambling, is that I showed this blog page to my daughter who was wanting to make something for Easter, with the children in her school.  

Close up of Cross

The children; Reception age to Year 6, were asked to make a small cross on a piece of fabric, which would then be put together to make one large cross.  They chose the colour, the size and the place their cross was going to be.  Even the teachers added their cross.  It was a fabulous day and I am very proud of my daughter for organising this and delighted to have been part of it.  I too left a sneaky cross on the fabric!!

Close up of stitches

 Inspired by the children's stitching, my piece for this weeks Challenge 2018 is just simple stitches on handmade felt.  I think it looks a little like fireworks!  

Week 13 - 26 March 18

This week has also seen me been busy making outfits for a fancy dress party.  You will be pleased to note that I don't have any photos of this either (you really wouldn't want to see my version of a 1970's punk!!), but it was great fun getting carried away with the extreme numbers of press studs I stitched to my skirt! 

 And so back to my Challenge which I may be a little late with this week, as we have a couple of little distractions staying (namely two of our Grandchildren), but I am sure I can be excused on this occasion!!  Then again I may get them to help me!!

 

Thank you again for popping by.

Carolyn