Apologies..........

.......to any readers still out there ...........as I have been very remiss about blogging lately.  My textile life has been put on the back burner for a little while and I am taking a step back to find time to experiment and play again with no specific aim or end in mind.   Not just with wire and knitting though ............I am in a crochet frenzy.

Inspired by the work and patterns provided by the fabulous crocheteers Emma Lamb and Lucy of Attic 24 I have found my old crochet hooks purchased some luscious yarn and started hooking.   So far I am working from the patterns I have found on blogs or in magazines but I am hoping this will all in good time feed back into my own work.  I wonder how........that is always the exciting bit.

from Attic 24 blog

Attic 24 pattern

Emma Lamb inspired garland

Now what shall I try next?

two fabulous exhibitions......

by ICHF at NEC Birmingham and SECC Glasgow.  I was very lucky to be able to take part in each.  At Glasgow I had my own stand - say hello to my hubby!

and at Birmingham I was exhibiting as part of the Reveal Group.

I met so many lovely people....exhibitors and visitors......... at both shows.  Thank you to everyone for all your enthusiasm and encouragement.

ICHF are continuing to put on exhibitions throughout the year the next stitchery one is Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts at ExCel in London on  4-6 April 2013.   Unfortunately we shall not be there but many many others are  - Don't miss it !  It should be a great event.

Up early tomorrow..........

.............and off to Glasgow for set up and then 4 days exhibiting at the SECC at ICHF Creative Stitches.  Looking forward to it!   Lots of demonstrators will be there...........

•Pat Archibald – Patchwork and Quilting

•Kim Thittichai – Mixed Media

•Wendy Dolan – Machine Embroidery

•Lorna Bateman – Hand Embroidery

•Margaret Beal – Fused Textiles

•Ziggy Rykta – Lucet Braid

•Jennie Rayment – Fiddling & Twiddling

•Caroline Earl – Textile Artist

•Kerry Mosley – Machine Embroidery

•Helen McKenna – Textile Artist

•Val Hughes – Felt Artist

Been dabbling......

 A few weeks ago the wonderful Stevie Davies led a number of us from the Hallam Group of the Society of Designer Craftsmen in a fused glass taster workshop.....and I was hooked. Since then I have spent my Xmas money (thanks mum) on a hot pot kiln and starter pack kindly supplied to me by Stevie who puts it all together with clear instructions on the do's and don'ts. All you then need is a microwave and some free time and a very tolerant husband and daughter who for the moment at least are prepared to share the microwave oven (I know it is not a good idea Stevie and I shall be sorting that one!) and hey presto here are my first efforts..........

everything out and ready to go.....

layering up the cut glass....

placing the kiln on a plate and off to the micro.....



cooked and cooling.....



More layering of glass, love this bit....



and more......hooked on this bit...



Hey Presto



Lush

 

Due to popular demand.....

...the exhibition I am in at the Sam Scorer Gallery in Lincoln is running for another week.  Apparently it has been a well received exhibition, which is just great!   The exhibition is now running to 17th February 2013 and not what it says below.

Yesterday......

............I was checking out the layout plan for the Fashion Embroidery and Stitch Event run by ICHF at NEC Birmingham.  I and other members of the Reveal group shall be exhibiting new work there from 21 - 24 March 2013.  It is always exciting to get the layout plan and see where our exhibition space is going to be and who will be our neighbours.  All we have to do now is finish the new work and decide how to hang it all together......simple! 

Some of my work....

.....is currently on show at the Sam Scorer Gallery in Lincoln in an exhibition curated by Kelly Fisher.  I met Kelly through the Hallam Group of the Society of Designer Craftsmen and she was kind enough to invite me to take part in her exhibition:  Kelly Fisher and friends, a Hint of Monochrome.  There is some wonderful work on show and some of Kelly's amazing ceramics....

There is a meet the artist event on Saturday 2nd February which I am really sorry not to be able to get to but am sure you will all enjoy.