1st Thursday December Meeting

Only five of us here today but we all managed to get some work done.  Maureen has completed her piece based on some old machinery, Ann was painting bondaweb so she could get started on her pieces, Pam and Val were busy stitching and I was making a cobweb felt scarf which turned out very well and I am really pleased with.  The village hall is great for making long pieces of felt because they have some good solid, long tables that can be put together to create a long surface to work on.  I can feel everyone slowing down now for Christmas, clearing bits and pieces and getting ready for the break.

 

This is Maureen's piece, now shaped into a pot

 

Val has done a piece of her own design using various drawn

threadwork stitches. My photography doesn't do it justice.

 

 

 

This is my felted scarf, still very wet but it dried lovely.

November Meeting

Fifteen of us had a good day working hard.  Ann kindly brought her laptop with some photographs she took of the exhibition at Salts Mill a few weeks ago and it  was good to see the work again.

We had a discussion about the request we have had to submit work for various exhibitions around the local libraries next year culminating in a large display at the Royal Armouries in 2015.  Topic is of course the First World War and some groups are already under way with their work.  We have a few members interested in doing something so we are going to look further into it for next month.  Apparently there isn't much work done so far on women in the war, so we may go down that route.

A few people brought in their 'Elements' work so far and we had another discussion about how we would arrange our own exhibition next May.  There is some really good work been done and I think it is going to look fantastic.

Everyone was geared up for the Knitting and Stitching Show next day and it didn't disappoint.  We all came home with various bags and boxes and everyone declared it a good day.  I think there were more people there than ever before.  I certainly didn't get as long as I would have liked round the exhibition stands and I didn't have time to double back and revisit traders for a second look.  Jenny and I looked in on the Art in Action stand and picked up some interesting tips from one stand but unfortunately I didn't get the ladies name.   One is photographed below, not very good but I did a quick sample on Saturday so I wouldn't forget the method.

First, stitch tissue paper onto a piece of fabric using either hand or machine sewing.  Next, cover the tissue and stitch with gesso.  While the gesso is still wet, place another piece of fabric over the top and leave until it is completely dry.  When dry, rip the two pieces of fabric apart.  You will get some of the tissue clinging to the stitching and the rest will have attached itself to the other piece of fabric.  Two samples in one go!!

I will do this again with some more interesting fabric and tissue but the idea is good.

Another Isobel hall workshop

We decided to take advantage of Isobel being in this country and booked a second workshop with her, this time doing Vessels.  We were all a bit unsure of what we were doing to start with but we soon had a production line going with everyone getting at least 2 vessels made if not completed.  Most of us have to finish off at home, adding the extra decoration and stitch.  It was a lovely day but we were all exhausted by the end.  Our thanks to Isobel and her husband for two informative and enjoyable day.

So, some photographs.  First, there were a few finished books from the last workshop and then some of us hard at work on our vessels.

 

Christina's on the left and Barbara D. on the right

Roma's on the left and Anita's on the right

This is Maureen's book cover

 

 

 

Shirley's bowl under construction and a finished one in the background

 

 

Val has a lovely coloured vessel using sinamay

 

 

This is Maureen's, another really delicate looking vessel.

Another of Jan's

These two are Roma's

 

Isobel Hall Book Workshop

It is nearly a fortnight since we did the workshop with Isobel, doesn't time fly.  Sorry I have been so long posting the blog but it was half term and my daughter and I have been dashing around and I have bought a new car!  We went to Salt's Mill and saw the exhibition there which was wonderful, as everyone else who had been had already told me.  As we were in Bradford we also visited Bombay Stores and my daughter bought some lovely fabrics which we have made into cushion covers.

So, back to the workshop.  It was a very hectic day to fit everything in but we really enjoyed it.  It is good to see how different products work and react with each other.  Most people were saying things like 'I like this, I think I will buy some' or alternatively 'I don't think I would use this again'.  Isobel also gave us a talk about paper and its different qualities which was very useful.  I have got my brother-in-law roped in to making me a frame for book binding.

Below are some of the work that was done with Isobel.  We are now looking forward to the vessels workshop in November.

Here are two that were finished by the end of the week.  The one on the left is done with pastel crayons covered in mod podge gloss and highlighted with encaustic wax in gold.  The dark strip is the same paper as the background but painted with Tim Holz alcohol ink in Aubergine (I think).

October Meeting

The day we had all been waiting for.  The Chinese Whispers would be revealed.  This all started last year when we split into two groups, each group was given a photograph that only the first person in the group could look at.  That person did a piece of work based on that photograph and then the piece of work was passed on to the next person.  No one else saw the photograph and just did an interpretation of the work they had been given.  It is amazing how it develops and changes.  Below are the two photographs and the first two pieces taken from it.  If you want to see the last pieces, you will need to come to our exhibition next May when they will all be on display.

Some lovely work was done on each piece.

As I mentioned above, we have settled a date for our exhibition on the 10th and 11th May 2014 at
Ayton Village Hall, so keep a look for notices nearer the date.

There were 18 of us in the hall this week so it was very busy.  Christina was making cling film sandwiches, Liz was finishing off some book covers and Barbara was in the long back room making cords.  It was a lovely bright sunny day, a shame to be indoors really but we all enjoyed ourselves and there was chocolate cake as it was National Chocolate Week.

Pam has moved to the seaside.

While Marilyn is heading around the world.

Main September Meeting

Most people are now back from their summer holidays and were eager to get started working again.  We had much discussion about the coming workshops with Isobel Hall in October and November. It is quite difficult to get the things you need in this area, however we have managed to source kozo paper in large size sheets and I found cocos fibre, Jackie has found some Mod Podge but it will be expensive to order from the internet because of the weight.  However, we are looking forward to our workshops and I am sure it will be fine on the day.
Jackie had visited the exhibition Cloth and Memory 2, at Salt's Mill and gave it an excellent review, so much so, I have persuaded my daughter to go with me in the half term break.  You can easily fit in a trip to Bombay Stores on the same day.  The exhibition is on until the 3rd November. 
People are now starting to concentrate on their exhibition pieces and they are all coming on well.  It is amazing how everyone has a different take on the same topic.
Next month we bring our 'Chinese Whispers' pieces and see where it has taken us.  For those who don't know what we are doing - all will be revealed on the October blog.
Below are some of the pieces being worked on that all have the theme of water for the 'Elements' exhibition.

 

Barbara is weaving a rainbow

 

This piece by the other Barbara is coming on really well

 

Maureen is just sampling at the moment

1st Thursday Group - September meeting

The first Thursday Group met last week and had a busy morning.  Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so I couldn't record what everyone was doing.  Needless to say, they are all busy working on their 'Elements' pieces ready for the exhibition next March. Maureen and Val were updating their sketchbooks, Ann is still working out how to translate her inspiration (which is fabulous) and Pam, Marilyn, Angela and Barbara were stitching.

 I have just bought a book called 'Make it Personal' by Hilary Beattie and I can recommend it for creating your own backgrounds and fabrics.  Lots of information on printing and suggestions for taking it further.  She is planning a series of books on how to get from your initial inspiration to a finished piece so I am looking forward to the next one.

Yesterday I went on a workshop with Lindsey Tyson doing Devore and Transfer Printing.  We had a very busy day but we managed to get several pieces of fabric devored and then we printed over the top of some of them as well as printing on other fabrics.  It was a very good day and the cake was delicious.  Here is some of my work.

 

This was a crumpled transfer print over devored satin

 

 This was a transfer print over polyester/cotton

 

This was a transfer print on to some Evelon that I took with me

 

I didn't print onto the velvet we devored, I am saving that for something else.