More retail therapy

I had another dose of retail therapy yesterday after work, by stopping off at Craft Arena. (I forgot to say in my blog last night) I had ordered some more Hemmingworth threads , which had been delivered, so I just HAD to go and get them. Trouble is there were some new Valdani threads in as well!

Today it was off to Cottenham. We were told that Textiles in Focus had been a success in spite of the economic climate. Lots of discussions about our Sutton Hoo exhibition that is taking place in June (84 days to go). We have all got to make a wall hanging at least A3and if we have any 'spare time' a bag as well to fit in a 10" square. Planty to keep me busy!!!!!

We got back our A.T.C.'s , we were all given two themes, mine were culture-music and colour-intense. We had to make our A.T.C.'s put them in a bag with our design source and a selection of materials that had been used and then sent off to the other group and then they would make one for us and vice versa. My A.T.C.'s are on the left with the design source. I had never made an A.T.C. card before and was quite nervous but I really enjoyed it, I also like the anticipation of waiting to see what is going to come back you.

Saturday

My parents evening went well I am pleased to say. I was so tired when I got in I just chilled in the lounge and watched Billy Connolly- what a waste of a couple of hours. Tonight I am packing my bags as it is Fen Edge Textiles tomorrow.

All work and no play.......

I have not had much time to play this week, I have had to make a few alterations to my reports as my new team leader likes things worded differently to my old team leader. I have parents evening tomorrow night, so I have been making lots of notes on my 'cherubs' ready for that. I am trying to come up with some concrete ideas for my next project, but can't seem to settle on anything at the moment. Maybe I will feel more creative once tomorrow night is over, I always get butterflies at the thoughts of parents evening.

I have posted photo's of the 'sampler' I made on Saturday with Gwen Hedly. I have undone a couple of areas and reworked them, I will do some more work on this at a later date.

Hyland's House

As the sun was shining brightly, I decided against getting back to my school reports after breakfast, instead I went to Hyland's House to see the E.H.A. exhibition.(Essex Handicrafts Association) My daughter went armed with sketch book, pencils and camera to get in some drawing practice ready for starting G.C.S.E.'s next year. The grounds there are full of wonderful old trees. Within a very short time of getting there, it turned too cold for her to draw, so she waited in the car with Hubby, while I enjoyed the exhibits. Photos are not allowed to be taken inside the house because of the flash causing damage, which was a pity as there was some lovely work on show. It was lovely to see so many people I know who are involved with textiles, so as well as enjoying the exhibits I also enjoyed a good natter. Denise from Craft Arena was there, and she has had some new Valdani threads in. Guess what? One of the new colours is just the right very dark green have been looking for. for some time. I now have a stitching project to take to work with me!

I have now finished my reports and can start playing!

Gwen Hedley

I was at an Embroiderer's Guild workshop in Chelmsford today with Gwen Hedley, it was nice to meet her again. Nickie and I met her last summer when we were on an E.G. Summer School at Belstead. It was really nice that she recognised me, seeing how many workshops and talks she has done since then.( Maybe Nickie and I were remembered for being so noisy!) In the picture below, Gwen is having a well deserved cuppa, while discussing a technique with Di.We had to join fabric together by other means, rather than with a needle and thread, such as staples, sticks etc. It was great fun, not sure if or when I would use these techniques but it really makes you think. Gwen was very generous with her knowledge, and kept giving us more ideas than we had time for. (Her new book is due out Aug 2010) We all made samples rather than a resolved piece and we shall take then to our next E.G meeting.

I then went to our E.G. exhibition in the library, (a flying visit as it was nearly closing time) below are the squares we made on member's night in colours to represent the seasons. It was put up on Thursday afternoon by members of our Guild and they have done a really good job, I know it took them a good few hours to hang

Photo's of my two pieces in situ below. I shall be going back to look at the exhibition and take some photo's to post while I am helping at a workshop we are holding there in two weeks time.

Now, I really must start my reports, though I really want to carry on stapling!

Chuffed!!!!!!

Today, somebody asked me if they could buy my 'Storm Damaged Trees' picture, WOW!!!!!

Chelmsford Embroiderer's Guild Exhibition

I have now finished my second piece for our exhibition, just got to deliver the two pieces tomorrow night. I was hoping to help with setting up the exhibition on Thursday, but I have to attend my daughters parents evening as it is her Options year.

Now, I have to start thinking about the Sutton Hoo exhibition and writing my school reports!

A way to my Hubby's heart........

Here is the photo of Kokopelli, a few more changes to the original one, I do get carried away making the danglies.
At least I now have one entry for the Embroiderer's Guild exhibition ready!

I wasn't going to make Welsh cakes,(in fact I haven't made them since my first husband left me nearly twenty years ago), BUT, Alan has been busy making a picture frame for me to put my battered trees in, so I changed my mind-a woman's prerogative. I have had to adapt my late mother in law's recipe slightly, as my youngest daughter is a veggie, they are disappearing fast!

I forgot to tell everyone about the bargain I got in Hobbycraft on Friday, these wax pastels that are water soluble- they were half price and such lovely colours-who could resist, certainly not me.

Happy St David's Day, I was going to make some welsh cakes but instead I have finished Kokpelli. Now to carry on with the trees!