There are some days when stitch can seem to restrict the creativity. Sometimes you just need to be bold and free, to allow the physicality of the fabric to speak for itself.
This morning the sky was blue and the sun shining, just the time for some"blue sky thinking".The beginning of a piece of work for the forecourt of the Silk Mill. Now about two metres by one; it will grow!

Tweave

Amy Houghton and Ed Holroyd have created Tweave (commissioned by Craftspace) - have a browse and listen!
Tweave maps sound recordings of craft and making to create an evolving thread of sounds - see here
Recently Amy recorded 3 pieces with Susi which are on the site - 'Susi Bancroft stitching hand-written paper backings onto a contemporary quilt artwork'; 'Susi Bancroft reading her reflections on sound and making' and also 'Susi Bancroft reading her reflections on sound and making, piece 2'.
You can listen to one of them here 
The pieces accompany the making of work for 'Curiouser?..' for the Silk Mills Frome in September.

The Power of Making

Alison is currently featuring in a video called 'interactive knitting' on the Crafts Council website (filmed by Marc le Galle). Alison recently took her knitting chair into Bath School of Art and Design where she invited passers by to join her in her making - knitting, crocheting and unpicking the yarn she has made from discarded crisp packets - emphasising the fact that this material will be around for a very long time... if not forever. Do you know how much 'yarn' she can make from one packet?!
For viewing go to here and look for her video called 'interactive knitting'. Will try to post the video on the blog here in the next day or two. The V and A are holding an exhibition in September called 'The Power of Making' - for more detail see here

Paper Cranes...

New work for "Curiouser...?" from Carolyn...

beautiful Japanese origami cranes, simplicity of line and shape...

Carolyn's collograph block before it has been printed.....

Alison's work in progress for Curiouser...

Alison will be using her crisp packet yarn for an outside installation at the Silk Mills responding to the post-industrial character of the setting.

Recent developing work is challenging the 'throw-away' single use of paper coffee cups

one cut cup

Birthday Cake!

As you can see preparations are afoot for the BB's birthday cake! We are inviting you to make your own candles and bring them along to the show - as we need at least 21! Please attach a small label describing your favourite / worst birthday party experience! This can be from when you were 5 or 50.... Size for candles optional - whatever you like!
Hints - cut spirals or wrapping are an easy way to cover a tube and thin wire on the outside holds the shape.

glimpses and details

Glimpses of landscape exploring the effects of colour continue to fascinate Liz.

Orange and red provide a contrast to the blue and green [detail of Glimpse 3]
Grey softens and merges the brighter colour [detail Glimpse 7]

Making connections..

I went to the 'It's darling!' Vintage and Artisan Fair

in Bath - click here. There were beautifully crafted items there.
 I met Eirlys from Scrapiana and bought this Stitcher's

Beeswax - fell in love with the way it was thought about and made!

Beeswax is featuring in my work for 'Curiouser' at the moment.

More about this later..

Eirlys also says she follows the Brunel Broderers blog - she follows it via the email link which simply sends a message to you each time there is a new post so you can keep

up to date with us! This was exciting news - and in return do browse Scrapiana's lovely site here! 

Moving forward...

.. the last of the four panels being designed.

Over many days I stand changing the pieces around

and then, walking back, turning round, it looks and feels right...

Collaboration in Painswick

The work from the Cardiff Exhibition, Material Connections, will be on show at the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen Exhibition in Painswick from July 30th - Aug 21st. Rosemary Cochrane's work and mine will be shown alongside each other, so if you missed it there is another chance to see it! Sketchbooks and E-mail book to explain the developments. I will be there all day on Friday 19th August stitching away so please come and introduce yourself!
This piece sold in Cardiff so won't be there! All details on the Guild's website.

a bit of help

Embroidery Magazine

The curent issue of embroidery (July Aug 2011 EG website) arrived today and we are delighted to see the advert for Curiouser on page 6!! Have a look..