End of Another Era

For the past three years I have been tutor and mentor to a group of embroiderers called "Zigzag". They were formed originally from my first class of City & Guilds students and over the years the group has lost some members, gained some others and gradually changed and evolved.

As a result the aims and objectives of the group have also evolved and changed and as happens this has not always been the same for all the members. And so sadly we all agreed that we have come to the end of an era and today was the last meeting of Zigzag.

Over the past year the ladies have been working to a theme based on the Arts and Crafts movement, following a study day at the V & A.

Their most recent challenge has been to produce a mixed media "tile" incorporating some embroidery, inspired by the work of the Arts and Craft artists.

What you see here is the finished results from five of the members. I'm sure you will agree this is stunning work.

It is always sad when something comes to an end but it has been an amicable parting and we were all agreed that it was time to move on. However, it has been an enriching and enjoyable three years for me... and I hope for the others too. We have had some good times, a lot of laughs and some amazing lunches (today was no exception)... not to mention the stunning work that has been produced.

So ladies of Zigzag, I would like to thank you all, wish you well and hope that I continue to see examples of your wonderful work in the future.

I am Procrastinating

Given a big bowlful of these,

there was only one thing to do...

Make jam!

But then that required the making of some scones...
it had to be done!

Today... I promise... I will start this essay...
but after I've had some breakfast.

Are scones and jam allowed for breakfast?

Calum and Laura

The wedding was perfect.

The sun shone all day.

The bride and groom looked happy and relaxed.

By some small miracle the bridesmaids' dresses all fitted and looked okay.

There were lots of lovely men in kilts...

Including my own lovely man in a kilt!

We scrubbed up okay!

And I was especially pleased with my fascinator, which I bought from the very talented Mary- Anne Morrison when we were exhibiting at PRISM

Although Stewart insisted on calling it either my receptor or voloceraptor because he couldn't remember "what that thing on your head is called!"
I can now breath a sigh of relief... and get on with a 3000 word essay which is looming large!

Up and Down

It's been a funny old week... it's a funny old job really. Having started the week on a bit of a low, questioning why I do what I do (thank you for all the messages of support by the way) it's finished on a somewhat of a high... with a birthday in between as well (thank you for all those messages too... I've not been great at keeping up with replying this week!)

There are times when I think I'd like to do less teaching and concentrate on "making" more of my own work. But knowing me I'd just potter about in the garden... or bake some more cakes.
It is hard to get the balance right.

And then I have days like yesterday when I was teaching at Artvango and it all seems so worthwhile. Always a super place to work... and visit, and yesterday's workshop was no exception.

There were eleven enthusiastic and talented ladies who produced the most beautiful array of colourful textured samples. I always feel as though I come away having learned as much as them! (More probably!!!)

The pictures are just a very small selection of what they made (I forgot my camera so thank you Jen for sending these)

And so I've arrived at Friday feeling much more like my usual self... so I won't be giving up just yet.

And if you like what you see there will be more workshops with me at Artvango on 16 September, 28 October, 9 February and 30 March. Would love to see you there.

Tomorrow is our Embroiderer's Guild Regional Day and Sunday we've a wedding (... those bridesmaid dresses!) so have a good weekend and no doubt I'll be back next week!

Fifty Three???

Okay... own up... who pressed the fast forward button? Despite my rapidly passing years I'm feeling much perkier today. Joe phoned from Dehli this morning and all is well with him. There were birthday flowers from my very clever Mum.

Birthday bubbles from my lovely boys.

And birthday cake from... well okay, I made my own cake!

Care to join me for a slice?

Messing about.

I'm having a bit of a "down" day today... the sort of "is it really worth all the hassle messing around with textiles" kind of day... the sort of "should I give it all up and go back to teaching maths" kind of day... the sort of "I could earn more money stacking sheves at the supermarket" kind of day! So to make me feel better I've been messing about with textiles (in between a bit of studying)!

I made a bigger version of one my pin jars using the scrap of patchwork that I bought when we were in Cornwall.

Big enough for buttons and the odd reel of thread.

And I think it's making me feel a bit better... because the last thing I really want to do is teach maths again!

Hard Times?

After our trip to the V & A quilt show a couple of months ago, Jude and I visited the shop as is our custom and I was rather enamoured with some little pin cushions... the type that you can make around a bottle top. These were beautifully embroidered and were made into rings. The attraction ceased however when I saw the price tag... £30! Much as I appreciate that these were skillfully hand crafted... and that the V & A obviously has quite a high mark up... £30 seemed a tad expensive. And so I came home and made one instead.

Then when I was making bits and pieces to sell for Open Studios it occured to me that instead of making them around a bottle top, I could make them around little jam jar lids (of which I have a huge collection but that is another story) and they could become pin cushions with their own little pin container.

And so that is what I did... and I'm quite pleased that I did, because it is about the only thing I have sold this weekend. The recession is obviously hitting hard.

Numbers of visitors have been down slightly on previous years ( lovely to see some fellow bloggers though) and although holding Open Studios is about networking and making contacts as much it is about selling, it was just a little disappointing. I usually cover my costs but don't think that will happen unless I have a sell out weekend on 17th/18th July. Ah well... I guess that's birthday and Christmas presents sorted out for the next year!