Back home...tired but happy...

...after a wonderful 4 days at the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show!

Now, at last, I can show some pictures of what I've been working on for the last 15 months :-)

Here's a rather "unfinished" looking stand sometime on Wednesday afternoon...

...with shopping basket and piles of "stuff" still hanging around.

You'll notice those big ........ thingys...

....they are my "Menhirion"...

....Standing Stones....

...done in sets of three.

One set based on Breton embroidery and the carved stone in the neolithic chamber tomb of Garinis...

...the second set inspired by the tent-pole covers of Uzbekistan.

They stand about 3 feet tall (90 cms)

Up on the wall in the middle are my Wall Pockets with Spell Sticks....

...(looking a bit more like swords I have to admit!)

"Naked" Spell Sticks with some amulets creeping in on the left ...

...and a small display of spear-heads that shouldn't REALLY have been there, but they are in the current issue of "Stitch" magazine. (A 4 page project with 6 designs to make)

Looks like I'm going to be all over the place in 2014/2015/2016....

....with all the workshop bookings that came my way :-)))))

But for now, all I have to do is play around with my current sketchbook.....

....and put the book in the shop

(which I have now done)

Off to Harrogate...

...as the snow lies on the ground all around the Gladdyvan!!

Temperatures around the Harrogate area will be in minus figures through most nights during my stay...

...so I've just put in an extra sleeping bag. Brrrrrrrrr!

Really looking forward to seeing all the new work up on the stand though...

...it's always a proud moment when you see it all together and at a distance...

...after being so close to it for so long. :-)

Here are a couple of postcard piccies....

...just to keep you company while I'm away.

Hope to see some of you there...

x C

Explaining "Spell Sticks"

Wow!

These have caused a bit of a cuffuffle, so I need to explain....

First of all, they are NOTHING to do with Harry Potter or witches of any sort!

The title "Spell Sticks" is one that I have given these mixed-media pieces.

They are made up of a rolled "parchment spell scroll" that has a printed design on it.

The "spell" is very loosely based on the henna shawls of the Berber people of Morocco. These shawls had designs painted onto them in order to protect or bring good fortune to the wearer.

(This interest came about after a Moroccan holiday and is explained in more detail in my book along with the process of printing.)

My "spells" use a made-up "alphabet" of weird symbols, accompanied by geometric designs, dots and lines.

They DO NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC MEANING - but I'd like to think that they represent the same sentiments as those of the Berber textiles - good luck and/or protection.

The scroll is attached to the stick by being stitched through drilled holes and then wound up tightly before being secured with machine-made cords with bead-dangles.

The top of the stick is decorated with more beads and some feathers.

I've made these simply because I wanted to do something more with all my printed scrolls....

...and I thought they might make slightly different Christmas presents (for those folk who really do have everything already!)

The only "magic" involved was the enjoyment of the making! :-)

Hope this explains things a bit better....

....but any more questions.....just ask.

x C

Spell Sticks and other bits...

With "Stitching Magic" now done and behind me...

(picking up the print jobby on Friday)

...I have felt able to "relax" a little and make a few frivolous bits!

Here are my "Spell Sticks"...

...with their beady-dangles...

mmmmmmmmmm

...delicious......

...that will be on my stand TG122 at Harrogate.

This time next week I'll be wending my way up the M50, M5, M42 & M1...

...with the little Gladdyvan following behind...

...and when I get back (and recover a bit)...

....I'll be putting a "Freebie" tutorial on the website for "crunchy textural couching"...

...that will help with a project in the book!

If you're going to be at Harrogate, please call by and say "Hello". :-)

x C

p.s. I've got five free entry tickets left. If you want any just e-mail me - first come first served.

Hot off the press!!

My very first book...

....will be available on my stand at Harrogate on the 21st November...

...and in the shop on the website after the 27th .

Price £10.00 (plus p+p)

I was SO pleased to have the proof copy in my hands today!!


It has 20 pages (plus covers),  with background information on my new body of work which is entitled "Magic". This has come about after doing some research into how tribal and ancient cultures have used symbols in their art and textiles.

I've not copied their work, but done my own thing by printing "magic spell parchments" and making amulets, scroll covers and wall pockets to hold them. All have delightful "dangles" that have been modelled on a Banjara one that I found some years ago.

I have included projects/instructions for the amulets, scroll covers, wall pockets and dangles - with photos and diagrams, so that you can make your own pieces. Full colour photos of finished pieces and close-ups of stitching are scattered throughout the book.

Suppliers and reading lists are at the back.




p.s.

I'll have a number of lovely postcards for sale too....

Hope to see you there!

x C