Crickhowell Haiku Book progress...

I'm running a Haiku Book workshop at this year's Crickhowell Literary Festival...

...so samples are being sorted before we go away.

I've sprayed the background with Brusho (as I simply HAVE to!!)

...and stenciled on one of the "inside" pages using Markal Paintstiks.

A small Sashiko panel has been stitched onto Klona Cotton...

...and some Haiku by Basho have been printed along with some images of the poet.

Hopefully I can get this one done by the end of tomorrow...

...then, all things being well....

....we should be off for a much needed break! :-)


This will be my last blog post until we have got ourselves comfortably installed somewhere a bit warmer...

...and more welcoming than here right now!!

I'll post again as soon as I can.

x C

..Sundays pages...

...a few more...

Happy days!!

Tri-fold book finished!

I managed to get a spurt on....

...and finished this little book before leaving for Birmingham.

All surfaces are now covered...

...and a smaller booklet has been stitched into one of the folds.

Lovely memories of Cambodia...

Hope to see you at the NEC...

x C

New workshop on the horizon...

Getting ready for my stint at Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch at the NEC next week.

I'm on Demo Stand ZP34...

...and will be showing "Magic" pieces...

...and...

...exciting new workshop and book work based on holiday or other experiences.

I'll be rolling out this new workshop in 2015, and the book will appear around about the same time.

The workshop title is...

"FROM SKETCHBOOK TO ART BOOK - MAKING MIXED-MEDIA MEMORIES"

My samples will be based on recent travels - with sketchbook pages worked from photos....

...tri-fold mixed-media art books containing drawings, copied photos and gathered bits...

...plus stitched pieces based on sketchbook pages.

Some pictures of pages and stitched pieces have been shown on the blog already...

...but here are some of the tri-fold book I've been working on this week...

(thanks to Roxanne for her online workshop "The Thread that Weaves" that gave me a push!)

ALL THAT I'VE DONE SO FAR WILL BE ON SHOW ON MY STAND...

.....and I'll be working on things throughout the four days too...

...SO COME ALONG AND HAVE A LOOK!!!

See you there

x C

(I'm taking bookings for 2015 already - so if you want to reserve a workshop slot email me ASAP!)

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

Magic Sketchbook Saturday

I'm not promising to post sketchbook pages EVERY Saturday....

...but if there are any to show, then this is the day of the week when they'll appear!

I've started a new one for this year's "Very Special Project"....

...and I think I may as well spill the beans on what it is.

It's been a while since I did a LARGE body of work. 2008-9 actually.

That was for a series of solo exhibitions where most of the pieces sold.

I kept three of the larger panels, and these are the ones I've been putting up on the wall of my stand at shows over the last couple of years.

Well.....it's high time for something new...

...and....after some negotiations...I shall be having a "Designer Stand" at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate this year, where a WHOLE NEW body of work will be on display.

Title?

"Magic"

Why?

...because I shall be focussing on the magical elements in tribal embroidery....

Symbols and their meanings. Why certain colours feature so prominently. .....etc.

It's not just the actual pieces that I'm working on now though...

..there'll be a book too....

"Stitching Magic"

...which will be a pictorial and written account of the journey....with lots of photos and info....

My sketchbooks and lots of pieces of original tribal embroidery will be on the stand.....and I'm planning some workshops...

I'll try to show as much as I can here, but, obviously, there are some things that have to stay out of public view until the book hits the stand :-o

There may be some strange camera angles happening.....

Comments and opinions will be MOST appreciated!! :-))

x C