Stuck !

Kirsten had decided to enter a competition run by the International Feltmakers Association. It had the title 'My View' but was quite short notice as it was to be submitted before the end of February.She had sketched out her ideas and begun to try out some in felt.

She wasn't satisfied with the outcomes and wanted some suggestions.We thought the idea of using her  tools ,her usual cuppa and the view across to the Severn estuary with the pier was good. We thought  it was too much in a line and cut in two with the pier.We offered some suggestions and hope she made the deadline !

She had begun creating a Jackdaw making the body with needle felting ,then making a flat felt piece for the wings .the feathers were cut out and applied. He looks rather magnificent.

She also brought along a jumble sale find ,several books based on the folded threads books used by the Miao .They are now rare so a super find.we wait to see what she does with them.

 

FATT courses.

Liz's first piece is  her contribution to a commission by Louise Gardiner for Marchmont House in Scotland.She is creating a 'cape of empowerment 'based on the oak.She has asked for oak leaves and acorns to be embroidered.They will be left in the hoop and displayed hanging from threads with the cape.It is very poignant as Louise may not see it completed as she has terminal cancer.

In other workLiz has  been continuing with the online course with Sally Tyrie .She has been working on perfecting her prints using Sally's technique for paper lithography.

She has been getting great results in colour and monochrome using photos taken in her favourite St Ives.

She has loads and is now tackling what they will be turned into.

Jenn has also been following an online course with Shelley Rhodes ,with the same provider Fibre Arts Take Two .She had created some tiny  hand - stitched pieces created from small fabric fragments .She had used some silks ,lace and net in her chosen colourway with torn fragments from her printed and painted fabrics.

Some detail.

lots more inspiration to be explored .

 

February 2023

Carol led a bristolstitcherswordpress.com workshop recently.The subject was how to use silk cocoons creatively and she had some lovely ideas to explore .Above , entailed opening out a carrier rod and teasing it into layers before applying to fabric and adding 'slow stitch'.

The second example was using the cocoon and opening out to create flower shapes.Further stitch was added to create a very individual card.

She has some upcoming births and creates beautiful one off cards for the baby. A keepsake that cannot be bought.

She has joined in with  annwoodhandmade.com and her 100 day book.

Carol has chosen to use appliqué and stitch

to catalogue the birds 

who visit her garden .

Some are complete while others are in progress .

it is going to be exquisite and something to cherish.

 

Collections and crows.

Jenn had been working on her tools pieces for Stitch Textile Artists group . She had been cutting and piecing together a tool bag and starting to create an apron.

She had also been looking at Crows which feature on local walks.They are such characterful birds which she has tried to photograph .She decided to make some line drawings and develop a pattern to be able to create some three dimensional versions .

This is the first incarnation ......hopefully it will work out and lead to more versions.

 

Sue D. and Fumi.

Our prospective new members joined us today ,bringing a selection of their work to share with us.

First up is Sue who has just recently moved to Bristol.She did her City and Guilds with Pam Watts.These pieces were done with Alison Holt and Carol Naylor and show some excellent free motion stitch.

This beauty was created with three photos on Lutrador and a wealth of colourful machine embroidery.

She also has explored Kinetic art ,see sample below .This is where two images come together .One image is viewed from one side and the other from the opposite......very clever.

Fumi is our other visitor ,she holds a degree in Printed textile and surface design.Debby got to know her as she took courses at Stoke Lodge.

She explained she used her Christmas wreath to dye fabrics and then stitched trapped leaves and Mimosa seed pods to create some very quiet but beautifully stitched  pieces.

She also brought along these Amurugumi figures ,crocheted with stranded embroidery floss.So tiny and

intricate and very typically Japanese .

Both very different but talented exponents of Creative embroidery.

New and old....

Debby brought along a variety of pieces she had either been working on or had unearthed from the past.

This ,above, was some felt she had been using for her group in Stoke Lodge .She had wet felted the background and added Bronze Age motif in a contrast and was starting to outline in stitch.

She has been at home caring for her Mum and had found this pin cushion she made aged about eight.Never start too early.Then one of her first ever brooches.

A journal of stitch patterns.....

and a piece she is beginning where she will add snippets of fabric and hope to add to it everyday as a record of her year. It is portable ,needing very little except a needle and thread and can be picked up as time allows.It will give her some much needed calm.

 

Doldrums.

Kirsten complained of grinding to a halt and was in need of a challenge so was all in favour of us doing another workshop day together.

In the meantime to keep herself busy in front of the TV she had unearthed some UFOs. The first a Bargello quilt top begun some time ago .Such beautiful colour combinations and it looks too complicated to not have to concentrate on!

The second quilt top'  Millefiore 'from a pattern found in a magazine.Again tiny ,intricate piecing which  looks as if it needs a lot of concentration.

She had also been  utilising  some worked Tapestry kits by adding velvet backs to turn them into cushions.No picture of theses.

Then her trademark felt .......a mobile for a new baby .

With the gull holding it all together.

Looks as if she has been productive ,even if not inspired to work anew.