MAY MEETING.

                                   
Jenn and Kirsten had both been using Derwent Intense bars to create.We had used them on our drawing day.Above, Jenn had continued with her Italian old buildings and had cut a lino block,then used it to print with the bars.It was surprisingly effective,just spraying lightly with water then stroking bars across the block before printing.She used teabag paper and matte medium to attach them to calico.This will now be used as a base for stitch.

Kirsten had not used Inktense before our workshop so she had been drawing and painting with them to see their possibilities.Her drawings have been translated into wonderful print in the past so we will watch this space!

She has created a colour chart of her bars ,so useful to refer to.Then she had been looking at Frances Pickering's book "Page after Page" for some exercises .Lots of scope here for experimenting.

Kirsten also brought out this very colourful quilt top, pieced from authentic African fabrics she just happened to have hanging around! It is to be a present for someone close ,so she can only work on it when they are not about.

It is such joyous colours,I bet it will be very loved and appreciated.

Trails.....more.

If you want to see some members and their work 'up close and personal' you have more opportunities as Deryll ,Patricia and Debby  are taking part in North Somerset Arts Week  and the BS9 trails.

  Deryll will be at venue 29 The Community Centre,Keedwell Hill Long Ashton BS41 9DP from 1st May -10th May. NSAW.

and Debby is at Venue 35 -135 Stoke Lane Bristol BS9 3 RW and Patricia at Venue 12 -44 Charlton Road,Bristol BS10 6NG 9th -10th May. BS9 Trail.

Duffryn Gardens visit.

Jane ,Jenn and Liz visited Duffryn Gardens ,just outside Cardiff .The National Trust have been given a 50 year lease to bring the house back to its former 

glory,having been left empty for a number of years.The gardens have undergone some restoration and are really lovely,with long vistas in front of the house, different garden rooms,kitchen garden ,rockery ,arboretum and glasshouses .

This is the gallery which was housing an exhibition by VOGA (Vale of Glamorgan Artists) who had been given access to the estate for a year and the exhibition showed how each artist had responded.

the house has undergone some renovation on the ground floor but the upper floors were in a somewhat sad state.No electricity.floorboards ripped up and holes in the walls and ceilings.Work has been done to repair the roof and make everything weatherproof,now begins the job of bringing the house to life !

This is Jane standing in the room destined for the Plant Hunter project.

Despite its sorry state it is a lovely sunny and light house and well worth a visit.

Fabrics ,architecture and a little recycling puzzle!

As usual Ira didn't have anything to show except for this above,

this 

and this.She has a very individual way of creating her base fabrics.She uses ONLY man made fabrics,polyester,nylon etc.In her own words, 'sloshes acrylic paint ' over them ,allows to dry then may burn with a hot wire of her own design and adds her trademark of very intricate machine stitch ,tiny ,tiny French knots,beads and sequins.These fabrics you see here  will be completely transformed by the time she has worked her alchemy.

It is the Severn Vale Arts Trail (www.thornburyartsfestival.com)and Ira is taking part you can catch her on 4th May all day, 8th May until 1.30p.m. ,9/10th May all day. You won't be disappointed.

7 West View ,Alveston.BS35 3RN

Jenn had been thinking about her work for STA (barriers and boundaries)and a trip to Florence a few years ago where she had loved the doorways.Like Viv she wanted something to do while stewarding ,so had used some lovely hand dyed fabrics bought at Bristol Quilt Show at UWE .They were cut and bonded  to felt 

before being added to with stitch,ribbons etc.Quite what they will turn into is as yet to be decided.

Jane passed these around to see if anyone had ideas as to how they might be used.They come from using her embroidery machine ,the bobbins I think,but are waste.With an eye to recycling she was after creative ways to put them to use.Patricia played around and came up with this ,it was suggested they might be strung together,a bit like tracks on a tank before incorporating in something.

Any one out there please leave a comment with your suggestions.

Beachcombing.

I

Since last meeting Liz had been to the South Coast for a four day workshop with Alice Fox.She kept on bringing more and more from her bag! They were encouraged to walk on the beach each day collecting items and making observations which were recorded in these little books ,above.

The things they collected were put to use in different ways,wrapped in papers and cloth and set aside 

To 'brew'

Some rusted ,others disintegrated and were collaged.

They printed and embossed .

Made weavings using beach finds as warp and weft and as the base to weave upon.

As if that isn't enough a collection of fabrics being converted into a quilt.

One stitch and stash busting.

Don't these just sing out?

Viv wanted something to do while stewarding,she had some dyed blanket and some wool embroidery threads to use up.She used just the one stitch,lazy daisy,and colours as they came.

We thought they would look lovely hung in their hoops.

Deryll suggested it might make for a group project,use any colour way,any size,hand stitch and hang as a group in their hoops within an exhibition.....you'll have to wait and see if it comes to pass.

Coincidentally Sue had been taking inspiration from this little group above.Her grandchildren were encouraged to find shells and pebbles with holes to bring back to her from beach visits.

She had been working on this but with eyelet stitch ,I think.She had been making holes and using shisha to add some little glints of reflection.The one red area draws the eye.

Fabulous Felt.

There seem to have been attendance at a number of courses since last meeting.Kirsten had been away on a felting course,not sure who was running it.Above you can see her wearing one of the pieces she made.It is definitely a statement piece and you won't find another like this one.

Next is this equally stunning neckpiece,there are pieces of glass embedded into it.It is quite large,sorry but there is nothing to help you see its size.

Now when you go on a course it is essential you travel with the right accessories,so you make yourself an equally individual bag!