Patching things back together with day trips

Last week I got another chance to get away from all the chaos and enjoy a day out to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham (UK). There were several reasons for going but first and foremost was to see the 1718 Coverlet "the oldest surviving dated Patchwork Coverlet in Britain". 

I was rather taken by surprise in that I got a little emotional when I saw it. It was beautiful, faded and worn yet fascinating. The exhibition surrounding it did it justice too with reinterpretations by other quilters using basically the same blocks and plenty of details about the research behind it. Definitely worth the visit for that alone.  

Other than have a good nose about at all the exhibitor's stands I was also pretty keen to see the new Ruth Singer exhibition Criminal Quilts. I enjoyed the work very much but as I was already pretty shattered by the time I got to that particular section I am planning to go when it is shown at the Brewhouse in Burton on Trent and take my time over it. For more info and a fab video about the project visit Ruth's website here. 

A little bit of much needed magic

It's been one heck of year, mostly revolving around the illness and subsequent death of my father a last month and house move. Needless to say most of my making activity has been on halt but this time has given me the chance to rethink my plans, get focused and be really clear about what matters to me. So when the chance came to go to the opening night of an exhibition of new work by one of my textile art heros I jumped at the chance. 

Mister Finch's The Wishing Post at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park was everything I could have hoped for and indeed needed to restore my fretful mind after such as tough time. The work was beautiful, magical and fun, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement and I had two joyful travelling companions for the entire adventure.   

I cannot recommend the exhibition and accompanying book enough. The story is wistfully happy and the menagerie of characters created by Mr Finch from reclaiming vintage and antique fabrics and treasures is delightful. 

Go see it. Now!!! (It's on until 23rd September) 

Really looking forward to...

this:

Welcome 2018!

Although there were still lots of ups and downs, 2017 was one of my best years in a very long time and I have left it excited and hopeful for what 2018 will bring. There was a lot of growth, personal and in both my creative practice and business and I was so privileged to be commissioned to make some wonderfully personal pieces for people to give to love ones. There is not doubt I'll be sharing more of these as the early weeks of this year roll along and I spend my time behind the scenes tidying the studio and updating my admin systems (yawn).

I hope you have lots to feel hopeful about for the coming year too. Happy 2018 folks. xx  

Dasher

It's so hectic (not just for me of course, everyone I know is super busy too) so I am dashing off a very quick post to show off my new range of Vintage fabric totes.

I will be taking them to the Newark Library Christmas Craft Fair this weekend (more details here). Trouble is I love them all and kind of hope they don't sell so I have an excuse to keep them.

More lovely events to look forward to

So my merry band of little angels and people will be on the move again this weekend as we're taking part in the two day Kooroon Gallery Gift Event on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December (10am to 4pm) AND setting up our stall at the St Mary's Church Christmas Fair on Saturday 2nd December (10am to 2pm). Both are in Bottesford in the lovely Vale of Belvoir and full address and web details can be found on my events page (click here)

I'm starting to feel like we are a carnival in our own right and am hoping to feature a few new little characters so if you are in the area do come and say hello!

Happy Home

PollyWhistle at Kooroon Gallery 2017

I was delighted to hear yesterday that one of my textile collages, which had been bought during my exhibition at Kooroon Gallery in August to be given as a Birthday gift in November, had been happily received. I can now be open about it (no more secrecy) and do a little happy dance that it was well received.

The Angels are flying out with joy on their wings

Between Christmas Fairs and my etsy shop I hardly feel able to keep up and that is a wonderful feeling because I know that each and every one of my little Angels is a completely unique and individual gift. I use no patterns, just cut, sew and shape in response to the beautiful little peices of fabric I am so lucky to have found over the years. There really is a lot of joy in making these and I hope the people who they end up living with can feel some of that too.

Hawksowrth Church Christmas Fair

Such a beautiful setting and so many lovely people, plus the truly joyous Orston Rocks Choir, well what else can be said but it was a very fine event indeed.

Harby Village Christmas Fair Today

It's a busy old week for little me and my little people and today we will be at the Christmas Fete in Harby Village Hall, in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire. Open from 11.30am perhaps we will see you there!