I'm Back

This picture is my work that I did at the last workshop I went to in Jersey. The workshop was with Fiona Kearns, I think she does have a website but I can't remember what it is called (I can - NLW!) and I haven't found her business card that she gave me. That could have something to do with the fact that I haven't unpacked yet.

This was really enjoyable to do. The idea is that you use just two stitches and embroider onto hessian freeform. It was very quick and fun to do, you didn't have to think too much - it suited me.

The next two photos were taken from the ferry as we left.

This is where we stayed. It's right next to the airport, we stayed here last year and didn't hear the planes landing and taking off but we did this year, although it wasn't overly intrusive.

One advantage of going self catering is the washing machine, this meant I didn't bring back a huge pile of washing. It did mean that Neil (after being shown how to use it) washed everything in sight. He became quite the little house-husband. One morning when I was running a little late to get to a workshop and therefore was in a hurry, so you would assume that any action I took would be pardoned wouldn't you. Well you can imagine my surprise when during the workshop my phone vibrated, I checked it and it told me I had a text message. I opened the message and this is what it said "You naughty girl I have just been into the bedroom". All I had done was empty the contents of my bag onto the bed so I could load it up with the things I needed for that day. Honestly you would have thought the world had ended. Well now he knows what it's like for all of us, except that we have to cope with things like that on a daily basis all I can say is welcome to the club.

Jersey Workshops

We are having a lovely time here in Jersey. The sun has been shining ever since we arrived but the wind has been blowing as well and it's a cold wind. Out of the wind it's positively tropical.

This is where we have breakfast. A very nice cafe called Colleens and it's right on the beach.

Here are some photos of the view you get whilst eating your breakfast.

Yesterday I was at a workshop with Louise Gardiner . We started with line drawings (I hate drawing) for the first one we had to put our pen on the paper and draw a line whilst listening to music. The line had to have curves, zig zags, swirls, texture (created by dense and loose areas of marks) and anything else you chose to draw. We were not allowed to look at the paper though.

The second drawing had to be of the person opposite you. It had to be a continual line and again we couldn't look at the paper.

The third was again of the person sitting opposite and had to be drawn with the same rules but we had to concentrate on detail.

Then we took the third drawing and taped it to a piece of artist's canvas and using just black thread stitched over the lines and again this had to be a continual line. There was a lot of laughter and 'oh no's and 'oh dear's.

Next we used fabric paints to apply colour and then we could go back and do some more stitching using coloured threads.

Here are some of the results.

This is my picture of the lady opposite me, and she really doesn't look like this. She is a lovely lady with a sense of humour- how lucky am I.

Today I did a workshop with Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn

The first sample was made whilst working with Jean. We used sheer fabrics on the embellisher to make another fabric.

The whole workshop was about making another fabric from threads and other fabrics,the samples we made were all exercises from their new book Fragile Fabrics.



After embellishing we then added some hand stitches and were supposed to embellish them but I have decided to leave mine as it is and add some beads.


This next piece was made under Jan's supervision. Using thread and wool we made a grid by laying the threads on Aqua Bond and the covering with water soluble fabric. Next we had to make sure that all the threads were connected by stitching them. I chose to hand stitch mine but we could use the machine.

This is the front of my work. I made two grids one using thick thread and another one using a thin thread. I worked backstitch on my thick threads and where the thin ones crossed I tied them. I am now going to sew beads onto the thick threads where they cross before I dissolve away the soluble fabrics.

This is the back of my work which shows the grid.



Tomorrow I am doing workshops with Jean Littlejohn in the morning and Carol Coleman in the afternoon.

Naughty Chair Again

Yesterday we had another City and Guilds meeting. It was a lovely day and I learnt a lot.

We had to make three samples Buttonholes, Prairie Points and Eyelets. Not quite sure why we had to make Prairie Points but the syllabus said so, so we did. Maybe it had something to do with the title for the lesson Edgings and Finishes.

Any way these are my Prairie Points. I free machined the fabric for the points before I cut it up.
I think they look very neat and I have to say it does make a nice edging. It would look great around a cushion.



This is my Eyelets sample and my favourite.

Last but not least are the Buttonholes. This is what they look like folded if you pull the two ends of fabric they open slightly and you have small tabs of fabric. They would make a great edging on a bodice, very Cleopatra.

Here they are with the fabric opened out, just to prove they are Buttonholes and that you really can do something creative with something so ordinary.

I have to tell you that even though it was a nice day and I learnt a lot and did all my samples like a good girl I still got sent to the naughty chair! I wasn't the only one being cheeky (only a little) but the only one sent to the chair. If any of the ladies are reading this and they know who they are you should be feeling a little bit sorry for me :-) I didn't go though.

Tomorrow we are off to Jersey for the Textile Showcase. I am really looking forward to a break, we have worked for the last two weeks without a day off. It will be nice to spend some time with Neil and not have to worry about what needs doing etc.

We are driving this time, well Neil is I may fall asleep. But it means we can take more luggage meaning my sewing , ie homework, ie hanging. Teacher has given me three weeks to get it finished ahhh! Neil is taking the lap top so I will let you know how I get on.

Things finished

Let me introduce you to George (on the left) and Mildred. These are Pam's Log Cabin Chickens, aren't they cute. We will soon have enough for a chicken farm. Some days we actually do some work.

Some time last year I did a workshop at Art Van Go with Gina Ferrari but in true crafter style I didn't finish it until last week. For a long time I felt something was missing but wasn't sure what and then one day last week inspiration struck. Whilst I was in Jersey I went for a stroll along one of the beaches and collected some shells. The shells are in a jar on my desk in the shop and my eyes just happened to fall on the jar and there it was the perfect shell for the job. It's only a little thing but it makes all the difference to my picture and I am really pleased with it.

Now for another one of Pam's quilts. Pam is being super efficient, the quilt is a christmas present for a niece (lucky little lady) it really is fabulous.

14 days till tomorrow!

It's been a long time since I last blogged, life just seems to have got in the way.
This post is all about the other workshops I did in Jersey, which seems like a life-time ago.

This is a beaded cuff which I made with Gina. It was a lovely workshop and I did as I was told (unlike the sock monsters workshop) which meant I finished the cuff. I would like to make more strips like this then sew them together to make a small bag.

This was a workshop with Cas Holmes. She is a very enthusiastic lady and is generous with her knowledge. She has got a book coming out next year (late summer I think) and it's on my wish list!

Last but not least an afternoon spent with Ruth Issett. A fun afternoon playing around with fabric paint, finishing with Ruth showing us some of her work, very interesting.

I enjoyed my week in Jersey very much. If you get the chance to go I would definitely recommend it.

Say Hello To Spot

Yesterday I attended my first workshop here in Jersey - Little Bonded Books with Gina Ferrari. I have done this workshop before but I wasn't entirely happy with my efforts so I decided to give it another go. I'm glad I did because I like this one much more than my first attempt.




Today I had two workshops booked.

The first one was with Christine Witham. When assembled all the pieces in the picture below will make a corsage. This was a thoroughly enjoyable workshop and I learnt a new technique that can be used for many decorative purposes.


This afternoon however was a different story all together. Again it was spent in the company of Gina. The result (below) was Spot. Not quite what I had imagined but that was my fault.
We were all enjoying ourselves so much that I stitched the arms where the ears should be and the ears where the arms should be.

The workshop was held in the Parish Hall. There was four workshops going on at the same time and ours was the noisiest. We all had a great time and couldn't stop laughing.

This evening we are going to a lecture by Gina - more of that tomorrow.