Saturday 26 November 2011

Felt, cotton and fur.


As many bloggers say at this time of year..in fact at any time of year..life just passes by so quickly and its amazing when I check how long its been since I blogged (or, to my shame, since I read blogs)

I haven't been entirely idle though. I've made a few bits and bobs for an order, some hearts and leaves and Harris Tweets. I don't have any pictures of the tweets but I will be making more soon. They are lying here in a pile waiting for their stuffing and eyes and beaks and legs.


I like the hearts and they've all gone now, but I have to make 10 more for another order

On thursday I went to the Knitting and stitching show in Harrogate with some friends. We all fell for this wonderful book in the Quilt section but can't remember the name of the artist.
Any ideas?

 My pictures are blighted by the shadow of my bulky frame.
 There were many more birds in evidence in the Graduate showcase, Alice Wolfe made these with her father who is a scupltor. They had knitted  'feathers'. They were quite stunning in  a unique way.
 Birds are very 'current' with wings and skulls and beaks in many of the exhibits. A few years ago there were poppy seed heads everywhere. What will it be next? Who can imagine and why does it happen that there is a trending motif?

A particular favourite exhibit was the Korean, Jiyoung Chung with beautiful pieces made of Joomchi a particular type of papermaking technique. Her website is here and is definitely worth a look.

I also enjoyed the Diana Springall exhibit . Her book and tv series in the 80s presented by Jan Beaney was my great inspiration to go ahead and do City and Guilds.There were her original paintings which she worked into designs for embroidery and the finished pieces.

Then there was the Beryl Dean exhibition. It was fascinating to see the great scope of her work from way back in the 30s when her work must have been so 'modern', to her beautiful 'or nue' pieces with precise and controlled stitches. My favourite piece though, was a gorgeous child's dress from the 30s, her student work.
It had beautiful short sleeves made from concentric rows of fabric triangles in shades that looked like a page of the Farrow and Ball paint colour chart, subtle greys and pale duck egg.
No photos allowed!

I ventured downstairs to the knitting and other workshop area. I love this picture with the giant knitting needles and three knitters engrossed in something or other.
 Here is another knitter..sorry I don't have a name. She was telling me about some workshops in London.
I took the knitting pics really for my son's girlfriend who has just learnt to knit and then immediately made some fair Isle socks!!! I mean...how incredible is it to be able to knit Fair Isle? And then to put it into socks? Wow.
She's opened an etsy shop with, knitted accessories and  fimo jewellery. Do pop over and have a look and boost her visitors. Its hard to get your head above the water on ETSY . It took me  4 months of hard work publicising my etsy shop to get my first sale way back in 2007 and then another month and a half for sale number two and slowly steadily its built up until my work is in dozens of treasuries, and I make a reasonable number of sales per month...but my biggest seller?
The teabag paper!!!
Now my son's girlfriend also has a blog and the first post has a neat  home made light box to help with photographs in this miserable climate, no expensive materials needed. So perhaps readers could pop over there to have a look.
Well, I said I hadn't done much but mainly I've been busy with this.
And when I remember how I was this time last year, all those smiles she brings can only be a good thing.

31 comments:

Lindy and Paul said...

I miss your blog when you don't post, but I'm the same way- it's so hard to keep up! I received the two lovely brooches I ordered from you on Etsy very promptly this week- had planned to keep one and give one, but I'm going to have a hard time giving up either one!!!

Linda B. said...

Jackie, the book was made by the very talented Stephanie Redfern - http://www.sredtextiles.co.uk/

Maggi said...

I really love the hearts, perhaps it's because the velvet looks so soft and squidgy. Just off to check out your links.

Heather said...

I love your hearts and leaves. I also love those sculpted/textile birds - they are fantastic. Such an interesting post and full of delights, especially the last one! I'd love a cuddle with her.

Anonymous said...

It was a great show this year - loved Beryl Dean's work, even if it is a little intimidating to see her or nue and compare it with mine!

lilylovekin said...

I love knowing that little Hetty is keeping a smile on your face.

Iz said...

A very spirited aunt of mine has just discovered the world of textiles, and phoned me tonight to tell me all about her visit to the K&S at Harrogate - she was blown away by it all, but better yet, at last I have someone in the family who understands what it's like to have a compulsion to buy fabric and beads and...and...!

Penny said...

Lovely to see the snippets of the show,especially when one can only dream of going there. Love the hearts. Hetty looks so adorable give her a cuddle from me.

Patty Biermans said...

Love the red harts!! I certanly wil check out the blog of your sons girlfriend. And the picture of your puppy is soooooo sweet!!
hugzz...peebee

Daisie said...

Am off to Harrogate bright and early with my chum Gil, I have a list of things I want to see, stroke, buy etc and have just added 'find knitted feathered birds' to the bottom of said list!! x

vintagerockchick said...

Those hearts are wonderful - and the very first one in the first picture is my absolute favourite. Have just visited Cottoncandy and left a comment (impressed with the improvised lightbox!)

Thimble Fingers said...

You have been busy!
I would just want to sit and cuddle Hetty all the time, she's delightful.
So envious of all you lucky people who get to go to the show ... wish I lived closer.
Well done to your sons girlfriend, I'll go check out her site now.

Robin Mac said...

I just love those hearts - and of course you have had to spend most of your time with Hetty - who wouldn't! I followed Dale's tip on Facebook and checked out your work on Flickr - I am still drooling. Cheers

Elderberry-Rob said...

Lovely hearts, the purple tones caught my eye. I'm off to etsy.

Morna Crites-Moore said...

Lots of good stuff here! Those hearts! And the birds! The wonderful knitter. Will go look at the new blog. :-)

Morna Crites-Moore said...

And the PUPPY -- SMILES!!! :-)))

Twiglet said...

Great post - is there a link to your son's girlfriends ETSY site? My daughter set one up but no success so far. I guess you really have to flog it!!! Your velvet hearts are gorgeous. x Jo

Gina said...

Thanks for the trip around the knit & stitch show as I missed it completely this year. Love your velvet hearts.

Mermaid's Purse said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time at K&S. Thanks for sharing your trip - some wonderful exhibits!

Mrs A. said...

What gorgeous creations you have made and Hettie is just adorable.
Hugs Mrs A.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful as ever! I have had a look on Cottoncandy's blog and left her a comment. Good luck to her, it's great to see young people coming back to knitting.
I simply adore Hettie!!

lynda Howells said...

miss you when you don't blog...love your work and see what you are creating. Wish l could have come to the Harrogate Show, was ill when it was down here in London !! Glad to find out the name of Artist who made the book.
Doesn't it annoy you to see a beginner go staraight to difficult stuff..eg..your son's girlfriend...the knitter! Hax
Lyndaxx

order paper said...

Excellent work! Thanks for sharing.

Ulla's Quilt World said...

Hi! Greetings from Finland! Your quilts are so fantastic! It's so nice to find other quilters all around the world! :)

cheap essays said...

i found this post to be very interesting! appreciate your efforts and thank you for sharing)

Rosie said...

Loving those hearts, but then I like everything you make. The show looks wonderful, you (almost) make me wish I'd been there .... but I'm a paper gal at heart. Hetty is obviously a great blessing.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely read.... and I think those hearts are fabulous. I am really impressed by anyone who can knit (I can, but am utterly incompetent at it!), let alone produce Fair Isle - I shall go and check out the etsy shop.

Paint Pots and Petals said...

Those birds are amazing. I think it started with Harry Potter and the owls capturing our hearts. From there we have morphed into birds?? Perhaps I am wrong, I think we should have a sweepstake on the next big theme? Fish perhaps? Jellyfish would be good, they're a really creative creature.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I oohed and aahed over the hearts and then was amazed at those birds, but then (be still my heart) I found the lovely furry little face at the bottom of your post.....awwwww. How I wish I could cuddle!

Stephanie All About Beads said...

Hi

I too visited the Harrogate show - I loved it.

I attended two workshops and browsed all the halls all day !

I wrote a blog post too.

Love your blog and your creations.

Stephanie

http://allaboutbeads-jewellery.blogspot.com/

AllSensesArt said...

Thanks for a really entertaining and informative blog I've had a lot of fun reading about your 'stuff' . Loved the post by your dog. Also thanks for telling us about Etsy. I had a feeling that it just wouldn't be worth the bother but you have inspired me to put some fresh effort into it.



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