Introduction to Creative Upholstery Workshop - June at Gorseinon Institute

www.leighannetreadwell.co.uk

If you ever fancied a go at upcycling your furniture, then this workshop will be of interest. We have invited artist and upholsterer Leigh-Anne Treadwell to give us an introduction to upholstery techniques with a creative twist, and we have a few places available.

On the day you will be working on either a ‘drop-in’ dining chair or small footstool which can be covered in upholstery fabric or even a piece of your own creative textile art work! These items provide the best introduction to upholstery tools, materials and techniques, within the time allocated.

 

Visit Stitches coven's workshops page for further information and how to book

Simple Hand Printed Card for Hanna

I've always been fascinated by Matryoshka (or babushka) nesting dolls, and these often make appearances in my work be it knitting, stitching, feltmaking or papercraft. To me they symbolise my eastern European origins, and maternal lineage. I made this design to give to my Aunty Hanna for her birthday recently, but today I've made a little army of matryoshkas.

The doll was printed using a simple print block I made using a paper embossing tool on a piece of foam pizza packaging - so it's recycling too :) I've mounted my 'babushkas' onto some lovely decorative papers and finished a few carefully selected buttons. It's always lovely to give or receive handmade cards, and even though using the same print block, each print will be unique.I got a bit carried away so I have few spare which are available to buy here.

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London Jazz Jaunt

www.michaelblack.com

I took a sprint on the train with Mr Jones to Ronnie Scott's in London last week to see the truly awesome pianist Michel Camilo -  and when I say awesome I mean that in the good old fashioned sense of the word, when it was used rather less excessively than today. In fact we are so used to exclamations of awesome, OMG, etc for  commonplace, everyday occurrences (such as 'that bag is awesome' and, that's an awesome pimple you have there!'), that it seems increasingly difficult to find suitable words to do justice to such an outstanding performance.

Fortunately for me Mr Jones is not short of words on this topic as you can see by the review he has written for Jazz Journal where he 'encounters a force of nature in pianist Michel Camilo, his mix of musical fireworks and blistering cadenzas earning a standing ovation'.

There were some achingly beautiful moments in Camilo's playing, and for me this performance  sits right up there with some of the most memorable experiences I've had so far.
 

Intrasia Unravelled Show & Tell

Jules attended the Intarsia Unravelled workshop last week and here are some pics of her finished project - a wee birdy purse. Love her choice of colours, and I think you'll agree she's done a great job hasn't she?

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Hazel Court workshops launched

Having planned and anticipated for months, the day for the fyberknitics 2013 programme of knitting workshops at Hazel court finally arrived . After many hours preparing yarns, learning materials & project patterns the programme launched on Saturday with Intarsia Unravelled. As soon as the participants arrived and had settled in their seats I knew all that prep had been wholly worthwhile - what a lovely group of people :)

Although we had a lot to cover, a lively yet relaxed atmosphere soon developed where we were able to share tips and retail 'finds', as well as chatter a little about our lives, and a lot about our mutual love of knitting. After teaching all day you'd think I would be exhausted, but I usually find quite the opposite to be true - if anything I find the experience to be energising, and often go away feeling as inspired by my 'students' as I hope they do from me.

I was further delighted to then receive these kind words from the lovely Alyson who attended:
'Thank you for you workshop yesterday, it was really inspiring. I'm not afraid of colour now and I can't wait to make something of my own.....your enthusiasm has really rubbed off on me!!! Can't wait for the next workshop.'

Mission accomplished :)


The next workshop is on Saturday 8 June and welcomes guest tutor Alison Crowther-Smith who will be introducing us to her latest obsession of Moebius knitting. Places are limited to ensure a quality learning experience, so don't miss out on this rare opportunity to spend a day with this accomplished designer.