Saturday 26 September 2015

Paper cuts various and wonderful

It's been a busy couple of weeks with several workshops, sorting out Christmas card packs and ordering stuff - bags, labels, sleeves (cellophane not random single unattached ones) and generally thinking ahead to Christmas courses and fairs and what to stock.
I had a lovely day with four friends around a dining table teaching paper cutting and as an extra unexpected bonus two kittens! Purrrrrrfect. 
And then I have been up to visit the ladies of Haslington WI for more paper cutting and delicious cakes.
And here's a selection of what they made - so chuffed - I am always amazed at what my students produce with a little encouragement and guidance.










Tuesday 8 September 2015

Alice Kettle on an Epic Scale

I was recently invited to judge an art competition for the Winchester Art Club, an invitation I was delighted to accept. And yesterday was the big day - a lovely drive down to the ancient city of Winchester marred only by getting caught up in a hideous one way system - but I finally got parked up, found the Discovery Centre, met my fellow jurors and settled in for an enjoyable morning.
Lunch was at Brasserie Blanc, and lived up to it's reputation then back to pick the prize winners. There were three of us on the jury and although we came from very different back grounds, we were pretty unanimous on our top choices. So a big success and a lovely way to start the week.
I said my good byes and wandered through the beautiful circular library and in to the cafe area where I stopped dead in my tracks - could not quite believe what I was looking at. A vast and beautiful stitched panel running some sixteen and a half metres long by three metres high. Rich in colours and textures, and ethereal figures, it was unmistakably the work of textiles artist Alice Kettle, and titled 'Looking Forwards to the Past'. A visual delight and made all the more so for being totally unexpected.
If you are ever in the area I highly recommend a visit.






Tuesday 1 September 2015

Cornish gems various and assorted

Have just spent a week in Cornwall, and despite the not very encouraging weather reports before we left, the sun shone, mostly, and came back with tan marks!

So here are some  shots of ancient cottages with particularly curvaceous thatches in Hope Cove.

Looking across Hope Cove







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