Whirlpool

At last I've got round to finishing a college sample I started ages ago! It was difficult to photograph as it has a layer of bronze coloured sheer fabric on top so the colour is better in real life. We had to use one automatic stitch on our sewing machines and experiment with different stitch lengths and widths using a variety of threads. After I'd embroidered I layered it up with wadding and backing and added some simple quilting.
It  was based on one of my husband's photos:

I hope you can see the resemblance! It's not too bad I suppose but I'm really hankering after making a real quilt!!

I Passed!!

 'Crop Circle'

I finally took my work for my Diploma in Patchwork and Quilting to college today to be 'signed off' so I have officially completed - hooray! The photo above is of my quilt which was one of 3 pieces I had to design and make from scratch. It measures 60 inches square and was made with my hand dyed fabric (the background) and batiks. Here's a closer view:

 The other two pieces were this foundation piced miniature made with silk fabrics measuring 12" by 12":

 ....and this bag which features a photo of a flower which I manipulated in Photoshop and printed onto cotton fabric:

There was a lot of other work involved too, such as research into the history of patchwork and quilting, work on mathematical patterns and reseaching the work of comtemporary quilters as well as presentation books on how the above three pieces were designed and made - phew! Many thanks go to my tutors Diane, Ann and Sue for their expertise, guidance and patience.

I'm really pleased to have finished all the work and now am looking forward to catching up on all my other WIPs!

Creativity in the Dales

I've had a wonderful day with friends up in the Yorkshire Dales. We met up at Charmian's beautiful cottage tucked away in the dales. She is very fortunate to have a studio (pictured above) in the converted barn and invited us for the day. We have formed a new textile group to carry on the creative work we did at college last year and now intend to meet regularly. Here's the inside of the studio which is amazing.

 The studio is a treasure trove of fabrics, fibres, beads, paints etc and has plenty of space for us to work together. It was great to meet up again and chat and share our projects. The work on the walls is mostly created by Charmian's very talented daughter Kirsty. Charmian gave us the very exciting news that Kirsty has been successful in applying for a place in a studio in Pately Bridge where she can exhibit and sell her lovely felt and mixed media pieces - well done Kirsty! We can't wait to go along to the grand opening,




Mr Photographer drove me to Charmian's today then went off to take photos of the local landscape. He enjoyed himself too.

Here's a slideshow of some photos I took around the cottage and at a reservoir Mr Photographer and I visited on the way home - what a wonderful source of inspiration!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

New Blog!

I copied my friend Janet's idea and made a new blog to chart my progress on my college course. It has the functional but rather uninspired title of 'City and Guilds 7113'! Above is a photo of some work I did at the weekend on using automatic machine embroidery stitches on card coloured with wax crayon. I can see some of my friends throwing their hands up in horror at the thought of stitching wierd stuff! Don't worry - I'm not abandoning real cuddly fabric quilts  and I will continue to add news of my non-college quilty projects here on this blog.

P.S. Welcome to my new followers Janet, Anthea and Tracey. Thanks for joining - I'll be following your fab blogs too!

Back to College

Today was my first day on a new course at college - City and Guilds 7113 Creative Techniques. It was great to meet up with everyone again. I'm really going for the social networking and the stimulus to get on and make new things which comes from working alongside like-minded creative people. 'Two blogs Janet' of A Quilter's Journal fame has started a new blog to show us her progress on this new course. I'm thinking I may do the same. Not today tho - I am a bit tired and in need of a good curry and a glass of cider! See you all tomorrow my course mates.