STITCHING AT THE YARD

Colour and thread landed in the yard:ARTspace on Saturday with a 

Free Machine Embroidery workshop run by the electric sewing machine wizard, Catherine Kingzett

7 different sewing machines in the room, worked by operators with varying experience, but nothing phased Catherine. We all soon got to grips with our machines.

We started the day getting to know what we and our machines were capable of.

Then focused on doodling and drawing.

Trying threads and mark making...

I just couldn't resist having a go at a face.

We then got down and serious after lunch, producing

carefully thought out projects.

Getting to grips with a touch of applique. 

Working on different substrates and 

becoming confident with drawing and colouring in with thread.

Whoops, did I try out a bird, well it would have been rude not to?

A woman at one with her machine, I may even be looking relaxed, although apparently I have a sewing machine face when I work.

Catherine is such a patient teacher, 

showing us everything we needed to know about our machines and encouraging us to experiment.

Check out the textile workshops at the yard:ARTspace, some are a little out of the ordinary and will get you going in different directions.

Thank you Cath for a wonderful day.

STARTING THE YEAR WITH GUSTO!

January can be a difficult time for creatives. There is something about a New Year, post Christmas that makes us think about what we do. My antidote to this...and I am not immune to the negative thoughts that creep in when the weather is gloomy and the days are short, is to draw.

I hit those sketch books hard and fast, I try not to think too much. This is where gum arabic printmaking comes into its own. I took some new photos before Christmas and then printed photo copy versions of them at the beginning of the month.

I try not to start brand new things, but go with what I know I can do.

Rework ideas in the hope they might work this time and

generally experiment. I fancy focusing on flight this year, but don't hold me to that.

I leave unfinished projects to develop after the festivities.

So I have cranked up the Bernina and started stitching into these prints on silk.

The best thing to get me and others going is holding a Mixed Media Sketch Book weekend. Yes, this week term started at the yard:ARTspace.

Take eight talented women, give them ink.

acrylic paint, wax and bleach.

Teach then how to print gum arabic transfers and

wonderful experimental works on paper appear.

Transform these random marks on paper into folded,

;

glued booklets. Everyone took home several little treasures and

loads of new techniques to loosen up their drawing.

So halfway through January and I am now feeling creative and positive for the year to come. How lucky I am to be working in a field I love, with talented enthusiastic people.

I hope your year has started as well?