The earth laughs in flowers..

May your search through nature, lead you to yourself.

I haven't shown you anything new in a while, I've been working away on a couple of pieces of work that are being shown alongside the Daphne's Glove pieces. This one is particularly detailed and has taken me a long time! It sits within a vintage cutlery box covered with pages from an old copy of 'flowers of the field'. I've decorated the front with little acorns which I've filled and decorated.
Would you like to see inside?

Here are a few more details...

Daphne's Glove opens!

The exhibition opens today! See all of the artists 'Daphne's Glove' pieces plus other work which will be for sale. Come along on Saturday 3rd and meet some of the artists involved. If you can't make it you will be able to see the work gradually revealed over on the Group Gathering blog and facebook page.

Indigo Moon

Yesterday I taught a workshop at the magical place that is Indigo Moon. Situated in the picturesque town of Montgomery in mid Wales, Indigo Moon, as well as being an antiques and interiors shop, is also a creative haven where owner Tina runs creative workshops from her beautiful suite of rooms above the shop in this wonderful old property. With so many beautiful artworks Including some of Tina's own art - you can see more on her blog clarity and blur) on the walls and exciting vintage treasures to look at, it was an inspiring day for all.  I thought I'd give you a taste of the day...
To find out about more workshops at Indigo Moon, click on the link here.

Aso just to let you know, I am really pleased to be returning to Hope and Elvis to teach another workshop next year bookings are now being taken.

p.s. thank you to Nichola for the use of a couple of her photos in this post.

a glimpse

Hello there, sorry I've been a bit quiet here of late.  I've been busy preparing a couple of pieces of work which be shown alongside the 'Daphne's Glove' pieces at the exhibition at the end of this month. Here a few glimpses of one of the pieces in progress. If you would like to come along the exhibition, you can find all of the details here. There will be a 'celebration afternoon' on the 3rd October, at which some of the participating artists will be there. I'll be there, it would be lovely to meet you if you can make it...

Also just to let you know there are a few places left for my 'keep safe' workshop this Saturday at Indigo Moon Creative Workshops. in the lovely village of Montgomery, in North Wales (only about 20 miles from Shrewsbury) you also get to look around Tina's wonderful shop, Indigo Moon.  Here is an idea of what you could make if you come along...

Busy work

I'm busy working on a couple of pieces that will be exhibited alongside the Daphne's Glove pieces at the Weavers Gallery in Ledbury. I just thought I'd let you know that you can now find me on instagram - there is a link in the sidebar, hope to see you there...

three wishes...

Three wishes, with little pockets to keep your wishes in.  Inspired by a tiny scrap of quilt, 5 by 3 inches long, hopefully now transformed into something to treasure.

Sew Not Strawberry Jam

I just spent a wonderful weekend teaching workshops at Sew Not Strawberry Jam and thought I'd share with you a glimpse of how magical the place is and give you a peek inside Sam's wonderful studio. Two groups of lovely ladies, sunshine, stitching and lots of tea and cake made for a very special few days. Sam made me so welcome and she also has a vintage shepherds hut and a converted horsebox for 'glampers' which are beautifully renovated and furnished - you can see some pictures of them here.

As usual, I took along some of my work to show, the samples I've been showing you, and lots of vintage materials to be used..

The theme of the workshop was 'keep safe', the idea being to make a fabric home to keep something precious in, whether it’s a family photograph, your favourite buttons, or some special stitched words, but it’s a place to keep them safe. I was inspired by 18th century pockets that were worn under clothing and were often the only place something private or valuable could be kept in. You can read a bit more about them here and see some on my 'keep safe' Pinterest board.

I took along a pocket I had made into a kind of installation with objects that might have been kept inside it and hung it in the studio to provide inspiration for the workshop.

The dress I chose to wear for one of the workshop days was a vintage cream silk dress I'd recently bought from an antique fair. It was a bit fragile, missing buttons and needed quite a bit of mending but I thought I could do something with it and had it in mind to wear for this workshop.

It wasn't until I got it home that I discovered a hidden pocket near the hem of the dress, I was thrilled and added a little label and a button. Sometimes things are just meant to be....