EMBROIDERERS GUILD TALK

I was approached by Chelford Embroiderers Guild to give a talk at the back end of last year and before I knew it I said 'Yes'. I started the process of writing the talk about 2 months before the due date of 16th May. It was a most enjoyable task as I visited many memories that made up my life and realised how rich it had been both emotionally and creatively. These aspects helped to minimise the negative physical blips in my life. Having taught for 30 years meant that the presentation held no worries for me but the content was the issue. I suppose most of us don't consider ourselves as experts and tend to hide our achievements making excuses before we even show our work. The ladies at Chelford were very welcoming and I was kept talking for over half an hour at the end with many members exchanging email addresses.
For a picture of the night go to http://chelfordstitchers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/margaret-steeden-moving-on-may-2012.html this was a piece of machine embellished velvet that is covered in bits from my bit box, I will do something with it one day!!!!

Busy at the moment preparing for Holmfirth at the end of the month, I have been making brooches this year from wool and charms, hopefully post some pics when finished. Also for Silk-n-Threads' exhibition at Bradbury House also at the end of the month. http://silk-n-threads.blogspot.co.uk/

Busy Month!!!!!!!

Bye Bye "End of Season"

"End of the Season" has been hanging in my art room for a few months now and I had really begun to like it again. It was a piece that I completed for the Textile 21 exhibition at Norton Priory last year, before all my operations and because it was done whilst I was not feeling 100% I dismissed it. It is a peaceful piece and was a success in terms of techniques that worked. The background is a piece of dry felted velvet using silk and wool tops. In particular I liked the effect achieved by the silk noil. The stems were trusty tyvek rolled painted heated and then painted again for highlights. As with most of my pieces the finishing touches were hand stitches for the seed heads.
Well it has gone, sold at the Holmfirth Art Week. When I found out the buyer I was very excited as it is the local Yorkshire artist Jill Moynan, check out her pictures. Even more surprising was the fact that of all the 500+ pictures on show it was one of hers that I would have chosen as my favourite and given wall space to. Must contact her to share this revelation with!!

Here is detail of the seed head the smaller stems are machine wrapped cords that I then painted.

I also sold lots of my knitted necklaces and scarves, it is so gratifying to know that individuals out there appreciate my work and choose to wear them. Thankyou so much, it makes me want to continue with creating.

Holmfirth Art Week

David and I went to Holmfirth Art Week twice this past week. Once on our own on Wednesday so that we could have a good look around not once but at least three times, all at varying speeds to fully appreciate the art work on show. Some of the ceramics were outstanding and Jackie Walton was the featured potter and she had some stunning exhibits, I think by Saturday she had sold all her pieces. I would have given house room to any of her pots but by the time I got there they were nearly all sold!


The second time we went was with our eldest daughter and husband who turned up as a surprise on Friday. They live in Poole on the south coast of England, a 5 hour car journey. Joanne wanted to see me before I go into Hospital for my NEW hip next month. We had a great weekend and they are such a happy newly married couple.................!


As for sales we both sold a painting. 'David's Cow' or Contentment and my Autumn leaves.

This was taken before I had it mounted and framed. The camera has created indentations where in actual fact the natural cord swirls were in relief. The leaves are Tissutex painted with silk paint before cutting out.

I had put some items in the Craft Market, unframed textile pieces, embroidered cards, knitted jewellery, bucket bags and silk scarves.

This bucket bag is my own design and is a crazy patchwork of fabric, it is lined with silk. So glad someone will be enjoying it.It is so gratifying when people choose to purchase your designs and art work but then Holmfirth does get a very diverse group of people through its doors. I also sold three pics that I posted last month, 'Pink confusion', 'Tall and Proud', the foxgloves and 'Russets' the green felted piece. I didn't bring much home so my stock will have to be replenished which means lots of creating!!!!!!!!! good oh!

Holmfirth Exhibition and latest work

I've been very busy over the last few weeks finishing off pieces for the Holmfirth Art Week, 6-12th July. This is 'Pink Confusion', an embellished piece of wool and silk with FME and hand embroidery. The colour representation is so good and the relief effect achieved actually looks recessed.

This detail shows the use of beads to complete the surface embellishment of Pink Confusion.I did this piece using a single felting needle and silk tops, french knots complete the foxglove embellishment. Very pleased with this one.


Another dry felted piece. Silk net gives it a further dimension. Surface embellishment is achieved by FME and bead work.
The next two are in the Seed head series that I started for the Norton Priory exhibition

Seed Head IV

Seed Head V

The next four pics are cards in my Seed Head series they are approx 5-6 cms square. The base is embellished organza or curtaining voile and the seed head is FME. The last one has hand embroidery to finish as in the larger pieces.

These are three of the ten silk scarves I have dyed today. I call this series the Silk Crinklies as they are short and crinklie!!! They are quick and easy to do in the microwave with silk dyes. Ideal small items for sale.

I need now to play catch up on my TIF and Unlimited Textiles pieces. As I am off to Menorca on Monday I think that they will be coming away with me!!! I am in great need of some sun and warmth as I am scheduled to have a hip replacement in a couple of months and want my batteries recharged, I'm on the cancellation list so might get the call any time. Hubby thinks I should have a season ticket at the local hospital after my January gall bladder episode.