Oak leaves

I'm desperately trying to get away from the colours I normally use which are pink, purple, jade and blue so thought I would make a few autumn coloured pieces. It began with the covered bottle I made at an Embroiderers Guild workshop. This was made from strips of felt with machine embroidered oak leaves and beads added.

I then made a book cover and box and added oak leaves and beads in autumn colours.

Textile 21 and The World of Glass

Last year we had an exhibition at the World of Glass in St Helens and went for a visit to be inspired. I love the work of Dale Chihuly and wanted to make some textile flowers that looked like glass but obviously on a smaller scale than the picture below.

I made the flowers from 2 layers of pvc which had various fabrics sandwiched between and they were all wired which I was lucky enough to do without breaking a needle.

My first piece was a vase of flowers which I was lucky enough to sell.

The second piece was a bit more wacky and inspired by the plants in Avatar.

Both my pieces got good comments as did the whole exhibition.

The Vegetable Garden

Happy New Year to everyone, rather belated but seem to be so busy since moving up north. On Thursdays I volunteer in the creative therapy department at a local hospice and last year the patients made a wallhanging which was inspired by the vegetable garden. As it was textile I helped with this and was inspired myself to create one on canvas.

It is made using applique with the vegetables made separately and stitched on and took ages but was really fun to do.