This Saturday we had a day doing a lovely project, even if I say so myself ! I just love the combination of silk shading embroidery and Goldwork, they complement each other beautifully. Those two elements worked on an Elizabethan style design and, well, it doesn’t get much better in my opinion !
Both embroidery methods are quite challenging, so to attempt this in a day course is quite ambitious, but everyone produced amazing pieces of work. We worked areas of each technique so that the piece could be completed at home.
Emily brought along an absolutely stunning peacock she is working in Goldwork/ metal thread embroidery ……
We have been using metal thread embroidery in a series of panels we are working as part of the Halifax New Library Textile Project. This is a sneak preview of Liz’s piece depicting the Piece Hall colonnades …..
I was really excited to be able to hold my first sessions at the new studio last week. The Library Project Group came to spend their usual Friday meeting at my new place. As you can see from the pictures it was a large group, but we had plenty room for everyone !
Mel and her crew came over from Hull to spend a day course learning Locker Hooking. We had a great time, as always ……
I am in the process of updating my website and creating a new leaflet which will contain all the details of our new venture. I have several new courses to add to the current list, plus Kev will be running a variety of print and art workshops. We will also be running some sessions combining both our areas of expertise, such as the ‘Print and Stitch’ courses we have run at other venues.
Back at The Fabbadashery we had a very successful day course on ‘Proddy Flowers’. In the morning I showed everyone how to make a felted wool fabric brooch using rag-rugging techniques and tools. Once people were confident with the method they moved on to make other items such as decorated bags, pictures and large flower wreaths…..
Aren’t these all superb ?! Most of the people attending had not done any rag-rugging previously. I have saved the best for last though, I couldn’t believe how much Lynne achieved – she just about completed a whole flower wreath in just one day ! ……..
So, now the ‘Hounds for Huntington’s’. As I have mentioned previously some very dear friends of mine have lives which have been devastated by the condition Huntington’s Disease. My friend Jackie, along with caring for her brother who suffers from the condition, spends what time she can raising awareness of this disease and also fund-raising. She has recently been on Radio Leeds and on Calendar talking about HD.
At Christmas I made her brother , Mark, a felt decoration based on their Border Terrier, Sybil. Jackie immediately set to making more Sybils which she gave as presents, but people wanted to repay her by sending donations to the HDA (Huntington’s Disease Association ).
She then started getting requests from people who wanted specific breeds making, such as Jack Russells
Schnauzers ……..
King Charles Spaniels …..
…. and many many more !! In fact so many more that another lady, Brenda, whose life is also affected by the condition has started helping Jackie make some more dogs, and cats, and mice, and …..
… how cute !
Jackie has sent some bespoke dogs to some very special dog owners, I’ll put some photos of these on my next blog. She is calling the project ‘#Hounds for Huntington’s’.
I am planning to run an afternoon at my studio in Halifax to help raise money for the HDA. We will have an afternoon making your own felt dog, plus enjoying tea and cream scones in the company of others. The provisional date for this is Sunday May 8th 1-00 ’til 4-00pm, and the cost is £15. Places will be limited, so please let me know if you would like me to reserve a place for you.