Cutting Mat for sale

 

Horn Cutting mat 60x40 inches / 152x101 cm. 
Selling because I have two and only one big table these days!

Almost new - £75 (dealer price £99) collect only (north Northumberland) – postage not an option please don’t ask!

http://www.hornfurniture.co.uk/hilo.php

Threadwork

Hello!

Today I finished stitching the quilted hanging.  Just the binding to secure by hand (did I say “just” – its a few hours work still).  I’m enjoying sitting in the studio, with the door open and a good audio book. 

    

I made a start on the second item.

Very different colour scheme.  Yes, I am a Madeira girl.  No, they don’t sponsor me, well they did once with a student bursary in about 2003.  Just great quality thread that behaves with FME.

And the winner is…….

I put all the names into a bowl and DS put his little hand in and pulled out the winner……

(insert drum roll here)…..

Christine wins the fabulous 500 Art Quilts book!

Congratulations!!!

The big day at last! to celebrate: A book review and a giveaway

It’s 6 months (all but 1 day) from when the roof collapsed on my “old” studio under the weight of snow.  Now it’s rebuilt – not quite totally organised, but I’m back in and working in my new “Little Blue Shaker Studio”.

Do you remember seeing these photos back in January?  I couldn’t imagine the future back then.  I had so many kind words of support (and beautiful flowers).  I can’t say thank you enough.  The online support was so helpful when I was so despairing of ever working again and all I could see was devastation and two damaged Bernina machines.

Want to come with me on my first day???

Well first of all you need the key, coffee, iPhone and landline.

Open the back door and walk across the (still wobbly) path….

Juggle the camera, coffee and key….

Fight off the door dangles….

Leave the door open as its a beautiful day….

And set up two sewing machines – one for straight and one for FME….

The sofa is back….

   

New cushions….

 

Frivolous bunting….

Treasured books on new bookcases….

  

Art materials all safe….

The iPod playing a good podcast….

And choosing threads for a Festival of Quilts entry…...

 

Until FoQ is over that's all I can show of the work in progress – there will be a hanging and a 3D piece.

Now for the Book review and the Giveaway – this is a first for me, I’ve never reviewed a book online before but lets give it a go. 

Lets celebrate being back!

The Book is 500 Art Quilts by Lark Books - edited by Ray Hemachandra and juried by Karey Bresenhan, with a foreword by Karey (the president of Quilts Inc who run the large American quilt shows). 

The pages open in a visual feast of colour, this is a book of vibrant images of contemporary textile art.  The photography is wonderful and the handy 8x8 inch size is perfect.

There are quilts of all styles many featuring people, flowers and landscapes and in contrast many that are pure abstract.  Whatever your personal preference you’ll find lots to love.  Its simply stunning – page after page of quilts created by 346 quilt artists from around the world.  I have a lot of books (!) and I can honestly say that this is one of my favourite.

Its a “must have” if you have any interest in Art Quilts and textiles and one to refer back to many times.  If you’re stuck for inspiration, or want to browse beautiful art quilts grab a coffee and look through this book.

I only wish I’d got my act together and submitted a piece myself.

I’ve got an extra copy of this book to giveaway – all I need is a comment from you and I’ll get DS to draw a name from the hat on Friday 9th July at 8pm (British summer time).

Leave your comment and pass on the word. 

Happy Days!

Are you an EG member?

If so please go and vote here.  There are a few questions to answer, only takes a minute.
No, I didn’t set it up, but I am interested in the results. 

Please spread the word as much as you can on your blogs and via emails.

Preparations

I spent a WHOLE week priming and painting MDF. 
I listened to one and a half audio books – over 20 hours……

I had intended to paint every little shelf and surface.
Then I realised how physically awkward it was (like not being able to reach the back of the shelf whilst balancing on the ladders).  Plus the calculation of how long it was going to take.

So here it is, tidy and uncluttered for the very first (and last) time!!

 

Scrapbook from France

I did it!  6 modules and an essay since Friday – its my own fault for falling behind so I’m not complaining. 
In fact I feel as if my brain is rejuvenated.  Its wonderful. 

I have to wait until September to start more archaeology or history courses – there are so many to choose from.  Oxford University are doing Indian Art, Romans in Britain and Islamic Art and Architecture.  I’ve just completed Ritual and Religion in Prehistory and hopefully gained my 10 CATS points.  I hear there maybe a Prehistoric Art module coming up.  I want to do them all.

Leicester have these modules; They are longer, being 20 CATS points. 

1. Aims and Methods in Archaeology
2. Early Prehistory
3. Later Prehistory
4. Introduction to Classical Archaeology
5. Medieval Archaeology
6. Historical (Post-Medieval and Industrial) Archaeology
7. The Archaeology of Egypt, Nubia and the Middle Nile

The Prehistory and Medieval units really appeal.  Am I doing this for myself or towards a degree?  Not sure.  I do wonder if I should have read humanities and not science at university 20 years ago.  I am a chameleon liking science, humanities and art.  Or maybe I am just interested in everything????

Over the summer I’m going to complete the History of Art Diploma – that's harder because there are no deadlines.  The subject matter is fascinating and not at all hard.  I need a deadline.

I like challenging my brain – its been in hibernation far too long (since childbirth I guess).

So, here is my scrapbook from France.  I didn’t have time to sit and write long entries or to sketch or draw.  Those days also disappeared with childbirth.  Guess they will come back all too soon.  I had fun with the Pogo printer, Sizzix cutter, double sided sticky tape and a concertina sketchbook (Seawhites).  Before I went away I gave the pages a wash with Brusho inks in in Leaf Green, Yellow and Turquoise.

Chateau Villandry

Chateau and garden are stunning.  I can’t wait to get back to France.

Meanwhile I am busy studying like mad to catch up before my course deadline.  See you all in a weeks time when I’ve read everything, made notes, uploaded notes, discussed in the discussion forums and written an essay!

The boys hated the colour scheme in this room, I loved it.

 

I know I have my beautiful new studio but well, I could happily have this at the bottom of the garden.

I love knot gardens and roses.  So this was a perfect combination.