More Stitching

I have been stitching this week on a new larger textile piece.
Again, I have referred to my sketch book as my starting point, where I recorded how the light and shadows played between the olive trees in Cimiez, Nice.

I felt in awe of the landscapes magical beauty, as the light streamed in, reminding me of a colourful stained glass window in a church.
I have many hours of stitching ahead of me, hand and machine.

Madeira threads  contacted me this week and offered to sponsor me in threads for my exhibition at The Herbert Art Gallery.
To say I'm excited by this prospect is an understatement, when you know my obsession with threads!!

Working Sketches

On Sunday, a glorious Summer day I went out with my sketch book.

 I sat in the long grass surrounded by the tall, waving meadow sweet and yellow buttercups.
The landscape felt fresh, the new growth vibrant in the strong sunlight.

My aim is to spend a lot of time in my sketch book so I have a good range of work to select and develop from.

The Most Exciting News!

I won't forget this week in a hurry, in particular Monday, when I was on my way back from Warwick with my Mum and my husband phoned.
I couldn't believe it when he told me he had just taken a call from the Herbert Art Gallery, I had won the people's choice award!
The winning prize is the opportunity to have my own exhibition at this wonderful gallery in Autumn 2011.
I will need to have at least forty pieces of work, which will show a range of different media and a lot of stitched pieces.
So the hard work starts now and I hope to share my journey, preparing for this exhibition with you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart if you voted or you follow my blog as you have given me the confidence to develop my work.
As soon as I get firm dates I will let you know, as your all invited!
Click here for more information on the gallery http://www.theherbert.org/herbertMedia

A Day At The Fair

It was an honour to take part in the 800 years celebration of Holy Trinity church.
This is the resting place of Shakespeare and it was strange to think he had probably worshiped here.
I had a wonderful view of the large stained glass windows, the clear bright coloured glass, gleaming like jewels as the sunlight streamed in.
It felt like you had been transported back in time, as dancers and musicians in Mediaeval dress danced through the church.

I wished I had been able to take more photographs but it was very busy and I was also demonstrating.
Luckily my Mum was there to help, who you can see hiding behind the stall!

Thank you so much to all my customers who purchased cards, pictures and brooches.

This week I'm going to start on a new large landscape, I'm playing with colour ideas in my sketchbook.
More soon...

A Tiny Forest

These small trees are ready for me to take to the Medieval Fair in Stratford-Upon-Avon tomorrow.
The Fair is at Holy Trinity Church and is also know as Shakespere's Church http://holytrinitymediaevalfayre.ning.com/
There will be demonstrations of archery,bee-keeping,weaving,spinning and dyeing, felt making (me),blacksmithing,calligraphy,basket making,coracle making and Leamington Embroiderers Guild will be showing their work.
Admission is free and it will be opened by the actor David Bradley, who plays Mr Filch in the Harry Potter films.
The weather looks as if it will be kind to us so hopefully it will be a good day.
M x

Trees For A Mediavel Fair

A moment of calm as I write this blog post, while sipping my camomile tea.
I seem to have endless things to do and little time to do them.
The weather is warm and humid and this morning we took our dog out before it got too hot.

He is now snoozing, I just had to share this picture.

I have been busy stitching for the Mediavel Fair in Stratford-Upon-Avon which is next Saturday.
These little trees I hope will find new homes and I have also made printed cards of my larger embroidery pieces, I will add a few to my etsy shop.

Thank you Kaye of Stitching Life who purchased one of my trees to add to her lovely sketch book.

Now it's back to drawing....more soon.