Srroud Textile Festival

Had a great day went with a friend to the textile exhib. we discussed ,talked admired and pulled some to pieces.I do not think it was as inspirational as some years and the ones we enjoyed the most were the work by Bath Uni students and The Brunel Broiderers whose theme was "Curious Drawers" NOT the kind you are thinking of but chest of drawers,this was a delight large and small drawers filled with exquisite embroideries & mixed media pieces of a theme that they had chosen.It was an absolute joy looking through them,no photo I am afraid but if you can get to Stroud make sure you see this exhib. The needle felted animals are byAnnie Hutchinson

In with the museum exhibs textile pieces by Bath Spa students had been placed, lovely pieces fresh and tought provoking





Deidre Nelson has been artist in residence at the museum for the last 6 months and this is the result, red tennis balls made by the only local firm still making felt which they make into tennis balls usually yellow.Red in this case as Stroud made the red felt for the Army.Deirdre has couched various sayings onto the balls which are placed around the museum ,For 6 months work I was a little disappointed what do you think?
Jewellery byAngela O'Kelly


These tapestries in most cases quite large are by Jo B arker


Gorgeous willow installation by Caroline Sharp
Quite a few of the shop windows had textile pieces in and you sure couldn't,t miss this one
This was a small exhibition but we really liked the pieces shown.



These papier mache tea cups were hanging next to this lovely apron

A close up of the apron

We also saw work by Cork textiles network which was stunning ,interesting and witty, I took the photos but when I was down loading onto my new computer I messed up the down load so my apologies

Mica workshop and Janice Gunner

We went to Forge Mill for a workshop on using mica a mineral that can be split into fine sheets it was tutored by Angie Hughes and was very interesting, I have never used the stuff before and it was fascinating . Also at Forge Mill was an exhibition by Jannice Gunell quilted indigo dyed pieces I do like her work first seen at the FOQ and I am envious of her superb indigo dyeing techniques.Below is some of her glorious pieces,enjoy.





I really liked this piece it was very appealing and livable with if that makes sense it was priced at £75 which was also appealing.

Now onto the Mica workshop, Angie is always good value for money she is a fun tutor and so generous with both her ideas and the bits and pieces that you need at workshops.The 2 frames below are Madi's on the left and mine on the right, I was pleased with mine.
My first attempt.
Some of the other students work

the best bit of the trip to Portsmouth?.

We all went to Portsmouth for the W/E and were so lucky with the weather it was glorious,and what do you think was the really best bit ever? Was it seeing the graceful Victory? Was it these gruesome surgical instruments?

Or these leather fire buckets?

Grandma enjoyed looking at the embroidery on Nelsons`s cot linen

but it was not that.

Was it the excitement of seeing the Mary Rose?

or Nelson skewed?

No none of those interesting historical things it was these "hamster balls" which after about 10 -12 goes Olive was really good at and could run over the water having a fantastic if tiring time at the cost of about £40 to her doting Grandparents,so much for history!

Sue Brown`s collograph workshop.

A fantastic workshop,Sue is a great teacher with a good sense of fun and she helped us all make and print collographs in just 2 hours, Sue is the one in the middle The mighty press complete with felt blanket

My daughter hard at work cutting her mount board,

After we had inked the collograph we had to remove the waste ink with old yellow pages.

One of the group looking very pleased with her print.

The next two pictures are Sue`s collographs.

And then we come to our efforts.

My daughter did this crow by a castle,well done Amy.

I went home full of enthusiasm and having found a new yellow pages on the doorstop took this as an omen to have another go using my mangle.

I was pleased with the results and will do some more after the Easter visitors,Sue Brown does workshops at Cirencester and at Andoversford if anyone interested is near enough email her at sb.brown@talk21.com