Fun stamps

Just had a note from Susan to say that a few fun stamps from Catslife Press are in the mail to me. I'm not normally a rubber stamper but I saw something stamped with the message "Don't even THINK about throwing this away" and felt I needed one.

I've now ordered "This is not ART - I just like to make stuff". It's appropriate for some of the things I turn out and with the US$ at the level it is right now, it's hardly a major purchase!

Anyway, excellent service and I'm a happy bunny. Off to Gloucester now to offer my opinion to M&S in a Focus Group. Should be interesting.

On the other hand...

Looking at the weather outside and hearing the forecast of seven or eight hours of heavy rain today, maybe that boat we saw yesterday could be useful!

Thinking of those poor souls at Waterperry today, trying to keep themselves and their art dry.

Art in Action

Together with what seemed to be the rest of the country, we went to Art in Action at Waterperry House today. It used to be a regular event in our diary and one to which we looked forward, but in recent years we felt it had become a little samey and so we deliberately chose not to go for a while. We stayed on the mailing list however and with the weather forecast promising the one fine day this week, we gathered up m-i-l Bettine and headed off first thing ths morning. We still didn't beat the queues

Everything is beautifully organised however, so it didn't take long to get through the gate and into the first marquee: Drawing , where we admired the work of Gill Crabbe Akasaka.

Sad to say, we didn't really tune into much of the painting, nor most of the sculpture....and our days of collecting treacly ceramics are over. We loved Jenny Crisp's baskets, however.

Shame I have no need for a boat - isn't this a lovely one? (Butler & Co)

In the textiles tent, it was interesting to chat to the embroiderers working on a new set of vestments for St Pauls Cathedral. So willing to share their knowledge and experience, delighted to find so many people interested in this magnificent project.

But what makes Art in Action special is the way in which visitors can get involved and have a go themselves. For some reason, we found this year's show rather more commercial than we recalled and so we were pleased to find this corner of the calligraphy tent set aside for what we think to be the principal purpose of Art in Action.

It was a good day, we enjoyed ourselves and can't complain about the commercial aspects when we left one or two pounds behind ourselves, mostly in the Rainbow Silks till but also for a set of Inktense pencils to take on holiday, since my Caran d'Ache Neocolour crayons have become so mucky.

Thanks to my internet friends (and Dijanne's worksheet), I have a few ideas of what to do with my Lutradur, but ideas of what the Evolon is going to do for me will be gratefully received! (No, I don't plan any hi-tech wiping....)

Out for a walk

This afternoon we went out for a walk down through the village. We'd planned to visit this exhibition and thought it would make a good reason to walk off our lunch. (If you've clicked on the link, you're probably there before us, but bear with me...)

We walked through the allotments where the huge artichokes grow

and of course, the view soon became a little restricted. Summer, eh?

Notice our new tarmac paths and roads? They've even done our little lane! We walked down and down, steep paths and lanes to the old chapel, only to find it closed and no-one home.

No choice but to turn around and walk back up those steep hills towards home.

You spotted it though, didn't you? The exhibition was last month. Duh.

Textile Treasures

The exhibition was wonderful, and though it was hard work it was worthwhile in order to see the reaction from visitors - so rewarding. We began with an empty room, in which a shell scheme had been built.

Each exhibit had to be identified and checked off the list. Sorting out the large number of lace edged tablecloths was a challenge - was that meant to be a crochet lace edge tablecloth or a tatted lace edge?

And any exhibition of tablecloths means that certain equipment is inevitable:

There was a model to be dressed, and some hastily arranged plastic bags to provide a bit of cleavage!

All came together beautifully, thanks to the skill of designer Sue, who resisted all demands to squeeze as many things in as possible and left each piece plenty of space to breathe and be shown to best effect.

This is one of my favourite pieces, a banner from the 1928, made for Cannington WI in Somerset, costing £5 11s 6d. At the time, a judge wrote a comment which stated that "an allegorical design is not suitable for a WI banner. Artificial silk unsuitable. Rejected"

This was my favourite grouping: a box in the shape of a guitar (very 1960s), a wool felt cushion (a la Needlework Development Scheme) a pair of slippers made to present to a retiring President, a modern box with embroidered top and a piece of inlay applique done by Mrs Christie - recognise it from "Samplers and Stitches"? The group sits in front of a rather wonderful banner from Norfolk Federation, upon a crochet bedspread.

All of these things, together with another 200 pieces, will be touring the ICHF shows next year, starting in Exeter in late September and going on to Harrogate, Glasgow, Brighton, Cardiff and Birmingham. Not only that, but I get to go with them!!

Maybe see you there?