Give me Sunshine

I haven't composed on the iPad before so this will look a bit old fashioned. I've spent this week in preparation: measuring, cutting, re-measuring components of exhibition pieces, then attempting to pack for an coordinate the annual pilgrimage to the sun. My aim is to have at least 8 very productive days stitching so I return de-stressed!

Like the travelling family, last summer I made a travelling memory book. It currently resides with my sister. I hope she tucks away a couple of memories, maybe a photo or two, before passing on to my brother. We each have it for a year, which means 2018 it will come back to Europe. Unfortunately, I have yet to master the art of moving a photo between apple and Google so you can't see it here...it will have to wait.

Dodgey wi-fi may delay postings but hopefully I'll be able to keep in touch....I did manage to secure red toenails prior to departure.

It began as a Nativity

We were starting to prepare for Christmas at Christ the Cornerstone, CMK, and everyone generally agreed that our crib set is just too small. Christmas Eve sees almost 1000 people visit the church and the tallest figure is under 30cm. I offered to make a textile prototype at about 70cms tall. In place, even this was too small - we need something REALLY BIG! but...given the issues of travellers, refugees (Jesus was a refugee) and the multi-cultural nature of our congregation, I offered to make a family which could move round the church during the four weeks of Advent and people could just respond...words, music, cuddles, whatever, noting things in the family's journal. 
Here are the members of the family.

The experiment was fantastic: People wrote them letters, took them home for meals, wrote prayers to focus on the plight of refugees and how we could help and took them to heart. The family will be at our exhibition in Worthing and I'm looking forward to see how visitors there will respond. 

Finally Getting my Act Together!

Technology takes so much time to get organised that I have taken a day out to bring my blog up to date instead of working towards this exhibition. This publicity photo of our work looks pretty good - let's hope the people of Worthing find it as interesting! This was about all I could manage today so more about my own work later in the week, especially the travelling family and their December experience.

 FIVE

An Exhibition of Contemporary Textiles

by 5 artists inspired by 5 continents

6 – 21 May, 2016

Studio Gallery at Worthing Museum & Art Gallery

Chapel Road, Worthing, BN11 1HP

Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm

Free Admission

Parking in Union Place opposite the Museum

Inspired by the splendour and variety of textiles across the continents, FIVE stitchers will present individual interpretations of textile traditions from around the world. Works will include clothing, mirrors, cushions, gold-work and small decorative items, most of which will be for sale. Two Saturday workshops led by the artists will accompany the exhibition.

Barbara, Cheryl, Elaine, Jane and Suzanne say of themselves: “We met at Missenden Abbey courtesy of Janet Edmonds’ City & Guilds Diploma course. After six years of hard graft we were ready for a change but tended towards dabbling in techniques! We decided that a challenge was necessary and determined to offer up our creative work for public scrutiny. Our backgrounds are as disparate as our styles. Here we have been inspired by traditions from around the world, re-interpreting these in a range of materials and techniques.” 

The group will also lead two workshops in Worthing during the exhibition based on south Asian mirrorwork and crazy patchwork, drawing on the Museum’s own textile collection.

For more information contact Cheryl at mkstitcher2016@gmail.com

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Two Saturday workshops led by the artists accompany this exhibition:

7^th May – Carry the World:  Make a bag based on the Indian Buskari style decorated with mirrors and metal threads. Cheryl and Suzanne will lead the day aiming to pass on all the traditional skills you need to complete this exquisite project. Please bring a small pair of scissors for cutting threads; if you prefer to use a thimble or hoop, bring them along.

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14^th May – Piece the World:   The day will focus on making a beautiful crazy patchwork cloth from those precious fabric scraps full of memories to be made into a Needle Case. Be inspired by the Museum’s textile collection. Elaine and Barbara will help you compile your “new” fabric and embellish it with a range of decorative stitches. Although fabric will be provided if you have any special pieces you would like to incorporate, do bring them along! Please bring small scissors and your own basic sewing kit if you have one.

Both workshops will be held between 10.30 and 4.30pm. No experience beyond threading a needle is needed and all the materials necessary to complete a project will be provided. Cost for the day is £35 including refreshments but you will need to provide your own lunch. Fifteen places will be available for each workshop.