Embellishments

Full day workshop with Dionne Swift at Janome Stockport today...using John Piper as inspiration I created the pic below (Reims cathedral) with tips and ideas from Dionne for creating marks and texture using the embellisher...tiring day but well worth it

More Companion Stones

It has taken a while, perhaps that new-found freedom isn't quite here yet? Last Sunday the weather looked good and we managed to take some time out to catch up on  a few more Companion Stones. Having an aim has made us go out and walk in areas we probably wouldn't have though to do and found some lovely spots - got close up and personal with an adder out sunning itself - photos to follow, and found an old abandoned stove - the grate came home with me for a spot of rust dying - can't you just see the patterns those grids could make on fabric. I have it wrapped up and dipped in vinegar as we speak - results to follow...

Companion Stones

This morning we did Curbar Head and Eaglestone Flat, weather was beautiful for the time of year too and it was very busy at Curbar.

Information on the original Guide Stoops can be found here

Sunday Mornings

Now we no longer have to ferry son and heir around constantly on a Sunday we are taking a bit of time out for we and the dog! Companion Stones is the name of the game and we are planning to walk to them all over the next few weekends.

I had seen a leaflet about them some time ago and it was something I meant to follow up but somehow never got around too. A few weeks ago I met a lovely lady called Diana Syder who, amongst  other things, is a poet and one of the participants in the stones project, and it reminded me to get on with it!

Two weeks ago we found the first at Hob Hurst's House and this weekend we went to find Ball Cross

Goodbye Guinness

On Monday evening we had to say goodbye to Guinness, who had lived with us for 16 years, aloof and independent for most of that time. Until recently it took weather like this to keep him indoors.

Predilection for Plockton

Wonderful half term week in Plockton - the first residents we met on Sunday morning were of the Hebridean variety...

An afternoon spent on Calum's boat for a harbour seal spotting tour

For the time of year the weather was changeable but kind and spectacular at times - the changing light on the pass to Applecross:

same pass an hour or so later:

Raasay harbour - waiting for the return  ferry to Skye

The view from Plockton Cottages





Potassium Permanganate Play Day

Tuesday 11th October 2011 Potassium Permanganate Dyeing on behalf of Region 9 International Feltmakers Association

Thanks to all those who took part and rose to the challenge of a change of venue before battle commenced!

I have had some lovely feedback from the day:

 

My clothes horse has a great selection of PP bits and I was delighted to unwrap a gorgeous silk piece with amazing patterns on it when I got home.

I found the day really useful because;

a] It showed me a way to dye a felted/silk/nuno creations so that the colours would be quite subtle and harmonious.

b] An excellent way to create a vintage feel to clothes for productions.

and c] best of all a safe way to explore bleaching effects at school if I pre dye the fabric with PP.

 

Penny is a great tutor being very approachable, knowledgeable, and well organised.

It was a really relaxed and pleasant day with a nice group of ladies and very interesting to see the diverse variety of outcomes.

I look forward to having the opportunity to do other workshops with Penny or yourself in the near future.

Thanks again

Best regards

Therese

 

This was a very good workshop. We were informed of the hazards of  working with Potassium Permanganate, The format of the day was outlined, we were shown samples of what could be achieved and we all soon started dipping our fabrics into the rich purple solution and being surprised at how quickly our silks and cottons took on a satisfying brown colour, sometimes shaded and sometimes an even colour all over.

After lunch we stitched and tied, wrapped and dipped.  It was tempting to want to undo immediately to find out exactly what pattern we had made.

Then we mixed a discharge gel and stamped patterns on to the fabrics we had coloured in the morning.   We all left with many samples to use in our felt and craft work feeling confident we could repeat the process at home and with many ideas to follow up.  -   Ursula

Hello Penny,

Thank you very much for a super workshop. It was absolutely top class and I know people were very happy with what they had produced. For me, it was a dream to run as you were so organised - Melanie

 

Dear Penny,
Thank you for a wonderful workshop yesterday with Melanie, I love the pieces I did and fully intend to work more on them and to do more dyeing - Caroline

 

It was a very interesting day, nicely paced so that you felt you were achieving something but also not rushed as can happen on some courses. there was a good range of activities to get through.

many thanks & best wishes

Penny B

Feedback on course:  I really enjoyed trying out the various dyeing techniques using Potassium Permanganate, looking at the samples Penny had brought with her and chatting to the other workshop participants about dyeing and feltmaking.  It was great to come home with samples that we can incorporate into our feltwork at a later date. Thank you for a very enjoyable day.

 

The only disappointment was that we didn't get to make our own bomb and take it home with us (maybe I misread the course outline?)!!  I hadn't realised dyeing could be so hazardous and it has raised my coolness factor with my teenage son immeasurably!  The ideas on what we could do with citric acid also gave food for thought and I await further instruction...

Best wishes,
Llinos

Many thanks to Caroline for sharing her photos