Sunday 29 March 2009

Pussy Cats Washing Dishes?


I took some of the mirrored garlands I have been making outside today. As they caught the light and spun in the breeze they threw discs of light onto every surface. My Nana told me that as a child she used to call this reflective effect 'pussy cat washing dishes'! There certainly was something a bit magical about it.

I have increasingly become fascinated by the idea of festival garlands and the things that people string up to signify a celebration. French artist Sophie Cuvelier makes bunting- but uses it to create wonderful, joyful installations. It reminded me of my long held love of Tibetan prayer flags.

For the Bollington festival in May I want to create some kind of canopy from the bottle garlands- like a maypole or the canopies of flowers you see at religious festivals. I want people to be able to walk underneath and see sunlight streaming through the kaleidoscopic colours.

Sunday 22 March 2009

Hand Embroidery Workshops at Button & Skein


I have recently been invited to deliver some hand embroidery workshops at Button & Skein; a beautiful wool shop in Macclesfield.

On Thursday 18th June 7-9pm, I will lead a session on mirrorwork embroidery, using folk embroidery techniques to make corsages.

On Saturday 20th August 1-4pm, for 7-13 year olds, I'll be teaching simple hand stitch and 'fuzzy felt' applique to make hairslides and badges.

Visit the Button & Skein website for more information and to book a place.

Saturday 14 March 2009

Chorlton's Big Green Festival 2009


On Saturday 4th April, I'll be at Chorlton's Big Green Festival held at St. Clement's Church- a celebration of all things green. In the Cafe area, you will find me stitching and embellishing bottles, in preparation for my forthcoming window installation at the Arison Gallery as part of the Chorlton Arts Festival in May. Please bring along your empty plastic bottles and they may find themselves embroidered and sculpted into a piece of art!

Embroidery artist Emily Hayes will also be at the festival, transforming your unwanted t-shirts into works of art. Do come along and have a butchers!

www.greenchorlton.org.uk

Saturday 7 March 2009

Make Do And Mend - ArtLink


My work is currently being exhibited at ArtLink in Hull as part of 'Make Do and Mend', a group exhibition of nine female artists to coincide with International Women's Day on the 8th March.
The show runs from the 6th March to the 6th April have a look if you find yourself in Hull!

www.artlink.uk.net