The Joy of Ice and Rust

Please take a look at the details of the book by Sally Sparks - 'The Joy of Ice and Rust' in the 'pages' section of my blog - on the right here. You can now buy this super book directly from Sally's website www.sallysparks.co.uk

Distant Stitch Summer School 2011

A special posting for Maggie B and all who missed this year's Summer School.

Sunshine and clouds over Urchfont Manor but all was bright inside the studios and dining room for the 2012 Distant Stitch Summer School, where tutors, Jan Evans and Mary Sleigh lead the participants through two wonderful workshops that kept everyone inspired and productive between the meals.

Urchfont Manor, viewed from the rear of the main house.

Jane, Alison R and Alison G, from UK, studying Mary Sleigh's extensive collection of African textiles.

Daniela, from Italy,working with hand stitching and beads inspired by African textiles.

Jan's busy studio in the coach house: Eila from NZ, left, Margaret from USA, right, Kaye from UK, standing

Carrie,  left, and Sheila, both from UK, enjoy adding stitching to their pieces of work.

Workshop tutor, Jan Evans, right, chats to Evelyne, from France, about progress on her super work.

Breakfast sunshine in the dining room.

 

As usual, we were so well looked after by the staff at Urchfont. Lunches were a delight for us all, including Betty, from UK, with this colourful array of lunchtime salads decorated with edible flowers.  

Part of the walled gardens at Urchfont, where a lot of the veg, fruit and herbs are grown.

Sian, centre right, tutors Mary Sleigh, Jan Evans and Lizzy Lewis seated right.

A gathering of Distant Stitch students from many countries, outside the main door of Urchfont Manor.

Please right click on this if you'd like to save it onto your own computer.

Visit the Distant Stitch website for more photos and please 'post' your own Summer School work on your own blogs.

Working in Three Dimensions - a workshop with Shuna Rendel

'Continous Line' - a drawing in willow.

The willow 'drawing' under construction.

A thread wrapped form using PVA (- a cheat's method), split into two halves.

Cane wrapped form with inter-weave and looped 'stitching'.

URCHFONT MANOR OPEN DAY

A frosty morning in this pic, belies the warm welcome you get at Urchfont Manor, particularly in July!

A typical buffet lunch at Urchfont Manor.

Visit the Distant Stitch exhibition and meet the team of tutors at Urchfont's Open Day.

Sunday 3rd July, 10.00-15.00

This year Urchfont Manor is hosting Machine Embroidery, Textile and Craft Open day to showcase the work in a range of disciplines and to celebrate City and Guilds Student Graduations. Come along and meet the tutors and current students and discover why studying at Urchfont Manor is so special.

Textile Traders

Refreshments

Lunches £14 (by prior booking) 01380 840495 urchfontmanor@wiltshire.gov.uk

For Alison

Looking through the train window at the road bridge running parallel whilst passing over the River Tamar at Plymouth. Cropped patterns, reflections in the window and in the water and shadows of the rail bridge all create interesting and unusual shapes in these images.

Message to Distant Stitch Students

Tonal Contemplations by Jan Evans

Travel Tokens by Mary Sleigh

Summer School will soon be full so you have a very short time to decide to book. It is at Urchfont Manor College, Wiltshire from 3rd to 6th June. If you are studying on the Embroidery Certificate or Diploma, come and enjoy the fun of working with fellow students and with two very inspiring tutors, Mary Sleigh and Jan Evans. See examples of their work above. Take a look at the Distant Stitch website for details and how to book.

Easter walk

Summer came so early so good to enjoy being outside gardening and walking. One of our favourite walks, close to home, is along the north Somerset coast at Kilve, known for its wonderful rock formations and fossils. Husband Roy has a chat with some friendly beasts we met along the coatsal path.

The cliffs end at Minehead in the distance - but we didn't walk that far!

What pattern! The cliffs seem to 'melt' into the sea.