Card Making with Berries Inspiration

On Friday I went to Llana Wool Shop in Downham Market

and had a wonderful morning making a painted easel card

with a small group and Elaine teaching, (above).

She showed us how to paint leaves with a paint brush technique and

finger painting and pencil painting for the berries!

It was a hectic morning and everyone had a lovely time.

We then went downstairs and spent some money on

those extras we all really need!!!

Thank you Elaine and the ladies for a lovely morning.

See more of my cards on my blogsite

www.cards2inspire.blogspot.com

Little Abbey Farm Flock

On Thursday evening Stewart and I went over to

Little Abbey Farm to pick up some fleeces and a

large water container to help our irrigation here at Quilters Cottage.

Above are some of the flock waiting to be shorn.

I took a picture of the fleeces now and I will show you

what I do with after I wash and card it.

It was lovely to walk around the farm with Ben.

We 'talked' to a Hampshire Pig who

sadly because she is very naughty and gets out of the

pig field and causes mayhem so is off for sausages,ooooh!

I do like a cooked breakfast now and then!

Thank you Ben and Diane for the fleeces and water container.

Visit Little Abbey Farms website at

www.littleabbeyfarm.co.uk

Studio Day 30th June 2011

Thursday was Studio Day, with Janet and Judith.

They come once a month to enjoy being in my studio Quilting.

As you can see they have finished their scissor cases and are

on to their quilts.

Judith is finishing a block quilt see started several months ago

and Janet is making a silk lap quilt made of triangles.

You can book to work in my studio to do many

mixed media techniques.

See more of my studio on my website and how to contact.

www.art2inspire.co.uk

Steve Pretty Making Braids

Wednesday evening it was the once a month meeting for

The Kings Lynn Embroidery Guild.

This month Steve Pretty was talking and demonstrating

Braid and Cord Making.

He has an extensive collection of equipment for

making Braids, Cords and Narrow Wares,

(anything woven under 6").

We were in for a surprise when he handed out

packs of thread and a card hand loom for us all to use.

He showed us how to use it and we were away.

He divided us in two groups and one half had to

carry on braiding and the other half he showed us how to

make cords.

We had a really interesting evening,

Thank you Steve.

If you would like more information

visit The Braid Society at

www.braidsociety.com

Several of the members are Exhibiting at

The Kings Lynn Museum from the 2nd of July until

August 2011. It is worth a visit.

Visit our Guild Website to see what we get up to

kingslynnembguild.wordpress.com

Alpaca Farm Visit

After card class on Wednesday I went off to

Nikki's Alpaca Farm at

near Shipdam.

Nikki took me round the farm and introduced me to

many of the different Alpacas and a few Llamas.

We stood in one field and she called them in!!!

90 Alpacas and several Llamas came running towards

us at great speed!

As they got closer the brave ones in this case a little

brown female called 'Suki', stopped for a close up,

right next to the lens and then blew warm air in my ear!

Their version of a kiss.

She then needed to be fussed constantly on her neck

and followed us around.

Nikki is amazing with them.

Their eyes are so beautiful and gentle.

It was a lovely experience.

I was visiting because I am participating in

the Craft demonstrations using the Alpaca Wool.

I am Embellishing and visitors can have a go too.

The Open day is the 30th of July 2011.

11am until 4.30pm.

Visit the website for more information about

Alpacas and the events.

Visit the farms website for more information

www.alpacabarn.co.uk

Card Making with Floral Inspiration

Wednesday morning @The Gallery is Inspirational Card Making

with Kim. As I have rung her praises before, her knowledge and

equipment for card making and equipment is extensive.

Every week She inspires and by the end of the session we have

all created something we would never have thought

of before and every card is different.

Kims blog will be coming soon but to see more of

my cards visit

www.cards2inspire.blogspot.com

See more of

Friends of Dereham

On Tuesday evening Stewart and I went back to The Gallery

and had a wonderful evening with The Friends of Dereham.

Lots of organising was being done for

The 2012 Dereham Community Festival.

Jim pointed out all the events and the activities that were

underway but also those that needed support.

Of course I am on the Arts side, with the opening of

The Memorial, things are going to be fun and busy!

It was a lovely evening with friends, a musician and refreshments.

See more at

www.derehamfestival.org.uk

Mixed Media Machine Embroidered Tree

Pat has also finished and had framed one of her Mixed Media

machine Embroidered Trees.

Isn't it wonderful?

Pat has transferred her skills as a painter beautifully

into mixed media textiles.

See more of her textiles by clicking the written labels below.

Pink Crazy Patchwork Cushion

Well done, Brenda for finishing this beautiful pink inspired

crazy patchwork cushion for your Grand Daughter.

I encourage finishing of projects. It gives you a boost

and sense of achievement, especially when you can share.

There is a lot of creativity sharing @ The Gallery,

I think because of it's great atmosphere.

This will only increase with moving to the new venue at

The Memorial Hall, this, renovation, to Art and Community Centre,

is coming on well and should be completed by November.

We are all looking forward to the new location.

I am involved in The Memorial Quilt which is

going to hang in the Hall.

Visit the site and gain more info at

www.derehammemorialhall.org

Scissor Cases

Well done, Sylvia and Barbara for finishing your

Scissor Cases, they look fantastic.

I am teaching this project regularly and they are all so

amazing and different.

If you use this idea please credit me with your inspiration!

I will be teaching this project at Knit Wits in Dereham,

in September.

See more scissor cases by clicking on the written label below.

Machine Stitches and Tips

With all the fun happening there is some serious creating too!

here Ann is machine quilting, notice her good posture.

TIPS: Always sit in a good chair with good support,

add a cushion where necessary.

Your machine should be in front of you an inch away from the edge

of the table and the needle directly in front of wear your nose

is looking.

Place your hands n a triangle shape around your needle,

this defines a quilting area.

From time to time stop and wiggle your shoulders up and down

and smile :), loosen your facial muscles too.

It is surprising what we tension when we are

concerntrating.

Have regular breaks to relieve muscles and brain.

Open up the work and smooth out front and back,

re- pin or baste if necessary.

See more of my quilts and mixed textiles on my website

www.art2inspire.co.uk

Gallery Day And A Bit Of Fun

Gallery Textile Tuesdays, are always fun and lots get done

and enjoyed by everyone.

Here, Jeanette and Pat took time out to look at the scraps.

Now someone else's scrap bag or in the Gallery's case

large metal box is always better than your own

and you find treasure!

Jeanette ended up wearing the red net!!

Lovely stole, Jeanette!

Lots of snippets were taken too!

The Gallery loves it when people bring in craft materials that

they no longer need as there are so many

clubs and events that need art materials.

See more of what goes on @ The Gallery at

www.thegallerydereham.co.uk