Newsletter May 2008
Welcome to the DesignMatters newsletter for May. For those of you who've clicked through to this page from the free e-newsletter then we hope you'll enjoy the full extended version of events. If you've not yet signed up for our e-newsletter then just fill your email address in the box on the right and then each month you'll find the short version of this page popping automatically into your inbox!
Sneak preview!
Laura and I have been really busy this
For now, we'd like to share you with a sneak preview of one of Laura's latest quilts. The new piece is called 'Lace and Gold' and is the star of the 'Diary of a Quilt' feature in thr3fold Issue 3. The quilt will be displayed at 'thr3fold-Unfolded' and hopefully this detail will tempt you to come and see the rest! Catherine, Laura and I have each produced brand new quilts which we will be exhibiting alongside work from this latest issue.
Our congratulations go to the latest graduates of the DesignMatters courses, Bernice, Sarah, Marjory, Ann, Pippa and Pauline. Well done to all of you! Do click on their names below to view their exhibitions.
Right: Ann Greaves, 7822-42 Creative Computing.
Below right: Pauline Higgins, 7822-42 Creative Computing.
Below left: Sarah McClean, 7822-10 Patchwork and Quilting.
Above: Marjory McKinven, 7823-08 Creative Sketchbooks
The Painted Quilt DVD
The DVD is here! We were so pleased to take delivery of our first DVD just a couple of days ago. Created as a partner to our latest book, 'Explore...The Painted Quilt' focusses on three of our favourite techniques and explains how to work them in clear video demonstrations. We've created three brand new projects which you can work along with to put the techniques into practice and finally, we have selected some of our recent painted
quilts to share with you in a Gallery section. To accompany the 1 hour 58 minute DVD is a CD containing printable patterns, tips and worksheets to help you achieve your own painted samples and quilts.
Preview the trailer and order your copy here in the Store. Please note that the DVD is in NTSC format and so will play in most players around the world.
We've got a large number of exhibitions and events planned for this year. We'll of course be letting you know all about them as they approach. Listed below are the workshops and exhibitions happening during the next couple of months. Do mark the dates in your diary and we look forward to seeing you there!
thr3fold Live!
Don't miss it! We'll be appearing at The Bramble Patch quilt store in Weedon, Northamptonshire on Tuesday 20th May. We'll be demonstrating our favourite techniques and signing copies of the third issue of our thr3fold journal and CD. We'd love it if you'd drop by and say hello! Free entry. www.thebramblepatch.co.uk
The Painted Pear Workshop
Our Painted Pear Workshop proved so popular last month that Laura is offering another opportunity to take the class on July 2nd. Places are limited so do book early:
Perfect your free machine quilting and experiment with hand painting to create a sumptuous cushion for your home. We'll work with luxurious fabrics, experiment with thread colours and then explore painting the surface after quilting to enhance the design using rich, glorious colours. Trust us, the techniques are simple and yet so effective!
This exciting new class is extracted from our new DVD, 'Explore - The Painted Quilt'.
For more information and to reserve your place please contact The Bramble Patch, Northants, 01327 342212
thr3fold - Unfolded
We're delighted to announce the next exhibition venue for thr3fold will be at Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch, Worcestershire in the UK opening Saturday 17th May and running until 29th June 2008. The exhibition is called 'thr3fold - unfolded' and we can promise an exciting collection of new quilts, mixed media work and sketchbooks. Please check with the museum for opening times before making a special journey. We'll be there on Sat 17th May between 2-5pm to answer questions and chat about the work on display. Forge Mill Needle Museum is well worth a visit as they also hold an unusual collection of needles and hooks.
thr3fold Workshops
To coincide with thr3fold-Unfolded Laura will be teaching two workshops at Forge Mill Needle Museum:
Recycling is all the rage so why not do your bit to save the planet? Make a 'green' bag that looks as good, if not better than new. Using free motion quilting we'll transform fabric cut from clothes that we'll decorate with quick and easy fabric painting techniques using luscious metallic and iridescent paints.
June 14th - "Green Bags Go Shopping"
Bored with plastic shopping bags? Come and make a funky yet functional shopping bag from recycled shirts. We'll free motion quilt and then add colour with fast and fun techniques using fabric paints.
Places on the workshops are limited so do book early to avoid disappointment, telephone 01527 62509
Many of you will already know that we are part of the exhibiting group SiX. The group has a hectic exhibition and workshop schedule for 2008 including the Summer Exhibition at The Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes, Powys, Wales. If you have already seen the SiX Stories tour at a venue during 2007 do still visit as the original collection of work has been considerably augmented for 2008 with lots of exciting new pieces from all members. To find out more visit the newly updated website. The group are currently exhibiting at North Shore Arts Centre, Vancouver until 7th June. This show includes a number of pieces never before exhibited!
Trentham, Stoke on Trent 20th - 22nd June 2008
Special Category entitled 'Beginnings'
Entrants for 'Beginnings' will be issued with 3 reels of Robison-Anton rayon thread to be used in this piece of work. Prizes will be awarded including a Pfaff sewing machine for the overall champion winner.
DesignMatters at Embroidery in the Garden
Look out for a display from DesignMatters at Embroidery in the Garden. Work on display will include a series of digital embroidered panels by Laura (detail on the right) along with other new work from 'Explore...The Painted Quilt' DVD. Laura will be there demonstrating and will have her collection of hand dyed fabrics and threads available to tempt you with! It will also be an opportunity to browse through the new thr3fold journal and check out the DVD.
Places on a selection of one-day workshops are still available:
Tuesday 8th July, Dyeing to be Different (9.30am-3.30pm)
Workshop fee £30 which includes drinks and cake. Please bring packed lunch. For booking details contact:
Edwina Mackinnon 01905 773352 or 07773 345780 edwina.mackinnon@btinternet.com
Friday 27th June 2-5pm, Saturday 28th 10-4pm
Students from Edwina's weekly Bromsgrove classes will be holding their annual exhibition in June. Amongst other exciting projects on display students have been working on a group project inspired be a painting by the artist John West (right). Each student has worked from a small section of the painting to inspire their part of what will be a wallhanging. Sounds fun! See the results at the Summer Show and on display at Festival of Quilts.
Our 7823-08 Creative Sketchbooks course has proved so popular that we had to close enrolments for a short period. We're delighted that more places are now available. If you are interested to sign up please take a look at the Online Courses pages and FAQ. If you have any questions or are ready to enrol just email!
One of our patchwork tutors, Maureen, offers a comprehensive quilting, basting and finishing service using her Gammill longarm machine. If you've spent the winter months creating a pieced or applique top but can't face the hours and hours of quilting on your domestic machine then the edge to edge pantograph and free motion quilting that Maureen offers could be just what you need. She can also baste your quilt ready for you to hand or machine quilt - perfect if you don't have the room to lay out the quilt on the floor, or just can't face crawling around on your hands and knees! For more information just visit her new website www.quiltingplace.com or email maureen@quiltingplace.com Maureen is always happy to chat about your individual quilting requirements.
Well it’s finally happened, spring is here and despite wanting to shout it from the roof tops, I am trying to not get too excited! It’s best to not get my hopes up too early, I have spent several days in Mays gone by with a snow shovel in hand and it would feel as if I were tempting fate
They're awake!
Well with a trip to Canada planned for later this year, all we're really interested in is what wildlife we're going to see from Catherine's garden when we get there! She lives halfway up a mountain and these are her neighbours! As you can see he's wide awake after a winter's hibernation and yes, he is as big as he looks. Catherine, I think it might be time to put the bird feeders away - if you dare!
In May I shall be exhibiting some of my dolls for the first time. This is quite nerve wracking.
The exhibition is called Drawn Thread and will be showing stitched textiles at Weavers Gallery in Ledbury, Herefordshire. This is a charming little gallery in the famous ‘black and white’ lane which leads from the historic timber framed market house supported on wooden stilts to the large and handsome church. Better still it is opposite an excellent coffee shop called Mrs. Muffins, how ‘Olde Worlde’ is that?
The exhibition is celebrating the start of Weavers Gallery’s second season following a very successful first one last year.
For anyone interested in visiting, the gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The exhibition runs from the 20th to 31st May 2008.
Email Marie if you would like more details.
Well we hope you've enjoyed this month's update on all that we're doing here at DesignMatters. If you'd like more information about any of the features please don't hesitate to email. Don't forget a mini version of this newsletter will automatically pop into your Inbox each month if you subscribe so you'll never miss an update!
