Don't forget the exhibition!

I've done mine - have you done yours??

Yes, I've completed my submission form for the Made at Art Van Go exhibition, which is to be held from 31st August until 25th September.  Applications need to be in by Friday 13th August - so  visit the AVG website and download your form.  The only criteria is that you've been on an AVG workshop and the work submitted reflects this.  It can be from a single workshop, or inspired by a combination of workshops.  

You can drop your completed form into the Studios, or you can send it by post or email.

I decided to drop my form into the shop, so I got to see the 'impromptu' exhibition on at the moment from local artist Sue Pegg.

Handmade papers form the base of many of the pieces, which take the form of layered surfaces, using wax and plaster to seal and submerge text and imagery.

You should all have received your workshop programme by now - and there are some exciting ones coming up.  In the near future, there are still some spaces on Dionne Swift's "Developing Devore" two day class on 25th and 26th August.  You may have seen Dionne at "Art in Action" - her work there has prompted a number of people to come along to learn the basics of devore, moving on to during the two days to explore all of it's possibilities.  (And as a bonus, most of the materials are provided - so a very limited 'requirements list' if you come along to this workshop).

Also, one or two spaces left on Jill Flowers workshop on Friday 27th to 'Make a Brooch in a Day' using papers and stitch.  I saw Jill's work at the last Knitting and Stitching Show - it was very impressive and having chatted to her, I just know you'll have a brilliant day at her workshop.

Another date for your diary (it's in mine!) is the Pauline Verrinder "Drop In" day on Saturday 4th September.

(Not sure if Pauline will thank me for the photo!  She was wearing the snazzy headgear for Textiles in Focus)

Pauline will be demonstrating and offering her expertise during the day, and there will be machines available for you to try your hand at machine embroidery.  We have classes coming up later in the year with Pauline, so this is a great opportunity to come along and meet her.  There is no charge for this session, and no need to book.

I think I mentioned that I called into the shop on  Wednesday.  Viv managed to grab five minutes for a cuppa and a chat in the garden - which was looking lovelier than my previous photos as Viv had spent the weekend planting.  (I expect Kevin was asleep in a deckchair)  Anyway, when we came back inside, Kevin had unearthed this ...............

It's Viv in her 'Sheena Easton' days in case you didn't recognise her.  She said "Oh that's good, I wanted some memorabilia for the Made At AVG exhibition".  I said I didn't think anyone would remember that far back.

It's a wonder I've got any friends.