Summer Sizzler Exhibition

Just a small preview of the fabulous work that is currently exhibited in the gallery - all from the Tyttenhanger Painting Group,

Jill Rolfe -

Malini Croxson -

 Jenny Stratfold -

and  Donna Chamberlain -

The exhibition is on now and runs until 4th September.

Gina Ferrari Workshop

A few weeks ago, my friend Lynn, as mentioned in previous post, and I attended a lovely machine embroidery workshop entitled  'Stitches and Doodles' with tutor Gina Ferrari a few weeks ago.

(See more of Gina's work on her blog HERE)

(I did mean to post pictures of it straight away, but you know how it is.....)

Gina showed us examples of the things we could achieve with the machine 'doodling' technique she was showing us.  The notebooks would make fab gifts for arty friends -

Whilst for the more romantic amongst you -

and then for the Domestic Goddesses -

Or canvases to adorn your walls -

The students were wide ranging in Machine Embroidery experience - my friend Lynn, as a couple of others, had done little or no machine embroidery, and there were others who had done loads - but trust me, you always learn something new from Gina.  

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of Gina demonstating Machine Embroidery - she must have been unusually camera shy, so I'll have to use this recent off-duty photo of her -

(Gina's the one on the left)

I did, however,  remember to take some photos of the samples and 'work-in-progress' that the students produced -

A record of the day -

Lynn took to machine embroidery like a duck to water (I nearly typed 'horse to water' but I think I was mixing my metaphors)

 - this is all her own work ....

and in fact, when I next saw her at AVG she showed the book cover completed

 

See what you can achieve at a Gina Ferrari workshop!  

Gina will be back at AVG on Tuesday 9th September, teaching another Machine Embroidery workshop using collaged fabrics.  If you look at her blog you'll see some brilliant bags that she has made with this techniques.  Make a note of this one - it's an addition to the Workshop Programme!

It would be lovely if you left a comment - then we'd know if anyone is reading this - thanks!

Angie Hughes workshop

On Thursday, my friend Lynn and I were lucky enough to attend an Angie Hughes workshop entitled "Inspired by Klimt"
Firstly, Angie showed us some examples of her work using the techniques she was going to be teaching us.
A panel, inspired by a Klimt Steamer

A bag in the making -

And another one - nearly finished -

Using velvet, bondaweb, transfoils, sweetie papers, glitter and sparkles we created a background.  Ironing has never been so much fun -

In fact, AVG regular, Pammie wasn't able to tear herself away from her iron for most of the day ....

Bless!  Maybe we should all rally round and drop our ironing off to her at home, just to keep her smiling?

After lunch, it was time for Angie to demonstrate machine stitching, 

Then we were let loose to embellish our own creations.  And her are some pictures of the results -

A lovely day, thank you Angie.  And for those of you who missed the workshop, Angie Hughes is back for a two day workskshop on Wed 24th and Thurs 25th September entitled 'Further Explorations in Velvet' - and don't worry if you haven't previously explored velvet - this course is suitable for beginners and for those who attend last years 'Exploring Velvet' workshop.

Another year older .....

Altogether now .....
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Viv, Happy Birthday to you!

Spectrum Exhibition

As you may have seen in the current workshop programme, we are currently hosting an exhibition of work by Spectrum - a group of textile artists mentored by one of our popular tutors, Gina Ferrari.

Yesterday afternoon they held an afternoon tea party private view in the gallery

There was a real buzz all afternoon, with lots of great comments about the work, so if you are passing do call in and see the exhibition.  And in case you are unable to get here, here's a very small selection of the work 

For more information about the exhibition, and the tea party - and the vast amount of cakes consumed - 

click HERE

Oh, and I should also remind you to come and say hello to us at the NEC for the Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch exhibition from Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd March.  Blimey, that's this week, we'd better get cracking!

New Workshop Programme 2014

The all-new Workshop Programme is out!   

And it's not just any old workshop programme - it's a very special

2014

Twenty-Fifth Birthday

WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

1989 - 2014

CLICK HERE for the new programme

Not only is it crammed full with fantastic workshops led by inspirational tutors, but it also covers the whole celebratory year.
Go on, take a look and get booking to join in the celebrations xx