A Sense of Place - at last

At first it seemed ages away and then much too close but 1st July has come and gone and my exhibition at Allendale Forge Studios  is finally on the wall of the gallery.  Many thanks to Cherry, Caroline and Amanda who helped me get it all together and made the day fun.

I only got these two pictures before my camera battery went flat but I hope they will entice you to come along and have a look.  I will be in the Gallery on Saturday 7th July and each Sunday until the end of July between 11.00 and 3.00 p.m. if you would like to pop in for a chat.

I have a new workshop programme out too with new workshops some of which are linked to the work on display.  You can download a leaflet at  http://patashton-smith.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AFS-Workshops-July-to-October-2012.pdf

Fun with Transfer Paints

Judy at Judy Cooper Textile Images has been sharing the results of her playing with Transfer Paints here and I remembered this piece of mine in which the background was coloured with transfer paints which had been overprinted with foliage masks.  Strangely enough the fabric is a faux satin which Judy is also using.
I bonded some snippets of silk fabric onto the satin using bonding powder and then stitched into it with hand and machine embroidery. It is now waiting to be framed ready for my exhibition in July.  More info at  http://patashton-smith.co.uk/?cat=5

New Home - Studio 11

February has been an exciting month.  Once Fabulous Fibres was up and running I had to get organised to move into Studio 11  at Allendale Forge Studios.  I am sharing this lovely, bright, studio which overlooks Allendale Square, with another local textile artist - Caroline Mann.  As well as having a lovely space to work in I am able to offer Studio Workshops for up to two people and also sell larger pieces of work and kits which do not fit on my pitch in the Design Shop.

We try to be open most days so pop in and see us.  If you are making a special journey do contact me first to make sure one of us will be in the studio to welcome you.

Fabulous Fibres Exhibition

I thought January was going to be a quiet month with time to catch up, finish some UFO's and start some new work BUT  someone else thought differently!  Seven artists based at Allendale Forge Studios were persuaded to have a group exhibition for February and all of a sudden we were sorting publicity, finishing work and generally working madly.  The exhibition went up yesterday and, although I say it as shouldn't, it looks good.  Seven different artists working in different mediums (all with fibres of varying kinds) and different styles but amazingly they all complement each other despite their being no time to plan in advance.  If you would like to see some photos click here and do come and see us if you are in the area.

Long time no blog

How time flies and this past month has gone faster than most.  I have spent quite a bit of it adding content to my new website.  I think it is much easier to use than the old DIY version and also much better looking - thanks to Ryan at Livelyminds who did a wonderful job on the design and has been wonderfully patient with all my queries.
I haven't spent the whole month on the computer.  I had a very enjoyable few days in Glasgow which weren't long enough to see all that that very interesting city had to offer and I have also managed to finish a few UFO's and start thinking about a new series of work.  Only thinking mind you................  more about this later.
If you would like to have a look at the new website, the address remains the same http://patashton-smith.co.uk/ Do please let me know what you think about it and if I can do anything to improve it.  Thanks.

A day of delights

 Yesterday I was at the Oriental Museum, Durham with the Embroiderers Guild volunteers who help with conservation of the textiles there.  We were cleaning, assessing and recording a box of full of interesting embroideries and I took some pics of my favourites for you to see here.

These details are from an embroidered collar and I was taken not just with the exquisite silk shading but also with the expressions on the characters faces.

The collar above has been damaged and is only a fragment but the embroidery is so fine and detailed I could look at it forever.  You really need a magnifying glass to appreciate all the delicate detail.

The panel to the left is appliqued in silk but each figure and flower is padded, raising it from the background.  I love its vibrant colours and the expressions on the ladies faces.  Needless to say the stitching is perfect too.


I finished the day at Chris de Burgh's concert at the Sage, Gateshead.  A fantastic evening with songs old and new and a great atmosphere.

Embroidery Days

The last few days I have been totally immersed in stitch and there is more to come.  Saturday was our EG meeting.  The morning was spent starting an embroidered postcard for the Olympic Postcard project.  Hexham's country is Croatia and I am doing an interpretation of a Croatian postage stamp in raised embroidery.  The afternoon was a very interesting talk by Linda Westerman who followed it with a dayschool on Sunday which I really enjoyed.  It also resulted in another piece to finish - this time in goldwork worked onto a background of torn fabric strips and scraps of lace etc.  My starting point was this photo which I took at Olympia.  I will post some 'in progress' pics shortly.  Linda was an excellent tutor and I also have lots of ideas simmering for more pieces - just need lots of time........
Today I have been to Huddersfield to talk to the EG Branch about Raised Embroidery.  It wasn't the best weather for driving and not the easiest place to get to from here but the warm welcome I received made up for it and I had a lovely afternoon.
Tomorrow I am off to the the Oriental Museum in Durham for some more stitching.  I am so lucky to be doing what I enjoy - I've hardly noticed the  miserable weather we are having.