Workshop - Rachael Singleton - A Natural Selection

This month's workshop with Rachael Singleton was print and stitch based. The workshop started off with members foraging for leaves, grasses and feathers to make prints using Gelli plates and acetate sheets. This was a first for many of those taking part in the workshop. 
The morning session was taken up with making as many prints as possible; printing from the Gelli plate, then from the items which had been inked, then using the "ghost" prints that were left on the plate when the items had been removed. 

We printed on different papers - lining paper, teabag paper, tissue paper, newspaper and vintage books and maps - and on fabrics such as linen, calico, net and gauze. 

After a well-earned lunch break, Rachael showed members how to use their prints to create effective collages or smaller pieces such as bookmarks and cards. Nothing was wasted! 

These are their pieces en-route to completion. 

Rona's colourful maple leaf prints

Wyn's diptych of coastal themed prints and textures

Maureen's bold feather print collage

Abigail's prints, some of them already outlined in stitch

Janice's collage with detail stitched from the reverse 

- and is that a cannabis leaf?!

Mandy's collage of feathers, stitching and French dictionary excerpts

The start of Kathryn's collage, and a great leaf print

Margaret W's feather-based triptych including print and actual feathers...

Sue's striking green and purple prints of ferns and grasses

Margaret C's amazing leaf prints

Eleanor's huge paper collage using newsprint

Eleanor's first attempt at free-machining - pretty impressive!

Davina's stitched collage on a textured background

Rachael's website is titled "Folio and Fibre" and you can view it by following the link at the right-hand side of this page.

In Betweeners - Elizabethan Borage Flower

One of the courses on this year's Regional Summer School timetable was this stunning gold work "Elizabethan Borage Flower", which has been beautifully stitched by Sue T.

Here is the flower in question, in "real life" (well, in Sue's garden): 

July Worksop - Colourcraft

If you have anything to do with textile art I'm sure that you will have heard of the Sheffield company Colourcraft, who manufacture and sell all things colourful, including Brusho. 
For our July workshop, we were joined by a local representative from Colourcraft, who took members through different ways of using some innovative Colourcraft products to their best advantage.

The day started with members using transfer paints on polysilk, lutrador and evalon, they then played with oil sticks doing rubbings and using stencils. 
The day concluded with experiments using print blocks and Angelina fibres.

Here are the results of their experimentations!
  
Jane C's work includes woven dyed paper, and stencilled Gingko leaves


Anne M's work includes some steampunk elements!


Harriet demonstrates her fantastic drawing skills


Robina's samples include some Brusho spraying, and some delicate stencils


Some great transfer work by Anne B


Janice's work has a leafy theme


Wendy had some great results using transfer paints and stencils


Rona's work, including some beautiful Angelina leaves


A busy day and some vibrant results for Natalie!


I'm not sure whose work this is, but I love the effect of the transfer paints ironed through the stencils


Jane B's work - stencilling, rubbing and mosaics


Margaret's work, which shows how Rona made the Angelina leaves, using both sheets and shredded Angelina


Deborah's work uses primary colours to great effect


Cath's samples - a bit of everything!


Sue M's work shows what results you get from painting paper, cutting it into strips, weaving it and then transferring it onto fabric


Jen's samples - lots of lovely stencilling


Our new member Eleanor gets straight into the swing of things! 


Rebecca demonstrates some great layering techniques

Check out all of Colourcraft's products on their website - https://www.colourcraftltd.com

June Workshop - Wyn Ingham - Silk Paper Book Covers

Wyn, who is also our Chairman, presented an inspirational workshop on silk paper making at our June workshop. So that we didn't have to wait impatiently for our own samples to dye, she also provided us all with a pre-coloured "book cover" so that we could start embellishing on the day. 

Here are our (incomplete) efforts : 

 

These are by Jen.

The stitched pattern is a vintage tablecloth transfer. 

These are by Liz

The Dandelions are by Lesley

This is by Maureen

These pieces are by Davina

This piece is Margaret's

This piece is by Wendy

This piece is by Kath

This piece is by Sue K. 

The dragonfly is made by ironing damp cocoon stripping into a wooden stamp. 

This book cover and pocket are two of Wyn's samples.

This is by Mandy. 

The stitched pattern is a vintage tablecloth transfer.

This piece is Maureen's too. 

The fleurs de lys on the left have been stamped and then stitched round. 

This is by Abi. 

This is by Cath

These are by Abi too (she's very busy) 

This is by Janice

Wyn can be contacted regarding bookings for workshops at winniewoo@btinternet.com