BRITISH TAPESTRY GROUP
EXHIBITION/CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP IN STIRLING

This was a brilliant weekend, being amongst the most professional weavers and also those newly converted. Around 50 of us met for a series of talks from different weavers with different perspectives. Which leads me to realise there is not a right way to design or weave, just what works for you. The AGM brought up the need to get ourselves out to a larger audience, whether this is for sales or just to keep the craft alive.
On Sunday I took part in a colour blending workshop led by Joan Baxter. Mine is the one in the middle. Top tips: never use more than 3 colours at once, and use the same tone to change colour. Using different tones gives a tweedy effect.
The exhibition is in two venues. The castle, where you would have to pay for entry, and the Smith Art Gallery. The format was less than A5 size, and there are 91 tapestries in all from over 50 weavers. Such diversity of design, texture, colour, mounting etc. I really needed a week to take it all in. The exhibition continues until the 8th of November, and is well worth a visit. Especially as you would also see the Medieval Unicorn tapestries being woven at the castle too.

INGRID'S GREEN MAN.

Don't you just love him? He still has to be blocked and mounted, and is going to have a lady friend to accompany him, but he is a superb fella - especially when you realise that the only tapestry weaving Ingrid has done is 4 place mats.

More Heart!

Maybe a Brain might be better for me! Forgot to add image to last post.

Wedding Heart

Congratulations to Emily and Carl on their marriage on Saturday.
Everyone should have a heart.

The Perfect Circle?

As the tapestry weavers amongst you will know, the craft is not conducive to weaving circles unless you use a very fine warp sett. As I needed to teach circle weaving for the Certificate, I decided to weave one at Summer School in Lincoln with the hand combed, worsted spun yarn I was learning to do on the workshops. However, a rapid entry into the hospital meant that I had to grab oiled skein and frame, and weave it attached to an anti-biotic drip! Rather like a game show where they add challenges! The nurses kindly pointed out it was more octagonal than circular, but this is bound to happen at 3 epi. Maybe I should try one at 5 epi? Pleased to say the foot abcess is healing well now, and the time without interuptions gave me the opportunity to get my brain round it and I have written up some notes. If anyone is interested, get in touch.
Meanwhile, my yarn was much stronger and smoother so hopefully this will benefit my future tapestries, providing I can find some wool combs.
Look forward to your samples!

TWO ECCENTRIC WEAVERS!

Sally and Barbara are working towards the Certificate of Achievement assessed by the National Association of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. They are very pleased to have finished (well, almost!) their eccentric samples and can go back to being normal. Although, in my humble opinion, once you have gone eccentric, there is no turning back, so watch out!
And well done for doing such lovely weavings with gorgeous colour blends.
Look forward to the circles. If I ever manage to teach it!

WINTER TREE

Getting quite addicted to weaving with whites with a smidgeon of shiny. Short strands of silver parcel string and very fine sparkly yarn. I marked the tree onto the warp at the beginning with ink and paintbrush, with a very fluid movement, and am going with the flow as I feel inclined as I weave. A very free way to weave and great fun. Must remember to stop and look after my shoulder!!
This has been inspired by the Bilston Textile Group exhibition before christmas entitled "Winter".