20 October 2009
Textile Holiday Tours is an exciting new business – "the first company in the UK to offer fully escorted, small group textile breaks around the UK".
The tours aim to delight and inspire participants with the rich variety of textiles, both traditional and contemporary, in stately homes, churches, cathedrals, castles, cottages and studios. They include talks from local experts, creative (and fun) workshops, and a relaxing stay in a quality, independent hotel. Lorraine Traer-Clark, owner of Textile Holiday Tours, who escorts the tours personally, expertly chooses and arranges the varied itineraries. More information and booking details on the Textile Holiday Tours web site or call 01621 869089.
25 February 2009
A new concept in textile kits has been launched by "Squidgy stuff" called ‘course in a box’.
They sell a series of beginners' kits in patchwork, embroidery and appliqué, which contain four separate projects and a whole wealth of techniques. The ‘course in a box’ is aimed at beginners from teenage to pensioners and each one comes in two different colourways. To complement the new range of kits, “Squidgy stuff” has also launched a range of ‘kits in a bag’ suitable for 8 years old and upwards so the aim is to inspire young and old to get started and learn a new skill.
To celebrate the launch of the new site during February and March 2009 there is a special buy 2 get 1 free offer - buy any 2 kits (adults' or children's) and they will despatch a 3rd children's kit to you for free. The free kit will be a lucky dip from the children's kits range.
Squidgy stuff also sell a range of country living inspired home accessories and gifts designed by textile artists and handcrafted along with a selection of vintage, shabby and chic gifts.
9 February 2009
The International Fiber Collaborative project for 2008-2009 is Interdependence. Participants will create a full-sized tree for display in April 2009 at Big Springs International Park in Huntsville, Alabama. The idea is to symbolise the interdependence of of different elements of society - family units, communities, and countries, much as the leaves and roots of a tree are interdependent, and neither can survive without the other.
Participants from around the world are invited to create leaves using fibre or fibre techniques to contribute to the creation of the tree. Submissions may relate to interdependence in a social, economical, political, ecological, or geographical way. In total, up to 30,000 leaves may be used.
The application deadline is March 15, 2009.
For more information and to download an application form, visit the International Fiber Collaborative web site.
7 December 2008
The Manchester Craft Mafia are holding a Christmas Market at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, on 13th and 14th December 2008, where you can "peruse a delectable range of contemporary textile and paper based handmade gifts".
More info on their web site.
27 February 2008
The latest issue of Fibre&Stitch (issue 3) is newly out, offering a feast of techniques, projects and information. Scanning down the table of contents, some headings immediately caught my eye - Terri Stegmiller with a series on techniques and methods for writing on fabric, and special guest articles by Linda Stokes on shibori with transfer dyes, and Helen Suzanne Alexander on achieving depth and distance in fibre landscapes.
There's also a fascinating article by guest author Virginia A. Spiegel in which she explains how she collects and records information in her studio journals, and shares the thought processes that led to a particular series of art quilts.
The talented artists who contribute to Fibre&Stitch have a seemingly inexhaustible supply of ideas for colourful and beautiful projects and this issue is no exception. I especially liked Terri Stegmiller's cheerful 'scrappy fabric coasters' and Debra Jo Hardman's 'thread-play scarf', to name but two - and there is much more here to stimulate creativity.
To see what's on offer, you can download the table of contents in PDF format from the Fibre&Stitch web site, or to get a practical taste of Fibre&Stitch, look at the generous range of projects and techniques on the free projects page.
Fibre&Stitch is a quarterly electronic publication in PDF format. You can subscribe online ($29.95 USD for a year's subscription), and a single issue is $8.95 USD.
28 August 2007
The build up to the UK's National Knitting Week 2007 has begun!
The dates for this exciting event in the knitting calendar are 13 - 21 October 2007, kicking off with the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, London.
National Knitting Week is a chance to celebrate the world of knit and purl and yarn crafts in general. Why not teach a friend to knit or stage a charity knit-in?
Embrace the world of needles and wool! Spread the word - the countdown is on!
You can find lots more info on the National Knitting Week web site, courtesy of Knitting Institute in assocation with Knitting magazine.
11 November 2006
The premiere issue of a new off-the-wall craft magazine is on sale now in the US, and by subscription elsewhere. There's also a digital edition.
Traditional crafting practices and techniques are still the foundation for what we're doing, yet we're also incorporating technology, creative recycling, innovative materials and processes. There's a fun sense of irony, irreverence and attitude in our mission. Carla Sinclair, Editor-in-Chief
CRAFT is the first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance happening within the world of crafts. Our premiere issue features 23 projects with a twist! Embroider your skateboard, light up your clothing, felt an iPod cocoon, knit your own boots, stitch a robot, and more!
Textile crafts are well represented in the table of contents, with needlepoint bangles, a crochet robot, silk screening, 'New Wave Embroidery' and 'Geek Girl takes on Fashion' among the many articles on offer.
CRAFT: transforming traditional crafts
Looks like a lot of fun - anyone who's seen it - what do you think of the first issue?
