Worthing Open Houses

Some of Naomi Frances' lovely stained glass

Worthing Open Houses (for those who don't already know) is a bit of a summer art trail, where the events take place in people's homes.  You basically register your house... and voila! (I'm leaving out all of the paperwork side of things and organising, because fortunately for me, I am very happily exhibiting at a friend's house.)  You get a lovely map with lots of places to visit, and for 3 weekends, off you go!

This is the first time I have actually participated in this.  In previous years I have enjoyed popping around to various houses on the trail having a good old nose at all the art work (and marvelled at the home owner's generosity in opening up their house for the duration).

This year, we are at Naomi Frances' house, which is number 41 on the trail.

I even made bunting! *proud sigh*

I must admit, it's been a little chaotic getting everything ready for the occasion, and Naomi has done lots and lots of work to get her house "open house ready".

Last Thursday we dropped off all our various art works, and come Saturday morning at 11am, it was all ready to view!

Art work here by Paul Woolford, Marie Vickers and Naomi Frances

Saturday itself was a rather quiet day, but we were competing with Party on the Prom and the Children's Parade.

However, Sunday was a slightly busier day...and I even made a sale! (Ok, it was only a card, but very exciting all the same, thank you very much.)

Just 2 more weekends to go!

Marie x

Messy times

I seem to always end up working in a bit of a mess, despite best efforts to keep organised! 

However, not surprising really, as I have been a little busy finishing off some projects...

First of all, I FINALLY finished my quilted throw, done using free-motion quilting and this took a lot of time, and a LOT of thread...

work in process - not long to go now...

Front of the quilt

back of quilt - used a "stippling effect"

Also, my daughter was delighted that I also finished her dress this week.  It should have had a lovely pink sash to go with it, but she insisted she didn't want one!

The finished dress!

My beautiful daughters

I have now started working on a new quilt from a Moda Jelly roll I was given as a gift for Christmas... I really love the colours and fabrics, so hopefully I will do it justice!

Marie x

Brighton Creative Stitch & Hobbycraft Show

Saturday was the first lovely day we have had (weather-wise) for a rather long time.  Great day to be in Brighton!

My initial impression of the show when we first went in, was a bit of a disappointment, to be honest.  My main interest was to see the sewing loveliness and all I could see were stalls and stalls of beads and paper crafts, which of course are great, but not what I had been hoping to see.

Beads, beads, beads...

But hark!  Another hall! FULL to the brim of sewing, stitching, quilting...

I first found the Madeira Embroidery Competition - "Best of Blighty" - WOW

Jennifer May Lehm - Denmark

Sally Wilson

Claire Wood West Yorkshire

Close up of the larger piece above

Close up of the swimming part of the larger piece above

a bit more detail

The overall winner - Michelle Blower, Staffs

I then came across a stand featuring an outstanding piece of work by Karen Casper (click on her name to take you to her blog) who is a Mixed Media Textile Designer, the most amazing dress with soooo much detail in it.  She happily told me it took about 200 hours to do!!

and this is just a TINY part of the detail this dress features!

Byron-inspired work by Barbara Taylor

Beautiful work by Barbara Taylor

And a rather lovely chair by a student at Portsmouth College (sorry - no name!)

Beautiful Quilt by the Quilter's Guild

So all in all, a rather outstanding day! There was so much inspiration around...oh, I almost forgot - a gorgeous machine-embroidered piece by a local designer from Hove called Wendy Dolan (www.wendydolan.co.uk)

Wendy Dolan, textile artist

Marie x