NURTURED BY VIV - The Hens Teeth Workshop

In March, I braved a workshop!  I was understandably reticent to go to a workshop after recent events, however, the prospect of a Hens Teeth Workshop at Weston Hall, only an hour and a half from home was
too tempting to resist.  I'm not good at resisting temptation at the best of times!

The Haberdashery Brooch workshop was a rare chance to spend the day sewing with wonderful women all guided by the lovely Viv who's work I so admire ....................

It was Viv's first workshop - though you would never have known!  We set off making our own little treasures using fabric, paper, words - Viv brought her manual typewriter which was a roaring success and no doubt they are booming in price on EBAY as I write!

Here is our group work

It never ceases to amaze me how rich and varied the results are when creative women sit down and stitch together!  All so different, all so lovely.   Here are my brooches (which needless to say still require brooch backs) ..........

The first was a collage of bits of stuff with part of an italian bank note and a smidgen of gingham 

- sort of pansy-shaped .......

My next one incorporated a piece of wool with a little house embroidered on it - it came in a sewing box I bought ages ago.  Im touched by what people save in their workboxes I find them very poignant.  I imagine it was once part of a childs coat or something.  So I incorporated the word 'saved' and a little red cross suggested by Viv which together with some old lace french knotted to cloth (Get me, now I can do french knots everything has to have one!) and a button and Voila! ......................

Next, in my usual last half hour spurt - desperate to create another brooch, I pieced together bits of paper, clips, an old press stud with a bit of label still attached and a bit more gingham to make this truly haberdashery brooch .....................

It was my favourite and I was thrilled beyond measure when Viv said it 'made her heart sing' - isnt that a lovely complement! 

I'd urge anyone who can make it to Weston Hall to join one of Viv's workshops to do so - its a great day out, a lovely venue ............... and there's cake!

The whole day was delightful - a little oasis of calm and creativity amidst the chaos of life.  I enjoyed it so much I booked onto the next one and pursued on of the themes above - can you guess which one?

On another note, I have just posted my West Dean makes on tinkeringbythesea@blogspot.com please have a look and let me know what you think.  Hopefully, I will post the makes from Vivs second workshop on tinkering next week! 

Love to All - sorry for the long absence.

xxDi

Clementine's Krafty Kitchenette

I just LOVED this fun tutorial from a new online business, The Mercerie set up by a friend Sue Maton - her products are great too - she's adding more regularly. Pretty sure you'll all love it too.  Sue also does heaps of classes in Norwich - including at Arts Desire, a wonderful wee shop full of fab things.  

Norwich is getting to be a very crafty place, as we also have the Make Place - which has over 30 classes! 

If any of you would like a visit - I am very happy to be the hostess with the mostess - I have a spare double room and am within walking distance of EVERYWHERE, including the Railway Station.  Norwich is a beautiful City with lots of gorgeous shopping and second hand/vintage shops at very good prices. Tempted????

XXXX to you all.

the colour green and boys running

My eldest has just turned nine and nine of us camped in a yurt to celebrate.  If you are in the UK you will know just how much rain we have had and some how a little miracle of sunshine happened and all they did was run and run through green grass, buttercups and dandelion clocks.  It just looked too beautiful.

 

"the bag lady"

It has taken me a while to blog, but I have finally shown my work. We were asked to make a flag to go outside the locations we were showing and I really thought that I should come up with a better idea, so made a huge Julie Arkell flower to go on the outside. I had over 200 visitors and sold quite a few bags, though most of it wasn't for sale, which really made people quite cross.  We live in "capitalist world!" I made some violet cupcakes which were really delicious and found some beautiful crystalised violets to go on top. Thought of you all.

my Tea Towel quilt

hi everyone, a year or so ago I did a collaborative project for an exhibition which turned out to be my first ever quilt and made of vintage tea towels.  I have a big obsession with tea towels and have a pretty grand collection. I showed a picture of it to Sam via email once and she encouraged me to put it on the pantry blog.  I have just blogged about it on my own blog so I've put the link here if you want more info that goes with the picture below.  I had a nice time doing this project and I LOVE the result. I make a lot of things out of tea towels and have a residency/installation coming up in August in an old heritage building here in my home town so I'll post about that too when it happens.
cheers everyone. Jo

Arty Stuff!

Not exactly a Pantry Violets kind of thing - but I thought you might like to see some work I did recently whilst in New Zealand attending my father's funeral.  Three of my classmates sent me instructions of things to do while there, and I have made three VERY short (arty) videos which recorded their ideas.  


So if you have five minutes check them out at:
https://vimeo.com/groups/globalcircle


The favourite so far is... "Seasoning".
XXX to you all.

jodi's rose

My pal, Jodi, brought me a rose about a month ago

Yesterday, she took this photo of it - dried and gorgeous.

I was amazed at how long it lasted and that, in the drying process, it has found even more beauty.

Have a beautiful day....  xo

A weekend at wonderful West Dean

Hello girls

Have just had a wonderful weekend at West Dean with Janet Bolton - a friend of Julie's, making fabric pictures

At the end mine somehow turned into pictures which I can use as a home for some of my lovely Julie brooches

the Garden

Johnnie Jump-Ups!

....all over the garden....

and LILACS....a month early...

...and REDBUD trees

against the blue sky....

What a beautiful time if year.... in a beautiful place.... Happy Spring!

Not exactly Winifred Nicholson Joanna - but a quickie Photoshop result!  Happy Spring Violets.

Bag Lady

Last September I set myself a mad target of of making 20 bags and they all had to be different. To date I am on number 18. For some fool reason I also decided to put them in our Local Artists Walkabout here in Bath in May and the local Fruit and Veg shop has very kindly leant me their premises for the day, so if your in Bath feel free to see "the bag lady" show on May 7th for some witty stitching and violet cupcakes.

Tulips in Spring

It's that time of year. Gathering in my tulips and taking pictures and thinking of Winifried Nicholson and wishing I could paint just like her.

Amazing sight in South Carolina

Look Violets I found a Julie Arkell cactus in Charleston.
Hope everyone is well and creating.
xxoo

Candy All Over The Place

I know this is a little bit late,

but Happy Easter to all of you!

If you want some more eye candy from Petite Violette,

jump over to The Vintage Fairy Tales!

See you soon again/

Becky

Happy Easter to All

I have been thinking bout everyone so much... and hope that spring has sprung where you are!

It is still pretty chilly around here, but sunny every day with the promise of warmth sneaking in one of these days soon......love to all of you! xo

Happy Easter!

May the bunny bring lots of chocolate and nice times over the weekend.

Cwch up

Really can't compare to Danielle, Sam and Becky's brilliance. But the organisation at bed time of favourite creatures by Evan was just too much. Especially as last week two front teeth were given over to the tooth fairy and then the money offered to poor children in Africa after he saw Sport Relief. Homemade knitted blankets on show, though.

Joanna

It's taken a year but I've done it!

Helloo dear Violets, have been very quiet and have not posted anything for a very long time...have been really busy. But the Ragtales website is now up and running and the products are selling! Have even managed to link in a Facebook and twitter link, so if you feel inclined please send me a 'like' or a 'tweet' ....www.ragtales.co.uk