India Calling

As my nearest and dearest has already posted about this, maybe I'd better too! I have been besotted by the colours and patterns of India for ever and a day and hoped I'd find my way there eventually. Years pass, though, and dreams don't come true all that often.

And then...

An opportunity came up to apply for the most amazing residency/exchange. Two Scottish textile designer makers to travel to the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, NW India, and two from Gujarat to Heriot-Watt University textile faculty in Galashiels.

I spent a very, very long time researching lots of fascinating stuff that's going on over there. I sought some expert help (thankfully) and submitted my application.

I was shortlisted (eek!)

I spent more hours fretting over my forthcoming meeting with the panel.

I turned up, nervously, and all my well-honed and pithy prose evaporated on the spot.
I waffled. I suspect my enthusiasm was fairly obvious, though, and enough of my thoughts and ideas must have made it to the surface, because I have made it. I'll be on my way to India in late September!

I'll be talking of nothing else now for the next year. You have been warned.......

Sunday Sunny Sunday

Been busy spinning and stitching in HQ this weekend, though it got a bit too hot in the afternoons, and eventually I just had to take to the shade with a book - sad, eh? 

New hand spun in the sun

I am re-reading The Lothian Run by Mollie Hunter, for age 10+. I loved the good Scots adventure story of Smugglers v Customs when I was a wean and it's still fine 40 years on. I picked up a copy at the wee Spring Fair at Southdean for 50p.

Sock Number One was duly finished. Sock Number Two has been started. I will probably feel the need to post another pic of the (hopefully) matching pair but then I promise  - no more for a while.

One large step for Tartkind

Thanks, Jakki, for getting me this far - without a wee push from you it would probably never have happened!

Woolgathering

   ...on a sunny Sunday - whatever next!

Enjoyed a fine wee gathering today - just seven of us, three knitting, three stitching and one felting, all sharing stories and ideas, as well as an exceptionally fine cake featuring apples and maple syrup (thanks Fiona!). 

 Yesterday I was given a lovely present which included pages salvaged from old Vogue pattern magazines of the 30s and 40s - masses of drawings of glamorous attenuated women in elegant costumes which the capable seamstress could whizz up on her machine in the blink of an eye. There are a good few adverts too, mostly in black and white but the one above is in glorious technicolour - J&P Coats Boilfast Threads

Sock construction continues at a steady pace - have since advanced to the heel flap. Wow...

Already it is time for arty types to commit to participating in this year's Crossing Borders Art Trail. I took a few pics of my 'stuff' for the image to be included in the trail booklet but this one didn't make the cut.

Carding, Collaging, Cnitting?

The peaceful early morning scene at Elsecar where we stayed for our wee Textile Tour

HQ has been full of fibre lately as I've been using the lovely drum carder to make more blended batts for spinners and felters and other creative types. It's fun making rainbows. 

 

Tidied all the fibre accoutrements away and got out the ever-increasing heaps of essential bits of paper to start work on some collages.

Back in front of the PC I'm working on the Spring newsletter which I may just have finished before this weekend's Woolgathering (you're all welcome)

I think there will be plenty to talk about what with edited highlights of the Textile Tour, the inspirational Artists Book Fair some of us went to a few weeks ago and, last but not least, my progress with sock knitting.

That's if there is any.

I'm off to Jakki's tomorrow evening to give it my best shot or at least produce something for my talented friends to laugh at!

Textile Tour

Open Studio in Saltaire

Just had a fantastic weekend with a great mix of friends on our textile tour. We've been in Durham to see Stitchbusiness, and Wingham Wool in Wentworth for a major fibre overload. We've travelled to Salt's Mill at Saltaire and Farfield Mill in Sedbergh. Everywhere we've  met friendly, enthusiastic staff and owners, had good food and drinks, seen impressive textile work and lots more besides. 

Top floor in Farfield Mill - looms to try!

Books and fibre have been acquired, a couple of hand spindles, lots of cards and a little fabric. Even the weather was pretty kind, allowing passengers to appreciate glorious countryside as we drove around. No wonder we want to do it all again!

Just a sample of Wingham's stock

Meanwhile Jakki at Ecozee has told me about her new sock knitting classes starting next Tues 15th May for 3 Tuesdays 7 - 9.30 in Earlston.  It's £40 including sock wool, needles and pattern book/instructions and a great teacher. I am seriously considering it  - want to keep me company? I think there are two spaces left at the moment.
She's running several other lovely evenings too  (I think they all include tea and cake - wise girl) I'll list them all in my forthcoming newsletter but meanwhile you can nip over here to read more

Miscellany

We've been back ten days and slipped all too quickly into the familiar territory of lists and tasks and places to be and things to do. So here, as much for me as for you, are some snaps. 

The stylishly painted cruise ship we motored past on the 'river' bit of the a canal cruise

Embroidered felt hats in the window of a fascinating shop in Prinsengracht. Perhaps as well it was closed at the time.

Flamingoes at the Artis Zoo, visible from the road. From the canal on the other side of the zoo you can see giraffes and zebra as you glide along...

Fantastic felt walls in de Oranjerie at the Botanical Gardens. It doubles up as the cafe so was our first port of call when the heavens opened one day. The chocolate mousse cake was almost as impressive as the flowery felty walls (scoffed before the camera came out the bag).

 

Since we've been back Tart HQ has been well used. I've been stitching and packaging up new goodies, and worrying over the size of the fibre order I need to place very soon. 

On Friday Linda, Janet, Ali and I spent a fine day selling our wares to the textile/creative types who visited us in Jedburgh. In between visitors we mulled over names for our new Artists Book Group and planned our foray to the Glasgow International Artists Book Fair next Sunday. Excitement is high! 

It's early days but do put a date in your diary for 19th October when we will be launching our first handmade books, selling supplies and promoting related workshops.

Sooner than that, though, I am running two different workshops. Fancy a day's play?

Saturday 9th June at Paxton House - (contact Paxton House here)

STITCH UP A STORM
Taking inspiration from the Paxton estate and costume exhibition, try out some simple handstitching techniques and easy embroidery to personalise your own clothes and home decor, or to stitch up a unique softie to take home.

Saturday 30th June at The Forman Hall, Roberton - (e-mail borthwickwaterartsproject@yahoo.com)

PAPER EXTRAVAGANZA
Explore the use and re-use of all sorts of paper. Themed decorations, gift boxes and envelopes and other packaging, notebooks and albums using simple binding techniques.

And finally, do you know anyone in search of a floor loom? A generous lady in the Borders is parting with hers free to a good home so if you fancy a Douglas Andrew loom let me know and I'll pass on her e-mail address.

The Wanderer Retuns

Well admittedly it wasn't a long absence but it was a busy one. Amsterdam was excellent fun though my legs are inches shorter from all the walking we did. We managed some culture, lots of window shopping and gawping at the street theatre (cyclists, scooters, trams, tourists, the occasional juggler, the inevitable exhibitionist in a Spiderman costume...) We're already scheming how soon we can get back for more Dam-time as there's still so much to see and do there.

I didn't take nearly enough photographs but I couldn't resist snapping this - it's a mobile of tiny toy yachts hanging from the light in the shop of the newly renovated Het Scheepvartmusuem. 

The museum itself we found really confusing though the replica of the Dutch East India Company trader 'Amsterdam', the cafe and the shop were all winners!

We managed not one but two canal cruises - the one by night with accompanying wine and cheese was particularly fine.

 I'll spare you every last detail of the trip this time because I need to remind you all to come along to Ali's on Friday for a textile extravaganza. See you there, I hope!