Demonstrating at Holmwood House

I’m not quite sure what the Couper family who originally owned Holmwood House would have thought of me demonstrating my textile techniques in one of their bedrooms, but it seemed to go down well with the visitors yesterday! 

It was a really busy day, with lots of people coming through and as well as buying some of the beautiful crafts that were on sale, could watch me at work.  In fact it was so busy I didn’t get a chance to stop and get some photos of me in action.  I took these photos when I set up on Saturday. 

Some lucky people got a chance to try printing with the gelli plate and try free machine quilting (I think I should have been on commission!) and some lucky primary school teachers went away with great ideas for Christmas arts and crafts projects.  Obviously I had a ball – a captive audience with whom to share my passion for my textiles. 

In demonstrating, I made lots of great prints and I’m really excited about how to take them forward, although I may have to put the small pieces to one side for a while to work on the bigger ones.

I will add some of the pieces to my website soon so you can have a chance to buy one too.

And finally, after such a great day, I arrived home to a quiet house, which was a bit suspicious.  However, it was positive silence as all three children were busy making a fantastic dinner for me as a belated birthday present, using the cook book they had given me.  Dinner was delicious, especially as it was such an unexpected treat.

Exciting news: Meet Your Maker and EPM

Despite being laid low most of last week (I really, really hate migraines), it was surprisingly good work-wise!  I can’t share all of it with you now, but the next 12 months is beginning to shape up nicely.

Holmwood House

First up, I heard on Friday afternoon that I had been selected as the Maker for ‘Meet Your Maker’ at Holmwood House, a National Trust for Scotland property.  It’s a project being run by CraftScotland.  It is always nice when your proposals are accepted, but I’m really thrilled as Holmwood was designed by Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson, who was born in the village where I live.  You can read about my visit to Holmwood in this blogpost: http://gilliancooper.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/holmwood-house.html  He was inspired by Ancient Greece too and the building has a lovely feel to it.  So please come along and see how I make on Sunday 23^rd November.

Secondly, I know I’ve been posting lots about the European Patchwork Meeting, which I went to in September.  I’ve still got loads more images to share, so I may just do one large post with them all, as it is now ages after the event.  It’s tricky trying to balance the time to blog with studio work, especially when the studio work is going well!  In addition to just wanting to see the show, I had an ulterior motive to visit as I’m very proud to announce that I am one of the exhibitors in the 2015 Show.  I was blown away by the quality and variety of work on display this year and looking at the list of artists for next year, I am in illustrious company – you should book your flights now!

And finally a teaser – there were a number of other exciting developments, one totally out of the blue, but until they are signed on the dotted line I can’t really say anything.  Hope your week was as good.

Synergy by Gillian Cooper - for sale on my website

In my studio: spot the difference - the big tidy up

After

Before

The studio was beginning to get on top of me – literally.  I’m not tidy but nature and there is always something more interesting to do, but ... even I need to tidy up every three years or so.

So began my studio reorganisation.  I moved my desk to a better location and started to slowly work through the mounds of stuff.  Then I got bored and started working again.  The big clean up hadn’t stopped entirely; it just went slower, especially with my trip to France.

Before

After

And then this week I had an email from Sheena Kitchin of Craft Scotland wondering if she could bring round Kathy Brassill of Handcrafted Holidays.  I had to move up a tidying gear.  I think the studio is a lot better now.  I can see enough of the floor to work on larger pieces.  Hurrah!  The desk and sewing machine are now in a place where I can get the cupboards open and I have the threads right besides me.  I think both Kathy and Sheena liked the studio.

Now for the confession... I ran out of time.  The studio may be tidy, but this is settee in the kitchen and then there is the stuff under the stairs too!  

Oh dear

As the photos are complete, I’ll have to move the stuff back and have a think about where it can be stored.  And the answer isn’t the bin!