22nd February 2011
I had a great day Fri 18th Feb with the boys from Bizview.tv filming lots more goodies for you including a great workshop using the fabrics from Oakshott; their fabrics are beautifully packaged in colour ranges and they have very cleverly designed patterns that make the best use of these even though the quantities are only 1/8th’s. While Oakshott don’t have a shop they do have a well stocked showroom and welcome small parties by prior arrangement - you can wander round too from home by watching the video we made when we visited. http://www.justhands-on.tv/videos/category/12/
Other videos to watch and enjoy during the rest of this month include a super workshop from Jennie working on several variations of the Dresden Plate block,which remains a traditional favourite, and Chris Porter has designed a new ruler, which also makes a colourwheel, so if you are someone who likes solid rulers rather than making templates, this will be a must for you.
Gilda Baron gives us a short insight into her world of textured landscapes (part of the Inspired series filmed by Colouricious) and we have a great tip from Jennie on how to avoid bad habits with thread and your sewing machine and thus avoiding expensive repair bills.
Finally we enjoy speaking to Winy Smit-Vuijk who is a conceptual textile artist and we met at the Prism Textiles exhibition called Evolve Evoke Expand. Winy explores themes dealing with motherhood and relationships in her work as well as being the Managing Director of the Julia Caprara School of Textile Arts. www.jctextilearts.com.
If you are registered onto the site, then you do get to enjoy the basic membership (which will include tasters of the workshops); to upgrade to enjoy the full workshops is only £6/month and all the information can be found on the Membership Page - and you can pay by cheque if you don’t like Paypal.
I have now quilted both the quilts that I am using at our retreat which runs 24-26 June at Dunford House http://www.justhands-on.tv/small-ads/category/3/; they are called 9patch & rail and while they are both the same pattern the smaller one uses 2” strips and the larger one was 2 ½” strips (a selection I found at Creative Quilting); the smaller quilt is quilted by myself and I have the larger one long arm quilted by Karen at The Running Chicken. I am always fascinated but how different quilts can be yet from the same design.
Next weekend (25/26/27 Feb) Jennie and can be found at the Textiles in Focus show in Cambridgeshire – Cottenham Village to be precise; there are workshops, exhibition and traders and more information can be found on their website www.textilesinfocus.com
Do keep an eye on the small ads/shops section for new offers; Villavin crafts are offering a delightful wallhanging free this month with all internet orders and Isa at Creative Quilting shows us a picture of her new staff member (only kidding but the doll is a hoot and has proven very popular). http://www.justhands-on.tv/small-ads/15/quilt-shop/.
And finally pegging out your washing is not a very glamourous task but , wouldn’t it be nice to have your pegs in a really fun container; this is one of the latest designs from Gail Penberthy, called Peggy Sue
Happy Sewing
Valerie & Jennie
www.Justhands-on.tv
