Textile Creatives GC

  For our last activity of the year we decided we just wanted to have some messy colourful fun ... so gelli prints were the order of the day! Whether on paper or fabric, gelli prints are always a wonderful background or feature for collage work, stitching or scrapbooking.  And let's face it, they are totally addictive! And as usual, there was some beautiful work on display at show 'n' tell

 Pat took the helm at our October meeting with her inspirational  New for Old Sketchbooks workshop.  There is so much depth in Pat's sketchbooks - deconstruction, layering, composition, experimentation and sheer joy. We are so looking forward to see where everyone takes their books over the next few months. Show 'n' tell was a visual and tactile feast of textile art, papercraft, felt, embroidery and cottage craft.

We all loved our September meeting, our wonderful Heather B led us in a design workshop using meandering patterns found in nature.   This type of exercise is so much fun and really helps kickstart that creative spark. Patterns in nature had also been inspirational for our felters and scrapbookers as seen in Show 'n' tell

2025 has been a fantastic year for trying our hand with traditional techniques, and August was no exception when we experimented with making Dorset buttons. It was a lot of fun and certainly gave us a new appreciation for the hours of painstaking work that would have gone into this cottage industry. While most of us are novices, Heather B has made some exquisite buttons. And if that was not enough, show 'n' tell for August was an explosion of colour, texture and skill.

  There was such a buzz at the July meeting when two very dear friends, Linda and Mitzi, dropped in to say hello and to try their hand at some Swedish weaving. Heather L took everyone through the basics  and Carolyn and Heather B brought some samples to share. Show 'n' tell didn't disappoint either with some beautiful pieces on display    including Mitzi's stunning bags.  Well done ladies!

 

Every now and then we like to take it easy and gather for a sociable sew 'n' chat.  Everybody works on their own projects and shares ideas.  It is typically at these meetings we see the long term projects make an appearance. Our embroiderers, Heather B, Heather L, Carolyn and Judith had all been working on their group challenge pieces.  Eileen and Leona had been felting.  We also had a few older heirloom pieces on display. It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

There was no meeting in April due to Easter commitments, but we certainly made up for it May!  First up was a visit to Redlands to catch up with the incredibly creative SmartArts ladies. It is always so inspiring to see the work of fellow textile artists and this group is always so welcoming, and generous in sharing their expertise.  We had such a delightful day and are looking forward to reciprocating in 2026. Then at our May meeting our lovely Di stunned us with a project very dear to her heart, and educational kit developed for her grandchildren comprising story book, textile art cards and game.

Our March meeting was very special as we took part in the The Heartfelt Community Project - a worldwide initiative founded by Wendy Bailye to bring comfort to those in hospice and palliative care or to any one else in need of comfort through the making and giving of felted comfort hearts.