textiles

I have been sent this press release from HVA (Herts Visual Arts) This weekend, 1st & 2nd September, as a taster to the Open Studios there will be an Art Exhibition & Sale at Harpenden Public Halls

After studying the Hertfordshire's Open Studios brochure a couple of friends and I decided to have a trip out to see the studios of Adele Pearce (Village Arts) and Hazel Godfrey (Willow). A few factors came into play on this decision, firstly I like mosaic and willow, secondly never visited Kings Walden before, but the real lure was a studio in the garden of a pub, bonus!

It's over a week since we were down on the south coast, celebrating Alice's degree in Brighton. After the degree ceremony, two hours of continual clapping was just a tad too long!

On Saturday there was a fundraising event held at the Jubilee Centre for the Japan Tsunami appeal. Susie and I went along to show support, there were stalls selling Japanese food, Kimonos, textiles, books, plants, music and origami demonstrations. I bought some interesting food and textiles, it was very busy so I hope they raised a lot of money for the disaster fund

On Sunday, 10 October, Sue, Suzie and I went to the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace.

I thought I would try to make a pom pom scarf, how hard could it be?

I first saw Caren Garfen's work at her degree show in 2007 at Hertfordshire University. Caren was doing the same Applied Arts course as my friend Chris. Looking round the degree show Caren's work stood out for me. Her display area looked like an ideal of domestic bliss. I saw it as a laundry room with clean crisp white embroidered cotton tea towels. I think because my background is in graphic design I was drawn to the simple linear designs she employs to illustrate her work. Outlines of familiar domestic appliances silkscreened on to cotton.

I enjoyed the Knitting and Stitching show for lots of reasons, and seeing textile artists work is one of them. There was an area at the exhibition showcasing the best creative talent from this year's textile and applied arts degree courses. All the work was interesting but the artist that stood out for me was Claire Moynihan. She studied at the University of Hertfordshire, a local connection. Claire said , " I am primarily a three dimensional felt designer, working with locally sourced, un-dyed Alpaca wool.

On Saturday afternoon Susie and I decided to visit some of the Open Studios in St Albans. Steve and David were both away on their yearly cycling adventure to Italy. While we have had a few good days of sunshine here it has been raining heavily in Italy, unlucky!

A few months ago the BBC filmed Flog It!