Hurray - the First of May!

Well, the sun's shining as I write this, I've been out early with the dogs and then made pancakes for breakfast so I am feeling all virtuous for a little while...

We spent last week exploring Galloway, in an assortment of weathers. It's such a lovely part of the country that it was great to have time to wander through woods, along a deserted beach and over moors. That's in between sampling coffee, scones and the wonderful Cream o' Galloway ice cream of course. (I can recommend gingerbread flavour and the cardamom is very fine too). We enjoyed a trip to the Mull of Galloway, watching a little bird life and lots of army/navy offshore manouevres from the lighthouse. Dogs strictly at home for that trip - too scary for us having them on leads anywhere near the cliffs.

It's ok, they still managed to have a great time, what with all that water to muck about in and a warm stove to return to.

Stitchin'

 
At the weekend, Ali and I led Warped classes in Indian Stitchery (hand stitching with bright colours, beads and more) and in stitching curves (very impressive stuff with sewing machines). It was a lovely day of gentle work and good company and much was accomplished.

Meanwhile I have been continuing work on my indigo block print fabrics. Below is a typical Ajrakh block print design from Gujarat, with a resist applied, and several further blocks and dye processes. The fabric is a fine cotton.

I had a similar Ajrakh block printed onto a coarser weave of organic handwoven cotton - so only resist + one block, then dyed indigo -  and I have highlighted sections of the pattern in a fine cotton perle thread.

Ruth Clifford gives a detailed description of the true Ajrakh process here

Another variety packed week..

...which has seen me travel from here to Rutland, to Reeth and over the snowy hills and dales home again, half a day to catch up with some stitching and then hold a Warped workshop in Jedburgh yesterday.

Tried to be all domesticated briefly this morning but my washing blew off the line and the vacuum cleaner had a hissy fit when faced with a little dog hair.
Well, maybe a lot.

View from The Bridge Inn

Hugh and I were down in Rutland to attend a BORDA meeting which was very worthwhile. Met some great people who are already providing valuable help to him. We broke the northbound journey with a night in a pub in Grinton near Reeth in Swaledale. Fantastic bar food and most extrovert barman made for an entertaining night.

Teesdale

 The next day's drive brought it home to us how much snow still lingers on higher ground.

Creative types at work

Yesterday's workshop was good fun and everyone produced such interesting work. I really enjoyed myself.

 

 

Today I have been adding handstitching with my dyed threads to one of the block print pieces I brought back from Kutch.

What happened to March?

The month has flown by. I've been in Ahmedabad, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dunbar and Sedbergh as well as the rather closer Hawick, Galashiels, Jedburgh and Smailholm, either participating in an event or attending one. And I've managed to make a little new stock for HQ and am halfway through sprucing the caravan up so that I can move my work back into it (now that it's finally above zero at some points in the day).

While I was away I dabbled with some of the photographs I took in Kutch. Here's a small selection of tarted-up images.

 not my yarn, but I could have given it a good home

 one of the resident dogs in the early morning sun at Khamir

 my supplies, beside the loom I used at Khamir

 Ahmedabad rooftop

 one of many weird sights in the Prag Mahal in Bhuj

 

mud wall decoration in museum in Bhuj

Meanwhile, I am gathering essential kit to continue with the dyeing that I was doing in Kutch. An indigo vat and shibori work are on the cards. Would be so nice if I could have sunshine and do the messy stuff in the open air but that's a wish too far, I think

Country Mouse goes to Town

 
From Hawick to Glasgow and Edinburgh and then Galashiels over the next four days.
Tonight it's the third Indian Inspired community workshop at Borders Textile Towerhouse, where we are all embroidering bright and cheerful squares to assemble into a bold banner quilt. Until you've tried it, you have no idea how much fun grown women (and a few men) can have with sequins!

Tomorrow is the start of a ReSIde gathering where Jeni, Swati, Murji and I are all hitting Glasgow to see some talented contemporary textile artists and designers, and then sample the delights of a well known Indian restaurant...

On Saturday I am whizzing back to Edinburgh to participate in the first ever Edinburgh Yarn Festival. It's shaping up to be a tremendous event with masses of quality makers and sellers, and I am really looking forward to it. From 10 till 5 at the Out of the Blue, just off Leith Walk.

Back to Glasgow in the evening to catch up with the others, then more culture on Sunday which will include a tour of Glasgow School of Art's iconic Mackintosh-designed buildings.

Home again Sunday night then we're off to Galashiels on Monday for an all day workshop with the art class at the Academy!

All things bright and beautiful

A wee burst of colour for y'all! 
As I gradually get myself and my textile haul sorted out I will post up more images both here and on Tart's Travels. But first a taster from the last month's travels.

A close up of some exuberant Kutchi embroidery

 The scene in Shakil Khatri's batik workshop. 

A great pile of luscious prints, still thick with wax

And a great new scarf from Murji which I had to have.

Can't be sad with colours like these!

Thaw

So today it's windy and rainy; the snow has transformed into melt water. In a room with a log burner is the best place to be, though I do have to fight two canines to find some heat. 
I am packaging up new stock before carding fibre ready for spinning tomorrow, all in preparation for 16th March. I will have a stall at the first ever Edinburgh Yarn Festival  and I think it's going to be wonderful! There's a great range of dyers, spinners and makers taking part, plus an onsite cafe for sustenance.

Thursday evening was spent at Borders Textile Towerhouse as we gathered to stitch more Indian inspired squares. I demonstrated how to attach shisha mirrors but it's fair to say that neither I nor my willing group are naturals at this...there was much quiet cursing as mirrors slipped from under the holding stitches. Nonetheless they have already produced some lovely happy work.

From the top - Kirsty, Pat, Louisa , Zilla

Sunday spinning (and baking)

Snowy and chilly outside but warm as toast in the kitchen today. Spinning wheel and cotton at one side, and a mad baking session in progress at the other! A couple of loaves of bread, two tea loaves, a batch of biscuits and one of muffins. The muffins don't look too impressive here but they taste pretty fine - vanilla extract, dried cranberries and cocoa nibs with chilli all added to the mix. The exotic little cocoa nibs were a Christmas present and have only survived this long because I hid them from myself in the kitchen cupboard.

And the spinning? I am busily working on a cotton/merino blend to take to India with me in a fortnight, where I hope to dye it with indigo. This is the first skein.

I'm aiming to update my travel blog as often as I can but it will be dependent on getting internet access. 

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Hogmanay

The year is almost over.

I've been reflecting on the ups and down of the last twelve months. 

I'll spare you my thoughts, though.

Instead this is what Christmas Day entailed for dogs in the Roberts household. 

Firstly a wet walk in Kielder Forest  - nearly four miles of empty forest road to career along and ample puddles to splash through. 

A couple of brief stops - at the observatory and at the Skyspace installation. As you can see the only one enthusiastic about posing for the picture in there was Midge - check those ears!

 The return home was followed by a snooze in front of the stove before they both provided essential assistance with unwrapping presents.

Tonight we just have to cross the road to the village hall for what promises to be a very sociable night
Whatever you are doing to see in 2013, I hope you enjoy it too!

Season's Greetings

Stevan Dohanos   December 1947

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From my little corner of the world to yours, 

I'd like to wish you a warm and safe Christmas and New Year.

Winter blues (and whites)

Thanks to all of you who visited last weekend. It was good to catch up with old friends and make new ones too. It's been a very busy autumn and I am looking forward to a break over Christmas, if only to catch up on some of the lovely textile books I have acquired. 
January will see me stitching samples, spinning and sketching ideas in preparation for the return trip to Gujarat. I'm planning on entering an indigo phase (!) so here are some suitably coloured images. 
I can't take credit for any of them but you'll understand I could not let these textile pieces go when I saw them on Mirjam's stall at Southdean's Christmas Fair....

Busy this weekend?

FESTIVE FLING TIME!

 

HQ is spruced up; 

shelves arranged, 

cushions plumped, 

floor vacuumed, 

bargains priced (or free!)

Hugh is still in his cabin, 

hanging pictures -

with the occasional riff on 

guitar to keep him focused

Cake baked, 

mincemeat flapjacks baked, 

coffee machine ready-to-roll

Now, 

we need gentle weather 

over the weekend and 

some lovely visitors to call in!

Festive Spirits

Fibres and buttons on my stall yesterday, bread, scones, mincemeat and more on a different stall today. Life ain't dull in the Borders (cold, though...first snow last night)

I had lovely company at the Southdean Christmas Fair this afternoon, with Mirjam on one side and Ruth on the other, plus more friends turning up to support us all. 

I succumbed to a few choice articles myself, not least Lorraine's plum gin (tested this evening and just as scrumptious as it sounds...may not see Christmas) and great beads and fabrics from Mirjam.

And so, one more busy week of preparation before our annual Christmas open weekend. 

Come along if you can, the more the merrier!

A day of rest?

Not here! 

Today I have baked bread and cakes,

 

 made some delicious Amaretto & almond butter for Saturday's Southdean Christmas Fair,

 

carded lots of luscious fibres

  

 and toiled over a computer to put some new 'literature' together before Friday!

 

Still here...

... and working hard to get as much made and ready for this weekend's fair as I possibly can.

It's going to be a good 'un so I hope you can get along to see and buy the work of so many wonderful local designers and makers!

A great day out....

WOOL FESTIVAL at St ABBS

SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER

10.00 - 4.00

everything from fleece to finished goods

carded, combed, dyed, natural, spun, stitched 

plus other lovelies like handmade jewellery

not to mention great refreshments

close to glorious sea cliffs for a dramatic 

coastline walk to blow the cobwebs away

see you there!

Hello!

I am back home after a busy month in Gujarat. I'm posting images over at my India blog but thought I'd use this space to tell you about up and coming Tart-related events.

WOOL FESTIVAL at St Abbs

On Saturday 3rd November the Tart will be at the revamped community hall in St Abbs for a warming winter wool festival event. Great soup and cakes too.

NOVEMBER WOOLGATHERING

The next Woolgathering is on Sunday 4th November in Southdean Hall here in Chesters. They are informal days of stitching/spinning/knitting/nattering/swapping. Cost £5. Join in at any point from 11.00 am and bring your lunch. See above for more info on Woolgatherings.

CRAFTERS ART & DESIGN FAIR

On November 17th and 18th I’ll be at Springwood Park in Kelso for this annual event. My spinning wheel and I look forward to seeing you there. At such a great venue full of quality makers; you are sure to find a wealth of presents there for friends with taste and style!

ALIWAYS OPEN DAY

On Friday 30th November you’ll find Ali, Linda, Janet and me at Ali’s house in Jedburgh, inviting you to snap up a feast of textile and paper supplies. We’re also launching WARPED, our artists book group, with our first themed books. Come along between 1.00pm and 8.00pm and catch up with us all.See poster below for details.

 SOUTHDEAN's CHRISTMAS FAIR

It's on Saturday 1st December. It’s small and friendly, with good refreshments and free entry. Come along and

FESTIVE FLING

     8th and 9th December        

11.00 till 5.00

Hugh and I will both have our workshops open for a Christmassy weekend. Drop in for a blether and some festive fare, snap up a few ideas for presents or bring your stitching and stay for a while. Everyone’s welcome.