Catharsis….

• I’m in print…..thank you Embroiderers Guild (see above) I _am in contact magazine
• two shops in Petersfield have my work on sale in their shops…’stuff’ on Chapel Street  and ‘White and Rees’ on Lavant Street
• I have signed up to being involved in an artist project for ‘People of the Heath’ which will begin with an exhibition in Petersfield in the autumn*

*People of the Heath….A community project hosted by Petersfield Museum to understand and conserve Petersfield’s prehistoric barrows.  A four-year project  focussed on a remarkable but little-known prehistoric monument complex on the edge of Petersfield dating to the Early Bronze Age.This large group of barrows  has seen no active research since it was mapped in the 1930s and it is one of the most impressive and diverse barrow cemeteries to have survived in south-east England.

• had a fab day with Ruth smith making books….my first love….
• and room6 have an exhibition confirmed at the ICHF next year……

ok lets back track….thank you for the pep talk Sarah… this is my self realisation week……I will be more proactive …look at the fantastic things that have happened since Wednesday…and my big decision, also looking at going back to uni to finish my degree..appointment made with tutor…tick

him indoors gets  me to go and talk to Dr Kathrin Pieren re the people of the Heath project…and it sounds fab….what a gift for an artist.. I have started my sketch book already…. I know I am a bit sad but hey it’s what I love..tick

get lovely book and card from mad Canadian ..as pressie for my scholarship …which I put to good use immediately by starting my Heath project in it…is that serendipity? Tick

get my glass cut for beautiful old frame for my cell work piece for Eastleigh Exhibition..nearly finished all my pieces now..big tick

Friday-and saturday go to the Petersfield dig….really is a gift got loads of ideas for the exhibition…..tick

spend so long with a friend purloining free fabric that I arrive extremely late at son’s school fair which consequently as the kids are done spending …almost….only  costs me a fiver..big tick

meet  glasto girl  to try out camp beds…we working Glastonbury …going to search out Kurt Jackson. I am working in a food tent….!!!! I must be mad!

Ps does any one want a lift to Glastonbury ?  I am leaving Petersfield at ridiculous o’clock a week on on Wednesday.. and have a big car …

And so to  my fantastic workshop with Ruth Smith… making folded secrets books. Or zhen Xiang bao . I first came across Ruth at world textile day earlier this year ( and Alison Hulme  if you are reading this that indigo home top needs to go to Glastonbury…you know it makes sense…) a wonderfully inspirational day.

If you are in the vicinity of Southampton or can book Ruth  to come to you..do! You will not be disappointed! Or if you if you can’t,  buy her project books or her book on the  ZHen Xian bao.  I had such a lovely time.  Ruth is an amazingly generous tutor and has a wealth of information about these beautiful historic artefacts… she has gathered some beautiful examples from her travels in China talking to the Miao people….as well as the gorgeous ones she has made herself….let’s hope that her enthusiasm helps to revive this dying art…..it was lovely to hear her talk about these lovely treasures…. her book on this folk art is currently being translated into Chinese!

I will post a photo of  my finished work……lovely to see all the different ideas and potential of these beautiful books …mine is  a work in progress…not nearly as beautiful as Ruth’s or the other participants….but I hope it will be….

my efforts….

some beautiful old books that Ruth has gathered from her travels…….

Phew I am quite exhausted..and I did a workshop with 30 children today which was fab!!!…. No photo sorry forgot my iPad!! …. textile art inspired by Turner…..I think I will need a week to recover!  No chance as I have bags to make, a dress to finish and I still need to look for more opportunities to make my art work!  Help!!!

Ps See you on Friday,  Sarah for ‘Made’ at West Dean