helen sill @mycathasniceboots

Nov 24, 2015Oct 19, 2016

OMG it’s super girl…

no not me silly…I should have been packing but watched the first episode of super girl on demand with my son instead. He said he wanted to be with me for a bit longer as I’m away for nearly a week..personally I think the fact that we had found super girl and the flash had quite a lot to do with staying up late hmmmmm……

Off to Harrogate for the Knit and Stitch at crack of dawn tomorrow, gutted I can’t travel up with Alison Hulme this year!! Caroline’s going with her too but they not coming up til Thursday! Gutted!!!!gutted! Gutted! Taking far too much stuff up with me. Want to have stuff to do on Artist in Action stand and as per I’ve packed too much!!! Working on more mini cushions and some little books. Problem with driving! Public transport makes you think more rationally.. The mad Canadian is supposed to be coming round to see me before I go so I have bunged everything in boot of the car so she can’t see..she’d have a fit! She’s a very capsule packer!! I am not!!!

Couldn’t manage to get anyone else in my car to car share either!! I did try tho . Just me radio 4 and mixie CDs..heaven..no children saying are we nearly there yet. Ah well short and sweet, off to bed. My store is working as someone has bought a sculpture cushion!!! Yay!!!! Just need to work out where the promote button is!! Caroline ..help!!!!

Oh PS This is is my latest attempt at the selfie. Glasto girl says I need to think about my image!! I don’t really think I have one. Just like making stuff. Wonder if Gilbert and George had the same problem when they started out. Talking of which want to go to their exhibition…don’t quite know when…..it’s had some bad reviews but I’d quite like to make my own mind up..not sure I’ll make it to the white cube, there’s so much other stuff I’dlike to see when I’m next up in London …..

P.P.S MADE in Brighton was great! Really pleased you did so well Sarah!!! I enjoyed a sneaky ice cream on the seafront on the way there too!! Thank you to the mad Canadian for driving!!!

Nov 21, 2015Oct 19, 2016

Feeling very grown up….

Illustration by Charles Keeping

Illustration above by Charles Keeping

And am blogging at midnight again! How sad is that! Had a great day yesterday talking to The Textile Group At Droxford. What a fantastic audience… Well they had to be to listen to me rabbit on for over an hour. They were really lovely! And they clapped at the end and everything. Evidently Chris Harris used to be a member there… And that is the lady who got me started on this whole malarkey with the needle case. Isn’t it a funny world? Really enjoyed. If any of the ladies are reading this.. thank you so much for having me! It was a real pleasure.

Forgot to take photos, but much like a course I took far too much stuff with me (anyone out there recognise that feeling… Remember Wednesday’s Sarah? ) But on the plus side I think there was something for everyone to have a look at. Really great to be able to show work and talk to people about it. Really enjoyed and really want to do another one!

Been making more little people this week ..

And also versions in larger cushions but can’t mass produce, will leave that to the professionals! thinking about doing commissions???????..marilyn has asked me to make some for her shop…I actually prefer doing the little ones and making them into people…they speak to me more.. I just need to work out why. But working out how to do bigger ones in the first place was fun! (And thanks for you advice Lynn!)

On Wednesday went to uni to have a chat about returning to do my final module for my of my first part of my final year come January. Talked about trying to work out why I do what I do and seeing if there is a similar vein that runs through my work. Also chatted thru marks for my last module…. got a huge list of theory books that I need to brush up on!!!Need to sell some flippin things at Harrogate to pay for it though….600 quid should just about do it!!!! I can dream okay! !Been making fabric bundles.. Not sure they are going to do it for me but every little helps!!! Also made more cushions big and small…. to possibly sell. Decided I would rather mass produce packs of raw materials with which people can create themselves something rather that mass produce a thing to buy(my idea of mass producing is 10 btw!) .. I like one offs!!!!!

like this…..

Going to put a large price tag in this one and see what happens…£600 quid anyone????!!!!! I actually love it and don’t want to sell it!!!!! The image is taken from a painting by Lowry..Anne…I bought this print for him in doors about 10 years ago from the Lowry museum in Manchester….love the story behind it. Been reading all about him what a fascinating man…didn’t sell anything of note until he was 52!!!! Then he made a mint…….hmmmmm?

I am still just making my own stuff that I like to sell as I truely believe that you can never tell what people will like or buy so I stick with the tenet I just make what I like and if it sells it sells!!!! What will be will be.

My father in law met her during the war and has a signed photo!!! Impressive huh!!!!

Also been to the Ashcroft centre in Fareham to check out the rooms where I will be doing two work shops in February. One hand stitched keepsake the others machined book making! Really looking forward to!

Finally saw Ralph Steadman exhibition at Winchester discovery centre😍Totally fab! On til,January too. What an amazing artist! Didn’t realise he used so much collage in his work?! Wanted to run out and nab a copy of greys anatomy! Loved his take on life and he does fab Polaroids too..loved how he got the one of Hockney!

Oh and look at theseWOW!! perhaps this is what influenced my cushion people?

And happy birthday Marcel du Champ.. I spend to much time on Facebook at times..

Ps see You at at MADE Sarah in Brighton on Sunday. Glad things going so well for you!

PPS nearly there with shop.. I think!

PPPS reallylooking forward to Knit and Stitch next week. Driving up to Harrogate on Wednesday where I will have an exhibition with the Embroiderers Guild graduate showcase. I will also be being an Artis in Action for Art Van Go which I am also very Xcited about. (Another reason to feel very grown up) Come and say hello,if you are going.

Nov 13, 2015Oct 19, 2016

A horse , a horse, my kingdom for a horse…..

Or why am I sitting up at 1am blogging???

“I want to make art that it beautiful,of course but also art that is interesting and considered and intelligent and not out of place ” Helen Sill….

Well that’s the arty reason the reall reason is because I’m trying to flippin well set up a PayPal account for all the masses of money I’m going to get from my on line shop..not quite going according to plan…! Bet miuccia didn’t have these problems!!!

Yes I launched ‘ my cat has nice boots’ on the 5th of November.. …anyway I haven’t really bothered telling anyone about it yet cos you can’t buy stuff off of it which is a bit of a slight problem but it’ll be fab when it’s operational and actually I’m just liking having it all to my self at the moment and working out what I’m going to put on there…as well as my art and things I make to sell to enable me to buy more art stuff , I have a page of ‘ the cat likes’ where I will put stuff I really shouldn’t buy but do!!! ( see the horse!!!!) and then I get to own it for a little bit before sensibly rehoming it…..no more room at home you see!!! At the mo there are only 5 things on the website but I have big plans!! I need a much bigger house for my studio so I’ve really decided that I am going to make it as an internationally acclaimed artist sooner rather than later… Most of the greats weren’t there until their 50s….. so I’ve got tons of time yet!!!!!!!)

also I have been….

trying to resist the bumper bag of chupa chups which the mad Canadian bought me as a launch present..our fab idea is to include a free lolly with every purchase… Fiendish ay???? Watch the sales come rolling in!!! Well they will if there are any chuppa chups left by the time I get pay pal to work.. All ready had to use one to bribe my son to have an impromptu hair cut…..oops! Anyway when I do work out how to add the darned PayPal account it’ll all be tickety boo….,with sweeties and everything….! I am an artist and not a business or sales person.. Not a good combination!!!! I need a patron!!!!

anyway…. I’ve also been

…..making art cushions ……..much more exciting!!! My shop will be well stocked when it eventually is open for business!!!!! Loving the way everything it turning into people…. In addition I’ve been drawing madly in my sketch book…..and trying to get ideas for ICHF..in March

Also Trying to rehome my ethelrada boxes,

And trying to sort out doing my next module at uni…..

and buying some art… Sue FReeborough .. Lovely lady and I love my picture by her.. Couldn’t afford a sculpture so acrylic print had to suffice… Love it.. Feel like it’s always been mine!!!

You like Sarah… ?

Also geting stuff ready for Harrogate knit and stitch… Week after next!!!!I will blog before I go… Not at 1am tho!!!!

Making these at the mo as well as more mini aRt cushions to go with my work….

Continue reading “A horse , a horse, my kingdom for a horse…..”

Oct 12, 2015Oct 19, 2016

oops I think i missed again

http://ana247.deviantart.com/art/Phil-Collins-324889926

so dear reader (or readers) in case I’ve picked up a other one due to the ally pally show.. what do a textile artist, Phil Collins and Brittany Spears all have in common? Well yes oops I I did it again I think I missed again uhha….,a lovey lady from Bedfordshire absolutely loved my acrylic slow Instagram which I put up the day before.,,,my very first cell work and she really wanted it..

See it here….

Yes to part with cash for my work.. She wanted to buy it…and yes I froze , said didn’t think I wanted to sell it and wasn’t sure about a price.. Well of course I’m sure about a price I know how much I want for it… I need to eat!!! Yes I do! BUT It is also my baby.. The first large slow Instagram I produced.. And the frame I love the frame!!! It took ages to track it down!!!

I am as rubbish at selling my work as I am at photographing it!!! So I tend to get other people to sell it for me. ( I am looking for a photographer too …for free of course!! ) I am am artist not a what ever it is you call a person on who sells art is…..

Anyway she said she would take my card and email me me.. well if you are out there and want my picture I would absolutely love for you to buy it! I was flattered that you loved my work so please do! and if not then hey…what will be will be, some one else is very interested too and if it doesn’t leave home then it’ll be in my retrospective when I’m 90! Before I was an artist and actually had money I bought some original pieces… I have never regretted any of them and treasure them still. ( hint hint)

Now I was supposed to post this blog three days ago and since then some wonderful things have happened…nope the woman from Bedfordshire has not got back to me yet…..but if you still want it I haven’t sold it yet.. It now has a price tag on it and is ready to pack its bags and leave home! (I think!) No, a wonderful lady from last year turned up just before closing and bought loads of my work!!! She said the pieces she made made her smile! I am so happy! If you are reading this thank you!!! I am going to set up mail chimp soon.. Well I’m going to try any way! let me know if your interested in finding out what I’m up to and it’s a way if keeping up to date with what I’m doing… Totally mystery to me at the mo but watch this space. Also I didn’t even ask you name!!! Please get in touch! I would love to know it!

Anywho last but definitely not least….. a very discerning gentleman..obviously…bought my ‘ You only get one shot so make it a good one!’ I was so happy to send it to a good home. He loved it! If you are reading this I want you to know that it is a one off original …..I destroyed the screen after! I hope it gives him as much pleasure to look at as it did to me in the creation of it! Thank you!!!!! I ran straight round to Art Van Go ( http://www.vycombe-arts.co.uk ) bought more fabric medium and paint. (And they gave me a plastic bag… don’t ask ….you would not believe how stressed a woman can get over one plastic bag!!!) And much to my embarrassment Kevin shouted rather loudly ‘Helens sold a picture’ … I now know now that I can turn a shade not dissimilar to my silk pictures.

A big thank you to all the people who have supported me over the last year by buying my work! Art should not be an an investment. It should be bought cos you love it! Art is an investment in the artist and not an investment! There is a difference!!! Anyway that’s what I think!! So there!

And meanwhile I am attempting, badly …..to learn to tambour… If anyone from LisS in StitcheS is reading this we are booking these ladies to come to us.. It is a beautiful beading tecnique which sadly I had never heard of ….loved it! the teachers are fabulous and very patient.. Which is a good job with me! I love the rhythm of it!!! The tiny line at the top is what I managed…..( serendipity as I purloined a frame only 2 weeks ago..sorry Mrs masala chai)

This is Diana Vernon demonstrating the art of tambour. The picture above shows samples of tambour work . She and Lesley Coidan were demonstrating and letting people have a go at this amazing art of couture beading. They are fantastic teachers and do workshops and lectures. See their website for more details. http://www.couturebeading.com

And……, in the brief moments when I hared around trying to see stuff…Managed to get to see Sadies Plaice which is fab work by Kate Jenkins and met and talked to Amanda Clayton who is showing some gorgeous work with Vivian Prideaux. Also Sue Dove and Jill Denton’s work blew me away…never seen their stuff in the flesh apart from a couple of small pieces by Sue Dove in a gallery in St Ives last year… Fabulous!! Love them ! Quilters Guild pawns are fabulous… Just look at the faces and see if you can spot the chuppa chup and the knitting bishop… Fabulous!!! SAQA have some amazing quilts too…my favourite was Tomato Soup by Jim Hay https://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?cat=8&ec=3&ex=47#artists. Fantastic story!

Oh and there is quite a lot more!!! Look at the knitting and stitching shows galleries page… See if you can catch in Harrogate and see the galleries at this link http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london/Content/Galleries-2015

Sadly not as many artists as in past years.. Hope there will be more next time!!

Was presented with my fab certificate.. Thank you to all at the Embroiderers Guild and special thanks to Pat for making it look do lovely! I will treasure it!!!!! Love the way my work is transposed into it!

I also learnt a bit more about haute couture. Thank you Alice!!! I love this place!

PS come to liss and learn to tambour Sarah… You’ll love it x

PPS is want to give a mention to mr x stitch who was helping out on the stand.. In his capacity as chair of young Embroiderers. Obviously our readership figures are very similar but am hoping that this mention in my blog will help boost his a little!!!!!!!BTW seriously his TED talk is fab!!! Watch it on you tube!!!!

PPPS Alice bring your needles to Harrogate and I’ll teach you to cast on… Should be interesting!!!!

PPPPS this blog was posted well after the event so is a bit jumbled. Artistic license! I had the most amazing trip home….its definately a piece of work!!! Read my next blog….x

PPPPS Georgina Bellamy http://Georginabellamy is fantastic and deserves a yacht!

Oct 7, 2015Oct 19, 2016

No lederhosen in my digs…*

(* see Caroline’ bells Facebook post!)

well have arrived at the K & S again this year .. You couldn’t make my day up..,,,what with teaching a class of eight year olds in the morning , ( asking me if I’m a real artist…yes dear reader I ask my self that question sometimes too… remember the mantra.. yes I am yes I am yes I am..)!…..juggling sorting out accommodation for students in Harrogate (not quite sure how I ended up doing that one but there you go) …. nearly missing my early train, losing my purse (think it’s an age thing.. ( well i am 39 and three quarters now ) .. dont panic it did get handed in…but I have no money now which will make things interesting for a day or so.. here’s to selling lot of post cards over the next couple of days…..and then I got delayed on the train when a vehicle in front struck a bridge..told you, you couldn’t make it up.

Anyhow had the most wonderful taxi driver from Bounds Green ….my old stomping ground… who helped me out with getting free access to cash ….I flipping hate those machines where they charge you for getting your own flippin money out… arrived to set up at Ally Pally. I do love that view From Ally a pally as you drive up the hill.. Note to seLf make time to get out over the next 5 days ( yes 5!) and sketch it….

Though didn’t manage to get everything out.. I did hang everything that I could … Sadly no space for big Instagram but it is acrylic and ink so probably a bit of a push for the knit and stitch any way.. Here it is now tho…., sorry I love it!!!! It talks to me!!!

Back tomorrow well later today to set out the rest….one of my pictures got damaged in transit so had to do a bit of emergency surgery but all tickety boo now.

I am at the Graduate Showcase, exhibiting on the Embroiderers guild stand .. .as Education Scholar….look out for the red stuff. Also there is all the fabulous work that Anthea Godfery did with Cornelia Parker on ‘the Magna Carta (an embroidery)’ .. Am lusting after one of the beautiful books that have been produced to go with the project…..very .. what’s the word lovely to look at and lovely to touch.. Is it esoteric?? I still haven’t seen the real thing.. The Magna Carta an embroidery… It’s in Manchester now…there are also exhibits from EG members and Young Embroiderers.. So lots to see as well as information on the more stitching in schools project that I am involved in… And of course all the other work by the other scholars and graduates. Please come and say hello!

Had a very lovely evening evening in north London being very spoilt .. staying again with the lovely Anthea … who is a fabulous host and so pleased to see her friends again , the marvellous Diane Bates ….,who has a stand and is demonstrating again.. definately worth going to see, you will laugh (a lot) as well as find out some interesting things to do with some very unusual materials…. and her lovely friends from Chichester, John and Marilyn (Cushions by Design .. rather lovely … you should take a peak!) http://Cushions design.co.uk once I’ve finished setting up I am looking forward to taking a peek around the rest if the show…wonder what will ‘get’ me this year?

Meanwhile, I am desperate to get to Romsey Abbey to see if my labels are on my work ..,,,OK I have an obsession with people understandings the story behind my work.. I know I need to get over it…but I want them to know about the mills and boon message and refugees welcome cos I think they are important!!!!

anyway time to get up…looking forward to a first day at Ally P… Hoping all my pictures have stayed up.. If they have then there’ll be a picture here….. if not there’ll be a picture of me .

phew!!!

P.S. See you tomorrow Sarah! X

PPS didn’t come up,with the mad Canadian this year as she’s a bit busy setting up her just giving Facebook page to help refugees from Syria…check it out! Facebook page Petersfield Action for Refugees…..and

Crowd fundingjustgiving http://Crowdfunding.justgiving.com/petersfieldaction

Oct 1, 2015

The joy of hoovering…a cautionary tale…

Source: The joy of hoovering…a cautionary tale…

Oct 1, 2015Oct 2, 2015

The joy of hoovering…a cautionary tale…

or why you should never agree to frame a black jacket in a vintage frame…

So friends what have I been doing for the last 2 days…hoovering, yes, hoovering you heard it here first… only those who know me well will know how absolutely ridiculous and out of character this is. On my return from the wonderful private view at Romsey Abbey on Tuesday eve…where my work is featured on the cover of the catalogue…oh yes indeedy… feel almost famous…went quite to my head…want to photocopy and illegally fly post all over the shop…petersfield notice board had to do….and you dear reader(s) can have it here free…okay it came out pink but hey that’s my fault, my iPad has a will of its own…it’s still rather wonderful that it’s there…

and that’s what the iPad saw it as….anyway back to now….decided I’d better get to it and finish re-framing my ribis jacket for Ally Pally. What a white bespoke frame did to it just wasn’t quite right. I still really would like it to hang free in a frame…but if encased it must be….I mused the idea for a bit then procured a beautiful vintage frame and stuffed it in there …yes stuff is the correct technical art word…and it does look rather lovely. However…did you know that ..as you find out when you do these mad things ….old frames have an awful lot of dust and debris that falls off them…so 48 hours later… I think I’m nearly there….of course if I had oodles of money I’d pay a minion to do it for me ….but if not fun, it’s definitely been a learning experience and I am better and wiser for it. It’s not perfect but I like the imperfections.. There’s some Japanese saying about imperfection isn’t there allotment woman…. .?…(I love you Helena!) I knew there was a good reason for some people going to Polytechnic..obviously it was wasted on me….

What do you think???let me know…. come and see the real thing at the knitting and stitching show next week…. it’s in my blog now so they’ve got to let me hang it!!!!imperfections and all.

Well got to go and finish packing for Ally Pally….need to make more lists. Do try to get to Romsey if you are in the vicinity…it’s such a beautiful venue.. The l is the abbey is the best work of art…..does anyone know any other cathedralesque places that would like the exhibition? Let me know! We’d like to take it on tour.

PS Sarah, thanks for the fishing wire…its in the post xx

PPS Your nuns look fabulous!!! Like they are growing out of the stone around the font! Meant to be there!

PPPS Himindoors.. the children would probably quite like a phone call at some point over the next week…but don’t NEED one and are quite sure that your much NEEDed holiday will not change you!!x

Sep 26, 2015

portfolio/gallery

Bear with me ….it’s a work in progress! Women and books welcome to my planet : boxes

Source: portfolio/gallery

Sep 26, 2015Sep 26, 2015

Up and coming….

quickie…just finished making for my latest exhibition opens at Romsey Abbey on Tuesday -and runs throughout October..come along and have a butchers ….there’s quite a few people exhibiting so if you don’t like my stuff you might like some one else’s…..always a good thing that! Canapés at Rums Egg Gallery in Romsey afterwards.. PV at 6… Canapés at 7…..

I am exhibiting two pieces…one from thefirst year of my Stitched Textiles Degree…. ‘My past in the present’ which I think has ‘cathedralesque ‘ qualities ……my phrase and I’m sticking with it…..see if you do….. Spot the angel of the North and the 5 Bridges…yes it dates me cos there’s more bridges now……but still fits in with my not admitting to anything over 39 and a half years old back story….,prizes on a post card if you can guess where I’m from!!!!! My avid follower(s) will of course know this piece and appreciate its’ significance blah blah blah…. that was supposed to sound up myself by the way….. on purpose but my avid follower(s) will already know that won’t they/ you Sarah!!!!! (Talking of which.. ..post cards that is ……decided to take the plunge and have some post cards printed to go with my show at Alexandra palace in October at the Knitting and Stitching Show… I love them but I am biased. Hope I can flog a few as this framing malarkey is not cheap!!!! Debating between 50p and £1….hmmmmm if you read my blog you can have one for 50p!!!!

My past in the present…….

Also decided to do boxes in homage to my last years’ degree show….anyway made three and let me tell you the third one.. ah the third one…… getting the third one out was comparable with childbirth.. I kid you not!!!! Maybe that’s why I only had two children????? However they are done!!!!! Finished Friday set up Monday… so loads of time there then!!!! Am really pleased with the panels but will be interested to see how they go down. Mind you as with all my stuff I love doing it and become possessed in the making and if people like it it’s a bonus but not one I need…unless of course they want to buy them … Not sure where I’m going to store them… So selling would be good……they feel really rather lovely and are great to pummel!!! They depict different stages in Saint Ethelreda’s life. The middle one is made up of a 50’s novel about a sleighted woman and called ‘ the fiancée.….totally inspired! (Mind you I haven’t read it so it might be awful!) The little rolls on top are made from a ripped up Mills and Boon novel ( her life was about as faraway from Mills and Boon as you can get..geddit?) and they are meant to signify the 7 high tides that miraculously appeared and enabled Ethelreda to escape her frustrated (bless him) husband…shed taken a vow of chastity and he had got fed up waiting for her to give up her vows as he wanted his husbandly rights……personally I find feigning sleep works for me….. Mind you having two kids not much time for anything other than a glass of wine occasionally……

rubbish photos of my work on my sofa…they’ll look better on the box in the abbey that they were made for…honest!!! Here’s hoping anyway………..

There is also a nod to the refugee crisis that we are currently experiencing. I like to think Ethelreda who was supposed to be marvel of exemplary behaviour to her fellow nuns …would have got her finger out and done something to help……

And finally been stressing about how to re frame my work for Ally Pally…but the seeds of a solution are slowly forming….meanwhile the children are becoming feral and I think him in doors will kill me if I say… C…’so what do you think if ‘ again………..watch out for my next blog……I know you can’t wait…………

Sep 17, 2015Sep 18, 2015

Hi di hi campers…..

Been standing in a field for 5 days with glasto girl serving mushroom crumble and hash browns to workers at Bestival on IOW…didn’t manage to escape from the site and make time to see the lovely Lyndsay Taylor,..but hoping to pop over to see her soon. Variety is the fabulous spice of life…the people who work there are amazing.

My lucky scarf came to the rescue and managed to get us in and out of the festival with ease which was nigh on impossible,,,,don’t ask……the magic of textiles. I’ll happily fill in the details to anyone who visits me at the Embroiderers Guild Stand at Ally Pally in 3 weeks time! and wants to know…

wish I’d seen you back in the day SiLeBo!!

Saw and heard Duran Duran (white jeans are not a good look for men especially in their 50’s oh dear Simon I was disappointed!)), Chemical Brothers and fka twiggs (going to start calling myself fka dowdeswell!!) only joking…)

Watched some fabulous animation in a teeny cinema and didn’t make a tie die t-shirt in the slow motion field.

one of the animations used shadow puppets like this but I found this image whilst googling Martha Mosse..see last para of this blog..seredipity?

Charoenchai mulletproof.com I think was the animation reference but cant seem to track it down now..note to self..take notes..it was a great story!!..really fun…

Also listened to a talk on feminism which was good in parts but included the thought that providing creches when women work will re address the gender imbalance, I’m more for making the father look after the sprogs myself, why don’t men require creches..is it just women’s work to look after the babies????… but what do I know. Isn’t it more about choice? And giving more choice? (lots of great women referenced and Half of a Yellow Sun by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi which I want to read.. ..which in turn reminded me of the Yellow Wallpaper which is a great book too..serendipity?) Talking of which my children have nearly forgotten what I look like! I actually picked my son up from school today and he asked his dad to come too as he wasn’t convinced that I would remember!! I made a cake with him after I picked him up okay okay..great mummy!!!i

Came back to land of living to teach about digestion to 8 year olds… appearing in an art work coming your way soon….they love that I keep saying pooh, anus and colon…funny that….

Reminded me of this.by Chris Labrooy…………

Did my first talk on my work this week for the wonderful ladies and one man.. of the fabulous Liss in StitcheS ..they got me started HOPE YOU’RE READING. Went really well. I do like talking! If anyone else wants me to talk..I am ready!!!! I did change the title at 3am that morning to a more appropriate one so made the publicity wrong..sorry… but hey…….’Becoming Me Again’ far more fitting…because I truly believe we all need to be me again ..with whatever it takes…art and stitch floats my boat…what floats yours???? We lose ourselves under the weight of so many labels it’s good to be yourself again….ANYWAY I DIGRESS…

Been keeping my feet up today trying to get my ankles back to normal after standing in fields but have been mad on the internet catching up with texts and trying to sort out all my stuff for Romsey..drop off in 12 days time as well as getting stuff ready for the knit and stitch…3 weeks and counting…just finished my artist statement for Romsey….what do you think..a bit too honest perhaps?

‘Helen is a Hampshire based artist originally from the North East of England.She combines her passion for drawing and stitch with a compulsion to never throw anything away. Fortunately recycling is integral to her work . As well as an interest in drawing and creating machine embroidered images she is fascinated by stitch in general and the emotion and energy produced when people come together to do so. Helen is currently about to exhibit at Romsey Abbey and still needs to finish the sodding work. Her piece is called the abbesses’ new clothes. She is going to be extremely busy over the next few days. Helen blogs about her non-progress at http://www.helensill.com’

A bit too honest perhaps? Hmmm?.. Its actually called the’ Abbesses’ Dowry’ and will be three boxes – I’ve only finished two at the mo tho so getting busy over the weekend! .better stop blogging!! I’m also showing My Past in the Present’ because I think it has ‘cathedralesque’ qualities…Romsey just seemed to suit it….I am really tempted to dye it all red..but don’t think I am brave enough…maybe I need expert advice..Caroline????

Oh! Going to PV tomorrow to see Ai Wei Wei v. excited. Only problem is I haven’t got a babysitter so bringing the kids…should be interesting…will the trees look the same after my children have been in the vicinity?…..watch this space…(wonder if there’s a creche!!)

P.S, I hate you Sarah your work looks amazing!!!

P.P.S. Have you thought of a title yet?

P.P.P.S. Also been listening to TED talk by Martha Mosse ‘the slut, the spinster and the perfect woman’…nothing new here (what is?) but succinctly put..wish I had her confident delivery…

Following images come from an exhibition called passion for freedom in 2013..the first image is Martha’s work couldn’t work out who the other artist’s were but loved the images…website is..http://www.passionforfreedom.co.uk/2013-exhibition/ see if you are more lucky!

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