Saturday 22 June 2013

Cushions and Colour

Here's the cushion I finished last week, I was using the wool (Drops) to crochet a blanket but got side tracked as I  do and ended up with this..........


At the end of July my nephew David is getting married, a Stag weekend was arranged in Benidorm YES! Benidorm. It's really not my husbands sort of thing but after a bit of coaxing from my brother and my son, Dave went along on the four day 'Beano', he did enjoy himself, but said he doesn't think he go on another!
Betsy and I had a nice four days, I stitched and stitched and stitched, I had a great time. I  finished a book that I started in City and Guilds class the week before. I was going to only use Khardi paper but decided to paint some paper with Brusho, I used up some handmade paper that I had in my stash,( I've had it for years) for the outer and inside cover. It's good to use bits and pieces from a stash, it makes room for other things.....






On Wednesday I visited the London Fashion and Textile Museum with Jacqueline and Diane, the exhibition was Kaffe Fassett 'A Life in Colour'. The use colour and design of the work is amazing,  I may be a bit controversial here, I was very disappointed in the execution of a lot of the work,  we are all entitled to our point of view. It is actually the first time I've seen his work in the flesh so to speak, if you've seen his work what did you think? Whilst we were in the area we popped into The London Glass Blowing, it's almost opposite the LFTM and well worth a visit if your in Bermondsy, I saw a couple of lovely pieces that would sit nicely in my house........
As always when we are out together drinking and eating is a must, so lunch was in a Gastro pub The Garrison also in Bermondsey Street. This is not a part of London I know very well we usually stay closer to the river. There are lots of little shops and restaurants so worth a re visit at some time!





10 comments:

  1. Love the cushion and the book is fab!

    Kaffe. I saw him at the West Country Quilt show last December and he had a lot of his quilts up. I was surprised to see how 'handmade' they were, especially the large quilting stitches and lack of actual quilting. But then I told myself isn't handmade what they are supposed to be? I did struggle a bit and perhaps it's the fact that he is a designer/creator yes, but he has also sold himself commercially as a product and that shouts more mechanical and produced and that is first and foremost in my mind rather than the 'handmade'. Does that make sense?? That was my thoughts on what I saw then anyway.

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    1. Re Kaffe your probably right about the 'handmade' I think I was expecting too much. I couldn't and wouldn't take away the wonderful designs and fabric colours he uses in his quilts, knitting etc. It's the quality of the workmanship I was disappointed in. I suppose when you get to that point its quantity not quality, I did hear someone say 'it's emperors new clothes'.

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  2. I understand what you mean about the finish of many of the items but I think that was one of the things I loved. It makes them seem achievable and ultimately it is his fabulous use of colour and pattern that I find so inspiring. There was none of the fancy "art speak" that so often accompanies exhibitions... that is what I call Emperor's New Clothes! It was lovely to bump into you at the exhibition too!

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    1. It just shows how everyone looks at things differently and thats what makes it all so interesting. I do love his use of colour as I've said. It was good to see you there!

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  3. Love the subtle colours of the cushion and the book is lovely - well done for using up some papers you had!

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  4. I have the 'Glorious Needlepoint' book from years ago by kaffe Fasset and he describes his needlepoint as looking threadbare so it doesn't surprise me that you think the execution was poor. I suppose his main 'thing' is colour and inspiration. I wish I was nearer London to see all these amazing things.

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    1. Your right Jackie his thing is the inspiration. He has given lots of people the inspiration to pick up the needles, whether they are knitting or tapestry!

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  5. Well, re Kaffe let's jus say I won't worry so much when I make a gaffe in my knitting. It's all in the name of art after all!
    Joking aside, I did love his designs and colours and I very much enjoyed the day. Where next?

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  6. I'm pleased to have inspired you, although it doesn't look as if you have much free time to fill. The holiday looks to have been pretty good.

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  7. Such a lovely cushion. The book already looks interesting, really intrigued to see how you develop it.

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