It hardly seems possible that this show has come round again, but on Thursday I set off at 6.30am bound for the NEC , planning to spend two whole days being inspired. It lived up to expectations, and I have included some images from the visit.
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| Mermaid in her watery grotto. |
These pictures show bits of the 'Above and below the Waves' life-size project created to raise money for the RNLI, and part of the Sewing for Pleasure section of the show. Everything is knitted, apparently by over one thousand knitters. The detail is amazing!
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| An old sea-dog with knitted lobster! |
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| The cliffs, complete with lighthouse and seagulls! |
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| A day on the beach |
Next, images of the costumes made by two French artists. Very theatrical, and beautifully-made, they are the work of Ollivier henry and Jean-Noel Lavesvre. Photographs can't do them justice; they were truly incredible.
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| No wonder they needed help to dress! |
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| Unbelievably beautiful detail! |
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| My favourite.......very very pretty! |
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| Gorgeous Goldwork! |
I also loved the exhibition celebrating Jan Messent's work, 'Recreating Celtic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon Artifacts. The original pieces that were shown in her recent book were on display, and fascinating to see close up. I was lucky enough to meet Jan as she passed through.
Lots of textile groups have displays of work here; I was directed to the 'Through the Wardrobe' exhibit, based on the theme of Narnia, by Fulcrum. It was a collection of evocative hangings based on snow, and very effective.
I really enjoyed talking to textile artists from groups all over the country and fitted in one workshop, Lynda Monks' class. We made a lovely folded pocket book, from spunbond, using foils to decorate, and soldering iron to finish the pages and cover. Examples of these books I saw beforehand looked so exotic, and difficult, but we all managed to produce an equally attractive version in the hour we had for the class, and I will photograph mine at some time in the future.
If anyone else from Keswick Embroiderers got to the show this year, I'd like to post their pictures and impressions, too.
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