Creative Spinning at Alston Hall

I've just spent a very enjoyable week-end at Alston Hall with members of Bradford and District, Bowland and Craven Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.  There were other guilds represented, too, and in my group there was a lady from as far away as East Sussex!

I had been tutoring a Creative Spinning workshop with consisted of 15 people including one man and a lady of 92, who was quite remarkable.  The week-end began with a wonderful meal provided by Alston Hall, followed by a group welcome, before heading off into our groups for an introduction.

Saturday began with a little light design work until lunch, consisting of colour studies, textural studies and collage before I'd let them try any spinning techniques.  After much hesitation and in some cases, sheer terror, everyone settled down to work and by tea time on Sunday had produced a huge amount of work and were starting to get the design bug.

Below are just a few images of the work that was completed, to see the full range take a look at the Creative Spinning Blog

Colour Palette of the Month - July!

Last September I took my youngest up to Aberdeen University and we stopped by the Winter Gardens in Duthie Park.  What an amazing afternoon we spent there and I spent most of that time photographing the plants and flowers.

This months inspiration is one of the many beautiful flowers.

I absolutely adore this colour palette and think it might find it’s way into my new fabric collection to be launched in October.  What do you think?

By the way, can any of you identify the flower?