Happy New Year, Moving House and some more gelli printing from Harrogate

So firstly, a very Happy New Year ... 2014 shot past at a very scary, but frequently exciting pace .. I am hoping to hold 2015 back a little .. hmmmm. This piece (below) was made a couple of years ago for the CQ journal quilt challenge - but it is such a January and New Year quilt, I wanted to share it again. I really hope 2015 brings everything you hope for and let's all  make it one that counts shall we?

So - back to work. Funny Christmas break here, as we finally got confirmation about Stephens new job - which is going to be on the South Coast of Wales. To all you travelling bods, that won't seem too far - but for a home loving creature like me - that is another country and quite scary. Luckily many friends on face-book turn out to be from around there and have assured me it is not only safe, but stunningly beautiful. We will be based around Bridgend - which is close to the coast .. and that couldn't be better . I love the sea with a passion and simply can't believe I am going to be able to live so nearby a beautiful coastline. So we are all ready for Wales - I just hope poor Wales is ready for me!!

No doubt you will hear more on this subject(!) - but right now I wanted to share these prints done at Harrogate with you.I was demonstrating with my gelli plates (yes - I now have a few!) and promoting the new book. I was using leaves from a specially purchased (and transported all the way to the show) potted palm tree, in conjunction with some of my stencils.

 

The palm generously provided different leaf sizes, which together with different sized gelli plates (3 x 5; 6 x 6; 7 x 5 and 8 x 10) gave me a lovely selection of prints like these below

I was also using a variety of materials to print on: plain copy paper; deli paper; khadi paper and two thicknesses of fabric - giving even more variety for me

 

I've kept some prints with white backgrounds, but most got overdyed to produce this gloriousness ... if that doesn't inspire you to want to get creating .. you are a harder to please beast than me!!I want to eat them.

 

The smaller plates are also great as you can pick them up and apply them like a stamp to paper - which is what I have done here, on light weight khadi paper

It was a great show and I met many old and made many new friends. I am not sure how I will manage the shows once in Wales - especially one as far away as Harrogate  ... but I shall definitely try and find a way ... I just love them and Harrogate always has that special place in my heart, as I grew up there - and Jo and I need to live in Bettys again!. 

I will be at the NEC in March at ICHF 'Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch'. For those who don't come as they feel this is not a very textile arty show - do come and see. It has grown enormously and now has all your favourite names - Art van Go, Kim Thittachai, Stephanie Redfern, Colouriscious, Oliver Twists and many many more will be there. Fabulous galleries and displays and wonderful shopping opportunities. I am showing a new exhibition called 'Coast'. Poignantly, this will be a chance to celebrate the lovely north eastern coast I have loved, before moving to a new coastline. I'll tell you more about that next time - but please note it in your diary - 19th - 22nd March 2015. 

I'll leave you with a bit more colour!! - Hilary xx