Day 4

Today we spent the day finishing our samples, playing with the embellisher, and free machining using layers of sticky wash away and Romeo to layout threads and create imagery , then hand stitching back into them to create textural effects. We utilised the whole day and well into the night to maximise our time and getting samples finished. Everyone's work was so different. Jan and Jean were very giving in their instruction, happy to help out without overwhelming your creativity but not hesitant to give a critical eye when needed, or advice on work that needed a lift etc.

Puglia day 1

The first day in Puglia , began with jan and jean giving an outline of the course and then we plunged headlong into the course.
First order of the day was to make viewing squares made from L shaped card. We were given he task of heading out around the masseria to find interesting textures and compositions that we could translate into embroideries. Our task was 10 small sketches with various textures and line forms. After multiple cries of "we can't draw!!! " we headed out. Jan showed ideas to get us started.
After an hour of finding imagery and simple sketching, we headed in for lunch and then spent the afternoon drooling over jan and jeans samples and doing tutorials on assorted techniques. It was a full day.

The solo adventure begins!

After jeff and Lauren left I had 2 days and nights alone before flying to Puglia. I had decided that I would go to London tower to see more of Kendra Hastes wire work, but after adding the costs up- as most attractions around London aren't cheap plus a daily tube fare, and the weather was again dark and densely foggy. I decided to investigate the local area. I needed a light bag for my extra kilos of luggage and the concierge recommended a small local market. So I headed back towards Hoxton , found the bag I needed, along with fabrics, could have gotten loads of scarves and clothing cheap, but found a little DIY shop that sold amazing textured wallpapers. After chatting with the staff, they have me metre long samples of about 10 different ones- score!! And it was even free! From here I walked on to the Whitechapel gallery, which had interesting installations and I thought they had Damian Hursts Shark in resin ,but apparently it's rotting and leaking and no longer on display. From here I found Petticoat lane which has the most amazing African and Indian fabrics and I ended up back at Spital field markets, where I bought my top hat that I had wanted to buy but hadn't. Then with fading light and masses of traffic, I hurriedly walked back home. I wouldn't walk these areas at night.

Our last day together

This was our big moving day out of the basement flat in Hoxton, and then by mini cab to Marlin Apartments at Limehouse again. We left our bags there and used our Oyster cards for the last few times into London. We were all tired and generally not that excited as it was foggy and rainy and I can understand why they get sad syndrome, cause we had it bad. I did find my lifesize wire elephant by kendra haste at Liverpool station- very cool. I journeyed with jeff and Lauren through the tube stations helping carry baggage as many don't have lifts or escalators. In the end it was a rush to get them on the heathrow train and goodbyes were fleeting, which was probably good as I would have been a blubbering mess. So they flew home together.

Lavender hill and then the palace

This was our second last day together and jeff had worked out a plan for finding a model and sci fi shop, and then we were off to see the palace . It was a really wet foggy day. After a tube an train ride, then short walk , we found the shop and the characters that run it, and a saving grace was that there was a nice fabric shop next door, so that made my day. If only it was as light as silk. They had beautiful liberty fabrics by the mile. But I did get a few small pieces to add to the weight limit. We had coffee t a nice cafe and then bused and tubed to the palace. We met lauren, did the look around and then walked back through st James park. We loads of geese , ducks other birds and loads of crazy squirrels. It's sad that they going to kill around 20,0000 grey ones soon. I gather they aren't native and have overtaken red squirrel areas- but still I hate to see anything killed and they are cute but I imagine to the Brits it's the same as brush tail possums overrunning other species, still sad though!!!!

Hoxton st little monsters shop

After a day at the markets I went for a wander to the end of Hoxton st , not considered the "nice "part of the area, and discovered an amazing little shop. Rather non descript at first until I read the title. "Hoxton st monster supplies" could have been a lady gaga shop for all I knew. On closer inspection I saw jars of human snot, eye balls, jars of moonlight and sunlight, as well as monster tooth floss, and the list went on. I had to go in and the gorgeous girls inside let me photograph everything- as it turned out it was a shop front for a creative writing workshop , to aid the less fortunate children of the area, and get them into creative writing. I was instantly hooked and had to go home and get my purse to buy a monster map of Hoxton and some other ghoulish items. It was wonderful! I'm hoping that you can read the writing in some of the images!i would have bought a bottle of laughter to keep spare if I wasn't worried it would break on the trip home , and cause a giggle fest.

Spitalfield markets

As we are staying in what used to be a gangland area of London now being gentrified- kind of- we decided as the weather was cold and foggy to not go to far, and explore the local area. Also it was a craft/ art date at the markets so decided to investigate the area, as these markets have been around for about 40 or more years. We found our way there and while jeff had a drink I whiled my time looking around all the retro, dubious antique clothing and assorted arty stalls. It was a mini reconascence for trends for my accessories but didn't find slot that was different. Spoke with a no. Of young crafters and found many were degree or guild grads trying to make a living with their passion and as with Australia there has been huge cutbacks in the arts in Britain and they were feeling the pinch of the economy. Sounds familiar!
But I bought a couple of scarves some pieces of jewellery and nearly a top hat. I did find some interesting street art and graffiti to finish off our afternoon.
Oh and loved the cute wedding double decker awaiting a bridal party - that was cool!

Columbia flower markets and brick rd

Sunday we were advised to venture to Columbia rd for there famous flower market, it was beautiful but very crowded and interesting seeing plants Vand flowers foreign and familiar, and surprisingly many Ozzie varieties. So hundreds of photos later, we moved into the cute art shops along the back of the markets, then ventured to brick rd , known for its Indian and Vietnamese foods. We stumbled onto warehouse after warehouse filled with vintage and retro stalls and art and crafts by the bucket load but all very similar. One interesting one was a family that make jewellery from old clay pipes and ceramics salvaged from the mud and banks of the Thames. They were very interesting! A little further on we followed a crowd into another warehouse to be over powered by magic aromas of a multicultural food court, amazing freshly cooked meals from around the world. Even doughnuts from Transylvania which are flat and sold by the metre but super yummy.