Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Lino prints and feeling felty.

Tapping away at my lap-top in rhythm to the pattering of the rain on the conservatory roof. Actually, I have a sneaking feeling of comfort and cosyness, despite the awful weather; I don't have to go out again today, Jim's away so no big meal to cook, chores done this morning so rest of the day to myself. Off to Norwich with friend Sue K tomorrow- we have booked lunch at Jamie Oliver's new (ish) restaurant, and we will be having a wander round the shops, no doubt. Then on to my melodeon lesson, always a high spot in the week. Thursday again, a take-it-easy kinda day , Friday quick whizz round the shops for mum then back home to pack...I am off for a weekend at Witney, Oxfordshire with a load of other melodeonistas for 2 days of workshops! Yay! And guess who is one of the tutors....yessssss! ANDY CUTTING! Phew, calm down Lynne. Anyway, I wil fill you in about that when I get back...blogging will be a little behind I'm afraid. I am thoroughly enjoying my low-key, kicking-back, sybaritic week.


A photo of the finished wool/felt cushion, I rather like the little 'tongues' round the edge, don't you?



And this is just a glimpse of a felty heart which has been winging its way to a bloggy friend.



And this is a glimpse of the dining room table which is going to stay like this for the next couple of days -  but I will tidy up before I go, promise!



Now though these next photos are not textile related, I want to talk about them for a couple of reasons. The first is that I love graphic prints, and these lino cuts are brilliant. And secondly I love to give a heads up to local Norfolk artists and crafters.



 I adore the work of  Angie Lewin, and pore over her book Plants and Places often; and a book by printmaker Mark Hearld is hopefully going to find its way into my Christmas stocking. I noticed these lovely lino cuts on Pinterest - sorry I can't remember whose - and clicked on through to read all about Amanda Colville, and immediately remembered reading about her as a winner in Country Living's Kitchen Table Talent Awards 2012 - the September issue. Amanda did a printmaking course at the College of West Anglia and went on to create these fabulous lino prints, using of all things, an old mangle! She has a blog  mangleprints.blogspot.co.uk and a website. Her prints are available on-line and at some interesting shops around the UK.....our nearest is at  Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale on the north Norfolk coast. A really good excuse for a trip out if you ask me!



I have contacted Amanda and have her permission to include her photos here. My post-header is of course one of her prints, too. I'd just like to wish her luck in her enterprise and hope she gets lots of lovely orders for Christmas!


Well that's it for now folks, just like to say I was a trifle overwhelmed by the response to my '50 shades of gery' hair colour! I hope you will be as fulsome in your praise for Amanda's work. See you after the weekend, I'm now going to settle down to more stitching whilst listening to Michael Jayston reading aloud to me from a PD James thriller - what's not to love?

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36 comments:

  1. Marigold Jam6 November 2012 at 15:14

    Lovely stuff Lynne! That felt cushion is wonderful so soft and cosy looking. The lino prints are amazing - will be off to check out Amanda's work when I post this. Have a good rest of the day - like you I have the place to myself today and it's bliss isn't it?!! Have a good time at the workshop too.

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:11

      Oh good, I'm so glad you like the lino prints! I will certainly enjoy the workshops, getting quite excited!

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  2. Anonymous6 November 2012 at 15:51

    I discovered Mark Hearld's work recently too, love Angie Lewin and yes, remember Amanda and am off to look at her website now... assuming she has one! I love lino prints, and remember on a recent antique programme someone bought an old mangle to sell at auction and I immediately thought of Amanda and a good use for a mangle.
    Great cushion.... I DO admire your neat cutting out, so symmetrical, I know when I try it there will be a bit of a wonkiness!
    Enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:13

      Hi MAggie...oh great another reader checking out Amanda's stuff - she's good, isn't she? Now about the felt cut outs...I draw or trace onto freezer paper (or tracing paper) first and iron or pin it to the felt. I am no cut at eyeballing for cutting out!

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  3. Tangled Sweetpea6 November 2012 at 17:02

    Love the felty cushion Lynne! And the Lino prints are gorgeous too.
    Victoria xx

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:14

      Thanks Victoria, I am pleased with it I have to say. Lx

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  4. Unknown6 November 2012 at 17:12

    Lovely cushions and wizard prints. Wish I had a mangle...

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:15

      Hi Jools, nice to see you here! Yes, I remember my mums old mangle - Monday mornings were ripe with her shouting at it when it got stuck - usually on a liberty-bodice button! The only 'naughty' word she ever used was in Monday morning as she wrestled with the mangle 'sod it! sod it' between gritted teeth!

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  5. Vintage Sheet Addict6 November 2012 at 17:59

    Hi Lynne sounds like you have your week sorted! That felt cushion is super, very neat stitches!!! :)

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:17

      Hi Ada, yep, I have a little list of things I need/want to do each day and have great satisfaction in ticking them off (which doesn't always happen, mind you!) Lx

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  6. JoZart Designs6 November 2012 at 20:17

    Thanks for your interesting and beautiful post, a joy to share. Love the crafts you've made and the glimpse into the joys of your rich life. Hope you have a wonderful workshop in Witney.
    I'm off to Rochdale for a lino cutting workshop with Doodly Bird Lynn and Carol C.
    Have fun
    jo x

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:18

      Oh Jo! You lucky thing! I'd LOVE to do that workshop! (But will have a brilliant time at my musical one, I know) Hope you post the results of your lino-cutting! Lx

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  7. Penny6 November 2012 at 20:34

    My giddy goodness Lynne is all I can say together with a HUGE thank you for the most glorious parcel waiting for me on the other side of my door when I came in this evening. I forced myself to wait till after cooking the tea and settling down with a cuppa and boy was it worth it. Thank you, thank you so very much for the most beautiful and generous heartfelt hug. I felt myself getting a bit prickly and hot in the eye to have a tear fall down my cheek for such thoughtful kindness. It's beautiful and I shall treasure this forever. I will of course "feature" it on my blog. I am overwhelemed at it's beauty, you are quite the marvel at stitching felt. I will be planning little itty bitty bits to return this warm hug. Thanks you once again. xox Penelope
    ps. Well, I need to hang my head a little when I see such professional linocuts, these are beautiful. Thank you for reminding me of Amanda's work, I too remember her winning the CL prize. I will be endeavouring to make some Christmas jolly linocuts sometime soon. Oh I just need more hours... come on retirement! Have a wonderful meal out tomorrow and weekend ahead, such a busy bee xox P

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:22

      Hoi Penny! Glad it arrived safely and that you like it...I was a bit apprehensive as it isn't a huge piece of work, but I did enjoy stitching it and sending it too. Please don't be knocking yourself out to return anything, really.

      And yes, Amanda's work is great but then she has done a college course and works at a professional level. What we do is happy ammateur...though not amateurish...if you see my meaning! Don't hang your head at all, you have spurred me on to maybe think about doing some...but not at the moment as life is a bit hectic! Lx

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  8. Anonymous7 November 2012 at 01:07

    Ooh! Enjoy Andy Cutting, Lynne. Would love to hear him play Flatworld live (I can't even find a Youtube clip of him playing this tune...)

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:27

      Hi Jayne, no, you're right, I don't think I have either, in fact there are very few AC youtubes out there, some very old ones of him and Chris Woods - he looks about 12! And a few with Karen Tweed, and very recently someone has posted a few of him in France. I'd love someone to video the tutors' concert on Saturday night, Emmanuel Pariselle, Andy, Saul Rose who plays often with Eliza CArthy, Chritian MAas who I don't know at all - but all really excellent musicians. Can't wait. AND there might be a Special Purchase in the offing.......more later!!!! (No it's not piano accordian!!!) Lxx

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  9. Gilly Tee7 November 2012 at 08:41

    I love the Lino prints especially the green and red they look lovely together.
    Have a great trip.
    Gillx

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:28

      Aren't they gorgeous? I did have to treat myself to a few items off her website! Thanks, I know I will. Lx

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  10. Sandra (Cherry Heart)7 November 2012 at 18:37

    Beautiful lino cuts. I remember I had a lino set when I was (much) younger, it was good fun. I know to that lovely feeling of being all snug and cozy indoors when the weather is giving it some outside! It's a good feeling!

    Thanks for your last comment, although I'm so sorry to hear about you sister. How terrible for you. I can well imagine that you don't have the heart for getting back to the chair just yet. (hugs)

    S x

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    1. Lynne7 November 2012 at 19:30

      Ah, Sandra, thank you, it was such a sad and tragic thing to happen, she was almost 68 and always so well but it was one of those evil brain tumours and very fast too.She was the one who got the sewing genes, she was a 'proper' dressmaker.

      I really think I am going to have to have a go at printing..it will be a very Heath Robinson affair I'm sure but I just love the results. Lx

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  11. Wendy8 November 2012 at 09:55

    Thanks for the link through to Amanda's blog. I love linocut and her work is astonishing - a real joy to look at.

    Your own cushion is wonderful too - all those little stiches! Such enormous patience that must require. and I love the colours you've used too.

    enjoy your weekend - I hope it's as special as you anticipate.

    ps how was lunch at Jamies? I ate at one of his places recently and it was a bit of a disappointment.

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    1. Lynne8 November 2012 at 13:44

      Hi Wendz, I'll be blogging about Norwich and Jamies in the next post, which will be next week due to being away at the w/end. We both enjoyed our meal, Sue is a vegetarian and thoroughly enjoyed her choces, I am a sea-food fan and thought mine were great dishes. There was chilli in almost everything, but not so hot it blew your socks off - more a gentle warmng. The portions were generous, service was prompt. knowledgeable and friendly. We kepy remarking on the flavours which were a delight. CAn't fault them on anything, really, prices were reasonable, decor lovely, good ambiance (hey I'll be expecting a cheque in the post, Mr Oliver!!!) No, can honestly say we were both pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Lx

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  12. JoZart Designs8 November 2012 at 10:27

    The lino print workshop is on Saturday and yes! it will be posted by me and also Lynn Doodly Bird.
    The brayer workshop last week was with Vicky Stampers Monthly Group. The brayer is a rubber roller that applies colour (we used Adirondack ink pads) in various ways. Brayering over a punched paper disc give a moon effect, over torn paper produces the effect of mountain contours. Shaded ink pads can be used (Kaleidoscope pads) etc.
    How did I miss the news about your sister? So sad for you especially losing her at such an early age. My heartfelt sympathies go to you.
    Jo x

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    1. Lynne8 November 2012 at 13:48

      AH thanks, Jo, that's cleared that little mystery up for me. I have a brayer, just couldn't work out how you'd done the cards.

      As to the news about Diana, well, it happened last autumn and I've never mentioned it on my blog because....well, it predates my blog and it's not the sort of thing you can throw into a conversation really, just that I had answered something on Sandra's blog and she mantioned it here. Thank you for your very kind thoughts.

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  13. Annie Cholewa8 November 2012 at 14:58

    Andy Cutting (and lino prints, in a single post) ... be still my beating heart! Would I fit in your suitcase for the weekend do you think?

    You're a clearly a whizz with the felt ... much cushion love from me!

    Triette ... awesome ... 'real' music, if you know what I mean, though I have to admit the album just got knocked off the top of the playlist here by the Lumineers.

    And (gosh, this is turning into the longest comment ever) ... you look fabulous in that hat!

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    1. Lynne8 November 2012 at 19:28

      AHA! I could do with a roadie! Felt is such a forgiving medium and lovely to stitch. More to come. Lx

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  14. Cathy at PotterJotter8 November 2012 at 16:23

    Oooh! We still haven't got round to going to Jamie's yet - was it good? Love those linocuts - my daughter did a course not long ago and produced some lovely ones. One more thing to give a go, one day! I already have a brayer!! xCathy

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    1. Lynne8 November 2012 at 19:29

      Hi Cathy, yes it was great - see my reply above. I'd LOVE to do a short course, jsy to be able to make some cards.......hmmmmmm you see...I'm off prevaricating again!

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  15. Connie10 November 2012 at 00:47

    Hi Lynne, I love the way a textile artist thinks, and your enthusiasm about your weekend workshop is so exciting that I can feel it all the way here in the USA. I know that you are going to have a ball and that anyone that is around you, will be having fun, too. Your excitement is contagious :) . . . Oh, and that pillow cushion is beautiful!!! You are so talented.

    Thank you for the lovely comment about my journal art. I love how we all share ideas and how we take bits and pieces from things we see and make them our own. Sometimes it's the colors, somethings it's the texture, sometimes it's a transformed object . . . an artist's mind never rests . . . and you never know what might spark an idea. I have had more communication with other artists, in the last year, since I've been blogging than I have had in my whole life. I love it, and I love seeing how everyone interpreters, rearranges, and maneuvers ideas around, to come up with fresh and wonderfully artful surprises.
    Life is like a box of crayons . . .
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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    1. Lynne12 November 2012 at 14:55

      Hi Connie, thank you for your lovely comment. I just drooled at the sight of that journal page of yours SO good, and I wanted to make it into a rag rug! Lx

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  16. chrisartist11 November 2012 at 15:42

    Hi Lynne
    Hope your workshop was great.
    We are busy working on our folk festival programme.
    Cheers
    Chris
    Australia

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    1. Lynne12 November 2012 at 14:56

      Oh Chris I get so envious every time you mention that festival! One day, perhaps........

      The workshop was great, will be posting about it soon. Lx

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  17. Crafts @ Home12 November 2012 at 08:39

    Hi Lynne,
    I do so love it when I see a new post from you, I hope you have had a wonderful weekend, and learnt lots.... and as for that cushion, it is beautiful :)
    Sue Xxx

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    1. Lynne12 November 2012 at 14:56

      Hi Sue, w/end was fab, thank you more in next post! (when I get the chance to write it!!) Lx

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  18. Penny12 November 2012 at 13:15

    Hello Lynne
    Just a quick hi to say thanks so much again for my beautiful felt heart, I popped it on my blog over the weekend. Hope you had a fab weekend too xox big hugs, P x

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    1. Lynne12 November 2012 at 14:57

      You were more than welcome, Penny, just delighted to be able to send it to a welcoming home! Yes, have read your blog post - how lovely it was too! Lx

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