Tuesday 23 April 2024

My Creative, Crafty County

I managed to get to this event on Friday - and ran out of time to see everything. Then I needed to go into Norwich on Saturday, so made a second visit. There was just SO much to see and do this year. I didn't take as many photos as I intended because I was caught up in chats with other crafters, and sometimes the crowds of people milling around made pictures difficult.
It is nearly eight years since I exhibited at the C&TA event at the Cathedral, and decided I would join the association when we retired. I have finally signed up! 
But I do think the logo looks like "Costa" don't you?
Upstairs there were lots of have-a-go stands. Do some stitching, ragrugging, painting, crochet...knit a few rows for the Giraffe-Scarf etc. Next years GoGo Trail will have five different animals from the Savannah. I knitted a couple of rows at the scarf table! 
When not Cross Stitching, Kirsten is exploring ZeroWaste clothing, and bog coats. So I just had to sent her pictures of Cat, who makes ZW jackets from old embroidered tablecloths. A very friendly woman.
I think I might wear one of these as a summer cover up over a strappy evening frock, or for a wedding outfit.
Also on the ground floor, in the side gallery, were lots of C&TA exhibits, recent, and going back a few years [the show never happened during covid, but people did even more stitching then]
Fab Tudor project - Queen Bess has hair made from unravelled copper scouring pads! And there is a new tapestry under construction for the Castle- 

these are some of the items which will also be on show there.
The Spinners, Weavers and Dyers have made a regal banner too.

At first I was confused by the title 
Charles III R 2023 - A King for all Seasons.
Elizabeth died in 2022, didn't she? Then I realised, they had to wait twelve months until he had been on the throne for all four seasons!
In the basement part of the Forum, there was a display of all Margaret Seaman's knitted treasures. She is 92 now and says this is the final time she will come and exhibit. She has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years. 
There was such a lot to look at, lots of inspiration - and I did enjoy myself. The C&TA stand had some of their literature on display, including the programme from the Norwich Shawl exhibition in 2016. I turned the pages over, so it was open at the one showing the picture of my three tea cosies!
I've paid my membership fee now - so I think I can display a bit of my handwork!
This event is well worth attending - it is free - and you get to meet some very talented people, and have the opportunity to explore new crafting skills.
If I keep practising with my new machine, I might have something for next year.
One final poster by the exit door was very touching. Loose Ends is a global charity which aims to ease grief, create community and inspire generosity by mixing volunteer 'handwork finishers' with projects people have left unfinished due to death or disability. What a lovely idea!












25 comments:

  1. What a fantastic exhibition to see! It sounds great! I forgot how amazing Margaret Seaham's work is! How on earth does she store it? Kx

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    1. She lives in a bungalow with her daughter, so I think that most of the time stuff is packed and stored - unless it is on tour and on display somewhere (eg the Sandringham model spent all summer in the big house with the Queen one year!)

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    2. I went along briefly, (I wasn't feeling too well) but enjoyed the demonstrations. I was intrigued by the rag technique to make rugs but unfortunately the stall was full of people having a go. Loved the shawls and The paper lanterns. Until I read the stories and felt appalled at the sad headlines on them, full of homophobia etc. I chatted to two ladies from the C&TA, now thinking of joining.

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    3. My lantern pictures didn't come out at all well (they kept swinging, so were out of focus) You and I could have met up for coffee! Next year perhaps?

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    4. PS or maybe we can meet up at a C&TA event sometime?

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  2. That exhibition looks amazing. I follow the Loose Ends project and have finished one small piece of tapestry for a lady whose dementia stopped her from finishing it. She was very distressed by this and I carefully removed it from the rusted frame and matched in the wools as best I could. It was made into a small cushion with a lavender bag inside and it brought her great comfort. It’s an honour to be trusted to do these things but quite stressful too. Catriona

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    1. Catriona, you are amazing! I didn't realise you were part of this project. What a lovely thing to do for somebody. And a great way to share your gift of stitching to bless somebody else. Thank you for the comment!

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    2. Thank you Catriona for doing this! What a great way to use your talent, I salute you. JanF

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  3. What a wonderful exhibition of creative talent! Cute tea cosies!

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  4. It sounds really interesting, especially for a good sewer as yourself. I'm thinking about making a couple of banners for church, but they will mostly be felt cut out and stuck on. I'll call on a friend with a sewing machine for the complicated bits! I'll use a ready made curtain for the base - we have them for 10/11€ in discount shops. Love FD xx

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    1. Can I recommend using iron on adhesive interfacing such as bondaweb, which is more effective than glue - it holds everything, and doesnt seep out or stain. And it's much easier to position the letters & motifs and pin accurately in place THEN press them to activate the adhesive. Also if you are using fabric which frays, affix the web to the fabric BEFORE you cut pieces out and you get a much neater finish. Have fun. And yes, curtains make a great base] Slot a dowel rod or bamboo cane into the bottom hem to help it to hang straight and even.

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    2. Thank you for the advice. Love FD xx

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    3. 👍 I have made so many banners, and these three things, bondaweb, curtains and bottom rods are the best tips i know

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  5. I would love to go to something like that!

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    1. Terri, you would have really enjoyed it!

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  6. What an amazing thing the Loose Ends provides........and hats off to Catriona for her part in helping.
    When my Mum died she had started one of her beautiful, intricate lacy baby cardigans. My sister has it, I'm hoping that maybe one of us will tackle it as a labour of love.
    The exhibition looks great.
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. Oh I do hope one of you can finish it! Lace knitting is really complex and requires concentration though. Not like the simple stocking stitch I can work on whilst half watching Midsomer Murders!

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  7. Your tea cosies are wonderful, my favorite is the one in the back right. I am also impressed by the ZW jackets from tablecloths, a clever way of recycling something which might not be used again. JanF

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    1. That cosy is my favourite too. And clever ZW recycling is impressive

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  8. How completely and totally marvelous!. Love the embroidered light jacket!

    Hugs!

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  9. The tea cosies are delightful!
    I like the idea of the Loose Ends Charity.

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    1. It sounds as though Loose Ends does a lot of good, all round the world

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