One of the many highlights this week was going to a great little Folk Club in Newton Aycliffe and seeing to Eddie Walker. This is only the 2nd time I have seen him but he was fab. He's not your usual folk singer more 'ragtime folk' if there is such a thing!! The clip I have attached is one of his songs that I love but a lot of his songs are seriously upbeat.....and an amazing guitar player!
We were introuduced and as he was a local lad it was nice to hear his stories...including the one where as a child he visited North Road Works & Bank Top Station.....and he has wrote a song about the Railways.....I couldnt believe it...so I started talking about my new exhibtion...a small world....

Then I had a lovely ride up to Berwick-just past actually. The weather was beautiful and I had forgotten just how beautiful the coastal route is. I was  visiting The Border Textiles Group and I was made to feel very welcome and the lovely lunch and fab cuppa on my arrival was worth its weight in gold!

So the latest news...I am proud to announce I will be doing my first solo exhibition in 2014! I have been very lucky to secure a space at the Head of Steam Museum, Darlington, County Durham.
It will be a little emotional as before it became a museum it was known as 'North Road Works' and it was where my Dad had his first job! 2014 will be the 10th anniversary of my Dad leaving us-and I could not be more grateful to David Tetlow for allowing me to have my exhibition there.

 

North Road Works Erecting Bay about 1920-1930



David then introduced me to Sarah Gouldsbrough, Access and Learning Officer...to which we both said 'I know you'! After various questions ...are you an artist, an embroiderer, lecturer, did you work in Marks and Sparks.....no joy...until she spoke of her husband being at artist....and it turns out we had a college in common!! Sarah then took me through a door......how many times have I wished to see behind the scenes....what goes on behind closed doors......and then I was shown the history of North Road works.....


Research....what is it?
When I was teaching I could not understand why my students were not too keen on reasearch  ... in my book this is reading, visiting galleries & museums, drinking fab coffee in a fab cafe and watching the world go buy, visiting cities and towns, going to the coast, scrabbling around in skips and junk yards......I suppose if you changed the word....to lets say... exploring....investigating ... looking ... observing...maybe then it would not be such a scary thing!! Mind you once they realised they could go off into the town for a few hours they soon got the hang of it......

High Force Teesdale

Walk to Monmartre France

Newcastle Upon Tyne

For all those Bookworms out there ...
So how many books can one person have.......dont ask as I can hear the floorboards creaking under the weight as we speak. Books, as with fabric, are an addiction to me. I have always loved books! So I thought I would share some of my favourites now and again....it could take some time as I know I will never get to the end.....as I just keep buying more!!




Margaret Rowen, Published by Search
Press

I bought this particular book as my friend Jess Kinnersley has her beautiful embroidery work in it.....but then when it arrived it turned out to be a very good book. Brillian clear instructions on stitch and lots of simple design ideas to get you started!