South East Open Studios 2011

With Summer approaching, it's also the time of year for artist open studio events. For the last 3 years I've opened my studio in June during Surrey Artists Open Studios. This year for a change I've got together with artists locally in Oxted and Westerham, and we've collectively decided to join the South East Open Studios 2011. It also takes place in June but is more Kent-based. We're right on the edge of both counties here, so thought we might attract a new audience - so please come and visit!

I'm joining forces again with Andrew Griffiths here in Old Oxted, so we'll both be demonstrating our art throughout the event (me felting, him woodturning) and there'll be lots of work to view. Dates are 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19 June - it covers 3 weekends in all, open 11am-5pm each day. I'll post more details nearer the time, as well as dates of feltmaking workshops - so please get in touch (email: natashasmartdesign@yahoo.co.uk) , or have a look at the website (www.seos-org.uk) as there are lots of other artists involved. Look forward to seeing you!

Cushion Madness!

Spring is meant to bring out the madness in us all, and I'm no exception. Though instead of gamboling like a lamb in the very welcome sunshine, with me it's been making cushions. I'd never made cushions before but got tempted by a combination of spotting lovely fabrics at the Stitch and Craft 2011 show at Olympia II on 18 March and needing to make our kitchen benches look a bit more cosy. And I hadn't realised how easy it is to make cushions (the fold-through, non-zip type). I've made 4 with the fabrics I bought at the show and have plans for more. I also made a fifth (this time for my studio) with some fabric scraps (many of which I'd dyed and screen-printed for my college course in 2006!). I patchworked these together with some orange and yellow fabric I'd dyed which I was just waiting for the right opportunity to use. Really pleased with the result so I think this could be the start of an addiction! My next plan is for a patchwork cushion made from hand-made felt. And this all goes to show that you should never throw anything away from your stash as you never know when it'll come in useful!