All Booked Up

report by Kit Calladine - Applied Arts Coordinator
Hallowe'en weekend at Dilham saw most of the beautiful autumn leaves whisked off the trees and unceremoniously dumped in soggy heaps in the lane.

But in the studio, leaves of the book variety were being ingeniously folded, arranged, stitched and glued into gorgeous little books with lovely covers in all kinds of textiles and papers.

Penny Graham-Jones and I demonstrated several ways of constructing books that could be used as diaries, sketch books, note books, recipe books, folders, letter books, etc. We were both amazed and delighted how each student took these methods and freely adapted them to suit their own particular projects.

The variation of papers, fabric, stitches, beads, cords and ribbons chosen showed just how versatile and exciting this application of arts and crafts can be.
Feedback from the students confirmed that they too were thrilled to bits with their efforts; some have already signed up for next year! Penny and I can't wait to get started both on our own new projects and to plan those for next September when we shall be doing 'Further Bookings'. Check out the 2010 course list on this blog. Also take a peek at Penny's blog for more insight into 'All Booked Up'.

Fragile Carpets - Creative Embroidery

report by Kit Calladine - Textile and Print Coordinator
Now you see it, now you don't! Using soluble and distortable fabric as a base for stitched textiles is just MAGIC! - and Jean Littlejohn is one of the chief magicians!
She arrived at BAC this week with a whole new raft of ideas using gorgeous threads and yarns, paints and textiles. Under expert guidance, peppered with anecdotes, the group have made designs with huge stitches which have then been merged and softened on the embellishing machine.
Once the soluble fabric has been washed away these become flexible and will take futher stitching. Beautiful pieces.
And on day two...
Flimsy fabric stitched with fine, ephemeral patterns and then heated to make them even more ethereal. Now for the hand stitching, and possible beading...

Jean's visit coincides with the publication of two new books, jointly written with Jan Beaney - see their website Double Trouble.

Fabulous Hats continued...

Kit- Textile and Print Coordinator
I don't think the studio at Broadland Arts has ever seen anything quite like the amazing hats that have developed here during the day. The shouts of glee and admiration from the course participants drew me from making lunch in the kitchen to view the emerging creations. Such a diversity of colour and shape - truly wonderful and joyful. Hats off to Ewa!! She has been a powerhouse, driving the work forward with gentle guidance and flair.

We look forward to May 2010 when Ewa will be back at BAC for a one day workshop - 'Precious Purses and Pockets with Poetic Licence' - 21st May, and 'Light , Space and Structures' - May 22nd/23rd.

Please contact us for further details.

Fabulous Hats

Kit - Applied Art coordinator
I hear that schools are employing laughter coaches. Well, if I could have bottled and sold the laughter and giggles eminating from the studio this morning I could have made my fortune!

Ewa Kuniczak, felt artist, has driven down from Alloa in Scotland for a special ,by students request, two day workshop making 'Fabulous Hats'. Mrs Shilling eat your heart out!

Ewa, and her husband Sandy, arrived last night in their van packed with wonderful examples of head decoration, bundles of gloriously coloured fleece and all the manufacturing equipment needed.

As I write it's all gone a bit quieter as the students concentrate on drawing up designs and measuring their heads prior to working on patterns. After lunch the soaping and felting begins in earnest.

By the end of the first day the studio is left with each table holding a huge, amorphous, wet wool shape safely tucked under plastic. Will they really be hats by the end of tomorrows session? Watch this space!

Experiments in Collagraphy

Colour, texture and composition are still the guiding principles this weekend but with a change of technique for the new group of students at BAC. We're printmaking with Laurie Rudling.

Several students are LOLs (Lauries Old Lags!) but many are new to this intriguing type of printing. We usually have a good mix of students and on this course the students range from complete beginners to professional printmakers. (see the 'BAC Link to Artists' on the side bar) A variety of textural papers and fabrics - such as scrim - are used to make printing blocks and careful inking with a limited palette gives a beautiful subtle range of colours.

Next year, 2010, Laurie will be back at BAC on March 28/29 for 'Explorations with Monoprinting' and for August Bank Holiday he will teach a three day course for 'Further Experiments in Collography' which will allow us to make larger prints and investigate more complex ideas and techniques. This course will also be suitable for beginners. We would encourage you book early to avoid disapointment.

Precious Cloths - the second day

Lovely fragile pieces have developed during the day. Jewel colours, subtle colours, wonderful contrasts between matt and shiny textiles and each students individuality emerging. Jan has drawn out and taken forward design skills using new techniques with soluble fabric, sharing her vast knowledge and experience.

Jan Beaney returns next year in May with a new course using landscape as it's inspiration. We can't wait! See the side bar for the 2010 list of courses and contact Kit for booking details.

Meet Jan and Jean Littlejohn at the Knit and Stitch Show and let them know you've seen our blog!

Precious Cloths

Sunrise over Dilham was stunning this morning. Julie, staying here for Jan Beaney's course said, "As good as an African sunrise!"
The studio is now buzzing with excitement and activity. Jan's title this year is 'Precious Cloths' and she has brought the most beautiful samples to inspire the students.

They are looking at various aspects of their lives and, inspired by Jan, interpreting them in line, colour and texture using delicate fabric and threads.

Tim Fisher - Fast and Loose

Tim Fisher's approach to the use of watercolour, pen and wash gave us all the courage to be experimental. Balanced between studio based theory and 'on location' in the sunshine at Waxham, the students left the course fired with enthusiasm for his more spontaneous approach.

Looking ahead to 2010