Wednesday 2 March 2011

Yorkshire Relish and a Blog Tour

Good morning to the 'blog tourists' from Quilting Arts. For those not on 'the tour' I'll explain later.

This little hand sized silk purse is one of many I have been making for about 13 years.
 I was invited, all that long time ago, to exhibit in the showcases of The Pendle Art Gallery when the main event was an Exhibition by the renowned photographer Fay Godwin. I had to devise some small embroidered items that would fit in some glass showcases so that's where these purses, and other things, were born. Since then I've had them in Galleries and shops in Lancashire and Yorkshire and even Cumbria, but have stopped making them to sell now and started teaching people how to make them.

UPDATE: There is now a tutorial available in my etsy shop.
So last week I had great fun making more of them as samples for a workshop I had been invited to teach a long long way from home, over the border in Yorkshire.
They are made from silk dupion with the grain going 'the wrong way' so that they fall nicely.
There are several different styles and there's scope for beading fun, as well as cord and tassel making.
Here are some I made earlier which have appeared here before.
So last Saturday with my car boot stuffed, I made an uncharacteristically early start and set off towards the East. It was cloudy at first so I couldn't watch the sunrise (but I'd probably missed it anyway..it wasn't that early) and two hours later ended up in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and approached the village of Snape.

This is the beautiful lane down to the Village, lined with tall trees growing from banks of snowdrops and aconite, with daffodils starting to appear.
Past the castle
and the raised beds
and strange things
Do you know what this is?
Its a rhubarb forcer. Yorkshire is famous for rhubarb and under this cloche there will soon be delicate palest pink stems with yellow leaves.
The welcome I received at The Snape Textile Group was as good as last time. They are very organised and extremely talented. I was more interested in some of their own work than what I was supposed to be teaching. 
I remembered from my last visit that they provide lunch.

What a lunch. Last time it was vegetable korma with rice, nan bread and chutneys. This time it was vegetable pasta bake, salad, garlic bread, followed by apple and ginger trifle. But it didn't stop there! At four o'clock out came the home made blueberry muffins and tea. 
Then we had a look at the work the group had done. 
They had all made good progress and they promised they would finish them at home!
One of the members even had an outing planned for hers.

If any of the Snape textile group are reading, thank you so much for a really superb day.

Now back to the blog tour.
You remember in the last post I told you I had been featured in the Quilting Arts e mag? 
This is a sort of publicity tour I am delighted to take part in. Each day one of the people featured in the magazine writes a post and links to the next person who is taking part. So if you want to join in the tour, or if you are already on it, your next port of call , Tomorrow, 3rd March, will be the blog of Deb Bates.
If you want to go back to the start of the tour, then visit the tour guide and editor of QA, Pokey Bolton. A most delightful and encouraging person!
Here's the full list

Sunday (Feb 27): Pokey launches the tour!: http://www.quiltingdaily.com
Monday (Feb 28): Jane Davila: http://janedavila.blogspot.com
Tuesday: Lynn Krawczyk( March 1): http://www.fibraartysta.blogspot.com
Wednesday: Jackie Cardy(March 2): http://dogdaisychains.blogspot.com
Thursday: Deb Bates (March 3): http://stitchtress.wordpress.com
Friday: Deborah Boschert (March 4): http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com
Saturday: Michelle Allen (March 5): http://allendesigns.typepad.com
Monday: Lyric Kinard (March 7): http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com  
Tuesday (March 8): A surprise guest on Lindsey’s blog will be the final stop of this tour http://www.quiltingdaily.com



If you pop in on the blog tour please leave a calling card so I know you were here.



EDIT:I have had so many requests for a tutorial for these little purses that I have decided to make one and have it available in my ETSY shop. Please give me about two weeks as I am having a little break and will do it as soon as I get back. I'll blog about it when its ready.
Thank you so much for the compliment.

66 comments:

Twiglet said...

The little purses are delightful - sounds like my sort of day out - crafting, fab scenery and delicious food!! Yorkshire is just a great place isn't it!!!
Now I am going to try the blog tour.

Heather said...

What a gorgeous post - those little bags are exquisite. I can see that by altering the template even slightly, a variation of shape will occur. Your students produced some beautiful pieces as well as the fantastic lunch! We had a holiday in York some years ago and loved the area. Love the approach to the village.

Jackie Kirner said...

Hello from across the pond!

What brilliant little bags!

Looking forward to reading your eMag article, too.

Anji* said...

The little purses are delightful! Like flower fairies' purses!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I love everything about this post. You purses are gorgeous! and THANK YOU for the pics from the area near where you live.

I saw your cuff in the e-mag ad. I thought, o wow! Jackie!! Glad to see you there.

Su said...

I love your little purses, such lovely detail and colours.

Karen said...

the bags are beautiful....good to see you x

Joanie Hoffman said...

Your purses are so beautiful, the colors amaze me. Thanks for a beautiful post, it truly brightened my day!

Gina said...

The little purses are so pretty Jackie - especially like the first one (the pink and green. And what a lunch too - they sound like the sort of group I like to teach!

Fiona said...

Sounds like a great day. Love the purses as well. So pretty. I agree that they are like flower fairy purses.

Linda Sue Johnson said...

Great to see you posting again, and what a delightful day!!! You Go Girl! Linda Sue @ bj.lj@live.com

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Oh Jackie they are gorgeous and I do so wish I lived closer by and could come learn how to make one!
They look like precious flowers from a fairyland!
Tina xo

Gill said...

I love your purses! Wish I lived nearer!
I'm off to investigate the blog tour now!!

silverpebble said...

Oh they're stunning - like something slightly magical but organic at the same time. Hmm, does that sound really silly? Great to see you here and huge thanks for the kind comment the other day - I've been in a bit of a trench here! I just walked outside - the sun was shining! Who knew?

Ronda said...

What an adventure! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and work.

Marigold Jam said...

What beautiful bags - wish I had been able to come and make one with you! Lovely part of the world you went to as well and to drive along lanes whose banks are studded with snowdrops, aconites and daffoidls to work at teaching people to make your lovely bags sounds like a dream to me. Thanks for sharing.

JAne

Createology said...

Your little silk bags are exquisite. The details and your stitching are stunning. I love your dainty little purses. Thank you for sharing.

Deb said...

Stopping on the blog tour = ) Your little purses are wonderful -- Wish I could take one of your classes!

JennaLouiseCreates said...

You bags are breathtaking! Thank you for sharing such a delightful post!

Julaine said...

How delightful! I think I'm in love...

Sandy said...

Wonderful purses.

meri said...

What beautiful little bags!!!
And a class online??? Can't be done? They are a beauty!

Lyn said...

They are beasutiful Jackie, very exotic looking, like tropical rainforest flowers!
Well done for passing on your talent and I will pop over to some of your links now!
love
Lyn
xxx

Els said...

Ahh, Jackie, you had a lovely day and so had your students !!!!
Love the little silk purses

Jeannie said...

I am here from the blog tour, but I have visited previously. Your purses are so beautiful, as is your other work. Thanks for sharing your trip to Yorkshire. My Great Gram lived in Warwickshire and was in service at the castle there. I love seeing photos of spring. Thanks!

Dotti said...

What fun little purses!

jeanette, mistress of longears said...

I adore your little handbags! Especially the botanical references I see in them...if I'm ever over in teh British Isles again, I would simply adore taking a class with you!

Jane said...

I would love to make one of these bags! I hope you are feeling well again. I've been missing your beautiful color.
Jane

Joy said...

Those are an absolute work of art. Fantastic. Incredible. They are simply beautiful. How talented you are. I am just blown away by the clever design. And, I would love to visit your area---so lovely.

Anonymous said...

Love the purses. And thanks for the pics from the other side of the world- Yorkshire is one of my most favorite places in the world.

Thimble Fingers said...

The purses are wonderful, they remind me of bluebell flowers. Absolutely gorgeous.

Unknown said...

Love your little purses. They sure would be a hit here in Colorado in the US. The food look delicious. Gjeneve Hopkinson gjeneve@bresnan.net
gjeneve@gmail.com

Ann said...

You are such an inspiration Jackie, I love your beautiful work. thank you for sharing.

janice said...

Really enjoyed your post and am thankful for the blog tour or I most likely would not have found you.

Iz said...

Beautiful silk purses! And I saw your clever cuffs featured on the QA newsletter thingy. You've been busy!

Brenda Broomstick said...

The vivid colours of your bags are so brilliant! The are beautiful to behold!!!

Anonymous said...

I purchased the QA emag yesterday and loved reading it! Your lovely bags excited me ... so had to come to your site to read on the hop today.

Such incredibly beautiful work you do!

:) Linda

PS I do enjoy reading about the drive in Yorkshire - being in the States, it gives me a virtual vacation! :)

Bec Clarke said...

Wow how cute are those purses. congrats on being published.

Julie said...

Apple and ginger trifle! Yummmmmmm! Your purses are really beautiful. x

A time to dance said...

i think you should sell those bags... you kno how much i loved them when i saw them in the flesh...

Emma said...

These are delicious! The w/s looked great fun.

Got the new emag info & thought I'd definitely get it when I saw you in there! Plan to take the blog soon, thanks.

Ruthie Redden said...

Oh my i adore these wee bags, they have a very medieval feel to them, well doen all. Its lovely to pop over and catch up on all the loveliness you have been creating, congratulations on the feature!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

How I would love to take a class on how to make these from you Jackie!! They look like such exquisite flowers (especially the first one). I will be back to check out the links....

Jude said...

I'd love to come to one of your workshops...maybe one day!!!
Take care
x

Bea said...

Jackie, they are just beautiful! The workshop sounds wonderful too. Thanks for the photos you've brightened up my day.

KittyKwilter said...

The silk purses are gorgeous! I love to make little purses and needlework notions. I look forward to the tutorial!

Anne B said...

Smashing purses - hadn't seen those before. I get QA newsletter and they've done you proud - your cuffs feature very prominently. Well done.

menopausalmusing said...

Echoing the sentiments of everyone else........ your purses are beautiful (especially the first one, the colours are so bright and zingy!).

Rachel said...

The purses are enchanting, and it looks as though your students were doing really well!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post, full of beautiful things. What a great way to spend a day.

Cathy said...

Gorgeous little bags. They look like something a fairy or a elf would use to carry around all their important and secret little items. I am still salivating after seeing the lunch table. These diets are hell!

sweetypie said...

BRILLIANT, love those bags ,,,,will join the tour!!!

KMY said...

Excellent -- I really want to make those fabulous silk purses!

Susan said...

Those purses are beautiful.

Suzanne said...

I love those little purses, although I think the first photo looks like an evil Venus flytrap-type flower. I do hope your students finish their projects. Sometimes you leave a class and you get back to your real life and just can't find the time. It's all about discipline -- but I bet your students' enthusiasm will keep them going.

Wabbit said...

Jackie, the little purses are delightful and it looks like I have everything I need to make one except for your instructions. So I'll be eagerly awaiting their arrival on Etsy! (I just hope the paycheck gets here first!) I was thrilled to see you were in this new issue of In Stitches and I can't wait to get that too. (Come on, paycheck, and get here!)

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to the little purses tutorial on EtsyI shall start sorting my silk stash.
Have a great break.See you when you get back.I'm off to do the tour

Sandy Chavez said...

Your little silk purses are gorgeous; I am looking forward to seeing the tutorial. Your garden is lovely.

HollyM said...

I was about to write myself to ask for the pattern. It would make a lovely gift. I'll be purchasing the pattern once you make it available.

Jill said...

No wonder you have had so much interest in your little purses - they are beautiful. what a gorgeous setting for your workshop, and it sounds as if the catering made a good impression too.

Jan from Wyoming said...

The tour is basically over, and I am just starting. I love the beautiful purses and the other artwork you have on this site. I'll have to do some browsing, on your website after I check out the other blogs on the tour. I am always glad to find one more artist's blog. I am addicted to them!

Fiona said...

The bags are beautiful: looking forward to the tutorial when you feel ready!!

Radka said...

Thank you for sharing your day with us:) And yes, please, me too, for your purse tutorial! They are fantastic, I have to have one:))

KerryFelter said...

I saw your pieces as I get an email from Quilting Arts--so gorgeous! And those beautiful bags are so wonderful...you just have to touch them and turn them around in your hands. Truly art! xx

Mermaid's Purse said...

The purses are so delightful - glad you are having fun teaching!

Shoshi said...

These little bags are nothing short of exquisite... I've just discovered your blog via Ju-North who I follow. I can see I'm going to love your work! Must explore some mooooore!!!!



Mo
st of my pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Dear Anonymous.....

....don't waste your time...I have a spam filter.