weaving – Page 5 – sue orton

weaving again

Weaving has taken a back seat through the winter months. It took me a while to revive my creative energies after my Diploma and the fall out from that. I have also been busy with BIMM work mentoring in Bristol, Brighton and Manchester; I love it but it’s a very different energy from the quiet building and concentrated energy of weaving. I’m noticing a transition going on as I move from the design ideas, colours and yarns of 2015 into now explorations. Almost by accident I have just woven a piece which marks this and is giving me pointers for a new direction. My winter beach walks in wind and rain were often raw and seemingly colourless at first, they gave me the design idea. The cloth is an extended herringbone tweed pattern with a mix of left over colours from diploma projects; wool and bamboo; I’m pleased with it as it’s got me back excited about weaving again.

thank you Manchester

As ever I received a great northern welcome from everyone at Manchester BIMM. The winter cold and rain didn’t dampen spirits; I was glad of my duffle coat. This term has been a crazy one for tutors with a new building opening, emergency timetables, everyone getting used to new systems; folk are tired and stressed yet still delivering good sessions! I stayed at The Palace but had a cold room on the 4th floor and miles of corridors to navigate so not ideal. However I shall be returning in the new year. © sue orton

hedgehogs

Screen Shot 2015-11-21 at 11.41.48 As the cold weather sweeps into UK for the first time this year my mind turns to hedgehogs, european hedgehogs to be precise. They are in trouble, deep trouble and we can all do a little something to help them.

* Leave a wild corner or two in gardens, fields and parks which offers shelter, protection and natural foods.
* Buy or make a hedgehog home for hibernation or nesting in Spring.
* Check bonfires thoroughly and move sleeping hedgehogs to safety before lighting.

Further information and action 🙂
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

Hedgehog Street is a campaign aimed at ensuring the hedgehog, the UK’s only spiny mammal, remains a common and familiar part of British life. We know hedgehogs are in trouble. We’ve lost a third of all our hedgehogs in ten years.

autumn explorations 1

Autumn colours strike mixed notes for me; inspiring in their richness, tempting to scuff and dance through, yummy fruit, wool and boots revisited, yet reflective and pausing as clocks go back. Coppicing has begun. One of my favourite places is Tottington Wood in Small Dole. Woodlanders meet there every Sunday morning through the winter and celebrate the winter Solstice. My weaver has been gathering ideas this week too for an autumn tweed.

thanks BIMM London

I’m just home after a week of observations and mentoring in BIMM London.
I stayed at a hotel in Chelsea Football Club complex there were huge pictures of players past and present all around. The best thing was a bit of old wall which was the original Shed End which I stood on in 1970’s. Ah those were the days.. no corporate hospitality just hot Bovril and meat pie!