' The computer says no……."

….well, at least my bank's computer said no this week, requiring a trip to central London, a 45 minute phone call with an adviser who wasn't even in the branch, and then a witnessed signature.  Who thought saving money could be so complex?  Any way, using my train ticket to full advantage, I went to Bexleyheath, in Kent, to visit a quilt exhibition at Danson House, and then a short walk to William Morris' home,  Red House.  I am so glad I went as both of these venues are well worth the effort.

First, " Things We Do in Bed" a quilt exhibition curated by the author, Tracey Chevalier.  This is a really beautiful house and the exhibition. although small had several pieces from some of my favourite quilt artists

Sara Impey

Karina Thompson, ( whose work I loved at the exhibition at Saltaire) 

Becky Knight, this photo doesn't do this piece justice at all, as the inclusions in each pocket are pebbles

Grayson Perry

the stitchers of Fine Cell Work

with a lovely tea shop, looking out on to the ornamental lake, this exhibition is well worth a visit.  Besides the quilts, the house has a wonderful oval staircase, gorgeous hand blocked wallpaper, and terrific carpets, replicas woven in Hungary and in the UK.

The exhibition is on until 31 October.

A short walk away, is William Morris architectural adventure, Red House.  I found it thrilling to walk around the lovely garden and know that Morris and his family had lived there.

An added bonus is a joint project between the National Trust and the Slade School of Fine Art.  Artists are visiting in short residencies, working in an intriguing, tar-papered, wooden temporary structure n the gardens, built by Kieren Reed.

A fantastic day.

 

Losing the thread

More phrenology, stitched on the sewing machine, from the back, with the thick wool thread in the bobbin. A very different effect from the hand stitching.

Once the threads were pulled to the back for tying off, I decided I liked this effect, so may keep it like this and call it " Losing the thread" or even " Loosing the thread". As there have been a few blogs discussing the correct use of "lose" and "loose" perhaps it needs a dual title.

Phrenalico

Another head, this time stitched on calico, with the heavy wool thread for the outline and features and then the words and dividing lines in a lovely variegated brown/ orange thread. I did some false trapunto under the head and left the rest of the front of the cushion as plain calico.

The wool on the back left a ridge at the seam allowance that looked unsightly, so I stitched around the inner edge of this to give a better finish. Another "design solution" to an unexpected problem.