Today, a mere five and a half months after my hip operation, Daf and I set off from the island (Anglesey) and took ourselves deep into Snowdonia for a little adventure.

We parked by Ogwen Cottage and began walking up hill towards Llyn Idwal: the first stop, however was at the bridge over a beautiful waterfall a very short distance from the car park. I just love taking time to gaze at the water rushing between the rocks and under the wooden bridge. From there we carried on up the well maintained stone path until we got to the lake (llyn), where, once again, we paused to gaze at the brown tinted water.

The route then takes you either clockwise or anticlockwise round the lake: we chose to go anticlockwise. The path began to climb again, at first gently, then fairly steeply, but my hip behaved really well and we made it round the upper path until we had a clear view of the lake and the surrounding hills. By this time the sun had burned through the clouds and the lake was reflecting blue.

The descent back to the lake was slightly quicker, and we sat by the water watching a shoal of tiny fish darting about in the sun warmed water close to the shore: we’d seen a heron a couple of times earlier, but these little fish avoided being lunch for another day.

The rest of the descent was straightforward and after another stop to watch the tumbling cascade of the waterfall, we set off for home. What a sense of achievement!

I’m sure there’s a quilt in there somewhere!

My Beginners’ Course in Patchwork and Quilting is full and all ready to start on Thursday 3rd September. The handouts are all printed and I’m really looking forward to meeting my new group and getting down to some serious fun!

Dorothy

12th August 2015

It has been an exciting year so far, but, due to my having a brand new hip, I missed out on a teaching visit to Newfoundland, Canada, which I’d been very much looking forward to. However, all was not lost – I sent Jill the class hand-out for the ‘Notan’ workshop, she took it to the group and they have been working from my notes. The image is of a cushion made by Phyllis – she intends to make another one using a different Notan design. I’ll put other images on the blog as they arrive.

Dorothy

2nd July 2015

Yesterday was a very quiet day at Talgai Hall – sometimes, when I hold a workshop, the concentration is so profound that you could hear a pin drop: Silk Painting produced just that effect and you can see from the images just how much attention was given to the work.

 

It looks like a very serious task, but the funny thing is that it’s actually quite relaxing…

…no that’s not quite right – it takes you away from the cares of the world and deposits you in a quiet place where you can concentrate on just one thing… Goodness, now I’m sounding a bit Zen!

 

Painting on silk gives a beautiful, ethereal result – it is as sensitive as watercolour painting and ideal for delicate subjects like the flower images we worked on.

You can see some of the beautiful results.

 

For my demonstration piece I chose, as a starting point, a photograph I asked my son to take about ten years ago of some black poppies I had grown in pots on our terrace. On one there was a hoverfly with delicate lacy wings. It may have taken ten years to get round to using the image, but now I’ve started, I’ll definitely develop this theme.

 

Two more workshops to go at Llandygai:
‘Boutis’ on Sunday 17th May
and
‘New York Beauty’ on Sunday 24th and 31st May

I also have two at Oriel Ynys Mon in the gallery surrounded by my exhibition:
‘Folded Paper Applique‘ on Tuesday 12th May
and
‘Notan‘ on Monday 1st June

Dorothy

26th April 2015

I had an absolute ball yesterday.

Lots of people came to my exhibition opening, friends, neighbours and many I didn’t know. Between 12:00 and 14:00 I talked to as many as possible and it was wonderful sharing my work and getting positive feedback.

I haven’t read what visitors wrote in the comments book yet but I gather they were all complimentary!

Lots of people are going to come back and I will be popping in from time to time: it’s amazing to see your own work hanging in a beautiful gallery; it gives you a new perspective.

A big thank you to Nicola and all members of staff at Oriel Ynys Mon for giving me the opportunity to show my work in this special gallery and for their lovely comments.

Dorothy

After three days of decision making and hard graft, all the work is on the walls and my exhibition is ready for its official opening!

See you at Oriel Ynys Mon Saturday 25th April between 12:00 and 14:00. The gallery is open every day from 10:30 – 17:00.

Dorothy

The official opening of my exhibition, ‘Textiles in Transition’, is on Saturday 25th April between 12:00 and 14:00. It will be in the Main Gallery at Oriel Ynys Mon (The Anglesey Gallery) in Llangefni.

Workshops

During my exhibition I will be teaching two workshops in the gallery, surrounded by my work.

• ‘Folded Paper Applique’ on Tuesday 12th May 10:00 – 16:00
• ‘Notan’ on Monday 1st June 10:00 – 16:00. (images)
• Each workshop costs £30.00 for a place.
• Contact the gallery for further information and to book.

 



Folded paper applique



Notan

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Oriel Ynys Mon is a lovely gallery with good facilities- in addition to the Main Gallery it also has a gallery dedicated to the paintings and drawings of Sir Kyffin Williams, a history gallery which is very child friendly, a shop and a cafe.

Address:
Oriel Ynys Môn,
Rhosmeirch,
Llangefni,
Ynys Môn
LL77 7TQ

For further information call: 01248 724444

Opening Hours: Daily 10.30 a.m – 5.00 p.m
Admission free

Dorothy

Yesterday I taught Machine Quilting at Talgai Hall and it was lovely to get back to work after my hip operation. Everyone worked hard and the room was very quiet: you can see the concentration in every face.

Machine quilting is always a tricky workshop as it’s all about the technique, followed by hours of practising and polishing; and not about the piece of fabric you take home with you, but it’s very rewarding to see everyone taking big steps towards learning about their machines and how to control ‘stitch in the ditch’ and following a straight line, avoiding slippage of the quilt layers, while also learning and practising more decorative free-motion filling stitches.

If you can draw something without taking your pencil off the paper, you can machine quilt it – so there’s a lot of freedom to plan and execute your own ideas once you master the basic technique. It’s fun too.

Talgai Hall was the village primary school and is next door to a very pretty church and well tended churchyard…

…so with the doors open during the workshop, we had the constant sound of birdsong in the background. The village was built to serve Castell Penrhyn, a magnificent National Trust property whose grounds border the hall’s carpark.

It’s a wonderful place to hold workshops.

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I still have three workshops left to teach in this series:

• Silk Painting on Sunday 3rd May
• Boutis on Sunday 17th May
• New York Beauty on Sunday 24th and 31st May

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Dorothy
20 April 2015

A lot has happened since my last blog.

The 2013-14 Beginners’ and Intermediate/Advanced Courses have finished and I have taught my annual ‘One and Two Day Workshops’.

On top of this I have given talks and workshops to a number of quilt groups around the UK, which has been great fun – I have met some really lovely people, and been made most welcome.

Quilters everywhere are special people and in 2015 I’m likely to prove this internationally, as I have invitations to teach in Doha, Qatar and Newfoundland in Canada. I can’t wait.

Also, 2015 is an exciting prospect because I have a one-woman exhibition, from 25th April to 7th June, in Oriel Ynys Mon, the wonderful gallery in the heart of the Isle of Anglesey, which holds a major collection of work by Sir Kyffin Williams RA.

Meanwhile, a group of quilt artists, of which I am a member, Cwilt Cymru, have a travelling exhibition, ‘Connection’: it will next appear at Minerva, in Llanidloes, featured in their annual ‘Summer Exhibition’. We have a ‘Meet the Artists’ day on Sunday 20th July from 11:00-15:00 where a few of us (including me) will be demonstrating. I’d love to meet you if you’re in the area.

Back at home at Coed y Berclas, our self-catering Cottage and Apartment are keeping me on my toes, but I managed to enjoyed a relaxed ‘Mad Quilters’ Tea Party’ with some of my very special quilters: it’s lovely to chat over a cup of tea and homemade ‘munchies’ then see how some of the work they have started with me has developed.

I really enjoy these occasions.

Now I need to get out and begin recruiting new ‘beginners’, so, if you think you might be interested, give me a call or send an email – I’m really very friendly!

Dorothy 28th June 2014

Intermediate classes 2014 alt=

Thursday 12th was the last class before Christmas for my Intermediate/Advanced class, so, in time honoured fashion, everyone who could make it brought a contribution to the midday meal. It’s a pleasant way to end the term and we took the opportunity to toast ‘the New Year, sewing and ourselves!’ (in apple/raspberry juice and carbonated water since we were all driving home).

Thank you to everyone for the lovely food you brought in …

I have an apology too – Sally, I can’t believe we allowed you to take your beautiful ‘coffee cake’ home without even tasting it! We were supposed to have it with our cuppa in the afternoon, but everyone was too busy to stop for a drink: we missed out!

This year is mostly about finishing off work which otherwise was beginning to pile up for everyone. It can be dispiriting to have too many pieces ‘on the go’ and be faced with yet another project before anything is completed, so this year is dedicated to reducing the pile of UFOs (unfinished objects).

Next September I won’t be so lenient – we will be working on ‘Textures’, using lots of different techniques, some traditional and some contemporary/experimental. I hope everyone will find something to suit them and which they will want to take further.

In two of the photos you can see bed quilts made by Karen and Sally: they are both working from the same basic layout, but, as you can see, their pieces are totally different.

Karen has made a fresh Spring-like quilt top by choosing gentle, light colours and has used fairly traditional piecing methods.

The focal areas on Sally’s quilt are foundation pieced and she has really pushed the technique to dramatic affect. It is always a delight to me to see where people take an idea, putting their own personal stamp on what they create. It’s also great for the group to see each other’s work and share ideas.

Despite the fact that this was the end of term, everyone was determined to get on with their work but the question is – will anyone manage to get any further on despite the demands of the Christmas break?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone – keep sewing!.

Dorothy
15 December 2013

Today is my birthday ( I’m not counting!)

As Christmas approaches, we finish the term with a Pot Luck Lunch, at the last class.

To make the day really exciting, my Beginners are at the stage of putting their quilt tops together and they are looking gorgeous (quilt tops and quilters!). I always love this session and the current group are just brilliant. Being a teacher is a real privilege, I love watching people developing skills and understanding, then pushing the boundaries: that’s the best bit, when students stretch their wings and fly off in their own artistic directions.

Just look at the beautiful array of colours and shapes in the Beginners’ quilts this year. I know some of them have surprised themselves with what they have achieved and there are still plenty of stages left, layering, quilting, binding – each brings a new skill and more joy.

I love all the quilts, but Paula’s boats, drawn for her by her daughter Imogen, and Anita’s cockerel have drawn a lot of interest in the group – and you can see why. Christmas is great fun (usually!) but I’m looking forward to the new term and getting on with these lovely quilts!

For anyone who suffers from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) I prescribe joining a Patchwork and Quilting Course (or group) – it will get you out of the house, into good company and doing something exciting and creative! What better way of dealing with the winter blues? If you’re looking at the beautiful colours in your quilt, you aren’t aware of chilly grey days. I think a lot of qulters sew through late Autumn, Winter and early Spring, then become gardeners during the warmer months. Balance and symmetry!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone – keep sewing!.

Dorothy

7th December 2013

There will be a formal opening ceremony, with wine, at McLeans Art Gallery in Greenock,15 Kelly St, Greenock PA16 8JX. 01475 715624, and we are excited that the ‘celebrity’ officiating will be Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke, the most successful Scottish female politician ever, former Secretary of State for Scotland and former British High Commissioner to Australia.

She just happens to be a neighbour of Jan’s (one of the Scottish group members). I think this is wonderful and I wish I could be there!

 

If you’re anywhere near Greenock, go to the gallery and enjoy the work – comments from the Anglesey gallery were brilliant – our egos were well massaged!

Dorothy

12 November 2013

Last Thursday my Beginners’ group had got to Foundation Piecing – it’s a great technique which allows you to get precise, fine points without too much hassle. I really enjoy this technique and find it very useful.

During the session I had twice mentioned Dodie, who had done both the Beginners’ and Intermediate Courses with me, when she walked into the hall. She had brought with her a beautiful textile hanging which she has been working on, based on the Alhambra Palace, Granada.

Her work took the group by storm – they were very impressed, and rightly so, it is a stunning piece of work.

Thank you, Dodie.

Yesterday, I went to Llandegai Patchers meeting – I’m a member but am often unable to get to meetings. This time there was no way I could miss it: it was the AGM (and 21st birthday of the group) and the title of the talk was ‘Dorothy’s Girls’ with three of my past students, Elaine, Debbie and Dawn, showing and talking about their work.

It can be a bit nerve-racking standing up in front of a large group and speaking, but they all did really well: the work was lovely and very much appreciated. Ann, sitting next to me in the audience, said: “You must be really proud of them” – of course I am!

Now I need to rush off to my workroom to get on with the two wall hangings I’m working on for the next Cwilt Cymru travelling exhibition ‘Connection’ – they need to be finished by 1st December.

I can do it!

Dorothy

382

‘Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher’. I gazed over Derwent water to Catbells and contemplated the lines of Wordsworth. An October weekend in Cumbria found me at Braithwaite village hall at the foot of Skiddaw, delivering a version of my ‘Butterfly Has two Wings’ talk for Region 15W of the Quilters’ Guild.

The sun shone, picking out features in the landscape and making the beauty of the Lake District even more captivating.
To be back in the Lakes after so many years

My talk, ‘The Butterfly has Two Wings’ is about me and my work, and is an ever changing thing – it has never been the same twice! I suspect I will have to adapt it to ‘…Three Wings’ soon, as my work evolves and wanders down new paths.

I always enjoy visiting groups and meeting new people and we had a lovely welcome in Cumbria, meeting some very interesting quilters.

After the talk we spent a little time in Keswick, a busy place even though it was well into October. We wandered along the shores of Derwent Water – the beautiful lake which has Keswick nestling at its head and while we were there one of the RAF’s yellow Sea King rescue helicopters landed on a nearby grassy knoll, scattering sheep and drawing the attention of a little hoard of visitors. The crew had been involved in a mountain rescue and popped into The Theatre by the Lake for a cuppa before flying all the way back to their base at Leconfield, near Hull. Although we often see the helicopters from Valley flying past our kitchen window, this is the closest we have been to a wonderful Sea King. We’ll miss them when they go out of service.

Back to quilting, a very special ‘thank you’ goes to Pat for looking after us so splendidly – we stayed in her lovely home in Threlkeld which she and her husband built in the footsteps of the arts and crafts movement. The care and attention to detail is wonderful to see. Pat, with members of the committee, entertained us to a lovely supper – we thought we’d be tired after a long day but in such good company we enjoyed a very convivial evening.

On Sunday we headed for Penrith, to a wonderful shop in Penrith’s ‘Poets walk’ which is well worth ‘discovering’ if you’re in the area – ‘Just Sew’ – website: www.justsewpenrith.co.uk.
Pat, who owns and runs Just Sew, was very welcoming and we soon settled into her very organised workshop and got down to ‘Machine Quilting’. The group worked hard and did very well – I suspect they all slept well that night. I hope they are all much more comfortable with the idea of machine quilting now – it seems to intimidate a lot of quilters, but there are ways of making it easier.

We spent only a very short time in the Lakes but a very pleasant one. We’ll be back soon.

Thank you to everyone for making us feel so very welcome.

Dorothy