Inspiration

My visit this week to the NEC – Birmingham for the ‘Sewing for pleasure’, ‘Hobby crafts’ and ‘Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch’ exhibitions was truly inspiring.  This visit is an annual treat and I always look forward to it every year.  Of particular interest to me this year was the exhibition called “The Art of Lace” – I very much enjoyed looking at this stand and was mesmerised by the beautiful vintage lace on display.

There is so much to do and see that it is never possible to do it all in one day, but I was whizzing around on my mobility scooter trying to pack in as much as I could!  Watching the fashion show is always fun to do.   Just the colours and designs on the Cat Walk are an inspiration and led me to purchase some turquoise fabric (no idea why!) but it is such a gorgeous colour!  ‘The Queen of Chocolate’ was a highlight of the fashion show – and it just shows you what you can do with chocolate wrappers!

Best of all for me, was meeting and talking to textile artist Helen Cowans.   The work she had on display was just heavenly.  I was completed captured by her use of textures, colours, photos, and vintage LACE (my all time favourite!)  So beautiful!  I really enjoyed talking to Helen about her work and I found it so inspiring!

Of course, much of the day was taken up with shopping!  When you have the most delicious array of fabrics, lace, buttons, and numerous other items on sale – how can I resist!?  Most years I have been fairly restrained in my purchases, but this year I had been saving up the pennies to have a mega blow out on fabric!



In the photos you can see some of the fabric I purchased, and all these will be making an appearance in future projects.  My head it buzzing with ideas!  There are twelve different fabrics on just one pile!  Twelve!  Not all purchased together I hasten to add, but periodically throughout the day.  In fact, I didn’t know how much I had bought until I unpacked all my purchases the following day!  I forgot to photograph the silk I purchased – yes, I had to buy silk because I love it so!  Another photo shows the lace and trims – very unusual – that I purchased along with turquoise (of course!) beads and rick rack, threads etc.



Purple silk purse



Ruby Tote



Finally, just a couple of photos of the latest items I have listed in my shop.  The Ruby Tote has received a lot of interest so I am hoping it won’t stay in the shop for very long!

Thought for the day:  What inspires you?

BFN

Edwina