Wednesday 8 September 2010

It's Show Time

I’m just back from another weekend in Manchester at the Stitch and Creative Craft Show. As always, we have had a great weekend and met some lovely people.

The name of the show might suggest that embroidery and textiles are well represented. Sadly that is not the case. It may have been in the past, but in the few years that I have been going the paper craft stands far outnumber the textile stands. There is nothing wrong with that and I am pleased that those who enjoy paper crafts are well catered for, I just wish that there was also an exciting selection of fabrics and threads on offer. The embroidery lovers who visit our stand frequently remark that none of the stalls are selling thread; they feel that the show has little to offer them.

Every time I demonstrate at a show, I take Bridge Between East and West. The piece has become affectionately known as my show piece, because it only comes out at shows.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

I like to use it for demonstrating purposes. I am familiar with most of the techniques used on it, so I can describe what I am doing while I stitch.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

Between shows, I usually put it away in favour of something I want to finish and it gets forgotten until the next outing.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

Slowly but surely, it is progressing. This weekend I all but finished the last of the flowers. All that remains of these are a couple of stems that I have missed.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

I don’t think I have done my best stitching on this piece but it is a very pretty design and I like how it is coming along.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

Happy Stitching