Off to beautiful Wales

Work in progress - Tina Francis - Martin Christie (image)

So the end of March came and went which heralded the end of the ICHF Stitching shows until later in the year. I really enjoyed myself and am looking forward to being part of their new show at Harrogate in May.

The exhibition "Where Wool Meets" at Clerkenwell went really well and we are now looking for new galleries to exhibit together.

This coming weekend I will be at Wonder Wool, Wales at the Welsh Show Ground. I am very excited about exhibiting there because it will be my first time exhibiting in Wales. I am taking the printed and counted kits alongside stationary and homewares. Also there will be a limited edition kit especially for the show which has a real Welsh flavour!

The kits use my "Welsh Weave" design which I am using for my current art piece "Same But Different", they have unique colourways because I promise never to combine these colours ever again! (Some of them are truly 1970's caravan!). The mandalas are coming along too and I have been working on some kits for release later in the year.Some of the kits will use 30cm diameter size mandalas!

Tina Francis Tapestry 2017

So a short update from me, I'll have more to tell when I return!

Happy Stitching!

Tina

Thanks to Manchester!

Tina Francis - mandalas

I had a fantastic time at ICHF Stitching and Sewing Show in Manchester last week.  I have never exhibited there before but will definitely be back.  I was made to feel very welcome by everyone especially Val Hughes who was my next door neighbour for the duration. We had a fair few laughs mainly about how we couldn't have a chat because of the amount of people on our stands!

This was my first solo show since being away ill last year and so I was a little nervous about how I would hold up! But I did and really enjoyed my time there.

Manchester seemed to especially like "Use Your Stash" and so I had many conversations with people about their stashes, inherited stashes and how one loft is just not big enough! Many people set off home with a pattern and the promise yo use what they already have and to send me an image once they have finished. I am looking forward to seeing what comes through.

The plastic canvas circles are becoming more and more popular and another way to "Use Your Stash" for not much outlay. I heard about 3d dragons being made from plastic canvas and also keepsake boxes. I am definitely going to be producing more patterns and examples on plastic canvas this year.

My next show is Craft 4 Crafters in Exeter, again another show that I have not done before.  I am on the stand with Brenda Kiligrew of IDC Redditch, we will be talking about our Textiles CPD course and City and Guilds 7168 as well as all the other workshops available at IDC. It will be great to see you there and talk all things stitch. 

I am busy preparing for an exhibition at the end of March called "Where Wool Meets..", I am really lucky to be exhibiting with two great friends Suraya Hossain and Judith Watson, there is a lot of work left to do but knowing I will be exhibiting with them is pushing my on.

Thanks for looking after me everyone!

Happy Stitching!

Up next!

Same but Different - Tina Francis 2017

So the new year is well and truly underway, during 2017 I will be revisiting my ongoing project "Same but Different" where I stitch the same design but in different colours (see what I did there!) Around 25 of these small needlepoints will be exhibited at Sewing, Stitching and Hobbycrafts show in Manchester and then on to Glasgow, Birmingham and Harrogate. I am really looking forward to exhibiting in Manchester and Glasgow as these were places that I had to decline last year due to ill health. In three years time the work will be exhibited again here in Birmingham and America, the collection will have grown by then to I hope over 100 pieces.

At the Manchester show I will also be exhibiting stitched Mandalas as part of my "Use Your Stash" campaign. With wool being the most expensive part of any kit it's important that we use what have before we buy more. I'm hoping that I will be able to hang them as a "curtain" at the end of may stand.

Mandalas - Tina Francis 2017

One of the great things about the start of the year shows is that you get to meet up with other artists that you may not have seen for a while, I am really pleased that my stand is next to my extremely lovely friend Val Hughes. We share a love of the Nordic design and cave painting is in our list of top ten things! We are going to have a great time there, it's a few years since we've been "allowed" to have stands so close together so please come round and visit us both and see just how much we have in common!

It seems likely that my solo exhibition 7 Stages of Grief will also be on display at Manchester we are just looking at whether there is enough space to hang it. If not then the exhibition will be in a Manchester Gallery in 2018.

Back to the stitching now and also proof reading my new canvas sampler pattern and instructions that will be launched at the show.

Happy Stitching!

A year of not doing that much!

Tina Francis 2016

So the nest laid plans and all that! Most of what I planned to do in 2016 was put on hold whilst I recovered from an operation (I am back on track now!)so most of those plans will be used for 2017!
In 2016 I did however have my first solo exhibition "7 Stages of Grief" which will continue in galleries next year, ran Jewellery Quarter Open Studios for the second year, became "Artist in Residence" at ScrapStore Birmingham and visited many pre-school settings creating art and fun. Ran a successful workshop at RBSA (more to come in 2017) and helped Spring Hill Stitchers exhibit at one of the largest textile shows in the UK, we have got funding from Ageing Better so watch this space for more exhibitions and maybe come and join us Saturdays 12-14 in Spring Hill Library. So all in all not a bad year!

Looking ahead to 2017 I am back exhibiting at the shows and will be at the following:-
The Stitching and Sewing Show - Manchester 2-4 February, Glasgow 2-5 March
Craft 4 Crafters - Exeter 16-18th February
Fashion and Embroidery - Birmingham 16-19 March

I will then be exhibiting (27/3 - 2/4) at The Gallery, Craft Central, Clerkenwell with two fantastic makers, Suraya Hossian and Judith Watson. Our show is called "Where wool Meets" and will see us creating a collaborative piece and also exhibiting our own work. Our practices are very different but it is wool and the act of using processes associated with it that joins us. Keep up to date with the show here.

I am running workshops in my studio from February, maximum 6 people with as many different teas as I can muster! The workshops will include embroidery using Oh Sew Bootiful kits, Weaving using kits from Juko Designs, Canvas sampler designed by me, Fun stitch workshops encouraging you to "Use Your Stash", lampshade making and a few more that will involve other makers in the Jewellery Quarter. Full list and dates will be on the website by Mid January. 
Talking of workshops I will also be at IDC Redditch running a selection of the above workshops plus mono printing and mixed media.

So that's the first three months or so of 2017! Thanks for sticking with me this year I have really appreciated all your kind words and the continuing orders which have inspired me to create more printed kits and new canvas work kits which will be launching in April 2017.

Have a great festive and I hope to see you in 2017 at the early year shows or later at Ally Pally and Harrogate.

Happy Stitching!

Taking Stock!

Well we seem to be flying through January already! I have been spending some time getting myself sorted for the coming year and generally been doing my favourite thing the world List Making. Second of course is ticking things off!

February sees three of my pieces exhibited alongside other RBSA tutors in their Love Art, Buy Art, Make Art exhibition. Its a great way to see work and then of course decide whether you want to learn something new with one of us, there are some fantastic tutors there.

In March I will be exhibiting with ICHF in Glasgow and Birmingham at their Sewing and Stitching Shows. In Glasgow I will be demonstrating how to stitch tartan in tiny little brooch format, do come by and check me out. On display will be stitched gallery work and of course Use Your Stash! At Birmingham I will be exhibiting "Mandala Madness!" which will see lots and lots of plastic circles stitched up with second hand wool giving ideas about how to use up yours. Alongside me will be the work from my stitch group "Spring Hill Stitchers" and you will be able to see how the group has progressed from never stitching before to creating their own designs and masterpieces. Stitching really is good for the mind and soul! I will also be running a workshop every day on the Vilene education stand using our old friend bondaweb to create some fantastic Troika Pottery inspired art!

In May I will be exhibiting all on my lonesome at Coffin Works I am really excited and work is well under way. You can find out about here and I will be adding more information about workshops and demonstrations as the months go on.

On many Thursdays I will be at Ink Berrow Design Centre in Redditch teaching classes and generally having a great time! Ink Berrow have a taster day on 30th January so do please come along and see what this gem of a place celebrating its 25th year has to offer!

I am running the Open Studios here in Jewellery Quarter in the summer but that really is too far ahead to think about at the moment! 

So with all of this going on it's time for a stock take, all orders placed up until 29th January will be sent out week beginning 1st February when we will be back to normal service and there will be some new items in the shop too!

Until next time happy stitching!

Tina

Stitching the night away!

Tina Francis - Hexagon - Photo courtesy Martin Christie

So March flew past in a haze of shows and stitching! I have been exhibiting for the last two weekends at Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch at the NEC and EXCEL.  Both shows were fantastic and as I was on an education stand I got to talk about stitch from morn til night!

At the NEC I was opposite Stephanie Redfern who had a really large space this year exhibiting work specifically made for the show.  Stephs work is really colourful and the composition is something that can only be learned after years working at your practice.  It was good to be opposite her because she exhibits reguarly at RBSA and I had admired her exhibition called Found last year, I had sent her an email but it was great to tell her face to face how much I enjoyed it.  Do take some time to read her delightful blog, so interesting and a great way to spend some time with a cuppa and a cake.

Next door to me at NEC was Sally Holman who specialises in quilting and is the author of many books, her landscapes are very popular and her step by step instructions make her a must see at any show. Birmingham Silk Painters did a roaring trade in silk scenes showing people how to paint onto silk, they had some fantastic work on display.  It's amazing how quiet people become when they are painting on to silk, it really is a joy to watch.

Every day I ran a mono printing workshop on the Vilene education stand, we made some great samples using the smallest amount of water based acrylic, by combining bondaweb and pelmet vilene we started to form the beginnings of some really textured designs.  My workshop was straight after Fran Holmes an artist whose work is beautiful and ethereal, her stand was black and white which really highlighted the work on show it's amazing how an all white exhibit can make you think of colour and movement but that is exactly what she achieved.

Onto Excel the following week it seemed a bit groundhog day-ish but there were many different exhibitors as well as the those from NEC. The Excel show is relatively new and so it's great to see so many people coming along wanting to learn about stitch and textiles.  The fantastic Brenda Kiligrew had made the journey south from Redditch and the fashion show was a great hit with everyone, it is fantastic to see designers of the future! My stand was next to the ever chipper Val Hughes a trailblazer of felt construction her teaching manner was something I could not get enough of and hope to put a little bit of the knowledge I gained into my workshops.  She has a book out very soon and it is fantastic, step by step instructions written in her approachable style, fantastic images and a great story running through it. 

As ever my dear friend and mentor Kim Thittichai was on hand at both shows to chivvy me along, it's great to be invited to run workshops under her guidance but even better just to have a good old laugh together!  Kim gave lectures each day (along with a workshop - no stopping her!) about KK Glue and Hot Spots, KK Glue is a very exciting product as it is a washable powder glue.  A little goes a long way and I love the muted blended edges it gives to a design.

So a good time was had by all, I'd like to thank my helpers who came and looked after the stand whilst I was running the workshops I really appreciated it!

So what next!!!??? Well from Friday 3rd until Monday 6th I am in an exhibition at Custard Factory which is being run by The Cobalt Blue, it's called Rational Grid and features geometric artists in a wide range of mediums.  It's going to be a great exhibition and on Friday evening will be part of the regular Digbeth First Friday happening, so why not come along and see the exhibition as well as what else happens in Digbeth every first Friday.  One of my favourite parts of First Friday is Digbeth Dining club which takes place every Friday and sometimes Saturday in Spotlight. A whole range of street food waiting for you to try, I am also looking forward to visiting Centrala for their "I Bring you Flowers" exhibit. After the weekend I will be working on some new designs, sending out orders and generally stitching until May, Craft and Design Month but more of that next time!

Happy Stitching!

Weaving on!

Pink Weave by Janet Elstob, Copyright Janet Elstob 2015

It's great when you receive a note from a satisfied customer and this week seems to have been my week!  My Weave design kits are counted kits and come in many different colourways, they can seem a challenge to get started but once you are into the swing they are really enjoyable to get on with.  Each kit comes with a separate chart for each colour and you follow them in order to get a fantastic weave result. It's amazing how so few colours can make such a pleasing result.  The above image came in from Janet who when we met at Knitting and Stitching Show described how she wanted a special cushion for a rattan chair in a light place.  Well here is the result using my Pink Weave Kit.  The stitching on this is just perfect and I love how the basket weave of the chair is echoed in the finished piece.
This kit uses Appletons Wools and can be provided as a bespoke item in your own favourite colourways (prices from £70 to £90), you receive a bespoke set of colourblock charts and before I make up the kit you get to see a mock up of the finished colourway, I can even send you some wool colours.  As you know I am always encouraging people to Use Your Stash and so this design is available as a colour chart only which enables you to use the wool you have got rather than me providing it in the kit.
Continuing with all this weave and Stash I spent a really great day with Solihull Embroiderers Guild on Tuesday talking about my favourite subject, me! Ha ha not completely I talked about how I got into this tapestry needlepoint world and also showed examples of my work where I had used other peoples stash to create unique weave pieces.

Photo courtesy Martin Christie

What I find amazing about talking to Guild members is not just how interested they are in quality work but also how a simple idea like my weave design can spark a whole list of possibilities and discussion.  We roamed from stitch control, to emotional control, to maths, to physics, to memories of their moms pattern boxes.  It was a fantastic day and I have definitely come away with more ideas than I went in with!

The trade and stitch shows are nearly with us, I am exhibiting at Craft, Hobby and Stitch International next weekend and then on to Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch in March where I will be exhibiting a lot of my weave pieces and also demonstrating the processes.

I'm off now to look create another bespoke weave chart ready to send out after the weekend!

Until next time, happy stitching!

Tina

What's cooking?

Tina Francis Tapestry copyright - Pavilion Tops

At this time of year we all look back and then forward so I thought I'd head the blog with an image of my first ever kit Pavilion Tops, still popular in the UK and worldwide it makes me smile when I see it thinking of all the places this design has taken me.

But hey lets not dwell on the past one design does not make a Spring (!) it's time to concentrate on the first few months of the year and look at what i will be doing when and where (yes it's all about me this time!!).

As you will know I moved back to Birmingham in 2014 and met with some great new people, a special mention to Birmingham Embroiderers Guild who have been a great inspiration and have accepted me into the fold!  We had a great time in November making stitched brooches and I am happy to see some members using the pattern for their own work.  Keeping it Guild (!) my first talk of the year will be at Solihull Embroiderers Guild on 3rd February, I will be talking about how I got into the tapestry needlepoint world and also encouraging people to "Use their Stash" as it's great to have a project that does not cost too much at the start of the year. 

"Use Your Stash" is gaining momentum and I am always following others that like to use what they already have.  "My Make do and Mend Year" was an experiment and has now become a lifestyle choice for Jen, take a look at the blog I am really interested in this years challenge to make a piece of clothing per month, lot's of ideas and inspiration on this blog.

Talking about using what we have already got my new design for Spring is based on an old wall where the wallpaper has been stripped, I found it in Vittoria Works in The Jewellery Quarter a building which is being brought back to life by The Ruskin Mill Trust and will be a great place for young people to learn skills and become part of the community in the later half of this year.

Tina Francis Tapestry Copyright - What lies beneath

It's no good having new designs if you are not going to be showing them, I am exhibiting again at Craft, Hobby and Stitch International this is trade fair only so not open to the general public but will feature new designs from me and also the first trade outing for my trays.  It's a great show to gauge interest in all crafts and I am really looking forward to meeting up with Juko Designs who will be at the NEC for the first time and also saying a big hello to Hawthorn Handmade who I met last time and who have followed me and boosted me up throughout the year.

My next show is at Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch to say that I am over excited about being given the opportunity to exhibit here would be the understatement of the year (yes I know it's only a few days old), I will have a stand displaying gallery work from my woven series and will also be exhibiting two small pieces which are the start of a new exhibition for 2016 called "Interrupted" and of course "Use Your Stash" will be making an appearance! I will be running a daily one hour workshop called "On your Mono Marks" which will use Freudenburg Vilene products and mono printing techniques, I really enjoyed running last years workshop "The Start of Something (thanks Kim Thittichai for trusting and letting me loose on the general public!) which is where I met Birmingham Embroiderers Guild, so my blog has come full circle and that really is a great start to the year!

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

Tina