I now seemed to have left the lazy days of summer behind with a vengeance. Yesterday we had our first official launch committee meeting for the Eastern Region Textile Forum. It went extremely well and my colleagues who have offered to help get this venture 'off the ground' are a marvelous bunch willing to put in so much commitment it makes me feel quite guilty. The forum will launch on April 19th next year at the Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford so anyone interested in joining should contact me via this site and I can send you out detailed information. We are proposing a group to promote textile art in Eastern England by conferences, e-newsletter, forging links with organisations, exhibitions, discussion forums,education, a mentoring list, and basically anything else that the membership desires. It was born out of indignation for the lack of support and gravitas that is given to Textile Art and I hope it will be a small step to righting this wrong. We want to draw together all textile disciplines not just those of us who stitch. It will mean a lot of hard work but should also become something exciting and dynamic.
Talking of hard work I am starting my Cultural Stitch module for OPUS and I feel really excited it gives me the opportunity to explore with permission those areas I don't normally allow myself time for.
Someone said to me the other day that they admire my calmness if only they knew I am a bit like a swan- serene on the surface but paddling like heck below the waterline!

Sometimes I feel like one big contradiction. I love the idea of travelling to far off exotic places but I hate getting there and I need to know that all at home are OK All the time. I enjoy studying but I begrudge it when it impinges on what I need to do for my family. Its the same with Autumn- I don't like this season because I feel everything is dying and shutting down for the year but it also means that in my textile world everything is on the move again and the colours and hips and haws are wonderful. Study begins again, all the institutions and Galleries are back in full swing, people are home from their holidays and eager to get started on things and the children are back in school which gives me some free space to work. Is it just me? or are we all contradictory beings.
One new thing was Teddy went for his first walk, well more of a wriggly,romp really with his best friend Barney. I certainly felt well exercised by the end of it!

We had a very successful trip to Chelmsford on Thursday to look at venues to hold the launch of the Eastern Region Textile Forum. A couple were suitable but the Anglia Ruskin University was definitely our favourite and the venue we hope to use. Hopefully by next week we will have finalised venue and date and I will be able to publish details on this blog.
Looking around and discussing details has made me feel that this might actually happen- a forum based in this part of England might finally give Textile Art the profile it deserves.

The kids are finally back to school and life can start moving,textilewise, again. I am working hard on my three pieces I am submitting to PRISM in a couple of weeks time. I don't know if any will be accepted as it has been a bit of a rush because of being accepted to the group late in the year I haven't had the full time to work on them but I am enjoying creating something completely new in concept.
Tomorrow we are off to scout venues for the launch of the Eastern Region Textile Forum. We have preliminary examined 3 and are now going for a closer look and to to examine the facilities further.I hope by tomorrow evening we will have a definite venue and date to work towards.

Material Girls recommences next week and we will be working towards our next exhibition in earnest. October 2008 sounds a long way off but it will be here all too soon.
The pocket rocket continues to cause havoc but he has had the last of his jabs this week so by the end of next week we will be able to take him out for a walk which should burn off some of the energy.

Stitch at the Archive previewed yesterday and seemed well attended even first thing in the morning when I went. It was good to meet up with old friends and to see how pieces that you have seen in 'the making' have reached a conclusion. I particularly liked the small Chinese jackets and Lesley Agombar's beautiful grey and silver piece. If you are in Essex in the next 2 months do pop in and have a look. After we ate in the Herb garden cafe next to the museum which I would thoroughly recommend. I am looking forward to returning for my demonstration day when I will have the time to have a closer look at all the pieces.