Louise Gardiner - Contemporary Embroidery.

YESSSSSSSSS!!!

2012-01-25T20:04:00.000Z

I'VE GOT IT!!!!!

I have GOT IT!!!

I have thought of the title for my COLLECT work.
I am so excited. SO much SO that I got up from my desk and walked all around the other side in front of the little heater and did one of those awful arm type gestures blokey blokes started back in the day. You know the one I mean. Arm folded at the elbow, hand next to shoulder, clenched hand and down leading wit the elbow....... YESSSSS!
It feels so satisfying.
Oh and when you do one you usually really mean it. Or you are showing off. Its usually when you score a point at Ping Pong.

POW!

"YESSS!"

(My skill level at Ping Pong is sporadic, as are my YESSSSSS'S.)

It kind of comes out and it sounds like spontaneous satisfaction, immediate gratification, excitement and a hint of masculinity and a puff of football hooligan all in one go.
Action and vocals combined in unison.
Av a go.

YESSSSSS!!

Almost clenched teeth.

ANYWAY!!!!!!!!! I have bloody got it.
I have got the title and as I have been thinking about the concept for some time... all the time....
This means that the plan is coming together and the excitement is bubbling away in some sub conscious cauldron ready to explode which is exactly what I am aiming for.

I am not going to tell you what it is yet as there is always the chance I will think of a better one.
But it fits with my concept perfectly.

All I will tell you is that at the moment my concept is this -

Tumbleweeds. Coral. Light and Dark. Time. Electric. Organic. Snowball. Love.

That will do for now.

Thank you all of you for looking at my NEW WEBSITE and for following my blog.

You must be lovely! :)

Lou A Too Too.

Introducing my new website....

2012-01-24T10:03:00.000Z

http://www.lougardiner.co.uk/

I hope you like the design.

Louiji.

Connect with COLLECT 2

2012-01-21T12:26:00.001Z

Quilted Taffeta, Silk, Rubber?
Gold reflective fabric and lime green felt. Shiny black fake patent leather, plastic coated linen, net and is it lame? Ugggh!

I don't even know what these fabrics are.
They beckoned me in, looked me in the eyes and said
'So Louiji…… are we too expensive and too 'out there', too kitsch and flamboyant, cheesy, cheap, sexy and flirtatious ….. too Soho?

We dare you!'

We have a potential series of disasters here. But I have always wanted to sex up embroidery…. without being sexual or cras.

Its hard to explain … I don't even know what I mean yet but I am beginning to see what the canvasses will look like.

Art for a Chinese restaurant stroke1960's style acid throw back cheesy gay night club?

DANGER DANGER.

What have I done!

Have I gone bonkers?

HAS THE SAATCHI GALLERY GONE TO MY HEAD?

I have bought £250 of kitsch fabric in 25cm sections … they only just fill a carrier bag.

Quilted Taffeta….. thats the one that required a strong coffee and a days deliberation, thats the classy one.

"How about the 5 canvasses are different ? How about I don't use canvas? " I said to myself as I stared at the quilted rolls of gorgeousness and remembered my Nana's bedspread.

"Oooooooooh. Quilted canvasses. Feminine, glamourous, frou frou, corsets, glamour.

Quilted Artwork!

Padded cell I think.

Maybe thats the whole idea.

My madness.

FAO. STUDENTS

2012-01-19T22:12:00.001Z

Hello.

I just wanted to apologise to all the students that are emailing me at the moment.

I am so super busy and I am getting a couple of emails a day, all with questions.
So sorry I cannot offer you any time at the moment but I wish you loads of luck with your projects and I will try and get a reading list sorted for you to refer to which will be available on my new website. I usually reply to all my emails but it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up.

In the meantime ... my advice is to examine the work carefully with your eyes and write what YOU think about it .... what can YOU see ? What do YOU think inspires me? What inspires you?
What makes you feel excited? Be very observant and think about things on paper, get it all down, no matter how trivial ..... it's all there.

Most of all remember that you are unique and so should your work be!

Let your work develop and grow slowly and intuitively ... if you put the time in, if you are proactive and you feed your creative brain with goodies regularly ... you cant go wrong! Also remember to have as much FUN as possible, your student days are the most carefree in your life. :) If your work isn't FUN then make it fun .... Thats the most important.

Good Luck!

Louiji

YOU CAN!

2012-01-19T17:28:00.001Z

Connect with Collect - 1

Well I think you can safely say that my mission has been accomplished.

I am now a bag of nerves.

A wobbly and pale bag of wobbly wibbles. I feel weak. I have lost my appetite. I feel like my identity hangs in the air.
I feel like I am going into solitary confinement until Spring.
I feel very melodramatic.

I have been in london for 5 days.

I have visited the Saatchi Gallery and the Crafts Council in preparation for the exhibition Collect. I have spent two days buying new fabrics and spending a small fortune around Soho. You could say that I have successfully given myself a jolt of lightening right through my middlies and I feel like a hole has been blasted straight through my tummy through which wind is whistling through. Empty whistley wind noises.

It is time to get started Louisa!

I have 15 weeks.

5 canvasses. Designed, created, stretched, finished and framed ready for Saatchi.

OH MY FRUIT!

I am already cutting it fine because what with Christmas, New Year, endless commissions, my 40th birthday and the design of my new website to be launched this FRIDAY I have been overcome with procrastination and 'other things'.

That has now been replaced with a wall of fear and a strange lingering lethargy. A feeling of 'I just can't be arsed.'

Its kind of 'nerves gone rebellious.'

I just need to start.

"JUST START YOU PRUNE! START!"

"But but but…"

"START!'

'I cant. I can't Start!"

'Yes you can, you can start, you have to start.'

"But where do I start… I have forgotten how to start!.'

"No you haven't forgotten you cretin. You just start…. anyhow … anyway… but NOW…… Start with a pencil… with a biro… with a bit of paper… Just get on with it and stop being such a nonse! "

'Whimper whimper.....'

I feel like Orvill.

Remember the record? Green bird wearing a nappy who used to say "I cant!" What a HIT! It has stuck in my head all these years... its no surprise I AM GOING MAD.

I am going to have to employ a spiritual zen fitness plan as part of my program in order to keep on top and conquer these nerves, this lazyness. I need a guru, a spiritual guide, a sweat shop full of magic elves.

I have been selected for my work by a panel of 3 distinguished people out of roughly 70 applicants and
YES I AM PROUD. However, I feel completely bereft of any energy, talent and ability.

It just fell off.

I want the work to be so good I cant actually think straight.

I feel like I need to reinvent myself. Become someone else.

I keep reminding myself that the work I have done so far would look great as it is. But I no longer have that work …. its gone and I have to start again and I cant remember how. This isn't 1 canvas or a commission for a singular happy, eager and relaxed client but 5 canvasses for a million selective and educated eyes; the who's who of the world of craft and design, the 'hobnobs' of 'hobnobbing'….. Kings Road Chelsea, Sloane Square, Saatchi and Crafts Council Groupies who KNOW their stuff ….. Curators and collectors from around the world. The big wigs… the people in the KNOW. And I am going to have to stand there in front of my work, farmers lass from Cheshire.

It HAS to be BRILLIANT. No pressure.

Yesterday, I sat in the Saatchi gallery staring at the wall where my work will hang. There is an air of sophisticated high-brow coolness which is hard to explain…. at the moment the place feels untouchable. The walls are huge and the atmosphere is distant and minimal, as is the art. I sat there as people wandered round and the thing I heard the most was 'I dont really get it.' I liked more than I expected and the gallery is swish but more 'characterless' than I anticipated .... a blank canvas ready for anything ..... I think COLLECT will look amazing there as its so slick and bland yet warm and neutral and modern.

My 1 meter square canvasses now feel tiny and I am worried that without careful execution and forethought they will get lost in Mr Saatchi's cool cream square sea. They will have to be bigger.

I cant eat my sandwiches. My back aches so much already. I feel sick. I need a cuddle. HELP!

I'll have a G and T.

Wishing you a Happy Hip Hopperty Happnin 2012.

2011-12-31T00:24:00.000Z

Baby Calf born Christmas Day.

Sir George and a member of his harem.

Late night Studio ... Last minute workin.... 23rd December ...

Geese and over sized flowers ... butterflies and grasses...

Turkey Lurking.

Strange and exotic love flowers....?

The reverse..... now covered forever....

The final commission .

Finished just in time. Phew!

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapppy Nearly!

2011-12-21T00:34:00.000Z

Hope you are all having a lovely run up to Christmas.

Ball Balls to us all!

Be Merry!

We have had a baby calf born today ... a little girl. I will post a picture tomorrow.

She is called 'Squirt'. Named by my brother. At first I didn't like it but its grown on me.

Lou :)

Stu Stu Stu STUDIOLINE!

2011-12-15T23:00:00.000Z

My studio is based in the old Dairy of our family farm in Cheshire.

This room housed two large milk tanks 10 years ago where we collected the milk in a milk churn when and as we needed it. Now it is a cosy den where I spend many hours into the night working to commission and for exhibition.

The studio has different identities depending on what time of day it is. Often it's buzzing late at night when the interruptions stop and there is a special atmosphere where I can really focus and make good progress. Friends often visit the studio and its popular for late night socials. They talk, I listen, paint and blurt out my point of view. Its a great place for late night debate and RUM.

Music is essential to the everyday working process. My collection is eclectic, mostly electronic and loud. I have a variety of good lights and heaters to keep the room warm, a good range of thermal clothing, wool hats and fingerless gloves, but I am used to being a little chilly in the day time, warm in the evening. It is a special place where I spend the majority of time alone, it's my place of work, where ideas are realised. I spend long physical and intense hours stitching and painting. Its an amazing privilege to be an artist and working in a place packed with Gardiner family farming history of 5 generations. It is essential for me to have this special place, a place where I can make ideas happen and explore beautiful mediums. I rcently employed someone for the first time... what a joy to have some company! I am a lucky girl.

Recent Work in Progress. Late night working.

View from my table.

View into the studio recently re-jigged to work better.

Work it Baby.

It worked.

It works better.

Work it Baby.

Work it.

2011-12-14T19:59:00.000Z

Dear All,

If you would like to join me for a luxury mini stitchery retreat at this gorgeous hotel by the coast in please take a look here -

Find your Thread!

If you fancy drawing with your sewing machine then this one's for you! Superstitcher Lou Gardiner teaches you how and you will go home with your own machine embroidered piece of art. So addictive is Lou's style of free hand embroidery that Kirstie Allsopp dubbed it the 'crack cocaine of craft' on her Homemade TV Show. 20th - 22nd April & 6th - 8th July from £324 per person for a 2 night break including lunch both days and a three course meal on both evenings.

http://www.bedruthan.com/lougardiner

Bedruthan Steps Hotel Ltd
Mawgan Porth
Cornwall

TR8 4BU

Telephone

01637 860555

For the next 6 months I will be concentrating on studio work/ commissions and the 5 canvasses for COLLECT at the Saatchi Gallery -

http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/collect/

My next workshops at Quarry Bank Mill will begin in July 2012 so this is an ideal treat if you fancy really getting away from it all, learning fab new creative stitchery witchery skills, drawing, listening to music, meeting like minded people all alongside gorgeous coastline and yummy food.

My workshop dates will be launched with my new website for Summer and Autumn 2012.

Quack

2011-11-29T17:50:00.001Z

Deciding on foot wear for Duck.

Me - Silver Boots still going but a few holes appearing.

It depresses me when they discontinue a good thing. If it ain't broken ... why mend it?

Leg Warmers Wins.

One Stitched Duck.

Great tunes and some quiet time....

Mixin it up.

Aha! Bonjour!

Under the needle.

Aghhhhhhh Bonjour ... un canard!

Thsimple and Thslick.

2011-11-15T22:29:00.001Z

Oh blimey me diddly.
I am so OBSESSED with perfection. (Oh Goddd rearlly ... are you ... darling really!)

I am not talking fake boobies, thread vein removal and tucked cheeks here I am talking website design.

Branding.
Identity.
World Wide Exposure.
The World Wide Web.
The World Wickety Wackety Woo.
The wonderful, wickidaceous, wackteriam web.

Www.

ITS Absolutely magic.

And imperative to the survival of an artist.

No pressure eh P!

I am designing my website with a great guy who is very patient.
He also lives in Brighton so its not easy as I have to do the work in burts and spouts which is intensely irritating as I am juggling so many things at the moment.
My deadlines are looming and I am teaching for 5 days solid starting tomoz and this design is proving to be a challenge as I want it to be different, slick, simple and say a lot about my work in a slick, simple and different way. So yes .. slick and simple. Simple and Slick. I have been designing the buttons and the title page and then everything I did I disliked within a week... I then repeated the same idea in 4 different ways and everything looked complicated and fusty and not want I want at all... too 'Ooh this is nice.'
I don't want NICE.
I don't want twee and I don't want to look at it in a month and wish I had just chosen a font.
This website has got to last 5 years.
I think it is very important indeed. My website changed my career and I am very aware of the fact that a great website is what gets you out there .... as long as it is filled with interesting work, short sharp slick information, snippets of process and great flow.

My old one served me well but now I need something to represent my best work.
NOT that I have done that yet... Collect is going to be my best work so far....(so she said).
I am slowly heating up like Cotopaxi.

So.... bimple and brick.
It's not going to be fancy or anything ... simplicity is the key and combining that with a lush love for embroidery, textiles, colour and line is not as easy as I first thought.

I have stitched my signature about 30 times on different fabrics. Trying to get each letter as I want it and being positively perfectiogonist about it. I would just get it right and the machine would jump a stitch on the 'd' and bloody ruin it......
Writing your perfect letters with a pen is much easier I am sure you know .... but on a flippin cranky old sewing machine ... getting the right slip of the fabric and being able to make the text look fluid and simple and progressive and oh GAWD!

Do you think I need more sex?

I suppose I am trying to succesfully marry technology ... the screen and the web WITH something thats naturally 3 dimensional ..... thin .... linear... hand made and prone to hiccups and bobbles and snaps.

Down with hairy fluff and fancy foof foof.

I want .......

Simple and slick.

I came in after stitching my name a million times to scan the lot in and email it over ..... I sat at my Mac and went to find the foot pedal with my right foot.

Oh Dear.

Loueenydaveeny.

Pom Pom Explosion

2011-11-03T23:52:00.002Z

Jee Whizz!

I have had an amazing day in the studio...... One of those GOLDEN DAYS where ideas and creativity hit you like a bullet explosion of soft pom poms..... again and again until you have colourful pom poms everywhere.

Know what I mean?

I am so totally chuffed with the two designs that I have managed to kick into shape. Fuck I love it when that happens ..... those rare days where you have no interruption, no one telling you what to do, a glitzy shower of ideas ........ a fantastic studio sesh.

Admittedly I have just participated in three small glasses of wine and there is still half a bottle left. I thought I should celebrate as I am so pleased that I have mananged to crack this drawing. Its 150 cm x 120cm..... larger than I anticipated..... need to check that size is ok with my client. It will probably grow as well ... embroidery always grows.

However I spent the whole day from 11am - 2pm, then 3pm - 10pm, working in my studio and it was a blinder. Havent had one of those for a while..... the way I used to work really often, when I was in Jamaica Street. Full time.....late night blinder. God it was good.... I felt inspired and excited and practical all at the same time. Often interludes of friends.....
This is a different kind of creativity now ... born of a weird scenario devoid of other artists in a dairy............................. Strange. But also good. I miss the Jam St studio but this is just different. I can cope.

I finished designing The large Dreamy Tree, which I have to say, as I left the studio I looked at it and I was excited. I also started work on a new Duckling type character..... a new version of 'Disco Duck' or Bonjour Canard' which are shown here somewhere.

http://lougardiner.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html

Thats where.

Anyway....... I played music really loud. Bloody amazing music I discovered at a mates house recently. Big Shout H. Anyway, I did some STA with my NEW camera. ( New Readers - this is SELF TIMER ART- you need to read a few months back if you can be arsed! New Zealand Blogs - July August Sept 2011)

STA is a new art form .... it's still not taken on but its only a matter of time eh Kirst?
[Who's Gonna Have a big party on Saturday then eh???? Something worth celebrating I hear.
I will be there with bells on darlink. Guernsey here I come! Woop! ) ]

Anyway ... New Camera.... Oh my Goddddd.
I absolutely bashed the juice out of my old camera and it has finally got to the stage where it's more annoying than sentimental. It takes 4 - 6 sessions of pressing to turn the darn thing on ..... everything has faded and the buttons no longer function. Sound Familiar?

I have had it over 5-7 years ... not sure without looking but it was expensive when I bought it and its been around the world with me and I I I, I cant find my baby..... (remember Lisa? ) .... all that STA ..... All those touristy pics..... all those arty farty shots...... THOUSANDS..... MILLIONS...... That camera has been totally BRILLIANT. I do actually love it and I am going to keep it, maybe frame it,

BUT ..................................................
my new camera is actually really really sexy. I bought it because it was brilliant, brilliant and sexy. And I have had one sexy time with it tonight.

...... My meaning of Thhhhsexy being fine technology ..... great design, good sounds, cool functions and of course .... great shots. :)

Actually judging by the names of my Bloggerobbajob Followers you are all I reckon either textile embroidery junkies like me....... or old friends that have kids ....... maybe a few more categories.... you are definately all cool coz you follow my blog and I am biased and very flattered. But I hope you understand the way that some things like sexy cameras can float ones boat occasionally. You know what I am talking about!!!!! I knew it.

Good technology - love it. I still don't understand it and I would say I am rather behind with it but still I think it rocks if you use it properly. I like things that I use on a daily basis. My work is a massive mix up of machine and hand made. I could not do one without the other. Mainly hand driven I suppose ...

Oh I have said enough now..... still half a bottle of wine left ...... I might go drink one more glass and get some food.

Lou Pow Pom Pom.

( Hello Helen!!)

The Thing is.....

2011-11-03T16:00:00.002Z

You have to be prepared to screw hours of work up into a ball and start again...... thats the deal.

Scrap the lot. Start again. Remember that even though you are scrapping it something has happened ... some creative decisions, a few practice runs and you are not, I repeat not back to the beginning but further ahead and even further ahead for actually having scrapped the lot in the first place.

KNOW WHAT I MEAN RODNEY?

That's what I've learnt over the years.

Bloody brilliant.

I am working on a very (to me) important commission and its gone from 'doing my head in' TO 'exciting get a grip and enjoy this you wazzuck ......
I have been revving up to it for a year, it was commissioned off the back of the Kristie's Homemade Home Series on C4 (even if I did look like a nutter / hair dresser/ crystal gazer on mushrooms) by a lovely and very trusting client in London.

I am nearing the end of the design stage which has taken about two weeks on and off. The idea has been simmering in the back of my huge expansive brain (yeah...?) for about 10 months, a bit here, a bit there and I had to muster up the courage to grab the rope and swing with it ... as its quite a biggy. The thought of stitching a piece this detailed and large makes me feel sick ......but excited. The knowing of the physical side and the muscle to machine embroider this actually drains me ... the anticipation of the time required, the size and the labor intensity which is needed for what I see in my head, how I envisage it, seems like a heavy weight leaning on my shoulders. BUT the excitement of producing it and seeing it evolve wins of course and I have to do it, its a mental and physical process. I am at the stage where it has to be created, made, done.

Lets boogy.

Like with the Liberty Genie project, I have researched and fed my brain with lots of different inspiring images and let myself be led from one thing to another and round and back again.... I am not really very good at this and get frustrated when I cant see physical processes finished at the end of each day. Its almost as if I have some religious kind of guilt system.... unless I stitch till I die I feel I have not done enough...... it doesn't matter what I have been doing in the studio, the only thing that counts as work is finished product. That I suppose is why I am not a painter. Far too enjoyable in comparison maybe.
It does not involve bending over a noisy small badly designed machine with back ache and squinty eyes, licking bits of thread ends like an obsessive compulsive. Re threading the needle a million times with little fiddly bits of sinewy fibre and spit, snipperty snip snipperty snip.

But I do love it really. I think.

WILD GRIMACE and backwards shoulder stretch. Swig of Vodka. Snarl.

So yeah...... the design stage is a laborious and painstaking one... but probably the most important. If you don't get it right there and then, theres no hope. Game over ...... Hours and hours of stitching for nothing. These questions have crossed my mind.......

1. What am I doing?
2. Where did this weird tree idea come from?
3. Whats has inspired me and why?
4. Can I really draw design something this big?
5. Is this going to look totally bizarre?
6. Will my client be pleased with this, how was this idea born in our liaisons?
7. How the hell am I going to applique this and which bits first?
8. What if the linen I have ordered is not fit for the job, I have never used it before?
9. Is this design too busy and complex and mad?
10. How can I keep this simple and allow for interpretation during the process?
11. Have I thought this through enough? Where am I going to face big problems?

There are millions more but that's a selection of a few.
Anyway..... The lesson for us all today is ....

Don't be scared to scrap something and start again. Don't not do something for fear of not being good at it, screwing it up, wasting time. Chop it up, rub it out, screw it up, bin it.
START AGAIN.
As many million times as is necessary.

JUST DO IT!
RARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Step by step by step.
Be patient.

That's what makes us grow as creative creatures.

Being brave.

And we are all creative creatures in some way or another, every single one of us. Like it or not.

BIP BIP BIP BIP BAPBALOOBAAAAAAA!!!!!

2011-11-01T11:28:00.000Z

Oh Gosh I am HIGH!

I am so excited. I have buzzy electric running from ear to ear and I cant stop smiling.
I LOVE feeling excited. ACE. This is why I do what I do ... most of the time its just damned hard work but yes go on twist my arm SOMETIMES I really do love it. And when this kind of thing happens I just LURVE it.... Barry White lets boogie.

I have something to bloggerobbajob about finally.

Whoop Whoooooooop!
80% adrenalin and 20% San Miguel and wine.

Today I found out that I have been selected for COLLECT.

Breath ...

Smile.....

I couldn't actually express myself for an hour after reading it.
I couldn't believe it was for real. Call me old fashioned.
I have always thought of this show as a bench mark, a platform, something worth shouting about and applying for, one of those things... places that was up there on the top shelf ... for the big wigs ... for the galleries that know their stuff... for makers/artisans that are dedicated and exciting, contemporary, Big time and serious. Somewhere I have always dreamed of being represented and a place which can open new avenues and get your work seen. A place where your work is exhibited next to creative and appreciative BUFFS! People that REALLY appreciate STUFF that is hand crafted, handmade .... loved, created, developed in some kind of ridiculously obsessive way ... somewhere that people really see the creme do la creme of making. Craftsmanship pop and wap bap ballooba pezazzzzzzz bop. And until now I have never been selected .... it's a place I have dreamed of showing ... And now I am. YEEHHAAAHHHHHH!

It's called THE PROJECT SPACE and its at the show COLLECT next May at the Saatchi Gallery, London. Have a look....

http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/collect/

I was rejected last year and this year after some careful deliberation and talking to myself, I decided to give it another go, one more time. Be resilient and positive. When I read my application from last year, which I spent hours and hours in the Southern depths of snowy New Zealand compiling, and I thought .. what a pile of rubbish. I really had written a load of tripe. I can do better than that I thought to myself ... and that was the main reason I decided to apply again. My 2010 application was fuzzy.... self promoting piffle, without substance or content and in retrospect, I wasn't surprised that I had got the no-no from the Crafts Council. Although at the time I thought WHAT THE !!!!! and felt all hurt and despondent and unloved and crappy, like a WOOSEY. SO .... this year I concentrated on substance....where really am I with this embroidery melarchy??? What am I doing? What is peoples response to my work and what can I do that is really interesting without trying to be something I am not and something too big for its boots. What is the thing that I want to portray the most ? What makes my work what it is ... what is my process and how long have I spent on this? Bla bLa BlA blA. How long does it take and what does it involve? What Planet are you you from anyway Louiji? Whats your favourite colour?

SO....... I'm IN! (Run around the room in a very uncool fashion.)
And now I have to produce the ridiculously ambitious series of works I dreamed up in my application. Didnt think I would get it so I got a little carried away and dreamt upo a series of 5 huge canvasses.
This this will be the biggest thing I have ever done other than start jogging. (Still at it by the way .. have noticed no improvement at all and a mile and a half kills me every time.) This is bigger than the Liberty Lips Genie, for me this is big time, this is gonna test my limits.... This is gonna be the peak of my career and then who knows.... I might do something totally different ..... like start a greasy spoon cafe.

Like innit oooh ahhhhh eh up guvna give us a pint of lager ......Woop Woop!

I have 14 commissions to finish. I have done three and more have come in but I am now saying no as I cannot possibly produce any more work unless I get a factory. Remember Mike Baldwin on Corry? I used to watch it at my Nana's with a glass of sherry back in the day..... I thought it was exotic.

I have loads to tell you about some interesting commissions I am working on but for now I am drinking a glass of wine in front of the fire. Aghhhhh Gratias senoritasssss ... I am so pleased and excited.

I am redesigning my website and the new workshops will be posted in three weeks ... just in time for Christmas presents........ Website taking long time as so many bits and bobs to do but it will be swish when its finished. Please be patient.

CHOW FOR NOW dear bloggerrobbajob followers.

PS.
I have an article in the November / December Craft and Design Magazine. Thanks Angie!

Showbiz

2011-10-19T16:39:00.000+01:00

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/kirsties-homemade-home/4od#3148716

For those of you wanting to watch me look like a right wally .... BUT convince the lovely Kirstie Allsopp that Machine embroidery is the coolest craft ( and the only one I know) please see that link. Its a year in November since it was on the television but a few people have been asking me for the link.

The machine embroidery bit starts at 7 mins 40 seconds.....

I cringe every time I see it!

But thats SHOWBIZ!!!!

I think I have screwed my blog up.

2011-10-05T23:30:00.000+01:00

OH NO!!!!!!

I have just been playing with the various new designy effects on the blog thing and I think I might have saved one without wanting to and now am stuck with a new design of blog which I don't like...... I am not sure until I finish writing this so I will finish writing this and hope like mad my old style of blog look doesn't vanish into cider space...... I am inwardly panicking.

A sprinkle of Figurative Fun

2011-10-02T22:20:00.000+01:00

Its fun doing some figurative commissions again. They feel familiar and cheery.

For a lovely Glaswegian nurse.....who appreciates some off duty bathing.

A commission for my Uncle's birthday .... commissions for people you know....

the most difficult pieces to do!

Lots of 'in' jokes and quirky bits.

'I'm all shook up'

I have been designing some new cards for Woodmansterne for the range refresh .... Look out for those in various card shops, Waitrose and John Lewis. I love designing characters who are verging on the ridiculous... they make me laugh.

'The King'

'One Handed Scratch.'

Well the weather has changed but my goodness it was great wasn't it.

SO SO Beautiful. This country looks amazing in the sunshine.

Slap Slap Slap....

2011-09-27T23:10:00.001+01:00

Blimey!

I am not sure whats come over me but I have started running.
For the first time in 21 years!

I have feet as flat as a platypus's pancake. I have zero arch and long knobbly toes with no grip but I have always dreamed of running. I have dodgy hips and dodgy knees and despite looking like a runner could not be further from the track.

I have always wanted to run and always been jealous of other people running around, wind in their hair, trainers, spandex and neon, zero equipment, zero entrance fee, out in the countryside, free on the grass, through the woods, the fields, past the trees, weather on their faces, free to run, born free, free running freeness. Pounding the ground with freewill able to go in any direction at any time, with other runners or alone... running running running healthy runners with healthy hearts.

It makes me sick!
These runners can just run and run and run at any time, in any place, anywhere, free.
Its not fair.
I envy these runners, always have. Always been the one on the bike encouraging the other to be more fit more cool more healthy more free.

Only the completely flat footed will sympathise with me on this one because only you will understand what it is to have crap floor-slapping feet. Its rubbish. My feet are rubbish. I hate my feet. All my life they have been a pain in the arse, my feet.

Only my Mum and Dad can really really understand how much of an effort it is for me to turn myself into a running machine. Having witnessed me enthusiastically offer to run the mile time and time again at school (as NO ONE else would do it) having to witness the sheer shock and fear on my face as thin tall lanky blondes shot past me like whippets. I would lose by miles or feign an accident in an attempt to get out of the race that finished half an hour ago. I can remember doing a fake fall and no one really noticing me get up and hobble around the lap.... I was hopeless. You only have to mention my athletics career at school to my Dad and he starts to laugh like a simmering pot, teary eyed silent hysterics, imagining the number of times I fell over in a sprint or doing the hurdles. It makes him laugh more than anything I can think of. He even does an impression of my feet with his hands and sound effects.

(BUT I'll have you know that ....I... Louiji Gardinelly got the Victor Ludorum in 6th form.... Best moment of my life. I think Mrs Paine gave it me for effort, its the best thing I have EVER won EVER. I can still remember the sheer shock of wining it and walking up the aisle with my 'Barely There' tights on and my 90's fringe.

So anyway ... I have not run very far but I have been 4 times.

I am not sure it suits me or is really very good for me but I am determined to keep at it for a month to see if actually I am a born runner, a running miracle, a secret marathon winner, Forrest Gump and I just need to train my feet. Say ... two three times a week. Usually in the mornings about 8-30am for about a mile. I am so totally impressed and amazed and chuffed with myself and despite the fact that for the rest of the day my embroidered body seizes up into a painful rigid state ... I don't care.

I AM a runner now.
I am free.
Hands slicing through the air bionically even when walking breathlessly every couple of metres and my hair in the wind. I am a runner. I go running. Yeah.

Those streets paved with gum....

2011-09-22T13:41:00.000+01:00

Just off to London to visit 100% design where I will be meeting with a couple of agents with my very own handmade portfolio complete with embroidered squiggles, signature and pom poms and filled with £300 of miniature Giclee prints on museum etch paper.

Also visiting ORIGIN to see my good friend Sophie Woodrow on her stand and going to THE POWER OF MAKING at the V and A.

This could be the start of something new.

Have a great weekend all.

Buy cheap ... buy twice.

2011-09-21T20:46:00.001+01:00

I cant believe what happens in the shops when Autumn hits.

Are we a nation of depressives?

Everything is black, grey, navy, dark brown.
You walk into a shop and immediately you think ..."OMG it is winter, its depressing and everything is going to get dark except for that horrendous purple fluffy jumper dress there which frankly makes me want to cry.'

Shouldn't we be getting more colourful as the grey days of winter loom ahead. Should we not fly by the seat of our black pants and wear some colour to cheer ourselves up and make crowd scenes more interesting and less LOwry. In fact theres more colour in a Lowry crowd scene than some stores at the moment. I can't stand all this black. Why the hell does everyone wear so much black? Whats great about BLACK? Other than it goes with yet more black?

Its bloody morbid. Its boring. It fits in with the crowd. You disappear into a black blackness greyness and darkness of people and everyone shuffles along wearing black and everyone goes together as they are all in black. Does it makes you more invisible? Surely it shows up more loose hair and dandruff and fluff. I mean all the coats are such boring depressing colours except for the random 'PILLAR BOX RED CHARACTERFUL NUMBER' thrown in for the arty farty. And the occasional taupe, mauve, fawn, mustard, olive and grape ... Oooooh! Its not often you see someone who is dressed well these days... Everyone looks the same!

(OK I know I am generalising here but let me have a rant!)

Yes OK I grant you BLACK can be smart but most of the time its smart business office funeral waiter / waitress smart. There's so much gorgeous colour ... dark interesting colours too.... beautiful greys and blues! Come on everybody... save your black for another day and lets get some colour out!

I went to buy some new clothes the other day and I have to say there really is some crap out there. Mass market rubbish. Lots of people do it ... buying quick fix cheapo clothes from Primarny and the like.... ITS A LOAD OF RUBBISH! Where is it all made and by who? It might be cheap but it is mass produced and feeding the commercial monster that this country is becoming! It doesn't change your life.

I never go into Primarny anymore. Last time I went in was two years ago and I bought a sequin pair of gold hot pants for a fancy dress! Ooh get me! BUT no more. It makes me feel sick because I don't know how they can produce that many clothes for those prices. What happens to the mountains of clothes that aren't bought? How often do people wear these things? I am not saying I am completely blameless and I am sure you could pull me up on some less ethical shopping here and there... but if there's two companies I try to avoid ... its PRIMARNY and Tesco.

I nipped into Manchester on Monday to buy some paper, paints and new materials and it was absolutely packed with people shopping. On a Monday. Whats that all about? What is happening to us? I find it really worrying and sad. We have become a nation of shoppers. We all need a fix. The fix doesn't last and there we are chasing the fix again.

So stop and think (I am talking to myself as much as anyone) .... I can remember the days when my Mother used to take me out to buy something new when I was little. It was a really special treat and I treasured the clothes that she bought me. I can remember them.

So think about the clothes you really remember .. were they from Primark? Or were they a little bit more special....? I don't know ... maybe we should all shop less often and keep it as a treat ... not a fix. Maybe we should stop trying to change ourselves from the outside, buy less black and more colour to feel good and bright and cheerful!

Buy cheap buy twice ... that's what my Nana used to say.

Jillys new Charity Shop Find.

2011-09-16T23:50:00.000+01:00

I love these salt and pepper pots.

I must start nipping into charity shops more often.

A near bloody disaster!

2011-09-16T23:41:00.001+01:00

Oh Lord!

Yesterday I sat outside in my jeans and my bra reading a book. I consumed this book in three days because I couldn't put it down..... Its been a while, I have had reader's block and I forgot what an intense reader I am ... All or nothing.... I almost ate it. Munch munch munch paper eating wordy monster.
It became my best friend ... my life... my passion and then suddenly it was all over, the damn thing came to an end and I was cross.

Reality hit and of course procrastination out the window....I had to get back to the desk and continue working on a last minute commission I said yes to on Thursday because sometimes you just cant say no.

The next commission (after this one) is very important to me and I keep putting it off as it simmers in my brain ... its so important that it feels like a huge rocky mountain almost impossible to climb. I have hugely aching thumbs at the moment and the leaves are turning. I saw my first conkers today. BUT I am getting there in my head and a vision is forming slowly. In fact I have emailed drawings to my client and am waiting ... nervously hoping she likes the ideas. It's actually quite out there as surrealism goes and IF it's successful will be a new piece entirely.

Inspired by Japanese prints, textiles, painting, Weeping Willows, Douglas Firs, Scots Pine (?) blossom, chinoiserie, sequins, dust, dew, the moon and magical tree houses/ tents / yurts ...I think its gonna be a challenge..... Its about getting a steady fluid mixture of trippy childlike dreamscapes with serene classy maturity. Right. Yes Luigi. Call that a plan?

So today I had my bestest patron come to see me. He has followed my career since I began 15 years ago. He has bought 17 pieces of my work over the years and I am very very lucky that he likes my work so much. He is a very passionate and lovely man who has helped me pay the bills and remain an artist all this time. I am full of thankyou.

As we were sitting there discussing a commission ... it began to absolutely pour with rain outside. We are talking Mancunian monsoon... Mancsoon. Having only been in the old dairy for a month and having only just taken down my exhibition at Quarry Bank Mill, I came to the realisation that a/ My roof leaks especially in Mancsoon and b/ that I had about £8000 worth of embroideries directly under the leak. LUCKILY (Massive understatement) I had wrapped them all in big silver 'stiffy bags' (every artists dream to looking after work and packing up an exhibition). AND luckily I was there when it happened not reading a book in my bra outside.

So I managed to move things out of the way unharmed as water trickled down the bottom painted edge of 'Blooming Marvellous' a recent biggy, into a pool on my plan chest forming streams on the floor.

Phewy wooey woo.

Thank the lord on high in the sky I was in there at the time...

Time to mend the roof.... more procrastination.

Louwet Pourdinelly.

I need a PA!

2011-09-06T19:14:00.001+01:00

Another good one.
"Hey,
I'm a small sixthform A level student, I'm interested in machine embroidery. I've seen your work and it's excellent. I was wandering if you send me some of your work through my address or your work could be on postcards, you could also send me that.
Please. If not, I would like to ask you some questions. Why were you interested in machine embroidery? What theme you mostly do machine embroidery on? Are you happy where you are? I would be glad if you reply to this email. It will boost my grades up .
Thanks."

:)

2011-09-05T23:00:00.000+01:00

Ola!

Just to let you all know that my solo show 'Losing The Thread'

will be closing this Sunday 11th September at 4-30pm after 4 months.

I have sold 17 pieces and run 4 SUPERSTITCHER workshops in conjunction with this exhibition which opened in May. It would be lovely to have a 'bit of a crowd' as I do demonstrations on the last day - Sunday - if any of you would like to pop in. I will also be open to a little negotiation on the remaining pieces, some of which are new works I have added in the last month.

It has been a fantastic opportunity and I have really enjoyed exhibiting my work in such a beautiful place in my home village of Styal.

The staff have been fantastic and there have been thousands of visitors.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, bought work, done a workshop and written in my book. I really appreciate it and I look forward very much to do doing another exhibition. But where is the question! I need to get my networking head on.

After an admin filled few weeks....

peppered with camping festivities

the creativity is bubbling again and

I am ready to do some seriously new exciting work.

Lets rock.

Loulillion Lapin :[=

New Studio Block

2011-08-22T22:52:00.000+01:00

Just a quickie as I am tired after after a fun days teaching ... a new eclectic and interesting and friendly ladies aged I reckon from 20 something to 80 something. I have two ladies all the way from AUSTRALIA! One lady from Norfolk, two from Exeter way... one lady from Liverpool and one lady from York to name but a few.

I have been working on two commissions as an attempt to get into the zone in the old dairy ... my new temporary studio. I have to say it isn't flowing at the moment and my lack of a permanent base is beginning to set in. I feel unsettled and codependent. I have what I suppose some people would call a creative block but I would call it just general frustration and also fear of a huge amount of challenging commissions. The days just slip by.

I try to teach my students to tackle creativity one step at a time. This is easier said than done. It's that weird end of summer time when all I want to do is to make the most of the outdoors but know too well that I am falling behind with deadlines.

I flung myself around at 'Chick boxing' tonight which is a quick and efficient way to get sweaty, red in the face and intensely irritated by the instructor who always arrives late and rattles on in her Madonna style microphone about the boring details of her everyday life. Her latest subject being her broken computer and celebrity big brother. I have never got over the time she asked me mid star jumps whether I was a 'Corry' or an 'Eastenders' fan. She also gives us regular updates on her exercise class stalkers or various peoples personal details. Call me old fashioned.

I am missing a regular yoga practice both in my mind and body and feel increasingly 'fly' if that makes any sense. I wish I was more zen and cool and calm but I just don't seem to find the time!

Anyway ... back to teaching tomorrow. Its always a joy to be surrounded by such lovely people.
I am very lucky.

Looarna Gaboochickoff.

A National Treasure

2011-08-19T02:20:00.000+01:00

This went right through the side of my finger.

The Absolutely lovely Dame Fiona Reynolds.

Framed ready for the NT Manchester Office.

A night with a good friend.

2011-08-17T23:28:00.000+01:00

Theres nothing like a night relaxing with an old friend.

A walk. Some tea. A few glasses of wine... a good meal, more glasses of good wine. Some chat.

They care about where you are up to as if where you are up to is part of what they are up to.. what they want.

Special friends. Special needs.

Love it.

USP

2011-08-11T23:11:00.004+01:00

Feelin the need to write. Feeling the need to write.. Feelin the need to wrte... Feelikaht the bsgy to sfsth.
Feeling the need to wrote. Feeling the need to write.

HI.

How are ya!?

What's YOUR USP?

I am trying to find mine.

I am feeling frishtrarted. Which is a mix of frustrated and Fish tar tare.
I am psychologically lively.
My creative consciousness is relentless.

I have a huge amount of work to do.
It is filling up and boiling over and I am going to have to explode.
I have had 3 weeks off sewing.

Just a bit, for a week and it was marvellous, relaxing and serene.
In Devon.
Wow what a fantastic place Devon is. The water is cold!
I could live there. Maybe 6 months a year. Watching the people, the beach bugs and the sea.

Oh to have a life where you can do that. That is my AIM.

TIME MANAGEMENT. TIMETABLING. PROGRESSIVE STRATEGY.
Opportunity. Action. PRO activity. UNIQUE SELLING POTENTIAL. Commerciality. Branding. Futures. Pension. Maturity. Is this the answer?

USP. Unique Selling Point.

GIVE ME 10!

USP

GIVE ME 10 AGAIN!

Undeniably Serious Procrastination.

Duck! I feel like an electric eel that runs out of POWER!
The ebbs and the flows of freelance self-employed living.
The highs the lows. The downtimes, the shows. I nose I is a poet in the same poets hose.
The insatiable desire for MORE all the time. Mainly involving stitches. OR people.
It must be the solitary confinement kicking in. The hours spent studying the needle punching in and out of the canvas. Moving the canvas millimeter by millimeter alongside the battling noise of the machine. GET ON WITH IT LOU! PULL YOUR BLOOMING FINGER OUT! YOU HAVE WORK TO DO! You need to create a master piece! Something that will lift you out of the cellar of craft and launch you into the ethalons of ART!

I have some seriously big commissions of challenging variety and I want to create something new.
If I cant be conventional then I really want to up my game. Or go on the game. Thats the choice.

I am bored and I need something exciting to happen . I need to make it happen.

Time to get my new studio established and get on with some bloody work.

Get jiggy with it.

I am going to develop a sewing gun.

Or has this already been done?

Some recent snapsa.

Mum's 1st Red Currants and White Currants.

Night before Bristol Show... Kitchen painting and Finishing off.

Just before bed.

Open Studio Opening Night View.

My mate CHRIS BEAR.

The Grim Reaper, GE.

A Stylish Man.

A Stylish Woman.

In a trance.

Some Big Hair.

Lost in the Wilderness.

Ice T.

Follow it yeah?

Sophisticated and beautiful Ms Reed.

Goodnight.

La La.

Appreciation of the Needle

2011-07-24T15:33:00.000+01:00

A Blousey Piece!

2011-07-16T13:47:00.000+01:00

Work in progress ... final piece from HOPE MILL before I move out which is a shame but hey... its been good man its been good. This is the corridor which I think is real groovy. Mine is the space at the very end.....

This is the reverse of a piece that was returned from India.... I didn't like the front at all and it was a toss up between painting and embroidery the reverse or chopping it up and taking what I wanted from the front which was the middle section .... so I did that ...... It could have gone either way. But at least I got photos of the reverse before I massacred it with scissors.

The very central piece before the black embroidered outskirts are what I salvaged. Then I drew the stripey ribbon like petals around the centre.

Marking the stripes I want to applique.

Working on the reverse.

Embroidering the first stage of the feathers.

Painting the stitched areas around the central bla bla bla blur bla.

Contemplating the next move.... I reckon 3 full days to go on this one if I push it, push it real good .

DA DAR DA DAR DA DAR DA DA awiiiaiaiia.

As Salt and Pepper once said.

Laters potatoes.

I have a 16th birthday to go to!

WHOOOOOOO!

One of the best yet...

2011-07-15T22:25:00.002+01:00

"hello, i am ***** from small sixth form and i wanted to say how much i love your work. it has inspired me to do my work on embroidery. i wanted to ask if you could send a sample, not a whole peice but a sample of your work as this would help me boost my work and also boost my grade
thank you "

Sorry but you gotta laugh!

2011-07-14T23:54:00.000+01:00

I leave Hope Mill in 4 days ....

I am working on my final piece of work there.... quite a challenging one...
It has been a great studio but its too far to drive and too expensive.
I am moving in to an old Dairy for two months ... a short walk from the kitchen.

Will keep you posted....

Lou on the move ...........again...

Face Lift for a Firework

2011-07-13T23:45:00.000+01:00

Three very large embroideries were returned of the 7 artworks I sent to Delhi for an exhibition in 2009.

Unsurprisingly, they were looking a little tired having been removed from their stretchers. This one I love but it needed a face lift. It is mainly embroidery, ink and leather on canvas.

You can see the Indian experience on the right here.

The reverse ... after some thought .... ready for a re-stretch ... brand new stretcher.....

Stretching Pliers and a bit of muscle...

Stretched and grubby.... but tight as a drum...

Brave strokes .... no time for wimps....

Silver boots ... still going folks!

Fast work ... large and small brushes..... loud music..

Blending and washing .....

Dripping and flicking...

Time for a cup of tea...

Almost end result ...... watch this space....

To be shown in two weeks at

Jamaica Street Open Studios 2011

22nd, 23rd, 24th July, Jamaica Street, Stokes Croft, Bristol.

Hope to see you! I will be on the third floor.

Louey Hong Kong Fooey.

Did I do that?

2011-07-13T23:18:00.001+01:00

IT'S WEIRD!

A student kindly sent me this with an email requesting that I answer some questions to help with her project. I get on average about 3 -5 of these emails a week now, all with long questions about the figure in my work or what inspires me. I am very in the middle of compiling one long Q and A sesh that I can wing off at the drop of a hat but I never find the time to finish it!

They say the highest form of flattery is imitation .... something like that.

I always try my best to reply with a polite line or two but recently never managing to reply to them all very quickly...... Sometimes the emails really make me laugh as they say things like 'Dear Sir / Madam' or have about 25 questions and a line at the end saying 'Please could you fill this in and send it back to me, Yours Faithfully Kayley.'

The good ones stand out a mile and the thank you emails afterwards are very rare! Its not often you hear back but when you do .... thats when you are more inclined to help.

Manners maketh man!

I AM very flattered that students are studying my work for their dissertations, essays etc and I believe I was on the A level textile paper at some point ... and possibly the GCSE ... mad .... I actually have no idea. It's not like you are asked! It seems to be a given that you are meant to be flattered or oblivious. Consequently, you get unindated by emails from funny email addresses like Winkyfairy and Pinkfluffpots and Squinkythreads....

Goddd I feel old!

Anyway ... this student was very brave sending me this image..... not bad eh?!

It certainly spurs you on to keep creating new and reinventing yourself ... or even prostituting your work as much as possible whilst people think you are still hot to trot!

It wont be long before I am SO YESTERDAY!

Lou Lou Copy Number 2

2011-06-21T20:10:00.002+01:00

Well hello bloggerfollowers and fine fine folk.

It is summer solstice today but looking through the window right now it's hard to imagine that the days are going to get shorter as there ain't no sun. Saying that, yesterday I was packing my cards outside with my sister and it was SO lovely to get a bit of sun on my face. Oooh Yeah baby, more please more Mrs Summer Pots.

My solo show at Quarry Bank Mill in Styal has been going very well indeed and I think now I have sold about 16 of the pieces so I am less of a poor artist. The commission waiting list is long and today I added commission number 12 which I plan to do in February of next year. That sounds bonkers. The thought that I will be stitching through Christmas and New Year on commissions of a huge variety, from large detailed crowd scenes to floral explosions with flower fairies and ducks with cigarette holders is rather exciting and frightening at the same time. Makes me feel slightly sick. The fact I have got to the point where I have a waiting list is a fantastic but also daunting mega moo as theres a lot of miles to go on the machine and quite a few of them really test my creative capabilities.
But ... one step at a time hey cowboy. One step at a time.

I am in the process of doing a million little jobs, running around in circles and deciding where I want to be based long term. Much as Manchester is a large and vibrant city I am missing Bristol very much as its large 'village' atmosphere suits my personality somehow.

It has been wonderfulllllllllllll living closer to my family but I miss the community and the convenience of the city of BRIZZLE and I am thinking that long term this is where I would like to build my home.
I miss walking everywhere. THIS has quite frankly 'dun my head in' for the past 4 months and this, plus the fact I have so much work to do has made me a little 'bloggerobbajob shy'. So sorry about that.

It has been a priveledge to do this exhibition at the mill and if you can do pop and see it as it has to be the most professsssh so far. There are always loads of things to do in the run up to the show but whats been great about this is it is in the museum half a mile away from where I was raised as a young chicken and I have been clucking around the museum grounds since I was old enough to wear wellies.

So many jobs that aren't really taken in to account in the timing and prepping for a show are really important. Getting everything photographed professionally before it is framed is a huge priority now. I have let so many pieces go in the past as I have been in too much of a rush to do this.

The reverse of the elephants before I stretched it.

Reversed fake lizard skin plastic coated linen..... I liked the back so i used it.

The front with stretching pins.

The biggy 'Follow your heart' being snapped in R's Studio.

I have been meaning to post thesee exhibition photos for those of you who cant make it to Cheshire so here they are at last for your perusal ...... I am the one that my friend describes as a cuddly tangerine in an orangey red dress at the bottom....

Preparing for the show, building last minute display boards, painting, mirror plating the work, cleaning etc .... and then of course hanging the exhibition... with proper little National Trust helpers! Bliss!

Hard to imagine the room during hanging as theres paraphernalia everywhere and school kids dressed as apprentices travelling through the exhibition room to the museum every few minutes.

But it was a fab and smooth process all the same.

As the first exhibitor in this new space, there was a lot to organise between us... lighting, new display boards, furniture, display cabinets..... and so on... The mill staff are fantastic... such a lovely team of down to earth and kind and excitable to work with. Its been such a nice way to re-familiarise myself with this fantastic resource, an amazing museum ... across the fields!

How many people does it take to get a piece straight!?

I was the final word on straightness! Yeah ... what?!

And catching a few snaps in the process to show you guys.

POW WAM !

Suddenly, the Private view was exciting and busy. And damn hot.

I did not stop to take breath for several hours and of course was a bit jaded after the preparations.

But a little booze and a few nibbles and I managed to talk to everyone that was patient enough to wait. Its not often you get to feel like a celeb but I got to experience what it is like to have people waiting to ask you questions. I had a queue! Hilarious.

It was quite strange and I very rarely got to look around the room I was so in demand, how lovely.

I was very very ready for a few glasses of plonk and a game of ping pong in my jeans when the end of the night arrived !

If one more person asks... 'How long do they take you.'

I still don't know what to answer.

In a spin.....

A busy and very hot room.

I think we had about 200-250 guests.

Lots of friends and family turned up to support me ....

THANKING YOU ALL!

The room is perfect for display with good natural lighting and good looking beams.

Loved doing the display cabinets.

'Nice Buns' here next to some large scales and a bale of cotton.

Tools of the trade on show....

Threads collected from the floor.

Buzzing with Jackie's SUPERB merangues.

The finished framed and hung 'TUMBLESEED' first to sell.

First ever piece on black... vurydrammatic!

Bucks fizz and canapes....

The cuddly tangerine.

I was so chuffed with the display cabinets and really enjoyed filling them with 'stuff' with my lovely work experience helper Jess... the very last job on the list before the big day.

They add a new dimension to the exhibition and hopefully people can appreciate some of the process involved and certainly the simple but beautiful materials.

The other lovely touch was the artist statement and vinyl lettering on the wall.

Rock on Tommy!

Louiji

100 FOLLOWERS!!!

2011-06-19T15:17:00.003+01:00

WOOHOO.

Welcome no 100.

I think it might be Abby Illustration....? Is it you Abby?

Please comment if you are number 100 - Lets hear a bit about you!

2011-06-18T11:19:00.002+01:00

Just to let you know I have extended my repertoire of Workshops....

SUPERSTITCHERS

Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire 2011

...in conjunction with Louise's solo show 'Losing the Thread'

DATES -
22nd, 23rd & 24th August - 3 day workshop (FULL)
Figurative Fun. This is a 3 day workshop starting with paper and pens, music and sherry, then using the sewing machines to create lively caricatures in stitch with paint. A three day SUPERSTITCHER workshop for all levels. People who 'CAN'T DRAW' are WELCOME!!!! Sewing machines with Free machine Embroidery Feet are needed.

Figurative Fun with FASHION - 3 Day SUPERSTITCHERS Workshop.
10th, 11th, 12th, October 2011 - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
(13 Places available 12.05.11)
This is a 3 day workshop starting with paper and pens, music and lots of gorgeous things to draw. Using the sewing machines to create lively caricatures and figurative drawings in stitch we will create stitched illustrations which can then be embellished with paint, inks and embroidery. A three day SUPERSTITCHER workshop for all levels but especially good for students who want to concentrate on drawing for fashion or the figure. Sewing machines with Free machine Embroidery Feet are needed.

3 Day SuperStitchers CHRISTMAS Special PICTURE Workshop.
16th, 17th, 18th November - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
(10 Places available 12.05.11)
This workshop concentrates on drawing with collage with a CHRISTMAS theme to create a wall piece especially for Christmas decoration in your home. Students are expected to bring a collection of festive images/ photocopies and designs from magazines, old cards that they like.
These collected images could be a mixture of landscape, figurative or still life. We will spend the first day creating a collage design which will be the basis for your embroidered canvas picture. For the rest of the workshop we will be using paint, free machine embroidery and then anything sparkly, to embellish the Christmas designs creating a one-off and individual piece of art which can then be framed and exhibited once a year in your own home or given as a unique gift for Christmas.
Sewing machines with Free machine Embroidery Feet are needed. People who 'CAN'T DRAW' are WELCOME!!!!

Weekend 'Flash in the Pan Superstitchers' Workshop - Figurative Fun.
19th & 20th November - Saturday and Sunday
(14 Places available 12.05.11)
We will be doing a short sharp drawing workshop starting with paper, pens and music, then using the sewing machines to create lively caricatures in stitch with paint. A two day workshop for all levels. Machines with Free machine Embroidery Feet are needed. People who 'CAN'T DRAW' are WELCOME!!!!

3 Day Special SuperStitchers FELT BOOK COVERS Workshop
12th, 13th, 14th December - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
(14 Places available 12.05.11)
Creating a Sketch book cover in embroidered felt. A three day workshop concentrating on drawing with the sewing machine to create a lively and textural book cover for an A3 sized sketch book in felt. This would be an ideal workshop for those wanting to create a unique gift or to cover books of your own in a creative and original way. We will be drawing with the machines creating lettering and fun imagery for the covers, then using applique and free machining to embellish your book covers. You will need to bring a new A3 sketch book to work with. Sewing machines with Free machine Embroidery Feet are needed.

Please see my website and contact me by email to book a place....
Men and Women welcome... all ages ... its a lot of fun...

A friend sent me this. She's done it for her Grandad. Its his work...

2011-05-16T01:10:00.002+01:00

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Harry-Design/222703321079703

I am going to look at it now too.

bye

Inspiration is sporadic and surprising...

2011-05-14T13:44:00.000+01:00

Based on the daily greetings of me and my Pals dans Francais last year I created a self portrait of sorts...

We're talking Manchester meets Paris and gives it a big smacker on the noosh (new word alert) ... only one mind.

I probably feature in most of my work whether it be floral fizzing explosions or buxom lasses in boots.

'Hello Duck' more sophisticatingly titled 'Bonjour Canard!' shown here .... has a certain expression, one which I am still trying to work out myself. Its an example that I don't really know what characters I am creating during the process and still sometimes at the end am still trying to work out their story. Or even my story associated with that new character or creature.

Its very strange but I also thought about a friend of mine who I knew was coming to the private view and yes she and her hubby bought it with absolutely no instigation from me..... It was so interesting to suddenly realise that they loved it and then I kind of realised that I had almost subliminally arranged this piece for them .... and others but they got there first.... It seemed dead right that they loved it and it made me very happy.....
I love their style and clothes and they have an air of contemporary chic about them so I was completely flattered that they purrrrchased this piece and I then proceeded to get very very drunk.

No seriously .... there was no time for getting drunk ....... Sometimes a sale feels like serendipity ... they are the best ones.... The ones that make IT worth IT. It is always flattering when people buy your work but SOMETIMES it is super flattering and exciting. Anyway Mr Bonjour Canard puuurchasher is a designer so I also invited myself for supper and asked for a job. We talked about creating a range...... which is what I want to do....

But for now......

Au Renoir Canard!

Follow your heart.....

2011-04-25T19:39:00.000+01:00

Snap bloody snap snap.....

2011-04-16T01:40:00.002+01:00

Oh no!!!!!

My new super dooper industrial trooper ..... GETS ON MY NERVES!
Never mind smashing Cava against her engine and celebrating her name and maiden voyage......

I am absolutely tired tonight after a day of intense work.
The thread snapped SO MANY sodding times with or without fiddly tension business ...
(Gosh ... this blog will never sound exciting to anyone other than ladies interested in Stitch as long as I go on about sodding thread tension.)

Jeez how boring.
AND how boring is snapping thread when all you want to do is get on with the task at hand efficiently and fast. I have no time for mistakes and decisions have to be made by the flying seat of my pants at the moment. I am doing a big new piece of work and I only have a week to schedule. It is meant to be fast and furious and hard and edgy but its DOING MY HEAD IN :/

I feel a bit of a tit really as I didn't realise that you not only have to thread the sodding needle every time the thread breaks but also the uppy downy lever thing at the front of the machine.
(Technical terms always.)

You cant just slide the thread in and get on with with it, you have to cut the thread and thread it through a damn hole here there and everywhere and its bloody irritating to bloody SAY THE LEAST!

MISTAKE - When I tried it for a test ride... it had been threaded up for me..... theres a lesson there....

Apart from bringing my knees together which I suppose is a good thing (?) I am actually leaning over a whole lot more as the action on the table is lower and you become more 'hunched' ... even more like an old dear with a back problem.

I want to go out dancing with a delicious tall man who buys me dainty but powerful cocktails and canapes in some fabulous bar on a swinging Friday night BUT ...INSTEAD...... I am licking bits of thread like some obsessed fruitcake willing the machine to be nice to me and sew for longer than half a bloody centimeter in an old mill in Manchester!

Despite a careful, patient and steady start on my new tractor style stitching massive ... the thread
KEEPS ON SNAPPING and I am there snipping and licking and fiddling and fucking about with this stupid annoying long and sinuous stuff that quite frankly GETS ON MY NERVES... continuous, relentless, irritating, repetitive, testing finickerty. It is rare that you can get up speed and sew ... When you do its like WOOHOO here we go come on Woop yeah faster woo lets go yeah come on and....

SNAP!

AGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have concentrated so hard all day and am doing a problematic and challenging piece of work which is 1m square. You don't seem to be able to fit in as much canvas as on a domestic 1008 and I am wrestling even more with the bloody artwork so that by the end of the day my shoulders are dead and I am exhausted and pissed off. The bobbin has a spontaneous perm in its own shell.... It runs out before you have had chance to get going and there is no thread tension. It seems to run out of the machine with no self control whatsoever so you end up wasting loads of thread and having these long trails getting caught in everything before you start stitching which you continuously have to trim.

I will give it another 2 days ......
I am aware that sometimes you need to get used to something but I have worked on the machine for a long old time so I know what I need. You just do. When you get going it can go bloody fast and has an amazing smoothness about it but theres too much faff in between.

IF it was set up like a domestic but with a flat bed table , Rolls Royce engine, had a light, was quick to thread and the mod cons then yes ... It would be brilliant but it isn't .. it has old fashioned components, no light and doesn't agree with machine embroidery thread.

So, I either start making jeans, set up a one man band sweat shop or I need to speak to my favourite sewing machine Man and see if I can take the damn thing back.

What a total arse.

Hello!? WHY NOT GET A WOMAN IN TO HELP DESIGN A NEW MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!

BIGGER BOBBINS and More room for fabric ???

All Teeth.....

2011-04-15T01:14:00.001+01:00

Had to take a photo of myself for the Wilmslow Advertiser today..... never an easy job but lucky I am a dab hand at self timer ART! Got out the red lippy and the white stuff for under my eyes... Can you tell?

Its been a while folks ... but for those of you who followed me on my BIG trip around the world ... on my own...... taking a photo of myself is a quite familiar task and, I hate to admit, a rather fun pass-time! Darting back and two and counting down the seconds like a wally ... smiling at the camera whilst trying not to squint too much or wrinkle ones brow. Sad though it seems ..... ones self image is an interesting challenge.. expecially as 'one' gets a little older and more wonky around the edges.

Anyway I have sent a few to the local rag in the hope that I look like a 'nice', artistic but not too crazy creative type with a sense of humour and a cool sewing machine.... yeah yeah .... bleugh bleugh...

Buts its better than having some local rag photographer telling you to hold a piece of artwork like a trophy, stick your chest out and look up at him standing on a chair.

I bet they choose the above.... my least favourite but most natural.....although I do look like someone has just pinched my arse..... Is that a talent?

Have my teeth always been this big? No its not my teeth ... its my mouth! Aghhhhh!

Oh sod it ... I am who I am..... Hoo HA!

:/

Louiji Nashtastic.

3 weeks to go....

2011-04-13T23:51:00.001+01:00

I love COLOUR!

Things were going amazingly well till Monday.

I got out of bed and immediately lay down again carefully and quickly. My back had gone and I was in a lot of pain. Blimey oh Riley. This has never happened before.

ANYWAY..... 2 days of anti inflams, many many hot water bottles (I LOVE THEM), lots of tiger balm, a long and silent do in an amazing hot tub and some loving TLC from my family has put me back on track and today I was sewing again.... albeit a little stiffly.

There is no time to stop as I am very behind schedule so I will have to pile on the stretches and the anti inflams and the occasional bottles of gin...... I have a show to put on....its gonna be good when I get there but my god theres a long way to go yet...

Tomorrow my new industrial sewing machine arrives .. later than expected but in time to help me finish these last few pieces.

I need to name her and break a bottle of cheap CAVA against her and drink the lot

.... will let you know the name.

Lou Ooooh Oooooh.

The Big Build up?

2011-04-05T22:57:00.000+01:00

I am in the process of rounding pieces up for my show in 4 weeks.... Here is a sneak preview of some of the new embroideries I have been working on.... a tu ron ron.....

I endeavour to push my creative va voom va for the next 4 weeks.

Timing of photography and framing are always tricky but essential at this stage but the date is set and the invites are going to be printed and posted this week ..... Please let me know if you would like to visit this show 'Losing the Thread' at Quarry Bank Mill in the beautiful village of Styal and I will add you to my mailing list.

I am seriously considering investing in an industrial machine after all these years to help me speed along with more vigour and less vibration. Although I am more nervous about my fingers as its more like drawing with a needle attached to a tractor. It would mean using both feet on the pedal not just one and having a flat table bed to whizz around....... very beneficial for my working posture which after 18 years of stitchin' is yoga dependent. Stitchin' aint good for ya bod!

Its a big and heavy investment. What to do........

Will let you know how I get on!

I did learn to drive a tractor when I was 11 after all.

Louiji

Exhibition in Styal

2011-03-26T18:57:00.000Z

Please email me if you would like to go on my Mailing List for this and other exhibitions.

Just a quickie

2011-03-25T23:28:00.000Z

To say .... I have not been blogging! So Sorry follower Blogeroobyjobbyfans.... I have been settling back into a busy life in the UK. My Big Trip seems a world away and a lot has happened.

I am slowly accumulating 10-16 new works for my next show 'Losing the thread' at Quarry Bank Mill in May.

I have some lovely new work in progress pics which I will post in the next few days when I find a minute alone with Malcolm the mac.

Speak soon......

Pasta la vista...

Squeedgie.

Just to say....

2011-02-28T22:48:00.000Z

Its been on my mind and I really want to say this...

I am really thinking about my friends and colleagues in New Zealand at the moment.
My thoughts are with you all during this time of tremendous devastation and loss in Christchurch.

I send you all lots of love and hope to see you all again soon.
I really miss my big trip ; the awesome scenery and the amazing people I was so privileged to meet.

Much love to you all.

2011-02-28T22:34:00.000Z

SUMMER SUPER SIZZLIN STITCHERS WORKSHOPS

Due to popular demand I am staging three more 'SUMMER SUPERSTITCHERS' master classes in May, June and August, 2011 at the beautiful location of Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Cheshire.A three Day master class with like minded people and a lot of laughs.

These will run in conjunction with my solo show in the new exhibition space a short walk from the beautiful workshop room.

'Losing the Thread'

The NEW 2011 workshop dates are -
16th, 17th & 18th May

6th, 7th and 8th June

22nd, 23rd and 24th August

Please see my website for bookings.

http://www.lougardiner.co.uk/

Come on down!

Super Dooper Stitcher Troopers 2!

2011-02-22T22:36:00.000Z

Drawing at Superstitchers 2.

How do you draw with only touch as a tool....

Drastic measures...

Feeling it....

A very game group....

Lovely mark making....

Characters all....

Fabulous work.... fantastic people yet again....

I have posted my new SUMMER SUPERSTITCHER master class dates

on my website workshop page....

Please let me know if you would like to join in the fun.....

Louiji Gardinelly

Wah Wah Wah!

2011-02-22T22:25:00.000Z

Yeah wah yeah wah!

New album by Underworld 'Barking' ... first track 'Bird 1'.

Love it.

Got aching shoulders... desperate to do some yoga and losing sight of regular practice.
Threw myself round at 'Cardio Kick BOX!' yesterday which was satisfying to a point except for the woman with the microphone who harps inanely on about crap all as we fling our legs and arms around pretending to be fierce Lara Croft type warrior women to the same awful repetitive house music she plays week after week. There are admittedly a couple of tracks on it that make me want to work up a sweat but when she asked me the other day in front of the whole class, microphone still on, if I was 'an East Enders or a Corrie fan' I nearly walked out.
The class always starts late and she always shares her inane news about a) her pony and how it nearly died until they put it on a special diet, b) what her husband is cooking for tea or c) her road incidents with people with road rage or things that have gone wrong with her car. I bust a gut to get there from the studio 16 miles away and then stand around like a wally waiting for her to finish chatting with her mates about soaps. I cant stand it when classes start late.

I went to the awful LEGS BUMS AND TUMS class as well and that was an absolute waste of time.
There were two other women there, a Mother and a daughter. Then there was the plugged in Madonna style teacher, same woman, volume up despite the fact we were three and could have heard perfectly well if she had removed it. Bet she wears it all the time.... to the supermarket, in her car, in bed with her husband. ANYWAY, they basically had a three way conversation throughout the whole affair, which was so interesting that she actually forget to tell us what we were doing so I kind of did a random individual boring routine which she then made a big loud scene out of me being half asleep and not doing the right moves insinuating that I was a bit odd and in my own world.

Right early start .... yoga practice at home......
OH I HATE THE WINTER GREY MORNINGS.... COME ON SPRING!
But as the chap in the garage said when I said
'Bit of a miserable morning isn't it?'

"You are lucky to be alive.... remember that!'

Right.

OK.

Will do.

Thanks.

Bye.

He's right really.... why should we complain about the weather? Because we have nothing else to complain about .... its a bad habit and we are British.... lets all try not to this week.... celebrate Greyness. YES!
Brilliant plan don't you think. :/

Luigi Drizzle Cakes.

The Labour of Love

2011-02-14T08:35:00.000Z

Talking of love and passion ...
I am driving to Birkenhead near Liverpool today to do a talk about my work. Of course it is Valentines day, the day to proclaim your love from the rooftops and sing sweet nothings like the birds tweet tweeting from the trees about Spring, to someone you love.
The sky is blue and the air is fresh. Today is gonna be good. I can feel it.

I have to pack examples of work into my car and sort the images on my computer ( too many too many).. then chose from the variety of projects that I have done over the years and try to fathom which my audience would most like to hear about.

Editing ones life... is never easy. What on earth is the most interesting about my job I ask myself? Which bits? What stories? Which characters? Can I repeat the same story and sound interesting again? How can I create a new angle on this? What do people really want to know? What is The Labour of Love?

Will it be the Wacky Races at Gloucester? The Birds of Paradise at Bristol PICU hospital, the NICU ward at Bristol, The Kirtsie Allsopp project, Superstitchers or the Liberty Lips Genie....How can I make it interesting and will they fall asleep on the front row? What do I do if the projector doesn't work and will I find the venue OK... What should I wear today without looking like a stereotype of an embroideress who likes colour and texture ... should it be the tie dye bell bottoms, the mohair jumper with a silk head band and huge shell earrings or the complete black outfit with the matt red lipstick and a resin necklace...... Aghhh No!

I have to admit I love public speaking. The more in the audience the better ... its just the way I work... the more people the more atmosphere the more giggles, the more passionate I feel. I have no idea how many people will be coming today ... Lets see.
And fingers crossed like mad the projector will work!

So Happy Valentines dear all.... Sod small Italian restaurants with poxy little tables and pink carnations. Today speak about something you love.

A Thought....

2011-02-05T23:30:00.000Z

...from the Dalai Lama himself.

My latest read bought at Calicut Airport as I left India.

'What I propose is a spiritual revolution.'

Bloggerrobbanob

2011-02-05T23:22:00.000Z

To Blog or not to blog that is the question!

This blog thing is a strange little bird.
It is a fantastic way to splurt and practice the art of writing. Its therapeutic, frustrating and fun.

I have had quite a few conversations with my pals about 'blogging' since I returned from my big trip as it seems it harder to blog when one is not on the shake and groove.... the move.

I am flattered and amazed to see how many fansicles there are to the Stitchery Witchery Tour.... And how many hits there are per week from as far as Mexico! Wow. It is very satisfying somehow but also a little surreal and I struggle with my personal content barometer every time I sit to write. Especially since I came home to the UK.

But I feel that it is important to express the important things that I find stimulating, inspiring, shocking and even droll. The moods and feelings as I find them as a particular little pea in the universe with a particular perspective and a penchant for potatoes. Many of my close friends have a very modern view of blogging and there have been a few meaty and funny conversations over a good few glasses of vino I can tell you! Some friends feel that it is important to keep a certain BLOG PERSONA, an alter ego...... and others think that the best bloggers have a reet good rant and almost unconsciously splurge and hosk their views out into the ether. JUST LIKE THAT!
Mmmmm.

I am pleased to report that three of these fantastic debates have been with very close Friends THAT LIVE OR HAVE LIVED in Manchester! Madchester! Madchester! Wahay!

Do I sound like a City fan yet? I must admit I actually prefer the red kit but hey, as yet I have not relinquished my placid passion for football just yet! Give it time...... given the location of my studio it would be rude not to go.

So just to keep you updated......

I shadowed my Mum on her mission to staple up ANTI DOG POO IN PLASTIC BAGS IN HEDGES signs around the woods. I thought this was extremely admirable. There was a moment when a small argument ensued about where to put the damn things up and how many industrial staples were actually needed per laminated poster... when parts of me that hadn't yet arrived back in the UK suddenly hit me .... some mental British flotsam plopped back into my brain from the sky like a falling poo bag and I realised that this was not exotic. But it was nice to do something positive for fellow country side lovers (my job was to remove the old staples) and I have to say .... whoever scoops their doggy poop into plastic poo bag and then puts it in the hedge OR SOMETIMES hanging from a tree .... is impressively derisory, laughable, nonsensical, preposterous, ludicrous, idiotic, absurd, STUPID. Big up to my Mum!

I also went to my third meditation meeting this week and I really like it.
Its a chance to sit down and say nothing on a cushion in a nice place with a nice man from Manchester talking about being bloody nice to yourself and everybody around you.

Nice.

And the last thing I want to report is that I spent a very productive week in the studio and finished three new characters for my Woodmansterne range 'IN STITCHES'. I am told it is doing extremely well more products like wrapping paper might be on their way soon.
I spent one of the studio days cleaning the disgustingly dirty microwave and leaving my first 'NOTE' by the studio sink. This was quite an event getting my marker pen out again for the first time in a year and I know many JSA friends will be highly amused by this. It read....

Hello! :)
Please use cling film provided to prevent colourful explosions and splurts onto this beautifully clean microwave. Thankyou!

There are some things that make my studio days good, the first being a fresh coffee with hot milk and the other, bless my little heart, is homemade soup. So, now that is back in place I am happier. Fish Soup with chilli and ginger, puts hairs on ya chest girls!

I also spent an afternoon with my studio share and we had a right laugh and shared music.
Wicky woo.

The plan is in place, lets get this show on the road.
Power and peace to the people!

As for blogging. I enjoyed that, thanks for listening!

Lou the Choo Choo train. (said with jazz hands.)

And then.......

2011-02-01T21:24:00.000Z

....14 ladies walked into the room.

"Welcome to SUPERSTICHERS!'

What a lovely bunch of ladies.

Honestly ... if there was ever a cure... stick yourself in a room of caring and sharing women. Amazing. I am in my element, I have my sis to help and the heaters are on.

The first SUPERSTITCHERS workshop was a tonic. I hope not just for me but all involved.
I SO enjoyed meeting a group of enthusiastic UK based ladies up for a bot of a laugh and a challenge.

We started chatting with coffee and chocolate fingers and finished with scones, jam and cream and 14 embroidered works of art in the making.
3 days didnt seem long enough, it flew ... but was a relaxed enough pace to enjoy and experiment. Play some tunes.

Drawing to the Beastie Boys to warm things up a bit.

What a lovely room. It was perfect.

The Mill at Styal is a wonderful place, with a historic atmosphere and a lot of lovely staff who shaking things up a bit. Its exciting and the workshop fitted in perfectly.

We had many characters from across the UK. They had one thing in common.... an understanding of the importance of creativity and self expression. They were here after all. 3 days of self indulgent socialising and sewing. These are wise ladies.

Need I say more?

The workshop would not have been the same without them.

What can YOU do with a bag of hats?

Drawing portraits with pumping house music and tangerines.

Two Rules... come on a workshop to find out!

Scratchy gorgeousness.

Completely original.

Ladies YOU can DRAW!!!!

Onto the machine and off we go ... still drawing.

Chat and Demos...

Applique with a twist.

Therapeutic Acrylics and Sherry.

Textured spontaneity.

Bravely unconventional. GO T!

Can you tell who it is yet?

And again....

The effects of SUPERSTITCHERY?

Scones and pats on the back.

Thank you ladies for a totally (as they say in the U S of A) AWESOME time.

It was a pleasure meeting you.

Come back!

Louiji Stitchy Witchy Squeedgie.

The UK.

I live in Hope.

2011-02-01T19:51:00.001Z

Oh ...here we go.

I felt like a character in a gritty and slightly depressing, true to life British film.

Gold hooped earrings and my studio jeans. All I need is some spots, greasy hair and an anorak as I sit here chiaroscuro style, the light off. Looking at myself from the outside sitting there being miserable, a half eaten ginger biscuit in my hand, another bite sitting redundantly in the pocket of my cheek getting soggy. Tears rolling down my cheeks trying to be happy in my new studio wondering if my friends cared a jot about their long lost travelling friend or had got used to me being away. Poor me.

Its lovely yeah!???

I drove here at 7-30 trying to beat the commuter crush on this grey January morning, full of enthusiasm.
My first working day in Hope Studio. So aptly named.  I sat down for a tea break and suddenly realised this was it,  I had moved to Manchester and I was starting again from scratch, OH WOE!
Staring out at the City Football stadium, a torn England flag hanging sadly from a fence, the rubbish and the murky Manchester sky.    As the kettle boiled I wondered if there was anyone else in Hope.

Tears are a strange thing really, especially on your own.
An important PROCESS. Process is a big word in my life at the moment.
Emotion is a sort of momentary platform that enables you to look at yourself from the outside, through the glass, nose squashed, wondering what on earth you are doing?!
Obviously there's lots of different types of tears but I have always found crying weird, surreal, sometimes surprising but of course necessary, a bit like a weird play.

I miss my life in Bristol, understandably I miss my friends.
My head is sort of still on the move, like when you drive past your destination and can't find a place to turn round.

Now don't panic...
I AM Absolutely BLOODY FINE!

Post adventure blues for Louiji Gardinelly's homecoming.
Inevitable.

Transitional tears, pencilled in for late January. Right on schedule.

Sentimentality, misery and gloom.
A big inevitable Flop, missing the familiarity of my old studio, my colleagues, my lovely flat, Bristol and of course, the Stokes Croft boozers and the social scene. A heavily slopped Manchester helping of Bristol home sickness.
FEEL IT BABY! LET IT OUT and feel miserable.

I have come 'home' but I haven't.

Its a new beginning but at the moment I CAN'T BE ARSED!
I want a small dog and a nice rug and an airing cupboard. I am too old for this.

And of course the weather is CRAP! Another bloody winter... Am I seasonally screwed up?

I sat there feeling miserable, trying to give crying some throttle but failing, I knew that I was OK and that I just needed to be patient over the next few months and that I should just swallow the biscuit.

I have moved my whole self and all my worldly goods to a new city, one that I am not that keen on at the mo, sorry Manchester, I cant help it, maybe Lowry felt the same.

The process of unwrapping all my materials, undoing the boxes that were packed on my last, emotional and drunken weekend of Open Studio at Jamaica Street has unravelled parts of me that I had bravely set to one side. Exploring the neatly packed boxes full of the tools of my trade, my threads, my paints, my paint brushes, bobbins, staples and masking tapes, the things that I love was meant to be exciting. 7 years of life in Bristol, associations of hard work and a busy life elsewhere.
DEAL WITH YA DEMONS Gardiner!

In the boxes had crept a few bits of JSA Fluff. I found a book full of 'Thirdie Wirdie' studio business and meeting minutes, a couple of notes about rent cheques or borrowed screw drivers, a couple of my friends business cards and little drawings or cartoons.

I found a name badge of one of my friends from Open Studio and weakly put new teabags into my enamelled tin.
Familiar items placed in their same familiar drawers and well travelled boxes. These objects with history seemed to connect different aspects of my life and all that has happened in the last year, the crazy flurry of intensive work during my last 6 months of Jamaica Street, the last Open Studio, the emotional goodbyes and hangovers, making coffee in a plastic jug, listening to music and manipulating thread, the view, the everyday walk to work, Abdul in the corner shop, lunchtime sandwiches sessions, cups of afternoon tea and staring on a Sunday afternoon at the hot air balloons drifting by, talking ART verses CRAFT, giggles with the media boys and the after work pints in the Canteen. Oh Goddd I cant stand it!

I plugged in my navy blue Roberts radio for a dose of Radio Four, the aerial immediately fell off and two annoying men were arguing about working class humour. I noted the drip of watery snot on the end of my nose about to drop into my tea and reluctantly smiled.

So of course, these boxes patiently gathered dust whilst the US, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, India, the adventures, the stories, the ladies, the spontaneity, happened. Personal creativity was re-invented, my redundant materials and books got damp and I didn't care. The wonderful unknown …. living out of a suitcase for 6 months, no home, just me.
And now here, a new static place of work, a new city, a new industrial view, greyness and rain. I feel like Julie Walters in a heart wrenching scene about an embroideress who had zig zagged herself into a canvas and eaten by her own cats.

Life's a funny old game.

Some things needed to change… who knows what will happen tomorrow.

I live in Hope … and its warm and lovely.

Time to get the machine out and give it a whirl. Its been a while. Lets get on with it and make some things. Its was never going to be easy you fool Louiji. Sometimes the best things in life aren't free.

And of course, it's SUPERSTITCHERS soon.
My plan of gloom attack begins.

Lou Le Boohoo Femme Fatal.

2011-01-30T22:38:00.002Z

Ooohhh its hot in 'ere.

2011-01-20T22:51:00.001Z

Eh up pet.

Well it was so warm in my NEW studio today that I ended up hoovering in ma vest.

Call me glamorous.

Int dust amazin. Strange stuff really. Dust.

I mean there's that much of it.

Do I sound like a Northerner?

Goodnight.

Fansicles....

2011-01-19T23:42:00.000Z

Hello and welcome Fansicle no 80!

A Bip Bap Balooooobaa

2011-01-19T23:38:00.000Z

I have found a studio and I moved my sewing machine in there today.

I have a new studio in an massive old mill!

Oh my Lordy be.
I have a studio with HEATING!!!!!!!!

I have a studio with a wooden floors and two fantastic windows looking out over the old mills, a huge stadium, the canal, the new tram and council estates of Ancoats, Manchester.

I have a studio amongst about 20-30 other studios with a range of 'creatives' I haven't met yet!

I am sharing a space for the first time with a lovely lady, also passionate about fabric and sewing called B. I found it on Gumtree.

B has bright red hair and green glasses and a Jenome.

I have a studio with an old working mill lift and A GOODS LIFT!

I have a studio with a new project / exhibition space being built upstairs!

I have a studio with a car park! A free car park! A secure car park with fab graffiti!

I have a studio with two clean toilets and a trendy corridor that has funky designs on it.

I have a studio with heating! ( sorry did I already say that!?) You walk into the studio and it is gorgeously warm with lovely silver hot water pipes running through it above your head.

I have a studio for 120 macaroons a month.

I have a studio in MANCHESTER.

I have a studio with a landlord who really gives a pea about the everyday stuff with a nice grey jumper and a friendly Manchester accent and ambition.

I have a studio with a chill out area just outside also with an amazing window with more fantastic industrial views and two large red sofas and a fire escape.

I have a studio 10 minutes walk from the Northern quarter of Manchester.

I have moved from Bristol to Manchester and I have a studio.

WITH HEATING!

:)

Crack Cocaine anyone?

2011-01-18T00:12:00.000Z

"I am in my final year at University studying Textiles Design
and beginning my dissertation. Its largely about using stitch as a
drawing tool, which I know your work is very centred around and is
hugely inspiring to me. I am also looking at the way in which
technology and machinery has taken over art in certain ways, and
initial creative talent is being lost in computers. What do you think
of the way in which technology has effected the art world? Do you
think real raw creativity and a one to one relationship with fabrics,
threads and drawing has become overshadowed my computer technology? Do
you believe embroidery has become a real established art? You once
said " I want to get embroidery on the map"- where do you think it
stands today?"

Blimey.... :)

Is initial talent being lost in computers?
Erm.... Think Lou think....

Well I don't know if it is ... computers have revolutionised design and sped up many laborious processes. I know a lot of people that use computers as part of their design process but for people like me I don't use them enough. I cant, quite frankly, afford the technology even though I would love 'to have a go' and see how technology could help my working process. I would love to learn 'IT' and push it's boundaries to the max....

I use computers a lot with my administration, blog and website upkeep etc.
The web is a fantastic research tool and you have the most amazing visual information at your fingertips which for me has enabled much more exciting research activity and informed my ideas at the beginning of projects. Technology has allowed me to get out there in the public domain and is a invaluable tool as far as my survival as an artist. In the beginning I was hand writing letters and sending crappy prints to galleries and organisations about my work by second class post waiting weeks for a reply and spending a fortune on poor quality slides and prints from Boots.

Now, I have between 50 and 200 hits per day to my website and blog. (WOOPEE WOO!) The Web has enabled me to get commissions from high profile organisations who have never heard of free machine embroidery before and it has changed my career. Only part of my career as an artist is about making, a large proportion of my career is about being seen, marketing myself and researching where I need to be right now. Its hugely time consuming but I would probably no longer be an artist if it weren't for the INTERNET. I love my laptop. I love you laptop.

Art is a very broad term and its up to the artist and the viewer what they classify as ART. You can make art out of anything from plasticine to photo shop, even poo. It is very subjective whether it is seen to be'good' or not.
There's no rules.

No matter what tool you use ... a pencil, a paint brush, a sewing machine, a mechanised blue tack shooter..... its what you do with it that matters. Eh?!
Just because something is run with electric doesn't mean it is no longer valid. Sorry if that's sounds daft but at the end of the day lead, masking tape, buttons... same same. Different approaches, different mediums, different markets. In some cases a computer is better and in some cases a pencil. In the same way that using Computerised technology in embroidery doesn't make something less valid, just different to look at... but we, the audience can evaluate wisely. What do we think is beautiful and worth while ? And that changes from person to person, through time. Yes, it has a totally different look to free machine embroidery but I see it as a new and exiting medium waiting to be explored and turned inside out. Its only wrong if the artist or maker disguises the use of the machine or computer aided technology and says 'handmade'. But really ... the reason we think it might be wrong is that it is used in mass production because quite honestly, they are the only ones that can afford the technology.... computerised embroidery has been around possibly longer than free machined art .... maybe ( no actual facts here) but on caps for instance.... So its only now that this technology is being used by artists ... not just top shop. And it all filters through into the same system and maybe even makes people more aware of its existence ... it's merits.... thread that is... the beauty of thread. I mean ... its everywhere.... its back in fashion.

I welcome new technology and I am not going to stop drawing and designing. If I could get my hands on some it might mean I can cut out some of the back breaking work at the beginning, help my dicky hip get better and enable me to become more of a designer ... spending less time on laborious and possibly unnecessary ways of working OR get my ideas down faster then great ... Bring it on! I love the handmade, the hand crafted, the bespoke.... but I also embrace the new and say to designers and artists ... don't fight it but get to know it.... use and abuse it... make it work for you and create something that has never been seen before!
WOOOOO!
New technology helps us work in different ways that are original ... because its NEW and the artists job is to push it the extreme and explore in a way that your average design monkey cannot........

I am not saying that when I wander around a show and see trendy computerised embroidered canvasses and quietly scoff knowing damn well I am jealous because I wouldn't have a clue where to start. They probably look at my work and think I am mad.

As far as embroidery being an art form or not.... depends....
Why should it be viewed any differently to some one who pushes paint around a canvas? Its just a differnt texture and colour..... 3 dimensional lines of colour?

On the map?
Yes, it is.... its just a very small exotic country waiting quietly and patiently to take the world by storm. Having been fortunate enough to briefly pimp stitchin' on TV and on the radio recently, I'd say things are a changin'.

There are thousands of embroidery enthusiasts in the UK and even more across the world... Its an exciting and new medium and I am sure that the amount of people doing it has multiplied by miles since I was a wee naive little embroidery nipper 15 years ago.

'The Crack Cocaine of Craft!'

Cheers Kirsty ... it is!

GOOD LUCK with your project.......

Now can anyone buy me a computerised sewing machine?

Have you seen the size of those?

2011-01-17T23:32:00.000Z

I am a very lucky lady, I have just spent an excellent weekend in London. It is a great city.
Ya ya ya.

Having been at home in the UK for a whole two weeks (!) I had to get myself on a train somewhere as my feet were beginning to itch. I have slept in the same bed, except on my birthday where I slept in the fancy dress box ..... for over 10 nights! So, I found a bunch of juicy excuses to pack a bag without feeling guilty and hopped on the train from Manchester to the BIG SMOKE.

The first excuse was to get a fix at the V&A, my personal place of worship.
Is this the best museum in the world or is this the best museum in the world?

I called one of my best friends, a fantastically talented ceramicist, SOPHIE WOODROW to see if she fancied hopping on a bus to meet me for some eclectic INSPIRATION, chats, coffee and V&A magic.

Picture this, one slightly eccentric blond ceramicist and one silver booted and flat capped embroidery artist pootling around oohing and aghhing, wooing and cooing over the atmospheric delights of these awe inspiring galleries and of course popping in and out of the totally sumptuous cafe for some serious V&A visitor watching. It's right up there in the people watching charts of best places to gaze at interesting folks with interesting hair cuts, interesting facial hair and their arty farty clobber.
Brilliant. A changing and excellent live exhibition of Victoria and Albert fans every day.
The cafe is a gallery in itself.

And...OH MY GOD.

Have you or have you not seen the size of the meringues in the V&A?
Never mind post neolithic marble columns from Outer Mongolia!
Go straight from security-check to the cafe.... to see these meringues.
They are totally fantastic.

I am ashamed to admit that I am not worthy of writing about these crispy white dreamy mountains of sugary glory as I didn't actually purchase one. I just held up the queue next to the till until S brought me back to life... and I found myself having one of those mindless moments of brainless blandness, ordering the most boring thing in the world.
A cheese sandwich. Do you ever do that? I do it all the time.
It's amazing my inability to cope with choice.
I mean really, a cheese sandwich.

We dragged ourselves away from the meringues and the joy of watching people who had braved them and wandered around the new ceramics floor at the top. Have you seen that? It is earth shatteringly impressive and overwhelming. So of course, once our eyes had exploded and we couldnt walk any further for information overload, we ended up finishing our tour back in the cafe for a good old chat about the opposite sex over glasses of Rose. Delightful.

The weekend continued with frivolity and friends and then today, fantastically ended back in the V&A! I met with a lovely new client who has just commissioned me to make a bespoke embroidery based on trees and dreams and flowers and pagodas and butterflies and clouds and gardens and birds .... MAYBE...? (I have couriered the challenge to simmer in my sub conscious for a wee while.) We visited the Imperial Robes exhibition which is stunning, (go see it!) to share ideas and get to know each other better. I love meeting people through my work.

A small exhibition but huge in its content.... I mean WOW.

The embroidery is unbelievable and makes me feel like a fraud. It is stunning and it is impossible to fathom the time and the skill that has created these masterpieces. But what I left with was colour vibrations..... humming through my mind... delicious ..... pistachio, duck egg blue, pink, coral, gold, indigo blacks or something like that, burnt reds .... a bop bap baloobaaaaaa, sublimely shiny and lustrous and inexplicably created by small patient dedicated human hands... inspired by the Gods.

Bonkers.

And of course, I also managed to squeeze in a romantic moment, staring at the superhuman Meringues. The thought of attempting to eat one in public was too much so I quietly left, got the train home and planed my week trying to find a new studio.
I have some exciting work to do and the clock is ticking.

Wish me luck.

Lou the Foo in a Sugary Tutu.

KISSY KISSY

2011-01-12T23:58:00.002Z

Look guys we are not French!

And if you ask me, when it comes to kissing, you can tell.

I'm not talking passionate embraces here OR snogging behind the back of the bike shed.
I am talking about the everyday meet and greet kinda stuff.

I am sure I remember a day not so long ago that you could just say Hello and smile warmly when you met someone. OR ... occasionally if you felt the urge, to shake their hand firmly and enthusiastically whilst making positive eye contact. Yeah?

But now, in this germ ridden, dull and wet season 2011, when everybody is having a battle with dry throats and snot, cold sores and spots, it seems that a gracious and welcoming greeting of the hands and the eyes is not enough. It now seems that we have gone contibloodymental.

Oh I hate it when its inappropriate ... especially with those that you meet and have only some vague connection maybe, a friend of a friend or So and Soh's Uncle Brian, and you find yourself having to go through the kissing thing ON YOUR FACE! AND to make it doubly bad, these days I'm finding that it's not ONE but BOTH cheeks.
We are pretending to be either posh or European and we are not.

UGHHHH! PLEASE GET OFF!

Quite often, neither person wants to but these days you feel you have to and before you know it you are kissing everybloodybody in the pub who is vaguely related to your pint.
It won't be long before we are kissing the girl in the Supermarket behind the check out!

Surely its not only a ridiculously efficient way of spreading all these horrible clingy germathons but often an embarrassingly unsettling and clumsy affair. We are not European ... we are the stoic and cold hearted BRITISH public we are! We do not 'DO' kissing. Or we didn't...... (Unless forced into a corner, preferably with some gorgeous individual who has given you some exciting warning that this might on their mind. Now that's another story!)

I really don't like that knowing feeling when you are introduced to someone that whether you like it or not they are coming in for the kill. Often the opposite sex and its as if they see an opportunity to lech. You are cold and wet and have just arrived. You have never met them before in your life and you will probably never meet them again. All you want is to get to the bar once you have got the pleasantries out of the way. In your mind you picture the scene that is about to take place and you think 'How on earth am I going to get out of this... just say Hello, smile and offer your hand. That's enough.' But before you know it they have grabbed your hand, pulled you closer and puckered up their thin beery lips and are heading somewhere towards your mouth. OH my Lord. You can bet your cordon bleus that it often ends in an embarrassing head butting or nose bashing experience.
You know what I am talking about... it's happened to all of us at some point. And theres no getting out of it!

"STOP RIGHT THERE KIDDO!
...I am sorry but I do not want to kiss you ... I just want to shake your hand, if that is, you have washed them after going to the toilet and haven't scratched your balls in the last 5 minutes."

Brilliant.
Can you imagine saying that? Can you imagine their face? Especially if it was a woman!

Me, I like to have a reason to kiss people. Knowing them is a good start or at least feeling that you should know them or would like to know them.

A reason like 'OH ITS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!' or 'Oooh I fancy you.' OR ' Don't you just look great!' OR ' Oooh I am excited about today! Give us a kiss!' or even maybe 'I have known your Mother for years.' Kinda thing.

Maybe I am not a dry old stick. Hey No....I know about kissing... kissing can be brilliant!
I can be continental when I wanna be Mmmmmm!?
I love giving my friends a kiss and sometimes a hug.... its lovely ... especially the hug bit. And one kiss is nice... I am positively realistic about my origin and one meaningful and positive smack placed thoughtfully is enough for me Ta. I have been known to actually say mid- kisses... 'Just the one good one thanks, I am a Northerner.' But I feel I am losing my power and now having to kiss everybody in my path.... dribble, snot and all... TWICE!

SO... Lets bring back the hand shake and forget all this over friendly palava.
Be honest... we aren't that good at it. Let kissing remain something special for moments of love. A strong but gentle, firm and friendly shake is the way to a healthier and brighter future with less snot ... as long as you wash your hands! ;)

Lou Kissy Wissy Woo.

Im back and Im black.

2011-01-07T20:47:00.000Z

HELLO ENGERLAND!

Oh Blimey... here I am ... back in the fold.

I had a fantastic return ... smooth and easy. Lucky really as I had just missed the UK blanket of disruption over Christmas and when I arrived it was warm wet and mild and Christmas was over.
NICE.

I drank through the jet lag and kept ridiculous hours for the first three nights which fitted in with everybody very well over the New Years madness. It was really lovely to visit my friends (such an arty crowd ya) and catch up. Gosh I have missed them and its amazing how quickly everything feels back to normal over a pub table. Life goes on and theres something warm and comforting to know that things don't really change.

Oh, and then theres hot showers and a bed of my own.... Ohhhhhh merci merci tres bien les enfants. Last night I stood in the shower until the hot water ran out .... it is a delightful thing.
As is a china beaker full of hot tea!

I have already cracked on with plans and work for 2011 and the most exciting thing is the SUPERSTITCHERS workshops and my solo show I am staging at Quarry Bank Mill to open their new gallery space. What a beautiful and appropriate setting.

I had a meeting there yesterday and saw the venue for both. They are fantastic. The Workshop room is big, warm and full of light so I am very excited about kickstarting the first workshop on the 26th January which is full. It's wonderful .... people are travelling from as far as BRIGHTON. BIG UP TO THEM BRAVE FOLK! Anyway... the mill has all the mod cons and I think an all around sound music system so I think we will have to get some disco stitching on the go. WOOP WOOP!

The exhibition venue is in the museum itself ... its the first room you come to in the mill building (which is massive and impressive) and generally it's a very beautiful place really, even when it is miserable and rainy .... you can almost imagine wearing clogs and mop caps....

Fancy dress workshops!? Now there's an idea........ I hear a few groans in the distance. Maybe not.

So really ... the blog will definitely be taking on the roll of logging my progress, new work and fandabbydozey workshops of the next coming months.

I have enroled on a drama course for a laugh and a meditation course ... for a laugh? Something like that. So I can blog about those too! Theres a few big commissions I will be working on so I will certainly blog my progress on those. Hells bells ... its been a while.... I hope that I can still DO IT!
Put it this way ... its head down for the next few months and I need and want to make the best work OF MY LIFE .... no pressure ... I have at least 10 new pieces to create and I have some ambitious ideas.
Oh yeah baby.

I would love to write about a corrupt life as a lusty stitchin wench but one must remain professional!
But put it this way ... I have moved to a new city and have a blank slate so its all very exciting.

Its my birthday tomorrow. Nothing fancy. Fellow Capricornoninans will sympathise with me here but ... lets face it ... its never been a good time to have a birthday when everybody cant stand the sight of alcohol and doesn't want to step outdoors. But Hell so what... I can!
The fizz is in the fridge and I am cooking.

First on the menu -

Kiwi Rolls - dedicated to A in The Corrumandel
Capers wrapped in cheesy pastry and baked..... Again thanks to A.
Devils on horseback - Prunes wrapped in smokey bacon
Olive tuppence - if I can dig out my old magi mix
Sausages with honey and mysteried

Then -
My Famous Fish Soup/ goulash stuff!
Which I have just stirred in a huge cauldron and it is, even though I say it myself the perfect winter warmer. Booackasha! Whoop! The recipe is on the blog somewhere on this blog if you want to try it ... but if you do try.... COOK WITH YOUR HEART!

I just want to say HI to the lovely ladies in NZ ... I miss the place. So Happy New Year to you all. XXX

ANYWAYS....I must get on as I have the family coming around tomorrow for some ten pin bowling and then a boozy feast.

So Up ya Bum Everybody!
ie. CHEERS!

Lou Foo La Lou