Sue Stone at The Ropewalk, Barton upon Humber

Dora & Carmel - Sue Stone
Inspired by a memory from Ina Olohan

Textile artist, Sue Stone has a solo exhibition, Re-Tellings, at The Ropewalk in Barton upon Humber until 20 October 2019.  It's a must see show, and you still have time to pay a visit.  Sue's work typically features a considerable amount of handstitching where she uses a small number of different stitches to maximum effect.  This exhibition also includes her digital prints and iPad drawings too!

Sue Stone Textile Artist

The exhibition is inspired by memories - not just Sue's but others' too.  Members of the public were invited to take part by sharing memories of themselves and their relationships.  These took the form of anecdotes and images...

Memories

The common link in this selection is family & friendship...

They shared the knitting of the jumper - Sue Stone
Inspired by a memory from Pamela Richardson

The pictures here represent just a few of the stitched artworks on show...

The Girls Go To London Town - Sue Stone

6 Little Girls - Sue Stone
Inspired by a memory from Tilleke Schwarz

A Family's Life 1 - Sue Stone
Inspired by memories from V Mackman

In addition, there was a pictorial representation of Sue's life story in the form of a portrait for every year of her life so far...

66 a self portrait (part) - Sue Stone

My favourite picture was Dora & Carmel (see top), although it was hard to choose.

As well as the exhibition,  I was also just in time to book onto one of Sue's workshops.  Sue encouraged us to experiment with running stitch. With a palette of three fabric colours, we explored stitching patterns round our chosen applique shapes (and their negative counterparts) using different thread weights and different textured threads.  We also looked at looping, threading and fabric manipulation.  Sue had lots of samples to inspire us.  Here are my samples...

Running stitch with applique & threading

Looping

 

Fabric manipulation

And here's what everyone did...

Workshop participants' samples

I can't wait to to get on with some more samples - thanks, Sue!

Do go and see the exhibition.  The Ropewalk is a great place to visit!

Tree Leaves & the Woodland Trust

Tree Leaves Yarnstorm in Rowntree Park, York - Summer 2019

Once the Tree Leaves Yarnstorm installation was taken down, had its visit to the Tree Leaves Laundrette and went online, the trees & leaves were ready for sale to fundraise for the Woodland Trust.  Our first sale was in Rowntree Park, York.  We had fantastic sunshine, a great response and people queing to buy. 

Trees for Sale

Our second sale was at the Trafalgar Bay pub and also brought in some lovely customers.

More Trees & Leaves for Sale

Finally the remaining trees and leaves plus the extreme knitted conifer and the big knitted leaves that were on the tennis court fence were purchased by York Greenways. York Greenways exists to protect and  enhance the ecology of the accessible traffic-free routes from York into the surrounding countryside. Their vision is a network of green corridors leading to places of interest or refreshment, encouraging York’s residents and visitors to explore and value the biodiversity and heritage in and around the city. 

York Greenways are going to reinstall the yarnstorm on the Solar System Greenway - the cycle path that goes from York to Selby.  If you've never cycled or walked along the Solar System Greenway, give it a go - it's a great route.  You don't have to do the full length unless you want to and there's refreshment en route at the Brunswick Organic Nursery and the former Naburn Station or take a side trip to the local village pubs nearby.

Letter from the Woodland Trust

In total, we've raised over £800 for the Woodland Trust.  The Woodland Trust protects and campaigns on behalf of this country’s woods, plants trees, and restores ancient woodland for the benefit of wildlife and people.  Their vision is a UK rich in native woods and trees, for people and wildlife. So I'm sure they'll put the money to good use.

So all that's left to say is a big THANK YOU to everyone who made this happen - we couldn't have done it without you - it's been fab!


The Tree Leaves project was sponsored by the Friends of Rowntree Park, Bettys & Taylors Group & supported by Boyes