Studio ...

Rocketing along preparing lovely goods for our holiday studio show and sale tomorrow! 

A myriad of pieced panels composed of prints on silk, cotton and linen for lavender pillows and my beloved Juki. Aerial view. 

Open House!

We're all busy in our studios preparing for our annual Open House Show and Sale.  We transform the main floor into a showroom where you can browse and visit and even take a little refreshment while checking out our newest work and the work you've come to expect. 

Latest works in textiles, metals and ceramics by artists/designers Valerie Knapp, Vivienne Jones and Carolynn Bloomer — Saturday and Sunday, Dec 1 & 2 between 11 - 6. 

Drop by and see us!  There is always a wonderful eclectic range of things 

and it's fun to shop in this unique setting.  

Need 

more details?  Get in touch. 

I'll try to post some images from the workroom soon.

Feel free to share the invite with friends.

l. - r.   Butter dishes, Carolynn Bloomer.   Brooch, Vivienne Jones.   Pieced zipper bags, Valerie Knapp.
l. - r.   Labyrinth #2 (detail), Valerie Knapp.   Necklace, Vivienne Jones.   Plate - Really, Carolynn Bloomer.

Window Work

It's wonderful how a project can be an instrument of transformation, as when I was invited to create a translucent embroidered covering for a simple window in a beautiful room. By day the outside is subtly obscured, rather softened, and the light filters through emphasizing the delicate, skeletal stitched nature of the piece. As darkness falls the piece takes on a different character. With opaque black night as the backdrop the surface transforms with the shower of light from within the dining room. All the subtle details emerge in the fullness of the silken glow; one almost forgets it's translucency and the outside is gone.

Window Work 2012, Valerie Knapp©  Embroidery, silk organza, vintage lace and trims, thread, sewing.

                

        

               

                                                                 
                                                       
                                                                 

Window Work 2012, Valerie Knapp©  Embroidery, silk organza, vintage lace and trims, thread, sewing.

Time in the Quiet Zone

Time will be in the show Quiet Zone opening Nov 3, 2012 in The Gallery at Queen Elizabeth Park Cultural Centre in Oakville, part of the World of Threads festival of exhibitions in Oakville and Toronto. 

A perforated and appliquéd tree peony pod, drawn from my garden, appears caught in a ground of vermicular lines embroidered in minuscule backstitches. Worked on handmade French paper in DMC and inspired by my passion for French 18th century textiles, Time is a way of channeling between then and now.  

I also wrote about this work at an earlier stage — the post. (Note: This image is more true in colour).

Although I have a long history as a printer and still use printing in many aspects of my work, this piece has none, yet it's primary influences are printed textiles.  A wonderful reference if you're interested in historical printed textiles is Printed French Fabrics by Josette Brédif. 

Time 2012, Valerie Knapp©.  Embroidery, perforation, drawing, appliqué on paper (Saint-Gilles).

Time (detail) 2012 , Valerie Knapp©. 

Time (detail) 2012 , Valerie Knapp©.

Sewing Kit

One of my favourite objects to make is this pieced linen sewing kit roll.  The Big Dots and Sticks are relief printed by me and the tiny square is a vintage French silk denim and the patches on the inside where you stow supplies are felt. When I developed the first samples I was surprized with the interest and they were snapped up quickly, perhaps because it's a satisfying organizer, intimate in scale and soft to touch. 

I just took a few into the Guild Shop, including this one ... 

Linen sewing kit roll with the 'Big Dot' border. 

Linen sewing kit roll.

Linen sewing kit roll insides.  'Sticks' print on the pocket.

Clotheslines

While in Italy in April we went to the island of Burano, historically significant for lacemaking and nowadays the main attractions are these charming colourful houses and fresh seafood. 

I've always liked pegging up laundry, love the fresh air snapping through my clothes and sheets. I simply enjoy handling cloth in most activities related to it.  In Burano, everyday linens and clothing begged to be photographed. They appeared in thoughtful combinations, elevating the practice to a different level.

The island is in the lagoon north of Murano in Venice (see previous post).  

Colour Theory Study.

Improvisation.

Composition and a feat of 'out the window' engineering.

Balance.

London Plane never looked so good.

B & W Study #1.

B & W Study #2.

Photographed April 18th, 2012 on a fine sunlit day.

Lacemaking in Burano, Venice

While in Venice in April we boated out to the island of Burano on the vaporetto, the water bus. The island is famous for lacemaking.  The Museo de Merletto was an exquisite jewel to discover on this beautiful sunlit day as were the colourful houses (post to follow) and a wonderful meal on a terrace. 

 Photos were not allowed in the museum but I managed to snap a few ... 

Some say the the first formal needle lacemaking for the European royal courts was Venetian and Burano prospered as the centre of excellence and production between the 16th - 18th century, famous in particular for 'punto in aria' (points in the air), one of the most delicate forms on display at the museum among the many fine examples.

'Punto in aria'   Museo Merletto, Burano.

Museo Merletto, Burano.

I saw lacemaking still being done by hand on the island.  The shops stocked work that was locally made and products made in Asia.

Museo Merletto, Burano.