Two More Crazy Quilt Blocks

One for February and St Valentine's Day

 One for March and St Patrick's Day

Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2018

This is my block for January!

The theme for this block is 'Burn's Night', a celebration in Scotland on 25 January. Blue and white fabric for the colours of their flag, celtic charms - they are Celts and a silk ribbon thistle, a special emblem for the Scots. Take a look at the blog page - such fantastic work will gradually appear from all the participants.http://crazyquiltjournalproject2018.blogspot.co.uk/

Activities for This Week

I seem to have been rejuvenated since the New Year and am spending less time using the internet and much more time stitching/knitting and designing.

I finished another knitted hoodie for my grandaughter - I'm very pleased with it and I found some 'fishy' buttons for our little baby fish.

Some time last year I started a quilt using the Pfaff Embroidery machine - it's designed by Sweet Pea embroidery designs, a few of the blocks follow.

And lastly, my cogs have been whirling with ideas for the Near & Far textile work - been trying some rubbings with wax crayons and markel sticks, washed over with intense ink - hopefully it will transfer well to fabric.

It's not what you know, but what you do with what you know

First Completed Project of 2018

Today I have posted off my completed 'trees' for the Stitch a Tree Project.  This is being organised by Alice Kettle and all the stitched trees will be arranged into a large embroidery called Forest - by her.  The finished piece, which is likely to be huge, will be displayed at the Whitworth, Manchester in September 2018. Everyone who contributes will have their piece acknowledged and indicated on a map.

The link to more information on this project is: www.threadbearingwitness.com

The story of the project in a short version is - 'the symbol of a tree has been used by various practitioners including the Refugee Resilience Collective, who work with children in refugee camps' - this work is in aid and support of refugees.



This project has been so popular that a voluntary donation of £3 is requested to obtain your pack and booklet.  It is hoped that the finished piece will be auctioned in aid of refugees.  Why not look at the website and see if you can help - you don't need to be a fantastic embroiderer.

The booklet accompanying your pack

A Willow Tree to represent a common tree in Somerset

A Palm Tree, which may be familiar to some of the refugees

'Say No to Negativity'

Near & Far - The Pilgrim's Story and Journey - The Story Emerges

Will Nolande, His Story, His Journey

Will Nolande is a young man born into a poor peasant family. His family have no land and no possessions, except for their small wooden home built by his father. The erection of this home was permitted by the local baron in the forest of his estate.

Will's father, Robert, is a woodman for the baron; he is allowed to kill one deer per year, trap rabbits and to forage to feed his family as payment for his work on the estate. Will's mother, Edythe, cares for the family and works in the castle's kitchens on feast days. Will has seven sisters.

Will has always had a strong faith and had dreams of becoming a monk at the local abbey. His family, fearful of having no income in the future if Will followed this path, apprenticed him to the village blacksmith, Oswald Smythe. Oswald and his wife, Agathe, have no children. Will honours his mother's and father's wishes as the bible teaches him and works hard throughout his apprenticeship with great dedication to learning the craft.

Will is now entering the final week of his seven year indenture.

Oswald and Agathe are very fond of Will and all his family; they plan to leave the forge to him when they pass on. Will has no knowledge of this.

Oswald knows Will is deeply religious; Oswald has a brother, Cuthbert, who is a monk at the nearby abbey. Oswald has allowed Will time each week to visit Cuthbert to learn some reading and writing. Also, in an effort to keep the young man interested in the blacksmith business, for the past two years, Oswald has released Will from his obligations to go on local pilgrimages. It is Oswald's hope that this will allow Will to feel he has fulfilled his religious needs.

The pilgrimages have had the opposite effect; Will feels the urge to join the church is becoming stronger.

As Will prepares for his final pilgrimage before completing his seven year apprenticeship, tragegy strikes his family. His father, Robert, is gored by a wild boar whilst working in the castle's woodland and dies from his injuries. Will now knows that is year's pilgrimage will probably not happen.

The baron is a good man and promises not to turn the family out of their home, but with no husband and hunter, there is little hope for Edythe and Will's seven sisters.

In a twist of fate, Will is ordered to go to the castle. In the great hall, the baron introduces him to a nephew. This nephew is rich but weak willed and reckless. He offers to pay Will a good sum of money to go on a pilgrimage on his behalf. He wants Will to pray for his son, who is ill and not improving. Will is to go to France. This is very common for wealthy people to pay others to make a pilgrimage on their behalf to save themselves from the deprivations and difficulties expected of pilgrims during their journey. All parties agree to the deal and Will is given all details of the journey and promised the money when the preparations for departure are complete.

Will takes the minimum amount of money for his needs, as he feels living in as much poverty as he can whilst travelling will fulfill his needs from this pilgrimage.

He entrusts the rest of the money to Oswald for the care of his mother and sisters. He knows Oswald and Agathe will protect Edythe and her daughters.

Will sets off on his arduous journey across the channel and through the unfamiliar countryside of France. He soon meets other pilgrims travelling to the same destination. He starts to discuss his circumstances with these new friends and questions the authenticity of a proxy pilgrimage. One of the travellers he meets is a member of the Knights Templar, Hugo de Clair. Will and Hugo strike up an unlikely friendship; a knight and a common man. Hugo talks to Will about the ideals of the Knights Templar movement.

He explains that they pride themselves on protecting the faith and all followers. They hope their actions will help to bring all aspects of the religion they love to each and everyone by whatever means. He encourages Will to believe that the strong can deliver this for the weak; Will now feels that his mission is worthwhile.

As they travel together, Hugo realises that Will would be a great asset to the cause of the Knights Templar and invites him to join them as a brother. These are the lowest order of the organisation which consists of the Knights, the Monks and then the Brothers; the squires, guards, stewards and blacksmiths. All of the Order are expected to fight on horseback in the Holy War.

Will must make the choice of following the life he desires, using

the skills taught to him by Oswald, or returning home to fulfill his obligations to his family and the blacksmith.

As Will reaches his destination in France and he begins to climb the steps to the chapel on his knees, he knows he has much to ponder.

What will his decision be?

This is Will's journey – a physical, emotional and spiritual journey – the textile pieces will reflect this story.

©Gilli Salmons – 2017 – Near & Far, Maps and Journeys

Near & Far Textile Group

I'm pleased to say that I've joined the very recently formed textile group - Near & Far. Here are my first thoughts:

NEAR & FAR TEXTILE GROUP

MAPS & JOURNEYS

THE PILGRIM'S JOURNEY

It still puzzles me why I chose this subject; religion has no place in my life but I do enjoy history and travel. I hope I'm able to explore my subject matter enough to give me the ideas and imagination to create my textile/mixed media pieces.

From early research it is obvious that the medieval church was all powerful, rich and corrupt. Most of the congregation were uneducated and illiterate and this was also the case for many pilgrims. Churches expanded their wealth by encouraging the 'pilgrimage culture' and seeking money from these travellers to view or touch the 'relics' in their possession. Common people believed seeing these items could save their soul, improve their chances of entering heaven, or cure illness, deformity and disease.

Relics on offer were pieces of bone or skulls of the saints, pieces of the true cross, vials of Christ's blood and the milk of Mary. The fact that there were numerous claims to 'owing' these items by many of the churches and abbeys were lost on the pilgrims seeking redemption. These pious people were often never aware of the apparent duplication of what should have been unique, if truly existing at all.

My pilgrim is called Will Nolande and his story will soon emerge.

An Exhibition by Bishops Caundle Embellishing Group

There is a one day 'pop up' exhibition at Bishops Caundle Village Hall, Holt Lane, Bishops Caundle, Dorset - tomorrow - 6 November 2017 - 10 am to 3 pm - FOUR SEASONS

 THESE ARE MY FOUR PIECES

 

 

SPRING CROCUS

SUMMER SEAWEED

AUTUMN LEAVES

WINTER SOLSTICE