Stroud International Textile Festival: World Textile Fair

Yesterday my mum and I ventured to Bisley, one of the beautiful Cotswold villages near Stroud, to visit the World Textile Fair (part of the International Textile Festival). Before we got there we had been lured in by promises of "stalls overflowing with textiles and clothes, quilts and all manner of decorative delights" - and that was exactly what we found!

Vintage quilts and old curtains from France, Japanese textiles and kimonos, rustic old linen and African and South East Asian textiles. It was quite a delight!

We spent ages rummaging through the piles of fabric, cushions, scarves and clothing, and although we left empty handed, it was wonderful to see and feel all the wonderful and well-loved fabric on offer. A lot of the beautiful quilts and pieces of hand-dyed vintage linen were a little out of my price range, but a girl can dream... x

Stroud International Textile Festival: Made in Stroud

2011's Stroud International Textile Festival has begun! This year's festival runs from 30th April - 22nd May and is so far proving to be (yet again) a wonderful success. I popped into the Made in Stroud shop on Kendrick Street to deliver some more stock and whilst I was there, had just enough time to fully browse the shop and the new goodies specially added for the duration of the festival...

As well as browsing the work available for the festival I was also delighted to spot my own work on display in a group in the very centre of the shop! Such a lovely, prominent position that of course I just had to take a few photos...!

"The Sunday Post"

Welcome to the end of the week, I hope you are having a well-earned and rain-free Sunday... it's been a busy week here in the Charlotte Macey Textiles studio, and next week looks to be even more busy! So I've grabbed a moment to quickly fill you in on the news from the week...

Firstly, Wednesday saw an exciting Charlotte Macey Textiles feature on DailyCandy (see previous post) illustrating, 'how to make a lavender heart', this got a great response, and has helped to spread the word about my online shop too. To see this article click on the 'Craft to Your Heart's Content' link.

Secondly, if you haven't popped into Stroud town centre yet, the Stroud International Textile Festival '10 is still ongoing (til 23rd May), and the Made In Stroud shop is looking particularly lovely and decked out with locally handmade goodies; textiles, illustration, ceramics, all sorts!

If you would like to be added to my newsletter/e-letter list (it's one and the same, not sure which is the best name for it!) please do email me and I'll add you. I sent out a newsletter today, looking pretty glossy I think, although getting to grips with the newsletter software :)

And last but definitely not least, come down to The Bath Coffee Festival '10 next weekend, Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th May, at Bath Recreation Ground in the centre of Bath. I will be at Stand B14 with my collection of homewares and gifts, and am looking forward to a fun weekend. I'll add more information about this event during the week, in the meantime, I hope you are all having a lovely Sunday... x

"The Sunday Post" - Stroud International Textile Festival '10

Yesterday I visited the opening of Stroud International Textile Festival 2010. My goodies are for sale in the Made In Stroud shop in Stroud town centre, and were arranged wonderfully by the lovely Clare. So I took a few snaps of my Charlotte Macey Textiles wares in the shop. If you are in the area do pop in, there is lovely work to see and buy, and an excellent exhibition of textile work in the Subscription Rooms, across the road from Made In Stroud. I hope you are all having a good Bank Holiday weekend, and are not too soggy from all this lovely Bank Holiday rain ;)

"The Sunday Post"

I've somehow managed a whole week with no blog action... what have I been up to!?

Well, the first half of the week saw the finishing off of my batch of work for Stroud International Textile Festival. The festival runs from 1st - 23rd May, and I can't wait to head back over for a good peruse! The three weeks will hold host to numerous exciting events and lovely work displayed and for sale in various venues around Stroud town centre.

I ventured to my first wedding in a while yesterday, in my lovely village; the sun was shining, the champagne was flowing, and the ceremony and bride were beautiful! I then popped back home totally in the mood for making lighthouse and blue 'mussels' tea towels, getting prepared for Summer!

My final bit of Sunday info for you, is the official announcement of the Selvedge Summer Fair... with fantastic textile makers such as The Black Rabbit and Eloise Grey, it will be a fantastic event, which I'm so looking forward to being part of, and hosted by the lovely Selvedge ladies!

Stroud International Textile Festival 2010

"The 2010 festival doors will be opening in 22 days time on May 1st. It is one of the Cotswold’s most prestigious cultural events featuring exhibitions, talks, workshops, events and a 2 Day Conference.
The festival’s reputation for excellence and high quality programming has grown and 2010 is no exception. Some of the UK’s most exciting and innovative artists, writers and speakers are taking part this year. They will be joined by Cork Textile Network and Makers representing the Scottish Highlands."

The flyers and brochures have been released, and Stroud International Textile Festival 2010 will open it's doors on 1st May... held at venues in and around Stroud, the festival looks to be a delightful 3 weeks!
My work will be for sale at the two main festival exhibition venues and in the Made in Stroud shop in Stroud town centre.

"the Stroud International Textile Festival will be exhibiting in the Made in Stroud shop. You will see work by some of the UK’s very best textile artists who have been selected from the host of nationally acclaimed designer-makers who are participating in this year’s Festival."
If you are in the area, pop in and have a peep at my tea towels, cosies, and cushions in the flesh!

hot cross buns...

This week I have a currently unsatisfied craving for hot cross buns, however being wheat intolerant I have not had much luck on my search. Fortunately my Twitter pals have been most helpful, and pointed me in a few good directions (thank you!)
Here is a little info quoted from the Times Online, about the history of hot cross buns...

"Hot cross buns are small festive breads eaten on Good Friday in Britain; a few bakers still use old-fashioned production methods."

I am working on several orders this week, including one for a lovely shop in Guernsey called Evie & Me, who are needing a replenishment of tea towels! Whilst also doing bits and pieces for Stroud International Textile Festival. It's all go here in the studio, and I'm looking forward to my weekend expeditions coming up... the Country Living Spring Fair this weekend, and my mini trip to Cornwall for Easter, x

"The Sunday Post"

Pheeeew - made it to the end of the week and to a glorious Sunday... I am surrounded by mountains of tea towels, and there has been much ironing, washing, and sewing of tea towels this week. I'm busy preparing stock for the Stroud International Textile Festival 1st - 23rd May, where I will have work for sale at the two main festival exhibition venues and the Made in Stroud shop in Stroud town centre!
And have finally got around to re-doing my tea towel display; being rolled and tied with a simple piece of string means the tea towel can easily be unrolled to view the whole design, and involving far fewer ironed creases, excellent news.
Keep your eyes peeled this week as I have new designs coming to my shop! But for now my lips are sealed :) have a great week everyone!