York and the frozen north

The A1 Southbound

I did no stitching this weekend but did have the opportunity to admire the work of other quilters and textile artists.  My chum Mary and I set off on Friday for a weekend trip to York and Harrowgate.  The trip down on Friday was a challenge for the driver (not me thank goodness but Mary who is very intrepid). 

York Minster

We did however make landfall in York at about 4pm which gave us time to have a quick scoot round the town, get money and decide where to go for dinner.  York is a wonderful place for stitchers. Apart from the fact that it was the Harrowgate show there is so much to do and see in York. 








Hats at York Art Gallery

 We went to the York Art Gallery where there was a great exhibition of hats.  The exhibition was made up of paintings where hats were a feature and there was a display of hats from different times.   The gallery also had an exhition of ceramics some of which were inspirational.  If you are going to York or if you want to see a bit more on line here is a link.  http://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/Page/SpecialExhibitions.aspx

The exhibition at the Quilt Museum at St Anthony's was of course one of our main must sees.  The exhibition Freedom to Stich was excellent.   The exhibition has work by some of the country’s leading practitioners of art embroidery, including Michael Brennand-Wood, Julia Caprara, Alice Kettle, Paddy Killer, and Audrey Walker. Find out more at http://www.quiltmuseum.org.uk/  There was a great deal to inspire.

So much choice

As well as shopping for craft and unusual Christmas gifts there was much drinking of coffee and good food.   Of course we visited the Viking Loom which is great for all things quilting, stitch and for a brilliant selection of beads.    We stayed in nice guest house called Bowman's. A very friendly little guest house very close to the centre of York.  It was cosy and very nicely decorated. Again you can find them on the web. 

On Sunday we went to Harrowgate to the knit and stitch show.  We had a good look round but had one eye on the weather  as the snow was by then blocking our way home.  I really enjoyed Harrogate.  I thought it was  better show than last year.  Standing out for me was the work of Gizella Warburton and her exhibition Trace and Echo. http://www.gizellakwarburton.co.uk/   I really recommend checking out her website.  Also intriguing was the rather dark work of Elizabeth Tarr.   There were many other inspiring pieces by textile artists of very high quality.  I came away with so many ideas. 

Nearly Christmas

Now to find some time to do work of my own........