To All, This thread turned out to be much longer than originally intended so please be for warned but I got started and it was hard to stop. But I want to tell you about the wonderful contemporary lace workshop that we had in Philadelphia this past weekend with Jane Atkinson. I know that many of you from the UK are already familiar with her and her work and we did a version of her Two Dozen Pair, Two Dozen Colours workshop. It covered 3 main areas, which were learning how to work with color, learning how to work with different types of threads and learning how to design; and all using Torchon.
We learned how to pick subjects for our inspiration and more than one way to develop a color palette after which we selected a pattern to work from her vast array, which was truly a tough decision because there were so many nice ones to pick and choose from. Then we played with our threads! Since learning how to work with all types of threads and determining how to select the correct one for the size and type of pattern that you want to work on was one of the main areas of the workshop, we seized on this opportunity. Everyone had something different or interesting to offer, whether it was a color you couldnt resist to something with the right bit of texture that added some extra zing or zip to their piece. We all brought threads in all kinds of colors, types, and textures and not just the usual threads you use for making lace but threads used for weaving, and knitting; some even used silk ribbon which added a very nice effect. And after we had finished playing with our threads and winding our bobbins we then worked on finding the best placement of them in our patterns based on their color value; this was great fun as well. The other main area covered was designing. We learned about Janes process for designing which simplified, clarified and de-mystified designing for us. She showed us how to take something as simple as a tree or tree bark and make a design from it. Plus we got the opportunity to see some of her work such as the scarves, bookmarks, mats and collars which, in and of themselves are eye candy that are so rich in colors and textures that they have to be seen to be fully appreciated because photos just do not do them justice. And as if all of these things were not enough, she also taught us how to think outside of the box, to see lace in a totally different way and to be able to see design possibilities that are all around each us. I could just go on and on about the workshop and all of the great things that we got from it but this is just one of many workshops that she has to offer. So I would strongly suggest that if you ever get the opportunity to take one of her workshops, make ever effort to attend. You will enjoy it immensely. Tina Allen -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 268.3.4/299 - Release Date: 3/31/2006 - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
