27 July 2011
24 July 2011
Creative Learning Programme
Fibre is our passion, and irrespective of whether we enjoy felting, weaving, spinning or knitting, we all have that desire to hold some form of fibre in our hands and manipulate it our own special way to create a work of art or something wearable or useful.
With the Creative Learning programme at this Festival we have put together an exciting, inspirational programme for you to enjoy. Some things are a little different, but we are giving you the opportunity to listen to people who are doing exciting things with fibres.
We have two highly regarded overseas tutors, Kim Thittichai and Karen Selk, and a wide variety of New Zealanders who are skilled in their work. They are all people of exceptional talent and above all have a desire to share their knowledge and enthusiasm, and to impart some of the excitement they feel for what they do.
The Festival starts each day with a keynote speaker in the main Hall, a venue where everyone can listen and be inspired. Then there is a choice. We have 3 smaller venues with various topics being presented in 45 minute slots. You will have a difficult job choosing which one to go to!
For those of you who want to go that extra mile there are two 2 day post Festival workshops with our special overseas tutors that you can enrol for.
I can't wait to be a part of the buzz that is going to hit Blenheim in April 2012.
See you there.
Christine & Joan
With the Creative Learning programme at this Festival we have put together an exciting, inspirational programme for you to enjoy. Some things are a little different, but we are giving you the opportunity to listen to people who are doing exciting things with fibres.
We have two highly regarded overseas tutors, Kim Thittichai and Karen Selk, and a wide variety of New Zealanders who are skilled in their work. They are all people of exceptional talent and above all have a desire to share their knowledge and enthusiasm, and to impart some of the excitement they feel for what they do.
The Festival starts each day with a keynote speaker in the main Hall, a venue where everyone can listen and be inspired. Then there is a choice. We have 3 smaller venues with various topics being presented in 45 minute slots. You will have a difficult job choosing which one to go to!
For those of you who want to go that extra mile there are two 2 day post Festival workshops with our special overseas tutors that you can enrol for.
I can't wait to be a part of the buzz that is going to hit Blenheim in April 2012.
See you there.
Christine & Joan
18 July 2011
15 July 2011
Introducing our Sponsors - Mitre 10 Mega, Blenheim
The Creative Fibre Festival 2012 is very fortunate to have the support of Mitre 10 Mega, Blenheim.
Mitre 10 Mega is an amazing store, and here in Blenheim they are keen to support the local community. They even sponsor a bus that can be seen every day taking people around town!
If you walk around the Blenheim Mega store there are heaps of things that the avid Creative Fibre person can use... from brushes to paint your dyes onto fibre, containers to store your ‘stash’ [and we need heaps of those!], through to wire, string, plastic and wood. They also have a cafe for a coffee pick me up, and heaps of goodies to keep the men happy while you are busy creating.
We know you will have to visit the Fibre Festival’s Mitre 10 Trade Hall often when you come to Blenheim, but we hope that you also visit the Mega store in Alabama Road to check out what they have on offer.
See you in April 2012
Festival Committee
Mitre 10 Mega is an amazing store, and here in Blenheim they are keen to support the local community. They even sponsor a bus that can be seen every day taking people around town!
We know you will have to visit the Fibre Festival’s Mitre 10 Trade Hall often when you come to Blenheim, but we hope that you also visit the Mega store in Alabama Road to check out what they have on offer.
See you in April 2012
Festival Committee
11 July 2011
07 July 2011
Felted Fish Throw
Every two years Queen Charlotte College present a wearable art show. Years 7 and 8 have compulsory wearable arts as part of the technology curriculum. While no “ WOW", this is an exciting, and inspirational event with tickets sold out very quickly. The garments created by the students are amazing and some of this year’s creations will be on show at Festival 2012.
To say thank you, Marlborough Felters decided to make a multi-purpose throw and donate it to the College to be used for a raffle. The school is in Picton, which is right on the sea, so fish was an obvious theme.
Marlborough felters made prefelt fish and then put them onto a big prefelt backdrop and added seaweed and other underwater objects. It was assembled and needlefelted and then the whole piece was felted to make the throw. Katie McDonald headed this project, and as you can see the final work of art is really good.
Joan
To say thank you, Marlborough Felters decided to make a multi-purpose throw and donate it to the College to be used for a raffle. The school is in Picton, which is right on the sea, so fish was an obvious theme.
Marlborough felters made prefelt fish and then put them onto a big prefelt backdrop and added seaweed and other underwater objects. It was assembled and needlefelted and then the whole piece was felted to make the throw. Katie McDonald headed this project, and as you can see the final work of art is really good.
The fish were needle felted onto a large prefelt.
Pam, Shirley and Linley hard at work
Christine and Katie ‘wetting down’
The actual felting process begins
Katie and Christine complete the hardening process.
Finished throw. Hope I win it!
Joan
01 July 2011
Hats for Hope
Cancer patients will really appreciate receiving a ‘funky’ hat to wear, knowing that someone cared enough to create it on their behalf, and positive publicity will be generated for both the Cancer Society and Creative Fibre.
Creators can make as many hats as they wish but only one hat per maker will be displayed unless display space permits otherwise. Hats will be chosen and displayed with the whole display in mind, and will bear the maker’s name and hometown.
We want fun hats, funky hats, traditional hats, futuristic hats, functional hats - hats created with love.
Hats for chemotherapy patients should be designed so they cover back and sides of the head.
Please note: hats will not be returned to their maker, but will be donated to the Cancer Society.
Get your thinking hats on, and create a hat for hope!!
Creative Fibre Members, please send hats labelled with your name and hometown to:
Jan Hannay, 1 Rothwell Place, Blenheim 7201
By Tuesday 10 April 2012
Creative Fibre Members, please send hats labelled with your name and hometown to:
Jan Hannay, 1 Rothwell Place, Blenheim 7201
By Tuesday 10 April 2012
28 June 2011
Meet the Team - Meg
I am Meg and I am a weaver living in Nelson, about 90 minutes northwest of Blenheim. (It's a lovely drive over the hills, down the valley, and if one so chooses, around the sounds, especially if one is being driven by one's husband.) I assist (and boss around) the Festival Team with Internet-related matters.
I started weaving at my mother's urging in 1995, but I found it difficult to weave while I had a full time job, so I have been weaving somewhat consistently this side of 2004/05.
I am largely self-taught, but early on I discovered the supportive world of weavers on the Internet, (anyone remember the Majordomo?) and have tried to find and maintain friendships from around the world. Since 2006, I have maintained my blog, Unravelling.
My association with Marlborough Weavers started in 2001 when I attended a double weave workshop. Since then, I've belonged to Marlborough Weavers off and on, and I try to get to meetings and workshops a few times a year.
As a child, I learned to embroider, and as a student I sewed some of my clothes, but since I discovered weaving, I have more or less concentrated all of my energy and time on weaving. In doing so, I lost my favorite "hobby", so now I bake bread as a hobby.
Meg
I started weaving at my mother's urging in 1995, but I found it difficult to weave while I had a full time job, so I have been weaving somewhat consistently this side of 2004/05.
I am largely self-taught, but early on I discovered the supportive world of weavers on the Internet, (anyone remember the Majordomo?) and have tried to find and maintain friendships from around the world. Since 2006, I have maintained my blog, Unravelling.
My association with Marlborough Weavers started in 2001 when I attended a double weave workshop. Since then, I've belonged to Marlborough Weavers off and on, and I try to get to meetings and workshops a few times a year.
As a child, I learned to embroider, and as a student I sewed some of my clothes, but since I discovered weaving, I have more or less concentrated all of my energy and time on weaving. In doing so, I lost my favorite "hobby", so now I bake bread as a hobby.
Meg
25 June 2011
Meet the Team - Wendy
Being responsible for Publicity is a new experience but with such a dedicated team working towards your 2012 festival, I have wonderful support.
I guess my love of fibres, fabrics and design began at an early age with “rats-tails “ and lino cuts and an inherited love of colour. Slowly I graduated to sewing, knitting, tatting, crochet, tapestry, spinning, weaving and now felting – yes, you guessed it – master of none, but I love trying new things.
This is my latest bag.
Wife of Ross and Nana to 5 small grandchildren, I have lived all my married life in Blenheim with many of those days in the sounds, swimming, boating and occasionally fishing.
Here is a view from my patch of paradise.
My workspace.
I am a dedicated “Foodie” (making and eating!!), love my garden and enjoy various forms of exercise. I competed in and completed my first bike race in March 2011 but have no idea if I will do another.
Looking forward to meeting you in April 2012 and hope you are able to spend time exploring our fantastic province and enjoy some “top of the south” hospitality.
Wendy
I guess my love of fibres, fabrics and design began at an early age with “rats-tails “ and lino cuts and an inherited love of colour. Slowly I graduated to sewing, knitting, tatting, crochet, tapestry, spinning, weaving and now felting – yes, you guessed it – master of none, but I love trying new things.
Wife of Ross and Nana to 5 small grandchildren, I have lived all my married life in Blenheim with many of those days in the sounds, swimming, boating and occasionally fishing.
I am a dedicated “Foodie” (making and eating!!), love my garden and enjoy various forms of exercise. I competed in and completed my first bike race in March 2011 but have no idea if I will do another.
Looking forward to meeting you in April 2012 and hope you are able to spend time exploring our fantastic province and enjoy some “top of the south” hospitality.
Wendy
21 June 2011
Meet the Team - Judy
Hello Everyone,
I’m Judy Bool and I belong to the Blenheim Weavers group and the Cross Country Weavers group.
I am Treasurer for the Marlborough Creative Fibre Festival 2012 and will also be handling your Registrations.
Originally from Christchurch, the first 20 years of my working life was with a large manufacturing engineering company in the Data Processing Department, we moved to the Marlborough Sounds in 1982 for a complete change. The first few years I worked in Blenheim and then Picton in various office environments. In the early 1990’s we started clearing and developing our hill block of mainly gorse and broom, into Hazel and Macadamia orchards.
In 2005, knowing absolutely nothing about weaving, I bought my first loom, a Bartlett 8 shaft, 48” Countermarche Floor loom. Lessons with Lesley Nicholls gave me my introduction into the art of weaving. Now it seems to have taken over my life.
I prefer to weave with very fine yarn, using intricate patterns to create soft pliable fabrics. Twills of all varieties and the Lace weaves are my favourites. My dream is to weave true Damask. I also enjoy gardening and knitting.
Judy
I’m Judy Bool and I belong to the Blenheim Weavers group and the Cross Country Weavers group.
Originally from Christchurch, the first 20 years of my working life was with a large manufacturing engineering company in the Data Processing Department, we moved to the Marlborough Sounds in 1982 for a complete change. The first few years I worked in Blenheim and then Picton in various office environments. In the early 1990’s we started clearing and developing our hill block of mainly gorse and broom, into Hazel and Macadamia orchards.
I prefer to weave with very fine yarn, using intricate patterns to create soft pliable fabrics. Twills of all varieties and the Lace weaves are my favourites. My dream is to weave true Damask. I also enjoy gardening and knitting.
Judy