Christmas and New Year for Dorset Textile Artist Carol Cruickshank

It’s so long since I did my last blog, so I would like to fill you in on what I have been up to.

Preparations for Christmas…time for the family

I attempted to put aside time to get ready for a huge family Christmas with our 3 children, their wives and husband and 4 grandchildren.

I completed my textile reflecting our time in Gold Coast earlier in the year which we spent with Sam, Kate, Spencer and Albie, unframed so they could get it back to Australia.

I also completed a hand-sewn advent calendar for my youngest grandson, Albie, (who ‘s just one), hats and scarves for all the ladies in my family, completed 2 Christmas stockings for Spencer and Albie, a hanging hearts design started by Neil and I and completed by each member of the family over Christmas and gathered together ingredients for making Christmas crackers (Neil supplied all the jokes and random facts). Our granddaughters supervised by Seb, our Danish son-in-law did the assembling of the crackers.

We had a great time; it was fabulous to see the family altogether as this doesn’t happen very often due to our geographical distance.

Time to recover

Having spent so much time over the last 5 years running both Artwey and Open for Art, I finally ran out of steam and am having a complete break from Artwey admin for a few months. I am looking forward to some time for me and family and developing the textile art that I enjoy. Also, to update my own website.

Selected for Bridport Art Centre Exhibition 20th February to 21st March

I was really pleased to have had 3 original textile pictures selected for the Artwey Exhibition at the Bridport Art Centre: originals of Clavell Tower, Maytime Colmers Hill and Durdle Door Daisies. Neil has also had work accepted and you can view these and the other selected works from 20th February to 21st March, open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am to 4pm.

Exciting New Developments at WOW Creative Print

Some of you will know that, as part of a trial, Nikki put my designs on her web site in order to sell some of the items she prints for me direct to the public.

At the moment you can buy my designs on coasters, tiles, placemats, mugs direct from her by following the link on my website www.carolcruickshank.com  

Last week she asked me to come and have a look at her plans to roll out this service to lots more artists. It’s a great opportunity for artists not only to sell their work but also promote it.

Latest Textile Picture Underway

I am currently working on a textile hand-sewn picture of Budleigh Salterton to go to Otterton Mill. Still a fair bit to do but this is what I have done so far.