The Creative Space Studio

Twenty Million Shoe Boxes on One Computer!

2012-03-02T14:29:00.000Z

Have you ever loved and hated something in equal measure at the same time? I LOVE my Mac. It's getting a bit old now but that's ok, I am familiar with it and it lets me do everything I need. However! It has been getting increasingly slower and I have finally worked out that if I take some old stuff off it, that will make room for new stuff. A bit like me, really - new stuff goes into my head and pushed the old stuff out! At least with a computer you can CHOOSE which old stuff to put out!

Anyway - I now understand it all. Jon, at Bollicomp in Adelphi Mill has finally got me to understand. 1 kilobyte = a shoe box. 1 megabite = 1,000 shoe boxes. 1 gigabyte = 1,000,000 shoe boxes.

Therefore, it is taking AGES for my poor old Mac to shift 20,000,000 shoe boxes onto an external hard drive so I can make room for all the new GORGEOUS glass photographs I can put on of my smalti!

It is just a waiting game, folks. In the meantime, I need to go break glass................

Treacle and Soup

2012-02-29T13:10:00.002Z

I really enjoyed Sunday at the Treacle Market, setting up a table outside Mike's new shop, mosaicing with my gorgeous SMALTI.

I do not know where this week has got to! It has been a wonderfully creative week, making coasters with children on Sunday, water colour beach scenes at Mount Hall and Mosaic Club on Monday, shifting 360 kilos glass yesterday and my mosaic group this morning.

I DO love Wednesdays. I got a little excited today as my new slow cooker arrived so I could do a bigger batch of soup! Recipe at the end.

Janet and Georgina's mosaics are coming on so well - really proud of you girls!

Well, the slow cooker worked.

I do not think I could EVER be able to run a cafe serving soup, I would not be able to make the same soup twice!

Here is what we had this week:

3 x small potatoes

4 x small carrots

2 x celery sticks

1/2 x white onion

1 x vegetable stock cube

1 x chicken stock cube

2 x fresh cloves garlic

1 x bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 x tablespoon cous cous

garlic and chili flakes to taste

1.5 litres water

splash of semi skimmed milk

Do not peel the vegetables - just the onion and garlic.

Chop everything up small.

Place everything except the milk in the slow cooker on 'high' for 3 hours. Stir occasionally.

Optional - whizz half the soup with a hand blender and add the milk before serving.

I would actually have liked pearl barley in this but it was tasty nevertheless.

Macclesfield Community GARDEN Centre - A brilliant resource for Macc

2012-02-23T13:39:00.000Z

The sun is out! Helloooooo, Spring!

I have just got back from a meeting at the Macclesfield Community Garden Centre in (take a guess...) Macclesfield. This social enterprise aims to create training and work for adults with learning difficulties. Wow - what a brilliant place! It has a great vibe and so many bedding plants and bird boxes at really reasonable prices - I would have said cheap but that would give the impression of lacking in quality. Everything sold at the garden centre is quality and you can tell it is planted with passion.

I will certainly be buying my bedding plants from there in future and I know I have a batch of seeds just hanging around - think I will take them in so they get put to good use.

Take a look at their website:

MACC COMMUNITY GARDEN CENTRE

Mosaic Club Soup Recipe!

2012-02-22T17:12:00.003Z

What a fabulous morning! It was so nice to have the window open today. I did not realise how much I had missed the sounds of the canal. Lovely.

Janet asked me to write my recipes down, so I thought I would include a recipe at the end of my blog each week. Please feel free to send recipes in, though. If I use them, I will put them on my blog.

I am really looking forward to seeing Janet's floral mosaic finished. I love her use of stained glass and mirror.

This photo just does not do justice to Georgina's beautiful woodland mirror. Using colour on her grout to add depth and atmosphere, her careful addition of very fine glitter on the grout just completed the look. Stunning!

No - not even Georgina is that quick! She has gone back to a project she started before Christmas and it is looking goo...oood!

Heads down and concentrating.

We did have a lot of laughs today.

Actually, we quite often have a lot of laughs!

Just loving Sue's chosen colours for her door number. I think it may even be finished next week when I melt those glass pieces down into cabouchons!

And what can I say about Tonie's work. It was a pleasure to have her in the class. It is a pity she lives so far away but I was really pleased she wanted to use the GORGEOUS Dynasty Smalti! We found the colours she wanted for her first ever try at mosaics and I think she has been bitten by the bug.

I really must get those photos done now the boxes are open.

You can purchase the smalti from my Ebay shop - just click on the Ebay icon on my website:

MY WEBSITE

Ok - here it is, the first Mosaic Club Soup Recipe:

Roasted Vegetable and Red Lentil Soup

Serves 4

4 x small maris piper potatoes

1 x large parsnip

2 x medium carrots

1 x medium courgette

1/2 x red onion

2 x sticks celery

2 x mugs COOKED and drained red lentils

2 x pints vegetable stock

1 x teaspoon paprika

1/2 x teaspoon ground garlic and chilli flakes

1/2 teaspoon Oregano

1 x tablespoon olive oil

optional - splash of milk

Scrub all the vegetables, peel the onion but just top and tail the others except the potatoes. Chop into small chunks except for the courgette, make those a bit bigger.

Dry the veg with kitchen roll or a clean tea towel. Spread out in a roasting tin.

Mix the oil, herbs and spices. Pour over the vegetables and rub in to cover them.

Roast in pre heated hot oven for 20 minutes. Turn temperature down to medium-hot for 30 minutes.

Place cooked veg, lentils and stock in a pan and bring to the boil.

Depending on how you like your soup, either add a splash of milk and serve as is or liquidise partially.

Add seasoning to taste if required.

Hope I remembered it all - enjoy!

Our New Spring Timetable

2012-02-18T20:44:00.000Z

Well, it is here! Our popular mosaic workshops plus a new glass fusing course. Exciting! I am really looking forward to meeting new students this year, so why not book with a friend. Our morning workshops and full day courses include lunch.

Please click on the link to go straight to our workshops page:

SPRING COURSES FOR ADULTS

I have really enjoyed planning the fused glass course - participants will create lots of lovely fused glass items for use completely separate from mosaic but there are also opportunities for the mosaic artist to benefit from this wondrous course!

Our range of Dynasty Smnalti is now in stock and until such time as our mosaicsandmore webiste it up and running, we will be selling the tesserae through our ebay shop. It's easy to access, just click here: ebay

Fused Glass

2012-02-08T19:08:00.000Z

What a fabulous day, today! Had a lovely morning with my ladies (though we missed you, Sue!) and we polished off all my lentil and parsnip soup. Sorry I forgot the bread, though!

Then had a beautiful drive over to Whaley Bridge to meet a group at Project eARTh. What a fabulous group!

My ideas for a glass fusing course went down well and I just had to dig out this photo of the Ying and Yang design, recycled glass dish which my son made for my sister a couple of years ago.

Hmm, the fused glass course idea went down so well, I'm going to have to deliver it at the studio.

The Smalti is also here!

BAMM members and my students get 10% discount.

Just £3.10 (ANTIQUE DYNASTY SMALTI) and £4.05 (MODERN OPAQUE DYNASTY SMALTI) per 100g.

Will get in on my new online shop, soon!

I have started unpacking it and taking photos:

Winter Sun

2012-02-01T13:54:00.000Z

Another Wednesday morning Mosaic Club session. Cauliflower and potato soup today with a lovely wholemeal roll from Brassington's Bakery.

The ladies were so quiet for a while today - everyone concentrating so hard. The work is paying off though, I am so impressed with the mosaic mirror, picture and door number plate that are being produced!

We have just 5 places available so if you want to come and join us, ring now for further information!

01625 574 005

New Courses Online

2012-01-11T15:25:00.002Z

What a lovely day. The Mosaic club is growing and we had a lovely morning, welcoming our new member, Julie. Well and truly bitten by the 'mosaic bug' she was amazed at how an empty olive oil bottle can instill such creativity! We are all looking forward to the new mosaic member joining next week.

The afternoon was equally creative and inspiring. Lovely to meet Amanda and James, again, who are busy, busy, busy working on the Bollington Movie project.

2012 is proving to be a most creative year and I am enjoying the buzz I'm getting from it.

I am listening to 'Paloma Faith' at the moment and aim to finish the cd mosaic I'm working on before going home.

***********

Though not complete, folks, I have put details on my current courses and workshops online.

Please take a look and give me a ring on my NEW number 01626 754 005 to book.

www.thecreativespacestudio.com

Happy New Year!

2012-01-10T09:40:00.000Z

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Back to the grind again but that is just what we love, here at The Creative Space Studio.

Here is a photograph of one of our club member's mosaic project, completed just before Christmas for her guest room. It is amazing what you can do with a cheap Ikea stool, some glass and some guidance from a mosaic tutor!

We still have some places left if you want to join our Mosaic Club - either Monday 5 - 7 or Wednesday 10 - 12.30.

Mosaic Angels Fly out of The Creative Space Studio

2011-12-08T13:05:00.000Z

Our Christmas Tree Mosaic Decorations are proving a hit at our Adelphi Mill Studio

With 'Mill' tenants spotting our mini-shop outside the studio on the third floor, stopping to purchase these unique decorations, they are also proving a hit with our students too, who have been making their own!

Just give Debbie a ring on 01625 574 005 or 07774 920 292 to order your unique mosaic decorations.

Perfect for your tree inside or dangling from your wreath, outside.

Ideal for gifts!

Christmas Decorations!

2011-12-01T14:00:00.000Z

1st December and the Christmas tunes are on!

It's been a lovely day again, here in The Creative Space Studio. The mosaic club has been busy making Christmas Tree decorations and napkin holders.

You can buy hand crafted mosaic napkin holders or tree decorations for just £8.50 each or £15 a pair!

I'm currently working on some Angel tree decorations.

If you'd rather make your own - join our mosaic club! Just £15 a session AND you get delicious home made soup when we finish at lunchtime.

Wedding Invitations

2011-11-30T09:33:00.002Z

Well, it is a glorious day here in Bollington - the sun is bouncing off White Nancy and the blue sky is a wonderful backdrop for such a calming icon.

Today is the day I make the flowers for my cousin's hand crafted Wedding Invitations.

Creating hand made cards is something I have done for one or two years (ok - make that 21 years!) and have had quite a few of my designs published in several creative magazines over the years (17 years!)

The important thing about crafting is that is has to be a labour of love. It is no good sitting down to make something beautiful for someone when you are in a bad mood of any kind or feeling rushed.

Today is a perfect day - my mood is great and by the time I have finished I will feel as though I have had a soothing massage.

So - I am off to make some 'anonymous' flowers (as my Mum would have called them). They are actually inspired by Aquiligia which are one of my favourites.

Treacle Market

2011-11-26T17:33:00.000Z

Well it has been some time since I blogged. Terribly sorry for neglecting you!

I have been very busy organising my new shop Yes - Macclesfield will soon have its very own Mosaics and More online shop, which, geographically speaking doesn't matter but it does mean that I am happy to receive visitors to the studio/shop if you wish to look at what you are buying!

Tomorrow is TREACLE MARKET! I will be taking the BARNABY community mosaic to the market tomorrow so if you fancy coming along and gluing some pieces on, please do, I'd be happy to meet you!

As you can see, it needs some finishing off:

Approximately 30 local people have worked on the mosaic up to now, mostly young children but I am hoping to get that up to 50 participants.

When it is finished, I will donate it to the organisers of The Barnaby Festival so they can use it to raise funds or whatever they think best.

I will also have some of these beauties for sale - plus details of how to book a workshop to make your own!

New Telephone Number!

2011-11-15T17:07:00.000Z

On a roll - just on to British Telecom, am ordering my new business telephone number which will be live in two weeks.

Hmm - which number to choose, they're going to give me a choice!

New Shop!

2011-11-15T15:19:00.000Z

I cannot hold it in any longer! I am currently working on my new online shop which will stock gorgeous glass smalti and mosaic tesserae plus other art and craft materials.

I have just put an order in for 240 KG smalti!!!!!!!!!

Better get signed up for my classes as I can offer 10% discount to students during their courses!

New Volunteer

2011-11-14T09:04:00.000Z

I am so looking forward to Georgina coming in this morning! God love her, she is trying to organise my creative studio into an organised space! I did come in yesterday to make a start and concentrate the mosaic tesserae on the shelves but got VERY distracted by having to follow an idea through for making something beautiful out of plastic drinks cups!

I think I'd best get on so I can get back to cutting shapes out of my cups!

TTFN

Winter Mosaic and More Programme!

2011-11-14T09:01:00.000Z

It has been far too long since I caught up with my blog!

I won't bore you with everything I've been doing since my last entry but suffice to say I have been very busy!

The Macclesfield Town Mosaic is up and launched! It should be in the Macclesfield Express this week.

I have put some workshops on the website. There is something for everyone, I think! I have put a Little Creatives' Club on for £5 a session to make papier mache objects. That is nothing to do with the fact I need an excuse to make papier mache, of course.

We also have a mosaic club on a Monday night for those who wish to mosaic their own objects.

My head is exploding with ideas for my recycled art classes, Barnaby Festival and Bollington Arts Festival. Whoever said Macclesfield was culturally dead should come for a weekend to see what we have on. Oh - wait a moment, a weekend wouldn't be long enough to fit everything in!

The moment I find the battery for my camera I will post new images!

Macclesfield Town FC Community Mosaic is Complete!

2011-09-29T14:46:00.000+01:00

After months of hard graft by myself and hundreds of local people, the Peaks & Plains and Macclesfield Town FC mosaic mural is up!

Tom and Mark from B. Melling put the panels up whilst I directed (and got incredibly sunburned!) and Sean finished off the grouting.

Lads from The Adelphi Mill group are cutting out the silhouettes of the footballers as we speak and they will go up tomorrow.

The North End Wall at the Moss Rose, Macclesfield

Tom and Mark putting the first and largest panel up...

...three down 35 to go...

Sean Lloyd of Cavalry Tiling showing the panel produced by Cre8 Youth group and Melanie Lloyd of Tameside Social Services Re-enablement team.

the lads are really motoring now...

Sean putting the finishing touches to the logos.

The completed mosaic from the right:

The completed mosaic from the left side:

The footballer silhouettes being cut out by Kieran of Adelphi Mill Properties, Bollington.

All the silhouettes are of actual players. They will be painted and installed tomorrow at the ground.

Off to Byzantium

2011-09-04T17:30:00.001+01:00

A justified morning off from the Cheshire Peaks & Plains and Macclesfield Town FC community mosaic!

One of my mentors/lecturers at Uni, Dave Pearson, sadly died in 2008. When he died he left an amazing legacy. Please click on the link below to find out more about this amazing artist.

I had a wonderful morning with my old Uni friends watching the film about Dave's life, screened at The Cornerhouse in Manchester.

Tears and hugs abound, this morning has filled me with more inspiration. Dave Pearson was a wonderful teacher, a brilliant mentor, a lovely friend and incredible artist. Around 20,000 pieces of work was found after his death and the Dave Pearson Trust has done an incredible job of sorting it all out.

Will tell you more another day but please check this out - his work needs a wider audience.

DAVE PEARSON

Cheshire Peaks & Plains - Macclesfield Town FC Community Mosaic

2011-08-18T18:15:00.000+01:00

I have mislaid my camera, hence I cannot post any new photos on my blog at the moment. But all is not lost - I will do so when I have finished the latest panel which was started by Rossendale Trust residents.

To enable as many people as possible to contribute to the project, I decided that I would allow groups to do what they could on the panels then I would complete them at the studio. I have now completed four, am about to finish the fifth this evening and am rounding panels up from groups.

We are looking at a launch date of 30th September but I think that may be a little optimistic! I'm working as hard as I can to meet this suggested deadline but we will see.

If there is anyone out there who wishes to volunteer, please feel free! Call me and arrange a time to come to help.

Back soon folks

Deb

Thank you...Alison Hepburn!

2011-08-04T16:16:00.000+01:00

I would like to acknowledge my very clever and lovely friend, Alison Hepburn who, after reading her book 'A Beginner's Guide to Mosaics' and seeing her mosaics in her garden some years ago, gave me inspiration for creating creatures around the garden of the Loch Promenade. Thank you Alison for your amazing inspiration!

How cute are these? The blue ladybird was made by Liz Courtie, a Manx artist living on the Isle of Man. Liz volunteered during the delivery of the workshops and I must say that when I pulled a muscle in my back, I couldn't have done it without her! Thanks Liz!

Pam produced this lovely bee from Breakthrough Breast Cancer - thanks to you and Kim for coming to help install!

Now I know I've already said Jan made the Puss Moth butterfly caterpillar but was it that one, or this one? Hm.. Thanks again to Jan and Tanya for helping.

Thanks also to Irene from Manx Cancer Care who brought two brothers, one of whom made this rather fabulous recycled common frog.

Garey Glass Project - Isle of Man - more mosaics!

2011-08-04T15:59:00.000+01:00

Breakthrough Breast Cancer, IOM were one of the many groups participating in the Garey Glass community project. Their logo was produced by Kim who also came to install it in the garden. Sadly the photos do not do the mosaics justice - come to the gardens and see them.

I must say how much a pleasure it was to work with the staff from Douglas Council. They were so helpful and I cannot omit mentioning Dave! Dave - the gardener who looks after the Loch Promenade gardens does an incredible job. This garden in particular is my favourite and it seems of many others. It really is worth coming to the island to see them!

This panel was inspired by St John's Wort, though I had to use artistic license as the flower really only has 5 petals! The panel is awaiting the sign to be fixed in the centre.

One of the minotaur beetles...

I know one should not have favourites but I cannot help but adore this puffin which one of the students at Ballerkermeen High School produced.

Victoria from Max Foundation for the Physically Disabled was supported to produce this St John's Wort flower.

Such a shame the image doesn't show the octopus so clearly!

Originally, the idea was to have wind turbines but when that changed, the mosaics produced by the children of St Mary's had to be used somehow. As many of them produced 'blocks' of blue for the wind turbine designs, I decided to incorporate them as backgrounds for the circular and flower shaped signs around the garden. This one includes an anemone and small fish, with a mackerel produced by children at the 'Home School' group. The shell at the bottom was made by a student at Ballerkermeen and the Manx Queenie was made by a service user at Eastcliffe Resource Centre.

If I remember rightly, this herring gull was made by one of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer girls.

This cutie was made, I'm sure, by one of the children at the Youth Centre, Douglas

Kemmryck produced their logo (in the centre) and the Manx words chymbyllaght (environment) and pobble (community/people) were produced by some young men from probation.

Awaiting the central sign, this flower shaped panel houses an oyster catcher and a butterfly. Hmm - my memory is failing my now but I think from children at Ballerkermeen and Cronk-Y-Berry schools.

A butterfly from Ballerkermeen...

...the Puss Moth caterpillar. An amazing caterpillar which some say was an inspiration for 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'...this one was produced by Jan who was really thrown in at the deep end of mosaics on her first visit to Noble's Park!

I was really impressed with the staff at M&S who started their logo. The fish, ladybird and flower were produced by Ballerkermeen students.

A big bright flower made at Eastcliffe Resource Centre.

This Laoghtan Sheep head was produced at Noble's Park at an open session.

One of the two Manx cats...

Some flat periwinkle shells...

a fun butterfly...

...two sea waves, a mackerel and a Queen scallop (Manx Queenie)...

...awaiting the Garey Glass logo...

...Garey Glass, produced by Robin...

...Queen scallop...

...ah...I love this harlequin lobster made at Ballerkermeen High School.

I just love ALL of the mosaics....

A mackerel...

...another herring gull and, of course, the island of refuge...

...Manx word 'pobble' (community)

...another herring gull and the Manx word 'cummalagh' for inclusive. This panel had bottle glass fused in a kiln used for the bird and the outline of the sign.

Another Ballerkermeen triskelion...

...the cutest Viviparous Lizard...

...Cronk-y-Berry logo...

...a VERY neatly mosaiced 'recycle' and another lovely Laoghtan Sheep.

Bees and beetles are so important in a garden and these two are no exception!

Another colourful Manx Queenie!

Garey Glass Project - Isle of Man

2011-08-04T12:34:00.000+01:00

I have just returned home from a delightful two weeks in the Isle of Man to complete the Garey Glass project.

Garey Glass (Manx for Green Garden) was a partnership project funded by the sale of carrier bags at the Douglas M&S store. Supported by Groundwork UK, Douglas Borough Council and Douglas Development Partnership.

The Creative Space Studio was brought in to work with community members to produce over 130 small mosaics which were to be installed in the garden.

Consultations took place with the groups and it was felt that rather than have mosaic 'signs' all over the garden telling people to 'reduce, reuse, recycle, put rubbish in the bin, put bottles in the other bin, put plastic...!' (well, you get the picture) it would be preferable to produce mosaics of the flora and fauna of the island.

This is what we did and here is the youngest member of The Creative Space Studio, preparing and fixing a mosaic to one of the rocks.

One of the many Manx Queenies - the young artist who produced this mosaic shell wanted to use lots of colours (awaiting grouting).

Tanya, Jan and Mya placed their mosaics in the garden...

...and what a glorious day it was for it, too!

Lorraine Cleasby, a Manx artist who ran recycling workshops during the project helped to install some of the mosaics too.

John Carney, a valuable volunteer and apprentice will be supporting Douglas Development Partnership to keep the mosaics in tip top condition.

A selection of the mini mosaics grouted onto the rocks. There are approximately 123 single mosaics on rocks throughout the Loch Promenade sunken garden in Douglas.

Fairway Primary School Mosaic Mural

2011-07-14T14:39:00.000+01:00

I have just dropped the mosaic kits off at Fairway Primary this morning and was delighted to drive up to the entrance and see they have already installed the mosaic I made with the children last month.

Approximately 208 children and 9 members of staff participated in making this lovely mosaic.

I had great fun there and the children told me they had a great time too.

The Stroke Club, The Mayfield Centre, Macclesfield

2011-07-14T14:33:00.000+01:00

Well, the biggest group yet!

Last night I took a panel for the Macclesfield Town FC Community mosaic to the Stroke Club in Macc.

There was a lovely atmosphere and EVERYONE had a go!

I think there were a few who were bitten by the mosaic bug and even those who didn't fancy having a go at first, did.

This panel shows the fancy dress match where 'The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe' scored a goal during a Macclesfield Town FC match.

Thanks to the whole group who dried some of the green tiles for me. As I told them - approximately 42000 tiles will have been used on this project when it is complete and pretty much all of them have been donated by the fabulous World of Mosaics in Macclesfield. Thanks Dean!

Garey Glass Project - Isle of Man

2011-07-13T15:13:00.000+01:00

I have worked on the Garey Glass project since 2009. I worked with many community groups to produce lots of mosaics which are to be installed in the sunken garden opposite Regent Street, Douglas.

The Stroke Club - Macclesfield

2011-07-13T15:03:00.000+01:00

That's the design on the panel and the colours collected. All I have to do is to take this panel to the Stroke Club tonight, when they meet at seven.

I like this panel - it's quite funny. It's from the 1890s when they had a fancy dress match and 'The Old Woman who Lived In a Shoe' scored the winning goal!

Will be back with photos when I've done them.

Rubbish

2011-07-08T11:11:00.000+01:00

I just wanted to say a thank you for everyone who keeps bringing me their rubbish!

Actually, I really mean it. I have mentioned to several people in the mill that I need clean and dry empty yoghurt pots, milk bottles and tops and plastic bottles.

I now have several carrier bags full of 'rubbish' which I will use to mix adhesive in.

Every little helps!

Thankyou

Crossroads for Young Carers Group - Macclesfield Town FC Community Mosaic

2011-07-08T11:06:00.001+01:00

This panel is really coming on nicely!

I've had some really keen young people working on it and they've done a stellar job!

The time went so quickly last night!

We were so busy that I forgot to take photographs for the rest of the night.

Still a fair bit to do but 'Roary' is taking shape and I'm sure my 'girls' on a Monday night will jump at the chance to finish him off!

Well done, you all! Thank you!

Park Lane School Mosaic

2011-07-08T10:56:00.000+01:00

I loved working with the guys at Park Lane School the first time and I loved it again when I went on Wednesday.

We had a lovely chilled out day...

...concentrating....

...gluing...

...and laughing!

I'm so impressed with the way this panel has come on - well done, again, guys!

Community Mosaic at Adelphi Mill

2011-07-08T09:36:00.000+01:00

I can always rely on my regular helpers, Ruth and Moira to help out with community mosaics. Thanks also to my new helper Pat, with Phillipa, Nicky and Sue, hopefully becoming part of the gang too!

The ladies worked hard finishing off the mosaics started at Ash Grove Primary School, Christ The Kind Primary School and the Youth Federation.

Mosaics as far as the eye can see!

We did have several brews and lots of laughs but oh, what a busy bunch we were!

See you next Monday girls!

Macclesfield High School work on the Macclesfield Town FC Community Mosaic

2011-07-08T09:19:00.000+01:00

What can I say! When I visited Macclesfield High School, I was very impressed with the whole vibe of the place.

Not only that - the whole school are doing a sponsored walk to raise money to pay for this community project.

So dig deep people!

In addition to the sponsored walk, I spent some time this week with Ms Mathers and her group, to mosaic two panels.

One panel has the football league image and the other was blank. This is because Callum has come up with a design depicting the charity cricket and football match.

This is a panel which will be produced by Macclesfield High from inception to completion!

A very busy (and quiet!) day.

Thank you so much for ALL your help guys - I hope to be back VERY soon!

A bit of a rest...

2011-07-03T18:43:00.000+01:00

After the hectic but enjoyable morning at Bollington Christian Life Church, Mike and I went for a drive and look what we found, just 10 minutes drive from home...

Goyt Valley is so beautiful...

so imagine my delight when we came across this!

'Can't get away from work' my other half laughed. But I think I am so wrapped up in mosaic that it is part of my life.

See how the central mosaic is undamaged? This is because the tesserae are smalti. The blue broken ceramic tiles surrounding the icon hav fractured in parts due to the elements.

This is called St Mary's Shrine (I believe). It is a stunning little piece of artwork and I will do some more research on it.

Bollington Christian Life Church - Macclesfield Town FC Panel

2011-07-03T17:10:00.000+01:00

It never ceases to amaze me how engrossed young fingers and minds get when faced with something new. Rising the challenge, the 8 - 12 age group at Bollington Christian Life Church made a wonderful start on their panel.

This panel depicts the time the players got a new changing room - with a bath!

There were some wonderful ideas from our young designers.

The other half of the panel shows the time a raging storm blew off the Moss Rose roof!

A lot of information to get into a mosaic but my team of Little Creatives rose to the challenge, admirably.

Well done everyone!

Oakwood Panel for Macclesfield Town FC

2011-07-03T16:47:00.000+01:00

What a brilliant job the Oakwood gang have done!

I enjoyed myself there so much a few weeks ago I went back and they guys were just as helpful and enthusiastic about the mosaic as ever.

Even some of Trevor's jokes were funny!

This panel depicts the Moss Rose Ground now. The sunset is coming down and the silhouette of the Moss Rose and players (yet to be filled in) is symbolic of the unknown future.

A little work yet to be done on this one but we're certainly getting there!

Well done guys and thanks for having me back!

Cre8 for Macclesfield Town FC Community Mosaic

2011-07-03T16:33:00.001+01:00

It was my very great pleasure to meet the guys at Cre8!

They are responsible for working on the other half of the North End wall project. They've created a sensory garden to tidy up and enhance the other side of the wall which will house the mosaic.

I felt it only fair to include Cre8 if they were interested and fortunately they were!

I really enjoyed the vibrancy of the youth group and it was so nice to be included for the meal at the end! Not only had the group grown their own potatoes and onions but a small cohort cooked and served up sausages and mash with onion gravy (spuds and onions picked fresh that morning!)

What a treat!

The panel Cre8 are working on shows the logo for the Silkmen Supporters' Trust AND a T-shirt with Cre8 which visualises the community involvement which is so important to Macclesfield Town FC.

Park Lane School - Macclesfield FC Mosaic

2011-07-03T16:26:00.000+01:00

What a FABULOUS time I had earlier this week with Class 6.

The panel this group are working on shows how proud Macc FC were to get to the Football Conference. The design is similar to snakes and ladders as some supporters waved large blow up blue silkworms during some matches! This snakes and ladders is a game with a difference, the silkworms take you UP the squares and the ladders take you DOWN!

There was LOTS of concentration and dedication happening in this session!

Unfortunately I was too busy joining in with the singing and dancing to the tunes on the CD to take photos of the REAL laughter we had...I only managed to get everyone working really hard!

As you can see, the group worked really hard in just a morning!

I'm looking forward to going back next week!

Mosaics and More at Adelphi Mill - Barnaby Mosaic and Macc FC Mossaic

2011-07-03T16:13:00.000+01:00

What would I do without my trusty mosaic mentees, Ruth and Moira!

Thank you, girls for coming to help finish the Barnaby

Also to Pat, our new recruit, doing a stellar job, finishing the mosaics which the children at Ash Grove School started

And not forgetting Chris, our Young Creative who has some real mosaic staying power.

No rest for the willing...

Concentration and copious cups of tea!

As you can see, there is still lots to do! Please call us now to book a place to come and help on the Macclesfield FC community Mosaic.

Not forgetting the Barnaby Mosaic....

Macclesfield Town FC Community Mosaic

2011-06-24T16:00:00.000+01:00

Just got back from Macclesfield High School. What a cool school! Enjoyed meeting some staff and students and was really impressed with the fundraising event they are working on for the mosaic.

All the students at Macclesfield High School are taking part in a sponsored walk to raise the money for the North End Wall project.

Good luck to all of you on your walk and thank you!

Mosaic mosaic mosaic

2011-06-24T08:56:00.000+01:00

Good morning all!

Back in the studio today after been out most of the week making a mosaic with 200 children at Fairway Primary School in Offerton. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and we created a lovely mosaic for the front of the school.

Busy today planning the next five panels for the football mosaic and I'm going to put the kiln on for the first time since I moved into the studio!

More photos next week.

:-)

Macclesfield Community Mosaic Mural

2011-06-20T12:24:00.002+01:00

Having a little sit down! Just prepared the mosaic mural for Fairway Primary School and am delighted to have just come off the phone from Sally at Park Lane School. Park Lane school are able to work on a panel for the Macclesfield Community Mosaic! How exciting!

I think I might just stop for a little light lunch now and then I will be back to prepare the garden mosaic kits for Fairway Primary school AND two more panels for Macc FC mosaic.

I am looking forward to the tiles which World Of Mosaics are donating, being delivered....will put some more images on soon.

Barnaby Festival 2011

2011-06-20T10:05:00.000+01:00

I felt a bit useless at this part - putting a gazebo up when you're only 5' isn't that easy to do - actually it's impossible so thanks John and the Barnaby Craft Cafe team for helping Anna to put it up!

I am so pleased we decided to keep the Craft Cafe open - the weather kept nice and there was a very steady flow of children...

...all day....

...all ages...

...and abilities...

...and ones who went off do fabulous hats...

...and then came back for more!

I don't know who enjoyed making the mosaic most, me or the kids!

It's a shame I didn't get to see the other artists as we worked but we were all so busy! It was great!

I really enjoyed seeing the children come to the table with their fabulous hats, brilliant egg cosies, pretty prints, gorgeous flower arrangements and beautiful bunting.

There is still a lot to do on the Barnaby Mosaic but as soon as I finish it at the studio, I'll get the pictures on here.

When finished, the mosaic is going to be donated to the Barnaby Festival Team. What we would really like is for somone with LOTS of money to buy it and then donate it to a charity for display for lots of people to enjoy it.

The design shows the Barnaby logo with a community of people enjoying themselves.

I am SO looking forward to next year's festival!

Father's Day Mosaic Coasters - Mansfield

2011-06-20T09:29:00.000+01:00

Can I say that the weather was unbelievably glorious on Saturday in Nottingham!

When I actually got home and called into our local Co-op, Debra looked at my red sunburned head, chest and arms, tried very hard to not look horrified and simply said 'you've not been in Macc today then!'

Absolutely right Deb! Apparently it persisted down all day which was a shame as it was the Barnaby Festival.

Saturday at Yeoman Hill Park in Masfield Woodhouse, I set up my stall with John and we helped 60 children make a special mosaic coaster for their Dad for Father's Day.

We had a lovely helper - Jenny - who was brilliant.

Thank you Jenny!

It was a stunningly beautiful day with lots of families having fun and creating colourful coasters

Thank yo also to all the parents who helped and were happy to have photographs taken at the event.

Here is a small group of mosaics, ready for grouting.

Although I would not ordinarily grout the same day, I used quick drying adhesive and we did manage to grout 60 tiles!

If you were at the festival and made a mosaic - I hope you find your photograph here.

Ok - Ok - THAT's the photo!

Joining the gym this week, folks!

And the Mayor visited too!

Macclesfield Community Mosaic Mural - Crossroads for Young Carers, Congleton

2011-06-20T09:02:00.000+01:00

Thank you to all the young carers who have worked so well on their panel for the Macclesfield FC mural

This panel has Roary the mascot handing out balloons.

There was a dove released into the air from the ground after their manager and a player died, suddenly. The dove on this panel honours them and all the other Macc FC players no longer with us.

Two groups from Crossroads have worked on the panel so far and as there is still a little work to go - I have agreed to go back to work with another group.

I am looking forward to seeing the gang again very soon!

Macclesfield Community Mosaic Mural

2011-06-17T13:21:00.000+01:00

Sitting in the studio, the window open, I can hear the chug chug chug of the boats passing, with the occasional 'quack' of the ducks who haven't quite moved out of the way quickly enough.

I have just had a very interesting meeting with Dean. Dean owns 'World of Mosaics' in Macclesfield and he has just agreed to donate approximately 192 sheets of glass mosaic for the Macclesfield Town FC Community Mosaic Mural. THANKS DEAN!

All the tiles will be delivered next week so if anyone wants to come help soak them off and sort them into boxes.....well, I live in hope!

WORLD OF MOSAICS

I have just had another look on Dean's website and there are some GLORIOUS tiles!

Looking forward to working with you in the future Dean.

Thanks again!

More Barnaby News!

2011-06-16T16:41:00.001+01:00

Phew - had a really productive day today!

I've heard I won third prize in the Barnaby Festival 'Write on Time' competition. Wow! How exciting.

In the meantime I've achieved, today:

The Barnaby Festival Mosaic has now been drawn out. I will make some fused glass faces tomorrow in the kiln.
The winning play will be acted out at Costa Coffee in Macclesfield this Friday and Saturday night. See the Barnaby Festival website for details. Well done!
The tesserae for the Mansfield Park mosaic coasters are ready.
The Fairway Primary School Mosaic Mural is ready to be drawn out.
The next 4 panels of the Macclesfield Town FC Community mosaic have been sized and are awaiting the designs to be drawn on
I've soaked and dried 30 sheets of tesserae on paper ready for the next three panels
Designed my new leaflet
booked the ferry to the Isle of Man to complete the Garey Glass project in Douglas
and I'm just about to set off to Congleton to work with the Crossroads for Young Carers Group for the Macc FC mural mosaic.

If anyone wants to come and help work on the Macc FC mosaic - call me to arrange a time suitable to us both and we can sit and mosaic the day away!

Busy, busy, busy!

Fairway Primary School Inset Day

2011-06-14T16:09:00.000+01:00

What a beautiful day! I had a lovely morning with the Head and staff at Fairway Primary School in Offerton.

It was nice to deliver a practical training session to a group of teachers and support staff.

Thanks for your lovely comments, guys:

'Really enjoyed it, thanks'

'Really enjoyed it - pleased it was practical and had more than enough time to complete individual mosaics'

'It was great fun, really enjoyed it, thankyou.'

'Loved every bit of it...thank you x could have done with knowing time limits on each stage so could have paced myself better'

'Thank you very much, I really enjoyed it once I got started. Really good session'

'Liked having a finished product. Would have liked some more examples for inspiration'

'Really enjoyed it, very theraputic'

'Enjoyed it, thank you. Fiddly bits a bit frustrating! P.S Didn't like the grouting!' (neither do I - Debz :-))

'I loved it all'

'Enjoyed concentrated effort'

I always value feedback and the constructive comments above will be used to improve.

Of course, the kind comments simply warm my heart!

Hope you all enjoy using your individual coasters in the staffroom!

I look forward to coming back next week to create the outdoor mural with the children.

Free Barnaby Festival Creative Fun!

2011-06-13T13:25:00.000+01:00

I'm at the Barnaby Festival!

Click here for more information about this FREE creative workshop

BARNABY FESTIVAL

Got any chipped plates and saucers but have not got around to throwing them away because they're too pretty?

Bring them in a box and I will smash them and your child can glue them to the Barnaby mosaic.

Any pieces I feel are unsafe, will not be used on the Barnaby mosaic but I WILL have suitable pieces for your child to use safely.

Phone 01625 560 478 for more details!

Deb :-)

The Creative Space Studio is the featured tenant of Adelphi Mill

2011-06-10T17:49:00.002+01:00

http://www.adelphimill.co.uk/

Just click and look!

Brilliant day at Oakwood

2011-06-10T17:34:00.001+01:00

I really have had a brilliant day. I know I was looking forward to going to Oakwood but I enjoyed the time there more than anticipated.

We started off by soaking some tiles to get the backing paper off...

...it was a long job...

...which took lots of concentration...

...and laughter...

...and chit chat...

After lunch, we got down to the serious business of placing the tiles and fixing them down.

I can honestly say that this panel has been made with fun and friendship running through it. I enjoyed myself so much, I am going back to finish it with the group very soon.

Well done to EVERYONE at Oakwood Centre. Thank you for having me!

Macclesfield FC Community Mosaic - Oakwood Panel

2011-06-10T09:08:00.000+01:00

Doesn't look much at the moment but this will be the final panel of the mural.

I am about to take it to the Oakwood team at Rossendale Hall. Looking forward to this today. I visited a few weeks ago and was amazed at how lovely the place was!

The staff are so committed and have worked wonders in the activity room.

I love my job - I get to see people who wouldn't know what a 'jobsworth' hat was. Remember that programme with Esther Ranson?

It's been a full week and is going to be busier next week!

Am also looking forward to picking my 200 mdf coasters up from the very accommodating S&M Supplies in Macclesfield. I'm so happy to finally find a supplier who will provide me with what I want, the way I want it, when I want it! Thumbs up Mike and the gang at S&M Supplies.

No wonder my back's bad - this trolley gets heavier and heavier! It's on it's last legs (or should that be wheels!) so I should start looking for a new one. Wonder if they come computerised with a lift action to get it in the car.....

Macclesfield FC Community Mosaic - lost count of the days!

2011-06-09T19:44:00.000+01:00

It was just the two of us today...

...but we got a lot done and this panel is now nearly finished!

Just finished drawing out the panel for Oakwood at Rossendale Hall tomorrow.

Off to the Poacher's now!

bye all...

Macclesfield FC Community Mosaic

2011-06-08T19:05:00.000+01:00

I don't actually need to say anything - the pictures say it all!

Except that this panel was started off by the young people in the morning session who then left to have a coaching session from Macclesfield Town FC.

This panel shows the Silkmen and Everton FA Cup match scarf. I think most football fans have their team's scarf so it felt appropriate to include one in the mosaic.

Mosaic Mural - St John's School Bollington

2011-06-08T08:50:00.000+01:00

Phew!

What a lovely day yesterday - being dropped off around the corner from the mill to the very lovely St. John's School, in Bollington, by my very lovely fiance.

Mrs Roberts and the children from St. John's did such a lovely job on the hospice mosaic that it was a delight for me to go to their school so they could participate in the Macclesfield FC Community Mosaic Mural.

Here are some pictures of how their panel is getting on...

Fun is part of the plan, too!

Some serious concentration...

And I am about to take this panel to the Fermaine Centre. Come back tomorrow for an update!

Deb

8th Cheshire Rifle Volunteers

2011-06-06T14:38:00.000+01:00

I hope you all had a lovely break! I had a wonderful weekend away in London, thank you.

Back in the studio and it's very busy. Four more panels have been washed down with a pva solution and I am drawing the panel depicting the very start of the Macclesfield football club.

I didn't have time to take a photograph yesterday of the panel which went to St Paul's Youth Group in Macclesfield.

I have left that panel in the safe hands of Mary and the youth group.

Don't forget - if you have a group who would like to be part of this project, please get in touch.

I will get back with some images soon...

Happy Bank Holiday Monday!

2011-05-30T15:53:00.000+01:00

Hope you are having a lovely Bank Holiday!

There's not much chance of me having a rest just yet. But I'm not complaining!

The two 2' square panels for Birmingham tomorrow are ready with all the tesserae prepared.

I've worked a bit more on one of the Macc Footbal mosaic panels and I think I am now going to go home and watch some TV with my man and my boy.

It's a pity it's such a drab, damp day otherwise we could have gone for a lovely long walk up the canal.

I will put more pictures on as I get them.

Bye for now!

:-)