Inspiration at the Bramble Patch

Inspiration is often to be found at the Bramble Patch - that Mecca for all things textile in the heart of Northamptonshire.

And today did not disappoint. 

I schlepped up there to see the fragrant Hilary Beattie and Stephanie Redfern who have decamped their studios there for a few days. 

As usual, Hilary was working in overdrive (if there is such a thing as a textile dervish -rather than a whirling one - then our Hilary is its embodiment!)

Somewhat foolishly, although I took my camera I forgot the memory card so the photos were taken with my phone which is not ideal ( call me old fashioned, but I think phones are for phoning on and cameras are for taking photographs).  Anyway you get the flavour. 

As always both ladies were generous with their techniques. 

Stephanie isn't really pointing at anything - as I said taking pictures on my phone is far from ideal. 

Hilary was, as usual, prolifically creating mountains of fabric and paper.  No doubt much of this will pop  up in future work. 

There was also an exhibition of their work in the gallery space there. 

There was also work by another artist, more traditional patchwork but stunning. 

I was particularly taken with this vivid quilt called Strata Dreams.