Hello …… WOYWW Ladies

Happy new year to everyone at What’s on your Workdesk Wednesday.  I hope everyone is well and feeling creative.

It’s been awhile since I’ve joined in. 2025 wasn’t great, but I'm ready to move forward now.

The first prompt of the year at my No Rules Textile Society is “YOU” which is a great word and theme for us to work with.  I’ve done some brainstorming in my notebook.

Then writing a manifesto for myself for the year I’ve created a vision board to keep me on track.

Next up I’m going to strip down my display wall in the studio ready for new work.

I’ve also got a couple of books from my collection to revisit.  They are perfect reads for inspiration 

Nice to be back

Lynn 

xxx

LINK TO WHATS ON YOUR WORKDESK WEDNESDAY 

Manifesting creativity

Happy new year everyone.  2025 was a real mix of highs and lows, with the lows taking its toll on my creativity amongst other things.

But now it’s time to move forward and train my brain to see the good things around me.

Saturday 3rd January will see the start of a new year in my textile group - The No Rules Textile Society with Jayne Emerson our beloved leader.

NO RULES TEXTILE SOCIETY LINK

There will be a happy zoom meeting where we can all catch up, and a new prompt to get our creative juices flowing again.

So here is a quick look round my studio from where I left it in December.  I’m hoping that 2026 will manifest into the return of me Lynn Holland the curator who likes to inspire others in the world of textiles through moodboards, books and recommendations of the work of other artists 

Its good to be back

 

What’s on your workdesk Wednesday- Nothing

Since our return from the Lake District I settled into a round of taking folk to their hospital appointments Then on Friday we packed our bags once again, filled the Beast with petrol and set off for a few days in Haworth, Yorkshire , home to the Brontë family.

Our weekend away was a gift from our special friends Jacqui and John, not forgetting little Poppy dog, for my 70th in August.

LINK TO THE WEAVERS

We stayed in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Haworth.  It’s run by a friendly couple who can’t do enough for their guests.  Everything was tip top.

It was a perfect excuse to go in one of my favourite shops and replenish my soap stash. The Curiosity Society is filled with gorgeous perfumes and books 

LINK TO CABINET OF CURIOSITOES

It was lovely to see all the old cottages, shops and cobbled streets of Haworth.  Next time we will visit the Brontë Museum.

On the way home there was time for a stop off at an antique centre.  We had a browse round but didn’t buy anything as our house is already like something of one of those telly programmes they make about hoarders.

Cullingworth Antiques at the Mill

I need to have a massive sort out at home this week as I’ve got some special visitors coming for the day and they are coming to see my studio after it was featured in Where Women Create magazine last year

So there’s no desk here this week and no more gallivanting about for a bit or will there be ? Heehee

Thanks for popping by 

Lynn 

xx

Linking up with

what’s on your workdesk Wednesday

An old mill and lots of arts and crafts

June is flying by and it’s been a packed one so far.  Since my last post we have visited Media City at Salford to see the National Portrait Gallery immersive exhibition Stories Brought To Life.

You get caught up in a moving room full of people from history and present times.  Take a look at the link I’ve attached.  Expect to see and hear the voices of Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, to name just a few

Link to event

We then walked round the corner to the Lowry Centre for an excellent exhibition of L S Lowry’s work and another immersive event. This time a short film of his painting The Match Day set in Bolton, Lancashire.

Last week we had five days at our caravan in the Lakes.  We spent a day at Farfield Mill at Sedburgh where we chatted to artists and makers in their studios.

Here’s some pics I took of their work and an exhibition 

Dissolved fabric and thread by Rachel Morrell

link to Rachel Morrell

Below is Mixed media artist Wendy Ann Stanger’s stitched appliqué.  She dyes her own fabrics and papers from plants in her garden as does Rachel Morrell

link to Wendy Stanger

Here’s some pics of the weaving looms and the mill

link to Farfield Mill, Sedburgh, Yorkshire

The current exhibition is of Sue Bibby’s stitched storytelling

link to Sue Bibby

I loved the tiny stitched birds

There are tons more pics I could show you.  I hope these have inspired you in some way.

Work desk wise I have done a bit of meditative stitching that goes alongside our current prompt of Pattern over at the No Rules Textile Society

I better shut up now or Sarah will be throwing me out of the What’s on your Workdesk Wednesday gang.

Take care and thanks for popping by 

Lynn 

xx

LINK TO WHATS ON YOUR WORKDESK WEDNESDAY

I look like I’ve had my leg amputated on the first picture with friends Marilyn and Terry at Bardsea just after we’d eaten massive ice cream cones  

Vintage and antique textile joy

I’m here again……..   there’s so much going on this year.  It’s my 70th birthday in August and I’m not one for big parties, much preferring to do lots of different things with friends and family.  Hence why my 2025 diary is so full. 

The weekend of 7th/8th June saw us out for a meal and catch up with our good friends Jacqui and John.  They are taking us to Haworth in Yorkshire for a weekend treat for my birthday.  We will be visiting the Brontë House, which I’ve wanted to do for ages.  There’ll be lots of good food, wine and laughter I’m sure.

Lunch was at The Malthouse at Ripponden

Lovely pub grounds

Sunday we took ourselves off to the Vintage Home Show at Victoria Baths, Manchester.

The wandering welder found himself a little tie pin that he put in his lapel

The original changing rooms

Events are now held in the old swimming pool

It’s an amazing building to visit at anytime 

We next moved on to the annual Antique Textile Fair at Fallowfield and Mr Dapper Chap struck gold

when he came across an almost new pair of Loakes brogues for £25. They are £300 new.

Then he came across a woollen 70’s waistcoat made here in Great Britain. He paid £15, a bargain.

If you’ve never been to The Textile Society event I can definitely recommend it if only to

ooh and aah over all the fabrics, outfits and accessories. The folk who attend look amazing as well.

I couldn’t resist this 1930’s French Passementerie sample book.

The trader has a shop in France and spends the summer attending UK fairs and Brocantes.

I know my No Rules Textile gals will go mad for it.

I came away with a Victorian childs nightie for £2.  I’m planning on adding stitches and appliqué to it.  I may even dip dye the bottom.  This A4 print of puff sleeved garments appealed to me. I’ll be adding it to the current display on my studio wall.

That’s it for this week.  There plenty more events to come next week including an immersive art show at Media City in Manchester.  Take care and have a good week.  

Thanks for popping by.

Lynn xx

Linking up with 

What’s on your workdesk Wednesday 

WOYWW