Posting a little of France to inspire

This administrator has had a heap of trouble over the last months trying to keep the blog going from other continents........Technology, you got me beat for a while there! 

Here, however are a few captured textures I would like to share, from small French country villages to whet your felt-making spirits, and hopefully fill in the gaps over the last months! Although I was not able to gather actual felted work, inspiration was all around...........enjoy and create!


                 

        
 
      

                        

      

Further congratulations

Natalie Jackson is to be congratulated for her entry in Fire and Fibre exhibition. She received the People's Choice Award for this striking hat and scarf. 

Well done!!

  

Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS to our former Group Leader Colleen Castledine on her Judges Choice win at the annual Fire, Fibre and Fine Arts at Stirling Street Art Centre. This is a well deserved prize for her beautiful jacket.

Started in CapeTown and finished back in Bunbury

After a huge 'run around' to get onto this account, here I am again with much relief. Google you are annoying at times!! As, I believe it is in WA, cold and overcast, it is the same here in Cape Town, the only difference being that much needed rain is only in the air on this Southern tip of Africa...drought persists.......just the kind of weather for felters....

Laurence is taking a short holiday back in Australia so this keeper can let you have a peek from down here, and send you BFG news and check out the Cape Town felting/textile scene for you.........

Jean demonstrated her stunning warm double layered neckpieces at the July winter meeting just in time..........

Winter analysis by Peter Booth
http://www.thatcreativefeeling.com/enjoying-winter-arts-in-australia

Which way up?

That moment of cutting

Jean models her finished scarf

Later in July, BFG members and a couple of invited guests were treated to a 2 day workshop by the innovative and charming Andrea Noeske-Parada, who shared her explorations into origami [Traditional Japanese paper folding]. 

Instead of paper she uses fine wool felt, which she ultimately shapes into all manner of body adornments.  Andrea also builds geometric structures into a number of forms, in the footsteps of French artist Victor Vaserely. He produced amazing optical illusions using endless permutations of geometric forms. Andrea challenged our perceptions of what can be done with felt

A happy, well satisfied group

Our efforts many completed 

Andrea accepts a presentation from Colleen

More completed work

Jean diligently eases her pieces together

Some finishing touches

Maureen gets it together

Penny's piece is almost there

Andrea shows how it is done

Conversion...from paper to felt!

Completed bracelet

Funny how we could not get away from geometric shapes all day!

Some members relaxing with Andrea over dinner after all those geometric challenges

LAURENCE

                                 This is indeed an auspicious PEACOCK occasion.....
                                                          
                                                   LAURENCE is my name

                                         Has that not got a beautiful sound to it? 

Dear Natalie won the prize for coming up with my name. What a clever girl she is! Thank you, thank you Natalie! Other names were okay like  -  Percy, Percival, Bollo, Peter, Prince, Fabio, Leonardo  -  but did not suit quite as well.....I am so excited! I can hardly keep my feathers on!  

I don't really want to let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, but I have to tell, that I am named after a certain flamboyant, eccentric, celebrity designer, who appeared on our Television screens recently......He is ever so British and I can't help feel so PROUD to be associated with him. 

                                        I just know that I shall live up to his name so....

                      PEACOCK LAURENCE IS MY NAME!!

Now........
To get on with my real job of reporting all the latest news............sorry about all that, ahem...strutting & keowwing!

July has been a very busy month starting with our AGM

It was time for the old committee to step down after two years of excellent service.
At the meeting our Group Leader Colleen Castledine thanked the outgoing committee for their support and work & two years of hard work

2015 - 2017 Committee
Colleen Castledine                       Group Leader
Penny Elliott                                 Secretary
Kayleen O'Loughlin                     Treasurer
Ren Devery                                   Librarian
Jane Field                                      Buyer
Margaret Murphy
Maureen Foss

The New Committee was voted in for 2017 - 2019

Kayleen O'Loughlin                      Group Leader
Colleen Castledine                        Vice Group Leader
Dale Green                                    Secretary

Jen Thomson                                 Treasurer

Valerie Rowe                                 Librarian 

Maureen Foss & Judith Smithin   Shop Coordinators

Colleen Castledine                        Outside Tutor Workshop Coordinator

Natalie Jackson                              Stall Coordinator

There have also been a number of non committee positions nominated

Penny Elliott continues on as Facebook/Blog Administrator & Coordinator of Exhibitions.

Valerie Rowe will be the Instagram Administrator.

Lee Nash & Jean Braund are Joint Coordinators of the annual camp

Jean Braund is organiser of refreshments for monthly meetings

With all these capable people around for the next few years we can expect to continue successful and exciting times.

With a deep bow to those appointments....Congratulations to all and a big LAURENCE peck on the cheek to those lovely generous ladies.

 LAURENCE B.F.G.[Beautiful, Fine, Game-Bird]

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to our talented member Sue Smorthwaite for getting a special mention in the highly competitive Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2017, for her wonderful hare POOKA entered in Magical Worlds