Happy 1st May!

Start of a new month... start of a new blog.

(A' Level art piece)

Hi everyone and welcome to my brand new blog.

It has been a long held dream to set up a proper blog page so that I can share my passion and adventures in the world of textiles. I would also like to share some of my life living in this beautiful corner of SW Scotland.

(One of my local views)

Let me introduce myself... I like to be called Midge in my creative world as it is nickname I was given many years ago which I still love. It has nothing to do with the fearsome Scottish biting Midge (I don't bite, I promise) !!

(A 'blackwork' design in blue)

I have loved textiles in all forms since being a child. After being introduced to weaving during my Art A' Level I decided to pursue a degree in Textiles. The focus on my degree was more Textile Science and Technology based. I ended up working in the industry for several years where I was literally paid to set fire to things for a while! (I carried out textile fire safety tests and generally swanned about in a lab coat and respirator). I also dealt with production and finished fabric/ garment problem-solving, as well as dealing with quality control issues for international garment producers. All of this was fine but did not allow me to spread my creative wings very far.

(Baby cardi for a friend)

Fast forward quite a few years (including a 12 year hiatus into the world of critical care nursing) and I decided to go back to 'school' via The Open University. I am currently studying for a BA (Hons) in Design and Innovation with a view to setting up my own textile design and natural yarn dyeing business. 

Plans for what I would like to share on my blog:

• My love of yarn, fabric, knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch and blackwork. Also my dabblings in patchwork, quilting and lacemaking.
• My design work (which will be going into an Etsy shop at some point).
• My ongoing projects using other designers patterns (I will share links as I go).
• My interest in historical textiles. Oh the tales they could tell...
• Sights and information about the wonderful place I live - the sometimes forgotten corner of SW Scotland. Drive just past the world famous Gretna Green and turn left onto the A75! The highlands are stunning but let me show you just how stunning Dumfries & Galloway can be too :)

Please feel free to comment and also visit me on my links to Twitter and Instagram (Etsy shop to follow).

Thank you for joining me. Let the fun begin! Midge x

https://www.instagram.com/midgeporterdesign/