A stitched piece from one of the still life sessions on  Experimental Textiles.  I'm in a funny old place! I'm fast approaching a big birthday and planning some big changes. One decision I have made is that the next course of Experimental Textiles which runs from June 2016 - March 2017, will be my last.  I love this course - after all, I wrote it! But it is a tie every month and stops me traveling for longer periods of time. We are recruiting now - there are only 10 places, so if you are interested - have a look here. experimentaltextiles.com Feeling a bit nostalgic I have had look back at some of the work produced over the last 5 years and picked out a few pieces.  A gorgeous little felt bowl embellished with glass beads and and hand stitch.  Transfer printed applique and transfer foiling. A knitted wire bangle. The last weekend was the last session of ExTeXtra 1. This is the group that finished Experimental Textiles in March 2015 but wanted to carry

 Nadines and Anna's vessels.  The past weekend was the 8th and penultimate session of Experimental Textiles 4. Their final session is next month so the energy within the group is starting to change. You get the impression the girls are starting to put their shoulders back and their chins up, ready for the last push. Their end of year show will be at the NEC at The Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch Show in March. As the course is not accredited, there is no pressure for the group to finish anything. They can concentrate on their work books and develop some of their samples from the course. It is up to them. Because of this I find the work and the course workbooks are generally of a higher standard than students who are on accredited courses that have to tick boxes. We have much more freedom and we self moderate. Having taught both types of course - I know which I prefer . . .     Catherine's cake. A great start to the weekend. Delicious. We had some very exciting n

Bliss balls, chocolate brownies and fresh raspberries. Denise is a fabulous cook -  and it's all gluten free. Denise had been Gluten free for several years, until I met her I had no idea how debilitating it can be. So - here I am in New Zealand, Christchurch to be exact. Am in a motel for the night as I have an earlyish flight in the morning to start my journey back to the UK. I really don't want to leave - I do so love it here. I have had a wonderful time here. I have been soooooo well looked after by my lovely friend Denise Cleghorn and her husband the very funny Barry. He tolerated me with good humour. I also saw another good friend Christine Marks and her gorgeous man Bob for a couple of days in Blenheim. We have all had a good catch up. Whilst Facebook and emails can help when there is a long distance between you, there is nothing like a big hug when you do get to see each other. Most of my visit has been spent on Denise and Barry's farm just outside

A rather splendid sample by Nadine. Here I am FINALLY, sorry this has been delayed. Have had a bit of a struggle with WIFI access while I am traveling in New Zealand. It can be a problem uploading a lot of photos. The 7th weekend of Experimental Textiles is a 'students choice'. The group negotiate what they would like to learn. I have to put my hands up to guiding them towards working with metal. It is a great material to work with, the girls had a fun time working with all the supplies they brought into class. A great bundle of fun to sort out and manipulate. Different metal shims, embossed or coloured with alcohol inks. Embossed copper embossed and cut to shape. Of course - sweet papers were an integral part of the workshop. This was a fun table full of materials - an old vegetable rack, tin foil and packs of covered metal wire. These samples were made by layering different metal shims with washers. Drinks cans came in very use