A quick blog post today to announce my next Thread Talk with The Embroiderers Guild - The Journey to Design. Saturday February 1st at 2pm. Here is the link to book a ticket - www.eventbrite.co.uk The tickets are £7.50 and the lecture will be available On Demand for a year after the live event. I will be talking about why I am so passionate about helping my students create their own, original designs.  If you didn't catch my lecture - Learning Through Play in September, it is available On Demand here - again for £7.50 - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/on-demand-thread-talks-kim-thittichai-learning-through-play That's it - just a quick post today.

A beautiful Suzani embroidery  It is now 111 days till I leave for my 2 tours of Uzbekistan. The original tour sold out so fast, we had to add another, which will start on March 23rd. I get breathless with excitement just thinking about it . .  Since my move to Ireland I haven't been saying Yes! to too many things, I wanted to settle into my new environment and not get too distracted. And then came Covid, so I REALLY settled in. So when Isha from Aahilya Holidays first asked me to lead a tour for her, I said no.  You may remember that I led 4 tours to Jaipur with Jamie from Coluricious in the early days of tutors of and artists leading travel tours. I think I felt that I had done with travel and I was happy to be settled where I was. Discover new foods   However, I have always dreamed of exploring Uzbekistan, the colours, the textures and the general romance of the country. But never, ever, thought I would be able to actually go. So when Isha suggested we go to Uzbek...

The MOST delicious chocolate cake It's been a while!  I have been thinking, you could probably hear the noise from where you are . . My birthday was last week and I hosted a lunch for 12. It was more a celebration of me moving to Ireland and into this amazing house 8 years ago. A small group of friends and neighbours who have helped me settle so well into this great community. My sister was here for a week which really helped. Lynda got the housekeeping and cleaning gene that seems to have passed me by!!! She was godsend. An absolute star and I love her dearly. (not just because she cleans!!) Pavlova with fruit decoration - one I prepared earlier! I don't entertain a lot at home, the house is usually too messy - anyone who makes will understand. But I do love feeding my friends, so it was wonderful to cook and create a big spread for my guests. I had such a great time, I didn't take ANY photos . . very rare for me.  There was some chocolate cake and trifle left and some of ...

Remarkable Architecture In six months I will be traveling to Uzbekistan for a nearly a month. The plan was to travel with one group on a tour of 14 days 7th - 21st April. However, that booked up so quickly, we had to add another tour for the people that missed their chance. We now have 5 places left on the second tour which is 23rd March to 7th April. Strong simple forms The tours are concentrating on the amazing architecture and textiles of Uzbekistan. We will also be enjoying the local foods and culture of each area we visit. I have a particular interest in in the geometric designs and colours used on many of the beautiful buildings. You will notice the buildings are generally strong, simple shapes which means you can appreciate the colour and designs. Perfect inspiration for artists and anyone interested in beautiful architecture. Beautiful colour and form     We will also be visiting a fort in the desert, I get excited just typing that!! How amazing. Again strong shapes bu...