Kim's Hot Textiles

Missing persons, friends and stuff!

2012-03-02T15:14:00.001Z

One of the book covers made on Laura's workshop using melted plastic bags

I need your help - I need to contact Laura Manning whose students work I featured on the blog last year. I have very cleverly lost her email address. If you are reading this Laura could you email me or if anyone knows Laura could they pass the message on?

I have some very special friends - I could hear the postman trying to force something through the letterbox and low and behold it was a parcel from Chris Gray of Mabon Arts https://shop.mabonarts.co.uk/ (Chris is teaching one of the free workshops at Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch). I roared with laughter when I opened the parcel - I know Chris only sent me these packets as they would be good to melt, nothing to do with the contents . . . . the card was FAB too - Than you so much Chris!

Decovil lite dyed and then decorated with some of my newspaper samples. The whole sample was then covered with Lamifix - an iron on laminate. The matt is on the left and the gloss is on the right. The bags were cut out on my die cutting machine - you could easily use scissors though.

I have been meaning to tell you I have new 'Lite' version of the Decovil iron-on interfacing about to hit the website. It is slightly lighter in weight than the classic Pelmet/Craft Vilene we all know and love and it is fabulous for book covers and bag making.

There have been several enquiries about my fishy block that I use a lot at the moment. It is one that Jamie gave me when I was printing samples for the DVD and I just love it. It was from a special edition that Jamie's company http://www.theindianblockcompany.com had a few of - I believe there are 20 left. Jamie is is going to put them onto the main stock after Easter and more are being made, so if you want one of the 20 - enquire soon.

I have been playing with my die cutting machine and have cut up the samples I made earlier in the week. I hope to make them up into brooches and earrings over the weekend.

Have a great weekend everyone - x x x

Nice try - but no coconut!

2012-03-01T09:48:00.000Z

Newspaper layered with painted Bondaweb printed onto with a wooden printing block.

It is very easy to forget simple parts of a process - such as the fact you need pressure - albeit gentle, to print. My great printing session collapsed quite quickly when I realised I didn't have the strength to press down on the blocks. It didn't help that I had already ironed the papers onto the Heavy Pelmet Vilene Plus which meant they were also very stiff. You do need a more cushioned surface for sucessful prints.

It doen't really matter as I will be putting these samples through my die cutting machine to make the shapes for my jewellery but I did feel a fool . . . . .

This is just a brief post to show that I am still alive and getting slowly better although obviously not firing on all cylinders just yet!!!

x x x

On giving in - not giving up!

2012-02-26T13:33:00.000Z

Can you identify the packaging?

There are times when you just have to give in - and having shingles is one of them. I had no idea it was so debilitating and so vicious - or that it would last for so long. I have heard the horror stories, 2 friends of mine have had it recently, 1 on the bra line and 1 on the unmentionables but I guess until you have it yourself you can't understand what it is like.
I am lucky I got the anti viral drugs early enough and I am starting to feel better, there is less pain everyday but the rash and blisters are still spreading, but more slowly now. I may have to design myself a stunning yashmak if they don't start to clear up soon - but I can't go anywhere or see anyone as I am still contagious - I feel as though I should have a bell to ring . . . . .

This will pass - I have to remember this is just one tiny part of my life and there are far worse worse things (though on Friday morning at 6am I would have disputed that). The recovery is obviously going take a long time and because of this I have had to cancel my 2 workshops at Foredown Tower this week. Even if the blisters had gone - which is unlikely - I still wouldn't have the energy to teach. I am still having to sleep during the day as well as at night. This is one thing I can't sort out through sheer force of personality.

You must recognise this one???

The illness has thrown up an interesting question which I regularly pontificate about when asked - " how do you keep being creative when you are feeling low - whether through grief or illness"?
My, has it been put to the test in the past few days!!!! My theory has always been that as you start to feel brighter in yourself, to just play with materials, not have any pressure on what you are going to do at the end of it. The ideas will come eventually as you work through your basic processes. My recipe seems to be mindless layering. I can't manage my heat press at the moment but I can use the iron for 30 mins or so.

So it's back to what I feel most comfortable with - heat, food packaging, painted Bondaweb and of course - newspaper.

I am working on very small samples 5" square, they are less threatening that size! While I was layering on this scale I remembered some tiny printing blocks I had bought in Sydney Museum when I was last there and of course have not thought about since. So tomorrows exercise will be to print onto my small samples with tiny printing blocks.

The blocks are no more than 1" square and are hand carved.

I have no idea what it will look like - but if you don't try . . . . . .

My thanks to all of you who have emailed and sent messages. Many of whom I have never met. It is through friends, family and the kindness of strangers that we are able to keep going - I know that sounds soppy - but it's true!

More tomorrow if I can find the energy to lift the iron and the printing blocks . . . . . "How are the mighty fallen"!!!!!

Laying low . . !

2012-02-23T12:42:00.002Z

Fabulous bright colours - just what we need to lift the heart!

Old plastic bottles, painted and turned into lights.

This is just a short post to say I will be laying low for a few days. I have shingles!!! On my head and neck - ouch! So orders from nid-noi.com will be taking slightly longer to get out - they are getting out - just more slowly than usual . . . Hope to be back up to normal deliveries next week.

At least it has happened now and not in three weeks time.
I will still have time to recover before I leave for Australia.

Take care all of you, x x x

Get this book . . !

2012-02-20T06:48:00.000Z

Sarah's new book

The first day of Craft, Hobby and Stitch International was very busy and there was a lot of interest in the new iron-on interfacings 'Decovil 1' and 'Decovil light' on the Freudenberg Vilene stand. They are fabulous products, particulary good for making bags and book covers, just the right support with out being too stiff.

The highlight of the show for me is being given a copy of Stitch, Cloth, Shimmer & Shine written by Sarah Lawrence. I know many of you are still coming to terms with Sarah's untimely death, we are all missing her like mad! This book will be a great comfort - IT IS FABULOUS!!! Get it! I have spent 2 evenings devouring it and stroking the pages.

The photograhs are excellent, particularly the ones of the more developed projects at the back of the book. Sarah takes you through all the processes you could possibley need for applying anything twinkly to your work. From gilding flake and heat transfer foils to working with metal and stitch. Whatever your experience level - you need this book. It is a book you will delve into again and again . . and again. As you would expect, Sarah has been generous with her information and how she creates her beautiful layers of colour and texture. . . .as usual, she has held nothing back!

Craftynotions.com have copies availabe now - craftynotions.com for £15.99

It is great meeting so many of you at the show and I look forward to seeing more of you over the next 2 days.

Girly AND dainty!

2012-02-17T12:51:00.000Z

Slip covers for the books that were pictured on the blog yesterday.

Decovil - new iron-on interfacing, dyed and then decorated with layers of newspaper, painted Bondaweb and gilding flake.

First I was girly - and now I am being dainty - very unusual for me. I have managed to finish 2 book covers and make some more jewellery. I seem to have sold most of my first batch.

The cover on the left is finished with acrylic wax and the one on the right was covered with a sheet of Lamifix gloss, hence it is shiny and wipe able. Lamifix also comes in a matt finish if you don't want your work looking tooooo shiny.

Here is the dainty part - I have been drilling my jewellery pieces to make them into longer earrings with the tiniest drill bit. I have now managed to get it down to a fine art AND remember to breathe.

Layered newspaper and painted Bondaweb ironed onto Heavy Pelmet Vilene Plus www.nid-noi.com then cut to shape on a die cutting machine.

My lovely friend Jane Sadgrove who owns the shop Beads Amore in Sevenoaks http://www.beadsamore.co.uk/ has been helping me. Jane runs fabulous workshops in her shop and has the most amazing array of beads I have ever seen. I stayed with Jane when we both did the Bluewater show recently and she introduced me to oval jump rings - they make such a difference to the way your dangles dangle . . . .You may have seen Jane at some of the shows as she used to the 'show organiser' for The Beadworkers Guild and created amazing displays on their stands. What Jane doesn't know about beading isn't worth knowing.

I mustn't leave out a certain gentleman in the Portsmouth area who helped me source the tiny drill bits I needed . . . .

I will eventually add all kind of lovely beads and develop necklaces and collars, these are all very basic - but that won't be till after I get back from the Antipodes.

I made myself two brooches to go with the earrings - they measure 4" across, when you are a big girl you need large accessories!!!

I have few more 'blanks' to play with - I am looking forward to making necklaces.

O.K that's the fun bit over, now I must get back to work and start cutting up and packing all the Heavy Pelmet Vilene Plus, painted newspaper and painted Bondaweb - for 60 people - aarrGGHH!!!

Have a great weekend - will post again when I get back from the show next week.

1 step forward and 3 steps back!

2012-02-16T14:46:00.000Z

A small pile of dyed iron-on interfacings - the new Decovil and Decovil Light on some particularly gorgeous newspaper.

You have it all planned - 4 days to prepare for a show with new samples and all the products dyed, cut and packed for 3 x workshops of 20 retailers - aaRGGHH!!! The exhaust fell off the car, loads of orders came in (I'm not complaining really) and piles of paperwork leapt out and needed doing . . . . but I have finally knuckled down.

Even my sofa is covered with dyed iron-on interfacing hopefully drying ready to use tomorrow, I just don't seem to have enough floor space.

I was hoping these books would be covered by now - tomorrow's blog . . . . .

I am getting SOME samples done. This is a wooden box that has been dyed turquoise - (it just happens to match my hair). Painted Bondaweb was then ironed onto it and decorated with gilding flake. The box was then sealed with acrylic wax.

This is very subtle for me - Painted, then printed Bondaweb, torn, then ironed onto my favourite black Pelemt Vilene Lite.

So back to the paintbrush - I need to paint more newspaper and Bondaweb so they will dry ready to cut and pack tomorrow.

See you soon, x

Girly Stuff and Black Craft Vilene

2012-02-12T18:21:00.000Z

Sequins on my cardi

I am not very girly - I am and have had to be very practical most of my life - so I take great pleasure the odd times I am required to dress up and be sparkly - but then what do you wear?

I may have mentioned once or twice that I will be off to the Antipodes at the end of March. There will be several parties to attend and having gone through my very practical wardrobe I realised I needed a bit of glitz!!! So I have been sewing sequins and beads onto a back cardi that covers a multitude of sins and is very useful! (Being practical again) I am having trouble deciding when to stop, I suspect I may cover the entire cardi by the end of this week. A girl can't have enough sequins and I need to feel I am doing something useful when I watch Corrie and 'Stenders

One of the parties has an award for 'The Most Fabulous Wearing of False Eyelashes' so I popped into town last week and picked these up - what do you think? I thought I might add a pink feather boa with black spots. I am having to travel reasonably light as I will be carrying my tools, I won't have tons of room for dressing up clothes. I tried to get a pair of turquoise lashes to match my hair, but I am coming round to the pink now . . .

Black Pelmet Vilene Lite with strips of layered newspaper and painted Bondaweb

The black craft Vilene is now on the website - £3 per metre, 30cm wide. It is softer and thinner than the usual Pelmet/Craft Vilene. I already sell this weight in white and they are both called. Pelmet Vilene Lite

x

I'm off to sew on more sequins now - I am getting quite addicted!

Patchwork Professional Magazine

2012-02-10T08:14:00.000Z

The cover of Patchwork Professional Magazine

You can just picture it can't you - me sitting here at my computer in my bathrobe writing this with blue dye on my hair being incredibly excited about my second article to be published in a magazine - I feel so grown up!!!

Patchwork Professional is a very beautiful German magazine the promotes all kinds of quilt art and associated textile techniques and skills. This issue has featured me as an artist and a workshop on how to use my lovely Hot Spots!

I have been given permission to scan in the cover of the magazine and two of the pages from the article.

As they are scans they are not perfect but the images give you some idea. The shaggy newspaper pieces and the 'Blue Cross' image are based on the detritus that gets caught up in the steel work under our West Pier in Brighton.

The 4 foot vessel on the right is one of my pieces created from CS800 that has been dyed, zapped and layered.

The top image is a piece named 'Capstones' and is based on the wall capping stones on a dry stone wall in Devon. The colours of the rocks are SO amazing there. The wall piece is 7 foot wide and is constructed with Craft/Pelmet Vilene dyed and painted and cut to shape. The rock shapes were then machine stitched onto a firm black cotton background.

I have just sent off the next article that will be featured in the next issue of Patchwork Professional which is on - Bondaweb!!! Of course it is - it is the best product in the world.

I must go and wash the dye off my hair now . . . .

I'm still very excited . . .

NEW! Black craft Vilene

2012-02-06T16:16:00.003Z

My new black (well charcoal really) pelmet/craft Vilene decorated with painted Bondaweb, foils and gilding flake and then cut with a soldering iron and bonded onto the same black pelmet/craft Vilene. FAB!

ooooohh!!! It's chilly! Have you got snow too? This is the third year in a row we have snow in Brighton - most unusual.

We also had snow at Bluewater so Sunday was a very quiet day. The first three days were fabulous though. None of us were sure if anyone would come to the show as it was a new venue, but we needn't have worried - you all came in your droves. Thank you!
It was great to see so many of you there and you seemed to be having a great time. It was fabulous meeting you all and catching up with friends who also had stands at the show.

As it was a bit quiet yesterday I had the chance to play with some of my new products that I will launching on the website in a couple of weeks time. I am just having them cut and priced then I can let you all know what I am up to.

The new black (nearer charcoal) sew-in interfacing is about half the weight of the Pelmet/Craft Vilene. I have been selling the white version for while as Pelmet Vilene Light and have been encouraged to add the black version. It is soft, firm enough to stitch into without a frame and cuts beautifully with a soldering iron. It also makes a fabulous background to decorate with painted Bondaweb.

'Decovil' iron-on interfacing decorated with strips of dyed newspaper, painted Bondaweb, gilding flake and mica flakes.

While I was playing I tried out my new 'Decovil' iron-interfacing with my layered newspapers and painted Bondaweb. I need to make some covered books for the trade show in a couple of weeks. I must say I am very pleased with it. It is firm but pliable - perfect for book covers and bags. I will post some images of the books when I finish them later in the week. I have lot of paperwork to catch up before I can play -.!$%^&*£?

Wonderful texture . . . . and form and repeat shapes . . .

Those of you who follow me on Facebook will know that my stand was next to Mike who has the chocolate stand - aARGGHH!!!! There is no hope for me. I'm just a girl who can't say no! As my friend Lee Brown says - I have will power, but no won't power! How am I going to fit in that aeroplane seat?

I am home for 12 whole days - Bliss! I have loads of orders to get out and I must finalise all the deliveries of materials for Australia and New Zealand.

Lots to do but at least I can do it from home. I've promised myself that if I am very good girl this week I might have a little R & R in the Portsmouth area at the weekend . . .!!!!!!

Keep warm.

La Verderie and Bluewater

2012-01-30T09:27:00.000Z

The beautiful courtyard at La Verderie

2 workshops in France September/October

Hot Textiles - Creative Bondaweb September 26^th – October 1^st

Luscious Layers October 3^rd – 8^th

I am very blinkered in the way I think and sometimes need a nudge to make me realise what is staring me in the face!

Gorgeous old buildings with loads of inspirational textures can be found around and about La Verderie

Because the workshops in France are going to be for 4 - 5 students I immediately thought they would be good for beginners and marketed it accordingly. It has been pointed out to me several times that working in a small group would also be a great opportunity for more advanced students to have their own 'masterclass' with me. There will be plenty of time for one to one tuition for any level of experience so Sue and I have now changed the skill levels on all the advertising. I am giving you all the 'heads up' as I start my show season this week and will be promoting these courses and I expect the course will fill quite quickly as we can only take 4/5 students.

Sue and John are fantastic hosts and La Verderie is the place I go to escape.

One of the beautiful buildings in Saintes

La Verderie is an old stone farmhouse that Sue and John Culligan moved to in 2004. Over the years they have added new bedrooms and bathrooms to provide accommodation for up to 5 guests. The house is situated in a tiny hamlet surrounded by vineyards, sunflowers and shady woodland. The enclosed courtyard garden is perfect for relaxed alfresco dining. In cooler weather there is a large open fire in the comfortable sitting-room.

Have a look at the website - workshops in France

. . . . and of course the fields of sunflowers . . . .

Creative Stitches at Bluewater - THIS WEEK!

AARGghhh!!! this has galloped up quickly - I'm not quite ready yet . . . .

I will be on stand D37 and lots of my friends will be there too - Wendy Dolan, Isobel Hall, Jenny Rayment and Jane Sadgrove to mention a few. I only get to see some of these lovelies at shows so it will be a great treat! We are going to have SUCH a FAB time - The show is going to be amazing with all the new displays and my great friend Brenda Killigrew will be there running the fabulous fashion shows -

If you can get there in time I will be giving a lecture every day at 11am in the lecture theatre.

I must dash off and pack up some orders and start thinking about what I need for the stand and then write a lecture . . . . .

An extra workshop at Foredown Tower

2012-01-26T11:17:00.002Z

Bonded and bejewelled newspaper forstitch

at Foredown Tower March 3rd

Hello again, apologies for the gap in communication. I had been struck down by a DISGUSTING cold and am just about getting back into the land of the living. I was so bad I had to cancel my workshop at Uckfield Community College last Saturday - unheard of!

I am almost up to date with all the orders on nid-noi.com. The Hot Spots! give away was obviously a good idea. That offer has finished now so things should calm down a bit orders wise - which is a good thing as I have just a little bit of organising to do for upcoming shows and my trip to Australia and New Zealand looming up fast.

Because the funded workshop at Foredown Tower filled up within hours of my mentioning it I have added another one - there are 6 places left. This workshop won't be funded - it will cost £35 for the day and there will be a materials list. As many of you will know I rarely teach in my home town as my college closed, so this is a treat for me.

Foredown Tower is a converted Edwardian water tower on 3 levels. The viewing gallery on the top floor (no disabled access yet) offers 360° views from the Isle of Wight to the South Downs and houses the largest camera obscura in south east England - a unique optical device that is used to observe the surrounding landscape, sun and sky. If we are lucky we might get my wonderful friend Jayne to operate if for us at lunchtime if the weather is decent. Jayne is the centre development officer and she is the ONLY reason I would add another workshop to my schedule at such a very busy time. It is an amazing place. Very peaceful. The Tower is not open to the public yet so you will be one of the few to enjoy it. If you are interested, the course code is LL98 (Bonded and bejewelled newspaper forstitch) and the number to ring is 0127342263.

My first show of the year is at Bluewater, Kent. A new venue - all very exciting and it's NEXT WEEK!!! arrgghhh!!!! This time next week the show will be open and I will have delivered my lecture - gulp!!! I had better write it then . . . .

Maybe see some of you there!

Free - Hot Spots!!!

2012-01-20T16:40:00.001Z

Hot Spots! decorated with various heat transfer foils, sequins and glitter - FAB!

Well that was good idea!

I offered a free Hot Spots! Playpack (value £6) with every order received on nid-noi.com between the 15th and 25th January on this blog and in my newsletter and have been very pleased with the result. I wanted to see if it was necessary to put anything on the home page of the website to generate interest - it seems not! I think if I had put the offer on the website I wouldn't be able to cope. Thank you all for your orders and for being such lovely guinea pigs . . . . . . I have never done an offer before but I am so encouraged I think I will do another one next month - so watch this space.

It is my way of thanking my existing customers and blog followers and gives you a chance try something new. So until midnight on the 25th January - if you place an order - you get a free Hot Spots! Playpack. If anyone fancies sending me an image of what they have done with their Hot Spots! I will put it on here for you all to see.

If you are unsure how to use Hot Spots! and have a strong constitution - there is a free film of me using Hot Spots! on the top left of this blog - (second film link down). I was very nervous when I started filming but I do warm up . . .

West Dean - Layered Textiles - Hot techniques for jewelled surfaces part 3

2012-01-17T22:57:00.000Z

Painted and foiled Bondaweb with painted, textured and foiled Tyvek

The final day at West Dean was a day of layering and stitch, a great treat. Having the extra day made such a difference, to the work and to the group. All the students bar one were beginners in the Hot Textiles field and they all produced some brilliant work. We worked through all the basic Hot Textiles processes as you will see in the previous posts. The students were left with various piles of heat treated fabrics which I asked them to create some kind of composition - here are the resulting samples -

Layers of transfer printed CS800 Vilene Spunbond zapped with a heat gun and decorated with frayed organza and embossing powder.

Transfer printed CS800 Vilene Spunbond zapped with a heat gun decorated with a Tyvek motif.

Polyester organza decorated with painted Bondaweb, zapped with a heat gun and decorated with textured Tyvek

Painted Bondaweb decorated with heat transfer foil, jewel dots and seeds

Polyester organza decorated with foiled, painted Bondaweb - zapped and distressed with a heat gun

Painted Bondaweb with distressed polyester organza texture

Textured Tyvek shapes layered to create a kind of mad flower border

Delicate stitch adds definition to the floral transfer print on the this transfer printed CS800

I will be back at West Dean in July for Extreme Surfaces for Stitch - so if you fancy learning about heat processes in a magnificent setting with fabulous food - you know what to do!!!

Free Hot Spots!

2012-01-17T11:18:00.000Z

Transfer printed Evolon decorated with silver transfer foiled Hot Spots!

This is a just a catch up post - I will continue with the West Dean workshop later when I have had time to sort through all the photos.

Being a bear of little brain and what brain I have left is soggy with a cold, it has only just occurred to me that my followers on here are not necessarily subscribers to my newsletter and therefore won't be aware of my special offer this month. I am giving away a free Hot Spots! Playpack (value £6) with every order received on www.nid-noi.com between the 15th and 25th January. I am so pleased with this product I want everyone to try it. There is a free film to watch if you can bear it on the top left of this blog showing you how to use them - you can fast forward to the demo . . . .

The pack contains 2 x A4 sheets of medium spots, 2 x A4 sheets of small spots, 2 sample pieces of heat transfer foil, hints and tips and a free gecko template.

I have masses of orders to get out over the next few days but it is great to be home again - for all of two weeks . . . . . . I have actually unpacked my wash bag!!!

West Dean - Layered Textiles - Hot Techniques for jewelled surfaces - part 2

2012-01-15T18:41:00.000Z

3 A4 sheets of painted Tyvek layered with polyester organza. this was then machine stitched together and then zapped with a heat gun to reveal different layers of colour and to create texture.

The second day of a three day course - we have covered most of the basic techniques now and the students will be combining their own layers and stitching into them tomorrow. There are seven in the group and it is another good group - textile ladies do seem to be good fun in general. I rarely get someone who moans.

These are two Bondaweb pieces that I missed yesterday

We worked with Tyvek for most of the day, starting with 'kissing, stroking and caressing' single sheets and moving on to layering Tyvek with polyester organza and zapping back. I don't know if you can have too much of a good thing but here are all the layered samples - front and back -

Maggie's front and back

Jean's front and back

Janet's front and back

Sue's front and back

Janice's front and back

The girls working hard in the studio

Tomorrow we are working till 3pm then we leave so I will finish this workshop on Tuesday or Wednesday.

I still have a few orders to get out so will have to do that first . . . . .

West Dean - Layered Textiles - Hot Techniques for jewelled surfaces

2012-01-14T18:31:00.000Z

Painted Bondaweb ironed onto a turquoise background fabric, decorated with dried seeds and leaves, jewel dots and strips of the backing paper from the Bondaweb

The first day of this 3 day course was spent showing the students the basic layering techniques we were due to cover. Once the students have got to grips with the basics they can then start zapping and stitching or whatever they fancy.

First of all we painted Bondaweb and Tyvek - The Bondaweb we started to work with today (as you will see) and the Tyvek will be played with tomorrow.

While the Bondaweb was drying the students ironed some plain Bondaweb onto a piece of pre-coloured Vilene Spunbond CS500. A soldering iron was then used to cut out shapes which were the ironed onto a second piece of Spunbond. Here are some of their samples -

We then experimented with transfer printing onto white CS800 - the heaviest weight Spunbond. I have my heat press here so the students had the chance to try transfer printing with an iron and a heat press. We used disperse printed papers and bags to print with. Great fun for tearing and fast to use. Here are more samples -

. . . and by then the painted Bondaweb was dry so here are few more samples using all the usual suspects - glitter, jewel dots, leaves, heat transfer foil, gilding flake . . . . .

So you can see we covered a bit of ground today - more tomorrow - I'm off to the bar before dinner . . . .

Denman College part 2b

2012-01-13T07:38:00.000Z

Bridget had fun with black Hot Stuff sheet. Decorating it with heat transfer foils and then impressing with wooden printing blocks while hot

We had a chance to play with various materials on the course - Hot Stuff sheet was one of them, another was Solufleece. Solufleece is a water soluble machine embroidery product that has another use. You can 'crash' it with steam.

Solufleece is layered with Bondaweb and a top fabric. The sample is then stitched in rows and then steamed - the sample then puckers up. The samples above show the technique using two layers of organza as the top fabric.

Do any of you remember those swimming costumes made with shirring elastic we used to wear that used to go all baggy when they got wet - No!!! of course not - you are far too young!!! This technique reminds me of that wet soggy feeling!!!!!

Christine stitching into her decorated newspaper

Bridget had fun layering CS500 Vilene Spunbond, free machining then taking out sections with a soldering iron.

Angela made these fabulous cards with painted Bondaweb, sequins, gilding flake, glitter and silk fibres

Sarah made her beautiful cards using torn layered newspaper strips.

We all had a great time together, I will remember this course for a long time to come - great girls and great work! I will be back at Denman in August if any of you fancy coming out to play in beautiful surroundings, excellent studios - and of course the food is FAB . . . !

Speaking of FAB food I am off to teach a weekend course at West Dean College later on today - I just have a few more orders to get out then I can start loading the car - again.

I am teaching a new workshop, Layered Textiles – Hot new jewelled surfaces to stitch! We should be creating delicate, frothy (two words not normally associtated with me!) layers with the pre dyed CS500 Vilene Spunbond - I hope to have time to post on the blog while I am there so watch this space . . . .

Denman College part 2a

2012-01-12T07:46:00.000Z

Layers of printed and painted Bondaweb and torn newspaper ironed onto heavy iron-on interfacing. I LOVE this piece by Christine

Because my clever students produced so much excellent work I will make this a two part post. My course had been brought forward from July to January and consequently I only had four students on my course. This was a great opportunity to get a lot of work done and fun for me. I usually teach ten to fifteen students in a group which is fine - but you don't get much time with each student. This was a real treat. Coupled with the fact all the students had been on a previous course with me in October, they all knew the basics of Hot Textiles which meant we could cover a lot of ground quite fast.

Newspaper printed with a leaf block - strips of which were used to create the beautiful work at the top of this post

Painted Bondaweb also printed with the leaf block.The Bondaweb is then carefully lifted from the backing paper, torn and layered with the newspaper making sure the printed side is the right way up.

The blocks used on this course are from

The Indian Block Company

Sarah incorporated the backing paper from the painted Bondaweb in this decorated newspaper - which was then ironed onto heavy iron-on interfacing and cut with my die cutting machine to make a box shape . . . .

Sarah's lovely heart shaped box

. . . and another taller box . . . .

This a small selection of Angela's work which I will talk more about tomorrow

This is Christine's FAB box

. . . . and Bridget's lovely box . . . . you can see the original layered pieces that we made the boxes from in the previous post - see if you can work out which is which . . .

One of the things that got the girls most excited (particularly Christine) was using the offcuts from the boxes to make smaller shape for -Yes! you guessed it - jewellery! Oh! the joys of having a die cutting machine, you can cut the shapes with a scalpel or knife but it is SO much easier with my FAB machine. I know you have to consider the choice between someone elses design for the shape when you use a die cutting system as opposed to your own, but it is SO much easier, faster and more accurate. Until I can get my hands on a laser cutter this system will do nicely . . . .

I will post more tomorrow, I have today to sort out all the orders that have come in since I was away before I leave for West Dean tomorrow. It's a busy week . . . . arrghhhh!

Denman College part 1

2012-01-10T15:05:00.000Z

old dyed newspaper torn and layered with painted Bondaweb and then torn and layered . . .

Just a quick post to say we have had a FAB morning working with painted Bondaweb and old newspapers. My girls have been layering up large squares which we will be sticking to heavy iron-interfacing to make boxes - once the interfacing is dry as we dyed it this morning.

We have also been printing onto the layers . . . .

more later . . . . .

Back to Denman College

2012-01-09T09:42:00.001Z

Decorated newspaper ironed onto heavy pelmet Vilene plus and cut to shape with a die cutting machine

I am just packing up the car ready to leave to teach at Denman College www.denmancollege.org.uk for the next couple of days. I will be teaching my Hot Textiles 2 workshop to a small group that I first met on Hot Textiles at Denman at the end of last year - they are coming back to play. We should have a wonderful time as they already know the basics. We will be able to move fast and cover a lot of ground, I am very excited - some FAB work should be produced. I'm going to take my heat press and die cutting machine in case the group want to try any of the my newspaper processes with painted Bondaweb.

Decorated newspaper brooches . . .

. . and more . . .

I will report back as we go along - we should have a great time in class - and then of course there is the food . . . . the beautiful grounds . . . . sigh! what a way to start this years teaching - I am a very lucky girl.

Murcia - The Three Kings Procession

2012-01-06T09:17:00.000Z

Sorry - I couldn't resist showing you how beautiful the sky is here in Spain this morning . . . . . I love the pale berries on this tree.

Murcia Cathedral at dusk

Brenda, Keith and I went into Murcia last night to watch The Three Kings Procession. Today is Three Kings Day, a bit like our Christmas Day. We had a great night and I never tire of taking photo's of the Cathedral - it is SO beautiful . . . . . My images of the procession are not the best as it was dark, but hopefully you can get a flavour of what it was like. There were marching bands and all kinds of floats and most importantly - sweets and toys being thrown to the children. It was all very exciting. The Spanish certainly know how to put on a good show . . . . .

I love sitting outside in the evening and watching the world go by - it is not something that Brenda or I do a lot of when we are back in the U.K. Once we are up - we are at work!

I fly home tomorrow night ready to teach at Denman on Monday so I will be helping Brenda clear up the garden today. We have planted some new Bougainvillea in the garden and moved some of the more established plants. We need everything looking good for when Jennie Rayment teaches here at the Castanea Studios in February. The new teaching season has almost begun. Castanea Craft Courses I will be teaching here in October.

So off to the garden now - where is that rake???

The Alhambra

2012-01-05T08:02:00.002Z

Well I got there - and was totally overwhelmed! Brenda had booked tickets for 9am- 2pm so we stayed in Granada overnight to be there in time - if you miss your allotted time, you don't get in. It was FREEZING that time in the morning with frost on the cars. We had planned to start with the Nasrid Palaces and then explore further. However, I was so blown away by the whole astounding experience, the Nasrid Palaces were all I could take in. I will just have to go back . . again . . . and again . . . . . . and . . again!!!! I will just load the images - they don't need words to describe them. Not being able to use flash I couldn't get a lot of the shots I wanted, But I am very happy with the several hundred I took. Here is a selection -

. . . . so, you can see, I have enough inspiration to last for the rest of my life. Truly wonderful . . . . .

Granada at night

2012-01-02T22:36:00.001Z

Just a quick post - Brenda, Keith and I drove to Granada today and had a wander around the city tonight. The Christmas street lights are fantastic Here a two images for you . . .

. . and one of a very pretty fountain . . . .

The Alhambra Palace tomorrow - Yeehaa!!!

The Brighton Wheel

2011-12-29T09:46:00.001Z

I have been sorting images for my January newsletter and remembered that I had a ride on the Brighton Wheel last week with my Dad and thought I would share some of the images with you. Regular readers of this blog will know I love structures with strong simple shapes and I had great fun looking and composing shots.

I took Dad out for the day while my sister looked after Mum, he wanted to go for a ride on the Brighton Wheel. It is a new feature to the seafront and right next to the Brighton Palace Pier. It was a bit of a dull day and very cold.

The poor old West Pier viewed through the spokes of the wheel

The view of the Palace Pier from the wheel

How can you forget you are scared of heights? With all the palaver of organising Dad I totally forgot I HATE heights!!! This is the woman who can't go up the steel staircase in The Palm House at Kew - how sad is that? We got into our little gondola and started to move and I remembered. OOHHH!!!! Talk about hyperventilating - I almost managed to enjoy the trip - Dad had a good laugh if nothing else . . .

After the wheel and when my legs had stopped shaking we went onto the pier.

I haven't been on there for years, you never visit these attractions when they are in your home town do you?

what a poseur . . .

My Dad and Frankenstein outside the Ghost Hotel

There are all kinds of 'attractions' on the pier now - including a fun fair. I loved the structure of this roller coaster and the shapes that it makes.

. . and of course there is a carousel . . .

We had a great time together - me and my Dad. We went out to lunch and I got him back home in time for a nap. I don't often spend time with him just us two together - it was surprisingly - Fun!

I have a few orders to post this afternoon then that is it till I come back from Spain. Any orders received from now will be posted on the 9th January before I travel to Denman College.

I am off to pack and then re-pack - I WILL fit everything in. Brenda, her hubby and I are spending New Year with Isobel Hall and then travelling onto Granada and The Alhambra Palace. I am SO excited!!! As you will no doubt see with my next post . . . . .

Happy New Year to you all - have a wonderful time!

x x x

Creative, colourful cards . . .

2011-12-28T13:01:00.000Z

A collage of dyed newspaper, painted Bondaweb, transfer foil, net, machine stitch and a fab piece of squashed metal by Carolynn McMillan

Christmas is a great time to make and receive cards. I thought I would share two that I received - I just love them. Carlolynn McMillan lives in Canada and we have been emailing for a while trying to sort out which of the Pellon products in Canada and the U.S.A.are similar to the ones I sell. We have swapped parcels of goodies and I think I prefer all the 'pelmet' Vilene interfacings that I sell as they are smooth. The ones that Carolynn sent me are bit rough and pock marked. However I am sure there must be a larger range available so I will investigate. Carolynn also sent me some 'Reemay' which looks very similar to a fine to medium weight Vilene Spunbond. I need a chance to play with it to see if it reacts in the same way.

I am waiting to hear back from Carolynn to see what she thinks of all my samples . . . I posted mine a bit later than Carolynn did so my parcel will have got caught up in the festive post.

A collage of various papers with painted Bondaweb, print and machine stitch by Chris Gray

I met Chris Gray at The Festival Quilts this year and she has become a good friend. She dyes all her own threads and makes up fabulous kits for you to buy. mabonarts.bigcartel.com Chris sent me this lovely card. I don't know how she finds the time as she is always so busy. Chris has a great blog that you might enjoy chris-gray-textile-art.blogspot.com I will be running the Vilene Workshop again this year at The Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch Show at the end of March and Chris will be one of the tutors offering workshops.

I'm off on Friday to stay with my matey Brenda in Spain for the New Year. (Brenda is the owner of Castanea - Crafts in Spain where I will be teaching in October - castanea-craft-courses.com) While I am there we will be going to the Alhambra Palace in Granda - I am SO excited, I have always wanted to get there. I will be away for just over a week, back in time to post any orders that have come in before I dash off to teach at Denman on the 9th January. I wonder what my next post will be about . . . ???

Before I go I have just a bit more washing up to do . . . . a bit more clearing up after the hoards have left - then I can fly away . . . .

wishing you all a very Happy, Peaceful and Creative New Year,

x x x

Even more Happy Christmas . . !

2011-12-24T20:01:00.000Z

Quilted Christmas tree 'thing' by Shirley Yule

This very appropriate image was sent to me last night by Shirley Yule. The mat (or 'thing' as Shirley calls it) is 12" in diameter and was part of her group Christmas challenge. It is decorated with painted Bondaweb trees that have had glitter applied. Isn't it fabulous? I just had to share it with you all. Shirley and her friend Terri have been having fun with Hot Spots! and foil too -

Foiled Hot Spots! on a printed and dyed cotton

Foiled and glittered Hot Spots! on a printed cotton

Shirley wrote that there were no complaints about glitter in supper but there's still plenty in her hall carpet! Oh! how we suffer for our art!!!

If any of you get a chance to play with any of my products over the holidays do send me some images and I will put them on the blog - it always good to see what you are up to.

I'm off to attack the spuds now - the turkey has been in for hours.

Happy Christmas again!!!!

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-24T15:39:00.000Z

West Dean College grounds in January this year

* Happy Christmas to you all *

It has been a very busy year. I have met some some fabulous people, had great fun on all my workshops and managed to catch up with most of my friends. I am very lucky to have created a working life I love so much, my own little textile world.

My little textile world recently lost a good friend. Sarah Lawrence will be sadly missed. She was such an important part of mine and so many others lives. Whether you just use the paints and embellishments she developed, watched her on DVD's or the T.V or have been inspired by watching her at shows. Those of you who were lucky enough to be taught by her would know she was a great source of knowledge, good fun and very kind and patient. She also didn't suffer fool's gladly!!! Craftynotions is continuing to trade so we will still be able to play with all their wonderful products

www.craftynotions.com

DO IT NOW! Seems to be a good motto for the coming year - don't put things off!

Take time to notice the little things this Christmas my lovelies, enjoy your families, and if you have one - in the words of Mr Stephen Stills -

"Love the one you're with"!!!!!

Yeehaa!!!! It's Christmas, have a fabulous time.

with my love, Kim x

Never say never . . . !

2011-12-20T16:44:00.001Z

Bondaweb painted with diluted Colourful Thoughts paint and then printed with the same paints at full strength.

Never say never!

I have always said I will never sell paints or dyes - just products that will do something with heat. However - due to the encouraging growth in sales of my Play packs, particularly the Hot Spots! I am now gong to incorporate Colourful Thoughts Paints, Gilding Flake and Jewel Dots in two new Play packs that I will launch mid January ready for the new Creative Stitches Show at Bluewater at the beginning of February.

These multi surface paints are the best I have found for painting all my products but particularly for Bondaweb and Tyvek where you need to dilute the paint but you still need some colour. They have a high metallic content which is great as many of you know I like a bit of sparkle . . .

Which brings me to the Gilding Flake and Jewel Dots -

I just LOVE this stuff is makes my happiness complete when I am layering with painted Bondaweb, you will have seen plenty of it previous posts, particularly when I have been layering newspaper.

I will be making a few changes to the website in January, the home page definitely needs sorting out. I have some time to do some thinking over Christmas and New Year so who knows what I will come up with . . . .

On the subject of never say never - I think I MIGHT have said I was never going to write another book . . . and . . now . . . . mmmm!! Watch this space!

I hope you are all jingling those bells . . ?

Spring shows 2012!

2011-12-16T07:45:00.000Z

painted Bondaweb ironed onto black CS500 Spunbond decorated with strips of blue CS500, glitter and sequins

Just a quick post to say I have just had confirmation that I have an extra show next year, I will be at Creative Stitches SECC Glasgow 8th - 11th March. It is a great show in a stunning venue and I am so excited to be going. If any of the Guilds that have been wanting me to deliver workshops and lectures in Scotland want to come and see me at the show I will be taking email addresses to plan a 2 week 'tour' of Scotland in 2013, probably September ish!!!

I am still wading through the orders that are coming in thick and fast but I should get up to date today. . . . . . .

. . . altogether now - "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - la, la la, la la!!!"

Slowly getting sorted . . . !

2011-12-13T11:56:00.002Z

' Blue Cross'

Painted Bondaweb ironed onto newspaper, decorated with torn pieces of newspaper and gilding flake, tissue paper and stitch. Based on the crossed steels supporting the West Pier in Brighton

It's a 'sorting out' and posting week this week. I am slowly putting the house back together after the the Open House last week-end. We had a brilliant final two days, very busy - which always amazes me as I live SO far off the beaten track.

I sold two of my 'criss cross' wall pieces so am very chuffed!!!

nid-noi.com www.nid-noi.com has gone slightly mad in the last 4 weeks, I suspect it is to do with the Creative Bondaweb DVD coming out. I am nearly up to date with orders. I am posting a load today up to and including order no 544. All others will be posted on Thursday 15th. I am about to leave for Derbyshire to stay with my friend Tallulah so I can get to a very sad occasion in Newark tomorrow morning. I wouldn't normally go away at such a busy time - but this is very important.

I hope you are all coping with the escalating panic as we lurch further into the Festive Season . . aaRRGGHHHHHHHH!!!

Keep Calm!

More layered newspaper brooches . . .

2011-12-09T09:13:00.001Z

While I was waiting for the Creative Bondaweb DVD's to arrive I made some brooches for my Open House this weekend. These are dyed and painted newspaper layered with painted Bondaweb and gilding flake - Craftynotions has a wonderful selection of colours gilding flake. You can watch me demonstrate this process on my new DVD. Have I mentioned I have a new DVD out?????? There are two video clips on the left of this blog. Having seen the clips and you are still interested - you can buy the Creative Bondaweb DVD here -www.nid-noi.com

I have watched the DVD all the way through twice now and it is hysterical., I was obviously very relaxed and happy.. Jamie Malden of Colouricious who produced the film is brilliant. Very well organinsed, calming and great fun. She made the entire experience very enjoyable and the film reflects this.

I'm off to buy some earring and brooch backs now and start putting the house back together for the Open House. www.one2six.me.uk

Have a great week-end and make the most of your friends and family around you . . .

The Creative Bondaweb DVD's have arrived!!!

2011-12-08T17:39:00.001Z

Thanks to not so Express TNT the DVD's arrived today rather than yesterday - aarGGHH!!! All envelopes have been stuffed and posted so you should be receiving them anytime from tomorrow to the middle of next week. Thank you all for your patience. My customers in Australia, Canada and the U.S.A will have to wait a wee bit longer - but they have been posted. I do hope you all enjoy the DVD, try not to laugh too much.

I am making more newspaper brooches for my final Open House this week-end, I am expecting to be very busy. All the cakes are made, I just need to get on with the cheese scones now . . . . I do like a cheese scone - hot - with lots of butter . . . . mmmmm!!!!

x x x

Devastating news . .

2011-12-06T18:15:00.001Z

Sarah at Festival of Quilts this year doing one of things she did best, enthusing everyone around her

I have just heard of the very sad and sudden death of Sarah Lawrence of Craftynotions. What a devastating blow for David and the family. Sarah would hate any fuss being made so I will just say that she was very important to so very of us in so many ways, on a personal as well as a business level.

go to Sarah's blog for more details http://sarah-lawrence.com/blog/

My new Creative Bondaweb DVD is arriving on the 7th December - Hurrah!

2011-12-06T07:26:00.001Z

Just a quick post to say my new Creative Bondaweb DVD will be arriving by courier tomorrow the 7th December and I hope to be able to post out all orders for said DVD the same day -

Hurrah and lashings of ginger beer!!!!

There's a lot of me about . . . !

2011-12-05T10:06:00.001Z

This is 'Myra', a needle felted monkey by Lady Lazarus aka Jayne Routley, one of the first acquisitions of the day.

We had a FAB week-end at the Open House with lots of friends and new faces arriving to have a look at our latest gorgeous display of wonderful work and buy their Christmas presents. Although I don't know just how many of the lovely things that were bought this week-end will actually be given away in the end . . . . I suspect that many of the scarves, brooches and bowls will be kept by my visitors. Don't you find that? You go out looking for presents for other people and end up buying for yourself - OOhhh!!! We are SO bad!

Some of Ember's beautiful Raku vases

These hand knitted hats and scarves were flying out

Mary Moox's 'Bonkers Boxes' full of her recycled crazy creatures have caused much hilarity

The collection of brooches and earrings that I had made has almost sold out. I thought there would be plenty for the 3 weekends. I seem to have found something that I can sell - at last!!! I will have to make more this week.

We have one more week-end left to go and expect it to be very busy so all my artists will be busy making more work and re-stocking.

Have a look at our website

one2six

I'm afraid there is a lot of me about at the moment! Jamie Malden from Colouricious has launched 2 more clips from my (soon to be delivered) Creative Bondaweb DVD on Youtube. The clips show how to paint Bondaweb and decorate paper.

painted Bondaweb clip

and using Bondaweb for apllique

Bondaweb for apllique

I have added the clips to the growing list of links on the left of this blog. The DVD should be delivered in the next couple of days . . . . . . As soon as I have them I will send them out - the envelopes are all ready.

Have a great week - I'm off to pack and post more orders for www.nid-noi.com - it's gone bonkers . . . . .

. . . on being late

2011-12-01T14:32:00.001Z

I HATE being late for anything, and things being late, like buses and DVD's!!!!!

It looks as though my Creative Bondaweb DVD will not be arriving until the 8th December at the very latest, it may be here sooner, It is in the queue to be finished and packed and of course the replication company is slightly busy this time of year. We are nearly there. As soon as they arrive I will put them in the post. All the envelopes are stamped and ready to go. (it has taken me all week to get them ready).

For customers who have DVD's included in a mixed order of products - I will be posting your other products tomorrow and post the DVD's as soon as I get them. I know it will cost me more on postage but I am worried your parcels will get caught up in the Christmas post, particularly the orders from the U.S.A. and Australia.

AARRGGHHhhhhhhh!!!!

Watch this space!

Bondaweb . . and Cake!

2011-11-28T09:43:00.001Z

It's all happening this week - and it's all Bondaweb!!! I have written an article on painting and decorating Bondaweb for Stitch Magazine which is out NOW!!

Painted Bondaweb - simple and stunning

Painted Bondaweb decorated with heat transfer foils, sequins, glitter and artichoke heart seeds. Finished off with my usual very delicate hand stitch - not!

If you enjoy reading the article in Stitch and want to learn more, then my new DVD Creative Bondaweb will be out on the 1st December (hopefully).

Click on this link for a sneaky preview -

Creative Bondaweb Preview

BUY NOW

If you order before the 1st December you can buy the DVD for £18 including worldwide postage. After the 1st December it will be £22 including worldwide postage. (Please note, if you order any other products from www.nid-noi.com then postage will be applied)

and - not only but also . . . I have a workshop on printed Bondaweb in the December issue of Workshop on the Web www.workshopontheweb.com It is a mere £15.50 to subscribe to this quarterly web 'magazine'. Fantastic value for great workshops.

I AM a Domestic Goddess!!!!!

The Open Houses started this weekend and we had loads of regular visitors plus several new faces. It is always a worry as to whether anyone will turn up - but they do. I am so far off the beaten track that only the very intrepid explorers find us. Luckily we have a reputation as a welcoming, warm and slightly bonkers house and news seems to be travelling fast. I think this is our 4th Christmas Open House. If you are interested have a look at our website -

Christmas@one2six

It is a chance for me to bake - not something I do very often as regular readers of this blog will know! It makes a welcome change for me to use a different kind of heat tool - an oven!!! I have mastered the basic Victoria sandwich now with several variations - here we have -

Toasted flaked almond and dessicated coconut with butter cream

The Favourite - home made strawberry jam and butter cream

I also made cheese scones and mince pies - my goodness, wonders will never cease! It is great fun serving tea and cake and chatting to my visitors - they are always so interesting.

Back to work now, nid-noi.com has gone mad, I think all the promotion for the DVD has driven new orders, which a great, but there are lot to get out today so I must get on with it. Those of you who have ordered the DVD already, as soon as I have my hot little hands on them - so will you. I am hoping the delivery will arrive on the 1st December . . .

Happy Monday everyone!

Christmasmix@one2six

2011-11-24T07:23:00.001Z

My Open House starts this weekend - aarrrGHH!!!!! Some how I WILL be ready. We have a wonderful mix of colour and texture - if you want to know more or fancy coming along for tea and cake - go to www.one2six.me.uk

Syvia Lynton

Mary Moox

Lyn Brooks

Jose Heasman

Ember Vincent

Gary Smith

Jayne Routely

Kim Thittichai

Mary's Lamb

Tideline Finds

I'm off to clean windows, display some wonderful work, make some mince pies, hoover, display more work, stick brooch backs to brooches and FINISH SOME WORK to hang!!!

LBD's at the D & T Show November 17th - 19th

2011-11-21T17:57:00.001Z

You may remember a few posts back that I was talking about the LBD collection from Portsmouth College. I was so impressed with what Sarah Patterson and her students had achieved using amongst other things, black bin liners, bubble pack and polyester organza that I asked ICHF if we could display them at the Design & Technology Show. The organisers said Yes! and we had a display at the front of the hall. It looked fantastic.

Not only were the dresses at the D & T Show but Sarah and her clever students, along with their work will be exhibiting at the Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch Show at the NEC Birmingham in March next year. I am hoping that some of the garments will be featured in the daily fashion shows. Dedicated teachers like Sarah deserve a round of applause now and then. Well Done Sarah!!!!

I had a lovely big stand to play on. I am very lucky to be a part of this show. It is only for educational professionals and it is my job to inspire teachers to include textiles in their teaching. The show is full of big machinery including laser cutters, heat presses and all kinds printers and educational supplies. One of the products I got to play with was HIPS. High Impact Polystyrene Sheet is used for vacuum forming. The bits that are left over after a shape has been formed are then shredded. A young man very kindly gave me a bucket of shredded HIPS.

a bucket full of lovely coloured HIPS chips!!!

I had seen this young man turning all these coloured chips into sheet form with a heat press and then laser cutting it. As I had my heat press on the stand I thought I would have a go. I discovered my heat press was hot enough to melt the HIPS into a sheet. I added some sequins to the mix - ooohh! Sparkly! As I don't have a laser cutter - YET!!! I thought I would try cutting this sheet with my die cutting machine. This was bit naughty as the dies are not made to cut anything as thick or hard - but it worked! I don't think I should do it too often, but a girl has to try these things.

This is a brooch I made from the HIPS - I love this stuff and will be playing more.

But for now I need to get on with clearing and cleaning my house ready for the Open House this weekend. My first artists are arriving tomorrow so I had better get a move on . . . . .

My NEW Creative Bondaweb DVD - Special Offer pre order now!

2011-11-18T21:32:00.001Z

My new DVD will be out on the 1st December priced £19 plus P & P. As a special offer, if you order the DVD before 1st December you can buy it for £18 including worldwide P & P. (saving a minimum of £4) The 10 chapters cover applique, hot transfer foiling, painting Bondaweb, ironing onto unusual surfaces, Hot Spots!, layered surfaces with painted Bondaweb and much more . . . .This DVD will play on all international formats and computer disc drives.

To order go to - Creative Bondaweb DVD Special Offer

There should be something for everyone on the DVD - if you are a beginner it takes you through all my basic processes with Bondaweb then onto the more decorative layered techniques and it should make you laugh when you see my not so deliberate mistake!!!!

The film is being edited now, as soon as there is an available clip I will post it on here.

Hot Textiles Surgery at the D & T Show Stand E09

2011-11-15T12:56:00.001Z

Transfer printed Evolon with Bondaweb on the back. Run through a laser cutter to cut the design. The backing paper was then peeled off the Bondaweb and the Evolon was ironed onto black cotton.

I am off to the Design and Technology show at the NEC now - The show is open to educational professionals only - 17th - 19th November. The D & T show If you are a teacher and wish to come and pick my brains - (you are most welcome to what is left) my Hot Textiles Surgery is on Stand E09. I have a big stand to play on and am taking my Big Shot Pro die cutting machine and my heat press. I also hope to get my hands on a laser cutter . . . . . .

I always have great fun at this show - THREE whole days to play! As you can imagine my stand gets into a terrible mess - I can't imagine why!!!!

I will report back with what I got up to next week - AARRGGHH!!! The Open Houses start the following weekend - am I ready??? Ha Ha Ha!!!!

What a fabulous day!

2011-11-12T15:52:00.001Z

One of my samples from several years ago when I was a student on one of Ruth Issett's wonderful Summer Schools for the TSG (Textile Study Group)

I am having a fabulous day, I have just returned from giving my last lecture this year to a new group based in East Grinstead. The group is named 'Context' - and they are a Comtemporary Quilt Group with a large and lively membership. I had a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours talking to the group and showing them some of my work and samples - old and new. It was good to get a chance to look at some of my older pieces as well as all my new newspaper and Spunbond pieces.

This was a popular sample - layers of CS500 Vilene Spunbond, painted Bondaweb and gilding flake cut with a soldering iron ans ironed onto black CS500.

'Context' have only been together for a year but seem very well organised. Everyone was very helpful and happy - there was a great atmosphere. I really had a great time - I think all the ladies did too . . .

On the way out of The Chequermead Centre where Context meet I bumped into one of my ex students who studied with me for 2 years at Portslade.
It was wonderful to see her and to catch up with what she had been up to.
She was very eye catching as she was wearing an 1805 empire line costume including a bonnet. Very Jane Austin! One of things Eileen is now up to is running a period and fancy dress costume hire facility out of the Chequermead Centre every Saturday from 10 - 1pm. All the costumes are hand made and exquisitely finished (she didn't learn that from me!). The proceeds go to help the Chequermead Theatre and they have raised £14.000 in the past 3 years - amazing!!!It is always so GOOD to see my girls.

My day will get even better as my best friend in the whole world and Margate (old T.V show reference - I think it was Adreinne Posta) is coming down from London where she lives and we are spending the evening with my gorgeous sister and her husband. They are planning a sumptuous meal for us and no doubt a little alcohol will be consumed. I am going to be a very old lady on Monday and I will be about to leave for the D & T show that day so we are celebrating tonight! Yeehaaa - All my favourite people together in the same room. Marvelous. (That would include Talulah and Jill if you could get here)!!!

So - time to wind down, choose what wear - elasticated waist possibly!!!!
It feels as though school is out. Definitely time to turn up the music on the stereo and start to apply the poly-filla!!!!!

Hope you are having a great day too . . . x

New Layered Textiles at Inkberrow Design Centre - part 2

2011-11-06T10:45:00.001Z

Layers of newspaper and polyester organza stitched together and slashed and distressed to create faux chenille.

One of the things we did on the first day of this course was to paint newspaper with procion dye. Normally I would use the newspaper that I have used over and over again when protecting my work surface. If you can build up the colour over time you get a wonderfully random effect of splodges of paint and dye. We didn't have that luxury of time so just had to make do with one coat of dye.

Several layers of newspaper and polyester organza machine (we used 8 of each) stitched together in 'tram lines' the width of your machine foot or slightly wider. You then cut through the top layers but NOT the bottom layer. I add a piece of dyed craft/pelmet Vilene as the bottom layer before I stitch all the layers together. This reinforces your work as newspaper is very fragile. The craft/pelmet Vilene also make your work firm enough for book covers or vessels.

Cutting through all the layers can be a laborious task - but worthwhile!

Once all your 'tram lines' have been cut you can then distress your work. I use the end of a pair of scissors - you could use a wire brush. Do some experiments with different types of 'distressors' and see which effect you like best. Several students found this part of the process quite addictive. It can be difficult to know when to stop . . . . If you do get into it - just remember, relax your shoulders and neck and BREATH!!! It is so easy to hold your breath when you are concentrating. Breathing is very good for you . . !

Newspaper faux chenille stitched into.

. . and not stitched into . . .

. . with curved and straight lines . .

It was great to work with such a fabulous group of students - both at Inkberrow Design Centre and at Denman College earlier in the week. I am very lucky to able to teach what I love. Whilst is can be hard work with lots of loading and unloading of the car - there is nothing else I would rather do. Working with such interesting, fun and generally lovely people is a joy!

That is the end of my teaching for this year, I have one more lecture next Saturday then it is the Design & Technology show at the NEC, Birmingham 17th - 19th November. I have lot of preparation for the show as I have a 6 metre x 3 metre stand - The Hot Textiles Surgery for teachers to come and be inspired and ask questions. I always have fun helping teachers to include more textiles in their lessons.

Then it will be my Open House - AARRGHH!!!!!! I have 9 other artists exhibiting in my house, I had better stop writing and start cleaning and tidying my house. I have a whole 9 days at home - wonderful. I have a huge amount to do, but now I have time to do it! Can you hear me breathing a sigh of relief?

I missed this image off the blog yesterday. Transfer printed CS800 (heaviest) Vilene Spunbond, backed with Bondaweb and then cut with a soldering iron. The shapes were then ironed onto CS500 (lightest) Vilene Spunbond.

I loved the effect and didn't want you to miss seeing it.

Enjoy your Sunday!

New Layered Textiles - Inkberrow Design Centre 3rd - 4th November

2011-11-05T08:06:00.000Z

Newspaper background decorated with painted Bondaweb, gilding flake and newspaper strips.

I will have to split the blog about this 2 day workshop into 2 posts as there was so much excellent work produced there will be too much for just one. We covered painted Bondaweb, disperse dying (transfer printing) on Vilene Spunbond, applique cut with soldering irons and newspaper faux chenille. The faux chenille will be posted tomorrow.

IDC (Inkberrow Design Centre) is one of my favourite places to teach. I love the atmosphere there and the studios are perfect for my style of workshop. This is why I have chosen to teach my new 8 month version of Experimental Textiles there next year.

There is lots of room to spread out in the main studio - and plenty of sockets for heat tools. With a 3 phase power supply we can use as many heat tools as we want and not worry about blowing the circuit.

Many layers of painted Bondaweb decorated with threads and strips of fabric

Black cotton decorated with painted Bondaweb and strips of painted and dyed newspaper. This sample was further embellished with a toning machine satin stitch to give definition. Sally didn't like it - but I loved it!! Let's hope she thinks it looks better on here . . . . .

One of the exercises was to transfer print Vilene Spunbond, iron plain Bondaweb onto the back and then cut out shapes with a soldering iron to be applied onto a background of either black fabric or another piece of transfer printed Spunbond.

This is what was left when the shapes had been cut out - the negative space.

It was so lovely Julia ironed it onto black cotton - FAB!

A combination of decorated painted Bondaweb and cut Vilene Spunbond

Transfer printed and cut Vilene Spunbond applied onto a background of more transfer printed Vilene Spunbond.

and more . . . . !

So - I think you can see we had a busy and very successful workshop. More tomorrow . . . . . I'm off to give a lecture to TACKS this afternoon in Kent. I need to get ready, unload the car and find my projector. It should be good fun, they sound like a fabulous group.

See you tomorrow!

Hot Textiles at Denman College 31st October - 2nd November

2011-11-02T17:57:00.000Z

Yes! it had to be done . . . it would be rude not to!

I do love teaching at Denman College - not JUST for the food. Everyone is so well looked after and we always have great fun. I was back this time to teach 'Hot Textiles '- my basic safe use of heat tools workshop. The students were fabulous and every one got on well together.

The Light Craft Room is my usual teaching studio, it is very light and airy with plenty of room for all our bags and boxes of STUFF!

Painted Bondaweb with gold transfer foil, glitter and artichoke seeds.

More painted Bondaweb gilding flake, dried flowers, artichoke heart seeds and glitter.

A very simple but very beautiful sample of painted Bondaweb with a circle of gold transfer foil.

2 fab samples of Tyvek layered with polyester organza, machine stitched together and then zapped with a heat gun to reveal different colours.

A bit like cheeky reverse applique!

Heavy pelmet Vilene plus dyed with procion dye powder on the iron-on glue side and then decorated with threads, net and gilding flake.

Quick - get the gilding flake . . . x

As you can see from this very small selection of a huge amount of samples, the students produced some great work and were a joy to spend time with. Groups like this are what make teaching such fun. What is really exciting is that 4 of the group are coming back to Denman in January for 'Hot Textiles 2'. If you fancy joining us you are very welcome, you don't have to be a member of the W.I. to enrol on courses at Denman.

There were other course on at the same time as mine.

Silver clay jewelery . . .

. . . and Chinese brush painting - gorgeous!

I am sitting in the office at Inkberrow Design Centre writing this waiting to unload my car to set up for teaching a 2 day 'New Layered Textiles' workshop.

I can't wait to show the delights of working with newspaper and embossing powders amongst other things. Everyone is very busy here getting garments ready for the catwalk at Clothes Show Live. Brenda and her students always put on an amazing show. I am hoping I might get there this year and have a good look around.

So I think my studio is free now - I will now unload and set up. I will report on our exploits over the weekend . . . .

Hello Jill and R.S.

Busy week . . !

2011-10-30T17:55:00.000Z

Transfer printed Evolon decorated with strips of silver transfer foiled Hot Spots!

ooohh!!!! It's been a busy week with lots of writing to do - and that means THINKING!!! oohhh! my brain hurts! I just have to finish writing a workshop on Hot Spots! for the German 'Professional Patchwork' magazine then I can start to get my kit ready for teaching at Denman College and Inkberrow Design Centre this week.

There doesn't seem to have been enough hours or days in the past week. My house is still like a bomb site and the Open House is looming at the end of next month. I know it will get done - but when? I am only home for 5 days between now and the 20th November - can you feel the rising panic as I type?

At least I will home enough to pack and post orders for nid-noi.com which is getting busier . . and busier. I shouldn't complain, I am very lucky to do what I do - it's just that there is so much of it at the moment!

So - I will post from Denman during the week so you can see what we get up to. I always have a brilliant time at Denman, great students and fab food - what more could a girl ask??? We are always so well looked after.

I will post about inkberrow next weekend, we are bound to get up to all kinds of mischief there with Brenda Killigrew in charge - it will be a riot! There is never a dull moment with Brenda around.

Hello to a certain gentleman in Portsmouth who was worried because I hadn't posted on here for week. Yes! I am still alive!

A day off!

2011-10-24T13:12:00.000+01:00

Newspaper block printed with Colourful Thoughts multi surface paints (bubblegum & copper)

I had a day off yesterday - Shock! Horror!! I had chance to work on a large piece of newspaper faux chenille - Oh no!!! not newspaper AGAIN you cry!!!

Colourful Thoughts multi surface paints are thick enough to print with and can be watered down to paint Bondaweb and Tyvek and they are gorgeous.

craftynotions

I have a deep box canvas 1m x .30cm I wanted to cover so layered up 7 - 9 layers of old dyed newspapers and backed it with some dyed craft/pelmet Vilene. My finished layers were large enough to cover the canvas and stick down around the edges. I have new wooden printing block I wanted to try out that Sarah Lawrence had given me at Festival of Quilts. I printed the top layer of newspaper, waited for it to dry then pinned all the layers together ready to stitch. I wanted to try stitching wider channel than I have been to see if I liked the effect. The channels are 2" - 3" wide.

My trusty old Bernina 707 battling through all the layers

the stitched channels

Once I had stitched all the channels I cut through the newspaper layers but NOT the craft/pelmet Vilene background.

I then started to distress the cut edges with the tips of my scissors.

I'm not sure if this isn't a bit tooooo distressed. I may revert to a wire brush to create something more restrained - Yes! I did just type restrained.

I have stuck the layers onto the canvas to support the piece as I attack it further. Once I have finished distressing it I will post another image.

Watch this space . . . .

. . . finishing touches

2011-10-22T09:38:00.001+01:00

Today is my catch up day to finish off and write up my project for the next issue of Workshop on the Web (WOW) Maggie has been VERY patient waiting for me to finish. Another 2 hours and I will be done.

Then there is more writing (and thinking - Ouch!) to be done for Deena. Hello Deena! You will have your copy this afternoon. I will tell you all what it all about later on this month. Both ladies have been so patient with me this week - what with broken toes and dashing about with parents I have lost a lot of time this week.

This is just a little temptation to show you what I am working on for WOW, you will have to wait till it is published on the web to find out what I am up to and how it is all put together . . . . .

Back to work now - just wanted to say Hello! and have a good weekend.

NEW Creative Bondaweb DVD

2011-10-19T08:03:00.002+01:00

Harriet and Jamie Malden - the real stars of my new DVD

Well the filming of the new DVD took place in Amersham on the 13th. We had a great but very busy day. I had stayed overnight with Jamie on my way down from teaching in Redditch the day before so I was ready to rock and roll early.

The filming took place at the Colouricious Studio. You may be familiar with my previous outings on the Talking Threads series of DVD's. Jamie has already produced several DVD's all of which can be found here -

http://www.colouricious.com/

I found it very difficult to sort out any kind of 'chapter' run. The film was to cover 10 uses of Bondaweb but so many of the proocesses cross over I couldn't get a clear idea of which order to show off this wonderful product. Luckily Jamie sorted out everything into a running order for me. Jamie makes a fabulous producer, she is very calming when you are feeling nervous and makes everything run smoothly. Her daughter, Harriet, was the 'runner' for the day - she was an absolute star. So helpful . . and patient!!!

The film crew from Turtle Canyon Media were very patient with me and my nerves, they were very proffessional but good fun at the same time. Everything had to be timed so we couldn't muck about too much. I highly recomend them to work with, I haven't seen the film yet - but I know it will be good.

A random selection of some of the projects covered on the DVD

Jamie's wonderful husband Ted created a beautiful lunch for all of us. The food was amazing, thank you Ted!!!

The 3 blocks that I used in the film

The night before the filming I was putting some finishing touches onto a few of my samples (I always work right up to the last minute, I am a nightmare!).

I was still experimenting and wanted to try printing onto painted Bondaweb.

Jamie has a wonderful selection of wooden printing blocks that she sells here.

wonderful printing blocks

Jamie works with a village in India, helping them to support themselves through making this amazing range of beautiful wooden printing blocks.

I was so pleased with the effect of the printing on that I am going to use it for the project I am currently working on for Workshop on the Web.

fishy prints on painted Bondaweb

I printed off my block onto newspaper as well as Bondaweb

Have I ever mentioned I love newspaper??

So now we wait for the edited film - We hope the DVD will be ready mid November. It's all very exciting.

I'm now going to carry on with my project for WOW it has to be in tomorrow. It is so good to be home and to have a chance to play . . . . .

. . . The next 2 days at Inkberrow Design Centre . . .

2011-10-16T08:13:00.000+01:00

Bonded layers of Vilene Spunbond CS500

It is SO good to be home - the washing machine is going full pelt, I have so much sorting out to do and the cleaning . . . I left the house in a bit of a mess and surprise surprise - the fairies haven't been in - so will have to attack the cobwebs too - but I am home, for at least a week. Big sigh - wonderful! Domestic goddess? Possibly not!

The second 2 day workshop at Inkberrow Design Centre was Hot Textiles. This is a more basic workshop to teach the safe creative use of irons, heat guns and soldering irons. It was great to have 2 days to spend extolling the wonders of Vilene Spunbond, Bondaweb and Tyvek.

Some of the excellent decorated painted Bondaweb samples. The Bondaweb has been decorated with (from the top) transfer foils and Tyvek, threads, glitter and gilding flake, sequins, gilding flake and transfer foil, skeleton leaves.

To create these layered applique Vilene Spunbond samples - pre dyed Vilene Spunbond was ironed onto Bondaweb as you would when doing iron-on applique. instead of using scissors to cut out shapes, we use a soldering iron. You can create quite intricate shapes by using the soldering iron as a hot 'pen' to draw lines that melt and cut the synthetic fabric. This technique can be used with any synthetic fabric. It is a very relaxing way to work as you can only work as fast as the fabric you are using will melt.

One of the students is doing a City Guilds course and used the opportunity to make some colour samples for her sketch book. The CS500 is very fine and can be overlayed to great effect.

Painted Bondaweb decorated with transfer foil on black Vilene Spunbond CS500 and then zapped with a heat gun to create lovely fluffy, wavy edge.

Learning how to apply transfer foils to Bondaweb.

This image shows how effective it can be if you paint your Bondaweb and Tyvek with the same paints. This student will be able to use sections of the Tyvek to raise the surface of her Bondaweb sample. Work created with painted Bondaweb can be a bit flat as you an iron and Tyvek, selectively used, can give a bit of texture.

A envelope shaped box dyed and decorated with transfer foil ready to fold and assemble.

A casket shaped box decorated with gilding flake, threads and glitter.

I took my new toy along with me so was able to cut boxes from heavy pelmet Vilene plus. This wonderful iron-on interfacing has heat activated glue on one side and can be dyed or painted with a thin layer of paint. (not too thick or it will lose it's 'stickiness'). This glue can then be decorated with anything you would iron onto Bondaweb, painted or otherwise. Fab - u- lous!

So - cleaning to do, hair to dye blue - and it rhymes toooooo!!!

I am giving a lecture on Tyvek and Vilene Spunbond at St Swithuns Church Hall, East Grinstead tomorrow at 10am - do come along if you fancy and you live nearby.

Have a great Sunday!

4 FABULOUS days at Inkberrow Design Centre 8th - 11th October

2011-10-14T10:35:00.000+01:00

Following swiftly on from Shropshire the day before - I delivered a 2 day workshop - Extreme Surfaces for Stitch at InkBerrow Design Centre

We had great fun layering Vilene Spunbond backed with Bondaweb and stitched onto craft Vilene.

I love teaching at this venue - the workshops are perfect for my classes.

Layers of dyed Vilene Spunbond machine stitched onto dyed craft Vilene and then zapped back with a heat gun.

These beautiful samples were created by my youngest student ever - pre dyed Vilene Spunbond CS500 (yellow) had Bondaweb ironed onto the back and shapes were cut out with a soldering iron. The backing paper was then removed and the negative spaces (yellow) were then ironed onto the the black and blue backgrounds, more pre dyed CS500. Simple and exquisite!

Pre dyed CS500 decorated with painted Bondaweb, sequins and glitter. This was then 'cut' into wavy strips and layered up to create a 'frothy' effect.

This wonderful array of regular shapes and colour was by the checkouts at the supermarket where we bought the sandwiches for the workshops.

Wonderful layers . . .

Brenda Killigrew is the M.D. of Inkberrow Design Centre and is a great friend of mine. We have known each other for about 15 years now and her energy never ceases to amaze me. Her commitment to Adult Education is second to none and as many of you will know, in the current climate, it is a hard road to travel. I will be teaching my new version of Experimental Textiles there next year. I have one more workshop left to teach there this year - New Layered Textiles, November 3rd & 4th. There are a couple of places left.

Well - I have been away from home for NINE days. That is too long - I won't do it again. I have lot to catch up with, 2 articles to write, take my laptop to be repaired, a workshop tomorrow in Bexhill, orders to get out, shopping . . . .. and - GROAN - un load the car - I have NO idea where I'm going put everything AARGGHHHHHHH!!!

I will write more over the weekend about the second workshop at Inkberrow and the filming. As you will see I am now using my main P.C to write the blog. All the letters on the keyboard are working!!!!

Day 2 at Moor Hall

2011-10-11T19:55:00.000+01:00

I had hoped to post this earlier but the key board o mylaptop keeps missing 2 letters, however I dot want to wait until the weekend whenI get home as I will need to tell you about my exploits here in Redditch - seeif you ca work out which ones they are . . . . . spell check will sort mostwords but . . . . Good luck with readingthis. I am still o the road. I have just finished 2 x 2 day workshops at Inkberrow Design Centre ad have take over one of the studios to spreadout everything I need for filming my new DVD o Thursday..

I will keep the words brief as the missing letters willdrive you mad. We were using dyed ad painted newspaper with painted odawe, gildingflake ad heat transfer foils to create surfaces o which to print ad stitch. Wealso ironed the decorated papers onto a heavy iron-o interfacing ad cut boxes.

We had a wonderful time at Moor Hall ad I will e teachinga 3 day workshop there ext August. I am so sorry about the missing letters.Will sort it all out o my big p.c when I get home . . . . .

Hope it wasn't tooo painful . . . x x x

The first day at Moor Hall

2011-10-07T08:09:00.000+01:00

Dyed, torn, bonded newspaper

The students painting Bondaweb . . . .

. . . then painting newspaper.

We had a very productive first day at Bobby's studio Moor Hall http://www.bobbybritnell.co.uk/ it is a wonderful space to work in and of course having Bobby around settling us in and generally looking after us was the icing on the cake. The students produced some FAB work on the first day and I will update you with what they get up to today over the weekend.

We will be working on faux chenille and making boxes today - should be fun!

My lecture at Marches Embroiderer's Guild in the evening went well. I was very nervous as Bobby AND Ruth Issett were in the audience but they didn't heckle and things went smoothly, if a little faster than I had planned. Why do you always speed up when you are nervous?

so - onto the last day at Moor Hall then onto Redditch tonight to unload and set up for my workshop tomorrow. I will be teaching a 2 day Hot Textiles and a 2 day Extreme Surfaces for Stitch at Inkberrow Design Centre

more soon . . . . . x

Off to Shropshire . . .

2011-10-05T07:47:00.003+01:00

Gold foiled Hot Spots! used as a background for print.

I was doing some last minute prep for the filming of my new DVD which we are filming next week and thought you might like to see a couple of samples.

Gold foiled Bondaweb used as a background for print.

These samples show the effect of printing onto foiled Bondaweb and Hot Spots! This is a washable process for a change and the fabric can be machine or hand stitched into as it doesn't lose it's 'handle'. The printing block is from Colouricious.

I'm off to Moor Hall, Bobby Britnell's studio in Shropshire today, then Redditch Friday night - any orders for products from www.nid-noi.com will be dispatched on the 14th when I get back.

Any of you in the Bishops Castle area, Shropshire - do come along to my lecture on Thursday night. (see right). If nothing else you will have a good laugh.

Yeehaa!!! Jill and Tallulah - not long til next July!!!!!!! x

Little boxes, little boxes . . . .

2011-10-01T18:04:00.000+01:00

Dyed newspapers layered with painted Bondaweb backed with Heavy Pelmet Vilene Plus - a very heavy iron-on interfacing, decorated with gilding flake and hand stitch.

I'm just getting ready for all my workshops over the next week or so. My first one is at Bobby Britnell's studio in Shropshire. It is the first time I have delivered my brand new workshop based on the newspaper exercises in my new book Layered Textiles and I am very excited about it. 'A new starting point' is meant to be a 2 day workshop but if you wanted to come and play for just one day you would be most welcome - you might not get a chance to finish a box but you will leave with some amazing layers and texture to work on at a later date.

A new startingpoint.

with KimThittichai

2 days offun and experimentation with painted and dyed newspaper, painted Bondaweb,craft Vilene and gilding flake, sequins . . . . . .

Learn howto create amazing textures with faux chenille and Solufleece.

This isthe first workshop to showcase the new techniques in my latest book

‘LayeredTextiles’.

On the first day we will paint and decorate the newspaperand Bondaweb and build up layers and textures ready to print and stitch onto.There will be plenty of jewel like products with which to embellish your work.The second day we will develop your samples into vessels, boxes and caskets bybacking the samples with craft Vilene and using my new toy – a Big Shot Pro diecutting machine. I would hope you would leave with at least one finishedexquisite box.

Thisworkshop is suitable for any level of experience

I think it was a bit optimistic for me to plan a workshop when Ally Pally was on, but there must be SOME people in Shropshire who aren't going this year???? If you are interested do email Bobby - www.bobbybritnell.co.uk/index.htm

Some very delicate hand stitch - not - on one of my newspaper samples

Look, I've made a box!!!!

and here is a close up of my box . . . . oooerrr!!!!

And how have I made my box? My new toy arrived yesterday - YYEEHHAA!!!! It is Big Shot Pro die cutting machine with several box templates ready for us to use at the workshop next week. Those of you that don't want to use the die cut templates can cut your box from other patterns that I will have with me, using a scalpel and a cutting mat. Or you could make a vessel. . . . or a wall piece - the choice is yours!

off to play with my toy some more now . . . . x

What a beautiful day . . .

2011-09-28T09:02:00.000+01:00

It is going to be a STUNNING day today! The weather is looking Fab and I have a whole day to get all my orders out then I can start to play with the samples I need to make for my new DVD with Colouricious. Oh the joy of being at home - I must make the most of it. I am hoping to do a little sketching later, it is very rare for me to take the time to sit and draw but I seem to surrounded by beautiful flowers at the moment and they are crying out to be looked at, adored and committed to paper. Sometimes photographs just won't do - you really need to LOOK at the shapes and forms . . . .

My sister bought me this huge bunch of lilies before I left for Exeter and they are now fully out and look and smell divine, they scent the entire house ( I have a very small house). The only thing I have watch is the pollen, it can be a nightmare as it is a dye, I have tried cutting it off but you lose the lovely contrast of the dark and the light. Nature really does know best.

My lovely friend Mary Day gave me this orchid 2 years ago and it was stunning, then it died and was just leaves in a pot and I couldn't resurrect it. I then read you could try using tomato food to get them to flower - I tried it - and Lo and Behold - it flowered, and how!!!! It is remarkable, it has been flowering for the past 2 months and shows no sign of dying off just yet. I can't tell you the pleasure it gives me everyday. Exquisite shapes - just waiting for me to draw them . . . . . .

Wherever you are today, whatever you are doing - just take a moment to appreciate something wonderful, however small or seemingly insignificant.

In other words - Wake Up and Smell the Roses!!!!