Old, dyed and painted newspapers layered with painted Bondaweb, glitter and sequins. I have just got back from a brilliant workshop, it was one of those days where everything went smoothly and at a gentle pace - we all had such a great time. There were eight in the group and they all got on well with each other and shared things like their dried hydrangea flowers and glitter. It makes such a difference when a group get on well together. The workshop was at Foredown Tower and we were looked looked after by Jayne who runs the tower and is also a very good friend of mine. The day started well with hot chocolate and muffins!!!!  Jayne had some clotted cream leftover from cream teas she was serving yesterday so we had to finish it off - it would have be very rude to say no - chocolate muffins with cream, and before 10 o'clock. Oh! we were SO bad! I did start teaching soonish after 10 - we didn't want to rush our naughtiness.  The idea of the workshop ...

I had no idea the Isle of Wight was SO lovely. I've just got back from a few days over there with my family. We had pretty good weather, unlike today in Brighton - it is wet, misty and cold. I've put the heating on . . . We did the usual things like going to The Needles - Which my lovely sister persuaded me were best reached by the cable chairs - I haven't been so scared for a VERY long time. My Dad and I visited the Botanical Gardens at Ventnor and then went on to meet the rest of the family for a pub lunch on the sea front, When we arrived on the seafront we thought is was a bit busy - then we looked out to sea and realised why, it was the round the island yacht race. It was a remarkable sight - over a thousand yachts, the colours and simple shapes were quite beautiful. * It's back to work tomorrow - I will be teaching the joys of using painted Bondaweb with gilding flake and all sorts of sparkly things - it's going to b...

  Alpaca and silk tops with painted Bondaweb and layered newspaper ready to stitch.   I hope you all enjoyed the Jubilee celebrations and that those of you that were involved in street parties didn't get washed away . . It is wonderful to have a few days to just relax and let ideas arrive. When I was in Blenheim, New Zealand, for their Creative Fibre Festival I picked up some beautiful Alpaca and silk fibres and started to play with the fibres and painted Bondaweb unsupported - I don't mean me feeling lonely, I mean not on a background. Having started to stitch into the pieces I felt the need for some kind support but nothing too heavy that would detract from the beautiful fairy like qualities of the fibres . . . and low and behold I was asked to test a new self adhesive water-soluble product. It arrived this morning and is just the thing I needed and it washes away quickly with no residue - Fantastic. Once I get permission, I will let you all know the name of it. ...

Bonded and bejewelled newspaper for stitch 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 close...