There are some incredible textures along the cliffs in County Clare - so much to photograph and to draw.  So . . .  the Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally has come and gone - it was very busy and had some very beautiful exhibitions, some of which will be coming to the show in Dublin this week.  The day after the show in London my best mate Claudia and I caught the ferry over to Rosslare. It was a long drive, but worth it. We stayed over night in Waterford and traveled over to West Clare the next day. I wanted Claudia to see the house I am buying in Kilbaha before we exchanged contracts. Claudia agrees the house is wonderful, though a bit remote. But that is part of it's charm. I will have to get used to allowing extra time for travel. We had a few days to have a wander around the area. I love the weather here - you really do have 4 seasons in one day. I just love the light, and there are 30 minutes more daylight every day here on the West Coast. I just love it. I

Home made Victoria Sandwich - scrummy! Sometimes it's good to have a couple of hours off - I have had a very busy week packing and posting orders for www.nid-noi.com. I am halfway through a two week sale of Vilene Spunbond/Lutradur and I have almost sold out. I am slowly wading through all the orders and most of them should have been posted by Monday. This afternoon I drove over to the the Sussex Prairies garden just outside Brighton. What an amazing place.  www.sussexprairies.co.uk This is the second time I have visited. I am going once a month to meet my friend Anne Kelly who is artist in residence this year. It's great opportunity for us to have a catch up over a cup of tea and a piece of delicious homemade cake.   Anne sitting amongst the flowers, sketching. Anne has an exhibition of her work there and is also running various workshops. annekellytextiles.com Even on a dull afternoon that was threatening rain, the gardens were wonderful. The lay

We had wonderful weather on Jersey - bright and warm - just wonderful after all the rain. This is the harbour wall at St Aubin. Such gorgeous textures and colours. The last workshop I taught at the Showcase was a 3 hour version of 'The Journey'. It is a workshop that is very close to my heart, from what appears to be a rather formulaic start, totally original designs are created. By taking sections of the work, designs can be isolated that can be developed . . . . into anything . . . We got stuck in straight away with my way of mark making - a dreaded phrase I know - but this way is very simple and even enjoyable. Students use 5 different widths of paintbrush to describe a journey, it could be imaginary - a walk on the moon, through an enchanted forest - or the trip taking the kids to school or trekking through the Himalayas - or any combination of these.   The group were fabulous, we had a great session, there was such a party atmosphere at the Showcase.