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

Some great appliques shapes cut with a soldering iron. Well that was fun. Workshop 2 - Transforming Transfer went well. I am getting used to the live Zoom format now. I am by no means an expert, but I am dithering less. We had students from the U.K, Ireland, Scotland, France and an early start in Georgia, USA. Whilst teaching on Zoom is not ideal, nothing can replace being in the same room as your students, it is pretty good. The studio looks relatively tidy behind me - you should see it in front of the table - not quite so tidy!!           The group were asked to mix their disperse dyes and paint up their papers before the workshop. This meant after the introductions and a quick demonstration from me, we could get started. Firstly the group got to grips with ironing their painted papers onto their synthetic fabric. It can take time for the heat to transfer the dye onto the fabric. A good hot iron is necessary. At least 2.000 watts. Of course, if you have a hea...

  A rather lovely sample created with painted Bondweb, distressed and decorated polyester organza. My goodness - I have NEVER been so well fed!!! I had the most fabulous time on Llanidloes, Powys, Wales. What a beautiful town and just lovely people. The Minerva Arts Centre is a splendid venue - it holds exhibitions of all kinds of textiles - while I was there there was a fabulous exhibition of old quilts from the collection of Barbara Chainey It also has a great workshop area. So much space and power sockets - I was a very happy girl. I was booked to teach a 3 day version of Layered Jeweled Surfaces. Lots of sparkle - always good for me.  We started of by painting up Bondaweb and Lutradur/CS800 While the painted Bondaweb and Lutradur/CS800 was drying we played with the soldering irons. I had some old stock of pre-dyed Lutraur 30/CS500 and this seemed like a good time to give some away. The group ironed Bondaweb onto  2 pieces of the Lutradur and 2 pie...