5 layers of the coloured CS500 Vilene Spunbond   (www.nid-noi.com/product ) layered and zapped together to make a fabulous background on which to stitch. This is just a quick catch up - I'm off to to give a lecture for the Windsor and Maidenhead branch of the Embroiderers Guild tomorrow night and then a 'Hot new jewelled surfaces for stitch' workshop on Saturday so there will be lots of scrummy images of distressed and embossed Vilene Spunbond for you to look at next week. I just wanted mention a rather fabulous group that I gave a lecture to on Monday night at Tylers Green Village Hall where they meet once a month. The Chiltern Embroidery and Textiles Group are an independent group and are VERY well organised and friendly. The members are interested in all areas of textiles and stitch from very traditional to coming over to the dark side with me. Everyone seems to get on really well and are very supportive of each other. If you live anywhere near them I would