Look at these lovely faces.  Little did we we know when we all met at the airport what an amazing time we would all have together. The Jaipur Journey, 8th - 18th January in Jaipur with Colouricious Holidays. I am going to have to write several posts in order to cover the range of activities and just great fun we had on this trip. The group got on so well together and firm friendships were made - almost from the start. These are just a small - very small selection of images to give you a flavour of what is to come over the next week or so. I have been working with Jayne on my new look website all day so will have more time over the coming days to write some serious blog posts about my trip to Jaipur.  The most remarkable yellow. Stacks of embroidered shoes. One of the gardens we visited for inspiration. Just fabulous. This is one of my favourite images from the trip. 3 of the group having a rest out of the sun. We visited the monkey temple

My field this July - with orchids, ragged robin and buttercups, later I have swathes of montbretia and purple loosestrife. It is time for me to be looking ahead, dot the i's and cross the t's on various bookings that will take me away from home. Yes - I am venturing out into the world again in 2019. It has been a wonderful year here in Ireland, a lot less traveling and a chance to settle. I had time to notice which flowers bloomed when, find more fascinating local places to visit . . and make plans . . . I moved here 2 years ago today - on my 60th birthday. What an amazing 2 years it has been, I have made friends and settled down. Ireland feels like home now, it has taken this long. There is so much more to learn to learn about this beautiful place, I will be learning about it for the rest of my life. The teaching here has gone well and bookings have started for next year. I love inviting students into my home for the Look, Draw, Print, Stitch weekend workshop

  One of the wooden printing blocks we will use for  the metallic printing workshop. This time next year I will be at Heathrow airport ready to fly to Jaipur.  Whhooo hoo!! it is VERY exciting! I am going back to Jaipur, India, to be inspired by the remarkable textures, patterns and colours.  While I was wandering around this amazing city in on the Colouricious Textile Holidays in September 2016 and again in January 2017, I kept thinking to myself this would be the most incredible place to teach my journey design exercise. Everywhere you go there is something beautiful, interesting or just plain incredible. The palaces, the gardens even the roadside has inspiration at every turn. So - I approached Jamie Malden, owner of Colouricious Textile Holidays with my idea and she Yes! - immediately. Just like that. Isn't a good feeling when people have faith in you? I am leading The Jaipur Journey textile holiday January 8th - 18th 2019  Fancy coming with me? Here is