My house has probably only seen snow 3 or 4 times in its history. It is quite rare for it to snow on the Loop Head Peninsula. Have you all defrosted?? Are you thawed?  We had snow on Loop Head for the first time in 10 years or so. Most of the children living here had never seen snow before. I have never seen so many snowmen and snowball fights - great fun for a couple of days - then it is enough. Fashion, Embroidery ad Stitch next week - March 15th - 18th I had a chance to get on with some work while I was snowed in - I will have some of my new seaweed work on show on my stand at the Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch Show at the NEC next week. A few of my new pieces wrapped in plastic and ready to travel I will be on stand L22 and there will be 3 groups of my ex ExTex students exhibiting in the same area. I will have Paint and Bond for sale again as well some of the interfacings I use, and Tyvek. I will also be running the Vlieseline workshop. Here is a link

  A detail of Susan's magnificent quilt depicting the classic image of the Irish workmen sitting along a beam on top of the Rockerfeller Center in New York. There was me, all excited about sh owing you my stu dents work at the NEC - and I forgot to show you mine!! Susan Chapman and I had a gallery space at the show entitled People and Places. S usan loves observing people and you will no doub t be aware that I love all kinds of N a t ure and Her textures . It is a good thing that Susan makes large quilts, bec ause surprise, surprise, I didn't get all the work I thought I would do, done.     The beginnings of the hanging . . Susan up a step ladder. It was great to get the chance to spend some time with Susan and enjoy her fabulous work. I love how well observed her figures are, deceptively simple, but showing the stance of a person with a glance - a great skill.   Everyone loved this quilt, nearly everyone recognised where the image was f rom.

Visitors to the show looking through the girls workbooks. I was hoping to post this before Easter - but my get up and go seemed to get up and wander off. I always forget how the big shows take it out of you. However, I am here now. Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch is my favourite show. It is just bonkers and has something for everyone. It is always good to meet up with visitors and friends from all over the country in some cases - all over the world.  I had two sets of students exhibiting this year. My ExTex 4 girls (Experimental Textiles 4) had their end of year show and the previous years group were exhibiting on the IDC stand. They have formed a group - Out of Line. More of that further down this post. The ExTex 4 end of year show. Having work in a show and stewarding the exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for the students. Being able to speak to the visitors about techniques and skills they have learned on the course makes a huge difference to their conf