a section of one of the amazing borders at Great Dixter While we are staying in Winchelsea it seemed sensible to visit Great Dixter - the garden of Christopher Lloyd which is only 20 minutes away - it was fantastic- the planting is quite remarkable - so many layers of colour. www.greatdixter.co.uk    We only stayed for an hour as Mum couldn't cope with the steps and was a bit doddery but I saw enough to know I want go back - the gardens really are wonderful. Apart from the flower borders there is a sunken garden, exotic garden, topiary - you name it, it is there. Plus an part Lutyens house . . . .  x I have been meaning to post this all day but have been slightly distracted - by emails from a certain structural engineer - unfortunately he is working in Dubai for another month - sigh!!! That will make you smile Jill and Tallulah . . . .  x x x off to Dungeness tomorrow, I'm really looking forward to it.

 Hayley Watson While I was writing Layered Textiles I met Hayley Watson at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace , London . I had a stand at the show and Hayley walked past. I was so taken with what she was wearing and how she was wearing it, that I dashed up to her and asked If I could take a photograph of her. She was very surprised but said Yes! I explained I was working on a book and why I would like to include her in it. I had wanted to include Hayley in the 'Inspiration' chapter but this was vetoed by my editor - ggggGRRR!!! So to make up for not being able to include her in my book I said I would write about Hayley on my blog - so one of Hayley's fashion illustrations using ink, bleach and white paint for the background, she then   made pages of a mixture of meduims and paper and cut them up to make garment shapes Hayley is twenty one years old and is currently studying BA (hons) Textiles for Fashion at Basingstoke College of Technology. She is ins...