Layers of colour and gorgeousness.  Things have been a bit more down that up recently - a few big changes have occurred and I am regrouping. So it was a joy to hear about Lou Brown and her prize winning sketch books. I get the odd email now and then saying how helpful my books are and that I am an inspiration. It is always gratifying. But when my friend Jill told me about the work that Cheadle School had been doing based on my design exercise The Journey that can be found in my second book Experimental Textiles and some plastic samples from exercises in my first book Hot Textiles I was really excited. Louise Brown on the right. Louise Brown won the Manchester School of Art / Cass Art Teacher Sketchbook Prize on Friday 8th June.  Lou is Head of Design & Technology at Cheadle Hulme High School.  She teaches A level Textiles and the two sketchbooks she entered show her lesson samples as part of the course in year 12.  The judges were particularly intere

It's almost here! I have been getting a lot of requests for me to teach online over the past 2 years. From all over the world. This combined with me wanting to stay at home in Ireland more and slow down a bit has decided me - it is going to happen. Starting in May. I am currently building a database and everyone who is on the database will be the first to hear what is happening and when. They will also receive the Sonas Studio newsletter (you can opt out). My house in Ireland is called Sonas - it means happiness and well being in Irish. I chose it because it sounded just  . . right. This year I will be concentrating on my one/two day workshops that will translate well to online workshops. For example -Tinkering with Tyvek, A New Starting Point and Transforming Transfers will be online from May to July. This all very new to me and I will be having IT help from my good friend Jayne. If you have been to the show at the NEC in March you will have seen her there. She he

A smashing sample of decorated, painted Bondaweb. I love teaching at Art Van Go , everyone is so well looked after. Even when the team are busy they find time for you. My workshop was a 2 day version of Hot Textiles. My basic workshop for learning how to use heat tools and how to distress synthetic fabrics.  It always amazes me how we start with an empty room, create mayhem, have lots of fun and then everything is tidied away at the end of the workshop and every one leaves. . . . and it's back to an empty room again. It's like magic! The teaching studio/gallery. The workshop was full with a waiting list which is always satisfying.  First of all we painted up all the products which took most of the morning. We painted Bondaweb, Tyvek and Lutradur. Painting the products and making notes. Tyvek drying on the floor of the studio. More painting.   Using Lumiere paints, scrummy. Painted Bondaweb ironed onto black cotton - just fabulous.