Foiled and engraved Decovil 1 cut with a Big Shot Pro die cutting machine to create a heart shaped box.   Hello, Yes! I know I have been quiet - did you enjoy the peace? I have been fighting with finishing the manuscript for my next book and getting samples made for the shows that start next week in Manchester. The manuscript is with my publishers (Hurrah!) and I have a few samples to show you. I love teaching and meeting new students - and old ones! Claire Pain was a new student last year on my Foredown Tower workshops. She was great fun and fitted in well with the usual slightly bonkers ladies that attend my workshops.  I love working with people who know how to have a good time. Decovil 1 and Decovil light pre-coloured and foiled and then engraved by Claire on her laser cutter . We were talking in class and Claire mentioned she had a laser cutting business, well, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I have been looking for someone to work with who understood

 Iron-on interfacing colourwashed blue. This was then foiled all over with silver transfer foil and printed onto with one of my favourite wooden printing blocks. This can be done with the heavy pelmet Vilene (S133) if you want to make a box, or the softer Decovil 1 or Decovil light to make book covers or bags - gorgeous. I sell all three - www.nid-noi.com   Painted Bondaweb layered with torn newspaper, dot jewels and glitter.  I have a few weeks of calm looming - to write the book and start a new body of work. I am also making up some layered newspaper samples to have laser cut to my own designs to start making my new range of brooches and earrings. I love it when there is room in your brain for ideas to start slinking in. This tends to need time and space - all of which I have for while. I have plenty of things to catch up with, but there should also be time for play.  As most of you will know I think it is vital for any artist to play with their materials - it can lead

    Layers of printed and painted Bondaweb and torn newspaper ironed onto heavy iron-on interfacing . I LOVE this piece by Christine Because my clever students produced so much excellent work I will make this a two part post. My course had been brought forward from July to January and consequently I only had four students on my course. This was a great opportunity to get a lot of work done and fun for me. I usually teach ten to fifteen students in a group which is fine - but you don't get much time with each student. This was a real treat. Coupled with the fact all the students had been on a previous course with me in October, they all knew the basics of Hot Textiles which meant we could cover a lot of ground quite fast.  Newspaper printed with a leaf block - strips of which were used to create the beautiful work at the top of this post   Painted Bondaweb also printed with the leaf block.The Bondaweb is then carefully lifted from

 Transfer printed Evolon with Bondaweb on the back. Run through a laser cutter to cut the design. The backing paper was then peeled off the Bondaweb and the Evolon was ironed onto black cotton. I am off to the Design and Technology show at the NEC now - The show is open to educational professionals only - 17th - 19th November. The D & T show   If you are a teacher and wish to come and pick my brains - (you are most welcome to what is left) my Hot Textiles Surgery is on Stand E09. I have a big stand to play on and am taking my Big Shot Pro die cutting machine and my heat press. I also hope to get my hands on a laser cutter . . . . . . I always have great fun at this show - THREE whole days to play! As you can imagine my stand gets into a terrible mess - I can't imagine why!!!! I will report back with what I got up to next week - AARRGGHH!!! The Open Houses start the following weekend - am I ready??? Ha Ha Ha!!!! x