One of the samples from the first day.  I will write up this post in two parts as the group produced lots of gorgeousness.  Paper, Stitch, Print and Play is my newspaper and painted Bondaweb based workshop that also uses Solufleece and free machine embroidery to enhance your work with extra texture. A three day workshop is a great luxury - it enables a student to work through several processes and still have time to stitch. The group mastered the 'Pretty' and 'Background' technique quickly, which meant they produced some fabulous samples quite fast.      Who would have thought that old books and newspapers could produce such stunning work?    With only six in the group we had plenty of room to spread and makes lots of mess . . . Some of the first samples -                 Most of these samples have been decorated with the new Blingy Bitz. Little squares of flash and colour. Craftynotions  We also used gilding flake in various

As we were using newspaper we also created faux chenille. The course title was Print, Paint, Stitch and Play! It is a new course and the group at Bobby's were wonderful guinea pigs!  I drove up to Shropshire on Monday and on the way stopped off in Ledbury to see Angie Hughes for lunch in her new flat. Angie is a great mate of mine but because we live so far apart we only really see other at shows. It was great to have the chance of a couple of hours together - we had a lovely lunch and had good old catch up. We are hoping to have a 'play' weekend in Brighton in the not too distant future. Angie's website is angiehughes.com Then it was on to Bettws-y-Crwyn and Bobby's studio at Moor Hall - it gets very twisty and turny and then the roads narrow - ooohhh!!!! Don't like it! But it is worth it when you arrive - it is SO beautiful. The views are remarkable and the farmhouse is old and surrounded by a lovely cottage garden. The studio is light and bright

 One of Lana's colourful papers which she then started to cut and collage.  Art Van Go have a great studio/workshop space at the back of their well equipped shop. They have everything a girl could desire. Having made the printing blocks the students started to print with them on A1 sheets of white cartridge, working out their patterns and repeats. We used acrylic paint to print with. Once the A1 sheets were printed up and dry we colour washed them with a dilution of procion dye powder and water. You can see how beautifully the different coloured dyes bleed and mix together on the page. Once dry the acrylic paint resists the dye.   Lana started to build up layers by cutting up one sheet to apply or collage onto another sheet.   One of Lana's layered pieces which she later went onto stitch.     Another one of Lana's printed sheets .   This is one of Kate's overprinted sheets, it looks quite 3D if you slightly offset your over print. We all thou

 the stunning country side around Newcastle on Clun After I had eaten my second piece of cake and taken another 100 or so photos I left Bryan's Ground and tootled along further up country to have supper with Bobby and Martin Britnell and Bobby's students who were working in her studio over the weekend.   For those who are not aware of Bobby (there can't be many), she is an amazing tutor, quite inspirational and SUCH good fun. Bobby runs fabulous courses from her studio at Moor Hall in Shropshire. Bobby also runs workshops working along side Ruth Issett, the demi goddess of all things to do with colour, print and design. They make a great team, encouraging students to produce new work and develop new ideas. All workshops and dates can be found on Bobby's website www.bobbybritnell.co.uk/index.htm   Bobby also has an excellent newsletter www.bobbybritnell.co.uk/news.htm I would recommend you subscirbe to it. Moor Hall in the late evening the sunny terrace for coff

print by Cath Bristow  Some of you may know I open my house twice a year as part of the Brighton Open Houses in May and November/December. It has been great fun turning my house in to a temporary gallery and a great chance to catch up with friends and ex students because I can be guaranteed to be 'at home'. However, my life seems to galloping along even faster than ever and something has to give - so I have decided to have a break from the Open Houses for a while.      Textile Garden by Sylvia Lynton   For our last exhibition we will have wonderful mix of talent as you will see from theses images, more can be found on our website one2six which should be updated by the end of this week - I haven't been able to get the updates ready for the ever patient and very wonderful Jayne to put onto the website, there is just too much going on. We are open for 4 weekends, November 20, 21 - 27, 28 and December 4,5 - 11, 12  from 10am to 6pm.     Raku ceramics by Ember Vincent  As