My new stencils - Are now sold out. The stencils are based on one my sketches of a shell I photographed on Moreaki beach on the South Island of New Zealand. The shell is tiny - my sketch is much larger than life size. I had decided to sell the stencil packs at my next show - Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch at the NEC next month - they will be £15 for a pack of 3. My new stencils are laser cut from 350 micron mylar and can be used for all sorts of applications. This post is showing you how to use them with KK Glue but they can be used with paints and sprays just like any other stencil. KK Glue - a very fine glue powder. The bottle has a screw top lid so you can return any surplus powder to the bottle. This retails for £5.9 0 for 50g.  KK Glue is washable up to 40 degrees but when using with transfer foil, the transfer foil is only washable up to  30 degrees.  There are holes on one side of the cap for sprinkling, the other side is for pouring.

Bliss balls, chocolate brownies and fresh raspberries. Denise is a fabulous cook -  and it's all gluten free. Denise had been Gluten free for several years, until I met her I had no idea how debilitating it can be. So - here I am in New Zealand, Christchurch to be exact. Am in a motel for the night as I have an earlyish flight in the morning to start my journey back to the UK. I really don't want to leave - I do so love it here. I have had a wonderful time here. I have been soooooo well looked after by my lovely friend Denise Cleghorn and her husband the very funny Barry. He tolerated me with good humour. I also saw another good friend Christine Marks and her gorgeous man Bob for a couple of days in Blenheim. We have all had a good catch up. Whilst Facebook and emails can help when there is a long distance between you, there is nothing like a big hug when you do get to see each other. Most of my visit has been spent on Denise and Barry's farm just outside

 Some of my collection of shells from Curracloe beach. So - here I am in Carrick on Shannon, Ireland on a 13 day break. With nothing planned!!!! I have 4 days left before I travel to Dublin and the Knitting and Stitching Show. As many of you will know, my life is usually planned out at least 2 years in advance with little room for manoeuvre.  I have had time to catch up with emails, this blog, do some exploring . . . and rest. I was a bit worried about what I was going to do with my self - I have managed to occupy myself splendidly. Regular readers will know I taught in Australia in September at the Geelong Fibre Forum. One of the tutors there was Nicola Brown - from Ireland. The world just gets smaller doesn't it? Nicola is eco dyer, eco printer and felt maker. She is great fun to be with and it is great to meet like minds. As we got on so well I suggested we meet up when I was over here.   On the road, across country, to Borris. It took just over 3 hours