A square of orange painted Bondaweb ironed onto space dyed fabric which has then been decorated with strips of newspaper, foil and glitter. So - to part 2 of this post featuring the work using fabric as a background rather than newspaper. All the pieces have been created by experimenting with layering up different types of decoration and with the idea of making surfaces on which to stitch at a later date. The metallic paints we used were Colourful Thoughts mixed media paints from Craftynotions the gilding flake is also from them. The paints were watered down by half with water to paint the Bondaweb and they still retained a high metallic effect - Fab! This was an interesting piece that just used painted Bondaweb to great effect. Another simple sample using painted Bondaweb and gilding flake. Painted Bondaweb with gilding flake and feathers. These torn skeleton leaves seem to be floating around the painted Bondaweb, this piece is just crying out for stitc

The Craftynotions stand I am off to the NEC this morning with all my books to sell and all my demonstrating kit . . . .  I hope my poor old Volvo will move - the boxes of books are VERY heavy!! Sarah Lawrence of Craftynotions has very kindly extended her stand so I can sell my books and have a presence at the show. I couldn't afford my own stand this year. In return for this very generous gesture I will be demonstrating some of the techniques in my new book, including layering newspaper with painted Bondaweb, decorating boxes made from heavy iron-on interfacing and distressing Vilene Spunbond. (poor Vilene Spunbond).  painted Bondaweb decorated with heat transfer foil, skeleton leaves and glitter Signed copies book will be £18 (RRP 19.99) So - if you are coming to the show do come and say Hello!!!! It's always good to meet my readers and customers, email is a wonderful way of communication, but no substitute for the real thing!!!!! I am looking forward to seeing Viv and Ke

layers of painted Bondaweb on black cotton, layered with heat transfer foils, gilding flake, glitter and skeleton leaves I'm just sorting out and packing up my kit for my 2 day workshop at Art Van Go. It's my new Hot Textiles 2 and I'm really looking forward to see what we achieve. As many of you will know I don't teach finished projects - just processes. It should be a great 2 days of experiments, colour and fun. After such a glorious weekend it is going to be hard to leave the garden looking so beautiful . Hopefully it wont dry out before I get back on Friday - we could do with some rain. I will report back over the weekend, enjoy your 3 day week.  x

My first teaching session this year was at Harrow Way Community School in Andover on Tuesday the 4th January. I had been invited to design a workshop for students who are extending thier access to new textles techniques. The school has a great reputation for Art and D&T. Sylvia Harvey is the Head of Art & Design and is highly aware of the importance of art textiles within education.  torn, painted Bondaweb decorated with artichoke heart seeds, skeleton leaves and glitter I had an exhausting, fascinating, exciting and very educational day. As most of you know I teach adults and have very little experience with younger students. But I am learning very fast!! Because I have a stand at The Design & Technology Show every year I have become very aware of the lack of textile teaching in many schools, whether it comes in the form of fashion/dressmaking courses or art textiles. This is not the fault of the schools, they can only teach what they are told to. I think this will chan