Me on my stand having the best time,  photo by Amanda Duke Well I am back - just! I got back home in Ireland on Monday night. I still haven't fully unpacked the car. I am waiting for some energy to galvanise me - maybe it will arrive tomorrow . . ! The Festival of Quilts was fabulous. It was like one big colourful party. It was so good to catch up with so many friends. There was so much laughter and squeals of delight. Lots of plans were hatched and several trips planned. The beginnings of my stand   It always takes longer than you think to set up a stand. Particularly when you are demonstrating. How much space do you allow to spread out and play? I wasn't really happy with it until the second day. My last show was pre covid in 2019, so it had been a while . .     Video of my stand There were exhibitors and visitors from all over the world at the show. I was particularly pleased to meet one of my online students from America. While we can chat and have tutorials via the intern

A very happy OAP!!    Well how did that happen? I am now a pensioner . . .  Getting older doesn't worry me in general, but I am more aware of the groaning joints and I am thinking about what time is left to get SO much done. I have more ideas than ever now. Textures to create, designs to develop and so much more stitch to play with.  When you get to landmark birthdays, I think it is normal to take stock, to see where you are and how you would like to spend your time. After the Experimental Textiles course finishes in June/July next year I will be having a break from regular teaching. I have booked a stand The Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/ in August next year. It will be so very good to catch up friends and ex students at the show. It will be a change for me to have my own stand rather than working on a Vlieseline stand. I will be there to promote the new Experimental Textiles Video Library which should launch in January 2023 I

 Nicki Heenan painting in my field overlooking Fodra and Ross bays.  It has taken a while to settle into my new home and area. I have been very happy so far, but have been struggling to find a purpose for my being here. Whilst it is wonderful to live in an area of such outstanding beauty with incredible views, I have had a growing feeling that I need to share it.  Having an Open Studio every few weeks and doing AirBnb helps . .  but!    My house and studio.  I met Nicki Heenan last year when she was doing a residency in the Burren. We had been friends on Facebook for a while, but it was so good to actually meet her. Nicki does a residency in Ballinglen, Mayo in Ireland every year as well as exhibiting regularly in Ireland, so I asked if she would like to stay with me for a few days on her way up the coast and throw some ideas around. We both managed to find dates that matched and she arrived this week.  Nicki mixing her paints.  I have always loved Nicki's

A fabulous design, beautifully printed. On the 25th and 26th of July we had the second weekend of the new ExTex ( Experimental Textiles ) 4 group. The previous weekend we had created the original designs and taken sections. These were the sections the group then used to make their own printing blocks. The designs are traced onto tracing paper and then transferred onto foam core board and self adhesive foam.  For one design - you need one piece of self adhesive foam and 2 pieces of foam core board all cut to the same size.  2 blocks from one design - showing the 'positive' design on the left and the 'negative' on the right.  The design is then transferred onto all three. The design is then cut from the self adhesive foam. The 'positive' design is lifted out and stuck to one of the pieces of foam core board. The design that is left is the 'negative' and this is stuck to the second piece of foam core board. As long as these blocks ar

 3 layers of 75gm Tyvek layered with polyester organza. The Full Works is my basic workshop learning how to use heat tools. We work with Tyvek, Lutradur/Vilene Spunbond and painted Bondaweb.  Solihull Embroiderers Guild is a great group. Good fun and well organised. Have a look at their website. All Guilds can do with new members, if you fancy joining, you won't be disappointed. www.facebook.com/SolihullEmbroiderersGuild   and the website - www.embroiderersguild.com We started off painting up all the products which took a couple of hours. It is important for students to know how to paint up all the products if they want to do this kind of work at home. When working with heat distressable materials, it is important not to paint them too thickly or the paint will form a barrier.    Painting up the products.  Painting Bondaweb. Lutradur/Vilene Spunbond. We started off playng with the Tyvek, laying it between 2 sheets of baking parchment and 'stroking&#