This was Fay's sample mirror to show the students what could be achieved. This will be a very fast post - I am getting ready to leave this evening for the NEC and Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch. I didn't want to leave with out telling you about one of Fay Maxwell's workshops at The Jersey Textiles Showcase. It was titled 'A slip in time'. The 3d shapes or 'slips' are worked on a cotton fabric base and embroidered with crewel wool and stranded cottons. The little flowers are wool bla nket circles covered with tapestry wool and perle. No silks at all, though you could use them. Her website is broken at the moment, she can't get into it to change her address as she has just moved, but you can email her at fay@fayandkay.co.uk - If you want to know of any upcoming workshops. All her workshops are excellent but this one caught my attention because of all the layering of techniques which can only be developed over time and years of exp...

We had wonderful weather on Jersey - bright and warm - just wonderful after all the rain. This is the harbour wall at St Aubin. Such gorgeous textures and colours. The last workshop I taught at the Showcase was a 3 hour version of 'The Journey'. It is a workshop that is very close to my heart, from what appears to be a rather formulaic start, totally original designs are created. By taking sections of the work, designs can be isolated that can be developed . . . . into anything . . . We got stuck in straight away with my way of mark making - a dreaded phrase I know - but this way is very simple and even enjoyable. Students use 5 different widths of paintbrush to describe a journey, it could be imaginary - a walk on the moon, through an enchanted forest - or the trip taking the kids to school or trekking through the Himalayas - or any combination of these.   The group were fabulous, we had a great session, there was such a party atmosphere at the Showcase....

A fabulous print by Muriel. I had forgotten just how beautiful Jersey is - and what weather we had - my goodness it was wonderful. Not that we saw an awful lot of the sun as we were tucked away teaching, but it does lift the soul. The Jersey Textile Showcase has become a very large event with something like 40 workshops over the seven days. I met new tutors and several tutors I knew but hadn't spent much time with. www.theharbourgalleryjersey.com      The view from my bedroom window. The tutors all stayed in a B & B called The Harbour View and it certainly lived up to it's name. Lovely clean and modern rooms and a remarkable breakfast. If you ever need to find somewhere to stay on the island - I can't recommend this enough . www.harbourviewjersey.com So - to the workshops. My first one was Transforming Transfers. We had 20 in the group - luckily I had taken my heat press with me. We painted disperse dye (transfer paint) onto paper....