5 layers of the coloured CS500 Vilene Spunbond   (www.nid-noi.com/product ) layered and zapped together to make a fabulous background on which to stitch. This is just a quick catch up - I'm off to to give a lecture for the Windsor and Maidenhead branch of the Embroiderers Guild tomorrow night and then a 'Hot new jewelled surfaces for stitch' workshop on Saturday so there will be lots of scrummy images of distressed and embossed Vilene Spunbond for you to look at next week. I just wanted mention a rather fabulous group that I gave a lecture to on Monday night at Tylers Green Village Hall where they meet once a month. The Chiltern Embroidery and Textiles Group are an independent group and are VERY well organised and friendly. The members are interested in all areas of textiles and stitch from very traditional to coming over to the dark side with me. Everyone seems to get on really well and are very supportive of each other. If you live anywhere near them I would ...

  A FAB Tyvek sample. I gave a lecture on Friday night in Chiswell Green near St Albans . It almost went like clockwork - I had a problem with my lap top talking to the projector. It is what we all dread and it was the first time it had happened. aaRGGHH!! The lovely ladies of Hertfordshire Guild were very patient while we sorted it. There were lots of familiar faces from workshops I have taught at Art Van Go and several regulars from the shows so the ten minute wait wasn't as excruciating as it might have been.  Painting up the Bondaweb, Tyvek and Vilene Spunbond. The following day we had a workshop in the church hall for sixteen. Gulp! it is always a worry with that many students because of the power supply we need. Added to that the lovely Sue Dunkerley wanted the workshop to include painted Bondaweb and Tyvek AND Spunbond.  As you will see the students worked hard and produced some fabulous samples - it was bit of a rush to get everything done - bu...

 You might to read this newsletter - I'm going to buy some bricks! http://myemail.constantcontact.com/HANDS-UP-FOR-UGANDA---Kisaabwa-Project---No-5---June-2012.html?soid=1102621924861&aid=vpM-9dT1rAo

 Layered newspaper with sparkly bits and fishy prints. I have just had confirmation of the shows that I will be demonstrating at in the Autumn and Spring - September 6 th – 9 th Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts GLOW, Bluewater , Kent info@ichf.co.uk  2013 February 7 th – 9 th Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Event City , Trafford Centre, Manchester info@ichf.co.uk February 17 th – 19 th Craft, Hobby & Stitch ( Trade Show ) NEC Birmingham www.ichf.co.uk   March 7 th – 10 th Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts SECC, Glasgow info@ichf.co.uk March 21 st – 24 th Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch/Sewing for Pleasure NEC Birmingham End of year show for Experimental Textiles Vilene Workshop and my own stand www.ichf.co.uk If you are a group that has been wanting me deliver a lecture or workshop but thought the travel costs too steep and are near or on the way to Glasgow or Manchest...

  Alpaca and silk tops with painted Bondaweb and layered newspaper ready to stitch.   I hope you all enjoyed the Jubilee celebrations and that those of you that were involved in street parties didn't get washed away . . It is wonderful to have a few days to just relax and let ideas arrive. When I was in Blenheim, New Zealand, for their Creative Fibre Festival I picked up some beautiful Alpaca and silk fibres and started to play with the fibres and painted Bondaweb unsupported - I don't mean me feeling lonely, I mean not on a background. Having started to stitch into the pieces I felt the need for some kind support but nothing too heavy that would detract from the beautiful fairy like qualities of the fibres . . . and low and behold I was asked to test a new self adhesive water-soluble product. It arrived this morning and is just the thing I needed and it washes away quickly with no residue - Fantastic. Once I get permission, I will let you all know the name of it. ...

  Various weights of Vilene Spunbond zapped with a heat gun and cut with a soldering iron to create fabulous edges. Foils were added to some of the edges. First the good news - There are five spaces on my workshop   'Hot new jewelled surfaces for stitch' . New, soft fairy like and jewelled surfaces can be developed by distressing Vilene Spunbond/Lutradur and layering this exciting product with embossing powders and Hot Spots! Using beautiful mica powders and high metallic paints we will create stunning layered surfaces on which to stitch – or not.  This workshop is on Saturday 16th June at Hurley Village Hall, Hurley, Nr Maidenhead. SL6 5LT to book email Lesley a t lel.a@sky.com It is unusual for one of my workshops for a Guild not to fill within the Guild - I must be losing my touch - so those of you in the Windsor and Maidenhead area who have been saying I don't do enough workshops in your area - now is your chance! I shall also be putting this inf...

 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 ...