Val's flipped and mirrored design painted in one colour. The second weekend of Experimental Textiles saw the group working in colour. The plan was to make printing blocks from foam core board and self adhesive foam using the designs created on the first weekend.  First of all we had a look at the home work - I had asked the group to take a design and flip and mirrored it to show several repeats to create even more designs. Kat's  . . Mary's  . . .   Barbara's . .     Rachel's . .   and more for Barbara . . .  . . . . and the course work/sketch books are beginning. These work books will be a wonderful resource for years to come. Once we had looked at and discussed the home work we got on with making the printing blocks. . . .       Then the group got on with the printing -  we tried out the blocks on A1 cartridge paper first to get used to how much paint to...

Painted Bondaweb decorated with sparkles and artichoke seeds. The last day of the 'tour' saw me teaching in Bideford. (well just outside). I didn't get a chance for a wander about and it looked like a great place to wander - I hope to get back there next year for a bit longer. The workshop was held in a modern hall with all a tutor could desire, plenty of power, plenty of light and loads of space - a great place for a party . . .  The workshop was On the Surface- Plus. The 'Plus' was the addition of Tyvek and Spunbond to the days events. It was more of a taster day and I think I tried to do too much with the group but they were very good and kept up.  The group working hard with the painted Bondaweb and Tyvek drying on the floor.      Getting to grips with painted Bondaweb and all the sparkles.  The usual On the Surface workshop concentrates on the wonderful Bondaweb and all you can do with it. Foiling, adding sequins, gilding flake . ....

     A great piece of newspaper faux chenille.  The next stop on the journey was Roseland Mews Studio in Liskeard. Set in lush green gardens, the studio is well equipped, light and has great ventilation. We had 13 in the group and boy did they work hard. A New Starting Point is my newspaper based workshop and I think you will agree, the group produced some fabulous samples. We started off painting up Bondaweb and newspapers then while that was drying the group machine stitched layers of unpainted newspaper together to create their first faux chenille sample. We would colour wash these samples later in the day. Then it was onto the 'pretties and bckground' tearing technique that I have developed with newspaper and painted Bondaweb. Having permission to play with all manner of sparkly delights tends to bring out the inner princess in most students as they fling glitter, gilding flake and dot jewels onto their work with abandon. The play element i...