This was the beautiful sight that greeted us when we arrived at Hotel Meghniwas in Jaipur. Just wonderful. Jamie Malden of Colouricious runs, develops and organises the most wonderful textile holidays. Not only in India but also Bhutan and Japan. Do have a look at what is on offer. colouricious.com/textile-art-holidays-trips The holidays and all they involve are amazing, you are very well looked after. Each trip is different, Jamie is always finding new and exciting things for her guests to discover and enjoy. There is nothing she loves more than wandering around all the back streets of cities, finding new workshops and factories to work with. Colouricious also offer more 'off the beaten track' holidays. Do check out the website. Puneet and Jamie. On arrival at the hotel from the airport, we all milled about on the beautiful terrace by the pool while we were waiting to be shown to our rooms. A least half the group were traveling by themselves, everyone was...

 I never tire of being amazed by nature . . Happy New Year!!!  Here we are in 2017, and we are still here. Let's make the most of it. I am slowly getting used to my new rural life. Having so much space around the house is wonderful, I am able to see for miles. It makes a change from living in the middle of a housing estate in Brighton!  The area where I live on the Lopphead peninsula is quite remote. It's 40 minutes to the nearest Aldi and Tesco, but boy, it's worth it. Moving to the West Coast of Ireland is the best thing I have ever done. It took a while to plan - but here I am.  I am constantly looking at the sky and the land around me, when I am home!  Just when I think I have found a new colour palette, I find another. Combinations of colours that I have never considered before.  I was just settling into this colour combination . . . . . And then this happens . .   . . and this.  These pavements are along t...

  We have all had our ups and downs this year ,  hopefully you have had more ups! Most of us are blessed with friends and family that can help. I hope at this festive season you can relax and be with people you love and who love you in return. I hope you have new and exciting things planned for 2017, though we all know that sometimes, it is all we can do to just to keep going . . .  One thing we all learn as we get older, don't put it off - do it now! Hang on in there.  Here's hoping we all have a brilliant Christmas and a healthy and happy  New Year . My love to all of you. Namaste X

  I just love the layers of colour you can get with disperse dyes/transfer paints. This will be my last proper post this year.  I am slowly getting my new house sorted on the w est c oast of County Clare , Ireland. It seems odd to write that sentence. 2 years ago I had only just started to think about the move - and now - here I am, gazing out to sea. It is so good when a plan comes together.    At the beginning of each session we look at what the group have done for homework. This is always great fun, haivng a catch up is very important.  I never cease to be amazed at the students creativity. Right, back to the teaching. . . I love transfer printing with disperse dyes. The dyes are made to colour synthetic fabric. In this session we used acetate satin, polyester satin and a suede like microfibre. I find it is a good idea to try a variety of fabrics including matt and and shiny. The dyes are painted onto copy/computer printer paper. Onc...