The work included in this post was created by -  Marilyn Donovan, Ann Davies, Vonnie Huguenet, Charlotte Pugh, Helena Mundy, Teresa Surtees, Annie Cannan, Julie Tolman, Selma Eroglu and Dorothy Stevenson.  What a FAB group of girls - we had a such a great 4 days. They produced an amazing amount of designs and colour combinations. We discussed how you get inspired in the first place and how you can develop and interpret those ideas into your own work. Six of this group are coming back to the Connaught Centre on the 19th to do a 4 day Hot Textiles workshop. I'm really looking forward to it. Here are some more images for you - enjoy! The final display of work Selma painting her design      Teresa's first fabric print   Julie Tolman's display   This is a section Helena Mundy's scrap paper she cleaned her roller/brayer on. gorgeous isn't it?  Marilyn's sample trying out her block and overprinting onto fabric  I am trying to upload a slide show of images fro

  some of the flipped out designs   taking a section Well we have just finished our third day and the ladies have done me proud . Having done all the black and white work yesterday we started by taking sections with 'L' shapes. Any of the design exercises that had been created could be used. The students then traced off 4 designs to choose 2 for making up printing blocks. Before making up the blocks the students did some flipping and mirroring exercises with their designs to see how they would look. These exercises were then painted in 2 colours.    This one (above) by Teresa Surtees had been flipped and mirrored twice    Printing blocks were then made from self adhesive funky foam and mount board. This work is by Helena Mundy. The first experiments to see how the blocks look when printed.                 This block is by Charlotte Pugh.     Having the first play with the block some rather fab overprinting by Annie Cannan So come back later in the week to see how

    getting down to action I have started teaching my summer schools. This week it is Design, Inspiration & Interpretation at the Connaught Centre in Hove. I have a FAB group who created an amazing amount of work today. The first session the students got down to a relaxing 'play' with paint and brushes describing a journey, imaginary or otherwise. This is an exercise from my book Experimental Textiles so if you have the book you can see the exercise in action. developing the 'mark making' I always check with my students to make sure they are happy for me to photograph them and for their work to be published either in one of my books, websites or now on this blog.      all of the journeys pinned up on end The students then got on with the next exercise which was the 'flipping out' exercise from Experimental Textiles. This is one by Charlotte and it wont go into the centre of the page. . . . AARRGHH!!!   Tomorrow we will be taking sections, i

I t's 7am on a beautiful sunny day in Brighton and the smell of the Jasmine in my garden is amazing. This is the day I am going to really get to grips with my new book. I think I have got the chapter run sorted and the general layout of the book. It seems I spend more time thinking about it than actually writing it. I have to write at least 5.000 words today as my editor is starting to get twitchy. The summer schools start tomorrow so I will be teaching 4 days a week with all the preparation that entails so there will be no more time for writing. Why do we always leave these things til we REALLY have to do them?  AARRGGHHHHH!  . . . . . and Yes! I am aware that writing in this blog this morning is yet another way of putting off the inevitable - maybe I will do the washing up now - or the hoovering . . . . . Hello Jen Hen, thanks for being my first follower - if I could work out how to send you a message I would. This is all very new to me. Hi Christine - thank you for the first

  Layers of heavy tyvek, machine stitched together and zapped back with a heat gun There was one small thing that caused one or two niggles over the 2 days at Denman, the taking of photographs without permission. With so many different types of camera now available – from phones to digital video – it is becoming increasingly easy to just snap away and not necessarily think about what you’re taking an image of, why you are taking it and how you are going to use it. I think most tutors are happy to have general shots of themselves and their work taken for sketch books or to show friends. It is quite a different matter when these images are posted onto blogs and websites. This infringes all kinds of copyright issues. It is important to ask permission to take photographs before you do so. Close up and detailed images of samples and someone else’s work are a very contentious issue. I had a particular run in with a lady who was very busy with her small digital video camera. It is dif

  Denman College I spent 2 very hot, busy and exciting days at Denman College on Monday Tuesday this week. Denman College is the WI's home of cookery craft and lifestyle courses in Marcham, Oxfordshire - inspiring students each year to develop their skills or try a new craft or activity. The Georgian house, set in 17 acres of beautiful grounds is complimented by a suite of teaching rooms fitted out with the latest equipment. Most of the money needed to buy, develop and maintain the College over the years has been raised by members of the Women’s Institute. www.theWI.org.uk A secluded spot in the walled garden The fountain Various tutors that run courses at Denman were demonstrating what they do best and promoting their courses. It was great to have 2 days to play with all the new materials I have and meet so many interested ladies. We all had great fun and to top it all we had to eat hog roast and WI scones and clotted cream everyday. OOhh!! It was a nightmare – not