A girl needs a certain kind of sustenance when doing the shows . . . . . Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch was brilliant - busy - but brilliant. I didn't get a lot of chance to see all of the show but what I did see was fantastic.  The exhibit I liked the best was Barkcloth to Artcloth - it was remarkable. A collaboration between Textile artist Bobby Britnell and Shoe designer Janet Middleton using traditional Barkcloth material from Uganda and re-inventing this wonderful fabric and creating little shoes. The idea was for textile artists to decorate a piece of barkcloth in their own style and Janet was to make a small pair of shoes from it. This exhibition has been created to raise awareness and funds for Hands up for Uganda. www.handsupforuganda.org A project that was started by Bobby ad her family that has just grown and grown, what everyone had achieved is quite fantastic.   The shoes will also be exhibited at the Excel show 3rd - 5th April - Creative

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.

 Painted Bondaweb ironed onto black cotton decorated with transfer foil and gilding flake.  The third workshop I taught was 'On the Surface', a fast paced 3 hour workshop that was great fun and full of very naughty students - the main protagonist was Denice Walker who attended all my workshops - we had a great time. The entire time of the The Jersey Textile Showcase felt like a fast moving, most enjoyable holiday. On the Surface is a painted Bondaweb based workshop where all kinds of glitter and sparkle is allowed.  This was the main table of naughtiness . . . there was quite a party atmosphere!  Here are just a few of the samples -      As you can see the group were prolific - and talented. There were several functions in the evenings - one of them being a rather splendid 'do' at the local posh hotel. My it was fabulous.  This is a photo of, from the left, Val Holmes, Pat Robson, the very glamorous and tireless orga