Houston, California and Christmas

Once again I have neglected my blog but am now catching up. The three photos show me talking to Barbara Trombley whilst I was demonstrating on the Quilting Arts Stand at the International Festival of Quilts in Houston. The set of beetles made at one of my workshops in California and lastly Fraser enjoying the snow at the weekend.

Geoff and I had a brilliant time in the States. We went to the Quilt festival on the preview night and then for two whole days but it still wasn't enough time to take everything in. We managed to get in a visit to Nasa before flying on to California and staying at San Clemente. I taught two beetles workshops so now my bugs are springing up all over California. The weather was excellent, not too warm although we did spend a couple of days on the beach. We spent an interesting day in San Diego on the Midway.

We arrived home to the cold and wet UK and now have the snow hence the photo of Fraser on his sledge. It looks as though we will have a white Christmas. Happy Christmas to all my followers and I will try to keep this up more in the new Year

Houston Quilt festival

I shall be demonstrating on the Quilting Arts Open Studios stand at the Houston Quilt Festival on Thursday 4th NOvember from 12.40-2.40pm and friday 5th from 3-5pm.
The rest of the time I shall be shopping!!!!
I seem to have been to a lot of theatre shows lately, Joe Brown, Wicked, Salade Days and last night, Beauty and the Beast. One more to go to before our holiday and that is Princess Ida at Cirencester.

Here are some of the beautiful Venetian purses made by my students at the EG workshop at Leamington Spa on Saturday. They are layered organza fabrics over a glitzy layer which have been machine embroidered then some of the layers cut back. Having given three talks and two workshops int the last couple of weeks I have found it exhausting especially as the talks were all different. I think that I shlall have to space them out a bit better in future.

holiday in Austria

Here we are enjoying lunch on top of the Mountain in Fugen Austria where we went for our holiday . Yes I really did go up there in a cable car having overcome my fear of them. However I still won't go in a chair lift. We went to see the Oberammagau Passion play which was brilliant. also visited Mayerhofen where I had been skiing as a teenager and Innsbruck using the train than ran though the village. Since coming home I have been to Windsor and Maidenhead EG to give a talk and then Bristol for a talk and an embroidered bowls workshop.

The last month!!!!!

Can not believe how long it has been since my last visit here. trouble is being on face book takes up time. Still I've had a very sucessfull month with a visit to Alston Hall near Preston to teach at the North West Of England EG summer school. Then my favourite time of the year at Marlborough College Summer School teaching felt making. It helps to remind me how much I enjoy felt making and how little I do it not to mention the wonderful food, entertainment and company. I spend the mornings singing for pleasure which this year included songs from Wicked, Fame, Chicago and Eva Cassidy. Now I have just got to go and see Wicked.

Had a wonderful day on Saturday teaching at Basildon Branch of the EG. Here is a photo of their bowls, some of which are almost ready for washing off. I am always amazed at the results and how every one is different. The bowl with the leaves on was made by a lady who had never done free maching embroidery before. She was incredable.

I treated myself to a Fay Maxwell workshop on Tuesday. Bliss! someone else had to think for me and tell me what to do for a change. She is a great teacher. I am now looking forward to Sit 'n' stitch tomorrow, Singing at the weekend,GWE next Tuesday then teaching at the weekend in the north of England at the Summer School of the NW region EG. have just dyed some more silk caps ready for it. Now off into town to meet Sarah and Fraser for shopping and lunch.

America November 2010

Another long time since I visited my blog to update it. I have added this picture of my christmas bottle cover table centre as I shall be teaching it in November in California at the Piecemakers Country Store. Also the Christmas flower.http://www.piecemakers.com/ . I am really excited as our trip all fell into place just before our Spanish Holiday. We leave on November 2nd and fly to Houston where I shall be taking part in the Houston Quilts Festival on the Quilting Arts Stand. Then we fly on to LA staying at San Clemete for two weeks and I shall be doing the workshop on Sunday 14th.
I am really looking forward to meeting up with all the friends I made on my last visit and making lots of new ones.

Clare and bike! CD and holiday

I can not believe that it is nearly a month since I last blogged so thought I had better write something before I go on holiday. Where does the time go? This is a photo of our daughter Clare with her new bike. She will be 25 this month. We finished recording our Choral Society CD this month and had our summer concert last night. Brilliant! The CD should be really good and it has some lovely pieces on it.

Fraser spent four days with us last week. we took him to Bristol Zoo on the Friday. Having walked right round it and had a picnic we decided to go back to some of the animals again. He was having none of it and insisted on going 'back' which meant back to the car and home. he didn't seem a bit bothered not to see mum and dad for four days. They were in france taking part in a band competition. Anyway I shall spend some time on holiday putting together my next book proposal.

Guild and GWE week

Had our first meeting of Sit 'n' stitch on Friday. Those who came thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and doing some hand stitching and chatting. Hope to get a few more next time in June 11th.
Spent Saturday in Marlborough College Chapel doing our first day of recording for Swindon Chorals second CD. Was really tired by the end of the Day. Now got a busy week with Marlborough EG today and GWE meeting tomorrow. Then going to Roves Farm on Wednesday with Frasers toddlers group. Might get some time to myself by the end of the week though I doubt it as have to prepare for an embroidered bowls workshop on Saturday.

North Meadow Cricklade

Spent Friday afternoon wandering around North Meadow Cricklade taking photographs of all the flowers. It was gorgeous. Saturday was our Come and Sing Messiah for the Choral Society. It was a great afternoon and evening and I throughly enjoyed it. It was worth all the hard work to bring it all together. I shall be stewarding our Great Western Embroiderers exhibition on Tuesday afternoon at Lydiard. Great news that we have been asked to extend the dates as it is proving so popular.

fiber arts draw.

I am delighted to be offering a copy of my book to someone entering this months fiber arts challenge. Most of my inspiration comes from nature and natural forms. The book is a limited edition as once they are gone I shall not be having anymore printed. It can still be ordered from my web site.

I am really looking forward to today as our grandson is coming and we are hoping that the weather will be fine enough to take him out on his new smart trike. He hasn't seen it yet.

New Book!! 1000 Artisan Textiles.

At last I have heard that the book 1000Artisan Textiles which features two pieces of my work has been published this week and is available from Amazon. I haven't seen a copy yet but can not wait. It looks exciting from the cover.

Lydiard Exhibition opening

Well we had a fantastic opening to our Exhibition Keeping Lydiard in Stitches yesterday. There was a real buzz about the place. Maggie Harris and I showed the Mayor around and he was most impressed. We also gave an interview to the BBC radio Wiltshire reporter who turned up. I think that we have proved the Embroidery is not just 'the little flower on the handky corner anymore' but covers a wide range of skills and materials. This littel bug is now on my green man hanging.

Lydiard exhibition

These three photos are of some of my pieces in the Lydiard exhibition. The gree man felt is based on the image of the green man on the ceiling bosses in the dining room and the lovely trees in the grounds. it is hand made and dyed felt then hand embroidered. The ivy leaves re silk.

I put together the bug collection inspired by the Victorians love of collecting nature.

The exhibition is looking great and the bug trail for the kids goes all around the house so there is plenty to look at.

Hope that plenty of people will come and see it especially if they have never visited the house as it is well worth a visit.

Hot Mikado Dress rehearsal

Just a few photos taken at our dress rehearsal last night. In spite of having difficulty with the fabric when making the dresses they all look fantastic on the stage. I am really looking forward to the first night tonight when we get an audiance in.

Hot Mikado and Houston

Can not believe that it is March already and only one week to go to Hot Mikado. Had a wonderful time in Sutton Coldfield teaching bowls again. Must download my photos so I can show you the results. Exciting news too this week as I have had an official invitation to Huston Quilt festival from Quilting Arts Magazine. I shall be in their open studios meeting people and talking about my work. At least now we all seem to be over our coughs and colds so fingers crossed it stays that way. Have just got to sew two hems for costumes now and then should be ready for the show.( and might even get some work done for Lydiard!!!!)

Flying time!!!!

Don't know where the time goes. Off to Cheshire this afternoon to give a bowls talk then staying with Brian until Saturday.Then it's a Bowls workshop on Saturday at Sutton Coldfield. Sarah, Fraser and I all have really nasty colds at the minute. Just seem to be going around in circles with them. Anyway I have nearly finished the two costumes I am making for hot Mikado. Only another four weeks to go. Help!!!!

I gave a talk yesterday to a lovely group of Ladies at Highworth WI and shall be giving the same talk at Swindon evening branch of the GWE on Monday. It is on my venetian inspired work and this photo is one of the Gauntlets which was part of a set of pieces.
Really exciting news is that Fraser started to walk by himself last Thursday so friday it was along to the shoe shop so 'nanny' could buy him his first proper pair of shoes. He was not impressed at having his feet squashed into the machine to be measure and yelled throughout the whole process.
My lovely new book that I ordered off Amazon came this morning and I can not wait to sit and browes through it. It is photos of bugs and beetles. I will write a proper review once I have studied it. Off now for a day with Sarah and Fraser.

Tenerife 2010 holiday

These are some of my favourtite photos taken in Tenerife.

We managed to get away in spite of the snow and spent a lovely week relaxing and sightseeing. The old fig tree I find so inspiring for my felt making. I shall use it as inspiration for my Marlborough Summer School Students this year.

snow!!!!!

This was a photo taken from our lounge window last february. The same sight met my eyes this morning. I actually love the snow but it might prevent us getting away on holiday on friday. Still we wouldn't be the only ones in the same boat. It was snowing a bit yesterday when we were looking after Fraser. He and the kitten were standing with their noses pressed against the window watching in fascination. We are looking after him again this afternoon. I have actually made a start on my Lydiard pieces for the exhibition. Might even get then finished!