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.