Summer is Here

Sorry to have been so long in writing this -  Life has been very full and when I thought there was time to rest and 're-group' after the big trip 'down-under', I found myself busy with many more commitments and travels.
     I have been busy writing a new book and it is taking shape nicely.  It will be called 'Connecting Design to Stitch'  - how we can find confidence in design and composition decisions in textile art.
It certainly has been a challenge - keeping the mix of a basic knowledge of the principles and elements, design styles to inspire, finding good composition and including a wide selection of artist's work.  The format will be similar to 'Connecting Art to Stitch' - a self-study guide that includes Design classes and a great number of shorter exercises to try in each section.   Watch this space....


I did have a chance to go for a holiday to the Dordogne this month.  It was great to do some writing in the quiet of a peaceful cottage in the country, as well as be inspired by so much colour, pattern and textures of the weekly markets and the towns nearby.  You will see many of my photos as starting points for pattern and design exercises in the new book.  Despite the cool and sometimes wet weather in Beaumont-en-Perigord, it was a great break.  Here are some of the wonderful views and textures nearby - I came home with so many wonderful images to inspire the book - design and composition exercises with line, shape, pattern, texture and colour.

Other News -
Studio 21 http://www.studio21textileart.co.uk/wordpress/  - our new website.
We will be at the Festival of Quilts  http://www.twistedthread.com

Studio 21 is a group of professional stitched textile artists from the UK and we have an exhibition at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in  Birmingham next month.  Our exhibition is called 'Continuum...a sense of place'.  Most of the space will be our exhibition but we also have an interactive section where we hope people will join in, adding to a long thin landscape piece with their own inspiration.  Join us if you are at the show.

A detail of my 'Meltdown' piece for the exhibition

Teaching -  I will be teaching at Masseria della Zingara in Puglia, Italy next spring and can't wait.  I have heard wonderful reports of the villa and the workshops provided so I am very pleased to be taking part.  You can get more information from www.twistedthread.com. My course will be called 'Connecting Design to Stitch' and include design and composition with collage, imagery and stitch based on a personal theme.
Please see additional courses I will be offering in the workshop section of this blog.


WSTA - the new Windsor School of Textile Art - is open for enrolments now. Please visit their website at
http://wstatextileart.blogspot.com/  for the latest information on courses.  It is great that this established and creative textile school has relocated to the wonderful venue of South Hill Park, Bracknell, Berkshire.