The pocket handkerchief

At one time women had time to wash and iron cotton handkerchiefs and I clearly remember being sent to primary school with handkerchiefs in my gingham school dress pockets. I still wash ( but not iron) a fresh white handkerchief for my husband  to go to work with but I don't know why! A residual domestic goddess lurking in the feminist I guess. I am so lucky as very kind people give me pre-loved things for me to love and work with and these came in to my studio this afternoon.Those of you of a certain age will know the special place  Sooty had in out hearts. Thank you Sian for giving me a little bit of your own childhood……...

Nine patch

I have recently purchased this nineteenth century coverlet with so many tiny pieces of  loveliness within. This one is not for cutting! I trained as a surface pattern designer so can really appreciate the decorative elements based on geometrical and the natural world . A gem!

Chinese flowers

I am staying with my friend Rosie who has given me this lovely Chinese textile. She has given me permission to do what I like with it so you may see those little flowers appearing in my work soon .

Hexagons ( unfinished)

My daughter has given me a bag of old chintz hexagons for my birthday. Some of the papers are really lovely  - marbling, letters etc

Happy Easter

One of my students collects old needle cases and I thought that these had a hint of Easter if that yellow blob is a rabbit and those circles can be seen as eggs? When I see these it makes me want  to revisit traditional felt.

Bag

I used to make bags to sell but never felt they were of  a higher enough standard. I have been looking through old photos and this must have been one I sold as I don't have it any more. The trouble is that places like Accessorise can do it so much cheaper and better.Makes me want to return to that green palette though!

Mothers Day

A few weeks ago I went to the newly refurbished York City Art Gallery. I was much taken by a collaborative project between ceramicist Phillip Eglin and local children who responded to the gallery's collection of Madonna and child art. here are some decidedly funky mothers for Mother's Day!