Blue

Teaching an oriental inspired blue and white course at the Fat Quarters today. Here is a taste of what the students were up to. They had only just started the embroidery at this stage. The course booked up very quickly so I am running it again at the same venue on Sat 9th July so check out the details HERE

Red Cat

Continuing with workshop samples. I am always trying to achieve a naievity  that you find in old American appliquéd quilts. Cats  and dogs feature heavily in those old quilts . I think I may have over worked these a bit… but I guess  you cat lovers out there might appreciate them!

Brown Bear, White Bear

Been doing some new samples to show students on my "Animal Applique" course on Sunday May 15th. There are still places if you are interested. Info HERE

Wolf

I have been teaching an animal collage course this weekend in Halifax. It has made me revisit the themes myself and I have made this wolf in the last couple of days on to the base of a really interesting piece of shabby quilt. I will be putting it on Etsy soon. 

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 .