Well I’ve just finished the piece of work for the class in Egypt in March. It’s comprised of lots of different backgrounds which are then enhanced with assorted mixed media techniques and heavily embellished with hand stitching and beads. I’ve even rubber stamped an image on a tea bag ( love working with tea bags ).
Someone asked me if I was happy teaching Egyptians, well they are all Brits as it’s a British company that has organized the trip www.colouricious.com I’ve included a few photos for you to see.

Well to-day is registration day at Valley Ridge, just to let everyone know. Take a look see at the great line up of teachers, really exciting. The host is the wonderful Katherine Egan who really makes your stay wonderful and the studio is set in the most breath taking surroundings. wwww.valleyridgeartstudios.com

Added a few photo from the book we’ll be making.

Always wanted to have a go at Arashi Shibori pole dyeing and after searching the internet found an artist from the UK who has a DVD on the subject. Her name is Anne Selby and she does the most amazing scarves using this technique. I had a play and was really pleased with the results,take a look.

Last month I went to “Art-is-You Art Retreat” in Danbury, Connecticut, to teach four days of workshops. What a fabulous retreat, I can highly recommend it. I’ve never been so welcomed and looked after, maybe that’s due to the two lovely ladies that run it, Sallianne and Ellen. Everyday they came into class with treats, lunch was free, games and raffles going on at the same time. Vendors night was great, wonderful and different, then, in the evening before the party started, it was cheese and wine until the fun began.
As usual I made some lovely friends, especially Clare who attended all of my classes along with her beautiful Golden Todd.

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Of course had to have a few cuddles.
For your information “Art-is-You Art Retreats” is also in Australia if you wanted to get some sight seeing in as well !
So now I’m back home and what’s next ! Well Valley Ridge workshop proposal was looming and I still hadn’t produced anything. So, taking on board what the students from last year suggested, I decided on more embroidery and as they like a book format an idea was developing. I wanted this book to be different from the rest so size was a factor and eventually came up with this, it measures 16″ high by 5″ wide. Four signatures and lots of embroidery and techniques, masking tape, “Ink Aid”, modeling paste, stencils, “Lutradur”, etc. Take a peek.

Well, once again thinking time’s my own, I’ve now got to start thinking about my workshop in Egypt with Jamie Malden from www.Colouricious , I think a little bit of everything don’t you !
Next month brings around our annual tour around New York and Brooklyn and now Pennsylvania with Andrew, Katherine and Michelle plus a couple of guests, Sallianne, Ellen and Diana Trout.

I went to England to visit family and friends as usual and decided to take a three day trip to Paris with my daughter Vicki. We took the Eurostar train over which took only two and a half hours, only draw back was the time table 5am start ( way too early for me ) Our hotel was in the Latin quarter surrounded by little eateries and very lively so we started with a French breakfast and then on to our first museum The Cluny, this is famous for the Unicorn tapestries and illuminated manuscripts.Then the Louvre on the way there we crossed one of the many bridges over the Seine, it’s called the artist bridge mainly because it’s where they set up their easels to paint. On this occasion though from a distance the sides of the bridge glistened with gold and silver and when you got closer you saw that people had fastened thousands of padlocks that were dated and initialed – great sight !

I also took a trip to Sennelier, a very famous and old art store across from the Louvre, it’s tiny and on three levels. The floors are wooden and creak as you walk along, old glass cupboards display paints, brushes, etc. The stairs to the next two levels are tiny and spiral, you have to stand and wait to let people come down before you can go up, know what I mean ?

Well after recovering from jet-lag and packing for “Art – is- You”, which is Friday 6th – 9th October in Connecticut ( I can actually drive there ), I made some time to do a piece of work for Jamie Malden who is the founder of a company called “Colouricious”. She also organizes art tours abroad and has invited me to teach in Egypt next year ( lucky me ).

Take a look at the photo below.

Just finished the altered book for the Tinsel Trading class in October, just thought I’d let you see !

Click here to go directly to the site and learn how you can sign up!

Well off I went to Chicago on Aug 24 and while waiting for the transport to take me to the Hotel met Joanne Sharpe who I’d only just met the day before on FB. What a scream !
My classes were Treasures Boxes, Just a little book and Steampunk Quilt and in these classes met some wonderful people. It was good to see repeat students from previous years, to see familiar faces.
Here are some of the happy students and their work :-

My flight home was on Saturday but due to the hurricane on the East coast ( home for me ) it got canceled twice; the next flight would be nearly a week later which I couldn’t possibly wait for. After making friends with Claude ( female ) who also was an East coast gal we decided in desperation to get the Greyhound bus home as Amtrak wasn’t running. The journey was estimated to take 17 hrs and it was horrendous but finally we got home to the welcoming site of our families. Where I live there wasn’t too much damage and we still had power but Claude wasn’t so lucky being without power and having to go to her neighbors for a shower, where would we be without good neighbors.
Yesterday was a trip into New York city to buy trims etc.from Tinsel Trading in readiness for a workshop next month. Will post a photo when it’s finished. I just have a few days to work on it as I’m off to England on Saturday for two weeks to visit family.

Well as usual VR was wonderful again ! Katherine Engen is such a wonderful host and friend, it’s like being home from home. The students have been coming for a few years now and I feel they have all become friends, each year there are always a couple of new faces added and guess what they too become friends. A girl can’t have too many friends !

We did The Stitch and Sew Book which which was crammed into two days, tough going ! It was fabulous to see all the different styles and interpretations as you can see from some of the photos.

Back from the art retreat ” Art Camp for Women ” in Winter Park Colorado. I had a wonderful time the place was really breath taking, views, wild life snow topped mountains what a beautiful place. The two gals Lori and Lorri were so organized and accommodating they even brought their own chef Becky who cooked the most amazing meals three times a day, so as you can imagine it was about eating and working. Students turned out some amazing pieces of work they worked really hard even into the night.
See for yourself below.

Well I arrived home from England on Thursday after visiting family and friends. It was chilly and raining not like the summers over here. I’m just about getting over jet lag which I really could have done without as I’m trying to get ready for my class next week at Valley Ridge with the lovely Katherine Engen. It makes it so much more enjoyable as my students are regulars and keep coming back hence a gathering of old friends. The workshop is called Stitch and Sew and it’s making a book from water color paper and machine stitching most of it.

As much as I do enjoy teaching I’ve decided that this year is going to be my last unless it’s somewhere local. Traveling and finances are not up to scratch anymore. For me personally it means I’ll have a lot more time for research and new work I’m also thinking of doing on-line workshops so who knows !

Did I mention I’m teaching at Tinsel Trading in October which is really local for me and I’m thrilled !
If you have never been to that store it is certainly worth a visit tons of vintage ribbons, lace, ephemera, buttons,beads and so much more.

Well the flight’s booked for May 27, I’m off to “Art Camp for Women” at Winter Park Colorado. I’m teaching for two days but this retreat lasts for a week where folks will be wined and dined; see info
I’m going to be teaching lots of different things, coloring and stitching metal foil, making fabric paper, making embellishments and hand stitching, so it’s going to be a busy couple of days !
Below is a photo of what’s in store.

Back from Fort Collins Colorado yesterday. I had a fabulous time, students were great so was Connie and Christine who looked after me so well. Didn’t know about the altitude which got to me eventually. Forgot to take photos but must remember it for next retreat back in Colorado at Snow Mountain Ranch,Winter Park at Art Camp For Women.