We worked on different techniques, backgrounds, stencils, beading and then lots and lots of hand stitching. It’s been such a long time since I did just hand stitching and it was fun to teach people all the different stitches. I must add that there were a lot of very experienced embroiderers there. Our final evening was celebrated by a typical Egyptian meal compliments of the management.

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 Colouricious I’ve included a few photos for you to see.

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.

alt="" title="IMG_0238" width="300" height="225" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-131" />

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 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.

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.

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.

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.