What I was doing on Tuesday

Last Tuesday saw us travelling down to the south coast to the Worthing branch of the Embroiderers Guild.  It was their Members Day, and what a lovely day it was!  I forgot to take my camera, of course, so no pictures of what everyone was doing, but I can show you what I was demonstrating.

Apologies for the shadow, but you can at least get a flavour of what we were doing.  Everyone who wanted to had a go at paper casting.  There was only time for a very basic demonstration of the technique.  The one I use does not need glue of any description to hold it all together, and I have a sneaky way of adding colour during the process, which is covered in a course rather than a demonstration.

No paintbrushes were used during this exercise!  Colour always becomes lighter as it dries, but starting with colour of any sort it sometimes better than white.

You may well recognise the patterns, which are from embossing folders, but these are not needed as I also teach the method using found  objects etc.

Colour can be added in a variety of ways, and once you start it can become quite addictive.  I use it for making tiles or beads which can be attached in a number of ways.  In fact, there are lots of uses, so if you are interested in a course or workshop for your guild or group, just get in touch.

Just a hint

I’m only giving you a glimpse.  Here’s what I’ve been working on,

and I’m ashamed to say that the only surface I could find in good light was covered in bubble wrap – so that’s what’s in the background!

If I disappear for a little while, don’t panic.  I have to go into hospital for an operation.  All will be well, but it may happen suddenly.  Business will continue as usual thanks to my trusty partner in crime……

New Year Greetings

Well, yes, this is being published on the last day of the old year, but if I leave it until tomorrow the day will almost be over for some of you!  Are you celebrating tonight?  Will you have an early night instead, and sleep through as though it’s a night like any other?  We have something planned, and I’m sure I’ll blog about it here on Sunday, although if it’s a late night  it probably won’t be until later in the day….

I’m really looking forward to 2012.  I’ll be popping up in some unexpected places, but I’ve also plans to do more of my own work in the coming year too.  The last two years have been busy, and to a certain extent that has had to be put on the back burner.  Thanks to ‘One a Day Collage‘ I have plenty of design material waiting to be exploited and expanded.

Many of you know how much I enjoy working with paper and colour.  We have had some fun workshops around the country in 2011, and there will be more in 2012.  For some time now I have been adding a colour inspiration each day here, this too will continue for the next year, with one addition.  On some days there will also be a link to a download of an adapted page.  This is free, on the basis that it is not offered for sale in any shape or form.  The first one will be published tomorrow.  It could be used as part of a journal page, printed or laminated onto fabric, etc.  If you do use it I’d love to know what you do.  Don’t be shy about leaving comments……

Lastly, I hope you all have a peaceful and happy 2012, and I want to assure you that this site will be a totally Olympic Free zone this year.  This is the first and last mention I will make.  One of the reasons I have several blogs is so that you only need to subscribe to the content you want.