This is what my studio or cave as I affectionately call it used to look like. The reason it is called 'The Cave' is pretty obvious really - it is 11 metres long and only 2.5 metres wide. There is a little shower room at one end, a sink, a sewing bench with space for 3 machines and as you can see quite a bit of shelf space. Sadly it doesn't look quite like this these days. For one, the chairs for relaxing (yikes! what's that?) are gone, replaced by a desk for drawing and painting. For another, in accordance with well-accepted principles, the stash has grown .... and grown ... and been culled ... and grown .... and you get the picture. There has been a major tidying up campaign under way for the past few weeks, but it still doesn't look this good. I guess the message is try harder.

I have decided to continue with the City and Guilds course at Distant Stitch with Siân Martin, but I am going to change my reseach topic or theme, and go with something to do with architecture. This is a subject that I feel comfortable with - 5 years of study might have something to do with that, as well as a lifetime passion. At the moment I am still reading through the revised Module, but my brain is ticking over with ideas.

Lutradur and Lace

This was made in response to a challenge issued by a new e-zine 'Fibre&Stitch' - to make something out of Lutradur, lace and scrim. This is my response, using black Lutradur, various black laces and nappy/diaper liners which I painted gold and heat distressed. I added little gold highlights, plus some embroidery and beading.

I took too long to get the photo up to take part in the judging, but since I don't really care for peer judging that's no big deal for me.

Not sure yet what this will become - maybe part of a book/journal cover.

My studio is now reasonably tidy - at least enough that I can see my way around and do something. Waiting for me, with the clock ticking inexorably, are my Distant Stitch C&G work, plus an outfit to wear to my son's wedding on 1 December. My Dearly Beloved bought me a burgundy-with-gold-thread-embroidery sari a few months ago on one of his forays into the big city, and last week he went again with instructions to come home with something to match for pants and a longish tunic. The sari will then become a loose kimono-style jacket. He did exceptionally well (as usual), and I now have some burgundy French crepe. And I can't put the sewing off much longer.

I haven't yet worked out how to load more than one photo per post on this blog, so the other stuff will have to wait.