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More prettys at Bobby Brittnell's Studio part 1

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One of the smaller prettys using black colourwashed newspaper. This makes a great contrast for all the colours. This will be a two part post as this group produced some fabulous work right from the start. We ended up with seven students in the group which was great for me. Smaller groups means I can concentrate on each student - poor things!!! You will be getting used to seeing a lot of newspaper based work on this blog - and I'm afraid this will continue for a while as I have two more newspaper workshops coming up, one at Foredown Tower in Brighton which still has 2 places and the following week at Art Van Go which is full. If two of you wanted to join us on Monday at Foredown Tower - you can turn up on Monday and pay then - £120 for 3 days. Just email me so I know who is coming.     Three of the first samples before they were stitched.  Starting to print a larger sample be being stitched.         Starting to stitch  . . .   Out of seven student

More prettys at Bobbys

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We have had the first day of my new course Print, Paint, Stitch and Play! and things seem to have gone well so far. I love teaching in Bobby's studio, it is purpose built with plenty of space, power and water. We had a fab day painting Bondaweb and colourwashing newspaper. The group then worked through my tearing and layering process and this is what they have produced so far. They have already started stitching into the papers and tomorrow we will be printing onto them. We had a discussion tonight about how to spell Prettys or Pretties. Apparently the latter is correct but I like the former so that is the word I am going to use - I have no doubt a certain gentleman in the Portsmouth area will now be sitting with his head in his hands and shaking his head saying No! NO! As part of this process you need to be able to describe a piece you have layered up with gilding flake, sequins, glitter and all the other gorgeous sparkly bits we are using. So I have started c

'Prettys' and playtime at Denman

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The fountain in the grounds with evening sunlight on the water. Denman College has very beautiful grounds. This is going to be a lengthy post, I don't have time to write two and split the images. You may remember my recent post about my lovely group at West Dean and my saying it is not often you get a group that gels so well and that you have a lot of fun with. Well I taught another such group this week. They were great fun and very naughty!!! There is something about the groups I teach at Denman College www.denman.org.uk   They all seem to get on with each other quickly. That means they relax more and then feel comfortable being naughty! We did have a lot of fun. The course was a three day 'New Layered Textiles' workshop and basically takes the students through the processes in my book Layered Textiles. The first thing we did was paint up all the products so we would be ready to get down to work with all the products ready to play with. As usual we started

New Layered Textile Techniques at Denman College

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Beautiful repeat shapes - individual baked cheesecakes with honey sauce!!!! I am back teaching at Denman College  having a great time with a fabulous group, they are very funny and VERY naughty at times - perfect!  Denman is a beautiful place at which to teach, stunning grounds with beautiful flower borders and an amazing collection of mature specimen trees. The food is also very good . . . .   We can be healthy if we want to - with fruit salad . . . . . but if there is lemon and lime posset - no competition! The textiles studio is very spacious with plenty of power. A great place in which to play. I am very lucky to teach here. Guess who has the most messy table? The girls working hard. Torn painted Bondaweb decorated with foils, sequins and threads. Torn painted Bondaweb decorated with flower petals. A simple, but very pleasing composition.  . . . . and of course - we are using newspaper - well it is a Layered Textiles course. 

A catch up week!

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Medium sized Hot Spots! cut to shape, ironed onto black cotton and decorated with sequins, glitter and foil. This is just a quick catch up post. I have been home for a whole week - didn't get quite as much done as I wanted - The bindweed is still evident in the garden but my deck is looking very pretty. August seems to be a purple month in my garden. The Buddleias have actually come into flower at last. Everything is so slow to flower as there has been so little sunshine. My Pelargoniums (Geraniums in old language) are also just coming into flower. I have been having fun playing with Hot Spots! for an article in Stitch magazine. It is so good to have a reason to get the glitter and foils out. Playtime is now over - it is the end of a week that should have seen a sparkling clean house, Huh!!! no chance, I have been playing on Facebook and catching up with friends in the Antipodes. I always swore I would never go on Facebook but it is SO useful for keeping up with friends and