Urchfont Delights

Hi Again - yes, it's me, the errant blogger who has been neglecting her post. Been frantically busy, lots of trips to the DIY store as well as finishing the classes for the mixed media book.
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Here's a sneaky look at a sample from the next class.
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Oh yes, and the garden did call a bit, as well. Add to that the fact that I sneaked off to Urchfont College and had a wonderful couple of days - so, a bit of fun too. I belong to a group that meets three times a year and, while we don't have a tutor as such, we are all very generous at sharing our ideas. We also help each other when stuck on a piece of work. It's amazing what other people can see that you can't. We have a space for another member so, if you are interested in a two night course in Wiltshire (near Devizes) and are prepared to abandon your diet for a few days, drop me an email.
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Although we don't have a tutor as such and tend to do our own work, we also have themes where we'll take a topic or a technique and all have a play. Our next theme is stiffening and wiggling (no obscene comments, please). So what do we do?
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Well, Jane Wild had found a wonderful set of American water colours and produced some amazing results.

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She is very generous with her considerable knowledge and has given us some exciting drawing tutorials.
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You'll all know Anna from her blog - she is making costumes for an exhibition at the Urchfont open day in July. That will be well worth seeing.
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Chris is a quilter and did all her finishing off bits - you can tell I'm not a quilter, can't you?

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Sue is our organiser and also has great ideas for work. Here she is busy deconstructing a piece.

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' And putting it back together again.
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So, if you'd care to join our happy band drop me an email and I'll tell you more. maggie@workshopontheweb.com
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I'm sure you'd love it.

Silk and Sanitation

Amo - we are indeed holding onto our sanitation and at last have something in place to hold on to. We are very nearly there, as you can see. There is still a very slight loo leak for the plumber to sort out and a bit of painting, but I could at last clean up. As it's all shades of grey I decided on sharp pink accents but haven't had time to go and buy any so it was down to a desperate search around the house. I came up with an orchid, some tulips and a pale pink china box that Val gave me. Not bad for a quick sweep. The blind man came and measured us and rasperry pink blinds should soon be in situ. Oops, should have moved the toothbrush - just ignore it.

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So glad we went for the slatey tiles over the bath as I think the big pale grey ones might look a bit insipid all over. The hand shower is for washing hair in the bath - too much information?

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Back to things stitchy and lesson two of the on-line classes. We're continuing with a silk paper theme and I'm making something that I'm quite excited about. It's all to do with buttonholes. I'm also having fun with a large lump of silk that was purchased from Oliver Twists, I think she called it silk lapp - I'm no expert so does that sound right? It comes in a big hunk like this in wonderful colours.
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I'd had some success by making a very thin layer of silk paper with it and then pulling out more of the the silk into a lattice shape and laying it over while the base was wet.

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This produced an interesting surface which looks lovely when the light shines through it.
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Current experiments, for lesson 2, involve making use of the fact that the silk forms a tube - see below.
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If you want to join our classes, they are free if you have the Mixed Media: New Studio Techniques (written with Isobel Hall) details at www.d4daisy.com
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I am a reluctant blogger today as the weather is wonderful. It's one of those warm, sunny days that we sometimes get in February and we have been for a huge walk, exploring our new trails. Went through woods, a farmyard, a snowdrop bank and lots of puddles. All without getting in the car. Heaven.

Signs of Spring and Melting Stuff

At last - a warm, dry day. According to the forecast, it's a one-off but it's been so lovely to have a really good walk. Having a new garden is interesting, too, as it's all a complete surprise. I've got daffs in the woody bit and really lovely crocus, with pretty orange centres, behind the summer house. I spent a fortune in one of the plant catalogues before Clive reminded me, after it was posted, that there might not be room for all this new stuff when what's there already comes up!

I opened the door of the summer house to air it a bit and Smudge thought it was great - he immediately stretched out on a sofa - I think he'll enjoy the alfresco life.

The classes have started and we have immediately found fun things to do with clear embossing powder. Gill had a play and inspired me to have a go, mixing it with Perfect Pearls. It melts down so well (no melting pot or ladle).

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I loved the shape and made this cute little brooch.

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Thanks for the comments: Hi to Heather - great to see your name on the Yahoo list, glad you're enjoying the class.

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I wanted that Pat Hodson book too, Celia - apparently she is doing a book, don't know who with - wish it was d4daisy.

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Hi Emma - the classes will always be there, although the Yahoo group - where we chat and share ideas - is limited to six months or so.

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Penny - I hope Isobel is OK. I haven't heard from her and she hasn't popped up on the Yahoo group yet, so I guess she is either in the middle of teaching or she has a dodgy dongle.

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Liniecat - yes, I was only briefly at Harrogate to help set up our Wessex Textiles exhibition. Thanks for getting the book at our stand. Thanks also for the kind words about the book and the classes. I do view them as an extension of the books and love the chance to meet the readers. Now I don't teach so much, it is great to have a bit of interaction.

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The bathroom saga - a bit of a knife edge as the plumber is going on holiday next week and he still has to fit the loo and the radiator. He can't fit the loo until the floor is done and that is underway at the moment.

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Will the floor be finished in time for the plumber? Will the house ever be empty of bathroom bits that can't be stored in the garage? Will Maggie and Clive hold on to their sanity? Don't miss the next exciting episode.

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