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Playing with KK Glue and embossing pads and pen . . . and stencils . . . and . .

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KK Glue 'anchored' to space dyed S80 (pelmet Vilene) with embossing stamp pad sticky stuff,  then foiled with transfer foil after fixing. Have had a great day today. I met my dear friend Diana Wright this morning for a long, chatty coffee session. Diana lives in Devon so I don't get to see her very often, she was in Brighton visiting family. Diana is co-ordinating my 'tour' of Devon and Cornwall next April/May. Being the vice president of the West Country Embroiderers, Diana knows just about everyone in that area. It was soooo good to see you Diana - I know you will be reading this. Once back home I felt a bit creative so decided to have a play for a few hours instead of clearing up my house - I know - I need to get it done soon!!! I have been experimenting with KK Glue on and off for several months now. Checking it is washable with transfer foils. All my tests have worked out well I am very pleased to say. I have established that the KK Glue wo

A great show at Excel London - Fashion & Embroidery 27 - 29 March

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One of the fab samples from one of my workshops at Excel. The Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts Show at Excel was splendid. It was very busy. I haven't seen a show that consistently busy every day for a long time. It was interesting to see and meet so many new visitors. Roughly half of the visitors were aware of the more experimental side of textiles and the other half were well informed. It was a fascinating mix - I have never known this before and I have done a lot of shows.  Apart from having my own stand, I also ran The Vilene Workshop as I did the previous weekend at the NEC. At this show the tutors were, myself, Fran Holmes, Tina Francis, Jayne Routley and Wendy Dolan.  I was given extra space for a small part of the end of the year show of Experimental Textiles that was at the NEC the previous weekend. It was very well received and I had several enquiries about enrolments. Some of my students work on my stand. Getting my stand ready, this is Jayne

From one show at the NEC to another at Excel, Docklands.

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A splendid sparkly sample. So - that's The NEC done and dusted, at least until August anyway. The Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch Show was great fun and was very busy. I have various roles at the show, it is my busiest show of the year. One of my roles is to run the Vilene Workshop. 5 x 45 minute workshops a day with 5 different tutors. This year it was Lynda Monk, me, Fran Holmes, Tina Francis and Jayne Routley. One of my workshops getting under way. The workshops are free and are always popular. I will be running similar workshops at Excel from Friday - www.fashionembroidery.co.uk/london/workshops. I will also be giving a lecture every day. These are some of the samples the ladies produced in 45 minutes. Lots of sparkle and twinkle on painted Bondaweb. My workshop is 'Sparkle and Twinkle' , using all manner of sparkle and transfer foils on painted Bondaweb. This process makes fabulous surfaces for stitch. The other tutors had sta