Click here to see how it all started… Well how did the paper making go? In the end, I gave up on waiting for some fine, sunny weather to dry my paper, and just did my best to keep it in drier corners of the terrace, and as a last desperate move, lay each sheet,…
Can’t pin down exactly when all this began, but for sure it was a result of the lockdown period when my daughter found herself spending long periods of time indoors — like so many others at that time of course. I recall having gifted her a set of special artists’ markers, and after having tried…
All set up to experiment with paper making — a tank full of water and paper scraps — a newly made frame with fine netting — sponge — strainer — old mixer and loads of scraps of old sheeting to dry the paper on. The only thing which is hindering progress is the new layer…
I’ve been working with my Gelli plates to produce some prints for various uses. The first set have been used for making a fun multi-colour collection of all-occasion gift tags which will add a spark of interest even to the plainest gift packaging! They are up as giveaway gifts with certain purchases in my little…
After almost 23 years in our lovely home, we have decided that it’s time to move on. If you would like more details you can visit the site I have built to display our home — and if you dream of a home in Venice, you will find all the necessary details to book a…
This is a fun project which involves simple skills. Suitable for youngsters with a little assistance, but equally appropriate for adults. Personally I have used this decoration in several ways — as a unique Christmas greetings gift to friends — as a decoration for the tree and as a festive fridge magnet. I have created…
Contains strong language ‘That rotten cow can’t do this to me – she knows that I’ve always been bloody good in biology. What’s with the woman? What difference would it make to her to let me resit the bloody exam?’ Her mother looked on helplessly in the vain hope that the moment would pass. ‘Come…
So what is intended by the word ‘pattern’? You can find several definitions of this word on internet, and here are just a couple of them: A pattern is a regularity in the world, in human-made design, or in abstract ideas. As such, the elements of a pattern repeat in a predictable manner. Definition from…
It can be a bit of a challenge to find inspiration — not everyone is brilliant at free-hand drawing and so when it comes to finding images for embroidery or card making (just to mention two possible situations) I believe many people turn to internet for suitable material. Something I have found to be useful…
Who knows — you might find something of interest in my little Etsy store — and just in case you do, why not take advantage of the 30% discount sale I’m running until the end of this month. All you need to do is purchase 2 items — can be from any category you like….
I have mentioned these sweet little pillow shaped gift boxes in the past, but have now got around to producing a couple of templates and some simple instructions for you to make them yourselves. The tools you require are very simple — a pen or pencil — a ruler — a pair of scissors, strong…
Time and energy permitting, go and visit one of the local markets. The daily food market ‘par excellence’ is certainly that at the Rialto, but you have to be up and about pretty early to see the best of that one, but for a good selection of things other than food, it is worth going…
So excited as the post person brought me some good reading material yesterday! When we first got our teeth into the barge idea a few months ago, I discovered the DBA, the UK based barge association which seemed to offer all sorts of useful advice on all that a barge owner (or potential barge owner…
‘ojo de dios’ — Standalone tutorial — suitable for kids If you are looking for relaxation, but are hopeless at knitting or crochet, this very simple craft might be of interest to you. I have led a couple of workshops suitable for all ages, in the art of the traditional ‘Ojo de Dios’ (God’s Eye)…
Downloadable patterns & charts for all levels of ability All cross-stitch patterns are created from my own designs or photographs — each pattern is supplied with a detailed colour chart for thread picking and suggestions for canvas type. The default chart uses DMC thread colourways as standard, but you can of course substitute with the…
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