Thanks to everyone that got in touch after my article in Workshop on the Web. I was overwhelmed with the response. So pleased you liked it. Theres another one coming up in September, totally different, more about that closer to the time.
Thanks too for all the interest shown in the Fibre in-Form website and the online workshops which Carol and I hope to provide some time soon.

My May swap partner for the Calendar Girls 2008 was Debbi and this is the card I sent her.I used the same technique as I did for the 'quilts' I showed recently. Quilted and painted calico with painted Tyvek paper on the top.I wanted to use the wording on this months calendar page rather than the picture itself and I also wanted to use the techniques that I have been working on lately.
So I quilted a piece of calico for the background which I then painted with acrylics – the usual mix, Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold and Paynes Grey – and rubbed over the top with Treasure Gold.
I then painted some 100 gms Tyvek paper with Walnut Ink followed by a wash of acrylic paint in the above colours. Pieces were then cut out using the soldering iron, stitched down with gold thread followed by a rubbing of Treasure Gold.
I printed the slogan on one piece and in the centre of the heart I printed a footprint – a Buddha footprint. Which both show up much better than they do in the photographs.The Buddha footprint has various symbols on it representing different meanings which I have explained on the Calendar Girls blog. Take a look there too at the other wonderful cards that have been created. As Doreen says, the bar keeps being raised each month :)

I have now finished the 'quilt' for the ALQS and it will be delivered to my partner shortly. I always put quilt in 'quotation marks' as I'm not sure how others feel about calling this piece a quilt as it isn't really one in the traditional sense of the word. Maybe it would fit in the category 'Art Quilt'?I was quite pleased with the 'pole' I made especially for the photograph. Its just a cardboard tube with tyvek paper attached that has been stained with Walnut Ink and then painted with a wash of acrylics.

A few weeks back I bought a new pair of shoes/trainers and they came in this wonderful box.Couldn't resist doing something with the fly. Do hope this isn't breach of copyright. I scanned him (?) in...changed the scan to greyscale, tidied it up a bit, printed it off... and did my bit with him - twice - using acrylic paints, inks and organza. Early days yet though :)

Sometime ago in the Saatchi Gallery there was a piece on display by Damien Hurst. It was a framed piece, about a metre square. From a distance the little jewels caught the light and it looked fabulous, very beautiful and intriguing. Closer inspection revealed it to be a mass of tightly packed bluebottle flies. It was disgusting. Such a strange feeling to be both awe inspired and revolted at the same time.