Christmas cards

It feels like we've only just got over last Christmas but now we're getting requests for new Christmas designs on the website.  So in the next few weeks I will be getting to grips with robins, holly and christmas trees to see if I can put a new 'spin' on them.  However, I'm aware that many of you prefer traditional designs, so they will be there too.  Lots of work on at present as I am trying to catch up after last month's 'blip' when my husband was in hospital.  I had to get back to driving after five years off the road - and I can't say I enjoy it much. However, I have to admit that my new Citroen C1 is rather cute and could well find itself featured in a parchment design!

Painting workshop

Well ladies, some of you took a little persuading to ignore the pencils and try the paints, but YOU ALL DID IT! I'm proud to say that some of you were even pleasantly surprised at what you achieved. The painting subject was a frilly dance dress and walking round the class was like looking round a smart boutique - we had eighteen versions of the same dress and each one was unique. Well done everyone - and I promise I won't mention painting again for - well - at least two or three months!

Next Workshop at Barton on Sea

Working hard on the patterns for the next workshop, I got to wondering why so many of us  get quite panicky at the thought of painting! I think the hardest thing to master is the 'round and round' action with the paintbrush which pushes the paint along in front of the tip.  Once you've mastered that, it's really not so bad!  However, I bet when my students see that we have some painting to do at the workshop, there will be quite a few groans and lots of requests ' PLEASE can't we do it in blendable pencils !!!'  Come on ladies, be brave - you'll enjoy it, I promise!