Another Hand Stitched Sentinelle

I  have finished another hand stitched sentinelle and she measures 20 cm x 44 cm. I found this sentinelle difficult to work with simply because she is  blue, even though I use blue, is not one of my favourite colours, though I do collect ceramics with blue. I do love a deep indigo colour though. The sentinelle has been preprinted with a linocut and then hand stitched/embellished ( see my earlier pics of printed panels). The sentinelle hand printed panels are for sale for $15 AUS and the stitched sentinelle is for sale also for $160 AUS plus postage. Our postage charges have gone up yet again at the beginning of this month- this is about the 6th time in a matter of three years!

Last Chance!
There is still time to book and pay for the Tour of France starting 11 April- there are still some places left and you will get to travel and see  the things that i love about travel and that inspire me to create work influenced by travel.We are a small group so there will be plenty of time to experience and do, and enjoy the ambience of life in France and Paris.It really will be a fabulous trip- I am so looking forward to our stay in Paris and showing you fabulous museums and sharing  stories over a coffee or glass of wine and revisiting the  Bayeaux Tapestry, which to me is one of the Textile Wonders of the World! If you are interested it is best to contact Custodian Travel direct at this stage.We will get to enjoy Quilt Expo Beaujolais and the surrounding wine region- anyway it's up to you if you want to see a little of the world my way!

During the week I called into KraftKolour at their new premises in Thomastown- after their  devastating loss of everything in the bushfires of 2009. Bonnie and Graeme have had to rebuild their business from scratch, their home from scratch and their lives- they managed to save their dogs and somehow miraculously their horses survived. I always like to touch base with people- email is good and well, but there is nothing like sitting down with a cup of coffee and catching up with  what people are doing. The wonderful thing about Kraftkolour is that they are setting up a purpose built  surface design studio where classes will be given, so contact them for a class schedule. Hopefully I shall be giving a few classes there in the second half of the year. One of their first classes is with Jane Sassaman- Abstracting from Nature- from 19-21 April 2012. Check out the link if you are unfamiliar with Jane's work- and what a wonderful opportunity for Australians to take a three day class with such a wonderful textile artist as Jane.

I will hopefully be teaching at the Wrapt in Rocky 2012  from 24 June until 29 June- a five day program. I shall be teaching my Travellers Blanket class which will be a lot of fun and hopefully get  a lot of stitching done over the five days and share lots of stories.! Come and join us - as it promises to be a very inspiring week with  lots of fun things to enjoy.

And on another note I have been accepted into the NEIS scheme  as I hope to change  the direction of my business a little as i am struggling to survive in the tough economic climate and with our  ridiculously overvalued dollar.I have been unable to find a job despite applying for many  and have become a little dispirited as a result, as i actually have so many things to share and give. I will still print fabrics and make things that i hope to sell, but unfortunately I cannot live on air , so it will be good to revise my business, add new aspects to it, and get some mentoring so that I can survive and support my children.

Ohhh and a question; I want to revamp my workshop list-  what would you like to see me teach and what things should be included on a workshop list?