Crafting Courses
Papercutting, patchworking (various and assorted), and creative textiles are brought right up to date with a contemporary spin in my fun craft courses. ‘Inspiring’, ‘fun’, and ‘wonderful’ are words often used by my students to describe my courses, so whether you are a crafting novice or more experienced maker, why not treat yourself to some quality crafty time. As well as courses throughout the UK, I also do private talks and classes.
CREATIVE PAPER CUTTING
Paper cutting is the on trend craft of the moment, but it dates back many years and is an international craft with traditions in China, Mexico and Poland.
MACHINE PATCHWORK
Machine stitched patchwork enables speedy production of all manner of items: designs can evolve organically resulting in unique pieces.
HANDSTICHED PATCHWORK
Hand stitched patchwork with or without templates, has a rich history spanning several centuries, whilst being right up to date with its recycling ethos and therapeutic benefits.
CHRISTMAS MAKES
Hand embroidered calico stars and hearts, patchwork stars and fabric wreaths make perfect Christmas decorations and are fun to make.
UPCOMING COURSES & TALKS
For further details, click on the link or message me
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PRIVATE WORKSHOPS
If you’ve got a special occasion coming up, a birthday perhaps, or anniversary, a hen party or may be you just want to have some crafty time with friends, I am very happy to organize something special , this could be paper cutting or stitching. Drop me a line, to chat through your idea.
TALKS
I regularly give talks to interested groups including WI, U3A and patchworking groups. I offer four different talks all of which are well illustrated with lots of images and hands on resources.
Playing with Knives: Paper cutting
This is a craft that I practice myself. I am self taught, and have built up a small business selling my typographic designs. The talk covers international aspects of paper cutting, a bit of history, techniques, popularity and my own take on it. A couple of years ago I was featured on BBC4’s ‘Make! Craft Britain’ demonstrating and teaching paper cutting.
Feedback
‘What an amazing talk you gave us last night – we were all buzzing, and it was such an entertaining evening. Thank you so much. You were recommended to us from another WI, and we shall certainly pass on your name to others. (I imagine we will be in touch again in the future!)’
Working for Auntie: Behind the scenes at the BBC as a graphic designer
I was a graphic designer at the BBC for 13 years and worked on shows as diverse as the Queen’s Christmas Speech, ‘Our Friends in the North’ and ‘Foyles War’. I have numerous show reels, story boards and art works to show. I received several international awards for my work including a BAFTA nomination for my work on ‘Cambridge Spies’.
Feedback
‘I’d just like to say a huge thank you for your lively and fascinating talk this afternoon. I have already had plenty of emails to say how much people enjoyed it and I am certain that there will be more to come. What a fabulous career you have had, working on such a variety of programmes with so much energy and versatility. It was especially mind-blowing to see all the details which we often miss when watching a programme. My husband has just commented that he would have loved to have had your job and he won’t commit the sacrilege of fast forwarding through the opening credits any more! It’s not just the wonderful work that you shared however, but the clarity and energy with which you presented it to us.’
Patchwork: Bust the Rules and Get Creative
I have been patchworking since I was a child and have made numerous quilts over the years. I have a very creative and liberating approach to patchworking, throwing out most of the rules, recycling wherever possible and creating unique pieces. I reference my influences and explain some of the different techniques I use, from the quilts of Gees Bend to Japanese Boro.
Feedback
‘Bust the rules and get creative, you certainly did that! You had the group absorbed in your stories and how your fabric was found. It was a very entertaining evening.’
A Life in Stitches: a look at some of the stitched projects I have been involved in
I have been stitching for as long as I can remember – starting with dresses and a patchwork quilt for my teddy bear, through to co designing and writing a book about needlepoint, stitching velvet scarves for the opening night of ‘Mary Poppins’ on Broadway, sewing buttons on to the original Pudsey bear.
Feedback
‘Well, that was a splendid talk you gave us earlier. Thank you so very much. Your work is so diverse and gorgeous and your stories put everything into their own interesting contexts. You’re so entertaining too. I must say that I had a smile on my face for the duration!’
‘What a lovely talk. Your boundless energy and ‘can do’ attitude to projects coming your way was so inspiring. I was particularly taken with the Boro pieces you had done, so similar to Kantha which I love doing. I was chuckling at your bags and bags of every decreasing sizes of fabrics.’
