Well this weekend was the annual Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace in London. It was heaving as usual, it pays to sharpen your elbows!

Amongst the many exhibitors, the Bridging Arts Sarees were on display, but more about that in the next post! I taught a class on the Learning Curve on Sunday based on my Sari design. The class was a 2 hour introduction to embroidery and we covered applique, surface stitching, beads and sequins and a little bit of goldwork.

The class in progress and the design we worked

Thanks to everyone who came, you all did a great job! It's great to see so many people producing so much work and to see that the creative world is alive and well despite the current economic climate. There was certainly alot of buying going on!

Well I've just returned from 2 weeks in the USA where I went to Oregon to teach embroidery.

 This is the project we worked inspired by an oil pastel study I worked when in Cyprus studying for my Diploma in Art. Everyone embraced my suggestion of painted backgrounds and all without exception did a wonderful job if their summer Cyprus skies!

The oranges are worked on 24 count canvas in 3 colours of orange (keep an eye on my shop for orange smelling scented threads, coming soon!) and the leaves were worked on silk in both-sides-alike fly stitch.

As always, all the students personalised their pieces (I always encourage this and they never let me down!) and we had lemons, apples and pomegranites going on!

If anyone from the Portland class is reading this and would like to share their finished piece (hint hint) please e-mail me!

Joining me were Lois (not pictured), Sharon, Jeri, Joan, Paula, Pat, Mary Jean, Pat and Lori. Thanks to all for a great week and to Lori H for inviting me back again and again!

More on my USA trip to follow...