....Janet Bolton been and gone...

We have just had the most wonderful workshop with the eternally creative Janet Bolton;  a full house of enthusiastic stitchers were given her undivided attention for five fabulous days and some of the results can be seen below. 

We always enjoy hosting our workshops, but Janet takes the whole experience up a notch, sharing her experience and offcuts of fabrics with equal generosity.  We are already planning a return visit from her in May next year, so do let us know if you would like to add your name to the waiting list.

At the end of September, the lovely Rosalind Wyatt will be returning to give her second stitched calligraphy workshop with us, GRAFTED WORDS.  In the most recent issue of   Crafts Magazine Ros was asked to give her advice to would-be artists and crafters:

"Don't be too precious about your work.  People are going to copy you but actually that's OK, just stay ahead of them.  I believe that if your work is good and you keep developing, those copiers will be left behind.  I see it as a compliment rather than being threatened by it. The other thing I've discovered is not to force you creativity.  You have to work really hard and be committed, but be holistic in your approach because, for me anyway, it's alive path.  Often being creative means not being creative but just downing tools and resting.  If that means gong for a walk when things aren't happening, do that.  I meditate daily because I find it's a good way of clearing the slate and I go on retreat every year."

If you're a regular blog reader you might be interested in popping over to Nancy Edmunds' Hen House Studio from time to time.   Nancy lives on a farm in Oregon, USA and her regular posts are full of colour and general stitchery.  Through her we are offering a 10% discount if you book for Rosalind's workshop - we only have two places left, so don't delay!