​
​Working away in the studio getting ready for the Artisans' market on Nov 13th. Details available on the creativejourneys.co.nz website. I have made lots of little books in various styles. Have also made packs of gorgeous gift tags, vintage -inspired Xmas bird ornaments and some mounted collage artworks. These have turned out really well. They are ready to put straight into a frame, or wrap as a unique gift item. Affordable art .

Sunday Nov 13th is the date set for the next Nelson Artisans Market. It is to be held in the Trafalgar St hall. I am having a stall selling paperworks. I have been making small books, cards, gift tags with a unique look. I have also used recycled sheet music as the basis for a small line of Xmas trees , stars and Birds. These have a vintage look to them. There will also be some collage packs for sale to inspire new art or supplement your stash.
​Come along and see for yourself.....

After a busy few weeks I am now looking ahead to the upcoming months. I am offering a one day class called 'Simple Books and Bindings", which is a great intro to people wanting to make their own books. (See the Upcoming Events page for more details.) Jo and I, as part of the Creative Journeys team are organising another Artisans' Market on November 13th in Nelson. I am making paper based items for this. I plan to have a selection of small books in various styles, gift cards and tags, and I am doing small collages which are mounted on card. These are A4 sized and ideal small artworks for gifts. 
​

I have just completed the piece which will be my tutor piece for the Sew Marlborough mini Symposium starting this Thursday in Blenheim. It is called 'Lost'. I stitched the face from the back of the quilt using a heavier thread in the bobbin to give a sketchy look to the drawing. I have painted, stamped and stencilled on to the front and then done a lot of intensive stitching . I have used lots of different weights and colours of threads as I wanted a rich, painterly surface. I also cut out some shapes from the edges and stitched those on to the surface in places.

I have been reading a library book about life in Paris in the early 1920's. It has a rosy view I know, but it reminded me of many of the things I love about Paris. I have been lucky enough to have had four trips there. The first couple of times we did lots of touristy things such as the Louvre etc, but the last trip we simply enjoyed being there. We wandered around Montmartre, along the Seine and ate at cafes. We used our limited French whenever possible , received many laughs and raised eyebrows from the Parisians, but Paris wrapped itself around our hearts as it has done for many others before us. I did lots of little drawings and notes in my journal. This helps to keep it all fresh in my mind as we are in winter on the other side of the world.