These sugar plaques are commissioned by Alain Roux of The Waterside Inn, Bray. Alain Roux makes the delicate plaques then I design and draw the image on them. They go out with the dessert trolley for birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions. The Waterside is the most wonderful restaurant - exquisite cuisine, formal yet friendly and a beautiful setting in the little village of Bray on the banks of the river Thames  www.waterside-inn.co.uk

Made some preparatory sketches for a mural for small persons wall. She adores merry go rounds so that had to be the central theme and also horses and ducks so they have been incorporated around the design.

I have always been a fan of the traditional brown lino that smells delisciously of linseed oil but it seems the only one available is the slightly less smelly grey. It carves pretty well, no crumbling and easy to make flowing slick lines.

We found a great second hand furniture shop at the back of the business park in White Waltham and bought this foot stool for a tenner. It had horrible fabric on it so we unpicked all the old staples that was holding it down and then staple gunned on a kilim that we had languishing in the attic

Very happy feet

Children off to school, cup of tea at the ready and lino waiting to be inked

I am trying a new ink out, Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink - it rolled up really well onto the lino. I used Fabriano artisano paper and it printed just as well as an oil ink. 

Here is the print, shall hang it up and see how long the ink takes to dry. The plate, roller and tools washed up really well but I needed to use a very generous amount of washing up liquid not just hand soap as they recommended.

ho ho ho

Was inspired by the Sewing Bee on telly last night and have started a few DIY Christmas decorations. Just the thing to do when it is pouring with rain outside:  snuggle up with youngest on the sofa and do a bit of festive hand stitching.

click to enlarge   Yesterday had a fab Christmas treat with my sewing friend - learning to make fabric coil pots at Lady Sew and Sew in Henley, www.ladysewandsew.co.uk The course was run by Helen Deighan a renowned textile artist. An example of her work is on the right. Basically it is wrapping leftover strips of fabric around cord that is then stitched together. I did not finish my pot in one day so carried on in the evening. The fabric wrapping took ages so husband was roped (!) in. Eldest daughter then started on making a pot too.... Is it a pot..is it a fez? not quite sure up to bags yet but a brilliant way to use up scraps.