Spring 2017 seems to have gone past in a bit of a whirl. I have taught three workshops in Devon, two in Cornwall and taken part in Cornwall Open Studios. 

It was my first Open Studios in my new space. I really enjoyed it, met lots of lovely people and ran two successful workshops.

Time to plan some workshops for the autumn now

I am teaching coptic stitch to an embroidery group in Exeter in February. I usually do this style as a small book in a two hour workshop. As this will be a day workshop I will be doing it in a larger format and needed to make up a example of the book they will be making. This has been in progress for some time and is now finally finished.

A workshop for a group of knitters in Devon around someones dining table.

A day workshop with Constantine art society down here in Cornwall

A one hour workshop for the Falmouth sketch club making a variety of simple folded and glued books.

The Children's workshops were a great success at the Dartmoor Folk Festival and I'm looking forward to doing more of these now that I've got the hang of them

I'm finally doing some proper work in the studio. Well some of it's a bit like playing, but it is preparation for some workshops this weekend so it's sort of work. I've got a workshop in the morning and one in the afternoon at the Dartmoor Folk Festival. As usual I'm trying to cram too much in so I might need to thin out my ideas, we shall see. 
There may be quite a wide age range so I'm doing basic concertina books and pocket concertina books with a variety of options for decorating them.
Here are some pictures of my samples and experiments with leaf printing, rubbings and themed concertina books.

I also thought I ought to take my paper monster bin along, but he's looking a bit sad and scruffy, so he's having some repair work done. I made this bin at least 10 years ago so he's lasted well really

We have been trying to sell our house for several years and have finally made the move from Devon down to Cornwall. It's particularly exciting for me because I now have my own studio out in the garden with wonderful views across our new garden. 

It looks quite small from the outside, but feels very roomy and light inside. I think there is space in here to have about 6 students at a time.

The garden is currently a large expanse of grass, but, being a keen gardener I have great plans for flowerbeds, shrubberies, vegetables, herbs and a dye plants garden.
..and hopefully time to fit in some bookbinding too.