Author: Ruth Singer

Just a couple of the bags made by students last week. Another really talented group. This purple bag was made by someone who had never done ANY sewing before. I was hugely impressed by the way she worked so hard to get it absolutely right and made a lovely bag. I’ve spent the last 24…

One of the great things about running workshops around the country is that I get to visit some stunning places. Having a car has made a huge difference to what I can get to do. Last weekend after teaching in Dorset I spent a very windy night camping and then the next day exploring the…

So – what do you think these are? I would have thought it was clear, seeing as they are on a cake stand…. Iced Gems of course. My knitting group are working on a knitted tea for Hove Museum‘s Knitting Week extravaganza. Being as I am, I can’t just follow the (admittedly fantastic) patterns that…

I finally got stuck into writing up my business plan today. It’s about time – I have two meetings on Thursday to discuss it! It was strangely enjoyable. I do actually like this kind of thing, and I almost miss my old job sometimes. I was adult education officer at the V&A until just over…

A little aside just because I want to share these pictures that I look a couple of weeks ago on the Wey navigation. So actually this is canalised river, not actual canal, but it’s near enough and it has narrowboats! This is the other side of me, away from contemporary craft and design, I suppose.…

Don’t get me wrong, I do love teaching handbag-making classes, but I have now done three in the last eight days and the nearest was 100 miles away, and I am getting a little exhausted with them! I was relieved that this weekend’s was the last this year. However, it was such a success they…

I’ve been away too long! I had a week away, sort of time off, but also working – teaching a couple of handbag-making courses, of which more anon. I’ve been too busy catching up with myself to blog this week, which has been frustrating – and equally it’s being a challenge to catch up on…

I bought this Japanese pattern book on ebay, having at last discovered who sells them in the UK. I have totally forgotten where I got the link – thank you whoever it was- but the ebay seller has all sorts ofinspiring Japanese craft books. I had never heard of these books until I got sucked…

I’ve been asked to say more about courses that I am running. I’ve only got a couple more in the diary this year – all handbag making courses. This weekend I am running two in Leicester – one for 12-17 year olds on Friday and one for adults on Saturday. On 2nd September I will…

I’ve been wanting to enter a Whiplash competition for months, and always catch on to it too late. I bought this silk blouse second-hand a while ago for a Wardrobe Refashion project so when the two came together, I realised my time had come. It’s lovely lightweight silk damask blouse with pretty weave pattern. It…