The Weavers by Jo Frazer at The National Portrait Gallery, London

Last week I took a day's holiday and popped into London with Richard. We thought we needed to try the new cable car across the Thames at Greenwich. The experience scores 20 out of 10 - it was fabulous and at £3.50 for the crossing and the fantastic views it is not to be missed. We passed up the visit to the top of The Shard - for £24.95 not including champagne! We then went along to see the 2012 Annual BP portrait awards at the National Portrait Gallery and Richard lost me as I was more interested in this picture which was the winner of the BP travel awards for 2011. Entitled The Weavers, it was painted by Jo Fraser.

Jo spent a long time in Peru with the women making studies for the picture and the display at the National Portrait Gallery includes many studies together with samples of woven bands that she brought home.

I think it is a really inspired work and it is good to see traditional crafts being so expertly and compassionately recorded. Here is Jo with her work. To see the journey of her work, click here.

Janet Bolton Courses at West Dean - October 2012

Just about everyone I know loves the mini applique designs of Janet Bolton, and what is more they love being taught by her. So, the excellent news is that Janet is back teaching at West Dean Collecge this autumn. There is a one-day taster event on 23 October 2012 which is suitable for beginners and costs £81. Click here for more details or to book. There is also a long weekend course running from 19-22 October 2012 which costs £273 without accommodation. For more details of this course or to book, click here. The courses fill quickly. I have to say the courses are magnificent at West Dean - as are the facilites and food.

Try staying at West Dean College during a long course for some very special luxury - I am sure you are worth it!

Deerfield Embroideries - Giveaway Draw Winner

Another huge entry this week for this charming booklet with illustrations of some of the fabulous textiles at Deerfield, Massachusetts. I am delighted to say the winner is Christine from Australia.

Hannah Gilpin Beautifully Finished by Teresa in California

I gasped when I saw this incredibly graceful finish to Hannah Gilpin's sampler which was stitched by Teresa. I have to say Hannah Gilpin's sampler is probably my favourite simply because of its lovely restrained palette of warm shades of grey-brown. Teresa says: I have my beautiful Hannah Gilpin sampler back from the framer. The frame is a perfect compliment to the embroidery. I am so happy with it. This is the largest needlework project I have ever attempted. It's taken me about 18 months or so to complete. I lost a lot of stitching time last summer due to my thumb injury. Otherwise, I continually stitched on it every free moment. This was not one of my many projects that was started and then put aside!

Teresa adds: I hope anyone who takes up this sampler or is currently stitching it enjoys it as much as I did. And here we can have a closer peek at that fabulous frame which is so perfect a companion for this superb heirloom sampler. Thank you for sharing your truly inspirational work, Teresa. We hope that your thumb is better now.
Download. Hannah's sampler is stitched in gentle shades of brown on cream. The chart comes with an eBook of all the Gilpin samplers in the Ackworth collection.