Lace-Makers of Bologna * Exhibition * 1 - 9 June 2014

The fabulous work of this incredible group of lovers of traditional needle-made lace will be on show again this year in the wonderful arcaded, ancient university city of Bologna, famous for its two great towers. The unmissable exhibition opens Saturday 1 June at 4.30pm and continues until 9 June each day from 10am - 12.30pm and 3.30pm - 7pm at the Oratorio dei Teatini, Basilica dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano, Strada Maggiore, 4 - 40125 Bologna.

First Bath Textile Summer School * 18-23 August 2014

Don't miss on a thrilling needlework adventure organized by Lynne Roche, the famous doll-maker. Come to the beautiful city of Bath, in the summer of next year to learn from some of the most exciting internationally renowned textile artists and teachers. Also enjoy the venues where the workshops will take place - the American Museum and the Holburne Museum. Both the museums have fantastic textiles amongst their unique collections which you can see excerpted here and participants will be able to immerse themselves in the museums' treasures.

The Summer School will take place from Monday 18 August to Saturday 23 August when there will be a textile fair at the American Museum. The Summer School takes place against a backdrop of a greatly anticipated retrospective exhibition of Kaffe Fassett in the gallery at the American Museum. There will be nine 2-day workshops to choose from in an exciting program of textile technique and creativity. Not forgetting a free day to enjoy Bath, when there will be a super program of optional diverse textile related lectures at the Holburne Museum, a morning walk around the city in the company of Dr Allan Phillipson who will bring the city alive telling of its extraordinary history and past inhabitants both real and fictional. Finishing with a get-together and supper in the Holburne's lovely new café.

You are welcome to come to just one workshop but why not sign up for the whole week and enjoy 2 workshops and all the activities on offer! At the moment the tutors include: Janet Bolton; Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn; Lesley Turpin Delport from South Africa; Nikki Delport Wepener from South Africa and Hong Kong; Jenny Adin-Christie; Sandra Meech. Please register your interest in taking part by emailing Lynne now.

Mr Kipling's Rather Good Samplers at Bateman's & More

Spring has sprung and as it was later this year, it seems that everything has burst out together in a wild frothy compression. Yesterday while biking along the tops of the South Downs (actually I was more blown along than bowling along) I saw oxlips and rare wild orchids. It was lovely to be out and about again after a bit of misery with a chopped off finger tip. One of my recent convalescent outings was to Bateman's in Burwash, once home to Rudyard Kipling of Jungle Book fame.

The house is owned by the National Trust, and we were allowed some grab shots inside the house. I was told that photography is permissible without flash. Evidently each house has a ration of light which must not be exceeded, and that is why no flash is allowed. This restriction is to avoid as much as possible deterioration caused by light. Bateman's has 4 map samplers including one of Europe, and 2 other samplers.

What is really astonishing is a whole wall covered in Cordoba leather which has been gilded and painted to look like the most gorgeous palimpore. This wonderful piece is from the early 18th century and gives you an idea of how much inspiration for embroidery surrounded the well-to-do girls of the house - and of course how much embroidered and printed textiles from the Far East influenced general house decoration. The Kiplings commissioned the Royal School of Needlework to furnish embroidered cushions and hangings for a four poster bed to match their 17th century collection of furniture.

Bateman's is a beautiful place to go sampler spotting. It has its own mill that produces flour for sale (down by the race amongst the wild garlic and sweet perfumed balsalm poplars), an excellent tea room and gift shop, and wonderful paths to explore through the rolling Sussex hills

baa ram ewe at Cockermouth Woolfest * 28/29 June 2013

If you ever have the pleasure to be in the historic spa town of Harrogate in Yorkshire, be sure, after you have fortified yourself at Betty's Café, to visit baa ram ewe at 23 Cold Bath Gardens.

There you will find everything you need in knitting paradise.

And more - I love these polka dot tipped knitting needles and below the herdy stitch counters.

And don't forget you can see baa ram ewe and many other yarn delights at the Cockermouth Woolfest this year.

Click here for more details. Thank you to Lea for sharing this news.