Well a busy few days - not only completing a piece for my sister's birthday but finally going to the Hockney Exhibition and also taking the plunge and "opening" my Etsy shop - no buyers yet but quite a lot of interest - and for anyone reading this who is interested it's called Gilli's Creative Stitchery. I've got a few things listed at present and plan to put on a couple of cushion covers soon as well as some more decorative birds in some London themed prints. I must give my daughter a mention here for not only encouraging me to do this but also in posting the link on her Facebook page.

I also have two commissions which I'm very excited about, one is from my sister and the other is from a friend of my daughter and son-in-law who has requested a quilt similar to the one I made Charlie for his 21st
"Sweet Dreams are Made of This"

So the next stage is to work out some costings! And for the commission from my sister get together with her next week to start discussing design ideas/fabrics etc.

I don't expect to give up the day job but it will be good if I can can at least finance my hobby - and it's just exciting to be taking this next step - and of course it will feed in to the E17 Art Trail - and after all until you try something you don't know what might happen. 

Finally here are a couple of photos of a candle holder I recently made for friends who were celebrating their golden Wedding Anniversary.

Obvious colour scheme - and I also used some Angelina Fibres in which gave an additional iridescence to the piece. 

I'm just finishing off the piece I'm making for my sisters birthday - just got to put on the hanging sleeve and label now - I'm pleased with it and hope she is - it was quite a challenge as I don't want to disappoint her and in designing it I tried to make it personal to her.