Working in tandem with my friend Denise Watts at the 2009 lace holiday at Le Vieux Monastère, France, gives an outstanding opportunity to examine in real depth the creation of Texture in bobbin lace.

For Denise works as small as I (sometimes) work big, and I delve into design to allow my textures to develop quite simply from the combination of interesting yarns and colours, while Denise often creates hers spontaneously and with huge ingenuity.

We are most grateful to Robin Smith at Texere for agreeing to sponsor us again this year. I had the unexpected opportunity last Autumn of visiting his Bradford warehouse, and can confirm that it is an Aladdin’s Cave, packed with yarn of mouth-watering potential.

Last year’s course proved to be a true joy, with good company, delicious food, a wonderful venue, fascinating trips out and much hard work done and enthusiasm generated.  Looking back through students’ comments, I am struck by their growth in confidence and self-belief, and I know good work has continued.

2008 also brought me the joy of diverse collaborations, travelling with lace friends Denise and Pauline Denmark, and meeting photographer Jacqueline Callaghan, whose work can be seen on the focus page.

Denise and I drove out to Vamberk via France and Germany, a long haul but punctuated by cultural enrichment at the delightful towns in which we stayed en route. Wherever we went we were welcomed with much kindness, and we look forward to further travels this year.