All the latest from Linda and Laura

Hello, Laura here - welcome to our weekly newsletter!

What an exciting week, each day more and more Portrait Shuffles are arriving at Through Our Hands HQ. It's looking as though we'll have at least 160 for the display which is just wonderful! Thank you so much if you've taken part. If you bought a pack and haven't returned your canvas then there is still time. Just make sure it's with us no later than 31st July for inclusion in our exhibition at Festival of Quilts.

There are some fabulous pieces in the Shuffle including this one by TOH Artist Linda Barlow. If you've taken part then this one might be winging it's way to you after the exhibition!

Keep up with all the latest Shuffles on the Portrait Shuffle Blog, and on the TOH Facebook page.

In other news, my talented sister will be selling her beautiful handmade accessories and homewares at The Suffolks Sunday Market in Cheltenham this weekend.

Please do head over if you're in the Cheltenham area and see the lovely new things she has made. Of course, if you're miles away, her website is the next best option!

www.maxandrosie.co.uk/

New in the studio...

Linda's of course been busy too. DMTV viewers will remember her recent video about finding a colour palette from favourite paintings. Well the stitched textile that's arisen from that work is looking amazing. Here's a peek at the back of the work. Don't you just love the texture of all those seam allowances?

The hexagons are quite tiny and time intensive to sew and so it's keeping her out of trouble - well mostly!

Summer Stitch Along - Week Three

Three Techniques

We're so enjoying the Stitch-Along! This week it's time to get started with some piecing. Our challenge to you is to choose a shape and work it three ways starting with one of our favourites - English Paper Piecing.

If you've never done any paper piecing before, don't worry, there are step-by-step instructions on the DMTV blog. I confess to being a little behind in my project already, but Linda's zipping along and her diamonds in a 'tumbling blocks' set are looking positively jewel-like.

Head over to the DMTV Blog for the information for this week's Stitch-Along instructions and step-by-step photos.

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New video workshop on DesignMatters TV

Acrylic Skin Lettering

We love working in layers and using text, and this video combines both! Create acrylic skins filled with hand lettering to use in your mixed media collage, paintings and sketchbook.

The video workshop is for members only but if you haven't signed up already we'd love to have you join us now. Just choose 'Membership Videos' from the menu and you'll see 30+ titles in the current playlist. We hope there's something to tempt you there!

If you're already a Member you can login to watch the new video:

Watch Now!