Workshop 2

Back to 'work' today, hand embroidery is this weeks workshop. Our teachers are Elena and her daughter Annabel. Annabel is also 1 of our tour directors. Elena is Spanish speaking and Annabel is learning English. My comprehension of Spanish is better, but when speaking it I still combine all the Romance languages and English together! We are all having great fun working in the courtyard under the tree. Unfortunately a bird has taken residence in this tree, need I say more? This bird has a very interesting song, it sounds a lot like flatulence, now can you beat that for entertainment?

The use of many colours in our embroidery is very cheerful. We embroider on felted wool basted to muslin on a stretcher frame. There are no patterns these ladies draw their designs freehand or mostly just go straight to the needle and thread.

When we finished the workshop they took us to the local market for some pearl cotton, there is a great colour range here, not to mention the cost. So 8 of us ended up in this little shop with our teachers and bought loads of Peale cotton...we needed to take turns in the shop as it was so small!

Then off for dinner.

Feet up after a long day. 

Dressing in layers is a definite must while visiting here, the temperature fluctuates a lot throughout the day and night.