Tea Towel Makeover - 10 years Younger in 10 Days!!!!

Yes, it actually seems as though Ginny might be getting somewhere ('something's really happening Reg!' - Monty Python's Life of Brian) as the production cycle moves into full creative swing. Juices are flowing as the teatowels fly thick and fast, ever more brave and adventurous paving a new life, a new incarnation for the teatowel as you once though you knew her to be. She might wipe, clean, polish and rub - but she is also precious, occasionally broken, thin or layered by her experience - bearing her history on her sleeve (if she had a sleeve, Naomie thinks it would be a lacy red one).

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DO NOT IRON

Printing is almost done (sighs of relief heaved all round, as you see, Virginia discovered the print process is far too anal and tight for our messy creativity, hence creative/painterly prints...). Virginia is now finding her true creative forte moving to the fore: collage, applique, patchwork, layering, assemblage, stitching, ripping and adorning anything that bears the remotest resemblance to a teatowel from a previous incarnation.

Layering begins in earnest as we each scrounge our studio hoardes for embellishments called for by a certain aura emmitted by each teatowel.  We have all found a strong preference for teatowels with a past life, especially stained and loved beyond recognition. The smell is most treasured by Jean who has cunning ideas about conjuring old Sunday roast smells from the kitchen to infuse the works.

Fresh talks emerge with each gathering about video possibilities. If you know a Virginia you may well be victim of her latest cunning stunt to secure your teatowel saga (or third drawer down philosophy as it may well be) on film for the exhibition. 15 minutes of fame awaits you...or your teatowels.

Helen has been working like a madwoman in the attic scratching at the yellowed wallpaper to finish her quota before she is seconded to a remote North West community school as artist in residence over May. And we, envious Ginny's, shivver away in the chilly south in time with the linglingling of our sewing machines attaching teatowels.

LingLingLingLingLin Ling ling ling...ling