Actually, I've been hoarding champagne since my 40th (not that long ago btw!) so if you time your arrival right you may end up with a glass of the real stuff.

I'm thrilled to invite you to the 'Grand' Opening of The Wild Dyery on Bank Holiday Monday 30th May from 12pm - 4pm.

The new studio is in the courtyard of Carr Farm Garden Centre, Birkenhead Road, Great Meols, Wirral, CH47 9RE, UK.

I'll be there showcasing my own new work along with a really exciting selection of other artisans all working with sustainable materials.

Hope to see you there and as people have been asking whether I'd like studio warming gifts can I just say that's very kind but not necessary. If you really feel inclined then can I instead suggest donations of:-

* onion skins
* avocado pits and skins
* eucalyptus leaves and small branches
* oak galls
* dark coloured dried flowers e.g. old bunches of roses
* unwanted vintage white tablecloths or doilies (natural fibres...

No sooner had I said out loud that I wanted to run a centre of excellence for natural fabric dyeing, a studio come shop come workshop space, than I found one, rented it and within a week found myself decorating and moving in!

It's timely really because if I spill dye down our cream painted kitchen cupboards again I'll probably find myself divorced! Things have got so busy lately that there are dye pans all over our garden decking and drain pipes stacked by the dining table. We won't talk about the indigo drops on our wooden work top because I don't think anyone's noticed them yet.

So, perfect that I should walk into Carr Farm Garden Centre to visit Christine at Voirrey Embroidery and happen to notice an empty unit. The Courtyard at Carr Farm is really quaint with lots of little sandstone cottages and outbuildings that are currently being renovated. I had a quick word with the boss, had a minor panic attack and rush of...