Mary's latest novel – the 11th in the Rossington series – was published on 4 November 2025. Look out for Don’t Tell Tales! Visit your local bookshop or friendly crime specialist for a copy – or order it from our stockist Bodies In The Bookshop, Cambridge.

 

Philippa Newport

Entering Philippa Newport’s studio is like walking into Aladdin’s cave, with beautiful creations on all sides, along with the materials used to make them. Stacks of plain and patterned cloth, haberdasher’s drawers filled with reels of cotton, lace, and precious scraps. Baskets full of different papers, carved wooden stamps and tubes of paint on the worktable.

Philippa’s work in paper and textiles is endlessly creative and always made entirely from scratch. Papers are decorated in many different ways - stamped speckled and sponged - then turned into all manner of objects - bowls and books, cards and collages. Her felting is exquisite, made from dyed fleece, embelished with fabric applique, then overlaid with intricate machine and hand embroidery. The pieces are turned into bags and a myriad of other accessories including jewellery and brooches.

I’ve gone to workshops here for several years and now have a variety of skills (still basic, but far more than I expected), which include eco dyeing, marbling, felting and so much more. I’m proud of my achievements thanks to Philly’s expert guidance but still get a thrill whenever I see what she has made. When I have a free moment during a visit, there is always something to amaze – the paper chicken made around a balloon, for instance. One day I shall make a chicken of my own. One day I shall make so many more of these lovely things. One day ….

Philippa has weekly half-day papercraft and textile workshops during term times, and sometimes full day workshops. She sells her own work at craft fairs, and during her open studio weekend in October as well as during the Ashburton Artists and Artisans Trail, 29th - 31st May 2026.