...Kid Art...

Hallo buddies! I love to watch students develop creative skills, and when I say creative I don't mean hours and hours of pencil drawing and shading (which is an important skill but for young people is creatively very limiting, but sadly is still used in schools A LOT and frustrates the crapola out of me as I have to teach it!). I would much rather be helping them to make creative choices about layers, lettering, colour, placement, composition, style, materials etc...which I get to do luckily with my Textiles Design students. I have a Year 11 group just finishing, a Year 10 group about to start their first major coursework piece, and two Year 9 groups (although they do half Textiles Design and half Textiles Technology...very technical but just means creative-textiles or product-design-textiles). The work I am showing you today comes from a Year 9er. She lacks confidence most of the time, gets frustrated ALL the time, but inbetween creates utter masterpieces that are a joy to behold. I love to look though her sketchbook so thought you might like to too.

This is part of a regular feature (yep I just decided this as I type) called Kidart, where I showcase student work that I like and think you will enjoy too :)

This girl is 13. I couldn't have made these kind of brave marks at that age! She doesn't even realise the choices she has made, it is natural to her. In a sense she's just doodling, but some pretty hot doodling if you ask me.
What was your art education like at school?

busy bee and giveaway preview

Hello you.
I feel like it has been ages since I blogged, I have had withdrawal symptoms. I have barely had time to read blogs never mind write one. I have been a busy bee.
I had a deadline to meet for Monday - art cards for Coastal Creatives...

I am such a huge fan of music of all types. Held within the lyrics of songs are many answers and touching sentiments, as well as profound and insightful words of wisdom.
If you have any song lyrics that could add to my collection please leave a comment, especially if you have a special song. I am taking commissions privately and through Coastal Creatives for my lyric pieces. Art cards are £8 and canvases are £40.

A really exciting first for my partnership with Coastal...a piece on canvas...

...here's some detail.

I love this song, and it has a deep spiritual meaning for me and has brough me great comfort though some difficult times in my life.

As well as this I have been making some exclusive Art cards for my freshly decorated and spring cleaned Etsy Shop. Listen to it *ping*

I love it. Is it ok to love your own shop?

I even had time to whip up a knitting needle case for a special someone's birthday...

Featuring fabrics from: a stash a friend gave me that used to belong to her amazingly talented Mother (she stitched the cross stitched flower fabric), a charity shop pillow case and an old pair of PJs! I love the stories my works tell, to me, through the fabrics I use. Often it makes me laugh too, if it holds a special memory - like the amount of time I spent in those pjs.

So....as you can see a busy week or so.
I am so excited to show you all the things I have been making. If you have any feedback I'd love to hear it. Blog comments are awkward but once you get the hang of it they're oki doki.

Oh, and good news is Coastal Creatives have asked me to make another 4 canvases!!
Back to the sewing machine then.

What have you been up to?
Love, me x

P.s...keep them peeled for a very first giveaway this week!

New Makes

I have just delivered a lovely bundle of freshly made goodies to Coastal Creatives for a pre-Christmas restock. In the mix were a few new ideas: embroidered badges and rosettes. I am working on some more of these for upcoming events like Valentines and Mothers day.

I had a little commission yesterday to make some personalised versions of these...hmmm good idea!

Once I made this dinky little brooch I fell in love with it, then had to part with it soon after. Although this is a massive close up, it is in reality only about 6-7cm accross.

I restocked on all the hair clip duo sets, these are always really popular, and each set is one of a kind. I have been using more embroidery stitches on them, inspired by this blog.



And I restocked on the large clips, these have alligator attachments so can be worn as a brooch or shoe clip too.

These little beauties are very popular too, all sold out from my last stock update - Coastal call them pompom earrings.

Lastly...dropped a few more of these in for good luck. I originally made them as wrap around bracelets, but Coastal sell them as hairbands. In fact one of my Year 11 students came into school with one a couple of weeks ago and it looked amazing. How sweet of her to buy my wares...aw!

I love this new colour combo - claret and blue, very Aston Villa!

I wanted to show these ready for sale so I could share my packaging ideas. I make all my packaging out of old card: magazines, postcards, flyers etc. I cut them to size and apply my simple labels. I love it. It is born out of pure poverty and a desire to re-use as much as I can to make in an environmentally friendly way. The reverse has a label too with my Etsy shop address (which is empty at present...oops! Bad marketing!)

This is from a series of pieces: 1,2 and 3. Framed and ready to go...somewhere.

Lastly for today. I saw a funky idea for wrapping ribbon on a Google search and decided to give it a go. Hand stamped ribbon. Yes all my presents this year will be sporting it. Packaged with old Christmas cards to my daughter from her friends. I will post some images when I have done some wrapping with it. It's a super easy and satisfying little make, I just happen to have rolls upon rolls of ribbon that I bought in a charity shop bundle one lucky day.

Have you got plans for your wrapping or making this Christmas? My creativeness is on overdrive at the moment...

Love, me x

Festive Top Ten: from me

It's time to say goodbye to the Festive Top Ten series of blogs. It has been a real challenge to go to work all day, cook dinner and blog every day...but I am proud of me for getting it done.

I am very grateful for those who have contributed, and left comments (always welcome and I will try and get back to eveyone).

Last post today is my Festive Top Ten. I decided to champion two loves of mine: Textiles and Etsy!

............................................................................................................................................................

1 - amazing hand made embroidered card

2 - beautiful art quilt

3 - very pretty little alice piece

4 - wearable art

5 - delicate vintage image collage

6 - little textile book

7 - kindle cosy

8 - fabric bowl

9 - embroidered bowl

10 - textile art

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is totally a fantasy list. I wish I had enough money to buy things like this, I'd love to fill my world with other people's handmade lovelies. Of all of these things I would deeply love the wearable art neck piece, I would totally rock that with many an outfit.

These are just the things I like today, who knows what my wish list will be tomorrow?

What would you wish for today?

Me x

Travels

I am beyond excited about my trip to Cambodia on the 22nd. It is just for one week, with a further trip next summer for four weeks.
I am almost packed...I have no idea what I will wear so I have put together the weirdest assortment of clothes! I do have all the important things, like Immodium and a head torch...and lots of money for shopping and treats.
I will be visiting temples like these -

Since I was a teenager I have been interested in world religions, especially Buddhism and Hinduism. I have long wanted to visit Asia, and have never managed to afford it so far. I am so grateful for the chance to see it - and for free!

 Of course I am going to take millions of photos, and I will be taking my sketchbook with me too. So when I get back I will be sharing the sights and finds I discovered there, as well as what I managed to sketch and bring back.

This could be me in a couple of days!

As well as obviously having an amazing time seeing Cambodia, I will be visiting some projects that students from my school will be helping with next year: two of those are an orphanage and a school.

I have been collecting pencils at my school to take to the Cambodian children...I have a LOT, it's a good job I am packing light for a one week trip. When we go back next year I will take them something else, but I need to meet them first to find out what they need. A girl came up to me today with her own pencil, and said 'this is for the Cambodian children Miss'...aw!
A technician at my school brought in pencils donated from her own children, one of which had gone out to buy some after she told him about the children and how they have very little. It has made me incredibly happy to see how generous people can be, how thoughtful; and it has felt great to be a part of something so simple but I know it will be effective.

 So, I will fill you in on my return. Have a good week - love, me x

Colour Blocking : Autumn Trend and Makes

I have been soooo busy this weekend making things for the Autumn collection for Coastal Creatives. I was up till far too late last night, slaving over my glue gun to get it all complete, only to go to the shop today and discover it closed! Boo hoo...
So I decided to come home and blog about the gorgeous bright block colours on trend for this Autumn.

I read a LOT of blogs (one day I will blog about the blogs I love hehe), and I really enjoy reading things about fashion and style. I don't really follow a 'trend' as I buy most things second hand and you have to just go with whatever you get with that. But I do need to keep an eye on fashion, I do love it, and it really inspires me, especially trend colours; inspire my making.

So Coastal asked me to make some corsages and wrist-wraps (from previously seen work of mine) in some lovely trend colours. Fab.

I have had fun looking at lots of gorgeous fashion. I adore the site Polyvore, and all the amazing creations there by some really talented folk. So I thought I would post some 'inspiration' from Polyvore on this season's trend: colour blocking...

Unleash Your Inner Rocker with Nicole Miller by href="http://elafashionable.polyvore.com/?.mid=embed">elafashionable featuring leather bags


I love this edgy style, and the hair! Here's another...

Bright Fall Colours by fashionistlady featuring beaded stretch bracelets

The orange/ blue clash...reminds me of my student years; my flatmate and I painted our kitchen cupboards in these colours! Ouch.

So here's what I came up with in response:

Orange/Blue Corsages

Autumnal Corsages: Grey and Brown trend.

Other Makes - Wristwraps

I love this last image, how it looks like my glasses are disappearing off the page!

So...pop on down to Coastal, not today though as it's closed (did I mention that?) See if you can spot my tasty Textiles.

Now...I must prepare for a Craft Fayre this weekend that I am super excited about, called It's All Been Done Before. Lots of vintage and vintage inspired lovelies.

Oh P.S, before you go...check out this amazing blog, one of the many I am addicted to and can't get enough of! 

Bye x 

    

Boscombe Art and Craft Bazaar and Vintage Market

Quit a mouthful!

This week I am busy getting ready for the Art and Craft Bazaar in Boscombe this Saturday. I hope you can come and support the independent makers and vintage collectors there.
It is combining with Victorian Day in Boscombe so there will be activities and events planned by the Council too.
Details below...sees you there!

Now to find something to wear...

Fringe Benefits

Against all better judgement I have attacked my own fringe. Every time I go to my hairdressers I say the same thing: please give me a thick blunt fringe. What do I get: a whispy graduated fringe!
I have taken matters into my own hands, obviously £45 isn't enough money to get the haircut you actually want.
I loves it!
Here I am sporting one of my elasticated headscarves (more of them below), and a new (old) cardigan that I bought yesterday for £3.00 at the Charity shop. I am actually in my pjs...but don't tell anyone!

This morning I took some photos of the latest work I have been producing for the Boscombe Art and Craft Bazaar and the It's All Been Done Before Vintage Festival, both in September. Both of which I am buzzing about, getting my stall ready for it's debut proper...nervous too. Make sure you come down and support me with hugs!

Below: elasticated headscarved, earrings, bracelet and brooch - all from second hand and RE:Loved fabrics.

This weekend is all about -

• making more of the same: stocking up on product whith whatever time I have!
• dressing up in my NEW vintage finds from the Charity shops (yes I have even more)
• working in my Art Journal (maybe post some pictures of this next week)
• hanging out with Olivia - maybe a beach picnic with a hot flask of tea (its a bit windy down there)
• plus an old, old friend has a plan to come and visit...but I will only believe it when I see her. Fingers crossed!

What are you up to?

Me x

Charity Shoppee!

Olivia is with her Dad for the day. What better thing to do than to go Charity Shopping. OF COURSE it was meant to be for fabrics for my work (more later about my involvment with the Boscombe Art and Craft Bazaar)...but it turned into a day to shop for Meeee!

Sometimes I go Charity Shopping and find NADA, and then...there are the sweet magical times when things are flying off the racks shouting 'Take me home!' Well, that is what they say to me anyhoo.

Anyhoo...
Sharing the joy here, as I hope it will encourage more people to get out there and rummage. I find it thrilling to say the least when I find something beautiful, my heart literally raced today when I found an old cigar box full of black and white photos and old postcards...sweet! Similarly my heart skipped a beat when I found an 80s Chelsea Girl dress...oh joy!

First up, the dresses I found:

Clockwise from top left:
M&S dress - £3.00
80s Dorothy Perkins dress - £1.00
Unidentified red number (not sure about this one) - £1.00
Unidentified Khaki number (for work probs) - £1.00

And some more:

Clockwise from top left:
80s Chelsea Girl dress (can't see detail but it is sooo pretty with belt and little turned cap sleeves) - £3.50
Zara tiny cress (need to be a tad thinner for this one me thinks!) - £1.00
Unidentified black tunic (for work) - £1.00
My outfit today - Dress Primark sale £5.00, Cardi - old Charity purchase with new buttons (all different colours), Asda shoes (again) - £4.00

And some Top Tops:


Left to right:
Polka Dot Banana Republic - for work £1.50
Next vest top - for travelling £1.00
Vintage Gap Tee (cute print) - £1.00
Wallis Blue wide neck top - £1.00

In total I spent £30, and there is more than photographed here; some 5 pairs of earrings and a bunch of bangles as well as one top which won't slide up my chubby arms (Grr). Oh, and 2 polka-dot ties that I actually WILL make into something for the Bazaar. So there you go, I spent one out of thirty pounds on what I set out to...sigh, I wonder if I can wear ALL my dresses to bed tonight!

I did plan to do loads of other stuff today but I think I'm gonna head out on my bike for a ride to the beach. Love me x

Working on new stuff...

I haven't posted anything in ages init!
I have been reading a whole lotta blogs tho'. Other than that I have been putting a lot of effort into all things creative. And as it happens I will have more time next academic year as I am going back to part time hours. I am really excited about this as I really want to make a go of my Textiles and Art stuffs.
I have had lots of interest in my work this summer, and am just taking time to find the right outlets/ initiatives to get involved in that best suit me and my lovely makings.

Here are some pictures of me working on some head scarves in my 'studio'...a corner of my dining room.





And some pictures of my busy busy workspace! Which looks kinda calm and tidy here...



My poor old Janome, it takes more abuse off me than anyone or anything.



Here is a picture of the finished Headscarves - made with the help of a tutorial via
SayyestoHaboken's blog...maybe one day when I know how to link stuff in, I can give her props! (Update...I did it!)




What are you wearing?
I thought I would post some pictures of my outfits occasionally. I have always found people comment on the clothes I wear, they want to tell me I look nice or ask me where I got something, so here I is:
Dress - Primark £6.00
Short sleeved cardi - Charity shop £1.99
Shoes - Asda £4.00
Head band - made it myself!


I am the bargain hunt Queen! More sooner x

Mmmmm...men doing Art Textiles

I have been discovering a wonderful new wave of exciting Textile Artists through the new course I am teaching: OCR Textiles Design GCSE. I am really thrilled with the amount of Textile Artists around, and really encouraged that men are becoming more well known for their work in this field too. I am in love with James Hunting's work, which follows a lot of the same processes as my own. I have included a few other artists that I am currently obsessing about too.

http://www.jameshunting.com/

Cas Holmes - amazing work, and so much of it to see and fall in love with. www.casholmes.textilearts.net/

Lastly for now - Sandra Meech, gorgeous layers and lyrical stitch. www.sandrameech.com/
I flippin' love Textiles!