Hearts 'n' Fishes Workshop.....

Hello Lovely bloggy readers, well a bit later than anticipated I thought I would post a few pics of my workshop the other week.
My garland one didn't run as not enough bods but my hearts and fishes did! Although it was entitled 'Hearts & Fishes" everyone during the workshop decided to make a fish, which was lovely, as my sample was the first fish I had made as well and so it was good to see them inspired enough by my wee fish to make one themselves!




With these taster workshops all materials are supplied by the workshop leader (ie moi) and so you can just roll up and create away without the hassle of trying to remember to get things and then to bring them! All I ask is for people to just bring yourself and your creative spirit along.

So my 'creative mess' laid out to inspire with all its colour and texture.



Fishy shapes cut ready for the choosing and a'making



And so below to fish shapes stitched up and stuffed with the beginnings of decoration....

Rich red with lovey blanket stitching around the edges



The planning of shimmery gorgeous scales






And some nearly finished and finished fishes, just how lovely did they turn out!??




These are two different fish, not the two sides to one by the way! it's just that the same fabric had been chosen, their scales are lovely, much nicer in the flesh or should that be fabric?!



Again I would just like to say a BIG THANKS to the lovely ladies that came along to the workshop, what a lovely group they were. Thank you all for being so inspired and enjoying the workshop. I'm also glad to say that they took bits and pieces home with them to make more fishes and hearts too. I hope you ladies have continued with the creativity! If you have any photos of work finished since then, I'd love to see it, so send me an email!!

I would also like to take the opportunity to say THANK YOU to a list of lovely bloggers for including various items of mine in posts on their blogs. I cannot tell you all how pleased I am to be included in your posts! So lovely of you all, so Thank You! ;0 X

So my Thank You Roll Call to:

Helen from handmade by helen
Val from Blackrose
Alex from FoundonFolksy
Amanda from Etsymetal
Liana from Mixedplate

Phew! well I better get back to creating. I have a couple of orders to package up and am still making for the upcoming fair and Brighton Open House. Yep!!! that's right Brighton Open Houses, little ol' me is taking part for the first time in them, in the Christmas ones. Will let you know more v soon. I'll be down there taking pics so you can see.

Hope you've all had a good weekend, I'm typing wrapped up with layers of cardi's and a big chunky scarf if that makes you feel any better??!! just need some fingerless gloves now, always get cold hands when typing. Honestly I'm not tucked away up in a garret with half moon specs really, it just seems like it! ;0 X

Seasonal colours........

Well I think it is fair to say that we are definitely well in to the autumn, but perhaps not just yet winter season. Winter for me should be much colder and crisper, with white frosts and brittle sharp days. Not all this rubbishy rain!

So taking inspiration from the colours in our autumnal surroundings I've been collecting bits and bobs, sketching 'things' and creating some more accessories recently for a couple of orders.
Crossing fingers each time items are posted, I hope that the stockists like them when they get there!

I really love the gorgeous rich red tones that are apparent at this time of year in the leaves and flowers........



My parents gorgeous acer palmatum or japanese maple tree below, love how the leaves have a two tone colour and crinkle up at the edges, it is glorious in its large fat pot



I just love seed heads of any and all kinds(!)



a pelargonium or as we all know them geraniums, these have always been a favourite of mine, such vibrant flowers that look great in simple terracotta pots or old tins, a splash of colour to put a smile on your face!



And so........ some new petite purses in rich autumn tones



details of fabric fragments, buttons, print and stitch





And a peek at print samples I've been trialling at my print class, more to come soon....



And yes festiveness!!!!! in the way of skinny long stocking decorations



and shaker style santa decorations which are in the making, waiting for a few finishing touches which are off to locations up north soon



Not much writing in this post, you know how I love a pic! will be posting soon about my workshop to show what was created! hope you're surviving what has been a very gray weekend here, but 'tis ok as I have may daylight lightbulb on(!) to work by and am cheering myself along with the radio and some creativity in various bright colourways!!

Calling all crafty and arty types in Kent!!!

Well hello there lovely bloggy peeps, just a short an' sweet post this eve, more to follow shortly, just waiting to take some pics!

First off a 'Call Out' to all those crafty arty creative types in Kent, I've met another lovely creative lady recently on my print course (more about that another time!) who is organising a Craft Fair and looking for stall holders.
Here's the info:
The Craft and Gift Fair will be on Saturday 28th November at Beltinge Village Hall, Herne Bay, Kent.
It will be from 10am to 4pm.
A pitch will cost £10 per person.
No need to bring tables, as they are already in the hall with chairs.
Obviously bring what you will to cover your table and for displaying your work.
If you are interested in taking part and for any further information contact Tania via her email at tan_93(at)hotmail.com.

And also my final call for next weeks workshop too, there are still some places left to come and create hearts and fishes, so if you'd like to book make sure to visit the create in whitstable website to do so.
Don't let the fishy pass you by! ;0



Last but not least, crossing fingers that I get some good shots taken at the weekend, I shall be back with words and pics about new bits and pieces that I've been up to, and yes what's that? a jingle I hear?........is that...................surely not...................Ssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh not something of the festive variety??? I know it's already sprouting up everywhere, but it's far too early for me, blame it on way too many years spent working in retail!! I'm not grinchy for nothing you know!!! ;0 x

Escape to 'Create in Whitstable' Part 2..........

Hello lovely peeps!

I'm posting to let you know about the workshops I'm involved in this month, a bit short notice perhaps, but there's nothing like living life on the edge, hey??!! So here follows my blatant plug for them and the whole creative week, because I can! ;0

escape to create in whitstable

Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2009

I will be running workshops on Saturday 24th and Wednesday 28th October as part of 'Escape to Create in Whitstable' a week long event in this lovely seaside town. The aim of the initiative is to encourage people to escape from their usual routine for a few hours or longer to taste a new creative pursuit. It will all be happening at (or near!) the Horsebridge Centre in Whitstable.

If you'd like to book on one of my workshops (I'd love to see you!) each workshop costs £22 per person.

To book on my workshop and to find out more about the other workshops taking place during the week, visit here - 'Create in Whitstable'.

'Shabby chic' Garlands Saturday 24th October



Hearts & Fishes Wednesday 28th October



Come an create, you know you want to!! Well that's my blatant plug over, be back soon with more creativeness! ;0 X

Autumnal fair............

Ahhhhh the change of seasons............... I know opinions differ but I for one enjoy the change of the seasons, I love the different feels to them, the different elements that they bring, the changing light in the sky, and especially the textures and colours!

A few weekends ago I went home to visit my lovely parents, (always a pleasure never a chore! ;0) And I snapped some pics in their garden and the field next them of what I'm terming 'Autumnal fair', floral and fauna and 'bits' in between that pertain to the change in the season, the feel in the air and inspiration for a new idea.....................

delicate little flower surviving in the sliver of space between the paving stones, love the rich hue to this



the deep notes of the heavy bunches of elderberries



the rich hues of the scrambling blackberries



the delicate shrooms hiding in the undergrowth........shhhhhhhhhhh perhaps the pixies and fairies are out..................



life on a tiny scale



the washed out lavender and lilac hues of the seashells nestled at the base of plants in pots in the garden



Looking back at these photos I felt there was a common (ish!) colour theme occurring, one of lilacs/lavenders/purples with a touch of earthy brown................... hmmmmmmmmmm said I, a good combination of colours to try out on my 'new' accessory sample...

And so I set too, with fabric, needle, thread, printed 'doodles' and a will to make a new accessory to add to my collection of textile creations.....

The starting stages, with fabric, print and plenty of snippets to stitch on



a close up of some stitched snippets using machine and hand stitch



a combination of pattern, colour and texture



all washed and out the other side, still in one piece - very happy about that!



And ta dah! the finished article, a fabric scarf made from recycled remnants and vintage pieces of fabric; with printed areas of my 'doodle berries'; and textural sections containing snippets of glorious fabric with machine and hand stitching adding more detailing to the piece. Perhaps this could be a start to a new range of fabric scarves to come, hmmmmmmmm.........;0



After all it is the season to start wearing them even more, and I for one LOVE wearing scarves!! ;0

For the love of my teacup pinpot..........

Hello lovely peeps!

Just a quick post this eve, because I can(!) and I just really wanted to show you my lovely purchase from the beautiful Mrs B.......
I feel like I'm doing a bit of 'show an' tell' like we used to do at school when small with the 'nature table' - bring your item in and talk about it..........so here we go........

Purchases for myself are somewhat few and far between in the ol' art and craft environment, not because I don't ever see anything that I think is great or amazing, I'm just normally purchasing gifts for other people.

Anyhow with the completion of my first month in 'the other job' (needs must an all that!) I decided I would treat myself to something that I'd had my beady eye on for a while and also 'needed', yes I did, really I did!

So here it is all the way from 'up north' of where I reside near the sea.................

*sigh* perfect package!! I love recycling, as my Mum knows.....eh? Mum won you that hamper didn't it hey!!!!! anyways................and the twine/string, I Love String!! How perfect is this package to receive in the post I ask you?!



Oooo ahhhhhhh inside glorious.................. extra bootiful teeny cup cases................



And starting to show itself....................love this fabric



And the big reveal! my very own and much needed and already in use too, teacup pin pot.........



Now perhaps its not every one's cup of tea (arrrrr see what I did there hehe) but I Love it, and I just wanted to share its loveliness with you all.

So thank you Mrs B and Much Love to you and yours too ;0 X

Afghanistan Inspiration Exhibition Work

I thought I'd show you all (now I've finally finished and sent it off!) my textile work for the exhibition Afghanistan Inspiration.
I was approached way back in March about creating a work to take part in the exhibition. And when the deadline seemed so far away (end Sept) I agreed and didn't think too much more about it for a few months. But as the deadline loomed on the horizon, I thought 'I'd better get on with some creating!'

A little bit about the project:
"Textile project - call to participate in Afghanistan - Inspiration.
Participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxemburg, Spain, Switzerland, UK .
UK organiser: Meike Laurenson.

Context: Within the framework of a self-help project of the DAI (Deutsch-Afghanische Initiative, German Afghan Initiative) women in Laghmani, north of Kabul embroider 8 x 8 cm squares. By selling their embroidery they are able to substantially improve the financial situation of their families.

The embroidered squares are not to be seen as finished products but rather as a basic element which is sold in Europe in order to be integrated into a textile work. The embroidered squares are very well suited for combining with patchwork, quilt, embroidery, weave or felting techniques, where they can be set as eye catchers. The results are symbolically striking textile works that unite not only techniques but also two cultures. The aim of the exhibition is to promote curiosity and openness toward the culture of other women and to encourage the coming together and uniting in a common spirit.

Idea: The plan is an exhibition with textile works in which an embroidered square is integrated.

The theme of the squares is specific to a country, i.e. you can choose a square from a selection that has been allocated to your country. (UK - Water Vessels: mugs, cups, pots, jugs - everyday vessels familiar to women everywhere)"

So with all that in mind I chose a square embroidered by a young girl - Shebane - of two jugs in burnt orange, edged in black on a duck egg blue background, bordered in a teal.

I thought these would be good colours on which to base the piece, and so off I set a'creating!

Through the pictures below I've tried to include from start to finish the 'creation' of my work, with a number of close up images too, sometimes these look better than the piece as a whole I think!

And so to the beginning.......

I stitched a background 'canvas' to work on from lots of scrap pieces of cotton and calico. I incorporated my square into the piece first as I wanted the rest of the surface and its decoration to stem from this. You will also see my page of sketches of 'water' vessels and doodles.

Patchwork type snippets of fabric to 'match' the colours in the square



machine and hand stitching bringing further colour and texture to the work



A close up to show the combination of stitches, snippets of fabric and the lines of the sketches printed



A sprinkle of buttons and lace edging



I really like these colours together



Stitchery, print, snippets of fabric, frayed edges



The square standing out in the work and from which the piece has evolved



And finally the finished piece, perhaps not the best photo in the world, but it will have to suffice!
A sampler of sorts using the colours from the square; following the UK theme of 'water vessels'; using machine and hand stitch; incorporating snippets of fabric and prints of my doodle sketches.
A decorative and tactile work with texture.
I hope that something new is seen each time it is looked at - a line, a stitch, a texture, a fabric, an edge.........................



Thank you for looking! ;0 x