Illustrations

A few weeks ago I went to some artists open houses in Leicester and fell in love with the work of one of the local artists, Katarzyna Klein. 

More images here and here. I like the collage pieces best.  

New plan for my stressful week - write a simple blog post everyday as part of my wind-down routine and get myself back into writing everyday. Maybe...

Some time in the future

Dear Blog,  

You remember the good old days? When I was a textile designer not a project manager? When I was a (reasonably) regular blogger, not a completely-vanished blogger? 

Well, the time has almost come when I get just a little more chance to be that textile designer and blogger. Just another couple of weeks. 

Hang in there me, I'm coming back. 

Back and now in full colour

Ok, so I'm not really back for full-time blogging, it's still a few weeks until I get my life back. But I am snatching time off to do nice stuff with nice people. Last weekend was a day at Big Session Festival (my local) with Miss R. Amazingly the sun shone and the pints of perry flowed and it was an excellent day.  Oh and the bands were good too.* I just wish I'd taken my knitting. 

We liked Eliza Carthy (she's bloody marvellous), Otis Gibbs (Rach liked him very much), Babel (alas not wearing the ponco as in the press photo, shame) & The Shee.\

PS. Rumour has it I've done a little sewing. Will try and get my photographer to get a snap at the weekend.

New Exhibiton

I've got some work on exhibition at Galanthus Gallery in Herefordshire until 26th July, including Betty here.

I've got a few exhibitions lined up for this year, including one for which I have to make some new work. That's looking like August is accounted for. Really looking forward to getting stuck into some sewing again.

Where exactly did May go?

OK, a month has gone by. A little more than that even. I think I might have to admit defeat and put the blog into hibernation for a couple of months until my big project is up and running and I have time to breath again - let alone sew!

But for now here are a few of the things I've been busy with.

Exhibition preparation - including fetching and moving 50 or so mannequins. I bought a handy spare hand home with me in the hope it would do some of the work.

New favourite instant dinner:

1 packet of miso soup plus a bowlful of stock

lots of chopped cabbage / spring greens/chinese greens

tamari

chilli

wholemeal noodles

Plus if I have:

marinated tofu 

omelette or scrambled eggs

Visiting this exhibition

Planning to go back to see the whole of 78 Derngate - it has been on my list for ages!

buying a few bits and pieces of clothes. Despite the crumpled-ness I love the combination of these colours. Although I've given to orange top to my mum to try - perhaps if she doesn't want it I can have it back, please?

back soon, i promise!

Playing with colour

I've done a few of these pebble pieces but as yet not got a complete chair seat (although there is one with the upholsterer still) so have been plotting a new cover for the chair I finished last year. I am loving making bespoke fabrics for old furniture. I wanted to do another pebble piece, even though it takes weeks to sew each one on by hand. I've been pondering these colours for ages, but I think it's ready to go now. 

I keep eyeing up old chairs in skips and junk shops... it's only a matter of time before I start filling everywhere up with upholstered chairs!

Talking of upholstery and chairs, these are two upholsterers whose work I adore.

Helen Amy Murray. She works mainly in leather to produce stunning tactile effects. I first saw her work years and years ago at New Designers and it's been great to watch how well she's done. A great inspiration.

Aiveen Daly's work was introduced to me by my friend Lisa. Again I love the textures she produces and of course the wit and sexiness of her designs. Her work makes me want to design upholstery all the time. Headboards! sofas! Fabric-covered rooms!

Pincushion

Wonderfully blobby, beautiful pincushion by embroiderer Karen Ruane.

It was hard to choose which one, but the red won, it usually does. There are more available here.

Buttons on the underside.

One of the things I love about Etsy is the freebies most sellers send. I usually forget and feel guilty about this, but do try and remember to put in a little something, it's part of the niceness of buying direct from the person who made it. Karen included these two blobby little buttons for which I will have to find something suitably special.