New Royal Bird Prints

Royal Blackbird & Royal Kingfisher

I've received lots of complimentary feedback about my little bird watercolour paintings I did some time ago, so ..... Drum-roll please ......

I now have A4 Prints of my Royal Blackbird and the Royal Kingfisher on 380mic Pulp paper. These will be available to buy from my online shop and through Facebook for £15 per print (inclusive of postage). I'll keep you posted once I've got them all packaged up and ready to go.

Christmas at The Orangery 2014

Last weekend was my first event in quite some time - Christmas at The Orangery 2014, organised by Rachel Goodchild -  

 

The event was held in my home from 2001 until 2008 when, due to the volume of people attending, it was moved to a beautiful Orangery within the gardens of Goldney House and Gardens, Bristol. With this venue move the name was changed from 'Designer Sale' to 'Christmas at the Orangery.' The idea being an annual event where designers can exhibit their work for one day only. Giving customers something a little bit more unique than regular shops.

 

I absolutely loved taking part.  I'd forgotten what a rush it is to get ready for the big day and the anticipation the night before.  I actually had quite a wakeful night as little Freya was up all night.  I really wouldn't have made it though the day without the help from my Dad.  So a big thanks to my Dad. 

 

 

 

 The next step on my journey is to get my Etsy shop filled up with all my new products.  Announcements coming soon when this has been completed.  Enjoy the last few days of festive craziness.  Happy Holidays everyone.

 

Upcycled Vintage Bag - Penny Brohn Cancer Care Raffle Prize

I'm running out of my hand made up-cycled bags as they proved popular over on Etsy.  I have decided not to pursue this product line (I'm going to concentrate on interiors) so to be in with a chance to win this one pop on over to the Christmas at The Orangery and enter the wonderful raffle in support of Penny Brohn Cancer Care

 

Vintage Textile finds - New Cushion Designs

Just thought I'd share some images of the progress of my new cushions..

 

 

 

 

My Next Christmas Event - Christmas At The Orangery

Christmas At The Orangery  2014

I've recently signed up to exhibit in my first market in quiet some time (I wonder why that might be!!).  The event sounds quite exciting .. Christmas At The Orangery.

I'm looking forward to participate and meet some of the other exhibitors, especially this very talented lady .. Fiona Willis.  Her work really is an inspiration. 

 

''My prints start their life as wholly original works in pen, ink and watercolour. They are then scanned to produce a digital image from which the giclée prints are produced. However, the digital image is not manipulated in any way and is entirely representative of the original artwork. I've found this process to be the most effective way to reproduce the fine detail that characterises my work.''

http://www.fionawillis.com/about.php 

 

I really like that Fiona works in an initially very traditional way.  Drawing by hand and not manipulating her work.  I think that we loose the essence of the image when we draw directly with a graphics tablet etc.  I also prefer to draw by hand, being honest with the medium you are using.

 

I think I may need to have a gander at her pitch at the event.

Cushion Making Step by Step

Well, I now have a few Christmas events to prepare for so thought I'd better get sewing again.  I thought I'd share my recent sewing project with you ...

 

 

STEP BY STEP CUSHION MAKING

WORDS OF CAUTION:
1. Wash the fabric beforehand in the way you normally wash the type of fabric you've selected. Otherwise, unwashed sewn fabric can shrink in a hot wash or dryer later and cause seam rippage.
2. Always Iron the fabric before sewing. It's important to do this before you cut: a piece of wrinkled fabric will be a slightly different size and shape once ...pressed.

MAKING THE CUSHION COVER: Step by step

1. Cut a square of paper the same size as your cushion pad. Now cut two more pieces of paper: the first should be the same width and at least half the height, the second should be the same width and at least three quarters of the height. (Don't add an extra 1cm all the way around for a seam allowance, as most patterns do, because when the cover is slightly smaller than the pad, the cushion appears plumper.)

2. Take a good look at the fabric's pattern and choose a section you like for the front of the cushion. Lay the first piece of cut paper on top. Pin it to the fabric in all the corners, and once on each edge. Then cut around it.

3. Pin the other pieces of paper to your fabric and cut around them. Hem one long edge on each piece. Lay the fabric right side down, fold one long edge over 5mm. Iron to secure the fold, fold over 5mm again. Press again and backstitch 2mm from the edge.

4. Now lay the front piece on a flat surface, with the right side facing up. Stack the smallest of the back pieces on top, right side facing down: line up the un-hemmed long edge with the top edge of the first piece.

5. Add the third piece, right side down: line up the un-hemmed long edge with the first piece's bottom edge. Pin at the corners and once on each edge.

6. Use a backstitch all the way around the cushion cover, 10mm from the edge. (To help keep your line of stitching straight, use a pencil or a piece of tailor's chalk to add a guideline first.)

7. Once done, turn it inside out using the slit at the back. If everything looks neat and tidy, turn the cover back inside out again. Snip each corner off, 2mm from the stitches.

8. Finally, turn your cushion cover back the right way round, and use a pencil or chopstick to carefully push out each corner into neat 90-degree angles. Stuff the cushion pad in, and it's ready. See More

Cheltenham Christmas Market

Well after finding this draft from January in September!! You can probably guess that things have been a bit manic this year :)  We ended up moving into our home in March so only a month delayed.  We have now settled in and have unpacked, apart from my studio which still remains Dan's tool room!  This will soon have to change ;)

January 2014: 

I've settled back into a more productive (artwise anyway) way.  I set myself the New Year resolution of doing a drawing a day, and although I haven't quite achieved this I have started doing more drawings and quick sketches.  I feel motivated and ready to take the next step.  MORE design work.  I have been collecting all my ideas this month on Pinterest ... you can check out my boards, from HomeDesign Inspiration, Baby Makes, to Small Spaces (we have a very narrow house).  We've set the date to move into our new home on the 28th of February so we have a month to make final arrangements.  We had a painting party for our birthdays where our very VERY generous friends painted the whole house for us!! I was very surprised, firstly I didn't think anyone would actually turn up.  I mean really, doesn't sound like much fun for most people (although I actually LOVE painting,) does it?  I left early as little Freya was getting tired, however we returned the next day and I was amazed.  Really, we owe all our friends big time for the work they did for us.....

I managed to keep up the drawing throughout the year and have built up a portfolio of design work ready to be turned into fabric designs.  I have also recently found my sewing machine again (I missed her!), so I do feel like I am getting my feet firmly on the ground again (16months after having my little one!!).  I had planned to return to work part time (Facilities Manager in a hospital), but this wasn't to be.  I have now come to terms with being a full time mother but am also rather excited about the possibilities which this allows me. 

I have just agreed to take part in an Etsy Christmas fair in Cheltenham which I am rather excited about.  This feels like the next step in my journey to being my own boss.  More details to follow soon.