Shire Hall Gallery Jan 2013

So after a fabulous month away from home, I'm finally back and Resolution 2013 is to blog more. 

While it was so good to be away, I did however miss home and my family a lot. Today was my errand day, time to restock the fridge, check the bank account etc etc. So in my small town of Stafford I saw there was a Textiles Exhibit...I couldn't resist a peek inside. 

Here's some artists works which really caught my eye. 

As soon as I came into the doors and saw this artist's work, I thought Rob Ryan and had to look twice.

Anna Howarth also works with paper cuts and explores cultural identity in her works.

Becky Adams had really beautiful stitch work on display. If you have a look at her website you can see how lovely and detailed her work is, irresistible textiles.

Some very intricate work by Laura Grain

Boop Design Ceramic Pieces.

And last of all, it was most lovely to discover a fellow Staffordshire University ex-student's work exhibited at the Gallery. Julia Jowett

Winter Love

It is truly feeling like Winter now with this freezing cold weather but sadly Christmas has gone by so it's not feeling quite the same. 

Here is a quick update of things I am loving right now.

1. The Fairisle pattern, pixelated and beautiful. 
2. The Raspberry colour is looking to be a hot colour this Winter.
3. Also the bold "Electric Blue" colour is looking to be a trendsetter. 
4. A far cry from the statement Black, anything with Sparkle and Glitter is addictive.
5. Crochet, from coasters to knitwear and cuddly bears. 
6. Woodland designs. The first pattern is by Sheri Berry Designs and the second card design is from my personal favourite Cinnamon Aitch - Wild Wood Collection.

Life as an intern

Hello!

Wow time flies, I always intend to post on what I have been up to but because I'm busy busy I never get the chance.

A long while ago I had a great opportunity at TU womenswear as a design assistant. I was able to learn and assist the manager of the design team in womenswear and a great peek at children's wear too.
I gained skills in preparation for meetings, mood boards, fashion analysis and fashion trend research. I was also really lucky to have access onto private websites and see all the great and upcoming trends from Paris, Milan, New York and London. Designers from Chanel to Marc Jacobs to high street Topshop, it was such a privilege to be there.

It was a brilliant experience and a great peek into the fashion world.

Spotted: Laissez Lucie Faire

On another winter day, just doing some design trend spotting and fell in love with the bold, quirky yet sweet French Company Lassiez Lucie Faire

They have available some fantastic designs and patterns on their website, mostly available in homewares.

Cornwall

Hello there, sorry for another long delay in updating you with a post. I didn't get a chance to update when I got back from my jollies to Cornwall, Bude. I finally had the time to relax on a week's holiday and see the sites, enjoy myself and eat so much food. I really loved my week away in the sunny yet windy side of England, although now writing this post it seems forever ago from today's typical British weather. 

So on my travels I did some Card Spotting and couldn't resist taking snaps of some beautiful designs I saw. 

I love the use of colours in Rachel Ellen Designs

Can't resist a bit of Rob Ryan

Beautifully clear cut white space and the focus is automatically drawn to the Artist's intricate drawings.

The above two snaps are by Paper Salad.

I love the above design with the beautiful stitch elements with the colours and patterned fabric.

POOTLE Design cards

We popped into the local Sainsbury's in Bude and I spotted these beautiful intricate design by the Sainsbury's Signature range. 

My partner and friends climbing the hills, this reminded of the scene from The Sound of Music, at the end of the film where the Von Trapp are doing the same. As we soldiered on singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music....."

I've never been to or seen a beach that the rocks are covered with alive mussels, I was fascinated!

This sweet little tea shop is opposite the beach, the tablecloths and bunting were co-ordinated which appeared Cath Kidston orientated. It was decorated with little beach sea sayings and songs like "Oh I do like to live beside the seaside." 

On the journey home we decided to visit Cheddar Gorge and walk all the way up to see the view and explore.