Teaching teacups

This is one of my appliqued teacups which will be fastened to the walls of the play houses. The idea that the child learns different fastenings such as buttons, zips, etc. This one is fixed together with velcro and will be fixed to the walls with velcro. i aim to make them almost camoflaged into the walls so that the item is not immediately obvious. The cups and saucers, teapots, cakes etc will encourage pretend, imitative and imaginative play.

Seals at Gwithian

Whilst walking with Eric, Mum and Dad near Godrevy lighthouse we came across a beach which is unaccessable, it was full of sunbathing seals. We counted 94 and could not believe our luck.

Valentine's Coffee

After moving to a new place in Penryn, I was feeling a little lost and not settled in, nowhere felt like home. A couple of days before Valentine's Day the morning sun created shadows onto my morning coffee. It made me smile...a great way to start the day.

I think this would make a lovely valentines card.

MAD Tea Party

Masters Art Design (MAD) Tea party was an event we held on the 16th February to help raise money to go to Milan or the MA Show. We baked cakes, bought in junk to sell and made £125.00 for the pot.

Snow in Perranporth

It rarely snows in Cornwall and even more unheard of to settle but Cornwall was in Chaos when the snow hit us at the beginning of february.

Cakes.....From 2D to 3D

Moving forward i wanted to make the cakes more lifelike, fun for children to touch and play with, for pretending and imaginative games. I made cakes out of card and making very simple patterns began to reproduce them in lovely bright fabrics.
Although i love these, they are not incorporating the digital print that i want. I also feel that maybe some need to have more of a function....maybe childrens furniture to go in the play tents?

Christmas Fair

I joined forces with Rowena Ardern for the weekend before Christmas and we had a stall at the Christmas Fair at Jubilee Wharf, Penryn a beautiful Eco-Building by the waters edge at Penryn, Cornwall.

I produced 3 clocks and a load of brooches to try to make a bit of money for Christmas and was more than pleased with the results.

This was one of my photographs which led onto the acrylic laser cut brooches. The brooches and clocks are available on my Etsy store.

Play Dens

This is a very rough image of what i'm trying to acheive, from the outside the playhouse will look like the birdhouses but inside will be like a teahouse.


Whilst looking for Emily Dysons shop Couverture i came across a few beautiful childrens shop's on Kensington Road. One had gorgeous hand appliqued play dens in the window. I keep looking but still no digitally printed ones.

1950's Aprons

Aprons inspired by the 1950's by MALPHI. These are gorgeous and look great to wear everyday. If i had longer legs i would buy their bloomers....delicious.
I think i'll make some aprons with a digital twist.

New Years Resolution....

...write on my blog at LEAST once a week.

Cupcake applique samples

A selection of samples i've been working on which were inspired by drawing my cupcakes.

Bon Voyage Katie and Chris!

I Said goodbye to my very dear friend Katie Devenish and hubby Chris who are cycling around the world for a few years and finally finishing at New Zealand. They have a blog should you fancy following along. They are trying to make it as interactive as possible by sending and receiving gifts along the way and by documenting every step of the way.

I love my Studio

This is a montage of pictures of my studio so that i can show you all angles. I had a trip to Ikea a couple of weeks ago to get a couple of new desks and check out the little step stool! I've just tidied it and now have evidence that sometimes....just sometimes, it's clutter free.
I feel ready now to start on my presentation for Monday and then back to sewing more fabric cakes and plates.

Four fancy cakes

I'm definately getting better at the cupcakes, here are 4 more i made to help to get to know my subject. I've now drawn these and produced samples using scraps of fabrics which i will scan in and post this week.
I went for High Tea at Charlotte's Tea House in Truro on Saturday to live the experience!

cupcakes

Following on from the soft sculptured birds and birdhouses, i am looking at creating fabric play tents with digital printed walls and soft sculptured, interactive add -ons inside. The first is a tent suitable for tea parties.
This afternoon i made loads of cupcakes to photograph, draw and eat. Here are just a few. I'm feeling rather sick now but will be making more tomorrow in bright colours.

Etsy

I've finally joined Etsy
Call in and have a look in my shop.

ISAK

It was my birthday last week and Mum gave me a bit of money to treat myself , i've had my eye on an illustration by ISAK for a while so i treated myself.

Alison Willoughby Workshop

I've just spent 2 wonderful days at Trelowarren, Nr Helston Cornwall at workshop held by Alison Willoughby (Skirt Artist).
Organised by Cornwall crafts offered at a bargain cost of £60.00 for the 2 days. She taught us many different and exciting stitch techniques. Here are some off my samples. There are more on my Flickr site.

Statement for MA Show

Simply stop and take in the moment…

MA Textile Design (part-time)
This exhibition marks the halfway point in my MA Textile Design, showcasing samples and prototypes of my work in progress.

What is your project?

Soft sculpture.
My aim is to design and create soft sculptures using digital technologies from computer design programmes through to laser cutting and digital fabric printing; by combining traditional methods such as screen-printing, machine and hand stitch embellishment to give a handcrafted feel.

Why have you chosen this particular focus?

In a busy modern world it is sometimes difficult to remember to enjoy the smaller things that surround us. I have been influenced by what is on my doorstep, a hawthorn tree, which is full of life and an abundance of activity and entertainment. I have become an avid birdwatcher and weather permitting, I sit under my tree to read, research, sketch and make.
Garden birds can sometimes get taken for granted or overlooked, but in a world of ever decreasing green space and woodlands they have become more and more dependent upon us feeding and housing them. My work is a gentle reminder of our feathered friends and the pleasure they give.


What processes have you involved in the production of your final Designs?

I began by looking at dolls, soft toys, the hawthorn tree and ornithology. I use photographs, film and observational sketches to study the characteristics of each individual bird. Research into nursery rhymes, fables, and myths and historical and modern tales surrounding the chosen birds have all influenced the design for each bird and their respective houses.
Using my imagery, I manipulate it using different computer programmes to generate and refine ideas and concepts.
At heart I am a maker, I enjoy the challenge that new digital technologies bring and adore traditional textile making methods, by combining the two is of pure self-indulgence.

Do you aim to develop these ideas further?
With nine species of bird regularly visiting my garden I intend to complete further studies and produce birds and houses to represent them. The process of ‘placed’ designs has opened up many new possibilities and I intend to use these methods in future work. However, I also intend to carry on researching and using new digital and traditional methods of creating soft sculpture.

What element or aspect of the design(s) would you want people to notice?

The detail of each individual piece, however tongue in cheek it may be.

What one word would summarise you as a designer?

Versatile

My MA Midway show.

One year on... 4 graduating and 4 midway with another year to go " The 8 of us".
Watch the film of my show called "Simply stop and take in the moment..."