Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone the best for 2010!

Mary Mary Quite Contrary...

I had the most delightful surprise through my letterbox this morning! My friend Heather had sent me a beautifully selected handmade card and leather key chain by Mary Shears of Quite Contrary Designs. Lovely to wake up to on the last day of the year! Thank you Heather!

The Copthorne

On a quick trip to the Copthorne Hotel for breakfast yesterday I was captivated by not only the Full English, but the decor wasn't too shabby either! Not everything was to my taste, but the wall covering particularly caught my eye! They were covered with a large, mysterious, photographic tree print. It wasn't quite wallpaper but more like a film cover that was engineered to fit the whole wall. The hotel's interior was designed by The Design Buro and it is well worth a visit for both the tasty food and the interior splendor!

Only in Dark Lies True Enlightenment...

Some of my latest work inspired by the darkness; exploring the way different things may be revealed in different lights. Designs were initially digitally printed, with screen print and laser cutting on top. I designed three collections; Ready to Wear, Interiors and a collection that encompassed both.

Texture and Colour.

Experiments with colour and texture and commissioned work. Oil and mixed media on canvas. Available to purchase in 'Home' on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield.

Sheffield City

A couple of my canvases of Sheffield, painted with thick oils and a range of different mediums.

We Live Here.

We Live Here by Jonathan Wilkinson is one of my initial sources of inspiration for my new project. The idea behind his work is the 'exploration of the familiar and perhaps not so familiar'. I love the idea of discovering or rediscovering something that you already think you know.

You Were Never Lovelier...

Just settled down to watch the wonderful dancing of Fred Astaire.

Mark Hearld Prints

One of the gifts I received for Christmas was 'The Pattern Sourcebook' by Drusilla Cole. It highlights some fantastic designs from the last 150 year and I particularly like the way they are colour coordinated throughout the book. One of my favourite designs is Doveflight by Mark Hearld, a two colour print that entwines to create movement and the illusion of more colours. I'm dying to order some of the screen printed fabric! You can see more of his work at the St Jude's website, where you can buy prints and textiles.

I Made you a Mix Tape

I've been dying to post the work of Julia Pott! Seeing as I bought one of her prints as a gift i've been holding off from posting her work until after the big day! I really like the mixed media quirky illustrations. Along with any purchase of her work you also receive a selection of hand drawn frames from her animations. You can see more of her work on etsy.

Lush Lovelies!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas day! We're all relaxing today, after stuffing ourselves silly yesterday! Probably going on a long walk with my family and then eating some delicious leftovers on our return. Had a great Christmas day and was really good to see everyone open their presents and appreciate the bits and bobs i'd made! I received some wonderful gifts and recognise even more how well people know me! One of my favourite presents was this lovely screen printed wild pig cushion by Lush Lampshades! I've been admiring their work for quite a while and I was so pleased to receive one of their handmade designs! It will take pride of place in my room! Thank you Tom!

Present and Correct.

All my presents are now complete, wrapped and ready under the tree!

In Miniture

While attempting to do my final bits of Christmas Shopping today I got a little distracted. Happily though, I came across some wonderful miniture handcrafted pieces. Starting with the delightful tiny driftwood and knitted sculptures by Sarah Jane Brown, these delicate little things stand no higher than 15cm tall and are crafted with wire, metal and recycled materials. I will definitely be saving my pennies for one!

I was also taken by the brooches and sculptures by Abbott and Ellwood. The narrative pieces are printed onto metal and found objects and each creates a fun and humourous story.

Oh Lordy!

My favourite decoration! It was rescued from the great loft flood of 2007 where many of our decorations were destroyed! But Mary and Baby Jesus lived on...a little more disheveled than before! Love the colours in this Jesus card from Spain, this quirky porcelain nativity by Alessi and Alexander Girard's wood block nativity.

Oh My Deer!

As Father Christmas will soon be on his way a little dedication to his trusty friends. This is a selected few members from my Bambi collection.

Let it Snow....

The snow seems to be preventing many things from getting done! Luckily I'm almost ready for Christmas so it is not really affecting me too much. Although it did mean our washing was hanging on the line for about three days!

Wonderful Wire Work

I love Helaina Sharpley's wire work illustrations. The 2D to 3D quality casts great shadows onto the wall and really makes you want to take a closer look. I first saw her work at Lustre this November, where I picked up this postcard from her. Admittedly this illustration, of Blackpool Winter Gardens, was meant to be sent to my good friend Heather. But it remains firmly pinned to my wall! Sorry Heather!x

Time for Tea.

Well the snow has not stopped and it is now pretty deep. No chance of getting out today without getting kitted out for a good long hike. So cracked on with more present making and managed to complete my tea towels.

Snow Day...

It's a very snowy day here! If it keeps snowing at this rate we might be in for a white Christmas! So in an effort not to waste my day doing nothing I cracked on with my homemade Christmas gifts. I managed to screen print my 'wrapping' which comes in the form of sustainable tote bags and is a little dedication to all things local! Hopefully heading to the antiques emporium later today to have a spy for some new artwork for my room or anything else that might catch my eye!

Home Sweet Home!

It's good to be home! Currently sitting by the blazing coals of the fire looking forward to some steak for tea followed by sticky toffee pudding fresh from Chatsworth Farm Shop. Had a really festive journey home over the frost covered countryside stopping off at John Smedley and Chatsworth to pick up a few goodies for Christmas!

Heading Home for Christmas....

I've had many excuses as to why I never had the time to do this. But now my work has been marked and my dissertation is handed in, I have no excuses left.

It is time to start another project and this is to be it! I'm heading home in the morning and looking forward to spending Christmas with my family. It's going to be a time to reflect over what has been done and a time to look forward to what's ahead. Enjoy.xx