In memory of 'The Aunties'

Recently the last of my three great Aunties passed away. The Aunties were three very inspirational ladies; they cared very much for their family and dedicated their lives to looking after each other. They were always very interested to hear about what I was up to and liked the fact that I enjoyed sewing; a hobby they shared. I am sure I must have inherited some of my creative streak from their line of the family. I have also been very lucky to inherit some beautiful textiles that they had embroidered and a lovely sketchbook dated 1820 full of intricate floral designs. Over the next few weeks I will share with you some of my favourite textile pieces and pages from the sketchbook. I hope you will find them as inspirational as I do. 

So this blog is in memory of three lovely ladies, 'The Aunties' Eileen, Margaret and Hazel. 

Mint Design Blog - 'In the Wilds' book giveaway

Mint Design Blog have a great giveaway - an amazing book with beautiful drawings by Nigel Peake. Take a look at http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2011/06/giveaway-in-the-wilds-by-nigel-peake/

Folksy

There are so many lovely things on Folksy http://www.folksy.com/ an online shop for handmade items.

I love these bird brooches by Buttercup Boutique

 http://www.folksy.com/shops/buttercupboutique?page=2

Free Machine Embroidery

  I have been practicing my free machine embroidery ready for a course I will be teaching in September. It is such good fun!  

 

Front 

 

Back

As often happens I think I prefer the back!

  

Original drawing.

I will be teaching my course 'Creative Machine Embroidery' at New College Swindon in September. www.newcollege.ac.uk 

Mint Design Blog

I love receiving daily updates from Mint - they brighten up my day! Their own design work and the work of others that they blog about are always very inspiring. http://www.mintdesignblog.com/

Alyssa Nassner

 

I really love the illustrations of Alssa Nassner which mint blogged about this week.

http://www.mintdesignblog.com/

in the studio: note card patterns  

 

I love these paper designs for Hello Tenfold designed by the creator of Mint.

http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2011/02/in-the-studio-note-card-patterns/

this week’s recipe: stella cake  

 

Mint even blog a weekly recipe – don’t you just love the look of this cake inspired by Stella McCartney’s Spring Collection? Gorgeous!

Thank you Mint for brightening up my days with such lovely things! 

Handmade in Britain

Had a lovely day in Bath yesterday. The Handmade in Britain Exhibition was very inspiring. The work was all of a very high standard and very beautiful. I particularly loved the printed textiles of Maya Wilson, the embroidered textiles of Helen Steel, the ceramics of Julia Davey and the 3D Art of Katie Heeks.

 

Maya Wilson's beautifully printed textiles.

http://www.mayawilson.co.uk

 

Birds & Berries Cushion
Sage & Lilac £61 by   Helen Steel  

Woodcut Love Birds Tea Towel
 Cherry Red on White £13 by Helen Steel

http://www.helensteeldesign.com

Fox and Rabbit Milk Jug £19  by Julia Davey

Babushka Mug £17 by Julia Davey

1950's Robot Teapot for one person £30 by Julia Davey

http://juliadavey.com

3D Garden by Katie Heeks

http://www.katieheeksdesigns.com 

Hopefully I will exhibit at Handmade in Britain in the future!

Helkatdesign

I was really inspired when I discovered Helkatdesign as they are a textile design company that make printed and embroidered cushions just down the road from me in Wiltshire! Hopefully if they can make a success of it so can I!

Cushions are available from www.etsy.com