2009 Degree Show

Since I last wrote I have been to Hartlepool twice to see the Degree Shows at CCAD. The opening night was very busy and brought back all sorts of memories from last year. It was lovely to see some familiar faces and catch up with people a little bit, as well as seeing the end result of all the hard work I’ve been reading about on various blogs.An instant favorite was Holly Flanagan’s amazing dresses, featuring bold prints and jewel like embroidered neck-pieces.The embroidery was so original and fresh, very inspiring. I think she is entering the Hand and Lock Competition this year so I’d like to wish her good luck.

I’ve been working on some new designs and found out I’d sold a piece in Japan which is good news amongst the gloom of a wet June day. I’ve also been making a few little bits and pieces to take to York for the Embroiderer’s Guild exhibition.I’m not sure if I’ll be allowed to sell stuff but I need to fill the table anyway.Its a shame the exhibition clashes with the next Designer’s Marketplace in Middlesbrough on the 28th.

Now, time to reheat the coffee and finish some sewing. I just finished my last  (and decidedly weirdest) Moomin book, “Moominpappa at Sea”, and have that horrible feeling you get when you finish a book and feel a bit bereft!

Monster

I’m really enjoying working on this little jacket ,now that I’ve started stitching into it and just playing,instead of worrying about trends and the mass market. I wonder if I can borrow a baby to model it when I get it finished!?

Today I’ve been a domestic goddess, making rhubarb jam and starting some bread off, filling in my tax return and attempting to draw some bluebells as well as updating my C.V. The updating was due to a call I got this morning from Protocol National asking if I was interested in applying for some art and design teaching jobs.Anyway,there’s no harm in trying…

So, although I’ve been busy busy busy, (and still not quite managing to get on top of things) I’m struggling to find much to talk about tonight. Time for a drop more coffee and some more sewing.Perhaps this monster that Jake made will give me some inspiration and encouragement! Isn’t he great.

Hopefully the books I ordered will arrive soon, (“Textile Designers at the Cutting Edge” Bradley Quinn and “Moominpappa at Sea” Tove Jansson) I’m desperate for more Moomin stories ; why have I only just discovered them?

Books

Today I went looking for that Moomin book I said I was saving for a special occasion ; needing to escape a little from the here and now. So I went into town and bought books and Vogue Bambini ( for research) and embroidery thread. As I left the bookshop I heard this …a man, with a small boy of about 2 or 3 who wanted to go in to the bookshop, said ” you don’t want to go in there, it’s only full of books” ….my heart sank even further than it was already. Sometimes a good book is the only thing that saves me. I can’t imagine a childhood without books or stories…poor kid.

Well I posted some designs today so that means I can spend tonight doing something to put on Etsy, before starting another group of six. Today’s picture is a sketchbook page, I really must start using it more.

Time to light the fire now and snuggle down with my reading.

(Oh, don’t forget, if you’re in Newcastle this Saturday, Designers Marketplace is holding it’s latest event at the university there; actually, I might get the train up since the weekend is looking pretty empty so far!)