A few photos taken as the sun was setting over Weston-Super-Mare. Dismaland was a thought provoking exhibition/sort of sarcastic ‘fun’ fair with a selection of some of my favourite artists’ work (Damien Hirst and David Shrigley to name just a couple). An impactful, awe inspiring exhibition showcasing incredible talent and insight with some hard-hitting messages. I love that materials from the site were reused in the ‘Dismalaid’ project to help build housing for refugees in Calais.
Words cannot express what a great time I had visiting friends in San Fransisco. So I’m going to sum it all up with a few of my favourite Instagram pictures!
Today was a great day for seeing some fantastic textiles work. The quality and creativity of the pieces on show at the Sion hill Bath campus was impressive. Knitted samples, printed wallpapers, structural textiles, home products, 3D pieces and fabrics with layers of enhancing techniques were on display to the public from the 11th – 15th June. The work was both innovative and beautiful. Below are some ideas which really stood out….
Charlotte Raven – Textile Print Artist
Louise Smales-Cresswell – Textile Designer
Laura Osgood – printed textiles for interiors
Megan Shepard – Textile Designer
I found this digital picture of my old work space the other day. Compared to the recent pictures which follow, isn’t the change extreme?! My desk has journeyed from the corner of a dingy flat to an open white studio-style space complete with fairy lights and feminine touches. This is a space where I can be inspired, be creative and play with ideas.
Old Desk Space
New Beginnings
Inspiration
Organiser
Me in my studio…
Where is your favourite space?
A friend recommended this event which takes place tonight at the central Attic bar in Bristol.
”Step aboard and be taken back in time to our 1940’s Blitz Party! With a dress code of Allied Forces and civilian wartime attire, either bring your own or be transformed by our tailors and barbers.” – fmbristol
Put on by Rolling Stage & VP Productions, this event sounds like great fun! Wiggle in to a pencil skirt or some military threads and get yourself down there for a free 1940’s hair restyle and live jazz and swing music!
Continuing the photography theme here are a few more images I dug out from the depths of iphoto! 3 of these were taken with a Nikon D3000 and 1 was taken with my iphone 3GS. Can you guess which is the odd one out?!
As stated in the previous post please email/comment if you would like to use any of my photographs.
Fizz!
Bristol Docks
Femme Photographer
Peros Bridge
I’ve been back in England now for precisely 7 days. The Barcelona vacation is a warm fuzzy memory but one I’m clinging to with every fresh bout of grey English drizzle!
As promised, here is the second part of my Spanish design-focused post. The following lighting ideas left a real impression and I wanted to document the simple yet effective methods of softly enhancing spaces using different lighting techniques.
The first picture was taken on the train from Barcelona to Benicassim. The smooth black ceiling of this drinks cabin is dotted at random with small holes. Bright lighting is revealed through these to create the illusion of a night sky. Because this space had such a calm, relaxed feel to it, we barely spent any time in our designated seats and chose to sit here instead with books, Illy coffees and a shared pack of Oreos. Yum.
The second and third pictures were taken in our favourite Tapas bar, aptly named Lonja de Tapas which served the best filo prawns I’ve ever eaten. The lighting in these pictures is shaded by a stylish, delicate-looking wire and paper structure. The paper pieces look scattered and almost appear to be floating which creates a beautiful and alluring aesthetic. A simplistic yet gorgeous product.
Posts have been a little scarce over the last 10 days. Well, I say scarce; they have actually been non existent! This is because I have been on holiday with my man to the beautiful City of Barcelona. It was one of the best holidays of my life. We navigated around narrow Spanish streets, lazed on beautiful beaches, learned about Picasso, visited chic bars and eateries and were even treated to a roof top barbeque by friends. As well as the usual holiday snaps I made sure to capture some clever design ideas that I saw along the way.
The Vincci Bit hotel, Barcelona. Very new and super stylish – adore the photo wall which includes local Artwork, photos and a retro style advert for Apple macs!
The use of monochrome Spanish Textiles compliments the white room perfectly. Shiny silver metallics and bright yellow accents keep the look contemporary.
The lobby leads on to the bar/restaurant/computer area. The tall shelves of brightly coloured books & globes add interest whilst the sharply angled lime chairs, scattered lighting and simplistic ceiling doodles complete the fresh eclectic look.
This vintage sign is contrasted with spherical shiny metallic ceiling decor, a textured white wall coating and a super plush chocolate carpet to welcome guests and create that all important first impression. Definitely design-aware!
The last thing to mention is that all floor hallways are decorated differently. Level 2 was spray painted in caramel, chocolate an coffee colour shades. Delicious!
Click here for Vincci Bit Hotel Info
Here is my entry for the 2012 Sew Direct competition ‘Vintage & Beyond’. The challenge is to create a modern garment from a vintage pattern and to explain your inspiration. The pattern I adapted is shown below. Fingers crossed!
My Inspiration Explained….
A great deal of inspiration for this dress came from the City of Bristol where I live. Bristol Harbour festival 2012 took place a couple of weeks ago. The striped jersey fabric hints at this theme – a celebration of all things nautical! Stripes still continue to have a strong fashion presence as they can be fun yet sophisticated at the same time. The stripe colours also reminded me of the pastel coloured houses which Bristol is often remembered for. Lastly, I wanted to make sure the dress is quite classic and chic, in the name of sustainable fashion. I am happy that I have sewed a dress that can be worn again and again, without worrying that it is only a fashion fad! To modernise the design further, I used a lightweight stretch knit for the main part of the dress which is great in terms of fit and comfort.
Photography by Shipshape&BristolFashion.
Another great find this week included this pair of Vintage style curtains. Visiting family in Leicester means that I have access to the staff shop of a well known high street store. The staff shop is full of samples, returns and sale items and these curtains called to me from the sale rail! They are perfect for our bedroom which is going to have a classical french feel to it (when I am finished with the decorating and furnishing!). I will add pictures of the room when it is finished.
After dragging my slightly reluctant family around the staff shop we walked through Leicester city centre. The John Lewis building here is beautiful – it is decorated with an antique lace print which was taken from Leicester textile manufacturing archives. What a lovely idea; using this method to link old and new.
The last place we visited on this whistle stop tour was the Pink Pigeon Vintage shop. I loved the chunky gold nut and bolt necklaces and the vintage chain print scarves. Lush!
Pink Pigeon flyer below – their online store is currently being developed but be sure to check them out soon…
Beautiful Plumage. 