Kirstie Allsopp's Appliqued Cushion

I was never a huge fan of Kirstie Allsopp, until she started her Craft series on channel 4, which followed her around country shows entering various craft competitions. I found the series very inspiring as I always intend to enter competitions but then never seem to get around to it - although it did seem like an unlikely coincidence when she started to win ALL the prizes! I then received a copy of the book from the series for Christmas (well I actually ended up with 2 copies, but my mum kindly took one off my hands!) I have now finally completed one of the projects from the book... an embroidered, appliqued and quilted cushion - combining many different skills in one. I am quite pleased with it and it kept me occupied for a weekends. Let me know what you think...

 Finished Cushion

 Appliqued hare detail

 Patchwork, disolvable fabric embroidered flower and quilting

Hand embroidery

Button Cards

I have a new found love for buttons, all shapes sizes and colours. They are great for so many different craft projects and I have recently been using them to make cards... a lovely sweetie jar and Christmas baubles. Very quick and easy to make and so effective.

 

 

Farm yard sketches

Pen and marker drawings of some farm yard animals. These have been inspired by a wallpaper I came across at work. I think these will be perfect to use for my Dad's card when Father's Day comes around.

Photographic plates

Heidi Parson's combines photography and ceramics to create these lovely wall plates. Each of which is perfectly individual with fracture lines and cracks revealing the terracotta clay below. This works incredibly well with the tree trunk photos, adding to the aged character of the wood.

Beautiful Porcelain

Nuala O'Donovan is a sculptural ceramics artist from Ireland. I recently saw her work at an exhibition in Hereford and loved the way she uses natural forms to inspire her exquisite designs.

Bird Cards...

I have started making cards out of scrap fabric, textured wallpapers and old birthday cards. The theme seems to be birds at the moment, but I am going to start trying out some other designs too.

Work in progess...

This is a rug making kit which my mum bought me about 10 years ago!!..when I liked the idea of having the rug in my bedroom. We have both worked on it over the years but as you can see it is taking a while. It has recently made its way back out of the cupboard and I am busy with the wool hook once again. Maybe it will be finished in time to go in my grandchildren's room!

Paper Collage

This paper collage is based on a photo of my boyfriend... he wasn't too impressed when I told him I was making his face out of ripped up bits of paper. I really enjoyed making it and it filled an hour of a boring afternoon. Hmm, whose face shall I make next???

Cinderella Table

The Cinderella Table is one of my all time favourite design pieces. It is by the Dutch designers Demakersvan who produce some incredibly unique and forward thinking designs. The hollow plywood form plays with the idea of turning things inside out and switching between the positive and negative space of an object.

The girl with the curl

 When they were good they were very very good...



But when they were bad they were horrid...

Sketches of my neices looking lovely and not so lovely!

Watercolour Paintings

Here are some paintings I have produced using watercolour paints. I think I will choose one design to paint onto 3 square canvas panels in acrylics (although I'm not very confident at using acrylics!)

Big knitting means big needles...

Being left handed I have always struggled to learn to knit. My mum even tried to teach me using a mirror once but I could never quite get the hang of it. That was until a recent trip to Kirkharle Courtyard in Northumberland, where an interesting lesson by Ingrid Wagner gave me all the help i needed. What was the solution to my problems?....massive needles!! In a small upstairs studio, with wool spread all over the floor, Ingrid sells large wooden needles and inch thick yard, made from the otherwise discarded selvedge of industrial wool. This is used to create beautiful chunky throws, cushions and even cosy slippers. Ingrid has appeared on This Morning with Phil and Holly where she used 4 metre needles to break a Guiness World Record. She offers tutorials, or you can buy a big knit kit on her website at http://www.ingridwagner.com/. I'm planning on giving this a try, so I will keep you posted on my progress.

Birthday card...

This is a birthday card which I have made for my Gran. It is made from old scraps of material and wallpaper. I hope she likes it!

twit twoo...

Here are some owl cushions which I made for christmas presents. I love the over sized buttons for their eyes!

About me . . .

Hi! I am an interior design graduate and have recently started my first junior designer job. I want to use this blog to track my thoughts in the world of design and show off my own crafty creations. I hope you enjoy it...