Oakshott...

 I was very glad to hear that I am not the only Starter Non-Finisher amongst the group...

although if I'm not careful I'll be getting myself a reputation for being a finisher too...

Nah, probably not!

 I received a bundle of Lipari Oakshott a couple of weeks now and in all honesty I don't think I have been as bowled over by a bundle of fabrics EVER! 

If you haven't got on the Oakshott bandwagon yet, you must! The shot cottons have the most incredible jewel like quality. i have to admit when I first saw images of it I wasn't 100% sure. The camera does not do this fabric justice. Not in any way. 

It is very hard to capture the effect that the black shot (I would use the technical warp and whatnot but I'd only get it wrong) running through these subtle colours has on each colour. You will just have to take my word for it...oh and try some out for yourself.

 I decided on a couple of projects with the fabric (you can see the start of the second one here...) and since we were away last week the hand stitching hexie project seemed a good one to start with.

Do you have a plan when you start out with a project? Often I don't (that probably doesn't surprise you). I have a vague plan...as in it will incorporate hexies or whatever, but what shape or form this will take is anyone's guess at the start...and pretty much through to the end.

 I made all the hexies up last week and then started to piece them together. Again, I wasn't totally sure how this was going to be...flowers? coloured rows? random? Yes, definitely random! The jewelled colours seems to spring to life the more random the pattern.

I got about half way across the width of the cushion when i decided enough was enough and thought a little more randomness was needed to added a bit more personality to the cushion.

A few individually grouped hexies and a little sashiko embroidery later and the front was complete.

I just need to point out at this point that the back was getting me all inspired...I could feel a screen print design coming on...well I could, until someone pointed out on Twitter that it looked rather phallic...hmmmm, maybe not then.

Reining it back in...here you have my Lipari Oakshott Cushion made from the truly wonderful colourful shot fabrics ethically sourced from master weavers along the Malabar coast of South West India. These really are beautiful cottons to work with.

I'm thinking the Ruby Reds may need trying out next...

We are very lucky to have The Bowery in Leeds. The Bowery is that great combination of gallery, workshop, gifts and cafe.

It's a great place to meet friends for a coffee and it's always nice to have beautiful contemporary Artists' work on display to have a little peruse at after.

I have bought quite a few cards and gifts from here and currently have my eye on a lampshade that I keep seeing. One day soon I think I'll not be able to resist any longer...

As well as being lucky enough to live close by to The Bowery, I am also lucky enough to call them a Stockist. They came to see me at BCTF last month and it seems that other people must be as fond of the place as I am as things are selling really well and today I delivered my second box of goodies.

I haven't been in since delivering the first pieces and so hadn't seen the display. I have to say I was chuffed to bits to see all my things looking so bright and eye-catching. I am so pleased my things are doing so well here.

The only thing that isn't going too well, however, is my camera...the lead to my Mac is playing up and so am having to take photos on my iphone and as you can tell, it isn't quite cutting it. It was a pretty grey day too which didn't help much.

If you live near to The Bowery (it's in Headingley, Leeds) and haven't yet managed a trip, you won't be disappointed. And bear in mind it looks more tempting than it does in my dreary photos...

Final countdown week in the BCTF preparation stakes this week.

I've had a bit of a breakthrough this weekend with getting the stand how I want it. It's been in the preparation stages in my head and I have finally got around to getting it sorted in practice. 'Bout bloody time, you may say, and you'd be quite correct.

As well as making sure the display is as I would like it, it's all systems go as far as making sure all the samples are completed. There's still a fair amount of work to be done in that area, but I'm sure it will all get done...quite frankly it has too. There's nothing like putting yourself under a bit of pressure.

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Harrogate next Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, I'd love to see you. So please come and say hi - Im on stand D399. And if you need a ticket, just give me a shout and I'll pop one your way.

Something for the house

Yesterday ... or was it the day before now? I lose track ... it was Ladies Day. Today it is the turn of your home.

I've been coveting these beautiful cushions by Roddy & Ginger for aeons and finally they are here at Blueberry Park.

If you are a regularly reader, you know all about my soft spot for hand printed fabrics. And my soft spot for cushions. So it's hardly surprising that these were going to hit the spot.

Virginia, the talent behind this vintage inspired company, handprints stunning retro inspired designs onto linen or cotton using water based dyes.

I love the freshness and colours of her designs and never tire of gazing at them. Go check them out right here and tell me what you think. I know you'll feel the same way as I do.

Now or...

With Home & Gift being at the end of this week there were a few things that I wanted to do by today or, let's face it, they weren't going to get done until after the show. Or about a week after the show, after I've managed to scrape myself off my floor and am fully recovered.

One of the things on the list was to blog. I've done a couple of pathetic 'hi, I'm pretending to be here' posts over the weekend, but I was aware that I've been keeping a bit of a low profile here. So that needed to be put straight.

The other thing I was determined to do was to finish the cushions my sister had commissioned me. I know she's going away on Saturday and I know I wasn't seeing her until she got back and so that could have been a post show item but, as I mentioned before, by the time I've done the show, recovered from it, there will be so many more pressing things that have built up.

So last night whilst twittering away to some of you lovely people (thanks for keeping me company!) I finished off her second cushion. I'd given her a glimpse of the first. She loved it. She said she'd like the second one to match but not identical. Well, duh.

I'm really pleased with how the second one (below) has come out. I was really pleased with the first, but like anything I seem to do, somehow the second of something seems to progress, in a good way, from what has come first. It's almost as if the first was the experiment.

Matthew, however prefers the first. The fact that his first reaction was 'wow, are they for us' is compliment enough for me. And hopefully my sis will feel the same.

Cushion Developments

It's been half-term this week, which is always a juggling act between doing work thet must be done, work that I'd like to get done and looking after and being with the children. Basically, nothing really gets done on any of the scores and if we get through the week all still friends then it's been a successful one.

Today was penned in to be a definite work day. Matthew has taken the day off and taken the children to Newby Hall, which is one of their favourite places. If only I'd clicked on the website today to check directions, openning times, anything, I would have seen they were having a Craft & Food Fair today. How could I miss that??

So, I'm back home and they are off in the sunshine. The least I can do is make sure it is a productive one.
I haven't done much work this week, but what I have done is finish the 3 boys' cushions. What do you think? They are going to be for sale as is, but also be available in a kit form for you to have a go yourself. All contents (except pad) and instructions to make exactly what you see. What d'ya reckon? Fancy having a go?

I can't decide which is my favourite. I'm quite partial to the Giraffe. He's rather cute.

I really must tackle my To Do list now, but next week I'll be cracking on with making the girls' versions. They are all ready in my head, just have to have the time to get them done.

Where's my squid?

I for one have been really pleased that it's rained on and off all weekend (sorry!). We were going to go for a family day out on Saturday but decided we couldn't face dodging the rain clouds.

Consequently, I got plenty of time to make the other 2 cushions I wanted to. Having made the first, I had a feeling it was going to be case of one of those jobs that never got done, as far as the other 2 were concerned. On this occasion, I was well off the mark and got not one, but 2 completed. The secret was to do Matthew's first and then still wanting one for myself, I'd have no trouble to be motivated to do that!


I included Matthew in the decision process (or so I'd like hime to think) and let him choose fabrics to be included (within the design frame of course) I think he is pleased with it. But his first (and continued) reaction was 'Where's my squid?' I think we all know that the squid was never going to make it.

As for the fishies he was so desperate to include... there really was only one place for these...

Mine obviously had to include Social Climber. I'm now waiting anxiously for my aunt to come over from USA in a couple of weeks, with reinforcements of this that I've ordered from Cia's Palette as I'm now all out. It also had to include the fabulous paisley from Prints Charming (next project is to use the gorgeous blue and red version)


Having completed our bedroom cushion project I am on a mission to redo ALL the cushions in the house! (Ruby has already put her orders in) I've also been rather preoccupied with thinking up children's designs for the shop. So watch this space...this is just the beginning...