Textile Workshops at Just Imagine...

I've posted here before about my absolute favourite Independent bookshop, Just Imagine in Chelmsford, but I just wanted to share with you some exciting textile workshops I'm running there. I know I've said it before, but it is such a wonderful place, they always have the most amazing books, workshops and events. I feel so lucky to have it as our local bookshop, and I'm beyond thrilled to be working with them! I'm doing a series of workshops called Textile Talent. I started by doing a decorating a cushion session (the finished cushions were amazing! Wish I had more photos - we had smiley faces, skulls, a friendly cat and turtle pattern all adorning beautifully designed cushions, I was so impressed with the design skills of the children who came!):

Followed by a making your own Springtime bunting - this was such a lovely session, we used simple applique techniques to decorate brightly coloured bunting with felt. One thing I also enjoy about being at Just Imagine is the lovely atmosphere you get while making, I had lovely conversations with the girls who did this workshop about the St.Clare's books by Enid Blyton (one of my favourites). The following photos are from a very talented Georgia who was at the workshop, I think you'll agree her bunting is so gorgeous and I'm so glad that she now has it proudly displayed in her room. Many thanks to Georgia and her mum for letting me use these pictures.

The next session I'm doing is, how to create an applique notebook cover. Here's a little sample one I've made - the workshop will be led by the children that come, so I can't wait to see what kind of things they want to apply to their notebooks :) to book a place on the workshop please visit the Just Imagine website: http://www.justimaginestorycentre.co.uk

Ketchup On Everything

I just have to share this amazing prize I won recently on twitter through Blog & Buy Sale. Which if you haven't stumbled upon before, is a fantastic site which showcases the work of independent artists/designers/makers. It's really great for finding really quirky and unique products. I've been pouring  over the work of Kay Vincent (Ketchup on Everything) for a while now - in fact our house definitely needs to have one of these prints! I love the humour and simplicity in her designs, as well as the graphic colour palette.  So I was thrilled to win this gorgeous melamine coaster set, it's made in Britain and is of a really lovely quality, and oh how these quirky little characters make me smile in the mornings when drinking my morning cuppa! Thank you so much to Kay and Blog & Buy Sale!

www.blogandbuysale.com

www.ketchuponeverything.co.uk

Gorgeous Weekends

So I know the weather has kind of gone downhill since the weekend, but I thought I'd post about it to try and tempt the sun back a bit, as it was just a bit lovely wasn't it? Not sure I can remember a bank holiday like it! We spent lots of family time together outside, sometimes in the garden.

Look at these pretty frilly edged tulips which have just come up in our front garden, I probably should have left them there (I remember so clearly my mum telling me off for picking flowers as a child!) but I couldn't resist putting them in my beautiful pink vintage vase.

Delilah had fun on a tractor at Barleylands Farm,

...and marvelled at the Gruffalo sculptures at Thorndon Country Park.

I was particularly excited by finally being able to wear my new bright blue floral Keds!

Here's to another amazing weekend everyone, hope you all have a good one :) xxx

Pattern Pins of the Week

My favourite patterned pins from pinterest - I've had this top one pinned for ages and love it, I like to think it's the pattern breaking free from the ceramics, would love to take my work in this type of direction one day.

I adore these gorgeous Ikea fabrics, I always love going in the Ikea textiles department, such good prices also am currently trying to choose some more for our home at the moment (the ones which we have at the moment were there when we moved in and have possibly been there for the last 50 years! and unfortunately not in a cool retro way)

And how uplifting is this beautiful Liberty fabric? So happy!  I'm not sure anything else needs to be said - hope everyone's having a lovely weekend :) xx

Bread and Jam

I have loved Bread and Jam dresses for what seems like ages, long before I had my baby girl and before any of my friends had had babies. But even so I was so taken by them I kept trying to think of reasons I could buy myself one just because they are quite simply so beautiful! I saw them at the country living fair a few years ago and remembered thinking how really there just weren't anyother dresses like them for little girls - I have to say I think generally the highstreet seems to be all too in love with the sugary princessy style look for girls (this is so not my mischievious Delilah!) Anyway, I was lucky enough to win tickets to go to the gala night for the Country Living Spring Fair this year, and I knew the one thing I would have to buy is one of these beautiful dresses. Just look at their gorgeous fabrics.......

I love the way that they're meant to be worn all the time, not saved for special occasions or a particular season - Delilah can run around in the summer being perfectly cool, and layer with a long sleeve top, chunky tights and a cardi in the winter months (or spring it would seem). I love them so much! This is the design I went for in the end, the Summer Hill Dress. The dress start at age 2, so I still have a bit of time before Delilah will fit in it properly, but until then I'll just admire it hanging in the wardrobe :)

http://www.ilovebreadandjam.com