Herdwick sheep fabric design

I was recently commissioned to design some fabric for a lovely lady at Out of the Pen who makes handmade pillows and cushions using Herdwick sheep wool and natural materials up in the Lake
District.

I set about some visual research in to Herdwick sheep, which are very characterful and look like they're smiling, so I thought this would be a nice little project. After several sketching episodes I landed on one particular illustration, and laid out a simple reverse and repeat pattern with a light background. I thought this design would make a neat square cushion, and set about preparing the artwork for print, again at Woven Monkey. As always if you are going to print your own bespoke fabric be sure to fork out for a sample piece to make sure your colours are true to what you want.

Below is the original drawing, the pattern, and the final cotton drill fabric. I can't wait to see the completed cushions, I'll update the post when I have some pics.

You can find out more about Out of the Pen at their website here

Lingotastic floor cushions

 I recently made a stack of floor cushions for Sarah at Lingotastic, to use for their classes. I had the fabric made at Woven Monkey again, the same as I did the Lingotastic rocket cushions some time ago. (If you missed that tutorial catch it here)

I cut, prewashed and ironed the fabric, and cut the backing material and wadding to size too. I bought the 200g wadding for £2.50 a metre, I found this to be just about the thickest to get through my machine with 2 layers of heavy fabric. I used size 90 needle, and managed to get through 4 of them making these! The backing material was from Workaid (if you missed that post, check it here)

I pinned the fabric layers together with the wadding at the bottom, and the 2 fabric layers RIGHT sides together on top of that. I then marked a 15cm opening that I wouldn't be stitching, in order to turn right side out. I then stitched all around, being careful to make a clean 90 degree turn at the corners. I used a 1cm seam allowance around, and then trimmed the corners to get a good shape when turned the right way out.

I would usually trim the excess wadding and material from the seam before pulling inside out but in this case I left it as it actually helps give the cushion a good edge and anchor it on the floor a bit. Once pulled carefully through the opening I found a lovely buff floor cushion. Careful machine stitching to the outside to close it up completed it! Repeat x 9 and the job was done!

Old Town Quarry & Artists' Studios, Weston-Super-Mare

A couple of weeks ago I found myself at the Old Town Quarry in Weston-Super-Mare, such a great find! A working quarry from the 19th Century, it ceased production in the 1950s and became a place to relax and enjoy nature. Sitting snugly beneath the Weston woods, this peaceful site is now a serene haven to lots of British wildlife including foxes, toads and butterflies aplenty. There are many historical features of the quarry to see, including a huge restored weigh bridge and little sheds housing original tools and information. In addition, the quarry is home to one of only 3 working blacksmiths in the country. Set high into the imposing quarry wall, its really a magical place and I wish I could have caught the blacksmith at work!

I was most excited to see that the quarry is also home to a host of local artists who rent studio space in this remarkable place. I was lucky enough to be shown around the studios by Aileen, which are not usually open to the public. Such fantastic workspaces, I can't imagine a more inspirational location in which to base a community of artists. There is a wide range of art produced, from ceramics to paintings to jewellery to garden furniture. There is a working kiln to fire ceramics, and well-used desks and workbenches all over, littered with interesting pieces of work, books, brushes and bit and bobs! As per usual, the slightly musty, solventy, inky, woody aroma that comes from a vibrant working studio had me feeling happy and at home!

If you aren't already convinced this place is worth a visit, there is also a lovely little tearoom selling homemade products, and housing various exhibitions. The intimate gift shop also holds some unique and interesting things, including some of the artists' work and information about the history of the quarry.

I recommend a trip here for a cup of coffee on a quiet morning, to take in the wonderful surroundings and have a ponder, look at the current exhibition and maybe catch a glimpse of the artists or the blacksmith at work. It's really magical.

More information on the quarry can be found at www.oldtownquarry.co.uk and information on the community artists here at http://qarts.co.uk/

The 100 Day Project on Instagram

Woohoo - I just completed my 100 day project #100daysoffoundpatterns.

Originally inspired by (designer/teacher/writer) Michael Beirut, this 100 day project was initiated by artist Elle Luna and the publication The Great Discontent in 2014. (Read more here) Anyone and everyone was invited to pledge their own creative commitment for 100 days, as a celebration of process.

Being a pattern-fanatic I pledged to post a 'found pattern' once a day for 100 days. (It turns out I got my numbers mixed up a few times and actually ended up with 104!) Finding patterns was in fact a lot easier than I thought, and after just a few days I found myself more observant of my surroundings and searching for patterns without even knowing it - great for fine tuning my visual awareness! It was lots of fun, and also served as a kind of visual diary of places I have been and things I have done. I have loved the variety of pattern making, (admittedly some are more 'textures' than patterns) from architecture to plants to food and different materials.

It really taught me the value in committing to doing something creative everyday, however small it is. I also really enjoyed the community element of this project, checking out the many different projects literally across the globe, and connecting with other creative people. I look forward to the next one! Below are a few of snapshots of my project, along with a showcase of a few of my favourite projects, which I really enjoyed looking out for every day.

View my complete project here: https://instagram.com/explore/tags/100daysoffoundpatterns/

 

Feature 1: @Nashvilletypecase #100daysofnashvilletype
The first feature project is from @Nashvilletypecase which does what it says on the tin! This project is a gorgeous collection of found type in Nashville, some real crackers in there for typophiles. Being many miles away I find this a real treat to get a glimpse of some lovely graphics from the other side of the pond. What a lovely little inspirational resource this project is.

Feature 2: @pocketbeagles #100daysofpaintingthings

The next is #100daysofpaintingthings by Melbourne based @pocketbeagles. This is the most imaginative and fun project I found, where random objects were painted into all sorts of crazy stuff. Its funny, clever and great art. The Frankenstein matchbox is my favourite, closely followed by the galaxy blaster hairdryer. I am so going to miss this project!

Feature 3: @evie_barrow  #100daysofportraitsonpaperbyevie

Finally I want to feature #100daysofportraitsonpaperbyevie by @evie_barrow. Another Melbourne based illustrator, Evie painted 100 lovely characters in 100 days. They are really charming and bright and cheered up my Instagram feed regularly!

Oriel Wrecsam Contemporary Art Gallery

Quite by chance I happened upon a lovely gallery/shop one Saturday morning a few weeks ago, whilst visiting the in-laws. Oriel Wrecsam (Wrexham Gallery) is in Wrexham, North Wales and is currently at a temporary location on Chester Street having moved from within the library. What a lovely find this was! There are plans to develop a creative arts hub, with the Oriel calling itself the 'Premier Venue for Contemporary Visual and Applied Arts in North East Wales'. They are in the process of developing a centre that will include gallery and studio space, for artists and other creative industry, performance space and even a curated cinema programme. It sounds brilliant! Since I visited they have had the front of the shopfront painted by talented artist Jonny Hannah. I look forward to visiting again to see it!

Inside is a print lovers paradise, I could happily have browsed for hours! There are racks of beautiful editioned prints, stationery, bags, ceramics and jewellery, plus a very impressive magazine selection. The space itself as been beautifully designed too, and the displays well put together. I was pleased to pick up some Norman Ackroyd postcards (one of my favourite printmakers).

I wouldn't have stumbled upon this gallery if my 2 year old hadn't spotted the vending machine out the front. I'm sure she was hoping it contained Sponge Bob toys, but to my surprise it was an ArtVend machine. ArtVend is a brilliant initiative whereby local artists produce 50 pieces of original art for £50, each unique piece being packaged into a plastic egg and sold 'self-service' for £1. Also included inside was a note from the artist, and a link to their website or contact information. I was pleasantly surprised to find a lovely original print in mine, small but perfectly formed!

If you find yourself in the north west you should go take a look. A little treasure trove in the heart of Wrexham.

Oriel Wrecsam
11 Chester St, Wrexham LL13 8BE
Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm
Free admission
Twitter @orielwrecsam

Fizzog! Ken Garland & Associates

I was sifting through bits and bobs in the charity shop this week and happened across this retro piece of design by the iconic and influential British designers 'Ken Garland & Associates' in 1969. The box is in pretty good nick, and the set of cards is complete with the original instructions too. What a great find for £1.99! Lovely crisp and clean design, and the game looks pretty fun. Its a simple card game where you have to place your cards down to make adjoining faces, and get points for matching various facial parts each time.

Garland designed the logo for Galt in 1961 and designed for many of their catalogues and advertisments, all of which are truly beautiful pieces of graphic design. I found this great little interview with Ken and some wonderful vibrant images on Design Boom which you can read here! Another great link is for Ken Garland's website: http://www.kengarland.co.uk/ 

I'm now on the lookout now other classic children's games they designed, 'Connect' and 'Anymals'!

Happy thrifting!

Pencil Museum, Keswick

One of the highlights of our recent holiday to the Lake District was a trip to the Pencil Museum in Keswick. The birthplace of pencils, it is home to the largest pencil in the world and is a really sweet little museum that's packed with history and information. The media room has a fascinating video showing the process of making a pencil - believe me, it really IS fascinating! And who doesn't love a pencil shaped waste bin?

Here are a few snaps of my personal highlights, including some lovely patterns made from pen nibs, and some gorgeous vintage packaging and typography. For a stationery lover like me, it was awesome! There's loads for kids to see and do, and they periodically hold family fun days in the holidays. The shop is brilliant, I bought a great wash and line set, and some earrings made from pencils! The museum also hold regular group sessions for demonstrations and tuition workshops and seem really committed to making art accessible and appealing to everyone - which is great to see! Did I mention the lovely coffee shop too?

If you are planning a trip to the Lakes, you should fit this into your plans - its well worth a visit. Go and get yourself a pencil education!

Loads more information on their website, take a look here: Pencil Museum

The Cumberland Pencil Museum, Keswick, CA12 5NG
Open daily 9.30 - 5pm (plus extended hours during school holidays)
Adults £4.50
Under 5s free
http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/
Link to the online shop: Pencil Museum online shop