Renegade Craft Fair London

So, book and magazine in hand I set off on the train Sunday to London, to meet up with my sister to go to Renegade Craft Fair. It was fab! Full of inspiring people and their creative work. Lots to see and tempt the pocket!

Image courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair

There were so many talented and creative individuals to be seen. Here are a few purchases I made

earrings by Lovely Pigeon

print by Drew Morrison

necklace by Ladybird Likes

There were so many gorgeous things to buy but alas we could not buy everything! Here are a few other artists/crafters that we loved:

I am acrylic

Kayleigh O'Mara

Debbie Greenaway

Mellybee

The cat in the shoe

to name a few!

If you want to see all the artists and links to their websites then check out the Renegade Craft Fair site itself x

Inspiration: journal (2)

I am a Writer by Michele Maule

Still feasting my eyes on some great inspiration for playing with paint, pen, paper and collage in my journal. Loving the layers and textures and how pages can become 'artworks' in their own right :)

Through the lens...

Sparkle and shine...

reflection of a kitchen light no less!

Image from kateydate

Image from weheartit

It's nearing time for magic dust...

Sewsister

From looking at 'popular posts' and even my stats I can see that a lot of people have been dropping by my blog and reading about my lovely friend Sue or 'Sewsister' as she is known. I cannot blame you at all for eagerly reading and looking at the pictures of her work. She is fab! Such a talented lady, always a kind and encouraging word or more when it comes to creating. Recently I visited Farnham Maltings to see the Festival of Crafts which she was taking part in. Not only were there many wonderful stands there but more importantly to me I was excited to see what new things Sue had on display. What can I say?! I was not disappointed in the least.

Fab signage and how can you not like Sue's cute owl logo?!!

A glorious stand packed full of goodies

One of the beautiful fabric collages, they all have a story

Bundles of bright fun fabrics

Another fabulous fabric collage, cakes yum!

The amazing Giraffe which everyone was invited to help decorate over the weekend. Decopatch is addictive and fun!

One very cute and very large bunny, you need to cuddle these and will instantly feel better!

Apologies for my somewhat dark photos. It has to be said that the lighting there wasn't the best. That coupled with me still getting to grips with my camera doesn't make for perfect photos just yet! Anyway I hope you enjoy these photos of Sewsister, Sue is one talented and fantastic lady. Be sure to drop by her website for a peek, it is something she is constantly updating and building on. You can even book a 'Workshop Visit' to be all creative with her. I am hoping to make a date with her to visit her studio as I am sure it well be an absolute box of inspiring creative delights! x

Sketchbook

Well I am all ready for some creative me time. I know that I am making and creating as part of Weft A Bit alongside the 'day' job however it's also nice to make time to do some selfish creating too! I am now all prepared as it were as my lovely new sketchbook arrived this weekend.

Oooo so exciting! I know those of you out there will know what I mean at the joy of starting a new blank canvas to create and experiment upon. What is even more perfect about this particular book is that it is handmade and coptic bound, so that the pages lay flat for an even bigger space to play upon......

This book was purchased from a lovely British based etsy seller - thepapergardenuk - Stephanie's work is fab and I can't wait to use it. I have my paints, paper, fabric and even my sewing machine at the ready as well as my colourful Sharpie pens!

Time to get creating then...!!! x

Thinking...

Hello, v long time no see (well at least here!). I, as you are all aware have been posting over here (see below)

this year as part of the new business venture I am a partner in. I'm wondering though about starting my blog here up again and wondered what you all thought? I'd be posting about stitching, doodling, journaling... sound interesting? Would love to share what I'm creating and get input from all of you out there x

The 52MMMC Week 11

Well long time no see, I've been busy with the 'day' job, my own work, life in general and of course Christmas gift shopping - like a lot of people I'm sure.

Anyhow I've posted this 'make' although it is something I have made to sell, as it was the first time I had attempted them and so I felt I was able to include them in my 'makes'!

So what do you do with these
(which I'd made and had hanging around for a while not doing anything)


and these which I bought at a flea market in France


You make these of course - wreathes!!!!!
(reverse side of wreath as it was hanging on my stall this weekend)


one pictured hung with wee fairy lights on, all aglow


and finally my third one hanging again on my stall this weekend (reverse side through my garlands streamed across my stall, making sure it was all 'decked' out for festive selling!)


Well I hope that they add some cheer to your day.
I have to say that I have two more still to make
as I made these trial three to see if they would get any interest.
Well I had my stall Saturday with all three and went home with.......................none!!!!!!
So smiles all round from customers giving homes to my handmade circles of happiness.
And smiles from me for knowing they were going home with some lovely people who will appreciate them adorning their abodes and adding splashes of colour and handmade cheer to their walls or doors.

Mostly this weekend I will be......

off to Market!







So if you are in or about the Canterbury area this Saturday come and say hello!!
I shall be there with my wares in the city centre, in the area between M&S and WHSmith, v central indeed. The market is open from 9-5pm with lots of wonderful stalls with handmade produce, gorgeous goodies and a delectable array of things to eat! Come and see! Enjoy your weekend :) x

Artisan Markets July 2010

If you are around about the Kent - Canterbury - Whitstable area over this weekend be sure to drop by and see me at the
Artisan Market!

(my wee stall)


I'll be in Canterbury on Saturday 24th July, St Georges from 9-5pm and then on Sunday 25th July I'll be in Whitstable at St Mary's Hall (Umbrella Centre) from 10-4pm.
It would be lovely to meet you if you're about!
Enjoy your weekend whatever your plans ;0 x

Bits, bobs and PIF Giveaway!

First of all I wanted to say a BIG thank you to the lovely Karen at Blueberry Park as I won one of her items in her giveaway a few weeks back now and have been rubbish in showing you it and saying I love it! and who wouldn't?! yummy spotty peg bag.


Also to tell you about the upcoming exhibition I'm taking part in as part of:


The exhibition which members of The Print Block are taking part in is themed around the idea of:

Fab! I can't wait to see all the prints displayed. There will be limited edition runs of prints for view and for sale, be sure to pop down if you're in the area. Check out the Print Block website for details.

And soooo to my PIF Giveaway - so in other words a Pay It Forward Giveaway, to take part you must be prepared to be a part of it too - hence the pay it forward - as in one good turn deserves another and just to pass the giving onwards really!

This 'Pay it Forward' giveaway has been 'passed' on as it were as I was one of the winners of Little Cottage Comforts giveaway months back now and part of taking part and winning was that you went on yourself (within a year) to do the same - hold a PIF giveaway.

So basic rules:

I will send something handmade to three people, who will then go on to give something handmade to another three people.

So if you are up for this one BASIC rule then please put your name forward for the draw!!!

In the comment please make sure you are easy for me to contact.
Let me know your favourite colour, any particular theme, style, emblem you like etc anything interesting and what I am proposing to do is to make you up a zip purse with your own unique little design ala by my fair hand especially for you.

I shall draw names out of a handy hat or bowl in a weeks time, Monday 21st June 2010.
So what do you say are you up for a bit of sharing, giving, 'paying it forward'??? If so then please leave a comment to take part.

Brighton Artists Open Houses 2010

Well hello! I hope everyone is now beginning to get some regular sunny and warm days and are managing to get out and enjoy some of it too!

As promised here are some images for your viewing pleasure, of my trip to Brighton and around the Artists Open Houses with my sister.

The oh so essential handy guide to all the trails and houses


comfy shoes a must! (Thanks mum and dad, they are sooooo comfortable!)


sunny streets to walk along


gorgeous tasty markets to wander through



cool footwear to spy!


had to show you this, loving the legs! this cinema even offers you tea and cake whilst you watch your flick, how fab!


And to the houses - advertising your house is open!


sculptures inside places


sculptures outside places



great ironworks, they had a forge going too



one fab house I had to take a few pics in, yes I did ask if it was okay!
Clair Letton's absolutely stunning paintings, they are amazing, such colour


Fiona Edwards mirrors, these are just beautiful


more gorgeous paintings


yummy colourful cakes!


textiles, teacup candles and pants, I mean what more could you want??!!





My sister loved a house called the pink birdhouse and the bird in it's front garden below, we even have a sticker for visiting!


You must take a look at Dupenny, fab designs, vintage, retro and cheeky!



and finally a few postcards/pics I picked up




Love my wee bird print card by Liz Toole, think I may frame him. Her prints are v lovely.


And so I have returned home, been chained to my sewing machine for a few days completing cushions for an order that thankfully reached its destination last week, phew! Onto the next thing on my list of to do's along with all the tidying up, etc, etc I need to do. Anyhow, SALE starting in my shop(s) from MONDAY NEXT WEEK, I will be back then with a post for you to see.......... Enjoy the sun this weekend, make sure you remember that SPF factor though! ;0 x