Saturday 30 August 2014

Interior Design Nottingham Trent

Really looking forward to starting a new term teaching the Interior Design Course at Nottingham Trent, I've been busy collecting all sorts of resources from books to Eco paint to high end fabric and wall paper samples....a new house is also on the cards so I've gathered a lot of samples with that in mind! 

London

A Fantastic few days in London- I was well in need of a city fix and realised how much I've missed it! Felt very surreal just walking past The Royal College of Art and realising I graduated from there 8 whole years ago- still feels like yesterday! Me and the little one have done loads of sites, Science museum, Hyde park, shops and South Bank- squeezing in the Hayward gallery sculpture exhibition, which was a little creepy but well worth a visit! 

Back to Derbyshire tonight- will be glad to be back to the tranquility of my little lane and a less hectic way of life, but need to make the most of only being an 1.5 hours away from all of this- does the soul good every now and then! 

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Upholstery project

Latest little upholstery project- fabric sourced for a few pounds from my favourite textile outlet, and I've still got lots left to make a couple of big floor cushions.
Before 
After


Eco paint

Very pleased with my latest bargain... For a very small donation I've managed to get all this freebie EarthBorn paint for both my interior design course (starting at Notts Trent in Oct) and also perfect for art projects
- I've just been painting picture frames and it works a treat! The chalk base of the paints give a really high quality finish. Just show what you can get your hands on if you ask around!  

Work in progress

Front and back cut out ready to be sewn.

Thursday 21 August 2014

Freebie summer dresses!

I've had this dress for ages and live in it- so for my holiday I thought I'd use it as a template and make a few more the same. The bonus being that I picked up loads of bright floral jersey fabric for free at my local scrap store- it's  just the job!! 

Thursday 14 August 2014

Blu tack and a drawer of old curtain rings!

Was feeling a tad uninspired this afternoon (and to be honest a bit bored of toddler activities!) so thought I'd have an afternoon of sorting through a few art drawers and boxes (with the help of Rupes of course!) 
To my surprise it kept us entertained for the whole afternoon, dolly pegs strung on strings hung around the bedroom, cut out wall paper shapes stuck on wood with blu tack...

....And managed to have a good old sort at the same time! 
Made me realise- if I'm at a loose end or stuck for ideas of how to entertain a 2 year old, all I have to do is tip one of my many boxes of hoarded stuff out on the floor and take it from there- killing 2 birds with one stone! 

Wednesday 13 August 2014

More and more lamps!

Every time I say 'that's it, I might move on from lampshades' I get asked to do more workshops or commissions, they seem to be my trade mark! So I find myself once again routing around carboots, skips and charity shops for more shades to add to my collection!! 
My little boy Rupes, has a great time with them- the things you can do with lampshades! 

They are actually becoming harder to find these days with people charging a premium for even the horrid modern ones- but I'm pleased to say that I still know the haunts to get a bargain- my whole family go hunting when I need to replenish my supply! 
I never stop collecting- I have future ideas for my wedding decor, so I never let one pass me by! 
These were for recent workshops:
http://themakinghouse.org/
http://www.bettys-sewing-box.co.uk/
Two really nice local studios. 

Wooden Chandelier

Wooden Chandelier
Maison et Objet exhibiton. A bespoke commission for Liberty London came from this show.