Thursday 14 February 2013

January blues...and pinks and greens


Pink & orange winter skies. 



After Christmas as things slow down and the mad rush subsides I like to use this time to develop new ideas. I always have lots of things I am dying to have a go at, drawing and painting to name but a few. As my sewing is the mainstay of my business and to be honest my favourite thing to do all the other stuff tends to fall by the wayside.

This is my time `slower` time of year and I have time to play with ideas. 



Before Christmas I bought some beautiful Washi tape from Ruby & Dig 
who have a fabulous selection, this was on 
my list of `things to do when I have time`

Playing with scraps 
Valentine Heart tags 
Washi tape, fabric & ribbon scraps




A new idea I am trying out is a larger version of my purses (12"x10") called a WET BAG, some of which are made from oilcloth and have a waterproof lining and clip on strap. 
My friend, a new mum, has been test driving one as her `out & about` bag for wipes, nappies, change of clothes etc and assures me  that it managed to  contain a leaky bottle - result! 

Ideal for festival goers, campers etc...watch this space :)







Sunday 1 July 2012

Flaming June

...also known as 'Rain Rain Go Away' June !
 disappointing weather-wise to say the least BUT it didnt stop us having a bit of fun and getting out and about with Touchy Feely Textiles

As we hadn't seen lots of friends since the wedding we thought a Jubilee party would act as a great way to get friends together





Naturally the queen came to open officially open the proceedings and I got a little giddy when Wills arrived!

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Patchings Art Festival


I decided to have a go at an Art Festival this summer, one that spanned over a few days rather than just a weekend. It's a great way to meet new people and there's always things to learn about how different people do what I do.

Tickly Spider


My next door neighbour to my left was `Tickly Spider` lots of lovely cushions, hearts, drawstring bags and  also some lovely wooden clocks and framed work. My favourite was a childs` soother , beautifully soft and bright with lots of ribbons, it would keep me calm & quiet for a while never mind a baby!

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Alex Mcquade Designs



And to my right was the very talented Alex McQuade Designs delicious tweedy textiles. Can you spot the rusty washers incorporated into the brooches, very lovely indeed. I may have bought some Christmas presents here shhh!

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Stuff I made in June


And what have I been up to in June? I have been trying out some ideas for canvases I have a new stockist that has asked me for some larger scale textile pieces

 
Love is all you need... as well as a Habitat table cloth a very tiny waisted vintage skirt, a kilt and a damaged apron and some patience!


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 This was made using a poem I wrote for my wedding and the heart is cut out from all my selvedge edges of fabric sewn together. I actually sat and sewed them together at Patchings Art Festival in the middle of a field - that's a 1st!



OK I know I spelt it wrong but it kinda works! I was concentrating so much on my spacing and getting it all level etc that they 
somehow got in the wrong order...


Selvedge edges again and a little help from Madness!


And to finish. 
My favourite photograph I took this month. My youngest grandson and his mum blowing dandelion clocks


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Saturday 9 June 2012

Its ages since I blogged and as each event and occasion has passed(and lots has happened) I meant to share  it and never found the time. The big thing is that I got married!



We flew out to Cyprus with 22 family and friends, we had such a lovely time and I am now Mrs Malloy!

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I had a stand at the Harrogate `British Trade Craft Fair` in May to build up my stockists. 
It was a fabulous experience I met so many lovely people, crafty arty folks always seem to be genuinely nice people. 
It was stressful to start with as I worried about... well everything to be honest, but it all worked out well


It was a tiny space 2m x1m but it took the best part of a day to decide what to put where 
and how to fasten things in place. The good news is I had lots of interest managed to get orders from lots of shops from Fife to Torquay and a few in between which is great! 


Jo Clark design had the stall opposite http://www.joclarkdesign.co.uk/ lovely hand drawn illustrated cards & prints.



and opposite to my left was the Laura BCTF newcomers winner. A very talented lady when it comes to making jewellery and silver teapots!

Laura Golbourne

New Stuff I Made..


Here`s some new things I`ve been working on. I have been trying out a reverse applique technique that I learnt a long time ago, but trying to use it in a different way than I had used it before. You stitch 3 or 4 layers of different fabric together,  stitch your picture on top as a line drawing  
and then cut back to whichever layer you want to show 
...and this is what came out 

`Old people in love`


Our House - Its Madness!


 Spanish Bulldog




Sunday 27 November 2011

Its all going crazy!

Well its almost upon us, its the time of year when we makers, designers & crafters set up stalls in community centres, marketplaces & village halls across the length and breadth of the UK in an attempt to provide one off unique gifts for members of the unsuspecting public.


Heres a few pictures of my shinnanigans this month, out and about meeting the lovely people of Yorkshire, its what its all about!

This weekend was Barnsley`s Christkindlemarkt a 4 day event, 
I am so weary it felt like Groundhog Day  

  Check out our wonderful marquee supplied by Barnsley Markets, talk about spoiled! its got a floor - unheard of for an outdoor market! It held down so well in the gusty winds this weekend. They did us proud!

You can just about about see a glimpse of local talents Mr Monocle, Cottonarts Bags , Emily Sharp clothing and Cherryamour


..and here`s little old me...




Networking or just sharing a bit of gossip - You decide! It was great to spend time with my crafty buddies , they`re just fab!

Emily having 5 minutes off her feet




Introducing Kyle, one half of  `Mr Monocle` who design limited edition screen printed T-shirts, I bought myself & my OH one to send to Santa, only 5 of each size printed in each design, Too cool for school!




  Here`s me in all my Glory, my recycled jacket handbags went down well with the good people of Barnsley, as did the mittens and headbands, it looks like it was a lovely summers day but the wind was fierce and really cold.


 The roasted chestnuts were a great winter warmer on a cold day and just look at his quirky set up. 
He is a real  character, he was playing Tamla Motown songs every time I passed....what more can you ask for..warming your soul and listening to it too


....and finally these guys made it a special day for us all, our very own Frumptarn Guggenband brilliant!

xXx


Tuesday 8 November 2011

Fame at last!

Well the rumble of Christmas can be heard in the distance, I can`t believe that its come around so quickly AGAIN! Images it is then for this post A picture tells a thousand words....

Look what I found in the fridge the other morning its actually 
cake on a lolly stick
hmmm thats why there were strange noises coming from the kitchen late at night, it was the baking fairy aka my daughter Katie... all 4 of them I tried were gorgeous! 

May I introduce you to some lovely ladies that I met last week -
`The Angel People` in the guise little of old ladies with wings, sent here to Earth to help us out do good stuff aren`t they brilliant! 
I have put my order in! 



Touchy Feely Textile Journals and diaries all ready to send out to `Adore` gift shop in Penistone Barnsley

 I made these for a fundraiser called `A Helping Hand for Needy Paws
Who are planning on having a Victorian Twilight Xmas market 
in Locke Park Barnsley probably on the 2nd or 3rd December, It should be good fun and its for a great cause! If your at a loose end why not pop along!



My claim to fame! 
A lovely article ran in Novembers edition of `Yorkshire Life Magazine`
 Its a bit scary when your huge face is spread across a magazine for EVERYONE & ANYONE to take a look at, 
I think they did a  fantastic job (I am so proud) its a great Magazine too all about us up North, where to go what there is to see on our own doorstep 
and of course how fabulous we all are!
Pop over and check it out!



And last but certainly not least
Here`s my `proud Grandma` photo... Caden my grandson  received his 1st special award for his school work... he`s just AWESOME! 


xXx


  

Sunday 23 October 2011

Almost the end of October already?


It never ceases to amaze me where the time goes, the months seem to be speeding by and here we are once again it`s almost Halloween!


The summer has been filled with lots of adventures craft fairs, markets  and country shows from Sheffield to Saltaire, meeting so many talented makers and lovely people & loving every minute of it!


The build up to each event is the same worrying whether you have made enough stock to put on a good display and  also hoping you are given a good spot on the day
Emley Show




The lovely `bumble bee` Meningitis trust fund raisers on Devonshire Green market in Sheffield back in May.

Wristlet key fobs
All set up and ready for business





 I have found a new stockist for my journals & purses in a lovely gift shop on the High street in Penistone Barnsley called `Adore`and have been trying to add some diaries and sketchbooks to my collection








Lots of lovely fabrics make up the spines of my fabric covered books





`Dogs are my favourite People`
Key fobs on their way to Churchfield vets to help with their fundraising





 Recycle Reuse Reduce
One of the highlights of my week this week was running a Textile workshop day in Carlton Community College with year 7 students. 
During the day pupils were able to attend a choice of 4 sessions during the day, all activities were based around recycling. 
  • They were able to  make clothing out of plastic bags. There were some amazing outcomes including a wedding dress & grooms outfit!
  • They had a Trash Band and made music out of glass & plastic bottles and you should hear the BOOM that comes from a wheelie bin when its it struck with a big bass drum stick, they rhythm kept going by banging the lid!
  • `Hot Stuff` was where kids were shown how to use the heat of an iron heat to fuse plastic bags and create their own materials. They made handbags, ties, bibs etc
  • In the Textile Workshop we recycled clothing into a huge banner to get across the Recycling message. Jeans, pillow cases and children`s dresses  were cut up and stripped of buttons etc and the outcome was impressive to say the least I was so proud of the kids they were stars.....well most of them !







This was the finished article, it was a great day and very much in keeping with how I like to work, recycled textiles are a great source of materials.


Check out my own recycling which are 
recycled bags 
Made from jackets, trousers and skirts




 and finally one of my other recycled favourites


Utterly Unique  jewellery & beads made from recycled paper. 

This necklace is made from a copy of Viz!