Some of my work will be on sale this week in the Poulton, where the old Clark's shop used to be, opposite RBS. I am only selling prints of my work, as I need the originals to get my A Level (the examiners would not be impressed if I had sold all of my work). Please pop in if you are in the area, I will be there from 11.30 tomorrow and again on Friday from about 10 until 5 (I think) if you want to chat.
Thanks- hopefully see you soon!
These development pieces came from the idea of making a fabric skull and cushion- yet to come. I love the circle idea, circles of life etc- circles are always symbolic; eternity, unity, the universe (although I don't think it is a circle, just represented as one), heaven and hell, the seasons, the moon and sun and so on and so forth. Generally circles, in my opinion, represent things that have no end or beginning, as they themselves neither begin nor end. Anyway, that is pretty philosophical for a Saturday night, I then began to look at working over the foam with layers and pins and thread. The embroidery hoop, not yet finished, is going to be double sided and hang from the ceiling, so that the viewer can walk around and look up at them, just as you would with a bird. I also think that the birds need to be returned to the sky where they belong, so my work has come full circle itself. The hoops will twissel and turn in the breeze, adding movement to my pieces and bringing the birds back to life. 
Another frosty day in Lancashire:
I'm still looking at combining foam with threads and spray paint, but the car spray paint has run out unfortunately, so now I only have the enamel (which I don't think is as good). The next step is to have a go at adding the pins and thread on fabric, as the board backing is too stiff. Maybe a mini cushion like piece- but I think I'll have a go at a circular and a square one. But I think the circle might look quite nice, we'll have to wait and see. This piece still isn't finished, I just need to decide on which quote to add. Any thoughts? 
As some of you may know, I have a small obsession with Jane Austen and Georgian Architecture, one day I will live in a house that looks like this:
Or perhaps this:
I simply adore how 'classy' and grand they appear. There is no need to have a house this large OTHER than to show off your wealth and status. All these photos are my own and from some of the best days (so sad I know) of my life.
Any Pride and Prejudice fans recognise this shot? Lyme Park aka Pemberley. 
Claydon House- inside is setting for 1996 version of Emma.
If you have not seen this one, then Kiera Knightley would be horrified (but perhaps not as much as I). Basildon Park.
Some fab fellow Jane Austen fans.
And finally, on of the best weeks of my life (so far I hasten to add), the Assembly Rooms in Bath (woah!!), as well as the Royal Crescent in Bath, which is beautiful and the setting for the ITV adaption of Persuasion. The only issue I have with that adaption (and it is the only issue because I love it)is that Anne Elliot is actually mean to live in Camden Place, not the Crescent below.
A more realistic house to aim for:
Jane Austen's house in Bath! Yah!! Now an office, unfortunately.
Anyway, the whole point of this post is (not only to get my love out in the wider world for ridicule) but to say that the new series on BBC Two entitled 'At Home With the Georgians' is brilliant and well worth a watch. I have found my new role model in Prof. Amanda Vickery and am hopefully getting her two books for Christmas (I have dropped some subtle hints). Follow the links below to have a look at her blog or watch the last episode. Enjoy!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/2010/12/at-home-with-the-georgians.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wh6lz/At_Home_with_the_Georgians_A_Mans_Place/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=amanda+vickery&x=0&y=0
The wintry weather has finally reached us! Last time Britain froze, there we two places in England that no snow, Blackpool and Coventry. Well, Blackpool has definitely had snow now! These are just some photos from down the lane, we didn't go out in the car so I wandered out with the camera. Which as fun, but pretty darn cold!
The casualty of building a roman empire (who has now been eaten):
Another frosty Sunday morning outside my window. The power went off today so it's been pretty cold inside as well! More photos our of my bedroom window, the bottom one is taken looking our of my window to the left, rather than the right as I usually take them. You can just see the Forest of Bowland in the distance. The Beautiful cushion, (unfortunately because it's amazing) is not one of my own pieces, it's a piece by Joanna Teague (link of the left). I saw her work first-hand at the Knitting and Stitching Show 2010 and it really is beautiful! Lots of lace and deep meaningful quotes. You have no idea how much I screamed when I saw the cushion- as you Jane Austen fans will have noticed, it's a quote from none other than Mr Darcy. Sometimes I think that fate really does exist, I could not have won a piece that fitted me better! I absolutely love it and it is something I will treasure for ever!
Claire took this photo- a really frozy cold day! The fog never really went and it was -4 at 5 o'clock on the way home!! Madness.
I'm still looking at combining foam with threads and spray paint, but the car spray paint has run out unfortunately, so now I only have the enamel (which I don't think is as good). The next step is to have a go at adding the pins and thread on fabric, as the board backing is too stiff. Maybe a mini cushion like piece- but I think I'll have a go at a circular and a square one. But I think the circle might look quite nice, we'll have to wait and see. This piece still isn't finished, I just need to decide on which quote to add. Any thoughts? 
Or perhaps this:
I simply adore how 'classy' and grand they appear. There is no need to have a house this large OTHER than to show off your wealth and status. All these photos are my own and from some of the best days (so sad I know) of my life.
Any Pride and Prejudice fans recognise this shot? Lyme Park aka Pemberley. 
Claydon House- inside is setting for 1996 version of Emma.
If you have not seen this one, then Kiera Knightley would be horrified (but perhaps not as much as I). Basildon Park.
Some fab fellow Jane Austen fans.
And finally, on of the best weeks of my life (so far I hasten to add), the Assembly Rooms in Bath (woah!!), as well as the Royal Crescent in Bath, which is beautiful and the setting for the ITV adaption of Persuasion. The only issue I have with that adaption (and it is the only issue because I love it)is that Anne Elliot is actually mean to live in Camden Place, not the Crescent below.
A more realistic house to aim for:
Jane Austen's house in Bath! Yah!! Now an office, unfortunately.
Anyway, the whole point of this post is (not only to get my love out in the wider world for ridicule) but to say that the new series on BBC Two entitled 'At Home With the Georgians' is brilliant and well worth a watch. I have found my new role model in Prof. Amanda Vickery and am hopefully getting her two books for Christmas (I have dropped some subtle hints). Follow the links below to have a look at her blog or watch the last episode. Enjoy!