Striking Artwork

One of my favourite artists is Dan Bennett, who produces the most amazingly constructed paintings I have seen, made up of hundreds of dots, lines, patterns and blown paint in the most striking colours. I fell in love with his art when I saw it for the first time at last years Brighton Art Fair. I have seen some of his other exhibitions since and as well as the stunning paintings, he has some beautiful prints too.

 See more of his work at http://www.dan-bennett.co.uk/index.htm

My favourites!

Charity Shop Find

I found these buttons in a charity shop today....a bit of a clean and polish and they're as good as new. I love a good bargain.

Beautiful Embroidery

I discovered these beautifully embroidered items at one of the Worthing Open houses in July this year, by designer Lara Sparks. They really are stunning.

I want the cupcake cushion!

See more of her work at http://www.larasparks-embroidery.co.uk/

Prepping for Christmas

So the prep for Christmas has begun, and for the first time ever im turning my hand to Christmas Stockings. The first 2 are now well on their way to being finished, and im pretty pleased with the outcome.

Detail of Christmas Stocking

I've also started the new collection of Christmas Cards - there seems to be a running 'stocking' theme going on here, but more to come soon.

Hanging Stocking Christmas Card

A Long Time Ago...

....this photo always makes me smile!

Gardening with Grandpa

Old Town Sparkle

So I’ve just got back from a little day trip to Hastings. Having sampled some rather yummy food at the Seafood and Wine festival, including calamari, Pad Thai noodles, and a (can’t possibly only have one) chocolate pot, we did a bit of snooping around the Old Town.

There aren’t many places left like this anymore – streets filled with small independent shops, vintage clothing, and antiques. Since my re-discovery of a 1930s butterfly wing pendant that I was given as a child, I have acquired a fascination with all things old and previously used.

A day of trawling around the antique shops was definately on the cards and I managed to pick up a couple of antique brooches and a blue beaded necklace, which I now have to wait to see again until a certain birthday arrives in a couple of months! Still I also discovered some beautiful shops selling some wonderful handmade items - I love all that is handmade - particularly things made out of fabrics and paper.

My favourite has to be Made in Hastings. A lovely collection of homewares, childrens wear, artwork and jewellery. The things I love are a butterfly print magazine bag, a silver beaded butterfly necklace and these greeting cards.

Check out their website at http://www.madeinhastings.co.uk/

The Seafood and Wine festival is on tomorrow. So get down there!



The Eternal Maker

Being a fond maker and creater I always love to be inspired. Something that has always inspired me is finding new and interesting materials to work with. Recently I stumbled upon a fabulous shop in Chichester called The Eternal Maker. It doesn't look much like a shop from the outside but once inside it is a treasure trove of loveliness for those with a crafty nature like me.

It is stocked high with beautiful printed papers for scrapbooking and cardmaking, and has moutains of fabrics, ribbons, buttons, and beads for patchwork and other sewing projects. They also run a variety of workshops, from dressmaking and embroidery, to scrapbooking and stamping. Check out website for details http://www.eternalmaker.com/

I felt like a child in a sweetshop, not knowing where to look first, and am already planning my next trip down there. The huge selection of papers were my particular favourite and led me to design a range of greeting cards combining hand cut paper on handprinted images.