Just found this

Just not sure about the boots. 

It's my favorite mens  suit by Vivian Westwood

I posted this earlier and was lucky to find it being warn by this happy chap.

 I found it here whilst having a quick look at WGSN.

http://wgsn.tumblr.com/image/61939967015

Craig Fellows luscious designer maker

http://www.craigfellows.co.uk/

It is so lovely to find a designer who is different.  The random placement of each image adds up to a veritable feast for your eyes.  so much to look at. and this is just wrapping paper.

 and again there is something in every price range from badges to silk scarves. 

All the images are from nature and patterns found in nature.

I love the strong imagery, but I also like floral design and softness.  

ALICE HANNAH super knits with attitude.

http://www.alicehannah.co.uk/

Simple but sexy,  Alice has different ranges which take there inspiration from different areas.
This design is from the High Society range. the range includes knitted collars and gloves that go up your arm.

Rococo Range is dark and sparkling

I particularly like the idea of having separate ranges of products under the one house umbrella. Alice Hannah does this well.It would keep work fresh and interesting and moving forwards all the time.  I can see how easy it would be to stagnate in your favorite specialty.

Lovely Gifts from Claire A Baker.

http://www.claireabaker.co.uk/  her site



http://www.designedandmade.co.uk/shop/torchon-coin-purse   also sells here

I found a selection of creative  gifts from Clair Baker.
The purse reminds me of my younger years when this type of purse held my sweet money.  It gives off warm nostalgic feelings. A very special purse.

The cushion has a real minimalist feel, the design has given it that touch of individuality and the luxury fabric makes this an important gift.

The card says it all, your a star, an angel, and you have my heart.
just wonderful.  The 3D image of the heart and gold edging is just the finishing touch.  I know what my hubby is getting for Christmas.
I am also impressed at how there seems to be something in every price range.

 

Gifted, Karen Nicol Textile Artist.

http://www.karennicol.com/

Karen's work is very different, , very unusual and to be totally honest I am not sure how i feel about it.

I love the mix of words/statements and art,

 

but i am not sure about some of the mixes.

But then does all ART have to have a meaning?

sometimes you either like it or you don't.

I love this dress Box pleats and strong design around the neck . I would love to see the back.

but then I am not so keen on this, an old pattern of knit cardigan with random placing of lace and the odd button.  It seems to random.  How would I wear it? 

Any ideas people?  how would you wear this cardigan?

Please leave a comment.

Anna Sui

http://www.annasui.co.jp/collection/

love the multicolored jacket fabric that has attitude, dressed with bold print trousers and top. 

Yeah  baby, psychedelic,  see through sleeves matching open weave tights 

just fabulous retro look. the pattern seems to move as she walks. 

A little bit of VIV

http://www.viviennewestwood.co.uk/

No one beats this lady for quirky English sophisticated dressing.  I thought this time I would look at ViV'S mens' wear collection.

The form is very fitted on the shoulder, contrasting with high waist trousers.

the chain across the middle gives an almost Victorian feel but the fabric and colour blocking brings the whole look bang up to date. the sades of colour work well together and compliment each other.

John Galliano yummi

http://www.johngalliano.com/main.asp

I just want to say , you HAVE to look here, the catwalk show is just wonderful

not to way out and I just love the new skirt /hem shape and line.  even a more ample girly could wear this hem style with leggings and look good.

Vogue has the full collection.

http://www.vogue.com.au//fashion+shows/galleries/john+galliano+ready+to+wear+spring+summer+14,26652?pos=1

and there is more

 love the slit detail in front and the 3D flower design.

Quick designery bits

http://www.roddyandginger.co.uk/

I had a quick visit to there etsy shop , this lovely cushion is only £28.00 and change. It is a bit different from your normal home wear collection, it is individual and eye catching.  visit there etsy shop for a lovely range of affordable individual products.


http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/100463594/rocking-horse-cushion-in-teal-on-white?ref=shop_home_feat

A little bit of tea, how English can I be?

I had to make a teacup and saucer 2 biscuits and a teabag.  and then decorate them.  I wish I had made the cup using paper mash like everyone else seemed to but that method takes a long time to dry.  I am beginning to see my problems , I can be impatient.  However what ever way you choose to work with paper,the finished item is often wrinkled . I do think my painting is improving though.

you can just see the cup and tea plate behind my made example.

Here is our display with everyone's  plants and teacups and saucers.

My drawing for design task continued.

I had to draw and experiment with making techniques.  This session was built around a pot plant.  I used card and paper together with pencil and gouache paint to make this example of an orchid.

It was so hard to do.  I make the flowers out of one piece of card, other people chose to make the flower heads out of paper and I must say the paper did seem to make a more realistic flower.  We live and learn.

Missprint

http://missprint.co.uk/

A wonderful collection of hand drawn and designed wall papers. Designed in the U.K. The first time I looked on this website I like what I  see. Lovely bold geometric designs, some a little bit retro, inspiration from nature but all seem to have a twist.  Here are just a few examples of Missprint design's.

Pebbles . 

Missprint designs look simple but the effect is very sophisticated in look.  Bold line and effective use of gradients in black, white and colour make the images pop off the wall.

Mountains

Dewdrops

Cottontrees

Now a dip into Sanderson.

http://www.sanderson-uk.com/fabric.aspx

http://www.sanderson-uk.com/pompom-wallpaper.aspx

I really expected to like the Sanderson range of fabric designs, after all it evokes images of my childhood home, but somehow it just didn't throw me into highs of creative longing. 

This made me stop and think about my own particular taste and style.  I have always thought that I do not have a style.

 Is it possible that as you grow up, you’re surrounding creative home environment impacts on your own creative values?

 Is it possible that knowing what you don’t like is a good starting point in creating your own signature style?

 I never questioned what or why I like something.  Trusting that whatever my parents did was the correct and tasteful way forwards, and (in case any of my family read this) it was.  But now I can explore what I like and why I like it.  

This probably explains why, when looking at some of the Sanderson patterns and prints I feel mild horror.

Eeek my bedroom wall paper!  It makes me feel dark and somber, not even the lovely big pompom dalliers’ can raise my level of comfort.  Whilst some may see the design as sophisticated and trendy, this is not me.

image taken from    http://www.linesofpinner.co.uk/fw-sanderson.php?productname=PomPom&productID=FW-DPOMPO103

I looked at most of the flower prints, but still find it hard to find one I like, but I do like this one. It reminds me of Alexander Calder's work.

http://designerwallpaperandpaint.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/sanderson-wallpapers.html

I like this  because its fun , vibrant, and gives a feeling of movement. It is also reminiscent of my absolute favorite Artist Alexander Calder. It is unusual, perhaps a whole room may be overpowering but as a feature wall or just used as single stripe, it would look fun and quirky.

I would have fun sorting and arranging furniture and fittings that would enhance a room with this design as it's main feature. 

Ohoooo Liberty

http://www.liberty.co.uk/

I just love this site everywhere I go it’s a feast for my eyeballs. 

I recommend watching the video feed behind the scenes printing Tana Lawn.  Cloth goes through so many processes before the pattern is applied.  Also look at the best of British how new designers are chosen by liberty to add to their collection of designs for their shops. I love the quality of the drawing and how the colour lays over each flower head. It evokes a feeling of sketchy, handmade and individuality.  The colours work together well and are balanced within the work.  

http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty/CLASSIC/Small-Susanna-B-Tana-Lawn-Liberty-Art-Fabrics/34647

This retails at £22.00 per meter it is so beautiful bold and colourful, I would put a big lump of fabric around a canvas and use it as wall art.  It would make a wonderful focal point for a modern floral room, may be adding a few large scatter cushions and incorporate it in other subtle ways.  Choosing the frame would be fun!  I just might have sorted a few Christmas gift ideas.

Bags Bags Bags

Just when you think every possible Bag shape has been done to death, here is a new one.  I love the strong powerful vibrant red.  The shape looks edgy and slightly masculine. Its a wonderful statement piece. It would make any outfit instantly viable. Who cares that it dose not have a handle or strap, not me and the best bit its designed by Alexander McQueen.

http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty/Alexander-McQueen/Red-De-Manta-Leather-Clutch-Bag/89302

Here fishy fishy!

Here is my little red gurnard  , such a complicated little fish to draw.  He was covered in spines and whirls and swirl skin patterns.  As he aged his colour changed from a very vivid orange/yellow to brown and black streaks.

I had to produce a drawing in Biro, then construct a 3D version of him in card and paper.  Not an easy task ! may I tell you.
below is a picture of my attempt.  I added a slight twist in his tail and put him on his side so that I could include the spines he had under his tum.  I have to improve my pic quality.  I am still working on this particular skill.

A smorgasbord of drawing and sketching.

Drawing flowers with graded pencil, this is a quick sketch of Buddleia.

This is Redshank 

Graphite pencil .  I wish I had added more fine detail and shading . I tried to add some 3D qualities with thicker and thinner pencil line.

This is the back of the leaf  it was quite Matt and had more fine veins to draw.  I wish I had used shading to get to grips with the  contour  and highlights of the leaf surface area.  I enlarged the drawing.

My leaf is now part of a small exhibition outside our room with other samples of our  course work.

Drawing for art and design.

First project honing skills and experiencing different mediums.  

Drawing leaves , feathers, flowers, plants, fish and jewellery.  One of a sample of leaves I took into draw.

Front and back of the leaf.

Ah I hear you saying "what has compost got to do with Art and Design"?

A good artist and designer is a hodgepodge of everything artistic and creative.  

Layer upon layer of learning experience

some good , some horrid and some downright ludicrous
think of me as a new but flourishing and developing compost heap my aim is to become a BIG pile of talented artist, designer maker.

Being one of the more mature students on the Contemporary textile production Course at CCAD  Hartlepool, I feel some what conspicuous as I shuffle around the college pretending like I really do belong here.

Bless the wonderful forgiving students who open doors, help me with the photocopier and generally aid me in so many ways. 

Speaking on a more personal note, it is wonderful to have such immaculately clean loos and helpful staff everywhere I go.

 I am exploring a new and exciting realm of fun and creative learning.

Following a course of study that will enable me to start really thinking like a designer, putting a professional edge on what has been a very dull knife for so many years.

So now on with the show , why don't you come on this learning experience with me and we will laugh and cry together.