FASCINATING

On Sunday I spent a blissful afternoon in the company of some lovely people at inspiring workshop to make a fascinator. Our teacher Chloe is the talented powerhouse behind Hatastic http://www.hatastic.co.uk/ and her beautiful creations have graced many a cat walk at fashion shows in Paris and London.  Her sister Suki was holding the event to raise money for a Scoliosis charity http://www.justgiving.com/Suki-Hubbard 

To create our head pieces we had a good rummage in Chloe's old hat box and from the vintage felt head gear we cut off the brims and used the centre of the hat to form the basis of our fascinator. So next time you have an old felt hat don't throw it out make something to wear to the races.

ATTIC AT CHRISTMAS

Today I had a little time on my hands so I took a trip to my favourite emporium, Attic in Hampton Hill. It is always a visual feast and at Christmas Debbie and Alistair Burnside, who are the creative power house behind two shops, always push the boat out. Today the festive displays did not disappoint. Parts of the shop were like little dioramas sparkling with gilt, glass and glitter. Debbie explains how ' One of the best things about what we do is that we are lucky enough to travel  regularly to Paris and New York.’ She continues ‘When we go buying we cherry pick and source every product into collections.' Attic have been recycling, repurposing and restoring old furniture for years long before it became fashionable. It is lovely to have such a treasure trove of wonderfully curated objects and furniture on my doorstep. Debbie and Al have a wonderful blog and tumblr pages detailing their design adventures and inspirations.They also have an on-line shop for those of you who can't visit them in person. http://discoverattic.com

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

I wouldn't normally put a photo of myself and my son on my blog but today I am making an exception. I recently did a great photography course run by Click in Teddington and Philip my lovely teacher and his wife Sheridan are setting up a portrait business. He asked my son and I to sit as models!  It was a fun session and we were made to feel relaxed and at ease. I am delighted with this portrait.  I feel he has captured our spirits rather well and I will treasure this image. http://www.clickphotography.org.uk/

TREMENDOUS TEAPOTS

I cannot function without a lovely cup of freshly brew tea first thing in the morning. My grandmother taught me how to always warm the pot and had a caddy full of fresh leaf tea bought at the Co-op. Tea and tea drinking seems woven throughout my life. My other grandmother served tea on a special trolley from a stainless steel pot and always used bags not loose leaf! China Cups were obligatory in all the households and my love of drinking tea from a delicate vintage cup remains to this day.  My grandfather would refer to a 'good sergeant Major's brew' when it was particularly strong.  Teapots come in all shapes and sizes and I recently spotted these wonderful creations at Made Crafts fair in Marylebone.  The delightful Ita Drew is a multi-talented artist working in many mediums but her ceramic work really caught my eye.   Ita takes inspiration from the poems of William Blake and says she wants her pieces to appear fantastical and childlike with undertones of adult reflection. I think she has certainly succeeded in this! I am not sure I would put boiling water inside these pieces of art they are far too precious.

SARAH YOUNG

Earlier in the year I had a lovely afternoon with my good friend Flora pounding the streets of Brighton in search of various open studios. We left west London rather late in the day and only had time to visit one or two! The priority was the show case of the work of Sarah Young and I treated myself to a beautiful linocut print.  Sarah has worked as an illustrator many years recently working on a book of Greek Myths. I love her monoprints and one of  my favourite pieces are her wonderful tattooed ladies! They remind me of the strange circus performers of Victorian England.

A MONTAGE FOR YOU DEAR READERS!

This wonderful tiled floor is a fabulous mix of designs and colours at the Highway House Brasserie in Chiswick London.  They are made in the encaustic style so loved by the Victorians and I would like some in my house! Talking of patterns I have decided to get cracking on my photographic collages.  Please click on my link TODAY'S COLLAGE on the right.  I am hoping to create one a day to make the winter days more colourful. I have started with some felt flowers.

AN ARTISTIC BIRTHDAY TREAT

I had a real birthday treat last week when I met one of my artistic heroes, the delightful Mark Hearld. I was attending the launch for his stunning new book 'Workbook' .  The book is a wonderful scrapbook full of visual inspiration. Mark has had a long fascination for the flora and fauna of the British countryside whether it be a jay perched on an oak branch, hares out in the fields or a mute swan standing at the frozen water’s edge they are all beautifully represented in his bold work.  He is heavily influenced by Picasso and British artists of the 30's and 40's particularly Edward Bawden, Eric Ravillious and John Piper. Like these artists he chooses to work in a range of media including paint, print, collage, textiles and ceramics.  In 'Workbook' his works are grouped into nature related themes each introduced by Hearld, who narrates the story behind some of his creations and discusses his influences.  It really was a pleasure to meet Mark and I hope to visit his open studio in York next year. In the mean time I am inspired to create my own autumnal
collage.