A little burst of printing inspiration....

I was lucky enough to have a child free day on Saturday so I took full advantage and made a much needed and well overdue visit to an exhibition. 

After a quick search I decided to check out the East London Printmakers exhibition at Embassy Tea Gallery on Union Street and I was so glad I did. Being just off the beaten track it was lovely and quiet, the sun even shone which makes all the difference in London! 

The exhibition is amazing and it was lovely to see so many printmakers exhibiting together. It's running until the 27th September so you still have time to check it out.

Here's a few of my favourites..... I'm attracted to the lino prints and screen prints as I love the style they produce but there were very clever things such as mono-prints on leather and ethereal etchings.

Some clever printing onto a plaster slate and bowl.....

Mixed media with etching and stitch.....

I loved this collection of drypoint prints made from people's broken phones complete with very funny personal stories.....

Giving printing a magical and whimsical edge. 

For the full catalogue of the exhibition click here.

I then headed over to the Tate modern after stopping off at Intaglio print shop to treat myself to some more lino and a much desired soft rubber roller (can not wait to start using it after admiring it for so long : )

Loving the construction work on the side of the Tate modern and cant wait for its completion. The scaffolding is a work of art on its own!

I made a bee line for the war posters in the Tate as I love their style, passion and how easily they portray movement, these were my favourites.....
 

Then with some weary legs homeward bound I went, inspired to get working on some new prints! Hope they provide a little inspiration your way too.

Kirsten

Phew what a busy summer.....and a little felting

So after what feels like a grueling 7 weeks of the summer holidays Eloise has finally gone back to play school and Bethany is due to start tomorrow, eek! We've had lots of fun and laughter including a holiday to Cornwall and loads of amazing day trips and it's now back to the old routine. However I'm secretly loving being able to have a little bit of time back for myself to get creating again. 

I've been busy making some felt samples ready for my new class which starts next week at the Havering Adult College. I've started with a few basic techniques and I'm going to be working on some fun ones this week, such as spikes which I'm really looking forward to.

There's still places free so if you fancy coming along and getting creative in a fun and relaxed environment then call 01708 434 955 or email enquiries-adultcollege@havering.gov.uk to book a space. It's really reasonable at £62 for the 6 week course (only £32 for concessions) so a bargain at just over £10 per session, If you're over 60 then its only £47 for the whole 6 weeks. Click here for full details.

I'll be starting the course super easy with the basics of felting and building up so at the end of this introductory 6 week course you'll be able to make bags, scarves, laptop cases, flowers etc. You can make beautiful, quirky or modern items for around your home or perfect items for gifts. Whatever your heart desires and whatever your style then I can show you how to make it.

Oh we do like to be beside the sea...

June is a really busy birthday month for us with my neice's, my mum's and my youngest's birthday all within 6 days of each other! This year to mark my mum's 60th we went away for our annual family holiday to the coast for a fun packed family holiday where four little girls had the time of their lives despite lots of rain. 

Trains + disco's + games + characters = very happy children....

On the last day we went for a day trip to Southwold. I've never been before and feel a bit left out as everyone and anyone seems to have been already and it really is as lovely and beautiful as people say. It really was the perfect way to end our holiday......

The pier is full of creativity from artists Pure Evil homage to George Orwell.....

The metal work on the pier is amazing from Tim Hunkin including the Southwold sign, even the bins are beautifully designed. There's also this amazing clock tower near the end which performs special tricks on the hour which my little ones loved! You need to check out his novelty amusements too at the Under the Pier Show.

There was a vintage car meeting whilst we there so I managed to snap these with the iconic beach huts in the background which I'll hopefully turn into some prints very soon....

Vintage illustrated cards......

I've finally put my popular vintage cards on Etsy. Lots of people love the ladies at the hairdressers which bring back fond memories of their mothers. So for a little bit of nostalgia here are the cards....

Pop over to our Etsy shop if you want one to bring back a little nostalgia every day.

Wire bird workshop.....

A really fun workshop I did recently was making this little wren at a wire bird making workshop.....

With a group of friends we all headed to Jimbobart's shop just off Brick Lane where a very talented Zack McLaughlin taught us how to make a wire bird. We were a little late and Zack was kind enough to rearrange the shop in order to squeeze us into the corner. Giving us a sheet of bird outlines to help us begin along with a stack of wire and wire tools off we set. He makes it look incredibly easy which it isn't believe me. This little guy above took me the whole 2 hours and I didn't even touch any of the wine on offer! Even though we look very serious in the pictures it was a great night out and a great atmosphere, all organised through Indytute. Check out Zacks facebook page to see some of the amazing paper birds he also creates.

Children's renovations.......

There's been a big break since my last blog which usually means we've been busy with the kids or rather sleepless nights from Bethany!! I think our beloved youngest has aged us about 10 years but we're back on track. So what have we been up to in between.....

Renovations for the kids including finally finishing off their Wendy house in Eloise's room. This was another project that has taken years. The wooden frame was bought for Eloise as an Easter present when she was 8 months old and I've finally finished the cover. I previously had the material (great job lot from Wathamstow which I have turned into curtains, cushions, bags) draped over the top but I finally got a round to making a little house for them with....

their names which is actual bunting to try and give some depth (it was fun using bondaweb and tulip pens for the names).... 

 

a door, windows, flowers and hung some fairy lights inside which as yet have not been on as they apparently create scary shadows!

I've also been getting a bit addicted to spray painting not street style but for furniture. I got hooked after doing the girls swing set in the garden and love the quickness and easiness of it. So this was a red and orange table and chairs inherited from my brother's girls which I primed and spray painted cream and purple. Little tip for others attempting this; avoid spraying in the garden on a windy day, may create colourful hands and arms : ) 

I love this shade of purple colour......

I'll try not to leave the next blog too long....

Family Learning Easter Workshops....

It's the Easter holidays already starting next week and if you're wondering what to do with the children then have some fun creating at an Easter workshop at Havering Adult College. 

I'll be doing the animal puppet making where you can get to create whatever animal you desire using foam stencils, fabric paints, fabric pens, felt, googly eyes and a little creative imagination. Here's a little dragon I designed in the past but I'll have loads of ideas on the day to help you create your favourite animal.

I'm also doing the potty planting where you get to paint and decorate your very own pot together then plant up some seeds to take home and watch them grow. Here's one I made with my little one in the past....

They're completely free and spaces are limited so book on today at 01708 434995 or email familylearning@havering.gov.uk!

Hope to see you there.....