It feels like it's been a while.....

since blogging but it's been a mad couple of months! We had Paul's Mum and partner come to stay from New Zealand for a month. It was the first time they had met the baby so it was lovely having them, the baby loved all the extra attention and was on her cutest behaviour winning them over! For me it was like having fairies who did all the cooking, cleaning and baby sitting, so they will be sorely missed and we all can't wait for their next trip back! Unfortunately they had the worst weather ever, a record wettest April since records began! So we showed them the sites of Essex including Leigh-on-sea and we couldn't miss the longest pier in Europe at Southend.......

and on the very last week end the sun decided to finally show so we could sit in the garden!

Eloise loving all the extra attention......

We then had the E17 Designers spring market at the beginning of May where we made a few new children's pictures, see below. I drew some designs that we then appliqued onto canvas with cute children's material. I really struggled finding some nice pictures for Eloise's room so decided to make my own for her and develop into a new range. These will be appearing on our Etsy site soon.

 Here's some of the new designers that showcased on the night and some existing designers with new work......

 To see all the pictures click here

 

Entertainment on the night was supplied by the Stowicks, a lovely local folk band. Also taking the stage was Jerome and his dancing partner showing off their great swing moves. Jerome's world of swing runs a jive course at the x7eaven studios on Lea Bridge Road starting in June. It looked like great fun and far more achievable than I imagined, if you're interested go to jeromelanderson.com for more info.

Lastly, my biggest stress was Eloise's baptism. I left it far too late to organise but what's new! Here's the invite I designed, I wanted something a little different from everyone else so went for .....

I was going to put her in Aunty Chloe's dress but seeing as Chloe was born weighing almost 12lb there was a bit of a size difference. So we bought this cute dress at the last minute. Here I am feeling very nervous with the god parents......

With proud grandparents and a slightly bemused cousin as to 'why that man poured water on Ellie's head!'...

It was a really lovely day and Eloise was spoilt rotten with lots of beautiful and lovely presents. Thanks everyone who helped to make it special.

Here she is looking like a very cute fairy...

So we're now back to normal and enjoying the lovely sunshine. We've got quite a few events popping up over the coming months and we're also hoping to get our Etsy shop updated so keep popping back for updates.

Thanks,

Kirsten

Upcoming christmas events....

We're finally getting back to business and these are the first upcoming events.

Firstly is the infamous E17 Designers Christmas on 25th and 26th November, we're doing the Friday night but there's a wide selection of designer makers on the different days and you only need to pay the once. I think these are great events with music, a free drink and free raffle prizes (goodie bags of a selection of items donated from the designers)....



Then we've got some of our prints and cards at The Create Place's Xmas pop up shop on Sunday 27th November, 11-4pm. All items are under £20, great for little Christmas gifts, and with free mince pies and mulled wine what more could you want......

Thanks to everyone....

who popped along to see us on Friday night at the E17 Designers Spring Market.

It was the usual last minute panic for us we rushed around trying to get everything together and even wrapping new works of art just as we were about to leave but we managed to scrape through the doors and get set up just in time. So after a manic rush to get there it was a really lovely relaxed evening with great music supplied by local band The Stowicks and some great cakes from Susie's kitchen!

Here's a few pics from the night.....

Another one for your diaries....

The next E17 Designers' market has been booked for Friday 13th May so make sure to put it in your diaries. Spring is one of my favourite seasons, as I get fed up with all of the black, grey and brown colours that surround us in Winter along comes Spring with an abundance of colour and suddenly everything seems happy and cheerful. So pop along and make sure to see an abundance of colour that is sure to lift the spirits......

If you're in Walthamstow this week end.....

Don't forget to catch the last of the E17 Art Trail this week end and pop along to the E17 Designers at the Asian Centre on Sunday from 2pm. There's a few new designers with new quirky offerings, see some of their great work below.

Kirsten

E17 Art Trail.....

grows year by year and this year there are a staggering 200 listings!!

The E17 Designers are appearing at the Asian Centre on Sunday 12th. So make sure to pop along to see them whilst on your travels around the borough viewing all the art work. Check out their website for all the other listings.




This year i'm doing a one day drop in workshop with artwork for sale at Chestnuts House on Saturday 11th September, 10am-3pm.

Full details:
Community Learning and Skills Service
Chestnuts House, 398 Hoe Street C3
A range of CLaSS learners work. Showing the skills thay have gained through training. You will be able to touch, discuss and try a variety of creative activities. 020 8521 4311 www.walthamforestclass.gov.uk

Sharon

Thank you to everyone who came along on Saturday...

Just a quick update about Saturday's Leytonstone Arts Trail. It was a really great day and the stalls at the E17 Designers market looked great with loads of great handmade offerings. It was nice to see lots of kids running around enjoying themselves too, making it not just for the adults!!

I managed to get some pics in during a quiet moment.....

Kirsten

This week end head on over to Leytonstone for the Leytonstone Festival and Arts Trail. There will be loads of local artists showcasing in venues around the town and we will be showcasing in the Leytonstone Library along with the E17 Designers. So if you have nothing in your diary come along, check out all the other exciting offerings on their website and make a day of it.


I've been working on some new drawings, which were meant to be finished ages ago but i've just managed to mount and wrap them!! So if you come along you'll be the first to get your hands on them.


Also happening this week end is the grand opening of fellow the E17 Art House, a new venture from fellow E17 designers. They're hosting lots of activities for kids as well as other entertainments so make sure to pop along at some point on Saturday and Sunday.

Music at Wanstead Park......

After a bit of a blustery start, trying to erect a gazebo in very windy conditions we finally put everything together for a really good day on Saturday. We had a great position where we could hear all the music from the stage and surrounded by the shenanigans of all the kids events, providing some great entertainment! It really was a great day so a very big thank you to the residents of Aldersbrook who put it all together.

The main stage - all the acts were great and I couldn't believe how young some of them were and amazingly talented. I wish I had a musical bone in my body but it was never to be!



Here's our stall basking in the lovely sunshine.....

And a few of the others including Louise who had some great hand made ceramics which I couldn't resist....

Some fellow E17 Designers, Sarie of Fused and Fired who did a great job organising the art and craft section and still had the energy to host her own stall of sophisticated jewellery.....

Gail from Gail's Windy Day with her usual colourful array of gorgeous goodies....


New comer Hamlila Patel who creates some lovely canvas artworks using mixed media and creative embroidery.....


A local artisan who did some hand lathing and created some beautiful bowls.....


And what British event could happen without the classic Punch and Judy show and Morris dancers......