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

London Pride at Valentines Mansion......

This week end I was lucky enough to get a last minute table as part of the designer makers craft fair at the London Pride design festival in Ilford. It was a really great event that saw a host of donated art and design items exhibited around the Mansion and garden marquees. The Tate and Saatchi Gallery had donated a host of work from all the leading and great artists including Damien Hirst (dotty mini seen below), Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon, Barbara Hepworth (my favourite), Anthony Caro, Chris Ofili, Sarah Lucas and many more. It's not everyday you get to see great art and design on your local doorstep! The event was set up as part of the Queen's Jubilee tour, so was showcasing art and design from the past 60 years, and the artists in the studios at the house were in full spirits from her visit on Thursday.

The amazing sculptures below are Tom Hiscocks Queen's Beasts which really came to life in the sunshine.






There was a music stage playing live music all week end, really lovely in the sunshine on Sunday!


Here was our stall......
And some of the other amazing talent......


A London bus, one of my favourite iconic designs, celebrating the queens diamond jubilee....



There was also a local graduate artist showcasing her work in the gardens, she harvested the silk worms to produce this amazing piece.....



There was also a kids tent.... one half was from a knitting and felting collective, Materialistics from South Shields, who create childrens scenes all from knitted and felted objects. It's a group of 40 ladies who meet up and get crafting to create amazing pieces including this ginger bread house to inspire little minds into a love of literature...


Everything the eye can see was knitted, there was so much to take in that every time I went back to have a look you found something else.....
The other half of the tent was the Big Book Bubble, a children's grotto where little people could live out any fantasy from literature......


Story telling......



And to top it off the most deluxe portaloos I have ever seen : )


It's a small world as I bumped into artist Amanda Seljubac, whom I met at the Forest Gate Art Trail. She has a studio at the mansions, such a great place to have a studio at the top of the house overlooking the park and grounds! Make sure to check out their next open studio day and see a whole host of talent up there and a lovely visit around the garden and park.

Kirsten x

Artsmart this week end......

This weekend my old uni, University of the Arts London, launches Artsmart, a two-day celebration of creative endeavour including a market, talks programme and a recruitment fair.

With more than 100 stalls, Artsmart market promises to showcase the very latest in art, design and fashion from the University’s alumni.

To find out more go to: http://www.artsmartlondon.co.uk/

Taking place on Friday to Saturday
At Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground, 16 John Islip Street, London, SW1P 4JU
One day pass £5 (concessions £3.50) Two day pass £9 (concessions £5)
Tickets on the day £6

Graphic arts, Yann Brien

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......

Pics from the E17 Deisgners Christmas Event......

here's the pictures I promised from the E17 Designers event....

here was our stall......



and some pics of the night, after a glass of mulled wine and live music in the background I had a great night soaking up the relaxed festive atmosphere

Upcoming christmas events....

Hi,

We've been really busy getting ready for a few christmas fairs that we're doing.
This Saturday we're going to be at Grand Hall within 'Roding Valley High School of Performing Arts' in Loughton as part of the creative fair. It's a great idea of assembling lots of local talent including artists, designer makers and small businesses together and offering their talents to the local community. We've been a part of the E17 Designers which is on the same wavelength and it's a great opportunity to get quality items back onto the high street. Many of the unique items are handmade to a very high quality and not found anywhere else.

This Saturday doors open at 11 until 4pm and there will be refreshments in the foodhall serving homemade cakes and cupcakes from 'frenchmade' & more.

There will also be a trendy stylist & beauty treatment's for both the adults & children.

With the children's fancy dress at 2.30pm with local performing talent on stage during the day from 'Theatre Train'. only £2.50 to get in for a whole day's worth of entertainment for all ages.

The next one we are doing is next Friday night, 26th with the E17 Designers in Walthamstow. Their markets are getting so popular that this year they're having to put on 2 due to an increasing amount of designers joining the group, and wanting to offer their talents to the local community.

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