Happy New Year......

I was really quiet last year as I wasn't too well, with my asthma and I have been in hospital a few times and I am still waiting for more tests.

The family kept me busy, having grand children is the best! I went to see Maisie in her nativity at playschool, she also won the angel competition at the mother and toddler group, apparently they had never seen so much glitter on an angel - I think she gets that from me, and she was awarded a prize and certificate at the Chris Dingle service which I had never been to before. We also took Ellie and Maisie to see Father Christmas, which was lovely.

At Christmas I had a full house again and cooked a goose, as my son Nathan fancied it, a turkey and a leg of lamb, as Kirstens partner is a kiwi and doesn’t eat turkey or goose! It was a lovely day with no kitchen disasters! Here's Maisie 'helping' Eloise open her presents....



I have still been working hard and have had some very good classes. I have been teaching City and Guilds Machine Embroidery and City and Guilds Patchwork as well as my day at Snaresbrook art project. I also started attending a jewelry making class in Romford with a girl called Di. She is brilliant and has a shop in romford (www.dizzydi.co.uk) the classes are £10 for a two hour session and you get all the materials too!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some of the things I have been making, as you can see i've got a bit addicted....



I have been working on bits and bobs as Kirsten and I have been selling our work, most of the time I have been working on things that sell rather than on exhibition pieces.

My husband and I have been going to Barleylands on a lampwork course, making glass beads, it has been really nice to do something together and after the class we go for lunch, another added bonus. Talking of Barleylands, I went to see Linda Monk of Purple Missus on Sunday Craft Arena where she was signing her book and had all the samples on show, I have done a class with Linda and she is brilliant so needless to say I bought her book. I also bumped into Sharie from Sharne's Bit 'n' Bobs and Jill from Vintagerockchick. So needless to say I felt very inspired when I left everyone so watch this space I think I will start a piece for an exhibition...

Sharon

Thawing out......

We braved the cold at the week end to do the craft fair at The Old Slate Yard in Forest Gate. There were lots of numb toes all round but it was a really good atmosphere especially on Sunday when everyone came by to see the nativity and join in the christmas carols.......





We've got this week end off but am back next week end at The Sparkle Fair in Wanstead, luckily inside for this one so we'll be nice and cosey. It'll be a great chance to get any last minute christmas presents.


I'm off to Winter Wonderland tomorrow for our girlie annual trip to Hyde Park for a good old dose of Christmas joy. If I can manage buggy, baby and camera in between all the crowds i'll try to take some pics. Also it's the first time of braving the underground with 2 buggies and hoards of Christmas shoppers, so wish us luck!

Kirsten x

Christmas market updates.....

So Friday was my first market since having the little one and my first night out without her. The E17 Designers market are always great fun, sounds really cheesy but I think they're such a good atmosphere with lots of music and people getting merry on their free drink! There was a surreal moment when an exotic and glamorous belly dancer took to the stage which kept all the men happy. The dancer teaches at my mum's college, Waltham Forest, it looks like great fun and perfect way to get toned up for the summer!



So this week end in conjunction with the Forest Gate Art Trail is a christmas indoor market at the Old Slate Yard. It's quite unusual to have an art trail in winter but it makes a nice change. The lady who runs it got inspired from the Victorian Christmas markets and so decided to try and create one herself with lots of Christmas trees, wreaths and handmade christmas gifts on offer. I've managed to get together some new pictures of 50's girls at the hairdressers.........

We've also got some new jewellery and beaded bookmarks on offer which my mum has been busy making. She made a couple of bracelets for me which I haven't taken off since she gave them to me a month ago!

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......

Halloween treat....

I usually like to carve a pumpkin for halloween but this year I had a better idea.....



apparently it's cruel to dress up your kids for your own entertainment but I couldn't resist : )

I also have to tell you about Zaki's, a new Turkish restaurant on Wanstead High Street, where these pics were taken for my sisters' birthday dinner. Definitely worth a visit as it's great food, I can't remember what my dinner was called but it was an amazing dish of turkish stew on top of smoked creamy aubergine (recommended by the waiter and definitely the best choice as it gave everyone else food envy!!).



It's a bit late in the making but I put together this little brag book for Paul's mum in New Zealand. I kept it really simple and plain as I know that's what she'll prefer, I just have to get round to posting it.......

For illustration lovers....

out there the Cartoon Museum in London is hosting a book launch for 'Making Great Illustration',taking place on Tuesday 18th October. There will be a display of artwork from the book along with food and drink on the night. Shame I can't make it but it sounds really good,especially with the line up of artists:

Making Great Illustration is a fascinating look at some of the world’s best illustrators, providing an insight into the creation of illustration from concept to finished work. Featuring exclusive interviews and images of work and studios, this beautiful book provides a rare insight into the unique perspective, approach and artwork of artists not available elsewhere.

Illustrators featured include: Quentin Blake, Rob Ryan, Marian Bantjes, Javier Mariscal, Ronald Searle, Oliver Jeffers, Kitty Crowther, David McKean and many more. They cover all types of illustration: design and advertising, fiction, decorative illustration and merchandising, editorial and political illustration, typograhical, children’s publishing, graphic literature, fashion illustration, topographical illustration and authorial practice.

Section introductions from: The Conran Shop, The Folio Society, Musee Les Arts Decoratifs, New York Times, SAKS 5th Avenue, Candlewick Press USA, First Second (Pan Macmillan), Christian Lacroix, The Times and Adrian Shaughnessy.

Get ready for Halloween.....

Make With Me, in aid of the learning disability charity Mencap, is getting set for Halloween with a host of great ideas to get making with children this year.

Bespoke cake maker Lily Vanilli has donated her devilishly delicious Edible Bones recipe, as well as Sublime Stitching’s Gothic Grandeur spooky pattern. Also check out National Geographic Kids’ Magazine ‘Halloween Make Over Cards’ and top tips on How to carve the perfect Pumpkin, all free to download now at www.makewithme.org.uk.

Lily Vanilli says: “I love Halloween baking, it’s such a great theme to be creative with. I came up with the bone recipe idea when writing my book 'A Zombie ate my Cupcake'. I love Make With Me, it's such a great idea to get people socialising and baking in this way. I hope you have a great time this Halloween baking my scary bones, partying and raising funds for Mencap and people with a learning disability.”




Jenny Hart says: "Embroidery patterns are usually so sweet, but not these! My favourites are the rat and the raven. You could make a Halloween wall hanging to spooky your place up a bit. Stitch words like "Come Into My Lair" with the spider webs and drippy candles to set the right creepy tone for your Halloween home!"