Angie Lewin and oooh it makes me want to print!!

Yesterday was one of those days that come around once a year and you age a little more! I'm not sure I like the age I've become, but I'm sure I'll get used to it and besides I feel a lot younger than the years I've accumulated. Anyway I thought I would post some fabulous gifts I received as I found them so inspiring and beautiful. The images top and middle are from Angie Lewin's gorgeous book "Plants and Places", where really you can't fail to be inspired by her lovely woodblock, lino and screen prints. I love the way she translates seed heads and seaweed and how her prints have so much movement and form. After devouring the images in her book I want to get out my lino and cutting tools and create something lovely.

I also got a lovely set of woodblock letters. I have been wanting a set of these for I don't know long and my favourite person in the whole world found a set for me. I love the smoothness of the wood and the way the old dye has seeped into the wood and coloured it. Each letter is carved very carefully and the grain in evident in some and are just beautiful. I can't wait to print with them and work them into a design.

Camping with extra zing

The other day I opened my email and found the fantastic newsletter from the guys at The Cool Hunter, who are a collective that look out for cool design and like to share their findings. One of there news worthy items were these tents from Field Candy, who it seems decided to give the old tent a make-over. I think they're fab, especially the "Cheese Please" tent complete with mouse! For all those shed types out there, how about the "Men Only" tent. Or for fabric lovers how about the patchwork "Sung as a bug" tent. All priced from £400 upwards and limited editions.

Take a look at there website from the link above and maybe change your mind about camping holidays!

Graduation 2011!

It's all official now! On November 23rd 2011 I graduated with 1st class honours in Textiles and Surface design, and I now have my lovely certificate and photos in a gown and hat. It was a fab day and it was great to see all my friends dressed up in their finery nervously awaiting their moment on stage. There was a lovely atmosphere in Middlesbrough town hall where we all gathered and in the students union afterwards where everyone went back for refreshments. It was great to have my family there with me and a helping hand to get the hood to sit right and hat to stay on.

I would like to thank all my family for their support and encouragement throughout my degree, I couldn't have done it without them :-) I also wish all my fellow graduates of BA Hons Textiles and Surface Design a very happy and prosperous future, whatever they choose to do next or wherever life will take them. Well done everyone and I will miss you all loads!

Olympic 2012 posters

Sarah Morris

Rachel Whiteread

Chris Ofli

Reading through my tweets today I came across one that commented on the new posters for the 2012 Olympics and the feeling behind it was mixed so I thought "mmm I'll have a look and see what this is all about." There is a great mix of styles with artists such as Rachel Whiteread, Chris Ofli and Sarah Morris pictured above and others such as Tracey Emin and Howard Hodgkin. Not sure all of them pick up on the Olympic feel, but most are bright and bold and Hodgkin uses a lovely vivid blue in his abstract image.

My favourite by far is Sarah Morris' design, depicting Big Ben and shapes associated with track and field events in a graphic style full of colour and form. It has a graphic weight to it that I feel illustrates the enormous event this will be for both sports-people and the UK as a whole. To me Sarah has taken the idea of the Olympic rings and developed it into a really successful design. Have a look for yourself and see what you make of the other posters and drop me a comment with your thoughts London festival 2012

Over the next few months I think we will get flooded with more and more Olympic motifs and influenced art and fashion etc.

Fab Mini Moderns!

Just doing some market research and love Mini Moderns new "Hold on tight" collection. Great look at travel with a mid-century twist. I also love their Festival of Britain collection to celebrate it's birthday a while back. I could be quite tempted to splash out on a cushion or two or even the funky festival plates! Take a look at their site you won't fail to be inspired.

It's time to think about Christmas!

Paperchase - Japanese temple 8 for £4
Paperchase- Flock 16 cards for £7.50
Paperchase- Candy cane Christmas £3.00
Marks and Spencer - Glitter deer 20 for £4
John Lewis - Midnight sparkle 5 For £5
John Lewis - Wishes charity cards 28 for £5

It's that time of year again where I start to think about what Christmas cards to send to my family and friends. I go through the same train of thought every year do I make my own or buy some? So I've been having a look to see what's out there to help make up my mind.

I love Paperchase and they produce some fantastic cards and wrap, often they have something a bit different. I picked out the flock and the cut-out as although it's been done before Paperchase have done them tastefully. I love the pattern on the little fat robin. I also liked their Japanese inspired cards with typical architectural features of Japan.

M & S last year had some fantastic cards, but this year the designs seem paired down. I like the glitter deer, but they don't give me that christmassy feel. Perhaps it's the blue that puts me off?

John Lewis' collection seem to focus on vintage and simplicity either in colour palette or imagery. I like the use of pattern in the midnight sparkle card and the cute bunny. But £5 for 5 would mean they would be reserved for special people and again it's blue mmmm! The font used on the charity set drew my attention and also the sophisticated colour palette and the nod to eras past.

All in all still not sure, a bit more research maybe and some drawing to see what I can come up with.

Celia Birtwell Presents GoodWeave Prize at Decorex International 2011 | GoodWeave Manchester UK

Follow the link to see the full article on GoodWeave's blog Talking Rugs!
Celia Birtwell Presents GoodWeave Prize at Decorex International 2011 | GoodWeave Manchester UK. It was a fantastic day, if not a bit nerve racking. Meeting Celia was brilliant and if I'm still designing when I'm her age I'll be chuffed to bits!