Category: Craft
I Dyed.. x
Like the lifespan of a butterfly, the summer term is flying to it’s end. For Bella’s class it’s quite a poignant time as her year get re-mixed into different classes for September so after three years together it’s a real time of change. As a little hurrah for the mums of her 2B class I held a Shibori tie-dye day..with all the essentials….
Joy of joys..the sun shone!
Is that a stick I see before me?
Our patriotic dye bath..previously used for mixing concrete for the patio. The union jacks come from cut up passport covers from the 99p shop – they were perfect for holding the material in place to create the square shaped tie-dye pattern.
The magic starts when you unwrap..it’s a bit like Christmas..you have no idea what they’re going to be like..
But the results were pretty spectacular!
Each one different and unique! My washing line has never looked so cool!
OMG – It actually looks like the tutorial photo!
This beauty was the result of ‘stick’..it’s like looking up at the sea whilst diving..
Now I have the kids home and dying everything in sight! But honestly, I can’t blame them..it’s addictive..for a wonderful day with friends, it’s surprisingly easy, wonderfully effective and thoroughly recommended!
Laters, kate x
Mightier than the Sword..
I so need to up my penmanship skills…but my tie-dying skills might improve today: Have 6 friends round to to transform everything white into beach-ready Shibori..pictures sure to follow…
Laters, Kate x
Simply Made x
Made was born from a desire to create beautiful products using traditional time-honoured skills and fashion led design: Made believe that people really matter, that if you look after the employees it translates through into what they make. It’s a meeting of beautiful thinking and beautiful doing where object and intention come together to create something truly special and unique whilst embracing cultures, personalities and genuine gorgeousness..
They are also dedicated to using the most environmentally friendly products possible: Their signature style comes from an extensive use of reclaimed brass which has a warmth and a softness unlike any other metal. 
But what makes them standout is the balance between tradition/friend of the earth and cutting edge fashion: Their sharp design skills come from a willingness to collaborate with some of the best the fashion and design world has to offer – Edun, Lois Vuitton, Whistles, Asos, TopShop to name just a few, all adding to a sense of continual growth and exploration of ideas. 
I particularly love these pieces by Imogen Belfield, already touted by Vogue as an up and coming designer, her designs have a sense of presence and tactileness that make them exceptionally appealing: They’re a little bit of sunshine… 
Mi piace..
Time to stand outside the circle.
Laters, Kate x
Roses and Cupcakes x
Creative Coffee Mornings are still a regular Wednesday occurrence and a highlight of the week. These pics are from our ‘Sugar Art’ session..
Which included a variety of projects including making elderflower cordial..even the word ‘cordial’ makes me smile…
We also crystallised edible flowers..so simple and so effective..
You thoroughly coat each petal – back and front – with egg white, then cover everything in sugar. A sprinkle of very fine glitter helps with the final fairy effect. Then they dry out and can be kept for months in an air tight container, ready for a dramatic flourish when required.
And we made cupcakes to practise our icing skills on..
With a whole box of toys to play with!
The joy, the pride, the ability to allow yourself the time to be creative and the companionship of sharing the experience with others all feed in to make this time so very special. You literally zone away from real life – I’m sure it’s a similar endorphin rush to a serious gym workout. Just without the pain…
Next week is ‘homemade sausages’…..guaranteed a giggle…
Laters, Kate x
Swarm x
Over the next few months The Husband and I are planning a little re-vamp of our house: We bought it over ten years ago as two flats and have spent much of that time doing various pretty major structural projects whilst juggling two babies. Now it’s finally the time to give it a bit of a silky lustre and add those finishing touches – the fun bits I’ve been waiting oh-so-long-for – like finding a stained glass panel for the front door where the council security glass still remains..oh joy unbounded!
It means I’ve been spending far too long in our downstairs toilet where the old interior design mags live – I’m following the principal that if it’s old and I still like it, it’s passed the ‘test of time’ test with flying colours and will last forever more. It was in a 2011 edition of Elle Decoration I found a small article about the artist Leslie Oschmann which caught my eye – she uses old canvases to make bags or to cover vintage chairs before sealing them with protective lacquer..
I love her whole aesthetic..taking something and making it more beautiful and useful. Each piece exuding character and warmth. These chairs make my heart sing.
Leslie originally came from the States where she worked with Companies such as Anthropologie before she took a complete life-style change, moving to Amsterdam, buying a bike and starting her own studio Swarm.
‘I learnt that I needed to get back to touching objects, not just trying to display or sell them..I missed the tactile’
What she does epitomises everything I love and want to embrace – classic, timeless quirky ideas with a touch of age used with care to make something both practical and beautiful that serenely stands out.
Shouldn’t be too hard then………
Laters, Kate x
Just Corking! x
These are my beloved two year old most comfortable summer shoes the world has ever known babies. They’re really on their last hurrah, but I couldn’t resist giving them a summer re-vamp to squeeze that last bit of life out of them..
Studs! Except they’re not..
They’re bog standard drawing pins (tacks to others) pushed into the cork..no glue, nothing..just a bit of thumb grease..
And I absolutely love ’em! Now they’re smiling again for another year on the tiles…
Laters, Kate x
Shoe Notes… x
These shoes would complete my life. My waters tell me so. Sadly I have no idea who designed them…but I’m thinking a pair of pointy whites and some magic markers?
Laters, Kate x
Stunning Shibori..
(From Fausto Puglisi Resort 2015)
There’s a quiet revolution happening which originally had it’s routes in Japanese culture but for me will always sing of the seventies: Shibori tie dying.. 
(From Fausto Puglisi Resort 2015)
But now it’s far removed from flower garlands and hippy communes and is steadily seeping it’s way onto the catwalk..
(From Fausto Puglisi Resort 2015)
Even Michael Kors Resort 2015 can’t resist..
From MiH jeans who have a particularly fine range this season all in glorious indigos.
But the joy is this is something that anyone can do – especially with inspiration and advice available all over the web:
I love this video..I want to be there and play!
One of the best written tutorials I’ve found is this one from Honestlywtf, making all sorts of shapes and techniques look utterly effortless and astonishingly beautiful..imagine these as individual napkins on a summer table… 
Or doing these techniques on a dark denim shirt with bleach instead of dye?? And I’ve just looked….and Honesltywtf have a tutorial for that as well!
Suddenly I really, really want to get my hands dirty….
Laters, Kate x
THE RESULTS! x
Pray silence for the Grand Announcement: This vintage lipstick case plus my favourite red lipstick will be travelling off to the talented and amazing Winner of the inaugural Design Your Own Espadrille Competition. The judges found the decision incredibly hard – the competition was fierce and the standard high and many had sleepless nights agonising over their choice…but we do have a result…the design with the most votes was……..drum roll please.…..
No. 4! Which was by………me! So I’m handing it on to the next successful original entry which was…..roll those drums..
No. 5! By the lovely Vasiliki Machaira at Delightfully Peculiar! Huge congrats to you, you are our first ever winner!
To reveal the identities of the other entrants…No. 1 was made by none other than the irrepressible Julie at Vintage Attitude! Who else?!
No 2 was made by…me again!
No.3 was made by the wonderful Amanda at Sew Deputy who I hope has signed up for the next BBC Sewing Bee..
No.6 was made by me, Bella and Charlie.
And No.7 was made by the talented Virginia Romo at virginiaromo.com – I still want to know how you did your design – was it with a bleach pen? But then how did you do the colours??! I think this design got swamped by all the larger photos as the beauty is in the very fine detail…
A Big round of applause and a huge thank you for all those who took part – you are all stars! And congrats and a flowing bottle of champagne to Vasiliki! Now…who’s for a large, cold, bubbly glass?!
Laters, Kate x
Espadrille Competition – THE ENTRIES! x
I was lured away by summer flowers and a lack of Internet – but what a post to come back to! The first ever Design Your Own Espadrille Competition!! This was a bit like a drive through the dark on an unknown road with no idea where it would lead, but with a trembling hand on my fluttering heart we have a truly wonderful selection of entries and I’m utterly thrilled and delighted! A huge thank you to all who took the time and talent to take part (for now you’ll remain anonymous..but not for long)
So feast your eyes on these beauties..and then vote for your favourite..the choice is yours!
Vote for Number One if you love the quirky and avant garde..
Vote for Number Two if this pair tickle your fancy..
If you l’amour this cheeky little number, vote Number three!
If geometrical design floats your boat, vote Number Four!
Number Five makes your heart beat faster? Vote!
For a splash of neon, vote Six!
And if you think this delicious pair are a cut above the rest – vote Number Seven!
To vote, please name your favourite in the comments below….the winner will be crowned on Wednesday..
Laters, on tenderhooks, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 