Category: Creative

August 17, 2015

Bling and Bottle tops x

There’s just over two weeks left of the summer hols and surprisingly this is our first full weekday at home just to be and make. I’ve been itching for it – doing crafts in the garden with the kids is the summer dress I look forward to all winter. This year the bar has been raised (with the Husband’s help) by transforming the shed into a mini-studio with a lean-to on the side for all the real sheddy bits (priorities, priorities..) It’s been lovingly painted, bunting hung, baskets gathered and projects planned..

Not that crafting with kids is straightforward…the main ingredient of creativity is not spontaneity but planning..having the right ingredients to hand to let things flow, which then includes ignoring the adult need for perfection – it’s when everything’s been mixed together – the splashes, the bits over the line, the gusto and exuberance that the magic really happens.

Today the sun is shining and we’re finally turning our felt pictures into cushions avec pom-poms, (then we might tackle some of the projects above) (all from Pinterest)..but before anything happens, I need to write this post..so I’ve set Bella and Charlie up with some painting in the shed. How cool?

It lasted all of five minutes before they came running out shouting ‘Spider, spider!’

I can see it’s going to be a longgggggggg summer.

Laters, Kate x

August 11, 2015

For Kirsty With Love x

Because caring is sharing: This is the stunning work of New Zealand artist, illustrator and overall creative, Kirsty Warman who I’ve been a fan of since I first saw and followed her Blog. I’ve been dying to do a Blog post on her..but I didn’t think it would take this direction…

Just recently, Kirsty was approached by VIDA, the Google venture backed ecommerce platform that brings together designers and makers from around the world to create original and inspiring fashion in a socially conscious way. They wanted Kirsty to collaborate with them to turn her Art into clothes – and it’s happening..right now!

Over the next week, if her designs hit the 3+ orders each, VIDA will produce her unique designs..how cools is that?

Furthermore, for every VIDA product produced, the company pledges to help the makers in Karachi, Pakistan with literacy programmes. It’s a win, win..

At around $40 USD this is too good to miss..and add VIDA VOICES at the checkout and you even get a 20% discount..

Click here to sale effortlessly through to her shop..you know you want too!

I’ll see you there..

Laters, Kate x

July 14, 2015

Tickled Pink x

Rebecca Wilson is a young sculptor domiciled in Scotland with a cheeky sense of humour.

With her jewellery range she’s become the burlesque dancer of adornment.

Not that jewellery is the only thing she does..take this light, titled ‘Many hands make light work’

Beautifully cast in glow loving porcelain.

Or this one…inspired by jammy dodgers..

And temptingly called ‘Light snack’

Rebecca takes pleasure in looking at the humble objects of life – like these matches – and wants to see our reaction when she alters them either by material, situation or size..she wants to understand, why does our reaction then change?

It’s honesty and frivolity glued together with the luxury of porcelain and talent.

Just delicious.

Laters, Kate x

June 30, 2015

Elina Linardaki x

I didn’t go to Glastonbury this year..but if I had, I would’ve worn a pair of these beauties by Elina Linardaki. (Until it rained of course, and then they’d transform into a pair of hunter wellies, because that’s just how magical they are).

I could do with a pair today..last week it was tights and scarves..this week temperatures are set to hit 36 degrees. London in this kind of heat is not good, we seem to specialise in the really heavy, oppressive variety that saps the very life from your bones where 36 on the thermometer feels more like 46. It’s partly because we’re just not equipped to cope..lots of glass, no shutters, no air con, no swimming pools, just a sprinkler in the garden. We have Prize Day at the kids school today and thank God it’s no blazers, but no doubt we will all gently boil.

I’ll be sitting their, quietly sweating away…dreaming of leather gladiators and a beach….

Laters, Kate x

June 27, 2015

Instant Gratification x

Heading to the sewing superstore today to re-stock the portable summer craft box…

(All pictures Pinterest)

I love the idea that one hook and some coloured yarn can do all this..

Laters, Kate x

June 25, 2015

Ode to Creative Coffee..

We had our final Creative Coffee EVER yesterday…a day of sadness, joy..and achievement all rolled into one.

Sometime it’s the simple things in life that make the magic and one of those things for me were Creative Coffee Mornings. They were started by the lovely Sophy many years ago now, when she made the genius decision that chatting over coffee with young children was so much more fun when creating was involved. Originally we’d all take over our unfinished projects and use the time to give ourselves much needed permission to complete them. Then Sophy and best friend, Minta developed it further and prepared, for a small fee, everything in advance with a termly timetable of once-weekly delights. From sugar craft to liqueurs to making sausages…it was the perfect antidote to urban brain boil.

Now Minta is off to pastures new – a whole new chapter is opening up for her in the wilds of Scotland, which I know she’ll relish and grab with both hands…but she’ll be missed.

Wednesday mornings will never be quite the same again..

(These are not handmade rolls but an edible sculpture, entitled ‘eight nude elderly ladies tying their shoelaces’..)

So I raise a cupcake to the wonders of Creative Coffee and all who sailed in her…. Ladies, it was a commanding performance with a spectacular range, lead with aplomb and an indescribable magical touch of alchemy. Thank you for the opportunity to spend time with some of the best women I know laughing, baking, making and creating. The memories will live long..(well..those that aren’t addled by sloe gin…)

I absolutely loved it.

Laters, Kate x

June 24, 2015

Wool and the Gang x

Wool and the Gang was born to find the best way to produce fashion..namely by hand…your hands..(or if you’re really nervous..someone else’s)

It’s a quirky, sustainable reaction to the fast fashions of our generation that says stop, think..and make something special that lasts whilst reducing stress and improving dexterity.

You can either purchase complete kits to make yourself..or a separate price is given for a ready made item where you can support fellow ‘Gangsta’s’ by buying their handmade pieces.

There’s different levels for various abilities..and options for men, children and the home too…even crochet.

Wool is a favourite yarn, but they also work with fashion factories to repurpose their fashion waste into new yarns to reduce landfill.

Clever eh?

It was founded by three women: Designers Aurelie Popper and Jade Harwood met while studying textile design at Central Saint Martins in London, after which they went onto work at Alexander McQueen and Balmain. Third member is Elisabeith Sabrier, former model, world traveller and yarn lover.

It’s the kind of stuff you you really want to make.

And now there’s no excuse..

Laters, Kate x

June 18, 2015

Klemens Torggler

This is a post courtesy of the lovely Lia in Brussels who first introduced me, via a comment on this Blog, to the incredible work of Austrian wizard, Klemens Torggler.

There are a rarified group of objects like the London Underground map that have totally fulfilled their design potential – to meddle any further would be to over-engineer or muddy. And so it could be thought with the humble door – opening or sliding are the only two options.

That is until now. Torggler’s design, based on rotating squares, makes it possible to move an object sideways without the use of tracks. Even if the object weighs 200 kg.