Eightbyeight...Childhood Explored

'Little Me'

I am delighted to be one of many artists and designers who have donated a wee piece of art to the eightbyeight exhibition which will take place at Eden Court, Inverness, in April this year. As the name suggests, each artwork is 8 by 8 inches in size and explores the theme of childhood in many different forms of creative media. All funds raised by the event will go to the charity Camillie's Appeal who provide support for children with brain tumours.

My contribution to this wonderful cause is a simple lino print inspired by a photograph of myself as a wee girl which I found at my grandmothers house. In the actual photograph, my face is covered in chocolate, I'm wearing blue corduroy dungarees and I look very guilty about something! So I decided it was the perfect snapshot of being a kid :)

Please check out this project and see if you can make it along to the exhibition itself. I think the whole thing is a brilliant idea and a perfect way for creative individuals to make a difference and create something lovely and meaningful in the process...

Here are a few of my favourite submissions posted on the website...do any of them take you back to childhood?

'Little Helper' by Evie Zaccardelli

'Sing me to sleep' by Shaun McLaren

'Oops!' by Jenny Johnstone

'Rock Pooling' by Josie Vallely

Cake Antoinette by Mindy Sue Wittock

'Sand between my toes' by Louise Worthy

'Labels, Labels...' by Mrs Badcrumble (Sue Thomas)

'Owl Lullaby' by Dawn Sheridan

'The house in my dream' by Moy Mackay

Halfway There

Firstly...apologies for the lack of  posts here on my blog! I admit I struggle to find time to keep upto date with my entries but I'm hoping to visit more often, I promise! It doesn't help that I am a perfectionist and spend forever checking every detail of my blog design and posts...you can get a bit lost in these things!

I cant believe how fast time has flown this year and that I am already almost halfway through my HND Textile Art course! I have been keeping very busy with all the various projects I have been assigned, and I wouldnt have it any other way. It's strange to admit it, but I'm beginning to realise that I work best when I'm under pressure! Despite its stressy moments, its very exciting to have lots of creative ideas floating about in my head and without deadlines to work to, I would never be forced to make them a reality.

In other news, I am excited to announce that my fiance and I are buying a house! I am so excited to finally be able to design my own home especially with all the experience I have gained from being at art school. I'm just hoping that my interior design skills are as good in real life as they are in my imagination!

I will keep you updated with my design adventures...

The end of HNC...the beginning of summer?

It seems like a lifetime ago that I was packing away my sketchbooks and looking forward to a summer of craft fairs, no coursework and no heavy bags to carry...but here we are at the end of July and there have been a serious lack of sunny days! Sad face. Fortunately, I have been able to make the most of the cold and rainy days by staying cosy and warm indoors and creating a range of cute handmade gifts and cards for my wee arts and crafts shop Oh So Lovely (please take a look!)

I am also now the lucky recipient of a beautiful sparkly engagement ring from my gorgeous boyfriend of 6 years...happy times :) Cue dreams of a pretty vintage tea party wedding!

But before I get carried away, I would like to share some photographs from the Dundee College end of year exhibition, in particular of course...the Textile Art collection. Enjoy!

Admiring the talent

A lovely burnt silk textile piece

By Louise

Wall hanging by Karen Smith

My textile wall hanging...

Inspired by pebble beaches at the West coast of Scotland

I created this piece using embellished silk organza, dyes, bleach and freehand embroidery detail.

My paper samples

This piece was inspired by the lines of the human body

I love the stitching on this one!

Fern and Karen

IGNITE and the DOJ Degree Show

It is a very exciting month to be in Dundee, as there are a huge range of creative happenings all over the city! In particular IGNITE..."a 10 day celebration of creativity and culture across Dundee, Angus and Fife" which runs 17th-27th May.

I'm also excited to see the Duncan Of Jordanstone Degree Show which I attended last year and found beautiful and inspiring.

Fresh and Vintage

I have recieved a mention from the lovely Lesley on her blog...

Fresh and Vintage

She runs a cute wee vintage shop called Create here in my local town Blairgowrie...not too far outside of Dundee and definately worth a visit for any day trippers!

Its so lovely to see more local places selling good quality handmade arts and crafts, and Lesley also holds a range of classes where you can sip a glass of vino, learn new creative techniques and have a go on the beautiful vintage Singer sewing machines which she lovingly restores herself...

I'm looking forward to attending one of these fab classes myself as soon as I have completed my HNC in a few weeks time! As well as completing all my coursework for the end of year assesments, I will be displaying my work at the Dundee College Exhibition and taking part in the Fashion Show....busy busy!

I'll be keeping you posted on all these exciting happenings so watch this space :)

Maggie's Farm

 

 

Maggie's Farm is a super lovely vintage clothing boutique that can be found on Union Street here in the city centre of sunny Dundee! It is filled with an array of gorgeous, grungy reworked clothing, hippy jewellery and a few quirky pieces of upcycled furniture which, along with the uber cool soundtrack, transport you into a retro inspired dream-state, this is my favourite kind of retail therapy...

As u get lost in this grotto of vintage loveliness, its impossible to not find something you will love and want to spend your hard earned pennies on. Highlights of mine include cut off denim shorts with applique pocket details, arran knit sweaters in pretty pastel hues, floral tea dresses and some very glam-rock, glittery get-ups (for extra special occasions).

Maggie's Farm is a great place for folks who love the feel of a vintage market as everything is mismatched and misplaced in a jumble of textures, patterns and colours to inspire you to create your own look. It provides a great change to the conventional high street shops, as most of the items here are unique one off pieces.

The shop has been open for a few years now and is growing in success. It is exciting to learn that there has recently become a special place in the heart of a certain Topshop store on Edinburgh Princess Street where Maggie's Farm is show-casing it's lovely wares for the fashionable gals and guys of the big city...and although I haven't had the pleasure of visiting it yet, I reckon we are lucky ones to have the original boutique right here on our doorstep!

Introducing...

Hello lovely people! This is my shiny new blog all about Dundee. I'll be posting about style, arts and crafts, some fab local talent and anything else that inspires me in this amazing city.

A little about me...I am a country girl at heart but three days of my week I jump into my retro mk 2 vw golf and travel to my college campus on the outskirts of Dundee. My coursework includes creating a wide range of textiles, experimenting with textile and embroidery techniques and generally being messy with fabric dyes. I love discovering new patterns, colours and textures.

Hope you enjoy following my adventures...