Gone But Not Forgotten

My dad was a talented artist who had a passion for anything creative, I think I had a lot more in common with him than I realised. His life was cut short and had suffered with Parkinson's for most of his adult life, although at first the disease had stopped him for creating art he learnt to work with the tremors to create a new way of painting.
I was going through some things tonight which has inspired me to write this blog and share with you some of the creative things he did.

Painting , pre-parkinson's, notice the change in style to the ones below.

When I was a chile these types of paintings used to remind me of the maggots he used to keep for fishing trips. He used to build up these paintings for months, painting over and over the top. They always ended up looking nothing like they had when they were started. I love the blended/ombre effects, now with my textile background I could see these making wonderful fabrics. If only we had the original paintings still I could make that come true. But unfortunately we have no idea who half the paintings were sold to.

This is one of my favourite, again the style has changed, this was after he had had the deep brain pacemaker fitted which controlled some of the tremors, but you can see that the previous style was still influential. Luckily I know who this painting was sold to and I can still see it in real life from time to time.

My dad was very keen on buying and selling antique items (usually mining lamps or war memorabilia) but one day he presented me with this beautiful pocket watch. At the time I thought it was a bit random having expressed no desire towards owning one (I was a teenager i think it's forgivable), anyway, I came to appreciate its beauty and now treasure it with all my heart.

When I was little he used collect minerals and being a magpie I was fascinated by the pretty colours, shiny/glittery stones and amazing patterns. I had completely forgotten about this one, he had a hole drilled into it and put it on a chain for me! I'm going to get it a better jump ring and buy it a nice chunky gold chain. I can't wait to wear it again. 

I hope you enjoyed reading, and if you wanted to learn more about Parkinson's, or donate to the charity here's a link........

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk

2013

2012 has been a mixture of emotions for me. I completed my MA in Textile Design and had the best time and met some amazing people along the way.....

I then got hurtled back to reality, and back to bar work but I'm determined 2013 is going to be MY year.

Here are my New Years resolutions.......

Properly officially start my business.........

 online shop, new website, branding the lot. I'm going to invent a necklace that incorporates hand weaving too, I don't want to detach myself from what I've been learning for the past year!

Move out.........

Maybe not to somewhere as grand as this place but I would love to have my own space somewhere.

Get swept off my feet by a knight in shining armour.........

Ok maybe slightly unrealistic but I can dream!

Get my own cat......

and stop stealing next doors!

Drink less........

Hmm we'll see how that goes.

Be happy!......

and eat more potato smileys.

Cats and Craft

Cats seem to be cropping up everywhere in my life at the moment. I spend far too much time searching for amusing images on instagram. I'm slightly worried i'm turning into a mad cat lady. The thing is I don't even own a cat. Cats and craft seem to fit together very well, so here are a few images I've come across recently.......

Cats in jumpers. Genius. 

Beautiful cat collar clips by 'Ladybird Likes'.

http://www.ladybirdlikes.com

Cats just love textiles.

Cat graffiti by Brighton graffiti artist 'Cassette Lord'. I did wonder where else he could go with the whole cassette image but i love this! 

http://www.cassettelord.com

I momentarily cat napped my next door neighbours cat and cobbled together a toy with string and paper. 

Ridiculous/cute/silly/amazing hand crafted textile ornament by 'Materialised'.

Simply amazing hand stitched leather shoes by 'Love from Hetty and Dave'.

http://www.lovefromhettyanddave.co.uk

Oscar cat being adorable.

Bella cat 'helping' me fringe a scarf, I couldn't bare to kick her off.

Ok its not strictly a cat but its a sort of cat, a big cat. And this print from Hello Dodo, Brighton based printers, always makes me smile. 

http://www.etsy.com/people/helloDODOshop

I'll finished with these rings and broaches from 'I Like Cats', Brighton based artist/crafter. 

http://www.i-like-cats.co.uk/home.html

I like cats too.

xXx

In Brugge - the weird and the wonderful

pretty frightening 

view from the brewery roof

Below are some photos of a (deadly serious) museum at Flanders Fields. The awfulness of the museum is what made it so enjoyable.

marzipan fruit mmmmmmmmmmm

This is how hot chocolate should be

pretty pumpkins 

In Brugge

I can't believe I've not blogged about my little trip away to Brugge yet. I look so many photos I'm going to have to divide them all up into separate posts. Lets start with a textiley one..............

Yarn Bombing 

I had to sneak away from a guided tour to take these photos, I tried to educate everyone on the phenomenon but they all just smiled politely and nodded. I love the stitched writing of the name.

The Lace Museum

It was a pretty decrepit museum but there was some beautiful pieces of lace on display. The image below has so much depth and detailing. 

This piece was so intricate and in an unusual colour for lace.

Showing how lace is made. I just don't get it!

I can figure out this simple example of how lace is made but when it gets more complicated I just don't understand!

Nice to see the diagrams on how to make it, reminds me of my weave notes from uni.

 Posh Shops

I spotted some gorgeous woven and digitally printed scarves. This window display shows orange is the way forward!

Tacky Souvenirs 

I REALLY wanted a little apron with matching coasters for my wine bottles but decided they were just too ridiculous and settled for a mini lace letter R.