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Tuesday 30 August 2011

A feast for the eyes and a tonic for the creative soul...



My recent trip to Birmingham to visit my mentor the lovely Ruth Green proved to be a very enjoyable day indeed. 







We printed up a storm, a rare treat for both of us trying out experimental techniques with no real purpose other than fun and discovery. 


































Ruth Green's signature Birdie singing his heart out from a vibrant experimental background we made while playing about










 The warm autumnal sunshine poured into the comfy hundred year old home. The high ceilings, and stripped wood spaces were filled by an atmosphere of calm excitement as I discovered find upon find through out the house including the work of fellow print makers and contemporary designers which sat comfortably amongst the affordable  high street furniture and vintage specimens alike.








 a cute elephant plush by Alice Apple perched on top of a trio of vintage suitcases ingenuously used as storage




Ruth like me is a keen gardener and allotmenteer 

 We both enjoyed a lovely lunch of cheese and home made pickle sandwiches accompanied by delicious plum cordial made by my welcoming host herself(I wish I'd taken more photos now but I was far too busy consuming the goodies and chatting away) which was followed by my signature (well really Nigella Lawson's from 'How to be a domestic goddess') Lemon syrup loaf cake I had brought with me as a gift accompanied by coffee. 



Grown by her own fair hand





All was eaten in the comfy retro style kitchen dotted with wonderful examples of kitchenalia which Ruth has lovingly collected. This love of retro imagary mixed with contemporary design is reflected in her work and in her home (of which I was simultainously welcomed into and envious of) 







Thank you Ruth I had a wonderful day and learnt such a lot
x

Monday 29 August 2011

Clarity

I have been doing a lot of soul searching recently as to the direction I should go creatively. I am greedy in nature and so creatively I want to do everything ! SO many techniques, materials and directions to take them so little time and with September approaching fast and the prospect of time to spend investigating at college I have had some decisions to make. 

Being a jack of all trades has tired me out so I have gone with my gut and so ceramic's one of my newest passions (although restricted to college workshops only at present) have won along with screen printing- particularly after my wonderful day of printing and eating handmade goodies at Ruth Green's beautifully homely studio. Such a generous and lovely person - blog post to come soon I promise.

In the meantime if you have children or are looking for a beautiful gift for a baby shower or a child's birthday have a look at this briliant book.. 


x




Monday 22 August 2011

Fab Folksy update !

Just a quick post to let you know Petals & Berries Folksy shop is now open !

Adding items slowly but surely so keep checking for the next great items for sale, thanks x

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Blooming lovely !


Another hot and sticky day in Staffordshire, and today marked the end of the judging for Britain in Bloom for Newcastle under Lyme. For me a lovely lunch, an oportuntity to network and after everyone had gone a bit of time to sit in the peace and quite of the beautiful surroundings of the newly opened Keele cemetary (yes that is what I said) 


 The serene beauty of the wildflower beds led to an impromptue session of one of my favorite apps on my phone... Instagram!











x