Memories of 2011 and a new start to 2012!

Happy New Year to you all!. I hope everyone had a lovely festive time and have recovered from the new year celebrations. 

I thought I would reflect on 2011...... A lot of different items were made last year and it was very full on towards the end of the year. (Hence no blogging!)

Here are just a few of my favourites.....

So whats in store for me this year.... 

Well, Iv sorted my year out already. My new events and workshops calendar will be put on line very soon (All on paper at the moment!). There are a few different events that I'm looking forward to this year.

I will be with Longslade Adult College / Fulcrum for my final year in March at the NEC Birmingham Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch 2012. My Level 3 in Creative Textile Techniques will be coming to an end in July. Theres still loads to complete so watch this space for pictures, as I'm going to be concentrating on this over the next few months. 

I will be designing and completing so special items for Snibston Discovery Park for there launch event in February. Exciting! Finally I have the time to do it!

Anyway that's a little pinch of the year ahead.

I hope that you all have a wonderful and creative 2012.... Maria x

Not got alot of time to blog.....

At the moment im on full time making. So please forgive me for not writing alot. Though so you can see what im doing, I will post my photos just so you know im still here!

All the complete and larger versions can be seen on http://www.flickr.com/photos/creativebumblebee/

My very first waistcat!

At last iv got round to making my first waistcoat. It has been made for one of my units for the creative textile course that I'm doing. My theme was sea shore / pebbles.

I made it yesterday and it took me 6 hours! But I'm sure when iv made a few more it shouldn't take that long again. 

Materials used were natural oatmeal and brown Blue Face Leicester wool. Alpaca and Merino spots/ pebbles. Dyed Scrim and Silk Velvet.

A few more hats have been made also...... 

Breathing time....

I have had a very busy two weeks and I have a month before my next fair. Though this wont be a time to sit and do nothing. As my stock needs to built up for the Festive Season and also stock needs to be made for Snibston. 

My final year at college is also going to be a challenge. Its quite nerve racking to think how much work is left to do. We are also going to be exhibiting at the Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch at the NEC, Birmingham again next March. I have no idea to what ill be making this time, but I know it will be mostly hand stitched! Not my strongest subject! 

Here's a few pictures of my latest makes..... 

Aubergine Kerchief with added organza, silks lumps and bumps!

Spice Trail blend from Sara Texture Crafts.... yummy for this time of year!

Plating with materials.....

Olive Merino and Silk space dyed velvet

Wildberry blend from Sara Texture Crafts

Red dyed Blue Face Leicester and silk chiffon

Merino and tussah silk blend

Materials experiment with this kerchief

A style of hat that I cant get aways from.... just love it!

Strawberry shortcake blend from Sara Texture Crafts, with the added splash of chocolate!

Sometimes you get colour bored, so I asked a friends and she picked these colours..... Well done Claire they look lovely! ;o)

Im really looking forward to my hat and vessael workshop at the start of next month..... Im sure ill get a few pictures of the wonderful shapes that my pupils will make.

Exciting Times.......

There has been quite alot of activity in the past month. Doing demonstrations for the lovely ladies at the Lutterworth Embroiders Guild on Polymer Clay buttons, Starting back college for my final year eek!, Starting to work with Snibston Discover Park in Leicestershire...... On top of events, workshops and keeping up with stock.

I was so delighted when Snibston Discovery Park got in touch with me. At first is was to supply them with a few of my ranges for there display cabinets. Though after going to see the lovely Andrea, I'm also going to be designing and making a product especially for Snibston. This is to relate to one of there exhibitions in there fashion department. Total excitement and my heads really buzzing! 

At the moment im preparing and making items for the Sandringham Game and Country Fair on the 10th and 11th Sept. Iv pretty much got an event every week up to Christmas now, so its all steam ahead.... 

A few new things that have been made recently.... 

Shetland Rust Wool

Sage and Teal Merino with Wensleydale Locks

Polymer buttons made and being carded

A commissioned hat made from Denim Merino and Teal Silk Chiffon and Silks