Hillarys Craft Competition

A while back now I came across a blog post on Burkatron for a craft competition with Hillarys, and knew I would have to enter! Having studied in print design I thought I would have loads of crafty ideas of what to create for the competition... But turns out that seems all that I can design - prints - and not actually what I could use them for! Having racked my brain and drawing a blank for days, my little package of fabric arrived at the door. And oh boy what BEAUTIFUL fabric is was!

I picked the Patina fabric which is a woven classic houndstooth with a really luxurious sheen finish. I loved that although it was quite a neutral, classic design the purposefully uneven background colour gave it a modern twist yet aged feel at the same time. Now, I don't know if this is the print designer in me being attracted to all things patterned, but having awed over this beautiful fabric, something else then caught my eye - the inside of the envelope it was sent in! And to me, this graphic print coordinated just perfectly with my gorgeous fabric sample!

So, with materials and scissors in hand and taking inspiration the the modern yet aged theme of the fabric, I snipped, ripped, distressed and stitched my way to creating the pieces you see below for my Hillarys Craft Competition entry. Leaving the fabric edges to fray delicately, I hand stitched contrasting, modern embroidery boldly over the fabric to create simple yet unique, contextual pieces of textile wall art.

A bit different than your average cushion or such similar, but hopefully you and the judges like it!

To create this textile wall art you will need:
-Sample of Hillarys Patina fabric (and keep the envelope it comes in!)
-Embroidery thread
-Frames (mine are from IKEA)
-Needle
-Scissors
-And a love for craft :)
 

Blog4Trek: What I Would Pack For A Weekend Away

The moment I landed home in the UK after travelling last summer, I knew I wanted (read: needed) to go again this year. So having read In The Frow’s blog4trek post, I knew I would have to enter my own “what you would pack for a weekend away”…

Smartphone

This really is a necessity for going away. Apart from the obvious mode of contact, a Smartphone doubles as a camera, currency exchanger, translator, map, travel journal, to do list and alarm clock. Plus if you manage to connect to any WiFi while you’re away, you can upload your holiday pics to online photo storage and check booking confirmations!

Glasses

These are another necessity for blurry eyed being like me! Getting the opportunity to visit some amazing sites would be ruined if you can’t see them properly! So remember to pack these so you can really enjoy the view, where ever that may be…!

Passport

Whether crossing the Atlantic or just popping through the Eurotunnel, you’ll get nowhere without a passport!

 

One Dress, 3 ways – Plus Comfy Shoes!

Having packed waaaay too much last year for travelling (I took 20 tops alone for 6 weeks!), I came home with a much better idea of what clothing to pack if I would ever be so lucky to go away again. For a weekend away exploring, a staple dress and comfy pair of slip ons is all you really need.

Paired with leggings and hat for day time, lipstick and jewellery for night and layered over a bikini for poolside, this little aztec dress is an easy and versatile piece for any weekend away (plus it’s loose fit will hide the food baby developing from all the holiday gorging).

Backpack

If you’re anything like me, you will come back from a holiday with double the amount you left with – so even if you have the best intentions of travelling light with a teeny bag, give yourself room to pick up something along the away!

And last but by no means least...

Sense of Adventure

Make the most of any trip you make, do and see everything you can, don’t stress, be happy and go where ever you heart takes you (soppy but so true!)

Wish List: Coordinates

I had been hoping this blazer short coordinate set was going to arrive at Yumi before I left - no such luck. I love that being a coordinate pairing, the pieces are right on trend, yet they also have quite a classic, timeless feel with the subtle bird print. The blazer short combo would work as well for the office with a shirt, tights and brouges, as they would for a casual day outfit with a plain tee and converse, and also for night out over a white cami and tonnes of gold jewellery! Fingers crossed I can find these at a decent price on eBay or that my mum will take the hints I've been dropping - now that I no longer have the pleasure of 60% staff discount at Yumi!

Outfit
Blazer: Yumi £55, Shorts: Yumi £30, Shirt: Topshop £29

Chrissy Ralphs

I love cats way too much to be considered normal, so when Chrissy started displaying her degree show work next to mine, I instantly fell in love with her work! Drawing from ornamental cats figures, Chrissy has re-contextualised the items with one line statements in a very witty way to create some very intriguing and beautiful illustrations. The narratives and statements are not only influenced by the imagery but drawing in from well known "cat" sayings including "curiousity killed the cat", with a current, minimal twist on the format.

The imagery, line and typography is so carefully considered and the hand stitch so precisely finished,  I could not fault a single element of the collection! I really hope Chrissy puts these up for sale, as I'll be first in line to purchase a piece! Below are a select few of the phrases the designer displayed for her final degree show.

 

 

Contact
Please contact me if you wish for further information or contact details of Chrissy Ralphs

Location
Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, Birmingham

All images shown copyright Chrissy Ralphs, please to not use without permission of or crediting to Chrissy Ralphs

Yumi

Wednesday is my last day working for Yumi, and I must say I'm actually a lot more sad about leaving than I thought I would be! Anyone visiting Birmingham centre, definitely pop in to House of Fraser on Corporation Street and head towards Yumi and talk to the lovely ladies I will be leaving on the department, they will help you find the perfect piece! Although I joined the team working on their kidswear section (which is just so so cute, see here), as soon as the Womenswear section came in to store I knew my bank balance would take a hit! The brand is very vintage inspired, and certainly has pieces in the collections for those who want to stand out from the crowd. Although less known than lots of the brands in House of Fraser, Yumi has been spotted on Una from The Saturday's, Nina Nesbitt and Dawn Porter, and is growing in popularity fast!

Below, I have paired my favourite piece of the Yumi S/S 2013 collection - a pearl collar, floral lace, pleat front top - with cropped polka dot trousers. Let me know what you think, and look out for the A/W 2013 collection that starts coming in to store this week!...

Outfit
Top: Yumi £40, Trousers: Forever 21, £18.50, Bag: Topshop £25 (birthday gift), Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs £200 (birthday gift), Necklace: Miss Selfridge £3 (in sale), Pumps: Primark £4, Umbrella: Primark £3
Location
Moreton Street, Birmingham

Emma Scott

Being a print student, it wasn't often that I got to see the work of other textile specialisms, so when people started to display their final degree show projects it gave me a chance to take a look around at what embroidered textiles, weave and knit specialisms entailed. I came across Emma's embroidery work and was immediately attracted to her project's simple yet distinct display, trend considerations and exciting materiality choices.

The designer's work has a strong personal style, and takes a comtemporary, geometric slant on traditional embroidery. The ideas for Emma's final collection of handmade beads developed after initally experimenting with ice cubes and capsules, and continued to progress in terms of composition and aesthetic after researching modern architecture. Carefully resolving the facet inspired beads, Emma's final main choice matter of hand rendered resin has been embedded and coated with varying metallic and matte materials that give a subtle luxury feel, that really intice you to look closer. Below are a few of the beautiful final beads from Emma's collection.

  

 

Website 

To see even more Emma's beautiful embellishment creations, visit her website: http://emmalscott.tumblr.com/
Location
Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, Birmingham

All images shown copyright Emma Scott, please to not use without permission of or crediting to Emma Scott

America Count Down

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful, sunny weather! Unfortunately, I have been either working or stuck in my flat, which has decided to convert itself to a wood free sauna! Currently saving every penny I can for my travels, I am trying not to leave my flat so not to be tempted by the call of the pub or the Bullring. This makes me very sad, but in the end it will be so worth it.

However, today, I can not believe, is exactly 6 weeks until I leave for America! I am excited beyond words! And this excitement has overwhelmed my willpower not to shop, thus the t-shirt purchase below. Although I will probably melt in its thick black fabric, I've found the cropped style really easy to pair with anything from simple denim shorts to high waisted trousers so will be a good diverse piece to pack. The aztec joggers I'm wearing  are also  a favourite  of mine, the ultimate piece for both comfort and style. Again, I will probably melt from the heat in them but I will defintely be finding room for them in my case.

Finally, I just need to say these are absolutely the most comfortable sandals I have ever worn. Made from real suede, it literally feels like I don't have shoes on, but the lace up style means they work as well for the office as they do for the beach! Let me know what you think...

Outfit
T-shirt: Riverisland £15, Joggers: Topshop £25, Necklace H&M £5.99, Clutch Bag: Primark £5, Sandals: Ecote at Urban Outfitters £30
Location
Warstone Lane, Birmingham