Exciting Parcel shortly to arrive

Yesterday I had a newsletter from Dionne Swift and immediately ordered one of her new Colouration Kits - http://dionneswift.blogspot.com/2010/08/colouration-kit.html. Everything you need in one package with instructions.

She has various kits to buy and being a typical textile person I will be very excited when the parcel arrives!

The Sketchbook Project

As always Amelia Critchlow's blog http://101birdtales.blogspot.com/ is fun, informative and inspiring. Look for the link to the Sketchbook Project which I, and my friend Fiona Wilson, have signed up to. I think it will be exciting to be part of a large project across the sea (so to speak).

Follow the link and be inspired yourself:

http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

Being Focussed

Just been to Provence for 10 days and it was wonderful. I only did two sketches and felt quite guilty, but then realised that I actually needed a rest as four years of hard work has just ended!

So I am back and searching for a suitable job/opening. A few interviews in the pipeline this week which is good and I am also in the process of de-cluttering at home which is necessary to move forward.

A changing time but also daunting. Here I am a graduate looking for a new experience, now having to think for myself with no prompting from tutors. It is exciting, scary and I have to be self-disciplined with my own design work at home - here I go!

A little bit of stitching

Bought: one new white shirt from TopShop and red embroidery thread.

Inspiration: Mae-Beth - Fashion Tutor at Bradford School of Arts & Media.

Adapt: change new buttons for vintage with added red thread and embellish with embroidery.

New individual shirt.

Results

I went into college on Friday to collect my results and gained...................................

1st Class Honours Degree

Myself and Sue Geldeard achieved a 1st and I still cant believe it really. Am very proud of myself - and Sue of course!

There are always of course people who have helped and supported me along the way. The tutors and technicians at Bradford School of Arts and Media. But the support of my very good friends helped me through the emotional, confidence and stressful times - so Thank you to them.

Time for holidays and celebrations.

HOST - Huddersfield

I have been asked to take part in HOST, Huddersfield on the weekends of 18th/19th and 25th/26th September and Thursday 23rd September at Radiant Works. Follow the link for details - http://hoststudios.co.uk/bm/artists/textiles/carolann-allan.shtml

Radiant Works is home to Dionne Swift and Fiona Wilson's studios and I am lucky enough to have been asked to use join them so I will be in very good company.

http://hoststudios.co.uk/bm/artists/textiles/dionne-swift.shtml

http://hoststudios.co.uk/bm/artists/textiles/fiona-wilson.shtml

I am hoping my holidays in Provence and Cornwall this year will produce some new work/developments.

See you there!

Back from New Designers 2010

Have just spent a week in London - 27th June to 4th July and it was exhausting! The New Designers Show 2010 Part 1 was 1st-4th July and it was a very hot week. I met lots of very nice and interesting people and there was certainly a lot of outstanding work. I was particularly impressed with the University of Derby and their weave and knit - even though I cannot do either very well, but they showcased wonderful talent. Also Bucks New University and Birmingham (Trevor Smith and Jess Edwards's embroidery) - but really throughout the whole show there was some amazing work and it is always interesting talking to people about their design inspiration.

As always I had the wonderful company of Sue who has shared this journey with me (she keeps me sane). Plus our families came down for a visit which made it all the more special.

So now it is back to reality and time at home getting my house de-cluttered and ready for holiday with my family. Oh yes and waiting for the examination results!!! (I actually feel sick when I think about it....)