excellent blog

I have just come across this blog, http://anothershadeofgrey.blogspot.com/ although I havent had time to fully research the contents I love it already. Its clean, sharp and very professional looking with lots of interesting visuals. Very inspiring.

development in the dye lab

Last  week I focussed on  adding a variety of silk fabrics to two dye baths: red and black. I had expected these samples to be the same tone since they were all silk, but  found they all had variations of tone and colour, with some fabrics picking up a deep red, or black whilst others took on a more pink or teal appearance.

Nonetheless the colours worked for me, suddenly midnight blue became more of a seductive mood and atmoshphere than that of a hard black.  

 This is a before and after sample. The top sample  was placed into a black dye bath, then hand printed using discharge paste before finally being placed into the red dye bath. I prefer the final sample myself, it has a historical feel almost vampirish. 

collar of letters

This is another one of my drawings with a needle and thread. The idea was based on  around Queen Elizabeth 1, from 'The Virgin Lover' by Phillipa Gregory. Words have been sewn onto pleated fabric to highlight restraint. The Virgin white of the silk represents innocence, from ewhich then emenated passionate blood red,  painful red into deathly black bad blood.  The words are my interpretation of the loss of inhibition QE1 had due to her being in love, which was then turned to bitterness, feeling betrayed and finally treason.  I was hoping to achieve a mood of pain but I would appreciate  what you think. Perhaps it does not evoke anything perhaps it comes across more like a pattern  than a drawing. Let me know your thoughts.

treacherous collar

This is another one of my original drawings, but as soon as I placed it on a mannequin it came alive. I began playing around with words, placing them side by side, mirror image, or upside down, developed further by the use of embroidery. The top embroidery was on organza which enabled me to pull threads through horizontally resulting in the writing becomming stretched, I then placed this between a channel of organza which I had randomly sliced allowing some of the lettering to be pulled out. I think this is my favourite drawing so far.

white gold collar

Its amazing how a flat piece of embroidery can be transformed into a piece of beauty just by being placed on a mannequin. This was originally one of my drawings, thought I would try drawing on fabric with a needle rahter than just on paper. Although I did like the effect I think this has truly come to life now that it looks like a collar or possibly a necklace.

finally I have managed to put an image onto my blog.

I know this is an easy task for everyone but for me it has taken ages to achieve. Problems at college prevented images being uploaded and since I did not have photoshop at the time I could not upload images from home. Ahhh but all I need to do now is learn how to use photoshop to ensure my images are a decent size. Watch this space. If you havent heard from me for a while its because Ive become obsessed with photoshop and jpegs.

I am

Today my thought is 'I am' proud of my improving computer achievements.
However I cannot claim this as my own original idea, it comes from the wonderful world of Claire Baker and her endless innovative  pieces of jewellery, seen at the design eventat the Baltic, Gateshead last weekend. Dont just take my word for it though, have a look at her work and the other designers yourself by following the link below.
http://www.design-event.co.uk/FestivalEvents.php
For those of you who are not necessarily into design based products its still worth a look, I took my parents along who are so far removed from anything with a design tag but my Dad was taken with the wooden clocks designed by Ellen Thomas, whilst my Mam was thoroughly impressed with Hannah Wales' silicone knitted sleeves and a coffee table designed by Afid design.
Who knows one of these days I may have people of all walks of life admiring my work and acknoweldging the work and effort that has gone into it. 

my first post

Hi everyone,  just to let you all know I am up and running on my first proper blog site. Its taken a couple of attempts to get started but finally im here.
I will start designing and fine tuning my blog this weekend so look out for samples of my designs, ideas and interesting things I have been up to.