Irish

One of my favourite possessions is my beloved Irish embroidery machine, bought off ebay for a mere £50. Bargain! I'm still not quite a pro at it but practice makes perfect eh? Here is a little snippet of what I'm up to at the moment. The Irish has a knee paddle so the user can create a varying satin stitch while sewing. The needle moves much faster than a domestic sewing machine, this makes it much easier to 'draw' with.

It's a hard life...

Abigail Brown

Embroidery magazine arrived on my doorstep today and inside were some little creatures that I just have to share! Abigail Brown is an artist, illustrator and maker who graduated from DeMontfort University where she studied Surface Decoration. I adore these little birds, find more for sale on her very charming website. X

Etro Spring 2008

The company I work for have asked me to a mini collection of tribal inspired swatches. The first the thing that comes to mind for inspiration is Etro. I love the ethnic and tribal influence, the bright colours and clash of prints. I have a vision of me on my travels looking all lovely and bohemian like these ladies, in reality I will be wearing walking boots, a backpack and have bad hair. Sigh.

All photos courtesy of style.com

No Time For Sorrow - Fabrics

Fabrics I produced for my first project in final year. Based on the previously blogged drawings. Digitally printed on to velvets and chiffons, then embroidered. Thank you to Liam for the photography. X

My latest Topshop purchases. Two lovely tops, even lovelier layered up. X

It's my first full day off in a while, and if that isn't exciting enough I'm off to see The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Drums and The Big Pink - Hurrah!

Graham & Green

Just a small selection of the lovely things at Graham & Green. 1. Bird Vases - £19.75 each. 2. Decorative Antique Caskets - £19.50 - £33.50. 3. Aluminium Deer and Stag Heads - £79 - £125. 4. Velvet Beauty Bag - £8.75. 5. Butterfly Print -£19.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day you lovely people. X

Alexander McQueen 1969 - 2010

There is not a project throughout my time at university that I didn't look towards McQueen for inspiration. I am in no doubt that his collections will continue to inspire me for many years to come. I am skimming through my files, looking at mood boards and flicking through magazines, I can't chose a favourite piece, I adore them all too much, but here is a very small selection. He and his talent will be sorely missed.

Show Your Bones

1. Small deer skull on painted wooden mount. 2 & 3. Porcelain jewellery skulls by Beetle and Flor. 4. Christian Lacroix ribcage necklace. 5. Wooden stag head from Marks and Spencer - £199

No Time For Sorrow

My first project of my final year at university. Initially inspired by bees and their importance to human life, aiming the designs at fashion store All Saints.

If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would have four years of life left.

No more bees, no more pollination, no more animals, no more man - Albert Einstein

Apologies for the quality of the pictures, on my wish list... snazzy new camera.

One of my best friends is moving to Australia this weekend to study his PhD. For his 21st birthday I promised him some geography inspired artwork, he is now 23... So I have decided as a leaving present I should actually start and finish this little project. Here is a peek at the start of my artwork, inspired by the contour maps of Montserrat. I should point out he is a geography geek and loves all things geography related.

As a self-confessed shopaholic it seems appropriate to start my blogging with today's purchase, rose print jeggings from Next. I love, love, LOVE them, but now want that over-sized tee...

Pingo

to paint, embroider, draw, stain, dye, decorate.