This is...my best op shop find

Betty Jo at Lino Forest came up with the theme for this weeks 'this is...' While we don't have Op shops, or even Thrift stores here we do have chazzer shops. (Or Charity Shops if you prefer (which actually I do)). I found this fabric for £1- there was enough to make myself a dress or two, it's in fantastic condition considering it's age- I suspect it was wrapped up somewhere and never used until I came along.

A small selection from my hall of mirrors. I pick up these mirrors wherever I can- the one on the right is a family heirloom (well it used to hang in my mum and dad's house). It's really dark where my stairs are so I thought that adding the mirrors might bring some more light into the space.

You can check out what other people's best op-shop finds are by taking a look at the list of participants over on Three Buttons.

Summer School first project

People are starting to post the results of the first project for Miss Stacey's Summer School over on the blog, and on Flickr. My contribution is very much a work in progress, that may well progress into the bin...

Old School

I've been working on this piece for the Old School exhibition at Upper Case gallery in Canada. I'm not sure how I feel about this drawing- my 'charmingly naive' style of drawing just seems to make it look like I can't draw properly. Or maybe that's my overly critical eye. I always find it easier to view my own work via a monitor, or camera- for some reason being one step removed from it makes it easier to pick out the things I want to change.

This piece is based on a vintage photo I found of a group of school girls doing exercises by a lakeside somewhere, and i've used an old register that was found when the old college building was closed down.

reading material

Exciting news from Design for Mankind here: best.news.ever
A chance to be included in the forthcoming Print+Pattern book: how to submit here
The next issue of Mixtape zine is available for pre-order: here
New issues of Embroidery and Crafts magazines popped through my letter box this week.
Once More with Feeling magazine (the first issue is all sold out, but I think I forgot to mention it when my copy arrived- keep your eyes peeled for issue 2)
Someone's not talking- art zine by Xin

Over in the sidebar i've added an Amazon link to the various books i've got stuff in, and a few that I recommend you check out that i'm not in!

Sorry for the lack of updates- i've been having problems with walking and breathing (two of my favourite things to do) this week, which has kept me in bed or on the sofa for the last few days. Before that struck this is what I was getting up to:

making a doll for a belated swap

visiting the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibition at the Hayward Gallery

feeling tempted to take up crochet

going to see my ALL TIME FAVOURITE band in concert

This Sunday is the deadline for the first project at Miss Stacey's Summer School- I can't wait to see what everyone else has come up with (especially as i've done so little).

A home for Alice

my entry for the 'A home for Alice' project

I made the mistake of going into town this afternoon, forgetting that it was a weekend in June, which meant crowds of holiday makers filling the streets. The best thing about living in a seaside town is the winter- when everyone goes home again and I get the place to myself again! It's strange to live in a town that was built on the idea of people coming here for a short time and then returning to their homes again- the British seaside resort has suffered a serious decline since the 70s, and my seaside town has probably done worse than an lot of them, but there are signs that things might be changing. As people become more concerned about the environmental costs of holidays that involve flying, maybe the seaside towns will once again be busy and attract a wider range of visitors.

Alice is looking for a place to call home- maybe she'd like to come and live in my maisonette by the sea for a while, or perhaps you have a better offer?

outstanding!

I know I already mentioned it, but here's my proof that I did so well this year. 85% equates to an 'outstanding 1st' which is basically as good as it gets- hence my happy face in this photo. Anything over 70% is a first (top grade possible) so I did really well all round as my lowest grade was 74%. When I did my first degree over 10 years ago I think the highest mark I ever got was 81% in the first year, and I came away with a 2.1, which is a very respectable grade if I do say so myself. I didn't ever really expect to be a first class student so it's good to prove myself wrong. I suppose the fact I already have a degree might seem like cheating, but i'm covering so much new territory this time round it feels like i'm starting from scratch.

My Mum and Dad popped in for afternoon tea (well evening tea actually) today and Dad told me all about his new studio space! For his birthday this year we all clubbed together to pay for him to take a course in stained glass- he's taken to it like a duck to water and now the course has finished he's found himself space in someone's garage with a window and a work bench where he's going to start making stained glass pieces on commission. I've already suggested a few pieces he could make for my house- and tried to convince him to set up an online shop so I can blog about him. I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

New reading material

I've been really enjoying reading To Have and to Hold: An Intimate History of Collectors and Collecting which arrived in the post a few days ago. It's a history of collectors and collections, and so far i've read about the development of the Wunderkammer and how the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford should really be called the Tradescant. It's a really nice read- not too heavy and full of black and white images of objects from old collections. I've only got a tiny way into the book so far but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is curious about collections, and the people that start them.

My friends have the most amazing taste in accessories

There's no real reason for this post, other than the fact I met up with Alys for tea yesterday and was impressed by her necklace (Alys is consistently the best accessorised person I know). (The other photos are of Jenny, Becky and Ally)

In other news I got my grades for my last two modules for my degree today and I got four firsts, which has made me very happy indeed. I got 85% for my drawing, which is higher than any mark I got in my last degree, and is a really high class first, now if I can only keep this up!

In less happy news my boiler is on the way out- I came home to find my kitchen was about to be flooded by the leak and I have had to turn it all off until I can work out a way to fix it. You'll probably be able to smell me coming soon...

Work placement needed...

As part of my degree I have to do a ten day work placement next semester. I already have some ideas of places and people to approach, but thought maybe some of you dearest readers might have some hot tips for me to follow?

I have a background that is a mixture of things- my first degree was in ceramics and film studies, I then worked mainly in education/social care before co-founding the here shop and gallery as part of Ladyfest. I've curated lots of exhibitions, contributed to several books, made clothing, crafts and cupcakes and exhibited locally and internationally. I am now taking a second degree in Applied Art and Design because i'm an eternal student at heart.

If you know anywhere or anyone that you think might find me useful for 10 days this summer, or in the Autumn i'd love to know about it!

Other projects that you might like

Over in Miss Stacey's Summer School i've been compiling a list of other projects that people might like to take part in over the summer (or winter, depending on where you live). The latest one i've just added is a home for alice. If you know of any collaborative projects that are happening please let me know and i'll add them to the list.

Talking of summer school- the class is really filling up now, we have 24 students now! Thanks to everyone that's blogged about it. The first project is up here.

A flying visit to Dublin

UWE graduate show

I popped in on the UWE graduate show last night and came home with this tile, made by Lorna Siviter:

Other things that took my fancy were Dawn Mason's creepy fabric, paper and hair yoyos and Grace Barby's Alice in Wonderland inspired mushroom outfit. The illustration department was too hot and crowded for me to get a good look at, as was graphic design- in fact going to these things on preview night is probably the worst way ever to actually see the work!

Tomorrow I am leaving early in the morning for a flying visit to Dublin- i'll only be gone for about a day and a half, but it's my only chance to meet up with my friend from Canada who is playing in the Bingham Cup. As Dublin is closer, and cheaper, to get to than Canada we decided we should finally meet up in real life, having known each other on-line for about 6 years. I'm hoping that I get a chance to visit The Irish Museum of Modern Art, which has a cut outs exhibition by Hans Christian Anderson and William Burroughs, a solo show by Ulla von Brandenburg and a selection of work from contemporary Irish based artists. I'm sure I might be able to drink a pint or two of Guinness at some point in the visit.

My aching head

I have a killer headache tonight, which means i'm not going to be updating with anything other than this photo of the gooey mess that was our chocolate cake mixture today. My sister and her two children came round after nursery and we made cakes (my nephew always asks to make cakes when he visits me). My sister decided she wanted chocolate cakes and we cobbled together a recipe using our minds and some of her Terrys Chocolate Orange that was sacrificed for the greater good. I'm not sure if it was the baking or the children, but i'm suffering from such a killer headache I think I need to go to bed right away.

Something new...

It's not often I play around with colours in my photos, but these plastic flowers really lent themselves to being 'tweaked'. I'm hoping that this is just the start of a whole summer of trying slightly new ways of doing things- playing around with super saturated colours is something that Jason does a lot of, and perhaps he'll set some kind of colourful project as his contribution to Miss Stacey's Summer School?

Talking of which I am so excited (and a little terrified) at how many students I have signing up with me! I hope I manage to keep myself motivated enough to get everyone else motivated to create some amazing work this summer. At the end of this week i'll be announcing the first project- you can sign up for school at any time, but the sooner I know you're interested the sooner I can fill you in on the details and get your project ideas from you. I've heard talk of plans to set projects about hats and about video making so far, it'll be interesting to see what all my students come up with.

Sharing the love...

Now it's probably very counter intuitive productive to share info about giveaways with you- the more people that know, the less the chances are of winning something, but i'm feeling in a giving mood today and would like to direct you here:

Ismoyo's 500th blog post giveaway- 5 cute packages of goodness to be won
Not Martha's boygirlparty giveaway- To do lists, owl's and more from Susie Ghahremani
Craft Boom! has a whole custom designed website to win
Ravenhill has dolls to giveaway

Miss Stacey's Summer School

Dear potential students,

I would like to invite you to sign up at the BEST art school in town. For the whole summer you can be one of the lucky few students who will have me as a tutor. Sort of.

It works like this:

The summer stretches before us, empty of all classes and contact with the world of study, we either spend the summer doing nothing (other than cream teas and seaside visits) or we organise ourselves to keep working.

A few of us were talking about how we'd like to set mini deadlines and projects for ourselves for the summer, so I have taken it upon myself to set up school and be the boss of you all (such a hardship).

here's what we'll do:
divide the next few months up between us
each come up with a project that everyone else has to do
each do each other's projects, and our own
if we don't do it we have to buy tea for everyone
if we do do it we get gold stars (Lucy and Jason both told me today that gold stars would work wonders for them)

what should happen:
we all get to try something we might not normally do (textiles/photography/painting etc)
we all get to show that we haven't wasted our summers
we all hopefully get better at the ART

I've set up a blog already (because I can't stop setting up blogs) which you will all be able to post to if you want, but there's no rule that says you have to post to the blog, or indeed anywhere- I just thought it might help me motivate myself if I have a record online somewhere (as I live online).

once again i've gone too far, I blame the sunshine and strawberries,

Camilla (that's MISS Stacey to you)

If any of you are interested in signing up for Miss Stacey's Summer School then leave me a comment, or send an email- I shall be posting a rough timetable up on the school blog by the end of this week, but it's all very flexible and it would be lovely to think that there were people taking part in other places, a sort of correspondence school perhaps.

Quick quick!

My little spooky doll brooches have been the same (low low) price since they first hatched out of the depths of my brain over 3 years ago. When I made the first brooch I didn't ever imagine that they would go on to be my top selling item on Etsy. It's meant that i've had to search long and hard to find new faces when the original batch got used up, and just when I think i've used them all up I find another stash of them somewhere, just waiting for me. I've decided that i'm going to raise the price on these dolls ever so slightly from June 15th- which means you've got a week to get your hands on one at the current price. Clicking on the image should take you right to the shop- don't fret if you don't get there in time, i'm only going to be raising the price by a tiny bit, but I thought maybe some of you might like to take advantage of me...

A dress a day

Today I have been challenged to make a dress and some cushions. It's a sure sign that steroids and anti-biotics are working their magic on my lungs because this challenge came whilst I was walking home from a visit to the beach-meaning I was able to walk, talk and breath all at the same time.

I am filling myself up with melon and have just finished making the front bodice of the dress- i'm making it up as I go along, using an old sheet for the fabric so there's no knowing what it will turn out like, but I needed the challenge to get me over the makers block I am suffering from. Of course before I started on the dress I took a detour to my 43 things page and updated it for the first time in months, it got me thinking about a couple of other places worth visiting, that have some nice projects going on at the moment:

pia jane bijkerk: my heart wanders

hula seventy: summer postcard swap

and of course a dress a day

This is...my favourite travel memory

This week's This is topic was chosen by Your Cover is Blown who picked the topic 'your favourite travel memory'. I have lots of good memories from my trips to Sweden, California, Berlin and pretty much every other place i've been, but for this i've chosen to show some photos from my last four years worth of 'Holidays at Home'. Ok so Guernsey isn't strictly speaking home, but I spent a lot of childhood holidays there visiting my Aunt, and one of my best friends grew up there which is why i've been back a few times recently.

beach shoes in Guernsey 2004

I love Guernsey so much- i'm sure when I was a kid I was ungrateful about always going there for holidays but now I just wish I could go several times a year. I am also in love with Herm Island which is where I got really bad sunburn in 2006 for the first time in my life.

boats at Uphill 2005

In 2005 I was too broke to go anywhere for a holiday so I decided to make the most of the fact I lived by the seaside and had a whole summer of holidays at home

beach shoes Cornwall 2006

In 2006 I was lucky enough to be taken away on holiday for a week in Cornwall by my friend Debra- we stayed near Penzance and went on boat trips, saw art and ate really good food that Debra cooked. (she is the best cook ever)

ice cream Lyme Regis 2007

Last summer- another summer of holidays at home. This time summer was spent swimming in the sea at Lyme Regis and Dawlish, in open air pools in Street and eating a lot of ice cream wherever we went.

Building a new home

It's been a long time since I gave up half way through this walk in Edale, which is one of the last times i've seen my friend Clair in 'real life'. We went camping as a celebration for the life of her husband, and for her daughter's birthday, and my dodgy knee meant I didn't reach the top of Kinder Scout as planned. Now, due to the wonders of the internet I am able to keep up with Clair's adventures as she converts a barn into a home in the Highlands. She's just started blogging again and I suggest you take a trip to visit her here.

Clair and I lived together...oooh it must be about 18 years ago (crikey! Can it really be that long?) we were studying on the same Art Foundation course and filled our excellent flat with gnomes and dinosaurs and watched Jacques Cousteau programmes all day.

I'm impressed by the people I know who are building new homes of themselves, I think of Cally, and of Jeannette (who isn't building yet, but will be one day soon i'm sure). I have a hard enough time decorating one room of my home, let alone thinking about building a new one from scratch. I wish I had that kind of brain, the kind that takes on adventurous projects and doesn't have a total meltdown about doing so. Seriously the hall still hasn't been painted since I stripped most of the paper off it nearly a year ago- the reason why? I'm still trying to decide which colour to use.

If I were to build a new home it would be made from straw bales, or perhaps from gingerbread.

Breath in, breath out

5.30 in the morning, my bathroom looked so pretty, it's a shame I hadn't been able to sleep yet.

Yesterday I ended up at the doctors, sat with my face in a nebuliser trying to get my breathing working again. The short walk to the doctors had left me totally breathless and unable to talk very well- i've been having very bad hay fever for the last few weeks and it seems like it's hit my lungs now. I left with a prescription for steroids, anti-biotics and a new inhaler. The steroids kicked in pretty quickly and i'm much better today, but think i'm going to have to take it super easy for the next few days. In the meantime, this is what I had for breakfast:

A mini series of Etsy favourites

Delicate ceramic pieces from Jasna

A mini series of Etsy favourites

There's much love for Buffy in my house, so these prints by Betty Turbo are right up my street.

whale whale whale.

If you fall asleep whilst reading Moby Dick you may will dream of these things:

$20 from Malisia (owner of Barcelona super store Duduá)

$25 from Charlie and Sarah

$6.50 from Ity-bity Bags

£25 from Polaire

These aren't the actual products from my dream, because the products in my dream don't exist, but were made by Boy Girl Party amongst others (it's only Susie I remember). In my dream there was a website that featured 4-6 designers offerings, all pouches that had whales on them, all in colours like indigo blue. At the bottom of the web page there was an announcement that the following months theme would be chickens, and that I had been selected to take part- again the only designer that I remember was Susie, but there were comments from Angry Chicken and This Chicken and I remember a feeling of panic because I felt that I wouldn't make anything up to the standard of the whale pouches.

These whale items are all from Etsy- click on the image to be taken to the individual shops where you can buy them.

Now...have you ever dreamed an entire website, complete with links, into being? Or any other craft/blog related dreams you would care to share with me?

A mini series of Etsy favourites

Tilly obviously has the same love for vintage figurines as I do:



Visit her shop: Objected

Project 365- May 08

Well three days missing out of 31 isn't too bad, considering it was only a month ago that it seemed like I might as well give up this little project. At the moment I am half way through a week of 'Photobooth' photos, maybe this is lazy of me, maybe it's creative!?

Some of these posts are being written ahead of time and published in the future (it's so sci-fi now Blogspot can do that) because i'm not 100% at the moment and I think this way there should be something popping up on here every few days, even if I am stuck in bed.

Gaina is going to be taking up the photo a day challenge now- some of her photos that i've already seen are pretty amazing, so i'm sure it will be worth keeping you eyes peeled in her direction, and can I mention again how great Mithi and Claudia's Project 365's are- seriously beautiful images.

A mini series of Etsy favourites

While my brain is functioning on less than 100% power i've decided to make a few posts about some of my Etsy favourites- there'll be some images and a link to their shop, and not a whole lot more!

I've had Recycled Rings in my favourites on Etsy for a long time, and whilst i'm saving up to buy something from her I thought maybe you might like to take a look at some pieces from her shop (just don't buy them all!)

There are a few rings on half off sale if you pop over there now you might be lucky enough to pick one up, or take a look at her website.

This is...my pet

Well it's been a few weeks since I contributed to Three Buttons 'This Is...' meme but this weeks topic (chosen by Two Peas in a Pod ) was impossible to pass up on, this is my pet:

Miss Biddy (Biddy Biddy Boo, Boo Boo, Bids, Biddy Boo etc etc). She is a rescue cat that came into my possession on Valentines Day 2005, about 6 months after my beloved Bernard got hit by a train:

I didn't feel that I wanted to replace Bernard, but one day my mum took me out to visit the cats and dogs home to cheer me up (which is a bit of a strange place to go really to be cheered up) and Biddy most definitely chose me. She has been a great pet, she is super good with my niece and nephew's (which is not something that you would've been able to say about Bernard) and she keeps my toes warm when i'm watching Buffy.

As for the names...they came with them!
You can check out some of the other pets people have by visiting some of the blogs listed here:
This Is...

I'm a winner!

I can't believe it- I won something lovely from a giveaway! I've entered so many giveaways before and never won anything, but today I just heard that i'd won a set of three prints by Little Robot, thanks to Meighan's marvelous my love for you ... blog. Take a look at Little Robot's own blog, or visit her Etsy shop. I've been reading Meighan's blog for a while now as she features great interviews with artists, and keeps up a good supply of posts about new artists, pretty much all of which I like. Everytime I read a post on her blog it makes me think 'I really must get back to finishing my ABC of artists' (I got as far as T).

In other news, i'm not 100% at the moment, which meant I missed out on the Peskimo BBQ yesterday and spent most of this afternoon on the sofa watching 'Cocoon' (and feeling tearful).