'Design London' London Design Festival

 It all starts with a blank wall. The first job was to paint it black.

I had a wonderful size stand. 6x1 allowing me to show both my new range of interior products along side my embroidered art.

Detailed shot

The gallery of cushions.

My Orchid Wall

Meeting Hong Kong artist Justin Y. Justin paints with his fingers.

My great neighbors- We had such fun and were so supportive during the event. 

Emma O'Brennan-Pizer of Wilful Ink with her beautiful wallpaper. It was a shame I chose to photograph her when she did not have a matching dress to compliment her wallpaper.

Peter and Aoife McGuire of McGuire Glass with his amazing botanical glass. wall. I would love to have some of this in my home.

Last but not least, Poppy Westwell with her fabulous home furnishings range. Poppy also has a love of all things botanical and bright.

Maison Et Objet January

It seemed like no time at all before I was back in Paris for the January Exhibition of Maison Et Objet. This time it was not the intense heat we had to deal with, it was the extreme cold. Around -3 each day, and I did not think to bring a hat.

 We came laden down in a car with a newly acquired roof rack. The car was playing up, so we were unable to have heating on or the radio........... It was a long journey!

 

 

I was once again in hall 7 the design hall on the British European Design Group's stand. My stand was still 2 x 2, but this time each cushion was displayed in its own bespoke box frame.

 

 

A wall of cushion art

 

Amazingly enough... along with 101 boxes, I was able to bring an armchair and a coffee table, all in one medium sized car.

 

 

 

I do do bright clothing!!

Maison Et Objet September

Gosh............ it has been a long time since I last posted anything on my Blog. Back in September I officially launched my first range of cushions, fabric and wallpaper at Maison Et Objet in Paris.

It was very exciting and stressful at the same time. I was travelling via Eurostar and had to think very carefully what I would be able to carry. How much was I actually able to carry in two suitcases.

Thankfully at the last minute my partner decided to fly to Paris with one of the suitcases, which made the journey more doable.  I was actually able to even get a small table in the case.

I was in hall 7, the prestigious design hall with the British European Design Group. I had a small stand 2 x 2, so I decided to make sample books of the cushion prints, rather than display every cushion. I also showcased my new wallpaper, and a small amount of my embroidered artwork.

 

 

 

 

We managed to have some time to see a little of Paris before the exhibition opened. Even though it was September, the temperature hit the mid eighties and Paris was hot, hot, hot.

 

 

 

 

Lisbon Portugal

 

 

 

Thought it was about time I updated my blog. I have been concentrating on Instagram and struggle to do both. My new years resolution is to concentrate on social media, and that includes face book and twitter.

 

I went recently to Lisbon for a mini break. The tiles were so inspiring, and covered most of the buildings.

 

 

 

 

THE WEDDING

 

At long last I have some photographs of my daughters wedding back in May. Nathan and Bianca were so lucky with the weather, considering it has not been a great summer. I started work on Bianca's gown back in January. It is basically two gowns, a duchess satin under gown in oyster and a ivory lace overlay. The bouquet was peony's that I wrapped in satin to match the gown. Yes I did that too, on the eve of the wedding.

 

 

My younger daughter Chanel in a fifties style gown in soft pink duchess satin, with matching headband.

 

The four bridesmaids, yes I made all of these gowns and bouquets.

 

 

Gabrielle, chief flower girl

 

Amelie little flower girl. Again heavy duchess satin was used. The design I painted freehand, using heat transfer paint.

 

 

My gown was by Ghost, although I did customise it. Originally it was full length, so I chopped it to just below the knee, then used the spare fabric to make new full sleeves with deep cuffs, very Bibaesque. My hat and bag was hand dyed silk velvet in deep maroon velvet fading to purple. The necklace was one of mine.

 

The flowers were hedgerow cow parsley and the first foxgloves out in my garden. The peony's were picked from Chanel's garden. I don't even think she even knew they disappeared.

 

And the cake. Mum made the cakes while I covered them in white Belgium chocolate. All the leaves were made separately and stuck on to the bases. Blue Hydrangeas were placed on the top. 

 

It was exhausting but well worth it.

 

 

 

Maison Objet Paris

 

Nothing can prepare you for the sheer size and grandeur of this amazing trade exhibition. My mouth fell open on walking through the doors into the first hall. There are eight halls within one show, and each hall is as big as any of our British trade exhibitions. Now I cannot wait to exhibit there.

 

 

 

Amazing lighting

 

These beautiful paper jelly fish sculptures,are I believe by French artist Geraldine Gonzalez.

 

The Chocolate Lounge

 

Huge Silk Flower Sculpture

 

 

 

Leather clad C.V Dolly. Ah I used to own one until she fell apart.

Knitting & Stitching Show, The International Centre, Harrogate

 

 

 

The journey home!!