http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk en-gb smashingchintz.co.uk 2010-9-1T00:00:00Z smashingchintz.co.uk http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#74278 This time last year I was lucky to gain an additional studio at the Arthouse but within a year Ive managed to fill it too Ive been reorganising my studios and sorting them out and this has reminded me of a photograph taken last year by an MA photography student from the London College of Communications. The unusual thing about the photo is that it is a 360 0 view heres what my old studio looked like last yearI think that its very clever and it reminds me of my poor attempt to do a 3600 drawing of a landscape when I was an art student. 2010-8-31 20:23:58 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#74040 The weather during August has been disappointing but its meant that the studios have been a perfect temperature. So Ive been sorting mine out and making more space in preparation for some new classes this autumn. Im going to run some Eco Workshops based on the idea of thriftiness as well as my usual mosaic workshops.These are going to be an excuse for me to get out my sewing machine and threads as well as an opportunity to do some gardening... 2010-8-29 10:56:35 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#71696 nspired by the design Wild Oats on some plates Ive been using recently Ive been taking photographs of grasses and seedheads.In a Hampshire fieldHastings Country Park..and Beachy HeadAlong the South Downs Way 2010-7-30 12:51:21 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#69437 I took this photo yesterday of sunflowers a sure sign of summer Today Ive been picking raspberries gooseberries rocket and broad beans from my very hot and dry allotment. My sunflowers dont look like this yet 2010-7-2 23:26:36 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#69337 Back in April the lovely people at httpwww.frombritainwithlove.com sent along crafts journalist Clare Kelly to one of my mosaic workshops. Clare brought along some of her own vintage china her grandmothers buttons and some ceramic hearts. She made a fabulous mosaic mirror frame in record time and managed to take photographs and make notes. The course notes are up on the From Britain With Love website with photos of Clares mirror at different stages. Thank you to Clare and thank you to Nicky at From Britain With Love Visit Clares blog at httpwww.passthepattern.tumblr.com and see her finished mirror at the link belowhttpwww.frombritainwithlove.comfeaturescoursenoteslearntomakeamosaicmirror 2010-7-1 21:25:10 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#67296 Im back from camping in West Sussex Dorset and Devon. Heres the latest news and some photos from my trip.I shall be exhibiting new work at The Harley Gallery during August and September running a mosaic workshop at Hope and Elvis in October and taking part in Handmde Winchester in November........ meanwhile Things We Love will be exhibiting some Smashing Chintz work as part of the London Festival of Architecture at the Outsideworld Gallery Redchurch St London E2 from 24th June until 4th July.Irises at Parham House West Sussex late MayDenmans Garden near Chichester early June 2010-6-7 20:51:21 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#64712 Clerkenwell Design Week is coming up in May. A selection of Smashing Chintz work can be seen on the Things We Love stand in the festivals Design and Craft Market. The market runs from Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th May in St Johns Square London EC1 near to Craft Central. Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Pop into the marquee to see some unique and desirable items from different designers and makers.httpwww.clerkenwelldesignweek.comhttpwww.craftcentral.org.uk 2010-5-6 17:23:02 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#62120 Last Saturday I spent a lovely day in Nottinghamshire in the Hope and Elvis studio with hosts Louise Presley and Julie Arkell. Louises studio is a real treasure trove of all things vintage.... buttons stamps fabrics china for cups of tea and chocoalate cake tins toys etc and very inspiring Julie Arkell had brought some of her work to show us. I loved the papier mache watches that tell the right time twice a day She also had series of brooches made from fragments of fabric ribbons found objects sometimes with autobiographical meanings.I had a go at incorporating ceramic with textile and stitch in two brooches I made on the day see the photo. I had a dog theme going on after acquiring a small plate on my journey up to Nottingham 2010-4-3 11:03:32 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#58213 Ive brought my pot of crocus bulbs inside into the warm. Im hoping that they will flower by Valentines Day..... Smashing Chintz is now listed on www.frombritainwithlove.com the online guide to buying products made in Britain. 2010-2-11 16:59:08 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#57804 Day 2 of my new blog Other news this week..... Of Cabbages and Kings in Stoke Newington has a small display of Smashing Chintz mosaic birds on plates until the end of March. Check out the shop for gifts for self or others from perspex laser cut jewellery to hand made hot water bottle covers and colourful china teapots. httpwww.ofcabbages.co.uk Another framed piece is in the exhibition Objects of Love at Lewisham Arthouse until 14th February. www.lewishamarthouse.co.uk 2010-2-5 19:54:38 http://www.smashingchintz.co.uk/page14.htm#57688 Spring Summer mosaic workshops begin in March. The booking form is available for download now with the correct dates Im hoping to be able to offer a credit card booking system soon as cheques are used less and less. Last Sunday I ran a mosaic workshop for my family in my mothers studio with my mum her sister my sister my cousin and cousins husband. We had some competitive fun My father and husband stayed out of the way reading the Sunday papers and making us pots of tea Im really looking forward to going on a workshop in March at Hope amp Elvis in Worksop Nottinghamshire. Its with Julie Arkell and all about making objects and jewellery with found materials. Here are some photos from Sunday.... 2010-2-4 12:31:39