Lots of Goings on in Yorkshire.....

Things around Bridlington is changing and bicycles keep popping up around the town. We are very excited that as part of the Tour de Yorkshire, Bridlington is its starting point with the even more fantastic Bradley Wiggins cycling on our doorstep. It makes me feel very proud and excited to be from Yorkshire and Bridlington!

We are also excited to share with you The Victoria Mill's very own cycling club! They call themselves the Victoria Vikings. Obviously because they think they are Vikings :). The group has started to grow and meet regularly for rides along the Yorkshire coast and countryside.

Open for both male and female and abilities, the Victoria Vikings are hoping to grow. With what better way to start your Sunday with a cycle and a coffee from The Brew Mill. :)

Check out the Victoria Vikings Facebook Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/victoriavikingsbridlington

Find out more about the Tour de Yorkshire here:

http://letour.yorkshire.com

So that's what have to look forward in May, what about April! Another exciting event is taking place in The Victoria Mill in association with The Priory, The Little Organic Bakery and The Brew Mill present Professor Elemental's Tea Party Extravaganza! Bringing you something British and eccentric! I can't wait! Especially excited for the food yum!

The Victoria Mill hopes this is the start of many interesting events in the future. Feel very privileged to be involved. Click on the link to find out what we have been listening to in preparation for the Professors visit :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iRTB-FTMdk

So what else have I been up to! I am eagerly waiting for it to get warmer so I can get outside in my studio! I have ventured out to produce a little personalised birdie cushion which is something I shall be advertising soon to do hopefully. It was certainly chilly outside washing my screens. Dylan didn't want to join me :)

Do you think they are a good idea? Going to have a little more practice with my screen with the letters on. 

With it soon to be April lets hope for some warmer weather, lots of drawing, printing and flowers blooming! 

Creative finds from Goa!

I could have bought so many bold bright and colourful items in Goa. Especially these beautiful fabrics which were only £1.50 a meter! I have no idea what I want to make with them yet. I did think a very bold patchwork quilt. They would make some lovely summer dresses or even brighten up a room as a cushion. 

This was one of my favourites. I love how it isn't always perfect and there are slight areas where the print has bled. I certainly can't wait to get designing again. I've never done a design with just motifs and paisley shapes but I would love to have a go. 

I also bought some heavy woven fabrics which unfortunately I do have a cheeky snap of. These were from what I called an Indian Liberty. It was full of amazing antiques, high quality fabrics, carpets and some very sparkly jewellery. 

I also took along with me a printed tote bag, I wanted to give it to someone I met on my journey. I met a lovely lady called Anita who travelled each day to work at a beach shack on the beach. She helped them out and when all the sun loungers was full, was able to start selling her own souvenirs or paint peoples nails. She left around 7 each day, travelled home and returned the next for 9am. She sometimes has to hide her items from the coast guards as they would confiscate them. I thought it would be a good bag for her to hide her belongings in. 

We also visited one of the busiest markets in Goa. It was also on for nearly the entire night! It was fantastic! Talk about late night shopping. Lots of different pieces of art and souvenirs. Leo really liked these carved masks. At first I found them extremely scary but then after time I really liked this white one of the elephant god. It seemed to have more detail than the rest and we chose to buy it. We also bought a couple of prints by two other modern artists. 

I loved this sign that I came across on one of the artists stalls. It is known in India to haggle a good price but I completely agree with this statement :)

Cannot believe its been a month ago now! I still love looking at the photo's! 

Back at CCAD!

I was delighted to be back at CCAD last week as the artist in residence! It just feels like home! I got straight stuck in and set up my work bay with lots of inspiration to kick start a new project! 

The time there seemed to go so quickly! It must of been all the fun I was having! Whist there I did a talk to each of the year groups of the textiles and surface design course. Discussing business and life after CCAD. I hope it was inspiring and made things not look as scary after Uni life. 

I also got the chance to make handmade paper. I haven't done this in years so it was great to recap on this. 

Here is what you do:

Using newsprint tare it up into tiny pieces. If you want a big piece of paper! You need a big pile!

Then, pop the paper in the blender add 300ml of water. Keep adding a little more if necessary. Blend and keep shaking the paper so the blade doesn't get stuck.

When it's like a pulp. Using the wired mesh place the pulp ontop and spread out. Using another piece of wire mesh apply pressure and place ontop.

Squeeze all the excess water out. Keep applying pressure. The squeeze again in between a backing cloth. Then leave to bake in the baking cabinate for two hours. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the finished result! But it was very exciting!

My time went so fast at CCAD. I'm hoping to start a new project and hopefully be back soon at print club asap!