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! 

March Travels Up North!

This month I took myself up north to have a lovely catch up with close friends, we explored many beautiful sights of the North of England so I have a few pictures from my trips out to show you.

Heading as far North as we could we got to see the magnificent Bamburgh Castle. Originally we only was travelling as far as Seahouses but once I caught a glimpse of the Castle I really wanted to get up close for a look. I couldn't believe how huge it is!

It is simply beautiful to see a landmark that has been around for hundreds of years!

We also went to Alnwick, another beautiful town in Northumberland. It has many tourist attractions to see, one being the Alnwick Tree House. We also came across some gorgeous shops in which I ended up nearly buying something in each one!

I will be posting some more about my trip soon....

Spring is around the corner!

We have had some lovely sunny days recently and what better thing to do is get some fresh air with a walk along the cliff tops. Dylan is certainly enjoying it. It was such a lovely day and there was certainly plenty of other people enjoying the seaside views.

What else I love about this time of year is the types of flowers emerging for spring! My nan's garden especially displays this with many snow drops and crocus'. They were certainly catching some rays.

How gorgeous are these berries? I have also seen some daffodils emerging! So gorgeous! 

If you follow my blog you will see I go to Burton Agnes a lot. Its nearly time for their annual Orchid Festival. I am hoping to go again so will post some pictures for you to see. They are always great for inspiration. 

Brid Bay Knitters Celebrating Turning One!

Well, we've made it to one year old! Brid Bay Knitters joined last night for a celebratory tea and some yummy cake. It was a lovely evening and to see the group grow from just three/four of us to nearly a dozen of us is fantastic. 

I had been looking forward to my tea all day and was very excited to see these fabulous cakes when I arrived. This one above looked so realistic and almost too beautiful to eat. I am so glad we did though as it was chocolate inside and so yummy! (I'm also glad I took an extra portion home!) 

We also had another cake too! Yes! Two cakes. I loves the icing on this one. It reminded me of making spaghetti with playdoh as a child.

It was a lovely evening full of chit chat and laughs. I am looking forward to learning more techniques this year and hopefully become more advanced than a beginner.

If you live local to Bridlington your more than welcome to join. You don't have to be great at knitting there is plenty of people to teach you. 

The next session is on the 24th April 6pm-8.30pm at Seabirds in Bridlington.

The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle.

I have seen The Biscuit factory on Facebook and always wanted to visit so.. whilst I was in Newcastle I got myself there! It is such a clean and beautiful gallery. It was great to see new upcoming artists work showcased around the gallery and in its shop. 

These bold paintings caught our eye by James Stewart. As I love to draw animals myself it was great to see these. I normally draw on a small scale so I was completely amazed by the scale of these. I love his series of Zebra paintings they reminded me of the work of Andy Warhol. 

Next to The Biscuit Factory is a studio space in which two of my close friends from the class of 2011 at CCAD have. I was very excited to visit their space but also very jealous as I miss us three getting up to mischief at Uni. But... it was great to see them and their work after uni. Here is one of their work bays. 

Priory 900 Launch! 24th March 2013, Palm Sunday!

Yesterday was the launch of the long awaited celebration... The Priory 900. If you follow me and my work this fantastic celebration began with the name the mouse competition featuring my Mr Mouse which is now called Gilbert de Mouse! 

Arriving at the Priory it was great to see the entire church full showing great support from the residents of Bridlington. Not only was this Palm Sunday and the launch of Priory 900 but we were very excited for the service to be held by the Archbishop of York- John Sentamu. I felt like a paparazzi taking these pictures but I couldn't resist capturing him on my phone.

The Priory is a beautiful building and definitely Bridlington's iconic to the town. I am very honoured to have had a part in this celebration. 

For more information about the forthcoming events this spring/summer check out their website:

http://www.priory900.org

The Annual Orchid Festival @ Burton Agnes Hall.

This time last year I visited the annual Orchid Festival at Burton Agnes Hall. So I thought this year I would also go visit them. With a love of drawing flowers, I thought it was a great opportunity to take some photographs. (sorry for the poor quality as they were taken on my iphone)

We also took Dylan with us. He enjoyed a lovely walk around the woodlands of the Hall. The woods are great for children as there is various pieces of fun sculpture for children to spot. Dylan found this one- a wild boar. We thought it was very funny as its nearly the same size of him. 

I think orchids are one of my favourite flowers. I love their different shapes and colours. Can't wait to get drawing them :)

For more pictures of Orchids, you can view my blog post from last year here:
http://laurenchericedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/beautiful-orchid-show-burton-agnes-hall.html