Katt Frank

These illustrations by Katt Frank are so sweet! An avid pinterest fan too..  http://www.pinterest.com/kattfrank/

 

To kill a mockingbird

I've recently found a wonderful new print studio and had some more mockingbirds printed. Lots being sent to America at the moment! Purchase yours here..

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/108164456/to-kill-a-mockingbird-harper-lee?show_panel=true

Easter Windows

Using the laminate floral design i created a few weeks earlier, we were all instructed to place the laminate around the bottom of the windows creating a very bright and springlike start to the windows. Once they were in place, streamers were made (once again using easter colours!) and assembled to create another splash of colour. I sent a few instructions around to the different shops, to show what sizes and shapes we were aiming for. 

The outfits in the window were co-ordinated, so a lovely yellow dress was chosen, along with yellows or greens for the boys. It was a great project to work on, and a good opportunity to enlist everybody to help with the bunting and get stuck in!

Mugs!

Personalised initial Mugs are now available on Etsy!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/181099225/personalised-initial-ceramic-mug-with?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/181088384/personalised-initial-ceramic-mug-with?ref=shop_home_active_1

Leighton House Museum

Possibly one of my favourite museums - Leighton House Museum in Kensington, London.  Once home to Frederic Leighton, (1830 - 1896) an english painter and sculptor. Leighton was very successful in his day, his first major painting was bought by Queen Victoria and he later became the president of the Royal Academy of Arts.

The most impressive part of the house is The Arab Hall, there is just so much pattern and detail to take in all around you. Leighton was a great traveller and purchased ceramics, textiles and woodwork from the Middle East to recreate his own paradise in London. Throughout The Arab Hall there are exquisitely patterned tiles which were purchased from Syria and date from the late seventeenth century. But this is only one small part, not to mention the great staircase that boasts a prize peacock, or Leightons studio with copious amounts of art. The whole house is truly beautiful.

William Morris

This week I've been to see some amazing designs by William Morris, displayed in his family home in Walthamstow, London. After writing my dissertation around the Arts and Craft movement and owning many books that show his work, it was incredible to see all of his patterns in real life. 

William Morris, 1834-1896, was a pioneering craftsman, poet and social activist who fought for beautiful design. He founded Morris & Co and set about to bring well designed art into everyday life. Morris hated the industrialisation that the Victorian era bought and along with others, set about to bring craft back. He claimed that one should 'have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.'

His recognisable floral designs have stood the test of time and are still extremely popular today.