Bradford Awards Nearing ...

A week today is the Bradford Textiles Society Awards ceremony. I must admit to being very excited at the prospect of meeting other Junior designers from all over the country. The occasion has arose for me to wear a dress! Something uncommon for me but I am eagerly awaiting the event and the formal chance to congratulate all fellow Derby Uni winners. Naturally you can expect some photos to emerge next weekend, so watch this space! And now I return to work on my final project of year one, Weave.

The great outdoors ...

As a faint trace of the English summer begins to slowly emerge any reason to photograph out in the sunshine is a good reason. And what better cause than displaying my Curious skirts. Inspired partially by Alison Willoughby's skirt photographs and by the themes of Alice in Wonderland I ventured out into my garden one sunny afternoon to photography my finished skirts:

Closer & Closer ...

Once again I couldnt resist taking a few arty photographs of my 'Text Styles' project. As I mount up my samples and get ready to display for Crit photographing some of my favourite elements is just too much of a temptation (I even got slightly carried away and started involving my treasured 1970s copy of Alice in Wonderland!):

Illustration Experimentation ...

During my 'Text Styles' project I experimented with Illustration.
Illustration is something Ive never really done specifically, so I found it an enjoyable experience.
Here are a few of my illustrations:






I attempted to incorporate the modern slant of illustrators such as Sara Fanelli within my work.

Second Prize in Bradford Textile Society Competition ...

Well, it was certainly a shock to say the least when I was given my mail last week! Thinking nothing of the brown envelope and expecting nothing more than more election propaganda I tore it open. Much to my amazement my eyes immediately focused on the words '2nd Prize in section K3'. In utter shock I read the letter thoroughly. Well, in my previous post I had commented 'just in case I'm in luck' but never imagined I would be!



Congratulations to the 6 other students from the University of Derby who also won prizes or commendations. A full list of all winners can be seen here:

http://www.bradfordtextilesociety.org.uk/dc10wnrs.html

Many thanks to the Society for looking kindly upon my designs and Jackie and Kay for putting me forward for the competition.

My new favourite technique ...

As a self confessed print obsessive I have definitely developed a new favourite technique in the current project; Expanding puff binder. Its fun, has a lot of wonder and excitement (if your a sad obsessive printer like me)and the outcome can be very effective. I'm so enthusiastic about it, I filmed my work on the steam press, Expansion in action!:

Music Masterpieces' Rebirth ...

Here is some progress from my sketchbook and very early studies and looking at typography for the first time.

My recycled sketchbook 'Music Masterpieces' (although I have heard of none of the titles personally lol):



My text message (illustrated):



One of the first exercises we completed:



And another!:



And how could I resist abit of arty nonsense with such a pretty old book?:

Bradford Textile Society Entry ...

Today I completed my entry for the Bradford Textile Society competition. I was chosen as one of three knit students at my university to be entered into the competition. I have entered one board into a first year contest with two of my knit samples, a number of photographs, a drawing and a spec drawing. I am satisfied with the entry, even if alot of stress has surrounded it. I enjoyed the 'In the Bleak Midwinter ...' project thoroughly and felt it was a nice way to round off the project, and it is quite exciting to be entering my first competition. Rather foolishly I forgot to photograph my entry before it was posted ... however here are the two samples that were selected to be sent:






So good luck to any other entrants and Ill be keeping my eyes and ears open just in case I'm in luck:

http://www.bradfordtextilesociety.org.uk/index.htm

Got me in Stitches ...

And the new project begins! With a Bizarre twist the new project is cleverly called 'Text Styles' and looks at using text within print design. Instantly excited that my love of quoting all things great and knowledgeable may make an impact I was once again involved in an enthusiastic project. In our initial exercise we were asked to select a text message from our phones with a form of statement. I chose the message 'Got me in stitches Alice', not knowing that my entire project would be based upon this message. Various exercises involving this text ensued, involving writing with masking tape, in different scales and using different media.
Our second brief detailed our given colour scheme options and told us we would be conducting our project on this text or an element taken from it. A rapid mass panic ensued regarding creating fashion prints from the most bizarre things ...

In the bleak midwinter ... Long Ago.

Crit for 'In the Bleak Midwinter ...' was today. Presenting all of my work was enjoyable as ever and it felt especially strange to observe everyone elses knit and weave compared to my own and how differently everyone interpreted the brief. This project struck me especially as very personal to everyone and the ways in which the brief has been interpreted are so different. Some people have chosen to look at colour, texture or pattern, I personally chose texture.
Here are some photographs of my mounted samples on display and of my finished sleeve and neck ruff:

Sleeve:








Ruff:




Kindly Modeled by Nat.

The destiny of lost work ...

I am sad to report that once again my work has taken an illusive turn and been lost forever. Im happy to say that it isnt current work which Im referring to, but my A-Level work.
It seems written in my destiny to never keep the fruits of my labour. Last year my A2 Textiles Kimono sketchbook (which was complete and full) became 'missing' under very questionable circumstances, meaning that the book I was most proud of (and had impressed my University at my interview) would never see the light of day again. Maybe you will see it on eBay in 20 years time?
In a much more tragic set of events, my old colleges art block burned to the ground one tuesday morning, taking a huge amount of my A2 work with it. An entire year of Art and photography work, a large set of hundreds of life drawings, numerous sculptures and at least 8 sketch books are now dust in the wind. Luckily my Textiles work was safe elsewhere and prompted by recent events I returned to ensure the work was safe in my hands, and to see the incredible devastation caused by the fire.
Lets just hope this isnt another sign that I am doomed never to keep any of my work.

Anyway, on a lighter note! Here are some things that were not lost!:

My A2 Textiles exam piece:

Snow on Snow, Snow on Snow ...

Here are my Nine completed knit samples based on 'In the Bleak Midwinter ...' I experimented with different materials as yarns such as dental floss, ribbon and organza, as well as more conventional yarns. The photos are predominantly close ups and arty shots because the samples have not yet been mounted, but I do still think that you can get the overall feel of my work. All of these samples will contribute towards my final garment section, at this stage im leaning towards making a sleeve. Further photographs will follow when my samples are mounted and ready for display.

Sample One:






Sample Two:





Sample Three:






Sample Four:






Sample Five:







Sample Six:










Sample Seven:








Sample Eight:



Sample Nine: