Hillarys Craft Competition

A while back now I came across a blog post on Burkatron for a craft competition with Hillarys, and knew I would have to enter! Having studied in print design I thought I would have loads of crafty ideas of what to create for the competition... But turns out that seems all that I can design - prints - and not actually what I could use them for! Having racked my brain and drawing a blank for days, my little package of fabric arrived at the door. And oh boy what BEAUTIFUL fabric is was!

I picked the Patina fabric which is a woven classic houndstooth with a really luxurious sheen finish. I loved that although it was quite a neutral, classic design the purposefully uneven background colour gave it a modern twist yet aged feel at the same time. Now, I don't know if this is the print designer in me being attracted to all things patterned, but having awed over this beautiful fabric, something else then caught my eye - the inside of the envelope it was sent in! And to me, this graphic print coordinated just perfectly with my gorgeous fabric sample!

So, with materials and scissors in hand and taking inspiration the the modern yet aged theme of the fabric, I snipped, ripped, distressed and stitched my way to creating the pieces you see below for my Hillarys Craft Competition entry. Leaving the fabric edges to fray delicately, I hand stitched contrasting, modern embroidery boldly over the fabric to create simple yet unique, contextual pieces of textile wall art.

A bit different than your average cushion or such similar, but hopefully you and the judges like it!

To create this textile wall art you will need:
-Sample of Hillarys Patina fabric (and keep the envelope it comes in!)
-Embroidery thread
-Frames (mine are from IKEA)
-Needle
-Scissors
-And a love for craft :)
 

Blog4Trek: What I Would Pack For A Weekend Away

The moment I landed home in the UK after travelling last summer, I knew I wanted (read: needed) to go again this year. So having read In The Frow’s blog4trek post, I knew I would have to enter my own “what you would pack for a weekend away”…

Smartphone

This really is a necessity for going away. Apart from the obvious mode of contact, a Smartphone doubles as a camera, currency exchanger, translator, map, travel journal, to do list and alarm clock. Plus if you manage to connect to any WiFi while you’re away, you can upload your holiday pics to online photo storage and check booking confirmations!

Glasses

These are another necessity for blurry eyed being like me! Getting the opportunity to visit some amazing sites would be ruined if you can’t see them properly! So remember to pack these so you can really enjoy the view, where ever that may be…!

Passport

Whether crossing the Atlantic or just popping through the Eurotunnel, you’ll get nowhere without a passport!

 

One Dress, 3 ways – Plus Comfy Shoes!

Having packed waaaay too much last year for travelling (I took 20 tops alone for 6 weeks!), I came home with a much better idea of what clothing to pack if I would ever be so lucky to go away again. For a weekend away exploring, a staple dress and comfy pair of slip ons is all you really need.

Paired with leggings and hat for day time, lipstick and jewellery for night and layered over a bikini for poolside, this little aztec dress is an easy and versatile piece for any weekend away (plus it’s loose fit will hide the food baby developing from all the holiday gorging).

Backpack

If you’re anything like me, you will come back from a holiday with double the amount you left with – so even if you have the best intentions of travelling light with a teeny bag, give yourself room to pick up something along the away!

And last but by no means least...

Sense of Adventure

Make the most of any trip you make, do and see everything you can, don’t stress, be happy and go where ever you heart takes you (soppy but so true!)