Welcome new year, new decade

What a momentous decade! I graduated from design school, set up my practice, fell in love, savoured innumerable concerts, tried new kinds of food, skied in Switzerland, swam in the Adriatic, moved to London, met new friends and old ones. Such a fantastic journey! For all this I am grateful and look forward to starting a new year and a new decade.

Here's wishing you all a very happy 2011!

x

Snow makes me happy

Speaking of snow, it really came down in buckets yesterday. And the world turned white. Despite the eventual slush, cancelled trains, grounded flights and teeth-chattering cold, snow always makes me happy.

Burgh House, across the road

From inside the studio

felt nice to be inside

Just as they suspended the Overground, I decided to hurry off home to some hot chocolate.

Good times

I love December! Christmas treats, buying presents for friends and family, fairy lights and snow. Here are some pictures of Christmas lunch at the Studio. Each one of us got a dish each. Lovely!

Holiday treats=Rob Ryan+Geffrye Museum

Went to the Geffrye Museum and Rob Ryan's shop during the holidays. I meant to post these pictures right away but you know how it is...

Loved the massive keyhole at the entrance

Sitting the Light Fantastic by Kei Ito (detail) photography Matthew Andrews. See another image of the chair without the snow here

The Geffrye had 'Christmas Pas't on, which featured living rooms from different centuries, decorated for Christmas in period style. Shame I dont have any pictures to share, as photography was not allowed inside. We then strolled over to Rob Ryan's shop on Columbia Road.

I love Rob Ryan's work.

The sky turned a lovely pink

and the city shimmered for a moment in the dying sun

StoryLines | My Solo Exhibition | Chapter 1

Armed with my sketchbook and camera, I spent a happy afternoon at the Natural History Museum today. And so I started work for 'StoryLines', my solo exhibition of a new body of work in May next year at the Devon Guild.

I am so excited about the project! StoryLines would be an exploration of my family history through stitch. Both my parents are Entomologists. I want to explore all the things I grew up around- microscopes, research journals, insect specimens and my mother's beautiful hand-drawn scientific diagrams. And her saris, memories, home....

I went to the museum to research insects. I was hoping to find lots of insect specimens displayed in boxes, arranged neatly in ancient wooden chest of drawers, like the ones in my mum's lab. I was a bit disappointed that I didnt find as many specimens as I had hoped for, apparently there are millions in the museum, but unfortunately not on public display. However, I was delighted to discover the 'Cocoon'. It is fanatstic! 7 stories high, it is the all singing all dancing addition to the museum. Slick, high tech and fun.

More on Storylines as the work grows.

Happy skaters at the ice rink

I loved the signage. Please note the two little birdies singing :D

Where was everybody?! I had to remind myself why I was there and not stay and play.

The beautiful ceiling in the entrace hall

How I love insect boxes!

The Cocoon

lots of drawers

and jars

bottles with neat labels

Interactive display drawers, where the displayed insects playfully move around

Visuals are projected on to the cocoon walls

I really enjoyed finding about Sir Hans Sloane's collections and stared longingly at his beautiful leather bound herbarium files.

My Grey-Chrome Quilt featured on Trend Bible

The lovely people at Trend Bible, a trend forecast company, have featured my Grey Chrome Circles blanket/quilt on their blog. Also, featured on the blog is my friend Claire Loder's work. Claire makes delightful quirky heads. See more of her work here.

There are so many of my favourite designers/makers featured, including Ikuko Iwamoto's, who I am showing with at Vitra Christmas Market; James and Tilla Waters and Zoe Murphy. A fantastic selection, I'd say. :D

My Quilts at Mint, London

You know, Norah Jones's Come Away with Me is playing as I begin write this post. Apt.

Come away with me to the delightful world of Mint then, one of the most inspiring and lovely stores in London, where my quilts are currently basking. See more of what delights you could find at Mint here.

Gateway to all things beautiful, eclectic, quirky and uplifting.

On the ladder

Lounging on the Sofa

Festive

'Scribbles in Red'