Fresh, sparkling and new

Although I haven't posted in a while, I kept meaning to. While the past three months whizzed by, I kept taking photos, scribbling notes for posting, but somehow just didn't manage to. Well, it's my birthday today and I thought it's the perfect day to do things I enjoy. So here goes.

Get Fresh, an exhibition celebrating designer-makers based in the Southwest of England opened last Friday at the Riverside Mill, in Bovey Tracey, Devon. Organised by the prestigious Devon Guild of Craftsmen, this is a biennial show. I am showing my Scrolls quilt, new scarves and cushions there with 17 other really cool contemporary artists/designers. The show continues till the 1st of March 09. I was chosen as the Associate Member along with a few others, amongst them my friends Anne Selby and Claire Loder. So all in all it was a really good evening.

The Private View

My work

Erica Steer, Co-Director of the Devon Guild announcing the names of newly chosen Associate Members, chief guest Dame Suzi Leather looking on

Origin

Showing at Origin, at Somerset House in London at the moment. What a high!

Come and see me at Stand H3. And some really amazing work out there. Some of my favourite makers showing there are Ptolemy Mann, Alpa Mistry, Matthew Chambers ..... I could keep on going.

Looking forward to the next two days now and the wonders they might bring along.

THE (doll)HOUSE OF VICTOR AND ROLF

Victor and Rolf are one my favourite designers, I love their work. Caught their first ever exhibition in the UK at the Barbican Art Gallery just in time. Thank God for late night openings!

The exhibition was absolutely amazing! There was a huge doll house just as you walked in, with signature pieces of Victor and Rolf's collections over the past 15 years showcased on dolls. Each doll was made to resemble the original model who had worn it on the catwalk. The dolls and miniature garments were specially commissioned for the show. And then there was my favourite Russian Doll collection (1999–2000). Turning the Russian Dolls idea on its head, a single model was dressed by Viktor & Rolf into couture dresses of increasing length and complexity. This collection was displayed on life-size dolls, making the installation seem as though you'd almost walked into a doll house.

I could've spent the whole night there.

I pitched a Tent at London

I totally enjoyed myself at Tent London. On the 18th morning we were all relaxed and ready to meet the world. Four days of non-stop chats with press, public and trade! It was fun, exciting and exhausting. The party on Friday evening began at 8 in the evening, by 9 the place was heaving. Finished the evening with curry on Brick Lane.

Tent London 08

Here's my special thank you list- Emma and the whole Maker Development team, Jess and Sarah, Rachna and Rajeev, Uvi and Gaurav, Ma, Pa, Puneet and as always AK.

Love Letter

Finished the quilt I've been working on for the better part of the week! I wanted the surface to be evocative of a patchwork of text. Letters from friends and family, doodles in my sketchbook all became part of this intensely personal piece. My fascination with stamp perforations translated into the side panels, with magnified circular motifs framing the printed central panel.

Fingers Crossed

The big white envelope that I'd been waiting for (for what seemed like ages) finally arrived. I got the Arts Council's award! The Arts Council has awarded me a 'Grant for the Arts', an award that supports artistic excellence in England. I can spend the grant on participating at key shows and marketing.

Grinning ear to ear, I noticed the huge smile on the logo. Quite apt, don't you think?

Fleeting moments

As days hurtle towards Tent's opening in two weeks, everything seems a blur.

Rushing off in the rain to my next errand today, I looked up as the skies suddenly cleared. And there it was, as if urging me to pause. My rainbow.


So, pause I did. Went to the opening of Connect - an exhibition by Contemporary British Silversmiths at Quest Gallery, with my friend Jess. Afterwards, we all had dinner together at home. Good art, good laughs and good food made for a perfect evening.

When I looked out of the window the other day