2015...a review

2015 was a hellava year...it was the year I became a fabric designer. 

To be fair, or accurate, I already was a fabric designer, small scale, nothing fancy, designing and printing my fabric panels for my own use and lots of you lovelies out there. But 2015 was the year that I officially became a fabric designer with my launch collection, Blueberry Park with Robert Kaufman.

That really set the tone for the whole year since it was back in January 2015 that I started to design the collection and almost a whole year later in November when it was released for you all to buy. 2015 will forever be remembered as a memorable year. A year on living this process on a daily basis I am honoured, flattered, humbled and beyond excited about quite where I am and what I am doing. I am pretty sure professionally it can't get much better than this. 

2015 wasn't just about the fabric, I had such highs in other areas too. I had an amazing year with countless magazine quilt projects. That is one thing I will also never tire of or become immune to. Seeing my work in glossy print is such a buzz every single time. I think at one time I had about 5 projects one after the other after the other, and all in and amongst the bubble of the collection getting ready, but the pressure of that still made it all nothing short of a joy...

...and there was more! Back to my love of screen printing and running workshops, 2015 was a wonderful year. I had some really great workshops at my home with some amazing enthusiastic printers and I also travelled near and far to teach, which was such a buzz. I was welcomed in Huddersfield...twice...Scotland...twice...Wales...once and even over in Copenhagen. Every group was just fantastic...so much fun.

On a personal level we had the high of moving house at the end of 2015 and discovering that we all love living in the country. We moved for the house. We fancied a change and it just so happened that we fell in love with where it was too and I can't wait for 2016 to unfold and see what adventures we get up to here.

It has been an unbelievable year. Professionally the best...personally some deep lows thrown in to test our resilience. But it isn't about that here other than it was a big part of what 2015 was and can't be missed out.

2015 was amazing...January is a time for reflection and planning and if I am going to stand any chance of 2016 being half as good I need to do just that...reflect and plan. I hope you will be with me on my journey and let's see where it takes us. I couldn't and can't do it without you.

xox

workshop mania...

Last weekend kicked off the start of 6 weeks of workshops. In fact every one is due to get progressively bigger and busier than the last.

The first one last Saturday, at the fab Simply Solids, started off at a genteel pace with 7 participants. The new shop is a perfect venue for workshops...a lovely airy space and surrounded by beautiful inspiring fabrics and makes.

It was a lovely intimate affair with lots of creativity coming through from everyone.

::   ::

Today things moved on a step with me getting ready to teach 25 WI ladies...and no there was no nakedness involved (aka The Calendar Girls!). I prepared plenty of paints to avoid pushing and shoving and hair pulling to get to the chosen colour...there was a little pushing and shoving...but no hair pulling.

Considering I usually keep groups to under ten people (FQR being an exception) it worked really well. Being in a big church hall, we weren't limited by space, so that helped a lot.

It always amazes that with every workshop no 2 people design and print the same thing and actually I don't think any 2 people across any of my workshops have ever designed the same thing!

I think my favourite this time was the toadstools...how cute?! And I think I love it even more with the thought of it being made into a baby's dress that the Mum is planning on doing. I can't wait to see a picture of that!

I do so love teaching workshops. I love seeing the creativity and enthusiasm  from everyone and the thought that I have started them on an exciting journey that they want to continue on fills me with pride.

My next 2 workshops are biggies...I am in Wales for a couple of days teaching some GCSE students and then off to My Bearpaw in Edinburgh for a whole weekend of fun.

And speaking of far flung places, I have been asked to go over to Scandinavia with my screens and pots of paints to teach over there. I am coordinating with a couple of lovely ladies over there to organise possibly 2 workshops...1 in Copenhagen and 1 in Sweden, possibly Gothenburg. If you live in that vicinity or want an excuse for a trip over there do leave a message and I will send you details. 

It's Saturday night, I'm tired from all the fun and excitement of the day, so it is a glass...or 2...of red and a sit back to reflect on the fun before I get ready for the next.

Hope you are having an enjoyable weekend wherever you are. x