Fig 16 Quilt Trip

During my time in San Francisco (The city) I dipped in and out of many thrift stores, my favorite lined the streets of Mission, but the one in which we got the most bargains and spent the most time deliberating on how much we could take back to England was "Thrift Town" which was on the Corner of 17th street & Mission.

My biggest and most beautiful purchase of all and the envy of many is a vintage quilt hand sewn using the Californian colour palette of spring. It's huge and cuddly and will be used on many September evenings around a BBQ on a beach or lounged over a whicker bench on the balcony of my one day beach house.

If you are inspired by this post, then you will most probably love this Exbition at the V&A "Quilts 1700 - 2010" March 20th - July 4th.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/future_exhibs/Quilts/index.html

Fig 15 Feeling sweet in California

During my trip in San Francisco I started to get a sweet tooth for there confectionery packaging, all those delicious treats boxed up in the most boldest, coolest packaging.

I wanted them all, seriously not so much the sweets them self's but the boxes (well maybe the Swedish Fish) I love the colours and names - Mike & Ike with the Californian faded blue box just like there clapper board houses, Milk Duds with that brown and mustard logo reminds me of a stripey top my Dad wore in the early 80's.

Good & plenty always my favorite in taste and style - I actually ate the Liquorice comforts that's why they are not in this photo, also the big cherry how great is that little pink number? Yup I hope you are as overwhelmed by this array of delicious treats as I am. Happy Easter bunnies lent is over tuck in.

Fig 14 Stamp collecting

Check these lovelies out, my friend Lu gave me these stamps in Decemeber for my Birthday I have a huge obsession with Dick Bruna. His ability to draw with such simplicity while being able to evoke huge volumes of personality. I love the use of flat vibrant colour and the graphic boldness of each character. Stamps are such a beautiful canvas to apply graphics and art. And these little gems will look fantastic in a box frame mounted on my bedroom wall.


I also fell across 'British Textile Stamps'at a car boot sale one very chilly and wet Sunday morning. I used to have the same William Morris wall paper in my bedroom as a child so this set is particularly nostalgic and I was born in the same year 1982!. These are all British textile designers from July 1982 I love the vibrancy and how different they all are yet they look good sat side by side, I would love a summer dress made out of the Paul Nash - Cherry Orchard print.

Fig 13 Sorry Im late!

Sorry im late for work...But I was stoped in my tracks by this wonderful montage, Inspired by Alice in Wonderland I love the overall shape and the circus colours and the juxtaposition of the placed characters and the shapes in which they are making particularly the 3 of hearts and I have an obsession with hands. Loved it it really did make my day, Its stuck on the wall just off Brick Lane just before the bridge one road on right before Cheshire Street, Hope it stays there for a while.
Think this is a valid excuse for being late for work, Don't you? Would love to know who created this little master piece.

Fig 12 Happy Valentines Day x

Fig 11 Windows of Berlin

I went on a winter weekend away with my sister to Berlin, we had such a great time.
Berlin is such an inspiring and creative City, to me it was like one big playground. We explored the east and the west and found hot spots in both. We found a lovely little restaurant / cake shop just around the corner of Savigny Platz station, a treasure of a find - best patisseries and fresh food in Berlin, absolutely beautiful. We cycled around the city with the Fat Tire Tour at Alexander Platz amazing fun, my cheeks hurt from smiling all day, you cycle around and stop at all the historical sites, you stop for an hour and have lunch in the parks cafe, and sample some of Germany's beer which is delicious. I dragged my sister around all the 'Humana' stores I could find basically these are huge charity shops well worth a look - be worn you do need to rummage best one is in Frankfurter Tor 3 - incredible building. Lastly we went to Tacheles were they have a huge sculpture park full of sculptures made from found iron and metal, you can watch the artists at work, its based in a former department store which now has 2 bars and one club the building is covered from head to toe in graffiti, it smelt of piss pretty bad but worth a quick snap or too.

Fig 10 'Hibernate in colour'

This autumn I am going to make my first quilt this is my inspiration above, images found on the internet and many other beautiful blogs, thanks everyone for giving me so many colourfull ideas. Can not wait to be tucked up in something just as beautiful and comforting as these one's. My little red sewing machine is going to be on fire for the weeks up to Christmas, keep your eyes peeled for outcome.