Okay...I realise my promise to write a blog post at least once a week has fallen flat on it's head and left a very sad little blog of old news!  I do apologise, and have a feeble excuse to offer you...Other than working for an artist, the last few months I have been in the full swing of wedding planning!  With just over 2 weeks to go I'm feeling excited and slightly daunted by my (still!) very long to-do list!  The wedding has become one huge design project as I can't help but design every part possible!  Admittedly it has been just a little distracting from bird designs and print work so over the next few weeks I'll have a few different (much more wedding related) designs to share with you, from dried flower bouquets (with flower's we've grown in our garden), to bridesmaids dresses, invites, and yes, maybe even a couple of birds (they had to feature somewhere!)

Anyhow, here's a little update from the most recent exhibition I was very honoured to take part in; Traces with Designers Block.  This exhibition brought an old disregarded building in North London back to life with artwork and designs from 60 different exhibitors all adding to the history, mystery and storytelling of the building.  A series of clues were sent out to help piece together the whereabouts, history and characters involved.  You can find out more about the exhibition and some of the exhibitors by following the link here.

Selvedge

If you're nearby Highgate or Archway in the next few weeks head over to the Selvedge Dry Goods store where up till the 1st August you'll be able to catch a glimpse of my shop window display!  The Selvedge shop is full of amazing and beautiful hand crafted items by designers and makers featured in their magazine.  You can also buy copies of  their current and past issues of Selvedge Magazine there too.  If you love all things well crafted and hand-made, this shop is definitely worth a visit!  

Cushions and birds in the display are now also for sale in my etsy shop!  

Deep Blue

The most recent addition to the bird family has come in the form of a commission for an Indigo Bunting.  These stunning blue birds are commonly found in the eastern and middle states, migrating from southern Canada to northern Florida.  To stay true to their name I used indigo blue to dye the yarns, and log wood and henna for the dark brown.  

Safari Collection

Here's the Safari Collection from the zoo trip!

This is what my studio wall looked like..

Monkeying Around

Last weekend I met some friendly faces at the Howletts zoo when researching for my Safari themed print collection (how I love my job!)  Howletts zoo is home to the largest breeding family groups of Gorillas in captivity in the world.  I was lucky enough to meet this fine fellow who was rather enjoying all the attention, and posed nicely for my camera!  

...In this case the grass is always greener...

The baby gorillas were SO cute!!  I loved this little daydreaming gorilla, and his mischievous friend below.

The monkey enclosures were like huge adventure playgrounds, and all the monkeys, langurs and gibbons looked like they were having a great time swinging from all the branches and chilling out on the grass.

This is one animal I wouldn't be too happy coming across in the wild..

  

You can now walk inside the the lemur enclosure and see the animals from really up close!  This lemur had just spotted one of the park's keepers, I think he had dinner on his mind..

(Below) see his little face?

Friday 18th May Light Night Liverpool

If you find yourself in Liverpool this Friday night head over to the 'Flora & Fauna' themed exhibition at Nook & Cranny, part if the Light Night Liverpool one night only Arts and Culture Festival!   You'll be able to find Mr Woodpecker (see previous post), and also a blue tit and my new Barn Owl on display and for sale amongst some other amazing pieces of art!

Mr Green Woodpecker

Sorry for the lack of recent updates!  It's been like a miniature factory in my studio the last couple of weeks!  I've been getting things ready for a shop window display in Selvedge Dry Good store in London Archway going up on the 1st June, and an exhibition at Nook and Cranny store in Liverpool later this month which I'm really excited about!  Check out their blog to see all the amazing designers and things in their store!

So, I've decided I need to be  more disciplined and update this blog at least once a week!  So here's an update on my newest bird member; the green woodpecker.  I think he has to be my favourite bird so far.  I had great fun in the kitchen mixing woad dyed wool with tea, turmeric and cumin to create a lovely bright green...(which I can tell you, when boiling on stove does not smell great!)