Rosy Lady

Festival of Quilts 2009 - Part 3

I thought I would share a few more of the lovely quilts that were on display at the Festival of Quilts.

I wanted to finish with this quilt because I think that every artist can relate to these words at one time or another in your life:

Festival of Quilts 2009 - Part 2

As promised, here are some more photos of some of the quilts that were on display at the Festival of Quilts:

 Hope you're enjoying these as much as I am.  More photos to follow tomorrow.

xx

Festival of Quilts 2009 - Part 1

I've had a really good time at the Festival of Quilts.  There were so many beautiful quilts to see and I took plenty of photos, which I would like to share with you over the next few days.  I also met Amy Butler at one of the stalls.  At first, I felt a bit star-struck, hovered and then went over to introduce myself and ask for advice about submitting my textile designs.  She was very friendly and helpful.

I the evening, I also attended the event, 'An Evening with Amy Butler'.  She spoke about recent trips to Bali and India and showed some of her photos and shared the inspiration behind her next fabric line, which is called 'Love'.  

She also shared some of her future projects, which include handmade rugs, luggage and another book.

I met so many wonderful people from all over the world - kindred spirits - and it was great to talk to everyone about their interests and to share mine.  There were young and older people and the quilts ranged from traditional to contemporary with something for every taste.  It also struck me that despite the big crowd, people were polite and considerate, no rudeness, pushing or elbowing. So, without further ado, I would like to share some photos of some of the quilts that I saw.  I will not be able to give credit to any of the artists as there were just too many to remember.

Hope you've enjoyed these with me.  More photos to follow tomorrow.  Hope you have a good day.

xx

Heirloom textiles

I returned to work (my day job) on Thursday after I had two weeks off with the flu.  Although it is great to feel better, it means that I now have to use evenings and weekends again for my designing time.  I am currently working on my first fabric line to put forward to companies out there but as I can't show you any of those designs, I thought I would show you some photos of vintage textile patterns.  I took these when we were in the Cape, South-Africa, in February this year.  We stayed in an old house on the side of a mountain, amongst the vineyards and just outside Stellenbosch.  The house was packed with antiques and family heirlooms.  I could not resist the opportunity to take photos of some of the vintage textiles that was in the house.

I like the colors in this one:

I love this potholder: 

I've always loved vintage hand embroidered pieces so, I thought that I would include these too:

There are still loads but I think these will do.  Looking at pieces like these, it always makes me wonder about the people who made it.  Maybe a young bride sewed those pot holders to use in her kitchen?  Maybe it was lovingly made by a creative grandmother?  Handmade pieces are so special and become heirlooms and handed down from generation to generation.  How special to think that the sewing/quilting/embroidering that we do today, may be loved by generations to come?

I hope you have enjoyed this nostalgic journey with me?  Next weekend I am off to Birmingham for the Festival of Quilts.  I should have plenty of photos from that to share with you.  I am also hoping that someone there will sell me a rotary cutter so that I can crack on with that free pattern which I promised in my last post.

Hope you've had a great weekend!

xx

UK Handmade

I wanted to let you know about a social networking website for artists, designers, makers and crafters in the UK, which is well worth a visit.  I have been on UKhandmade for a while now and have met lots of people with similar interests and it is a great place to find out about art and craft fairs or markets or to link up with people either in your area or all over the country.

I have also started a group on the site for anybody who love and use textiles so, whether you sew, collect fabric, design textiles, quilt, do patchwork etc. I would love for you to join my group.  The group is called Textile Tinkerers and can be found under the group section in the left sidebar of the UKhandmade site.

So, go on over and take a look...

You spin me right round, baby right round, like a record baby, right round.

I'm up bright and early today, eager to (finally) start my textile design portfolio.  I have done various designs up to now but none specifically in the context of a fabric line and that is what I want to do now.  I am just bursting with ideas that seem to be all I can think about.  I once heard someone say that a woman's thoughts were like a washing machine, always going round-and-round, thinking about different things, like the different items in the washing machine, all at the same time.  When we went to Keukenhof in the Netherlands earlier this year, there was this beautiful statue that symbolizes my thought patterns so well today...

Each little ring representing a different thought on designs, patterns, colours, sewing, big dreams and the excitement about all the people who have been viewing my blog within the last few days.  It is so nice to have you here, I hope that you will keep coming back to share in my journey and feel free to leave a comment, I'd love to meet you all!  

I also have some ideas for a free sewing pattern.  I'm hoping to work on that when I need a break from my computer screen.  So, be sure to pop back for that.

I thought the words from the song by this group as seen in one of my favourite films, was quite appropriate for this post.

Have a good weekend everyone!

xx

Etsy shop

I have finally set up my Etsy shop.  It is also under the name Rosy Lady and can be found at 

http://www.RosyLady.etsy.com

Hope to fill this soon with some fabric from my own textile designs.  

Hope you're Easter is one filled with family, love and peace.

Looking back...

Have you ever looked back at your life and realized that there were pointers or 'signs' all along to bring you to where you are today or to indicate what you were meant to do in life? Sometimes, you only got half of it, other times, you blinked and the opportunity was lost and yet somehow, you found your way to that 'a-ha moment'. 

I remember the first time that I thought about textile design was when I was about 13 or 14 years old. I was making myself a dress out of really bright floral fabric. I distinctly remember suddenly thinking that somewhere someone has this amazing job of designing all these fabrics which, I loved to sew with. I brushed the idea off as I did not think that I was talented enough or that I could make a living from it. 

I was brought up with the sense that you had to get a 'real job' and that art, design and sewing was great as a hobby but, not a wise career move. This is no criticism of my parents who have always been supportive, despite my strong-willed stubbornness. Anyway, I didn't give it much further thought, but along the way, on top of my love of sewing and making clothes that nobody else would have, I also discovered a love of fabric painting. I remember painting 70's designs on fabrics which, I then used to make my own clothes for uni. Yes, I loved the 70's and still do. 

What did I study? Nothing relating to art and design in any way shape or form. I picked a 'career' in stead. As this blog is about fulfilling my dreams to be a textile designer, I will not mention my 'day job' here. Somehow, whilst at uni though, I remember spending hours on my bedroom floor, painting canvasses, missing the odd boring class (man, how did I not catch on?!) and eventually designing and painting T-shirts. This ended up a great move because, students started to stop me on campus and placed orders with me, word of mouth spread and it quickly became a great way to help to pay for my studies. Still, did not catch on. 

These had been some of the pointers in my life that upon reflection, should have pointed me in this direction sooner. However, I do believe that there is a time and a purpose for everything. I had to do the degree that I did as it opened doors for me to come to the UK and ultimately, to meet my soulmate (although we did not meet in the UK, but that's another story). A lot has happened since I left uni but, now I finally feel in a place where I can move on and pursue my dreams. I don't have that dress anymore that I made all those years ago, but on a recent visit to South-Africa, I went through some boxes full of my belongings and found my old Home Economics book. Inside, I made a collage of different textiles in the form of a girl holding a rose, the bright, floral fabric that first inspired me, was made into her dress. I have picked the name 'Rosy Lady' a few months before this, but I somehow can't help but think, there it was all along...a 'Rosy Lady'. I had to bring the page with me and in my studio, it is now a constant reminder.

First post

Hi! Rosy Lady is the blog of someone with a dream.. a dream about colours, designs, textiles, making, designing, crafting and sharing. I am from South-Africa, but live in the UK after meeting and marrying a wonderful English/Irishman. Life has it's ups and downs, but I choose to keep my rose tinted glasses on hence the name of this blog. I hope you'll stay with me for a cup of a tea, a friendly knatter and drop by again soon!