The weather during August has been disappointing but it's meant that the studios have been a perfect temperature. So I've been sorting mine out and making more space in preparation for some new classes this autumn.  I'm going to run some Eco Workshops based on the idea of thriftiness as well as my usual mosaic workshops.

These are going to be an excuse for me to get out my sewing machine and threads as well as an opportunity to do some gardening...

   

  

nspired by the design 'Wild Oats' on some plates I've been using recently I've been taking photographs of grasses and seedheads.

In a Hampshire field

Hastings Country Park..

and Beachy Head

Along the South Downs Way

I took this photo yesterday of sunflowers - a sure sign of summer!  Today I've been picking raspberries, gooseberries, rocket and broad beans from my very hot and dry allotment. (My sunflowers don't look like this yet!)

Back in April, the lovely people at http://www.frombritainwithlove.com sent along crafts journalist Clare Kelly to one of my mosaic workshops.  Clare brought along some of her own vintage china, her grandmother's buttons and some ceramic hearts.  She made a fabulous mosaic mirror frame in record time (and managed to take photographs and make notes!).  The course notes are up on the From Britain With Love website with photos of Clare's mirror at different stages.  Thank you to Clare and thank you to Nicky at From Britain With Love!  

I'm back from camping in West Sussex, Dorset and Devon.  Here's the latest news and some photos from my trip.

Clerkenwell Design Week is coming up in May.  A selection of Smashing Chintz work can be seen on the Things We Love stand in the festival's Design and Craft Market.  The market runs from Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th May in St John's Square, London EC1 near to Craft Central.  Open daily from 10am to 6pm.  Pop into the marquee to see some unique and desirable items from different designers and makers.

Last Saturday I spent a lovely day in Nottinghamshire in the Hope and Elvis studio with hosts Louise Presley and Julie Arkell.  Louise's studio is a real treasure trove of all things vintage....   buttons, stamps, fabrics, china (for cups of tea and chocoalate cake!), tins, toys etc and very inspiring! 

Julie Arkell had brought some of her work to show us.  I loved the papier mache watches that tell the right time twice a day!  She also had series of brooches made from fragments of fabric, ribbons, found objects sometimes with autobiographical meanings.

I had a go at incorporating ceramic with textile and stitch in two brooches I made on the day - see the photo.  I had a dog theme going on after acquiring a small plate on my journey up to Nottingham!

I've brought my pot of crocus bulbs inside into the warm.  I'm hoping that they will flower by Valentine's Day.....

Smashing Chintz is now listed on www.frombritainwithlove.com the online guide to buying products made in Britain. 

Day 2 of my new blog!

Other news this week.....     Of Cabbages and Kings in Stoke Newington has a small display of Smashing Chintz mosaic birds on plates until the end of March.  Check out the shop for gifts (for self or others!) from perspex laser cut jewellery to hand made hot water bottle covers and colourful china teapots.

http://www.ofcabbages.co.uk

Another framed piece - is in the exhibition 'Objects of Love' at Lewisham Arthouse until 14th February.

www.lewishamarthouse.co.uk

Spring Summer mosaic workshops begin in March.  The booking form is available for download, now with the correct dates!  I'm hoping to be able to offer a credit card booking system soon as cheques are used less and less.

Last Sunday I ran a mosaic workshop for my family in my mother's studio - with my mum, her sister, my sister, my cousin and cousin's husband.  We had some competitive fun!  My father and husband stayed out of the way reading the Sunday papers and making us pots of tea! 

I'm really looking forward to going on a workshop in March at Hope & Elvis in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.  It's with Julie Arkell and all about making objects and jewellery with found materials.

Here are some photos from Sunday....