University of Middlesex Art and Design Show

Recently I had the privilege of visiting the University of Middlesex Art and Design Show. This is a show that highlights the work of all final year art and design students, from photography to architecture.

The show was held at the Old Truman Brewery, just off Brick lane.

I went along to view the photography of Frances Jose (my sister) with some family and friends.




I also had a great chance to look around at the graphic design work and found this craft magazine moc-up. It really caught my eye with the lovely pastel shades and beautiful photography.









I also saw this beautiful display of vintage jewellery, including the most amazing hat pins, by Francesca Samels.









As I walked around I encountered some of the more eccentric work, like this man performing Karioke!




Last but not least I would love to draw your attention to this really inventive furniture designer. Using furniture as a social tool to get people talking Elizabeth Ret has created a bench that really addresses our ideas about social norms.









The bench is big enough for two and when sat on at one end the bench tilts like a sea-saw meaning that you have to get someone to sit with you, brilliant!

Let me know what you think.

Interesting Wall Idea

Hi all,

I know that this might seem like a silly post but I saw this and thought that it was a brilliant idea!

At first I thought that it was a photograph but it is real. Stone set in resin. Great idea if you want to create that sea-side feel at home.

I found this being used as a wall covering but it can be used as a floor covering or a surface, Kitchen work top maybe .

Making Soap!

About 3 weeks ago I decided to try to make soap for the first time, and it was so much fun! A little scary but defiantly fun! Handmade soap can make a great gift, one drawback is that you have to leave it for 6weeks for the ingredients to stabilise before it can be used.

When making soap you have to remember that at the end of the day it is a chemical process and you have to have the right equipment to do this safely. This includes: goggles, long marigolds and an apron (preferably plastic).

The ingredients and steps to making soap can be found here.

Through other research I have found that there are easier ways to make this recipe of soap. To speed up the process you can use a stick blender as whisking can be a very long and drawn-out process (as I found out making it for the first time).

You can also add colour by adding oxide powders, I bought mine on ebay. These can be added straight into the combined mix which means that you can stop as soon as you have your perfect colour. As mentioned on the sellers’ page this can mean that the mix can speckle if not mixed well enough. By mixing the powder to a little bit of oil this can help.

I put my mixture into different shaped silicone moulds. Traditionally wooden moulds lined with greaseproof paper are used, but old ice cream tubs or plastic takeaway tubs can be used too.

Here are some pictures of me looking like an idiot making my soap. I will update you when it is stable and I can test it out.

Adding the caustic soda to the water.

The oils being heated and mixed.

Moulds all ready and waiting.

Mixing the oil and soda/water (lay) togther.

Pouring the mix into the moulds.

Me looking all proud!

Crafts with kids

Doing crafts is always fun but crafts with kids is even better!

I have had an incredibly busy week, there was Brownie pack holiday for three days and two nights and then fun with the family.

Pack holiday is a fun but slightly stressful time. Trying to work out how to keep 17 children occupied with a mixture of crafts, games and general running about can be slightly tricky, if not due to the fact that there are too many crafts to do and games to play!

The rest of my week holiday was spent trying to relax and see the family. This included spending time with my two nieces and nephew. One of my nieces has become extraordinarily crafty, which is brilliant!

My niece and I ended up making a bear from a DIY kit that she had bought earlier on in the week. We found that there were guide holes here there shouldn't be and none where there should! But that just added to the fun and making the holes was easy.

Can Cooking Be A Craft?

My Mum had booked afternoon tea for Mothers day and unfortunately we had to cancel due to circumstances changing (as they always do!) so I decided to make afternoon tea!

I decided after looking at the BBC Good Food Blog that I would make scones and a Lemon drizzle cake; I mean it didn't look that hard... and it wasn't!!!

During my latest visit to the states I bought my Mum a Chinese tea set from China Town in San Francisco.

We ended up having a lovely alternative afternoon tea including stir fry and jasmine tea.

Sewing

I know how to darn a sock or sew a seam, I EVEN know how to sew a Brownie badge onto a blanket!

However, I need to learn how to use a sewing machine. I remember using one when I was younger, my Mum teaching me how to sew pockets using pieces of kitchen towel and red thread.

I have decided that it would be fun to make some bunting for the street party we will be having at Brownies to commemorate the marriage of Prince William and Kate.

Lets see how this will turn out, I'm not holding much hope.

Pom-pom's!

My cousin made pom-pom people for my two nieces for Christmas and it got me thinking "pom-pom's can't be that hard!" so here is the beginning of my take on the pom-pom person...