Why use an unknown when you can use a celebrity?

I have been trying to work on some fashion illustration in Photoshop and also get to grips with using a graphic tablet. I scanned in one of my designs and this is what I came up with. OK, so La GaGa might not exactly be my target market at the moment, but I would be in heaven were she to strut her stuff in one of my designs. So if Lady Gaga's agent is looking in the blogosphere ...... Naturally I don't put my BEST designs on the blog as I want them to be snapped up at New Designers in June 2011.

Design development

I've been playing around with fabric manipulation and design development. Sometimes the reverse of a piee of work is as interesting as the front.

Drawing lace

Apologies to my followers for the enforced silence of the last few weeks. I have been having major techno problems with my internet connection. I am happy to say that all is resolved so I will be posting regularly again.

I can't believe it is reading week already at Northbrook - I had forgotten how fast the time goes when it is sliced up into projects, deadlines and semesters. The last five weeks have flown past in a flurry of activity and ideas - it is great to be back in the studio and part of a creative group.

So, on with the show! I am doing a fashion fabric project based on florals, sustainability and embellishment. I have chosen to use found fabrics, threads and trims so my designs will be upcycled from vintage odds and ends. I have been looking at lace and translating the patterns into drawings. Here is one I made earlier. The exciting bit comes next when I translate the drawing into a fabric sample.

Fabric manipulations

This is an experiment in fabric manipulation - essentially for a background print to my florals. I have used old scraps of fabric on calico and have tried to create surface interest and a ripple effect or undulating effect. When the colours are manipulated in Photoshop the design takes on depth which I think would translate well in a digital fabric print. This could then be embellished.

Stitched undulations / textured rhythms

I have been exploring texture in the form of embossed quality stitch and undulating rhythms in nature. I have used a silky knitting yarn in the bobbin of my sewing machine and free machined some zigzag patterns with a white colourway (which can be changed in Photoshop). I wanted some fairly abstract rthymic backgrounds for my floral designs. Here is one of a series based on a drawing I did of the Sussex Downs as seen through a train window.

Floral Mode Encore!

I have been rather remiss and not been updating my blog recently BUT I have been busy - here is a little floral number using scraps of pink jersey with a crochet centre. Don't tell anyone but the jersey were a pair of Primark knickers, the centre a not terribly successful crochet flower - but I thought the textures of the two would work well together. I may do some stitching into the "petals" to add a bit more textural interest.

In floral mode

I'm in floral mode again, this time working on some designs for my return to Northbrook. The image here is a floral motif painted in acrylics on nylon and machined stitched.

Poppy Seeds

Having gathered lots of poppy seeds on Plot 61a I am busy putting them in little packets for my friends and family - some will go on their gardens but I strongly suspect some will find there way into other areas as the guerilla gardeners get busy beautifying the urban landscape!

Plot 61a Preserves

I have been busy making my first batch of chutney from Plot 61a - a scrummy concoction loosely based on Hugh Fearnley-Wittingstall's "Glutney" recipe using the first crop of courgettes from my allotment. Should be ready to eat in a couple of months, so in plenty of time for Christmas. I have designed a jam pot style cover as I am using recycled jars from my kind neighbours.

Juliana Sissons at the V and A

The talented and inspiration Ms Sissons

Juliana's knit design

If you live fashion and you adore knit you will absolutely LOVE this: Knitwear designer Juliana Sissons has an artist residency at the V & A with open workshops and drop in sessions: Check it out: Juliana will have special access to the Medieval Renaissance Collection for inspiration, study and research - July to December.

Oh! And I forgot to mention her book! Part of the Basics series: Basics in Fashion Design - Knitwear - available at Amazon

Poppy seed heads

I have been rather remiss lately and not updated by blog. I have, though, been very busy on the allotment (it has come on in leaps and bounds) and have also started doing some fabric experiments and drawings for my return to Northbrook in September.

I have been gathering seeds which I am sharing with friends and family. I could not resist scanning the "crop" of poppy seed heads - they might just creep into my textile project! The blue one is evidence of my using it for printing - as you do!

Sneak preview - upcycled fashionista scarecrow

As this project is taking a lot longer than anticipated to complete and given that I am working more or less from the feet up, here is a sneak preview of the silvery flowery shoes that the fashionista scarecrow will be wearing on her amazingly skinny and lumpy-bumpy blue legs! (Upcycle techniques: spray paint old shoes with silver, make "flowers" from machine embroidered back-to-back yogurt pot tops adorned with vintage button.)

Keepsake Cameo Pin Cushions

Back - machine embroidered vintage fabric.

Front: digital print on fabric appliqued onto vintage fabric with vintage trim.

I made these cameo pin cushions for the Northbrook College BA surface textile design class of 2010 as graduation presents - I wanted them to have a practical momento. The pin cushions combine digital photography onto cotton fabric, vintage finds and machine embroidery. (Pins not included) I am happy to take commissions - all I need is a digital photo. POA kimba.designs @ btinternet.com

New Designers 2010

I am off to the Design Centre in London today to see the best of British design talent - Part One features textile designs for fashion and interiors, accessories and gift ware. Don't miss it if you are interested in innovative and creative design. In particular look out the the Class of 2010 BA Graduate show from Northbrook College ! Congratuations to all the Northbrook graduates and very well done for the stunning work on show. This very popular and exciting course is led by Tom Embleton and delivered by his very talented team - for details contact Northbrook College direct.

Magical by day, enchanting by moonlight

The view from the cottage weas ever changing in daylight with the ebb and flow of the tide, but by moonlight it was absolutely magical.

Beautiful North Wales

Just got back from a week or so in beautiful North Wales. Stayed in an amazing cottage near Porthmadog overlooking this fabulous view. Really inspirational trip - have gathered lots of material for future design ideas. AND it didn't even rain for the whole trip - something of a novelty when I go on holiday and especially in Wales!

Fantastical bird

I've been having fun today making a fantastical creature to frighten off the real birds who seem intent on feasting on the peas on my newly acquired allotment before I even get a look in! Let's home this hybrid textile beastie works! As a belt and braces tactic I have also magicked up some netting in a yurt formation!

Fabulous vintage find

In a recent vintage forage I came across this frilled heart shaped dressing table stool and just HAD to buy it! It is so over the top I really love it.

Gnomes

Now normally I don't like gnomes but I saw this pickie and couldn't resist posting it! Having an allotment has obviously turned my head! If anyone knows who the artist is, please let me know.

Pressies for my Allotment

Lucky me! I have received two lovely pressies from my friends Zuzana and Suzanne! The little blackboard signs are fab as I can rub out the names when I plant different things (Zuzana knows that I change my mind a lot!) and the book is amazing and has completely altered my ideas about my planting methods. Thanks Suzanne and to the inspirational Alys Fowler, I will be going for anarchic planting! Straight lines might be easier but they are not half as much fun! Thank you girls! xxx