art equals happy.

Natural Dyestuff Gathering. :: Spinning & Crafts

I've been trying out some dyeing lately- like Dyeing wool & fleece. [: It' sgreat fun and I've been experimenting with Natural Dyes. So far, most of my colours have come out really pale- but I'm thinking that might be a mordanting problem (Mordant is a chemical- or substance *hehe, they used to use old urine!*, I'm using Alum- that helps the dye grip onto the wool). 
I've been collecting plants and things that give off a colour- here are some of my first little gatherings (most from my own garden)!With some of the tougher dyestuffs, you need to soak them in water overnight, or even for a week or so!It's a really magical and long process, kind of like what I imagine potion-making to be like at Hogwarts! hehe. I've even got a big cauldron! Wish me luck- I'm going to be dyeing with some Logwood tonight- it should (hopefully) come out a violet/lavendar colour!
Have you ever done any tie-dyeing? Batik? Natural dyeing? I'd love to hear your experiences. :]
kimxo 

Vlog Q&A. :: Video.

Hello everyone! I hope you're having a nice weekend. I've been wanting to do a videoblog for a while now- and here is my first new try!
I kept it long so I could answer your questions and be silly at the same time- It's about nine minutes, so make a cup of tea maybe?ENJOY! 
Included in the video: silly dancing, funny voices, cats on laps, knitting, chatting about knitting, t.v. shows, coned wool and more!

T-shaped Crochet Tunic. :: Knitting Adventures.

A few months ago a friend game me a book full of jumper/sweater/cardigan/shrug patterns that alledgedly you could crochet in a weekend. Mum and I were like 'Challenge Accepted!' and rushed out to buy some chunky wool and figure out measurements.
We tried our best, but I only got the front the done on the Monday(started fri night). I guess if that is literally all we did all weekend, we could've done it. haha. It was still super fun, customisable and easy! I definately would make another one. [: (in fact, I was thinking this shape might be fun to add to the shop!? thoughts?)I am super awkward in outfit poses, but I did my best to show it off! :] Jazz kindly took these photos outside the old building at college (Camberwell). Did you know it was built during the Arts&Crafts movement? Love it so much & am so happy our studios are this building. 
I styled this with a big belt, but it doesn't really need it to keep the shape. [: I'll share what Mum's looks like once she's taken it in a bit- she overestimated! hehe. Love you!

More memories from July. :: S.A. Sketches

Here are some of the remaining pages that I haven't shared yet from my trip to South Africa last July to visit my grandparents. If you haven't seen the other pages, you can see all my adventures here. I've still got loads of photographs, and some sketches from when we went to a game park to share- just don't want to overwhelm the eyes with holiday photos. haha. Anyway, here we go!

Fact and Fiction exhibition. :: BA Illustration.

We had a small showing of our work recently. It was a group exhibition so all of our pieces were 'anonyomus' and put next to each other. I had a few pieces spaced around the room. It was fun to see everyones work from the last unit all in one room. Here are some shots of the exibition:(I spy some of my knitting!)Jazz and I worked really hard to hang everything so we were super happy to see everyone enjoying the work!I think a lot people's favourite part was being able to look through some of the sketchbooks. Looking forward to showing again, hopefully we will be on the team for out 3rd year show. Kimxo

Hey there Renegade. :: Publications.

Look what I spied on the Renegade Craft Fair London page. :] They are coming back this year in September!

Last week photo dump. :: My Life.

Here are just a few odd shots from the last few weeks that don't really fit anywhere else. Including, knitting, Peter getting a homemade haircut, reading William Morris books in the library and drinking tea.Sometimes there are just shots that need to be shared.

Knitting socks on a boat. :: Knitting & My life.

I've started a pair of socks that I'm going to try something a litle different with... It's a very simple shape (my tried and tested pattern), but the colourwork is going to be a bit like a story. This is just the start. I did about half of this rib on Sunday while I was visiting my friend's house.His house just happens to be a really cozy boat. Such a special, beautiful place full of love and peace. Jazz, Sam and I sat around the fire and drew and knitted and sang badly and told stories and acted like children and smiled and cuddled and filled our lungs with incense and fresh cold air. There were even a few boat cats that greeted us. As I was sitting by the candle light, and doing knit two, purl two, knit two, purl two... with the gentle sway of the freezing water, I felt completely at ease, completely relaxed. It's so good to be able to do a rib in the near-darkness and find out that you haven't messed it up. It was magical.We also ate chocolate and drank out of wooden goblets and wrote in his guestbook and ate vegan dinner and slept under a lot of duvets. My friends are the best. It was the perfect chilled sunday and I never wanted to leave. [:
kimxo 

Art & Reality T.V. :: Camberwell BA. & Video.

Hello everyone! At college we are starting a new project in conjuction with the Graphic Design students. It's called 'Channel' and basically we are putting together a T.V. channel! It's a pretty exciting idea and I'm looking forward to getting my teeth in it a bit more.

As an excersise, we divided into 'departments' and then teamed up. I was in the Art and Reality T.V. department and we were all set a task to make a quick 1 min film 'pilot' for what kind of show we would have. Here is what we came up with...

It's just little and the text is really messy but I hope you found that a bit comical anyway. :] It was all filmed in college (which I thought you might find interesting too). 
We're reanalysing everything after seeing other people's 1min films. (See here.) Wonder where we will end up!
Here's some of the text. It was handdrawn and pieced together on photoshop. Tried to make it textured so it wasn't just sitting on top of the video but more embedded.

kimxo

A little drawing. :: BA Illustration.

Just checking in. This is from a drawing workshop a few weeks ago. Using both hands- one colour in each hand- drawing at the same time. I'll see you later with some updates. Love you kxo