Lucy Loves - Craft Supplies

Morning! I hope you all had a fab weekend and didn't get too wet.  It's almost May, so these April Showers must almost be over! Lucy is back today for her 'Lucy Loves' column and she is very like me in that she gets excited just looking at gorgeous craft supplies.  She has been spending some pocket money this weekend, but I shall let her tell you all about her recent purchases. 

I have recently spent my pocket money on beads. They are gorgeous and really cheap. Also for Christmas I got a sewing machine so I’ve been looking for fabric that’s not too expensive that’s when my mum said to look on Fabric Rehab. So below I’ll tell you all about TheBead Shop Scotland and Fabric Rehab.

Fabric Rehab

Fabric Rehab have some gorgeous fabrics that come individually but also sell bundles that are not too expensive for such gorgeous things.

London Big Stash Bundle

This would be great for this summer!

Dessert Party Mini Bundle

yummy, scrummy!

They also have some brilliant themes and sewing kits. The sewing kits would be a great gift for a small child or a teenager.

Retro Pears

I love all of the retro fabrics but the pears are my favourite.

Picnic Fun

This reminds me of a Paperchase design!

Make Your Own Doughnuts

This kit rocks!

Button Bracelet Kit

This is cute

I love Fabric Rehab but I know some people I would like to make fabric, Dots and Spots, especially her apples and pears, also Poppy Treffry whos pea badge design I would buy loads of and Snapdragon whose letter print would make an awesome bag.


The Bead shop Scotland

I love all the beads they do, they are so fun! Also they sell moulds for the beads so you can make your own beads.  The bargain basement on the website has some great deals. Also there beading kits make great gifts.

All About Alice Bracelet Kit

So cute!

Fruit Salad Bracelet Kit

Cool!

Red Rose Cabochon

This is cute but a pack of multicoulored ones without the leafs are £1.95 and you get 50!!!

Tape Charm

Love this charm

Wooden Strawberry Beads

Even small children can use these to make necklaces.

Lucite Rainbow Cubes

These are awesome!!

Flumps beads

yummy!

Mini Marmite Jars

Are they real?

Now I have to wait for the postman to arrive with my new beads!

Lucy

x

 

Fabric Friday - Designers Guild A/W11

Lotus Flower Bedlinen

September has arrived with a chill in the air and my thoughts have turned to warmer colours for the house.  I don't mean redecorating, so no need to panic Drew, we have plenty of glossing left to do!  No what I am thinking about is changing cushion covers and curtains to warmer shades and more luxurious fabrics. Well if you can't have velvet in winter when can you?!

Cesano

With Autumn around the corner various fabric designers are busy launching new collections which can help us update our homes with the latest trends in interior design but also add that warmer tone that lends so well to the cooler time of year.

Amrapali

Today I thought we could take a look at the delights Designers Guild are launching as their A/W11 collections.  Obviously we should not expect muted tone and wishywashy prints as this is not Designers Guild at all.  With a richness of colour or texture in their fabrics these designers are not afraid to be bold.  I have to admit that 'Amrapali' in Peony is my favourite of the new designs for it's bold floral print in vibrant azure blues, bright pinks and hints of oranges and chartreuse.  Whilst this may not seem very autumnal I am sure 'Amrapali' would brighten the dullest of winter days. 

Kasida

For a more luxurious fabric to add warmth to the cooler nights 'Kasida' offers jaquard patterned silk in a jewel palette. Perhaps you prefer the feel of velvet then 'Cesano' would be perfect with it's geometrical pattern close cropped velvet.  For a stylish finale the new 'Chevenon' trimmings are simply gorgeous, offering a selection of trimmings and tie backs, including glass and embroidered beads and fabulous fringes.

Miss Muffett Bedlinen

Aswell as beautiful new fabrics for projects Designers Guild also offer an array of products in their fabulous designs.  So even if you are not nimble with a needle you can still indulge in their new designs.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend
Zoe
x

Fabric Friday - Elanbach

It has been a chaotic week and I have been very disorganised which hasn't helped at all. Thank goodness it's half term next week and we can all recharge our batteries.  As promised I have managed Fabric Friday and I'm sure you'll love this company.  Today I will feature Elanbach.

Elanbach is based in Wales at Llangoed Hall with their offices and production based in this fabulous country house hotel.  The hotel itself is a great showcase for Elanbach fabrics in each room.  Set on the banks of the River Wye in Mid Wales with views of the Black Mountains must prove a wonderfully inspiring backdrop.

Elanbach is the creative vision of Sir Bernard Ashley and with his team of designers they have created many fabulous collections. The designers ensure that Elanbach appeals to many style ideas by not sticking to one signature look.  New collections are launched every season but differing from other fabric companies they never discontinue any lines.

Elanbach digitally print their fabric which means they can print in Wales.  Sir Bernard Ashley loves the variable colour palette that digital printing offers, allowing the designers access to a colour palette of over 16 million colours.  Digital printing also means that only the exact amount of ink is used so there is no waste.  Their printing press also minimises waste as it prints instantly unlike the traditional printing process, ensuring no fabric waste aswell.

I think you'll agree Elanbach designs are fabulous and their ethics are in keeping with the trend to be less wasteful and buy British.

Fabric Friday - Joel Dewberry

I think Friday is the best day of the week, as you know that the weekend is beckoning and of course it's Fabric Friday here at Buttons and Bows.  Today I am going to feature Freespirit designer Joel Dewberry. 

Joel Dewberry was fortunate to grow up in a creative environment and was encouraged to experiment with different art mediums from an early age by his father and mother, who is a renowned artist herself. As the second eldest of seven children I am sure Joel's childhood home was very busy yet his talent in art was nurtured by his parents. 

Progressing to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Joel Dewberry graduated from Brigham Young University in 2000.   However Joel progressed in to a brillirant career in brand development and coroporate identity after his studies which gave him several years of experience in a variety of industries, including the home and textile markets.

In 2007 Joel Dewberry launched his own textile brand, Joel Dewberry Eclectic Modern.  He has designed six collections, three of which are available from Freespirit Fabrics.  His most current collection is Modern Meadow, which is available in three palettes and evokes thoughts of picking flowers in a meadow, with large funky floral prints and smaller blossoms. 

I am sure Joel's training as a graphic designer has assisted with his change in direction yet his flair for creating patterns and combining colours can only come from a very talented artist.  Joel Dewberry is definately a designer to follow as he is still a relatively new name in the textile insutry considering he did not launch his first collection until just over three years ago.

Fabric Friday - Bunting

Jonny's Sister

I will appologise now for this quick Fabric Friday post, but life is busy here! With all this talk of Birthdays and as it's August Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK I thought I'd feature some gorgeous fabric bunting.

Buttercup Boutique

Juicy Fig

Mushy Makes

Hollie Lollie

Nestables

Blue Moon Studios

Jump Up and Down

Love, September

Blueberry Park

Deborah Sparks

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If you need a fabric designer fix, catch up on Tuesdays post in which Valori Wells shared a day in her studio.

A Day in the Life - Valori Wells

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We must also catch up with Katie to see how her studio is coming along!

What Katie Did Next

A Day in the Life - Valori Wells

For me wonderful designers are like celebrities and if I am honest I feel in awe or a little star struck when I meet or speak to one.  So when Valori Wells replied to my request for people to feature in my new Day in the Life feature I was very excited, having recently featured Valori in a Fabric Friday post.

fabric stash heaven!

Valori is an incredibly busy working mother, as you can find out now as she shares a day in her creative life.

day in my studio.....


My day usually starts with email. I get my computer time out of the way so that I can create. What I create depends on what deadline I have. Right now I am working on new fabric designs so I am at my drawing table.

Drawing Table

 these are some drawings in progress for new fabric.

 

My studio is above our garage in our house. It is pretty big and has wonderful high ceiling and lots of natural light. There is lots of space, although I can fill it up pretty quick. I have room for the whole family because I never want my kids to think of my studio or my work as something that takes me away from them. We think of it as another family room. These days I have to keep an eye out for the baby since he is crawling everywhere and taste testing EVERYTHING!!! I am sure he will eat some fabric at some point.

Mama Photo Wall

this is a bulletin board that is above my cutting table that I put lots of photos of the family, sketches, inspirational words....etc.

I have lots going on in the studio at one time....fabric designing, new fabric to make samples out of, painting (something I like to do for fun), knitting projects, sometimes silk screening, work from the store there are lots of projects in the works. My attention span is pretty short so I like to be able to work on what is inspiring me at the time. And when I get stuck on a project it is nice to have something else to work on. Like piecing a quilt - it can be just labor and then I can let my brain rest. In turn I usually figure out what I am stuck on and go back to it. Probably not the best use of my time but I have to be willing to stop and go with the kids around and life being as busy as it is. There are times when I have to work on store projects at home and it is nice to have more than one thing going.

Bird Box 

I have an obsession with boxes, containers....this one holds my birds (another obsession that I have), rocks that I like to draw on....other things that mean something to me. My girlfriend from college sent me the hand one day and she wrote on it “I am always here to lend a hand”.

Inspiration Wall

one of the walls in my studio with lots of ideas on for fabric, patterns, etc. sometimes just stuff that I like at the time.

Inspiration comes in so many forms...my kids inspire me. Their love for life and just being with them fuels my creativity. I take lots of photos - especially around my home and where we live. I look through magazines and love to go to galleries and look at other peoples art work.

My Red Chair

 My mom bought me this chair one year...my love!! I sit and knit there, read to the kids, just contemplate....

Painting in progress

I love to paint and this is a painting I have in progress for my girlfriend Carolyn..I do hope to get it done soon!

Friends

My stuffed friends...they are from patterns that I have done or just made them because. The kids love to get them out and play with them in the studio.

Thank you so much Valori for sharing a day in your life. I also have to have several projects on the go as I get bored easily, I just need to remember to make time to finish some of them soon!

Valori Wells

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Fabric Friday - Melissa Bombardiere

This week has again flown by and I really hope somebody will declare that we have an extra couple of hours in each day.  Yet thankfully as it's Friday it means that it is Fabric Friday.  For todays feature I have looked at Etsy to find a textile designer who hand prints their fabric and I promise you will not be disappointed, these prints are fabulous.  The featured designer this week is Melissa Bombardiere.

Melissa Bombadiere is a graphic designer by trade working full time in the advertising industry in Sydney, Australia. However with a love for vintage fabric Melissa loves to design patterns and recently started hand printing onto fabric.

Melissas fabrics are bold and dramatic yet remind me of quirky fifties patterns and the birds remind me of Scandinavian designs.  Another fantastic example of gorgeous hand printed textiles that I have added to my favourites as I plan a kitchen makeover, I think those birds woud make a great blind!

Melissa Bombadiere

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