GRANDMA'S GIFT

About 44 years ago my Grandmother bought a then normal set of drawers when my sister was born. These drawers used dovetail joints and real wood. They stood the test of time until I was born, when as we shared a room we shared the drawers.

Over time they were painted in various colours and when I left home I inherited them. When my son was born they were made to match his nursery and as he grew were decorated with his own hand prints. And still they stood steadfast and sturdy as other 'build it yourself' drawers came and went to the big drawer in the sky.

Despite the travels of a now military family set of drawers they remained intact.

Now once again they have a new identity and have passed along to my daughter, this time with patch work decorpage and handknit handles....who knows what their next incarnation will be, but no doubt at this rate they will pass on to the next generation

SHOW DISPLAY BOARD DESIGN

(My wooden generic wallpapering table)


As I have previously mentioned, my dad is a very clever man! sometimes I do not know what I would do without him. Throughout my childhood I thought it was the norm to have your mum design and paint something and your dad make it. This ranged from homemade ornate own designed wrought iron fencing and gates, to Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired furniture. Infact even the bunkbeds my sister and myself shared were made by dad.

So when I had a falling apart wallpapering table which was suppose to double up as a pattern cutting table (Space saving!), it was either sell it at a carboot (in the hope somebody could make use of it...lol forever recycling) or work out how it could be metamorphed into something new and useful.......


(Garment design poster on display)


.....at the same time I was wondering how I could create a free standing display board to use at my exhibition stand in October (Please google the knit and stitch shows). Then it became obvious, why buy new wood when the very design of the table with its already intack hinge system could be reworked into the said A frame style display unit.....



(Component design explanation poster for Quirky Little Knits)

................so I designed this display stand which can be used to store inside the marketing paperwork while in transit. He even reused the carry handle. Left over roofing felt he already had was glued on either side of the A3 size new frame, this allows for any poster to be pinned on and removed easily....




(Side view of the bespoke 'A' stand display case)


.....The outside was painted in wipeable white and I painted the felt in black with a contrast red braid; this ties in with my logo colours to give continuity.





(Open view of 'A' stand display case)


Over all I think another very successful family design.

I was told in a meeting this week that maybe we should patent the idea!

MARKETING! is the cost productive? that is the question

Hello! I am back from visiting Alison in Sweden (See knits and pearls blogspot) Had many a knitting/crochet session, natter on her porch and even attending her first own organised knit cafe. Well done you! hugs x. Have been working on several projects there and since which should be in completion in the next week, so blogs aplenty to follow.

....Today I have been working on my marketing for the launch of my designs at the Twisted thread knit and stitch events. Firstly 8th-11th October at Alex. Palace, London Resource centre Stand Rcc11, Just look for the Quirky little knits sign. I will be offering some voucher discounts.

..These images show some of my postcard and notecard ideas and I am in the process of designing these with decisions to be made on final outcomes.. Funds are limited and I need to work out cost versus sale value, versus marketing benefits.

...Also today I had a meeting for taking some tutoring/lesson plan workshops at a new upcoming business in Bath, U.K. This is called 'The Makery' which is a shop/workshop/online based venture, based on the new on trend (Lol what my family and I have naturally done all our lives!) of 'make do and mend'. Workshops will be based on recycling and eco-based, in a range of concepts from gardening, chicken rearing! clothing and fun hen parties, to name but a few. 'The Makery' launches in a few weeks time. More details and links to follow as things progress.

...The low down being that I will at this stage be taking workshops in possibly recycled knitted jewelry, changeling garments, accessories and mixed media art and life drawing lessons. Lol The hen party naked man life drawing sounds erm interesting! Can't wait! I have been training for this position all my life! x

'AMALGAMATION'

...This dress was an amalgamation of new and previous ideas between my friend Iza and myself. It uses Polish Linen cut on the bias and huge mohair (Charity shop buy a few years ago, and been sitting in a box asking to be used ever since) crochet Irish roses, mixed with net and recycled feathers...

...it was difficult to make the roses big enough to have textural impact without being too heavy, not sure if this was achieved. As one project very often leads to another, I am now working on new items based on this idea.

The dress was called 'Monet' because it reminded me of his famous poppy painting. (A painting I grew up with on my mums wall, which I looked into everyday to find new things)...

Overall an altogether cosmopolitan dress! with Yorkshire, Polish and Irish connections in its making. Enquiries for purchase of this item or similar can be made through http://www.ustrendy.com/angel-hattons-quirky-little-knits/

....I will be launching my designs at the forth coming Twisted Thread, Knit & stitch shows 2009.http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/listExhibitions.aspx

2004 CAME WITH LOTS OF CHANGE

In 2004 Grandma passed away, she was 98. It made me think a lot. Only 2 months later I found out my son had Aspergers Syndrome and I also separated from my husband......All this makes a girl think! I began to paint and draw again after a very long time and also writing poems.

One of which was about my children;

Cosmic Kids


With her smile
The world awakens.
A contender for the blazing sun.
The beams of light
Repel the hatred,
Without her help I'd come undone.

I can feel the heat
Shinning through from her upturned face,
Even in the blinding dark.
With her pen she fills the paper,
A two-year-old packed out with colour.
I hope one day
Upon the world she'll make her mark.

With his eyes
The mischief gleams.
Twinkling orbs of bright full moons.
The beams of light
Repel the loneliness,
Without his help there'd be no tune.

I can feel the love
Suffocating from his upturned face,
Even through his frustrated tears.
With his energy he fills the world,
A six-year-old packed with imagination.
I hope one day
With trust and care he'll loose his fears.

My daughter; my Sun,
My son; my Moon,
A twosome of sparkling stars.

Angel Hatton 2004