Work in progress

Well I didn't make my deadline! I was still working an hour and a half after it, when the head of design came around the corner! She was fine and lovely and my freaking out subsided, to oh well, it's a work in progress! The bottom of the dress has 80% of the embroidery left to be sewn and then it all needs to be put together to make the Oh so pretty party dress after Easter. I guess a complete redesign three days before the deadline was a little optimistic. 

The first two photos are of the final design before re design! The little semi circles are the sleeves, and I made the buttons which were then turned into hair clips for the new design! (see below) 

the sewing due to the tiny scale was painful, but so fun. I'm off to the city (Truro!) to have a floral consultation (squeeeaaal!) and will buy lots more mustard thread to complete. 

Love emme lou x

Hand and Lock project

Finally blogging about Uni work! Our first brief for the second year was for the Hand and Lock 2012 competition brief. We had a choice of three mini briefs to choose, with the theme of celebration. I chose 'Association D'ermites' which talks of desert hermit, silvery egrets, hyper modern and authentic, metallic, gems, midnight blue, sunset red, bright whites and delicate. I decided on the Circus for my celebration theme, focusing on the glamour of the 30s in depression America. Here are some pages from my sketchbook and my final samples.  I was ill for a big chunk of the project, a lot of late nights catching up, and trying to angle my dripping nose away from the silk fabric! Did I mention I was hooked on all things Twilight?! The soundtrack, the movies, it was a sewing twiathlon on repeat!

Now onto project two....India!!

Love emme lou x

I LOVE print!

Ok, so I know it's been sooo long since I last did a proper post. Too long, and it's the same old broken scratchy record of I've been so busy! Design school has been intense, only to get worse in the next few years! (eeek!) But I've been loving it! 

...So, when I was accepted at Falmouth I knew two things...that I was going to specialise in mixed media and that I couldn't draw, therefore would never like print...I was wrong! I went into print with an open mind and ended up falling in love with drawing, illustration and the print process. I never NEVER thought I would ever say that! Everyone who knows me has been open mouthed and wondering if I'm joking when I tell them of my new love! I have to admit there may have been a few tantrums when painting (sorry Muffins!) but I got through the scary "I can't draw" fear and am now into it! Here's a little peak at what I've been up to for the past 5 weeks...

 I then went onto the actual technical workshops, learning how to do all sorts from basic screen printing and stencils to discharge printing, polychromatic and dye workshops. It was so much fun, even if the chemicals did get to me and make me a little poorly.

  I'm excited to learn more and practise my drawing. I have a stash of new gouache and a very expensive brush in my sewing room waiting to be used! So exciting!

Love emme lou x

Making a Mess...

Did you ever think I would say that? I think being messy is ok as long as it's a creative mess...or you're ill; but even my tissues have been in an orderly pile!

Here's a view from my work room. I would say desk but the work has over spilt to my day bed, floor and bureau. It's a complete mess but I'm getting work done and it's the only way I can see everything that has to be done! I've been napping lots and trying to get a little work done when I feel up to it. It ended in an almost tantrum last night as it wasn't good enough. Maybe perfectionists shouldn't work when poorly?! 

I've cracked open the paint and glue, dug out the gum strip, masking tape, pencils and ink and got to work. I'm waiting for the page to dry before finishing it off. There's so much work to do but I'm trying to not plan and design each page before starting...it's kinda hard. I want a workbook that shows fluid ideas not designed and completed in hindsight. Even when I want a more messy look the ink splatters have to land in the correct place and smudge in just the right way.

Anyone else have this kind of issue with working? Or is it just me and my weird need for order and perfection?

Post a comment if you're the same! 

Love emme lou x

Finishing and Freshers Flu...

This week I completed my first sample of weaving. I finished it with different techniques and mounted them along with filling out notations. It was such a great feeling...but what wasn't so great was getting freshers flu and realising that I had yet to design and complete another set of samples, this time adding another metre on! I struggled through on Friday, feeling like my head was about to explode, got home, ate chicken soup and slept. I woke up, feeling like i was suffocating...due to the cold and my horrid dream...that I was, indeed, being suffocated but by tangled warp threads that I couldn't weave through! According to my tutors this means I will be a weaver...we shall see in three years time but I am thinking not!
Here is my week in photos...

My finished weave, in loom state. 

'Milling' my weave samples...aka squishing with feet on soapy foam!

I went to check out the scrap bins and look what I found! I can't believe someone threw these away! The best part as well is I got it all for free! I'm just a little excited! It's like thrifting but better. 

I am off sick today. Hopefully I will be peachy perfect in a couple of days ready for more weaving! I'm going to try and get a little sketchbook work done in between naps. Silly freshers flu. 

Love emme lou x

Wool Week Weaving!

I knew that starting Falmouth would be a big change from three days a week at Cornwall College, eating fat pasta, chatting and sewing; however, as much as I was prepared for it I'm still a little overwhelmed. I have thrown myself into it fully, working hard but already feel like I'm getting behind. I'm being organised and keeping on top of everything, starting as I mean to go on. Here's a little peek at my week of weaving...and it was Wool Week!

Love emme lou x

What a week...

This week has been so busy, exciting, exhausting and amazing. We have learnt so much already in such a short time. Falmouth sure knows how to run a degree! We started with spinning hanks, dying yarn, winding cones and threading looms. I wasn't happy with my colours so gave away the blue that wasn't teal and decided that although this was just for samples, I needed to dye some more as it wouldn't match my book and theme. Yes I'm a perfectionist but I think its a good thing. So I went to the dye lab and had the huge scary room all to myself to dye up my hanks brown.

   

I love it already but I am not so in love with the looms. Being extremely tired when trying to thread them up is not a good idea. But I persevered (with help from Nicole and Nadia!) and  stayed later and now it's all strung up ready to weave next week! I am trying to catch up with all the house chores that have been severely neglected and the laundry pile is over flowing! I have a morning of chocolate tart making awaiting me tomorrow to take to Jo's for after knitting and dinner! 

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

Love emme lou x