Ivy Arch at Mini Moderns REMIX

I am thrilled to be taking part in Mini Moderns REMIX at East London Design Store as part of the 2013 London Design Festival. The project sees Mini Moderns working with British based designers and artists who have been invited to reinterpret their iconic designs.

As a huge fan of their work I was delighted to be asked to contribute and have produced lavender bags cut from Mini Moderns C-60 and Stevie fabric as well as a limited edition range of coin purses.

 

I travelled to London for the launch last night and was completely bowled over to see my crafts exhibited alongside the stunning work of Benjamin Boyce, Brume, Leonhard Pfeifer, Rimmington Vian, Matt Sewell, Group Design and Urban Upholstery. Zoe Murphy's gorgeous Buddha of Suburbia Drawers are a real showstopper!

Ivy Arch lavender bags and purses at Mini Moderns REMIX 2013

Mini Moderns REMIX at East London Design Store opens on 14^th September and runs until 22^nd September 2013.

A Festival of Fungi

My daughter's participation in a Weather Watching course on Saturday took me to RSPB Pulborough Brooks and the Festival of Fungi trail. Searching for mushrooms felt like looking for fairies hidden in the undergrowth. The activity was completely absorbing and I spent an hour finding fungi with names as enchanting and sometimes terrifying as their appearance; Amethyst Deceiver, Green Elf Cap, Collared Earthstar, Yellow Brain, Jelly Ear, Tawny Grisette, The Sickener, Poison Pie, Lilac Bonnet and Hairy Curtain Crust.

It was a clear, fine autumn day for a walk around the hedge-lined paths of the nature reserve - a twitcher's paradise. As well as wild and waterfowl I saw herds of deer, cattle and six still dragonflies.

Pulborough Brooks lies in the Arun valley and unfortunately is not easy to reach by public transport. We travelled there by foot, bus and taxi - an expensive trip but the only way for non-drivers from Worthing to arrive in time for the start of the course. However it was worth the awkward and circuitous journey to spend time in such an outstandingly beautiful place.

Dreams of ukuleles and houseboats in Shoreham-by-sea

On Sunday morning I went to the Ukulele Breakfast at Shoreham's Beach Dreams festival. This year's uke event was led by Wukulele's Harriet Booth, Uke At The Duke's Lawrie Stevens and Teena Fox. In the middle of a marquee - edged with craft stalls and a cafe serving proper coffee, cooked breakfasts and homemade cakes - the trio introduced complete beginners to basic uke strumming techniques, armed them with some starter chords and then led us all in a rousing jam session.

The route back to Shoreham station took me along the riverbank and to the Good Ship Verda, open for the tenth year running as an exhibition venue on Adur Art Trail. Verda is the creation, home and studio of artist Hamish McKenzie. This vast vessel includes an ex-passenger ferry and a 1970s Duple Dominant coach among its incredible architectural features. Inside, the shiny wooden floor slopes dramatically and light streams in through a glass dome in the ceiling. The coach windows are hung with yards of covetable vintage Liberty Bauhaus fabric. It's a work of art in itself.