Boxing day- an obvious day for walking...

After all the prior xmas" to-do list" having been ticked off, then on the actual day, a day of endless baking and spending quality time with the family and lovely relatives having come over from Spain, on Boxing day we decided to go for a stroll by the beach for a bit of fresh air and to reflect a bit on the year gone by and all the expectations for 2008 with or without new year resolutions...thinking we were the only ones with this great idea of reflection and taking in all the beauty of the coast and neighbouring countryside, Alas ! no !! we came to realize that so many others had come up with the same idea!...It was great to get back and have a lovely cup of tea by the fire...mmmm...lovely wintery times...

Xmas everywhere...

It's so xmasy everywhere with all the pretty colours.. so magical and festive...I wish you all the best for 08, Chin Chin!

Getting into xmas spirit

After a long day at work in the studio yesterday I decided to get into the xmas spirit and bake some mince pies...

Winter blues

After posting the previous Polaroid with the lovely autumn colours I had to go back early this morning and take another Pola.You can see the lovely blues of this crispy cold morning...Looking forward to spring already !

Last days of autumn

Having been too busy to post anything, I'm glad to finally be able to get back to regular posting...
Looking through my Polaroids to post something , I came across this image that I took just before winter was upon us...those beautiful autumn colours that are now practically non existent, the lovely change of seasons...

Christmas fair

After a couple of manic weeks working practically 24/7, I'm very pleased to say that the Christmas craft fair was a great success also selling out on my new coasters that will be available
in my forthcoming website next week.
It was a great event with some amazing work from other designers in a beautiful setting with amazing backdrop for surroundings.
Thank you to my friends that were able to come and visit and to my new customers for the purchases.
I'll be posting soon the forthcoming events that I shall be exhibiting in the near future.

South Hill Park Christmas Fair

So far this week it's an extremely busy one with all the last minute preparations for the Christmas Art and Craft fair at South Hill Park this weekend.
For those that live locally it's a date for the diary...you won't regret it.

Lovely Autumn colours

pYesterday being such a lovely day, I couldn't resist going for a walk and taking photos of the amazing colours that autumn brings to us.I love the way they have turned out with my Polaroid film!

Interview with iluzminame

It has always been an interest of mine to see how other creative minds work and where they get their inspirations from, whether it be a lyric, a painting, photograph, movie, book, travelling, people watching, a walk in the country, a conversation …. It is all part of our make up that maps out whom we are and the work we create and produce…
Here is my first interview with Blogger, Luz from iluziname, one of many to follow once in a while, so watch this space.

So Luz...tell us a little bit about yourself and where do you live?

I studied fashion design and a few years later I got a Master in Knitting Design. Just before I reached 40, I decided to start a new career at the University, computer science, but I still haven’t finished it yet. Perhaps one day if time permits, work and my hobbies allow me...Also y also love drawing and painting: I had my own exhibition in Barcelona (2001) with oil, crayons and collages I also show my etchings and digital artwork at the annual exhibition in Cadaques ( Spain), Bages ( France ) and Farleys ( England), miniprint . I love the relationship between science and art. I was born and have always lived in Barcelona.

You have a fabulous Blog "iluzimane"; tell us a little more about it....

A year ago joined the group Barcelona Knits , and as all the others had also their own blog, I decided to start my own. It is a way to be in contact with others that have the same interests as you, or should I say "addictions”?

Does Blogging help you to be creative?

Yes, because it helps me think in new articles that could be of interest to my friends and readers. Perhaps it is a way to motivate oneself!

What inspired you to start Knitting?

I started without nearly realizing it. I always had seen my grandmas knit, and perhaps I started by imitating them. I started with crochet at 10 years old. Afterwards I started to learn how to knit with needles on my own and with the aid of books and magazines. Unfortunately there was no Internet in those times!

How long have you been dedicated then?

I could say all my life!

Which is the creation you are most proud of?

Perhaps a jacket I created with recycled silk from Nepal because the textile is very special and the garment had to be very simple to create such a beautiful stitch.

Any new projects that you are working on?

At present am creating a shawl with yarn of alpaca. But in this project I’ll have to recycle a couple of old jumpers. Cutting, sewing, embroidery, add on textures… not all has to be made of new things!

Who inspires you and why?

People in the street, the cinema, art, a book, a stroll ….

Do you belong to any clubs and if so when and where do you meet?

I meet up with a group of women that knit, Barcelona Knits every Monday in the afternoon to exchange ideas, projects, chitchat…we are all people with different backgrounds and what brings us together is the passion for textiles and craft work.

The best way to spend a Sunday in Barcelona is….

If it is a sunny day, long walks by the beach or a bike ride. An aperitif out by many of the bars in my area, Gracia. An perhaps to make most of the afternoon at home with one of my many projects, or updating my Blog.If there’s bad weather, perhaps a trip to an exhibition or to the cinema.

And finally, what music are you listening to in your I-Pod lately?

Dixie Chicks (taking the Long Way ), Fiction Plane ( Left Side of the Brain), I never liked Sting ( but I love his son ! ), Carla Bruni ( No Promises) , Michael Bluble( any of his many CDs), Miguel Bose(Papito), Keyshia Cole ( Just like you), Brand New Heavies ( Get Used To it ), Brett Anderson( Brett Anderson2007), Marlango ( The electrical morning ), Macy Gray ( Slowly)…and thanks to Beech Grove now I have added to my favourites Madeleine Peyroux, Pink Martini, and I also got to find out about the last CD of Crowded House !

Recycled silk from Nepal by iluzminame

Full of inspiration

Having been staring at a blank canvas for some weeks, I am happy to say that having now returned from my trip, I'm full of inspiration, colours, and ideas...

Ireland

Well now that I'm back home, I can say that Ireland filled all my expectations and more.
I highly recommend it to anyone that needs to get away from phones, emails, bills, Christmas shopping, and mundane everyday stuff....
I'll be happy to recommend idyllic places for anyone interested of visiting.

Ireland trip

Having had no summer holidays I have been counting the days to our mini- break to Ireland, I cant believe it is finally here!
First stop to Dublin and then a drive to the west for endless walks by the Atlantic coast, chilling out and drinking the odd pint of Guinness in lovely quaint pubs in the middle of nowhere...sounds total idyllic and pure bliss , I really can't wait!
Cameras, books, jumpers, walking boots and woolly hats are on the check list....now onto more final arrangements..
Have a good week to all and see you next week.
PS.Recommendations welcome if anyone knows any special places that are worth a mention :-)

Autunm sunshine

Looking through my window this morning, I can't believe we have another gorgeous sunny day!..Where was the sunshine when we needed it back in our u.k rainy summer ?? I might as well make the most of this lovely day to take some photos before the real winter weather is upon us...

New beginnings...

Having just moved from Barcelona to London, I would like to wish this lovely couple, my cousin Merce and her boyfriend Sacha, all the very best in this new chapter in their lives full of new experiences in this fabulous city.

A bit of music

For those that need music in their studios whilst working away on new ideas, I've created a list of music I like to listen personally depending on my mood, you might like to give some a try...enjoy!
Recommendations welcome...

A great find...

Looking through some boxes in my garage early this morning, I came through this old Polaroid camera I forgot I had ..fabulous !! Now all sort of projects start coming through my mind, lets see how it all unfolds..

Notecard set

This is part of my new collection of photographic gifts.More to come, so watch this space !

Lovely sweet peas

Well my work has started, not long to go for the exhibition...lets see how the days follow.....

Inspirational music

As a new week commences and it is the start of ideas, design and production for all of us working away from our studio, I thought I'd highly recommend the latest cd from BajoFondo Tango Club for those that need music to help with the creative mood to flow and flourish as I do...
A great team of excellent musicians from Argentina and Uruguay playing electronic contemporary Tango music with the obvious genres of Murga and Millonga coming through.
Bajofondo is for those passionate about music, Tango, Latin and those willing to try something new and different, Give it a try you might like it!
Any music recommendations welcome too as I am always looking for new music to listen too...

Thank you Southill Park Arts

A couple of weeks ago I applied to exhibit at the annual Craft fair at Southill Park arts centre, after waiting for a reply rather impatiently am so glad to know that I have been accepted.This photo of the two roses was part of the images that got me accepted, so I must also thank my lovely auntie Mercedes that gave me these on her day of her departure back to Barcelona.

Now comes hard working weeks as I haven't got that much time to be organized.

If you live locally it would great if any of you could come to visit and support the local Arts community too, also am sure there will be some lovely gifts for Christmas shopping handmade from craft artists nationwide.I'm looking forward to it already!

17 and 18th November , Southill Park, Bracknell, Berks.

Something from the weekend...

Well now that summer has come to an end, weekends at home with cups of tea and finding time to be creative seem very appeailing, hence this painting that I procuded over this weekend.You can also see it here in Artfair 365.I thought the tittle "Letting Go " was just how I felt as I was painting and feeling an inner freedom..Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed painting it, and highly recomend it.Now back with a new week and see what October brings.

For those Crowded House fans...........

Having been a big fan of Crowded House music many years ago, am so glad to see them making a comeback! The song "She Called Up" I find seriously catchy and the video with the kids singing is a must, Enjoy !

* News *

A regular feature will show an interview with the Artist of the month from this Blog
starting next month..so wath this space !

Thank you Artfair 365 !!

I must thank ArtFair 365 for having nominated my painting as Artwork of the week..It was a great honour !