Stop copying me!

My kids often inspire my work. I made Five Four Three Two One for Gussy when he was obsessed with counting backwards on his fingers, Things I Like contains stuff that Isi loved when he was little, and I am a Shape was inspired by their love of Mister Maker. Right now we are in the classic "Stop copying me!" phase, which starts off very lighthearted and ends with them shouting and wrestling.

I made this for fun, but it might be a print at some point.

Illustrators we love - Rebecca Cobb

This is the sweetest book about a good twin and a naughty twin and how there is good in all of us. Yes I well up nearly every time I read the last page. But I'm like that.*

It's written by Richard Curtis (yes that Richard Curtis) but as usual it's the illustrations by Rebecca Cobb that I love the most. 

Rebecca was an illustration graduate and working in a clothes shop when she plucked up the courage to cross the road to the Mabecron Books bookshop, and show her work to the M.D. There's a lesson there for all of us - Go for it!

Here's a promo for The Paper Dolls.

I'd like to get Lunchtime next. Does anyone else worry about their kids getting older and not having the excuse to buy lovely children's books anymore? I do.

*A big girly blouse.

Tate Modern Sunday

Yes! I finally made it to the Lichtenstein. I was recently given an Art Fund Pass so I got 50% off the exhibition at the Tate Modern. Flicking through the guide there are so many things I want to visit in London, but it also covers the whole of the UK so it's a brilliant thing to have.

The Lichtenstein was better than I expected because there was lots I'd never seen before. He is so well known for his comic strip period, I never knew there was sculpture, or that he was working right up to his death in 1997. Of course it's pretty amazing to see all the really famous pieces close-up but it was the later work that was the revelation. I saw him with fresh eyes.

  

My friend Rosie is a Tate member so we went up to the tres posh member's area with a stunning view of St Pauls. Look at London. Isn't she beautiful? :-)

I also managed to only spend £4.99 at the Tate shop on this lovely Sara Gillingham illustrated book, rather than the £130 I would've liked to have spent on the incredibly gorgeous and huge Eames book. Medal please!

Trend alert: Macrame plant hangers

Have you noticed macrame plant hangers are really having a moment? Earrings anyone? ;-)

I like how they can be a tad kitchy, or really modern.

Here's a simple-ish tutorial from Refinery 29 (more photos on their blog). They'd be lovely with succulents, hanging outside in the garden with different coloured string.

Have a super duper weekend everyone. I'm hoping to finally make it to the Lichtenstein, in my classic last minute, catch it before it ends styleee. I shall report back on Monday! x

Fabric at Spoonflower / UK Handmade Mag feature

Hey you! Just dropping in to say I have some fabric now available to buy from Spoonflower. So if you're a bit handy with a sewing machine you can make anything you like! It's also available as wallpaper which is exciting.

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You can also see my enormous face in this season's UK Handmade Magazine.  (I tried to send in a slightly lower res, but she wasn't having any of it ;-) Shade 1412 was also on the front cover of the Spring issue so I feel very flattered.

It's a lovely mag, I really like the square format and page design. So nice to see Janet Bell and Kirsty Elson in the same issue too. You can flick through it all here.

Ta-ra for now. x