When you've got a digital cam & a pair of old binoculars!

Golly gosh, it feels like I haven't blogged in a very long time. I'm sure I'm not missed, but I have missed it.

Last week something crazy happened & somehow everyone seemed to get onto my Etsy & start ordering (finally). Perhaps it was the fact the sun has come out & people are starting to buy summery dresses, or perhaps it was that I had a 35% sale? Hmmm.

Well, anyway, I have been busy busy, making, sewing, getting ready to go on holiday, finishing very old orders, sorting things out, buying junk I don't need from the recycling centre, eating food & sitting in the garden. The usual. But it's been gloriously sunny - perfect English weather. I love the country side!

Right, well here are some pics off my phone of recent activities. Next week I'm thinking of setting up an Instagram for I Know & my makes, so watch out & follow please.

1. A beautiful barn near our house (I want it!) 2. Packed car coming back from Cornwall. 3. Sunshine coming through my studio window. 4. Fabric flower. 5&6. Breaky in bed for RM's birthday. 7. Playing with Jude at Chagfood. 8. Bespoke red & apple print cape ready to post.

Okay dokey. Hope all have had a lovely weekend. Is it sunny where you are? Today I wore a sleeveless dress & suncream (maybe over cautious).

Happy official beginning of British summer time.

My friend & neighbour Helen is an artist. She does beautiful dreamy paintings, & kindly let me into her studio this morning to take photos of where she works.

{Prepare for a photo overload}

Don't forget to check out my other 'Artist's Studio' piece here :)

Hello there, hope everyone's having a super weekend.

Just a quick push for Facebook members! I know it's a little repetitive, but it's a good extension of the blog & I'd like the two to stay connected.

When I reach 100 likes I'll be doing a fabulous sale & exclusive FB offer on my new items I am currently creating.

I've been also thinking about Twitter, some people say I should join it, but is it just another thing to have to keep on top of? Does anyone follow fashion brands or shops & think it would be worth while? I'm a little indecisive about the whole thing, only just feeling (vaguely) confident with my blog/Facebook.

Thanks so much for everyone's great suggestions when it comes to fabric scraps too! I found it very valuable info & have now tidied my studio, HUZZAR!

Tomorrow (Saturday) I'll be at the Crikey It's Vintage event in Exeter selling dresses, skirts, tops, handmade flower headbands, pocket mirrors, vintage tea-cups & other lovelies!

I'm still not packed up! Back to the machine for some last minute sewing...

(I know it's no longer Sunday - I'm running a few days late this week in my brain)

I understand that some people might find it hard to take, but I am uncontrollably messy. It actually becomes quite a problem really, but, I'm working on it, honest.

Before Christmas & New Year I was doing a lot of work in the dining room, which of course had to be cleared so everyone wasn't eating Christmas dinner amongst piles of shredded fabric & pattern pieces. So, it all got taken up & dumped into my studio without me sorting through it. Now I know that Christmas was 2 months ago now (wow time flies) but I have just been pushing the mess aside, or moving my sewing machine to my bedroom (also a state), anything to avoid organising the mound of fabric scraps that I have accumulated.

So, now I have started to sort it. I know that this doesn't look like I have, but I promise, things have to get worse before they get better... I've heard...

If anyone knows if you can recycle small scraps of fabric I would really love to have some help? I have searched the internet but only get information about recycling garments or old bedsheets. I keep all my largish scraps to make other things with, but some are so tiny & I feel so sad land-filling anything, it makes my stomach turn as I'm sure that they can be re-spun into something new!

Anyway, here goes:

So, I didn't manage to finish my studio, buuuut, I did manage to make this cake with homemade pineapple flowers (inspirtation). It was deeeelish!

Right, back to work...

A few weeks ago I was contacted by someone at Manchester Uni who wanted to write her first little fashion article... about me!

Of course I was very flattered indeed & said yes please. I have been meaning to get in contact with people from local newspapers & magazines but I am always overwhelmed & confused when I come to it, so this was so lovely to be approached.

She very kindly sent me the paper copy for my scrap book I am keeping of my first year in business (I know this is a little sad but oh well). Here are some pictures of it. :)

After the sell out Versace for H&M, I am now totally obsessed with the Marni H&M collection coming on 8th March. Unfortunately one of my new years resolutions was to buy no clothes until June! Which is going very well, but also total torture at times. I may have to break it when this collection comes out, I NEED the swimsuit. The fabrics & shapes are stunning, oh gosh, so lovely basically. & the ad is directed by Sofia Coppola, just perfect.

{image source}

Today has been a lazy Sunday, it's been splendidly sunny & such a feeling of spring. We actually had brunch outside (okay it was very very chilly) but things are looking up.

I can't share any photos of my studio today as it is just such a mess. Like, an unbelievable mess. But I have been taking photographs of my sweatshirts that I am trying to clear. I bought a bunch of sweatshirts a few months ago, & set about the long process of creating my own screens at home (lots of staple gunning & paint stains on tables). But since then I decided to focus on my dresses. I still enjoy screen printing, & want to print some of my own fabric to make into skirts & dresses, but for now I want to sell the last of my tees & sweats & focus on creating a lovely summer range - I have too many ideas for photo shoots & dresses & need to collect my thoughts & ideas & create something!

But for now, here are my sweatshirts, if I really love all the designs (I know I designed them but shhh), & if I could keep them myself I would, but I already have a ton of sweatshirts & I realised that my very undignified uniform for most days is an old school PE jumper & a pair of leggings. May not be super stylish, but you can't argue with comfort!

Gosh, I am such a rambler, must learn to be more concise in my words, I love to natter is the probs.

I've really got that Sunday feeling today, I think I shall have a bath, finish sewing the blinds I'm making & watch something trashy on the telly.

(Please don't forget there is a 15% discount on the whole of my shop too)

Today we went to Totnes, every Friday there is a market, & they have some really lovely stuff for very reasonable prices indeed. We got so carried away we got a parking ticket. Not so reasonable.

I am on a complete mission now to buy things to put in Cornwall. In the midst of collecting art & paints. Also, I am going to try & make some roman blinds, so have been watching numerous confusing YouTube videos, that I'm sure I can't understand.

A lovely wooly blanket. Player's Please card books & two vintage tea towels, to frame. A load of frames, from charity shops, recycling centre & market, all need to be revamped. Amazing vintage linen table runners, for making into blinds.

It's going to be a busy weekend! Hope everyone's weekend is full of a mix of creativity, relaxation & partying. Of course.