Silhouettes & Sunsets

One of the nice things about my university room is that I get the afternoon sun and the sunsets- well, I would get better sunsets if I wasn't looking at a courtyard, but still, the sky just lights up in the evenings in a blaze of the most magnificent colours that I can never seem to catch on camera (highly frustrating!). At the moment it has truly amazing ripples of orange and purple, blurred together like an artist's paint palette, with shades of blue flirting around the edges (it really brings out the poetical side of me!!). I have spent the last half hour trying to take decent photos of it, and they look good on the camera but then something happens to them on the computer and they don't look as good. Still, here are my attempts- if anyone has any suggestions of how to capture sunsets then please let me know!!

Several of these photos feature my collection of seed heads and dried plant life because I think the silhouettes just look fantastic against the coloured backdrop.

Unexpected Weather

We have been enjoying some unexpected balmy weather today (completely opposite to yesterday which was nasty nasty weather!!), so much so, in fact,  myself and Lucy decided to meander into town via Castle Gardens. Signs of the coming Spring are everywhere and it was a very pleasant walk with flowers blooming left right and centre!!

 Lots of happy flowers bursting up through the soil!!

 Even the bees were out today!

All in all, a lovely walk through fields of flowers- almost like living in the countryside!!

Free Things

Don't you just love free things? I have joined many freebie websites in the hope of getting some small samples (mainly I just like getting post- there is something in the thrill of opening a new package and not quite knowing what is inside!!! As long as it is a nice surprise of course!) of random things: coffee, perfume, toothpaste, washing powder cups (I know that one is a bit weird....) etc. I was very excited the other day because one of the things on the freebie sites was free fabric samples!!

The stripey ones are my favourite. Apparently they come all the way from Sri Lanka!

Of course, this got me thinking, and I started researching into other places you can get free samples- I'm not going to say where because it might not be fair on those companies if they are suddenly inundated with requests for freebies (you have to research it yourselves!!)- and I found some free wallpapers and other fabric samples...

 The above and below are wallpapers.

And downwards from here are fabric samples.

 I do really like the dandelion clock inspired prints. You can only order around 6 samples at a time, but as there is quite a lot of repetition in the patterns, you probably don't need more than that. It's a really nice way for me to get ideas though for my sketchbooks, as obviously you can get more samples with the trends and the seasons.

The Final Hand In

So here we are, the post you have all been waiting for....OK well maybe not, but I have definitely been looking forwards to it. I cannot describe to you the feeling of having a huge weight lifted from my shoulders!! This hand in was much more relaxed than the construct project, but I was still up quite early to make sure it all got in on time and I didn't forget anything- I was very sneaky sneaky and waited until most of the people had left before taking photos of a few of the projects. Unfortunately most of them are better than mine so I'm not sure I should show you, but I will anyway...

My humble offering...

I really love this one by Alexandra who was a little obsessed with bicycles. She did quite a lot with the flocking technique which has worked really well.

This one by Bella has a very contemporary feel, loving the colours and the simple prints.

This is one of those prints that you wish you had come up with. Caroline has taken the idea of lace and cutting through, and has actually burnt small holes in the above print, in keeping with her theme- not sure if you can see it in the photo.

Loving the colours of Kat's prints. I only wish I could show you just how much she did. I don't think there was a time I walked through the print room without seeing her there!! True dedication (although probably helps if you like print!)

A natural theme from Charlotte, another one who did zillions of experimental prints!

This was a really good idea from Danielle, she decided that her prints weren't for fashion or interiors, so adapted them and made little mock up notebooks and cards. I think they work really well.

Another Danielle here who took her idea from travel, postcards, stamps etc. Many of her motifs are drawings from postcards she collected.

I think these prints are really cute from Gemma, a combination of wildlife and scenery in quite earthy colours. Reminds me of a gentleman's study.

Not sure who these belong too, but I still quite like them.

A very gothic one below from Hannah, lots of bleached watery backgrounds which have worked really well.

Lots of camera obsession here from Jessica- again quite a lot of flocking work which really makes you want to reach out and touch it.

A massive purple explosion from Lorna. She started out collecting quaint little things like broaches and jewellery, and moved on to her own obsessions of all things purple, combining the two in lovely mad prints!

Next up is Ryan, who has to have a special mention because he specifically asked for it. His idea was to do with drugs, and the left hand image shows his mood board with his initial ideas and inspirations.

 Not entirely sure what happened to the colour here, I think my camera went into overdrive and couldn't cope with all the red-ness. Still, you get the idea of the pattern with the pill bottle and tablet motifs.

 Finally, my last print image is from Stephanie with gorgeous butterflies!!

I thought I would also slip in (as a special treat) some of the Mixed Media finals, the image below may show some recognisable samples as they are from Claire who I have featured a few posts ago.

This is a kind of circle crazy project from Freya- they look like they could be directly translated onto interior fabrics, I'm already imagining them as my curtains!!

And finally, from Rosanna, I think this project was based on jewellery- I really like the pleated one on the right.

So I hope you enjoyed that, although there were loads of photos, I actually only have a few people's work and I would personally give them all A*s!!!!