Hereford - 12th December

I would just like to share with you the images of my Craft Stall last Saturday.

I had a really lovely day.  My daughter, Evie, asked if she could come and

help.  I was really unsure as I thought she would become bored in the cold, etc

but, bless her, she was a real asset. I sent her for countless cups of tea and chocolate -

essential I'm sure you'll agree! and she really enjoyed it too. So now I have a

little buddy to help me.

I was really pleased with how the stall looked - so Christmassy - and it was

great to meet SO many lovely people.  If you managed to come along do please

drop me a line or post a comment. I'd love to hear from you.

Anyway, this will probably be the last post before Christmas.  I now have to

catch up with all the shopping and housework (ugh!) that I avoided in the

run up to the Fair.  So I will wish all you lovely people a

Very Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!

Argh!!!

This is just a VERY QUICK post because I am frantically making stuff for my Craft Fair in Hereford Market Square on Saturday 12th December!

If you can pop along please do - it's always a good visit with lots of goodies to tempt you for Christmas!

Sorry this is so rushed - why is it that I always leave things until the last minute!!

Oh I do like to be beside the sea side!

At Half Term Evie and myself went up to Great Yarmouth for a complete girly chill out with my dear friend Kate and her daughter Imogen.  It was fabulous to visit Cromer pier and be transported to the seaside holidays of my own childhood.

We had really good weather, even though the forecast was terrible.

And I always think fish 'n' chips taste much better when you eat them outside

in newspaper! Mmm my mouth is watering even as I write (just hold that picture!!)

The pier was fantastic.  I remember walking along as a child and going dizzy because you could see the

water underneath.  But why do those telescope things NEVER work!

I loved this photo with all the seagulls lined up.  Sorry it's a little blurred -

I think I was a little too excited!

Anyway on other things, the Artistree Exhibition is now in its second week at Weavers Gallery in Ledbury.

There's some lovely work there so, if you get a chance do go along and see it.

Plus, The Small Gallery in Hereford is showing Up Front's new work on Altered Books from now until

Christmas. You can find the Small Gallery at No. 1 Capuchin Yard,

Church Street, Hereford, HR1 2LR.

Two new friends!

Clarice loves to be in the garden and, apart from the flowers, her most favourite thing in the garden is the garden swing!

Her favourite colour is rose pink.

Polly, on the other hand, just LOVES to dance.

When she grows up she would like to be a professional dancer like Darcey Bussell

She likes to practice her twirls - but in private so you'll have to be looking VERY CAREFULLY if you want to see her actually do a twirl!

Should you wish to get to know these charming fairies they are available to buy via my website

www.corinnephillips.co.uk/page6.htm

Meet Mabel and Florence

Meet Mabel and Florence. They are little fairies housed in painted frames, measuring 10" x 4".

They are my latest creations which I am pretty pleased with if I say so myself!

They are made from tea dyed silk, vintage lace, silk ribbon and wire.

Mabel is dressed in pink and is 8" tall and I don't think she will grow any taller now.

Florence is partial to blue and cream with an Eau de Nil painted frame.

She is just a fraction taller than Mabel and is very fond of dancing.

Although they are part of one large family, as each is handmade they are unique.

I have put them up for sale here

 http://www.notmassproduced.com/product/6369643d36267069643d31313534/florence.htm

or http://www.notmassproduced.com/product/6369643d267069643d31313533/mabel.htm

Also, whilst writing, I would just like to thank everyone for their comments following my last post. It's great to know that you are out there and supporting me and it's renewed my faith in human nature!

Thanks again. xx

Nothing New Under the Sun

I recently received a very upsetting email from an artist I had previously admired. She accused me of copying her work and of featuring her work on my blog without her permission.

The piece that appeared on my blog I had recently purchased and wanted to share with you. I gave her full credit for the work and promoted an exhibition she was taking part in. At NO point did I take credit for it - and nor would I. If I should have asked her permission, this was an honest mistake for which I have apologised.

Those who know me know that I have always strived to follow my own vision and I would NEVER plagiarise another artists' work.

I am sorry to strike such a serious note here but my reputation as an artist is of utmost importance to me. I am very upset by these allegations and wanted to put the record straight.

And the winners are ...

First of all let me say how amazed I am at how many of you signed up for my newsletter this summer.

To ensure fair play I have uploaded the images of the prestigious ceremony taking place!

And well done to Andrea, Sarita and Linda. I will be contacting you shortly to arrange for delivery of your prize!

Kids are STILL on holiday! So will catch up properly with you all next week sometime!

Competition ends 1st September!

Just to remind everyone that if you wish to be in with a chance to win a set of Fairy Wings Postcards (value £5.95) just visit my website http://www.corinnephillips.co.uk/ and sign up to my newsletter. Three lucky people's names will be drawn out of a hat on 1st September which is the closing date of the competition.

On other news, thank you to the organisers of the Home Spun Fair in Portscatcho earlier this month. My daughter and I had a fabulous time - and it was great to meet up with Viv from Hens Teeth in person. The joy of blogging that it is like meeting up with old friends even though we've only corresponded via the blog! I did actually manage to lose my husband, son and older daughter. Well - you see - I needed to go into The Sea Garden - purely to ask directions to the Fair obviously - and OK I may have been a little longer than I'd said. So when Evie and I went to where the others were supposed to be - they were nowhere to be seen! Evie and I waited for 5-10 mins and then went up to the Village Hall - but we couldn't find them anywhere. So - what to do?! - well shop of course! And of course, a cup of tea and piece of cake to stem the worry!

We did eventually find them - they had taken the blow up dinghy and rowed over to the other beach and back - and no cross words were exchanged - honestly! Amazing!

Long time - no post!

Well I am just surfacing from my first week of the school holidays. Why is the weather so crap!

I thought I ought to touch base before we go on our Summer break to Cornwall. I am hoping to visit the Home Spun Fair - and let's hope the sun does manage to break through.

I think I've mentioned that Up-Front are currently doing an Altered Book challenge (which will hopefully be on show at The Small Gallery, Hereford in November/December). So I thought I'd share the latest book I've been working on. The theme was The Sea - and - with the holiday in mind - I chose to focus on bathing belles at the Beach. Probably wishful thinking!

I've also been experimenting with making a 3D fairy. She's coming along slowly and I'll publish photos shortly.

So, for everyone who's taking part in the Home Spun fair - good luck and hopefully see you there!

The Finished Article(s)

I thought I would upload the full set (so far) of "Washerwomen" that will be travelling up to Derby later in the month. Just got a bit of framing to do and then I'm all set for The Beetroot Tree! Hurrah!

Up-Front Exhibition, Derby

I have been busy working on new work for Up-Front's next exhibition. This will be at The Beetroot Tree in Derby from 25th July running until 6th September. The bras will be on show but this Exhibition will also include new work that the girls have been working hard on. We had our last meeting before the Summer on Wednesday and everyone's work looks stunning. I thought I would give you a sneak preview of my new work.

It is called "White Collar Work" and was inspired by finding men's detachable collars at a Flea Market earlier this year. I researched the history of the collars and this led me to look at laundry practices in our Grandmother's era. Whilst researching I came across a very old rhyme which goes:-

They that wash on Monday, have all the week to dry;

They that wash on Tuesday, are not so much awry;

They that wash on Wednesday, are not so much to blame;

They that wash on Thursday, wash for shame;

They that wash on Friday, wash in need

And they that wash on Saturday, Oh they are sluts indeed!

So this was the base for my White Collar Work.

It also led to my work with the Pegs - see the banner at the top of the page and I have

developed these into little characters. These are a work in progress but will also be on show at The Beetroot Tree.

So if you are in the Derby area please do pop in and see the Exhibition!

Hereford Craft Fair!

It was great to see so many of you at the Hereford Craft Fair on 13th June. The sun shone and it was a fantastic day! Thank you to those of you who came along and said hello and for all your positive comments. It's really good to get feedback and it makes such a difference to know that my efforts are appreciated!

I thought I would upload photos of the stall for those of you who were unable to get there. I will be doing other Markets throughout the summer and am back in Hereford on Saturday 12th December.

Over the next few days I will also be listing a few new items in my etsy store at http://www.corinnephillips.etsy.com/ for those of you who can't wait until then!

Barcelona!

We have just returned from our special wedding anniversary trip to Barcelona - without kids!!

What a lovely place it is - and so inspiring. I have come back with loads of ideas buzzing around in my head. Unfortunately I also have loads of washing to do which will have to come first - but not before I've posted to my blog!

We visited the Sagrada Familia which was stunning. I was particularly partial to all the text that was included and also found the funicular model especially inspiring. All those little bags of lead pellets - amazing. Then we went to Casa Battlo and Casa Mila.

The buildings are so decorative and the tiny shops with a whole host of goodies on display. It was lovely not to be met with the same old main brand shops - although as soon as we got home Ruby asked if there was a Top Shop or a New Look there! Whose child is she??!

Anyway it's good to be able to touch base with you - back to the real world now - ho hum!

Altered Book Exhibition

Most of you will know that I am a member of the Textile and Mixed Media Group Up-Front. We are currently working on new work that will be exhibited at The Beetroot Tree, Derby from 25th July - 6th September. But another exhibition we will be doing is an exhibition of Altered Books for The Small Gallery, Hereford around Christmas time. I don't know if you are familiar with the Altered Book genre. Each member of the Group has chosen a second hand book and a theme. The books travel from one member to the next for each to contribute their own interpretation of the theme. At the end we will all have a book full of the Group's gorgeous artwork.

Anyway I have just finished this month's book (pictured above) which belongs to Gilly Mound, the theme of which is "Where the Heart is" and I thought I would share it with you.

Hope you like it.

Greetings Cards

Well inspired by yesterday's visit to the Vintage and Handmade Fair, I have been making cards for my Craft Market in Hereford on 13th June. I've used bits of lace, ribbon, buttons and fabric I bought at the Fair and I'm really quite pleased with them.

Note to self though - photograph cards BEFORE putting them into sellophane envelopes. (You can't get the staff these days!)

Vintage and Handmade Fair II

I have had SUCH a LOVELY day today.

My daughter, Evie, and I went along to the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury. I have uploaded photos of the things that just HAD to come back home with us. How lovely are they!! Plus an added bonus we met loads of really lovely people - most of whom blogs I have visited this week!

The little turtle pin cushion was from The Washerwoman. We bought cards and an I Spy book from Cowboys and Custard. I bought a gorgeous bracelet for Evie from another stall - that I can't remember the name - with lovely sailing boats.

So thank you girls - I've had one of the best days ever.