Festival of Britain, great memories all round!

We've just spent a super day down at the Seaside, the South Bank version that is, enjoying the Festival of Britain anniversary celebrations.  Most of the time was spent lying about in the sand, which is the kind of thing  you do with a five year old!

 We went with friends and bumped into more friends and had a proper picnic!

The hand made bunting flapping in the wind added to the holiday spirit.  Apparently of record breaking length it was all made by the schools and community groups of Southend-on-Sea.

We did get the chance to walk around the fantastic roof garden on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall.  I loved the painted beds of the 'allotment'.
On the lower level, Stanley was drawn to Ben Kelly's Enclosure, happy to climb up the dry stone walls again and again and again.

  I loved the contrast of all that urban concrete towering over this great little homage to the British countryside.

As we were on a mission to get to the beach, we only caught glimpses of many other things, including the giant Urban Fox, but I'm sure we'll be back to discover more very soon.

Dishoom is also joining in the festivities from May 13th, so it won't be a picnic next time, I'll be in there like a shot if I have my way!

 

The highlight of the day for me was flying down the wonderful, high speed Helter Skelter. It brought back many a fond memory of childhood days spent with the family in Clifton Park, Rotherham.  I couldn't resist showing this video of us being hurled out at the bottom!

 

It was also nice to discover that, Yorkshire lass and old family friend,
Clare Cumberlidge curated the Land areas plus a couple of the art installations. Thanks to Brenda (her lovely mum) for the tip off.  I haven't seen Clare for ages, but it's down to her that I ended up in London in the first place, twenty one years ago.  I took over her rented room in the attic of an amazing family house in Highbury for just £150 a month!  I ended up staying there for three years during my RCA days and had a ball.

Happy days!

Cornwall 2011

Cornwall 2011, originally uploaded by Helen Rawlinson.

I hope everyone had as nice a Easter as we did. A few days away in Rock, Cornwall. Body surfing, ferry trips, fish and chips and egg hunting on the hills.

Stanley also got a present from me.  His special cuddly, Baxter goes with him everywhere.  It's always a bit of a panic as we sometimes forget to bring him along (and we've got a spare one just in case we lose him!)
So I printed a 2D version for him for an extra cuddle whenever he's not around. Nice setting for a photo shoot I thought, if only the model would stay still and stop mucking about!
Back to school tomorrow and work mode kicks in once more, well for a couple of days anyway!

A Special Place.

So how did I get to be listening to Tina Turner whilst screen printing away in Ibiza?

It all came about from a chance meeting at The Make Lounge back in January.  Mark came to one of my print workshops.  He'd moved out to Ibiza five years ago, having fallen in love with the place whilst on holiday.  Now he has two of his own holiday villas to rent out all year round.
Inspired by local enthusiasm for his upholstery and sewing workshops, Mark's big idea was to provide a creative retreat for holiday makers and offer a week of easy starter workshops including, you guessed it ..screen printing!
Well at this point, I thought he might want some help, so I willingly offered!

A few months later, we packed our bags and off we went.......
And what a fantastic time we had.  The weather was gorgeous, scenery beautiful and Mark was the perfect host.  His little hideaway in the North of the island has been a real labour of love and it looks like it's finally coming together with a sucession of summer bookings underway. His partner Carl, whom he originally met on the island (then later by chance on Oxford Street of all places!), also has an apartment in San Antonio for rent, so they've got the whole relax/rave scene covered!

We stayed in the upstairs apartment...it's all very light and spacious, dotted with a miss-match of quirky furniture and carboot finds, plus a  patchwork collection of upholstery pieces from the man himself.  Freshly picked, wild flowers beckoned us into every room.  It was such a nice welcome after the nightmare car hire affair at the airport (don't book with Centauro whatever you do!)

 

  

  

 

Love these tiles in the bathroom

After a quick tour of the manor it soon became apparent that Mark's love of upholstery was ever present both inside and out.  Stanley was soon engaged in a fantasy land of goldilocks and the three bears as he jumped from one grand chair to another!

A lovely spot in the sunshine

The snug, a happy hang out for us all!

Big and Small

Our print day was spent making pillow cases to welcome future guests and after lunch in the local restaurant just a hop, skip and jump away...we had fun making some sun set style bunting.....

Getting ready to print.

Patchwork wonders!

Poc a Poc looks on

A BIG scissor collection

 

.........well it is the island of sunsets after all!

 Over time Mark has become well know for salvaging stray bits of furniture and giving them a new life, so much so that he often finds the odd chair parked outside his back yard, left by a passing friend.

Abandoned chairs with lots of potential!

Who's been sleeping in my chair?

A happy man in his own back yard.  I won't show you the whole picture or he might kill me!

Stanley had a ball, not only with the girls that were staying downstairs, but with everyone and everthing he encountered on the island.  Poc a Poc and the cats were the icing on the cake and the drumming session at the local beach was another highlight for my little lad.  He also spent some special time with his dad, while I was printing away with Mark and finding out all the local gossip.

Morning coffee, on the soon to be laid lawn (next full moon!)

The most gentle of dogs, Poc a Poc

 

 

  

Walking home after an evening stroll

Exploring the wild northern coastline

 

 

A special moment for Stanley

The perfect out of season retreat!

We wish you well Mark and I'm sure we'll be back.  I think the idea of having mini workshops out there is a great idea for the future and can't wait to see what's new next time we go!

A Sunday treat, we all piled in the van to go to the local car boot.  More finds!

Well you need something to put all those flowers in!

A beautiful walk, right outside the gate

So if you fancy a simple, relaxing break in a beautiful spot..here's where you'll find it.

Thanks Mark! xxxxx

It all goes so fast!

Well we had a ball in Ibiza!  I'll get a chance to write about it soon, but for now, just a dreamy pic or two, to remind me it actually happened...

 

 and our sweet new friend Mark..

A Mad Week

Attending my lovely friend's hag/fag do on Saturday was the start of it all, then all week I've been catching up, finishing and packing orders before my little escape to Ibiza.  A sort of worky holiday which I can hopefully, happily tell you all about when I get back!