www.ClareCatherineKelly.co.uk

Pass the Pattern

clarecatherinekelly — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:26:56 +0000

It’s no secret I love knitting.

If you do too, come over and join me at my new blog, Pass the Pattern

Thanks to Ok-Jo for making this for me

I might also talk about sewing. It’s like a virtual stash of all the things I love about craft.

I will still be blogging on here too and will be updating my portfolio page with new pieces of work – so don’t run away.

Warming up with woollens

clarecatherinekelly — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:01:50 +0000

January is not fun. But what it lacks in compassion, it makes up for in warm, fuzzy knits.

It might be chilly outside but it’s at this time of year that you can’t escape knitwear and quite frankly, who wants to?

As you’ll know I write quite a bit about craft and I’ve been lucky enough to work on features for Knitting magazine – meeting and interviewing amazing craftspeople.

I discovered the secret hero of the cult film Twilight was none other than Ruth Cross a designer based in Wiltshire who fashioned a pair of mittens which, as it turns out, turned up (without her knowledge) in the film worn by the lead character, Bella.

Read about it here

The ice cap cometh

In other knitting news, you might have read about the Icelandic Women’s Association and their latest challenge – to hand knit enough caps for all babies born in Iceland over the next 12 months. It’s estimated to be more than 5,000! Each cap comes with a card revealing who made the cap and what Association she belongs to and it’s hoped that this activity will raise awareness of the group and highlight their skills.

The Iceland Review wrote about the piece and it was picked up by the press here too. I’m not sure how many babies are born in the UK each year but maybe the Icelandic Women’s Association has thrown down the gauntlet for our Women’s Institutes?

Show us your tats

I love making things but it’s quite unlikely that I will get a tattoo of a sewing machine. Having said that, thanks to a recent tweet by Sam Baker, editor of Red Magazine – I discovered that there are some serious hardcore knitters out there who have got themselves inked up for the cause.

Run and have a look over at Holy Kaw

And yet there’s more Rock and Roll to come…

A gem of an outfit

Marina and the Diamonds star Marina Diamandis has been wearing the most beautiful strawberry encrusted handknit made by Norwegian designer, Fam Irvoll (whose work I talked about in Sew Hip magazine).

It is such a lovely piece that I just had to get a picture of it, so thanks to Lauren Martin at Blow for sending one to me.

Strawberries and cream – perfect summer partners

And it goes to show that knits are not just for winter. Sod the strawberries and cream at Wimbledon, these are the only strawberries I want.

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside…

clarecatherinekelly — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:12:00 +0000

You know a while ago I wrote about the top ten handmade gifts? Well, there was one I just had to have! It was a seed marker made by Esther Coombs
So, I decided to proposition her and see if she might be up for a little trade and to my joy, she was! I’d noticed that she seemed to be quite fond of Poole Pottery and as I had some pretty pieces, I asked if she’d like them in exchange for the seed marker.
This was great on two counts – one, no cash swapped hands and two, I knew the pieces I sent to her would go on to live a life of their own.
That was a month or two ago and I’d almost forgotten about it until I popped in to Hidden Art at The Truman Brewery and went and said hello to Esther and my friend Snowden Flood.

And then something caught my eye! Look what my Poole Pottery has become! It’s lovely to think that something I found will go on to a new home and be loved by someone who by all accounts, must love cake.

ooh you little gem!

Visit the SoupaMarket!

clarecatherinekelly — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:54:15 +0000

For lots of lovely handmade gifts

Just over a month to go

clarecatherinekelly — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:39:34 +0000

You know what I’m talking about so don’t try and hide.

I’ve been getting a little of the festival flavour for some time now, writing features in summer which are just now out in the Christmas issues – my portfolio page features the latest ones.

You’ll see below that I’ve also been working with Kalimocho again finding the prettiest handmade gifts. What with this and all the delicious cupcake ‘testing’ I did for them before, I can’t really complain can I?

http://www.kalimocho.co.uk/handmade-gift-ideas-for-christmas

A creative Christmas

clarecatherinekelly — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:23:10 +0000

One of each for me please

Each year, my sisters ask me if I’ve made a Christmas list yet. This normally happens at the end of October – maybe this happens to you too? If it does, you might be interested in the feature I’m working on for Kalimocho. It’s the cream of creativity showcasing the prettiest top ten handmade gifts from independent makers and designers. Above, are a selection of the products I’ll be talking about – Isak bread board from Illustrated Living, purse from Laura Fallulah and necklace made by All Those 3hrees at Green Rewards.

The feature will be live in a couple of weeks so keep checking back to see what the other goodies I’ve found.

You spin me right round

clarecatherinekelly — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:19:13 +0000

Today I went to the National Trust’s Killerton House to meet the Devon Guild of Spinners and try my hand at this handicraft. I’m currently writing a piece for Knitting magazine about the resurgence of spinning so it was great to have a go.
Of course, my results were not amazing but I was allowed to take home the yarn I’d spun which is affectionately known as ‘Art Yarn.’ What that actually means is that it is lumpy, bumpy and misshapen!

I’ve put some of the pics of my day on Flickr. Eyes right to have a peek.

I only ask the most important questions

clarecatherinekelly — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:47:21 +0000

Do I seem a little lazy? I do apologise – I’ve been meaning to put my latest work up for a while now and I’m only just getting round to it. I blame Twitter (see top right).

Give me five minutes and then mosey on over to the portfolio section of my site and you should be able to see my most recent features which includes one on England rugby star, Danny Care for WestSide magazine. You can see him below courtesy of the fantastic photographer, Chris Bissell who shot him for the cover while the interview was taking place.

He's scrumbelievable

It might seem a bit nosy but I really wanted to know who washes his muddy kit (and I’m sure you do too) so have a look here

Never say never

clarecatherinekelly — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:15:51 +0000

I said I’d never join Facebook, get a Blackberry or sign up to Twitter. So it’s no surprise that I’ve now signed up to Twitter. At the moment, I’m editing veg pics for a feature on Doddington Hall’s kitchen garden. Just so you know.
Stalk me at SoManyNicknames and we can compare pet names.

Just add milk

clarecatherinekelly — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:03:45 +0000

Tip me up and pour me out

Local magazine Living South was kind enough to feature a product from Pogostick Pie in its August issue.
Here is our lovely floral jug basking in the limelight. We haven’t finished making the website yet but if you want to see a selection of our vintage china, have a look here.