Sunset :)

Once upon a time 4 years ago I decided to challenge my creative side and set upon embroidering my own clothes. The first task at hand was to choose the fabric I will use. The 16 year old me chose a loud and bold, shocking pink coloured cotton.  As this was my first challenge, I chose a not so complicated design. I contemplated over the colour scheme for a while and decided upon more of a sunset colour scheme. So this was pinks, yellow and oranges, for a more bold and daring colour I chose some sequins which had a dark background and were irradiated by light. I found a nice sunset coloured skein, which fitted in perfectly with my colour theme! I had a quite simple design printed on to the fabric I intended to use as a guideline (and if you look carefully the stains of the ink can still be seen on the fabric in some places). As my embroidery skills were limited at that time, I chose to use the skein for some chain stitching and also to add colour to the circle of the flowers and found some gold coloured petal cut-out shapes which I would use to make a flower around the embroidered circle of the flowers. The sequins were used to add more emphasis on the stems and leaves. I started off with this...

As the photo shows the sequins are illuminated by light, the little gold petals you can see are not only pretty but also pretty easy to sew on. I chose for a more simple design and again more simple haberdashery as this was my first attempt at embroidering. Although I had chain stitched before this, I had little experience of other stitching I could do. Therefore, I opted to use prettier haberdashery and put the haberdashery in the limelight! This was the result...

As the years have passed so has the colour of the haberdashery I used. But I suppose I could still keep the clothes as an achievement if nothing else :-] below are some more photos of the embroidery, including some up close shots which show the little details. Let me know what you think of it, any comments for improvements are also welcomed!

Chain stitching is a stitch which I was taught at school, in Textiles. However, the stitching we were taught in Textiles was limited; this was because we were taught other techniques such as quilting and stencil printing alongside stitching. For my Textile GCSE I made a wall hanging, for which I used a variety of techniques as well as a variety of haberdashery. I have set myself other little challenges, such as making patches for a patchwork cushion. You’ll be pleased to know I have since brushed up on my skills ;-p

*All the above images are owned by Tutu's and Glitter, unless otherwise stated*

Aboriginal Art

Sitting back in the Art class, I took an instant interest in 'Aboriginal Art'. At the tender age of 13, this was just a new concept in my yet developing dictionary. However, it seemed to interest me. Learning about aboriginal art, started off with defining 'Aborigine'. Sounds boring and not very alarming to a 13 year old, but I took an instant likeliness to the subject. I learnt how aboriginal art is based on a foreign culture. To develop our understanding, we watched a film. Watching a film at school was always an exciting and rare occasion. However, this sometimes depends on the genre of the film we would have been watching. The film we were put in front of was called Rabbit Proof Fence. 

The film gave a really moving picture of the suffering faced by people of the Aboriginal culture. The title of the film refers to to a 1,500 mile fence separating outback desert from the farmland of Western Australia. Three young girls have been taken from their mothers and and transported to a training school, with the purpose of being trained as domestic staff. this assimilation program is governed by a racist Government policy of which the purpose was to assimilate coloured people into a white society. The girls were taken as they were deemed 'half-caste' - they had one black parent and one white. The film depicts the struggle of  the girls in escaping the training school and getting back to  their mothers. After seven weeks and an eighteen hundred kilometer journey, they reach home. It is a moving and emotional recollection of the events which took place in the 1930's, it captures the harsh reality of the events which took place. 

Moving on, the aboriginal culture is displayed well in this film and gives a further insight to the culture. The purpose of watching this film was to depict the culture portrayed in it. The art of the aborigine culture is simplistic yet tremendous. 

From learning the culture of aborigines, we were to portray our own picture using the technique followed by the aborigines. The simple technique they used to display they're creativity was creating painting using small dots. In order to do this in the 21st century we used the top of our paintbrushes but in the 1930's twigs, fibres and finger tips were used. This portrayed the depth of their creativity, as they used simple everyday objects to create something which was so imaginative. The colours they used came from grinded natural extracts such as Ochre, which gave them Red, Orange, Dark Purple and Brown colour. Ochre was found naturally in rock stained by iron. Furthermore, Yellow came from mixing clay, or collecting pebbles which contained a Limonite stained form of Kaolin. Black came from charcoal, which was mixed with Kaolin to create Grey. Finally, Dark Green was made from plant colourings. 

The purpose of highlighting the technique used by the aborigines,  is to display the level of creativity in people in the 1930's. All the products used in those days were natural and most likely had little cost. Whereas today in order to create a painting you build up costs. You have to purchase durable paper, if not a canvas and then paint and paintbrush. Something sooo simplistic yet soo creative and unique. If we went back to using the techniques used in those days, not only would we have a project on our hands to pass the dull and wet days , we would also save! 

Holidays :)

The burden of results day has finally been lifted, I am now on an official break away from uni for 2 and a half months. Waheyy! I have soo much paperwork to do before second year begins and have loads of ideas as to how to spend my holidays. During the holidays i am hoping to get in touch with my creative side and do some more embroidery, I will keep you updated with photo's. In the meantime, i am reading some more books and hope to update more regularly...keep in touch :) x

Pretty things

Pretty things are rare, so i tend to grab my camera at the very first sight of something I would call pretty. Although there is probably a wider definition of pretty, my definition of pretty is something which is sparkly, delicate and is an eye opener, a 'must have' in other words.

Due to my girly girl tendencies, I have some very pretty things around me. Most of these are little details, but make a huge overall change to the atmosphere around me. In addition my deep love for pink, tends to overrule the colour of my atmosphere. Pink is a calm yet bubbly colour which can -At times- turn out to be something tacky or yet soo cute and classy!

Firstly, these are mirrored butterfly cut outs, which brighten up my white and boring bedside table and chest of drawers. They come in a set of 5, and are a must have to brighten up those boring drawers.  Although they are a small detail to the room overall, they change the whole atmosphere of the room. From having something boring and white, the mirrored butterflies have set an aroma of their own. However, they are not pink! As they are mirrored the reflection of daylight usually brightens them up.

Pretty aren't they? 

On the subject of butterflies, I have a pink butterfly garland which hangs near my walk in wardrobe. Although it is a garland, and garlands can even come in the form of paper garland, the delicate design on this is so unique. The colour of the garland was not only my favourite, but the garland runs in shades of pink, there's even a few white butterflies in there somewhere. 

Too pretty to ignore! 

As you can see the close up of the butterflies show's the design on the wings. Although these are only painted on, the fine detail of the paint design are really inspiring. They fit my criteria as an arty farty lover. I mean, if the shoe fits, why not?

P.s Not everything pink is pretty :-P

*All the above images are owned by Tutu's & Glitter unless otherwise stated*

I can see the Rainbow

I came across something which speaks colour, it is a sophisticated yet bold idea. I love how it also unites the ladies together and it is ever sooo pretty.

Photo taken from blogs.dexknows.com

       

Although it is a simple idea, it is soo elegant and the bridesmaids carry the outfits really well. If you look closer you can see how the sari's are all of the same design, but different colours. The detail of the embroidery on the sari's cannot be justified by the photo's, but looks really simple from afar. I bet the bridesmaids brightened the bride's day. I'm still in awe...

The postponed post...

You could say i'm an arty farty person, i enjoy drawing and colouring landscapes (boring aren't I?). I tend to draw anywhere and everywhere :-P so bare with me. Most of what i draw are usually designs for creative ideas or Henna designs. The corners of my lecture notes are usually brightened up with henna designs and creative lettering. So some of my photo's are usually small and awkwardly placed. But needless to say, good to look at ;-) Not only does a Henna cone work, a pen is equally as good. So I not only pen Henna designs on paper, but tend to adorn the hands of family & friends with Henna. Enough of the small talk, down to the real work...

An off the page Henna design, draw amongst my notes

A page at the back of my notebook dedicated to doodles

Some more doodling :-]

The work of a Henna cone, makes a change from the pen :-P

A little design on myself :)

This is a hobby of mine and gives me a break away from the world, i just love how peaceful life can be when you only have a pen and paper in front of you. i am hoping to advance my skills during my break from uni, more photo's to follow :) x

* All of the above images are owned by Tutu's & Glitter unless otherwise stated *

Birthday Updates

 As the title say's this post will be about the birthday celebrations. Although it was a hectic and loud day, it wasn't to be short of hiccups. With kids running riot and loads of napkins at bay. It wasn't planned to be a big do, just a low key event so there was a total of 3 families invited, and plenty of kids. By the end of the day the balloons had been popped, other than the few the kids had saved to take home with them. Thank god we didn't have party poppers, that would have been the last straw! There's plenty of pictures, from which i'll share with you a few. 

We made a pyramid of marshmallows...

And some Fruit Kebabs...

A picture perfect table!  :)

The waiting game ends!

Looking good
P.s What's with the box? x

Finally, it's cake time :) Want some?

The cake was pretty in pink, and was really big (20" x 20", the photo doesn't do justice) Instead of having candles, we got some numbered sparklers, it avoided the cake being spat on by the kids who would have joined in with blowing the candles out!  Unfortunately, they got there before me :( I couldn't get a picture of the food table, as they'd all dived in before i came back with the camera :( Overall, it was a fun and loud day and to finish it off there's plenty of cake for seconds. Who doesn't want more cake ;-) x

P.s Thought I'd share with you all the Birthday girl's mismatched earrings, cute aren't they? x

* All of the above images are owned by Tutu's & Glitter unless otherwise stated *

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee :-s

This is going to be a short post....Although i gave you all a clue as to the subject of the next post, it might just have to be postponed. As the nation celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, we will be celebrating our very own Queenies Birthday!  

Since it's her 14th and pretty last minute plan, we're opting for a more low key event. Being the baby of the family she's having the whole balloon and banners :-] so there's always plenty to do! Anyway should get back to party preps will update soon, with pictures from the party. Don't forget to wish her a Happy Birthday :) x

P.s HAPPY BIRTHDAY XXXX

It's all about colour :)

Hey all, seen as this is my first post I thought i'd give you all an insight into the kind of stuff you'll find in my blog.  Firstly, as you've seen from the 'About Me' section, I LOVE colour. I am keen to explore colour and have an eye for creations. On a day with grey clouds, colour lights up my life, does it do the same for you? 

In the future i hope to share with you creative henna designs and creative interiors. I enjoy arts and crafts, thus put into practice my knowledge. I'll leave a little clue as to the subject of my next post...

Follow me and enjoy your not so bright days :) x