Squirrel rug for Node at Design museum

Tuesday 26 February 2013

I was delighted to be asked by the fantastic Chris Haughton to contribute a design to his Rug project Node.
Node was set up as a non-profit social business. They make high quality hand-made hand knotted, fair trade carpets and will be for sale in the Design museum as part of Fair Trade Fortnight. You might recognize Chris Haughton, as he is an illustrator and author of wonderful collection of children's books... I Love them. - Oh no George, and A bit lost. see more here ttp://vegetablefriedrice.com/
here's a few pics of my rug being made.









 It's amazing how they make these images, I love this picture of the squirrels eyes emerging.  To see the final rug, they will be on show at the design museum as I have mentioned. see more events below.

NODE launch at the DESIGN MUSEUM



come to the public opening in the DESIGN MUSEUM all day on saturday or the kids workshop on sundayfor the launch party5th March 6-9.30pm in the Design Museum, London
Please come along to see the collection. There are a limited edition of 10 rugs by each of these amazing  artists.Beatrice Alemagna | Sanna Annukka | Lesley Barnes | Petra Borner | Chamo | Benji Davies | Chris Haughton | Clayton Junior | Jon Klassen | Micah Lidberg | Joe Magee | Geoff McFetridge | Neasden Control Centre | Patternity | Craig Robinson | Serge Seidlitz | Marcroy Smith | Kevin Waldron | Donna Wilson

In addition to the launch night, the collection is open to the public at the events below:

Fri 1st March

Design Overtime evening event in the gallery where the rugs are installed.Drinks and music in designmuseum after hoursChris Haughton will do a short talk (15-20min) about how the project happened

Sat 2nd March 

Gallery open all day 10-17.45Sun 3rd March Chris Haughton book launch and workshop for kids in the gallery alongside the rugs Come down for a reading of A Bit Lost, Oh No George and see the new fair trade puppets and toys.2.00-3.30pmFree with museum entrance. Booking not required.
designmuseum.org/families/workshops

Mon 4th March 

Pecha Kucha Night: Fair Trade theme -Where I will be talking about my work.

Talk is from 19.30 to 20.45. Drink afterwards until 21.30PAID EVENT Buy tickets here:designmuseum.org/talksTUESDAY 5th March 


Here's a vimeo of the making of the project http://vimeo.com/chrishaughton/node 

Beautiful shop- Alastair Hendy Homestore- Hastings

Thursday 21 February 2013

 A couple of weekends ago we visited Hastings, unfortunately it was too cold and wet to go to the sea side, but we did manage to visit this beautiful shop. I'd heard about it and wanted to visit for a while, and it didn't dissapoint.

 As we walked in from the cold, there was the smokey smell of burning coal, and it was like we'd just gone back in time.

 The whole shop was styled so well, full of hardware goods in neat lines and piles.

 As you wind your way through, past the glass jars, feather dusters and wooden brushes you get to a large stove at the back.This turns into a small 8 seater restaurant, where you literally sit in the kitchen.

 big block of bread and jam just in case you need a nibble.





 even the lovely staff's uniform looks like it is from the 1930's .
 I left with a metal sieve and a few bars of pure milt white soap- I loved it !

  1. AG Hendy & Co Home Store Kitchen
  2. 36 High Street,
  3. Hastings
  4. TN34 3ER
  5. 01424 447171
  6. http://www.homestore-hastings.co.uk



Creative creatures Donna Wison's kids activity book

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Yes, my kids activity book is out! I'm very excited. Published by Macmillan. It's a book full of different activities to do with your kids ( or on your own!) 
you can buy it from our web site here:
 but please support your local book store!

It is full of step by step activities for boys and girls aged 8 + 
some of the activities involve cutting and sticking paper, and some are a little more technical and use a needle and thread.



 This is one of our favourites- making a 'tidy up ' robot with house hold waste!
and a kite!
Each page has easy to follow steps, and lovely little colourful scenes- I really enjoyed making them! ...for a couple more behind the scenes have a look at  my other blog : http://birdieandbear.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/creative-creatures-kids-activity-book.html


ISBN 978-0-7534-3541-0