Merry Christmas!

This will be my last post before the big day so I just wanted to say Merry Christmas - I hope everyone has a lovely, peaceful christmas & a very happy new year! I only started this blog ( well my daughter types it for me!) at the beginning of this year but it has been a real pleasure to do & get to know other bloggers & like-minded people through this so thankyou to all my lovely followers & everyone who has taken the time to look. Here are a few last festive pictures .... lots of love Sharon! x

Christmas Workshop!

Good morning from a very chilly Chelmsford! Here are some photos of the Christmas Workshop Helena and I held a couple of weeks ago. Appliqued book covers and little bird heart decorations were created, (all of which looked very lovely) as well as the devouring of mince pies, carrot cake and mulled wine! Thanks so much to everyone that came and joined in with the festivities despite the weather. To see more photos please go to the facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharon-Blackman-Textiles/128057207253783?v=wall

More festivities!

Things are finally beginning to wind down for the christmas break & I am very much looking forward to getting cosy & watching some good christmas films! -Here are a few more festive pictures for you!

Facebook!

I now have a page on facebook which my daughter has set up for me - please take a peek & 'like' my page! - It will have regular updates of workshops & new work - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharon-Blackman-Textiles/128057207253783?v=wall

This little carol singer is entitled 'gloria.'

Snow days..

I've been enjoying the snow days cuddled up inside the house! - It's a shame about the disruption it causes though - I've had to postpone a christmas workshop & cancel a cafe art group with disabled people - all in the last few days! - It's inspiring me to do more christmas card designs though...

A while ago I was given the remnants of an old patchwork quilt. The tree in this picture is made from a piece of it & I call it 'silent night'.

Happy hoildays...

Here are a few more christmas designs to get you in the mood! I have been doing a big order of cards for a post office on the Isle of Arran & they asked me if I could do a highland cow ! - I have been doing a lot of festive critters at the moment & I saw a very cute hedgehog this afternoon & am very tempted...!

Christmas designs

It really is a blustery autumn day today isn't it? - Not that I'm complaining - I love it! Here are a few cosy christmas designs ...

Blackthorpe Barn...

Next weekend I will be having a stall at Blackthorpe Barn - I've never done it before but it looks really exciting! It has a strict hand-made only policy so should be great for buying some unique gifts for christmas. I will be there 13-14th of November 10am-5pm so please come along & say hello!

Christmas designs

Here are a few new christmas designs - the trees were inspired by Sanna Annuka - an illustator whose work I love!

This little carol singer is really both my daughters when they were very young!

New creations...

Here are some of the new pictures I have been working on. - The sunflowers were actually a commission for someone & the apples I was inspired to do from all the apples I've been cooking with lately - I just love them for apples cake, pies & crumble & thought that they are particularly seasonal!

Wonderful world

Here's a picture to make you feel autumnal & cosy! It's entitiled 'wonderful world.'

More on my workshop...

I had a really good time at the Leigh-on sea Handmade & Vintage fair on saturday & surprisingly, sold a lot of christmas cards - I'm working on some new christmas designs at the moment which I will post on here as soon as I finish! It was lovely yet again to meet lots of new people & some people asked about my workshops - the next folk art workshop is on the 9th of November at Writtle Village Hall.

Workshop!

Hi everyone, hope you're all enjoying the autumn weather - I love it! I can't resist all the browns & golds & that lovely autumn smell in the air. It makes me think of harvest festivals & misty morning - here is a picture inspired by just that!

Just to let you know... I will be doing a workshop on 5th Oct at Writtle Village Hall... We'll be making zip-up purses & pouches with quirky little details on them. You do need to book for this one though as numbers are limited - please drop me a line at robblackman@mac.com if you would like to come!

Print & Pattern blog!

My work is appearing today on the design blog 'Print & Pattern.' It is a highly subscribed blog which celebrates the world of surface pattern & as a regular follower, I am somewhat thrilled to have my work on! Take a look at www.printpattern.blogspot.com

Could I just say........

I am at this minute watching Jamie Cullum at the proms - for the third time - I recommend it to anyone, it's very inspirational and beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iShLqxUAZmI

Feeling a bit Christmassy?!

Here's one of my new Christmas designs I've been working on, I've a few more coming up - glad the evenings are feeling a bit autumny to put me in the mood.

I will have a stand at the Leigh-on-sea Vintage & Handmade Fair on the 18th of September, starts at 10.00. - The last one was a truly lovely event, wonderfully organised by Anna Cooper. Try & get along if you can!

The following week, I have a stand at 'Village Green' at Chalkwell Park, Southend which I'm also looking forward to.

'english breakfast'

'homemade cake'

'blue flowers'

'luscious cherries'

Sorry it's been a while... but here's some more pictures - some new ones I've been working on, one or two oldies.

The picture of the dog is 'Diesel' & belongs to my friend Georgina - he is huge & gives the sloppiest kisses you can imagine! - This is one of my most popular christmas card designs.

Not forgetting the loveliest cat Nellie - she is my daughter Alie's cat & has been a huge blessing to our family!

I have just been adding lots of new artwork to my Etsy shop - please take a look at www.etsy.com/shop/sharonblackman. Enjoy!

'sweet memories'
'strawberry delight'
'romantic'
'gifted'
'cupcakes & flowers'

It's been a busy week at the Country Living Spring Fair - here's a small snapshot of what my stand looked like. - Please excuse the poor quality of the image, it was taken on my mobile as in the complete chaos of the fair I kept on forgetting my camera! It has been a fun & sucessful week, thanks to everyone who came & said hello!

It's finally here! - The Country Living Spring Fair is taking place this week at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. I will be exhibiting my original pieces of textile artwork & a big range of cards at stand no.G25, located next to the Yorkshire Tea Room. My daughter Georgia Coote, will also be exhibiting a selection of her vintage button jewellery. Please come along & take a look, we look forward to seeing you there!

Here is a small sample of some of my spring/summer inspired pictures.