what katie did next...

What's in a name? Memories of a time gone by...

People often ask me why I called my business 'What Katie did next..." so I thought I would let you all know the background behind it.

When I was a little girl my passion for reading was ignited. I loved to read, and read, and read. I loved fiction, always wondering what would happen next, my favourites included Enid Blyton stories, Nancy Drew, Little Women and many more.

However, when I came across What Katy did and What Katie did next by Susan Coolidge these soon became my firm favourites. I read them time and time again, never tiring of Katy's exploits.

I have moved house many times throughout my life, subsequently losing my copies of these books, so imagine my delight when I happened to come across this the other day in a vintage shop:

 
This copy was published in 1918, beautiful isn't it? I love the fact it's been handled by so many people, it's aged beautifully.

 
This whole page was dedicated to the publisher's plate, beautifully illustrated isn't it?

 

So, why did I choose "What Katie did next..."?

Simply because, for me, it was the name that conjures up memories of a time gone by, an expectation of what would happen in the future, and the next chapter of my life!

Have a great day!

My new studio... is well on it's way!

For those of you who follow this blog (and I'm always amazed by how many do) you'll know that I laid claim to the 'little' room of the house a few weeks ago after moving Oscar, our youngest, into George's room. The transition has gone unbelievably well apart from the early morning wakings, both seem to enjoy waking the other up!

My studio however, has developed rather more slowly than their room-sharing bond! Trying to find the time between being a mum of two, a wife, teaching three days per week (which of course includes the planning and marking), and fulfilling all of the What Katie did next... comissions and orders, I don't seem to find the time to organise my working space. 

Except... I knew I had a photoshoot in my studio this morning, so of course this weekend I have spent every spare second in here trying to tidy, if not beautify! So, I thought I'd share some of my little snaps of the room, now that it's up and running.

I've been determined from the start to try to find a place for everything. I've not succeeded yet as I haven't got all my fabric in here, but I am well on the way. I've surrounded myself with things I love, things that inspire me and my work.

You can see here that my pin board is now covered with 'things', some of them are of the utmost importance, and some are merely there to make me feel happy.

I'm really glad I chose this desk from Ikea because look:

  
When I need my laptop I can put it here, and when I don't, I can put it here...

My two main sewing machines, which are usually a pain to store, go here...

and here...

I have everything to hand, and absolutely love the feeling I get when I look at this...

I can't believe I have all of my threads in colour order and not getting tangled up!

I also love this...

and of course, my wall of inspiration...

I'm not sure how to organise these yet, perhaps by colour, theme or size...

Have a great day!
  
 
 
  

I found a little inspiration whilst on holiday - would you like to see?

I have developed a fantastic relationship with my camera over the past few years; I have found it has replaced my sketchbook at many times, especially with two young children, as these days I cannot sit down for twenty minutes at a time to sketch an idea out.

Whilst away, I saw many things that inspired me. One of my favourites was when I spotted a range of Fishing Nets whilst out on a walk. I loved the colours and textures together and you can probably see how well they'll translate into Textile pieces...

 
Aren't the colours fabulous? I have always loved juxtaposition, or opposites, the rough texture of rusty iron against the nylon twine, the old against the new.

 
  Here, we found an old door, it was very small and it was very hidden. It reminded me of the paper cuts I have been looking at, but in many ways it's the opposite because it has been carved and has obviously lasted for century's.

These rubber rings, perhaps bungee's? were also near the boats, I found them in piles, but my favourites were when they were threaded onto a rope.

And, this one was George's favourite find with my camera! I don't think I need to explain why...

I took 1,356 photo's whilst away, in 7 days... I'm so glad there's a way to store them all without having to get them printed out, aren't you?

Have a great day!
 
 

A pinboard, my very own pinboard, a huge moodboard all of my own!

When I went to Uni, the first time (Fashion Degree), we all had a station to work at, and had a huge pinboard.

I loved my pinboard. I would spend hours looking for inspirational images to put on my pinboard. I looked after it like nothing else, remember, I was a student! I used to sit and stare at it,( when I wasn't in the refectory eating a chocolate muffin) and dream up all sorts of ideas, all inspired by my collection of images.

Ever since then (we're talking a long time now) I have remembered how I felt about my pinboard, and yearned for that feeling, honestly!! So, can you imagine the pure joy I felt when I was able to order one for my new creative space; not only did I order one, but it is huge! and... I put it up myself (not without problems I may add - why don't they ever put the right wall-plugs in these kits?)

It doesn't look very interesting does it? 

But, within a few minutes, I had transformed it to this...

Obviously a work in progress, but there, that's much better isn't it?

And, in the centre of it is the What Katie did next... moodboard, so I can always be reminded of the What Katie did next... brand!

I'll keep you posted about the rest of my creative space journey...

Have a great day!
 

Lavender Blue... taking a little inspiration from nature

Apparently, the area in which we live in South London used to be the world capital for growing Lavender. I remember as a child driving through the south of France for what seemed like days, surrounded by fields of lavender and poppies, so I naturally assumed this was a 'french thing'.  Then I got to thinking about a field we drive past every year, covered in the richest purple you'll see.

In this field people are encouraged to walk through it, but not to pick it, as there are bunches of lavender and a range of products such as lavender oil for sale. 

About a mile away from this field, we went to a group of allotments, where all of the unused ones have been planted up with lavender, and people are encouraged to go along to 'pick your own'. It's not quite so pretty (definitely not picturesque), but it was great fun and there was a real sense of community between the people who went along.

Here'smy eldest directing me to "the best"...

So when we got home, we had a little bunch of lavender, well actually, it was more like a big bunch!

So, it ended up here...

 
 
In a little old tin jug! It didn't stay on the summerhouse decking though, as I'm drying it out so I can make some lavender bags as gifts!

Have a great day!

A little inspiration...

People often ask me where I get my ideas from. It's a very hard question to answer, it can be a colour combination or a texture, a piece of fabric or something someone says. However, one of the consistent places I get ideas from is nature, and often in our little back garden.

My favourite flowers are Peonies, I love the way they start as very tight buds that literally blossom into billowing beauties (try saying that after a few G&T's!)

So this year I decided to capture the glory of our peonies with my camera.

That was two weeks ago, and this was today...

Beautiful isn't it? What a shame they don't last for long.

Whilst in the garden, I came across an Allium that I don't remember planting, a very happy suprise as I love their sculptural forms. I did have one in another area of the garden but my husband accidentally trod on it last year whilst trying to trim our very tall hedge. So when I found this today I was extremely happy - it's not out in full bloom yet, but I can tell it's going to be a beauty!

The last picture I am showing you has very emotional connotations, as it's a rose that was from my husbands late Nan's garden.  She very sadly passed away just before we were married, almost six years ago, and is very missed. I feel by having this rose in our garden, we still have a little part of her with us. 

Each winter I pray it will be ok, and so far, touch wood it has! I love the colours, they are so clean and work so well together, particularly with variety of green foliage and the french lavender in the background.

So often I find myself sitting on the decking of our summerhouse, or looking out of our french windows, and see a set of colours that make me want to capture them in a drawing, painting, photograph or textile picture. Sometimes, that's all it takes and I can come up with ideas for weeks on end. This is just one of my many inspirations...

I'd love to know what inspires others, what does it for you? If you're feeling brave, please let me know...
 
Have a great day!