Have you noticed a recent catwalk trend for large chunky cuffs? Everyone from Michelle Obama to SJP and ever stylush Johnny Depp thats why I have been so excited to show you the beautiful work of one of my newest Guest Designers ~ Megan and Mona.

Based in the Welsh capital, the seamstress behind Megan and Mona is a costumerier by day turning her hand at night to crafting in the most intricate detail hand embroidered cuffs, corsets and belts (coming soon)!
I think you will agree they are stunning! Do take a look at the entire collection.

www.extinctdesign.co.uk/meganandmona

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Number 60

This weekend was the exhibition of the 100 t-shirts by JazzCakes, where 100 artists were handed a t-shirt and a number and the freedom to “do what you will”

Above is a picture of my offering.

Number: 60 ~ The flow of life.

I have taken the number 60 as two separate entities as well as the combined number sixty.

6 in numerology is the number of love and harmony, the upside of the all powerful number 9. The yin to the yang. The love of life. The perfection of love.

0 represents the symbol of eternity the ever perfect circle of life.

We experience so many things  by our 60^th birthday, we will have collected up many stories, situations and beliefs; catching them in the fine mesh of our own understandings, deepening our beliefs and occasionally clogging up our mind creating blockages if not dealt with.

The piece I have created incorporates the original framework of the T-shirt, using the net to indicate with its thousands of holes represent all the many situations and occasions that occur in our lives. A whispering doubt here, a misunderstanding, not taking responsibility for ones action all adds to a foggy state of being. Most of our emotions can be felt in the centre core of our body, in the heart, as depicted. Felt ventricles of the heart form shapes of “6” and “0”

This piece acts as a reminder to me to remain free flowing through life with love at its centre core, to embrace life with passion and excitement – letting nothing hold me back!

What’s clogging you up?

Materials used:

Mix of felt, netting, vintage, recycled & previously discarded.

JazzCakes are artist-led ‘arts collectionors’, currently based in Cardiff, founded by James Harper and Sarah-Jane Broderick.

Since 2008 JazzCakes’ aim has been to bring artists from across the arts together through various projects and events.

JazzCakes have strong roots in T-shirts and Cakes as well as Fine Art, but try to incorporate artists and designers in every area from theatre to graphic design, dance to architecture.

Formed in 2008 as t-shirt designers/street artists taking part in various monthly markets such as Milgi’s Northcote Lane Market and the Amersham Arm’s Jumble. From there we began to sell works by our friends such as T-shirt designs by Dan Cansfield and prints by Charlie Ridler. At the same time beginning to organise Guerilla Tea Parties on the streets of Cardiff. The tea parties became a kind of anti-rave, a civilised approach to socialising on a weekend where people would come, drink tea, eat biscuits and generally just talk.

Now organising and curating projects and exhibitions with specific briefs designed to highlight the vastly different approaches to making from artists working in their respective disciplines.

The JazzCakes website serves as a directory of all the events currently organised and lists profiles of all the artists who we have associated with since its inception.

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This is what I worked on this Friday. I’ve been wanting to make up some Alphabet letters for some time now. I LOVE that I can use these Friday Make-it days to really concentrate and get on with some unfinished projects and explore new ideas.

I LOVE the vintage fabrics but would LOVE to have some more (see what I did there)

Its so easy to do too. The bigger and chunkier the letters the better. Using easy to cut materials that don’t fray help too, like this left over pink soft brushed cotton and heavy upholstery material.

1. Either using a template or freehand (don’t be scared!! Just try you’ll be surprised how easy it can be) draw out your letter.

2. Fold your chosen material and cut out 2 of the shape (Sharp scissors are a must always – a good sewsmith knows you can blame your tools) Remember to cut 2 notches* -V shaped cuts in a straight part of the letter to help you line up the 2 pieces when stitching together.

3. Rights sides together pin & stitch leaving a gap between the 2 notches.

4. Turn letter right way round, stuff and sew!

5. Finish off the rest of your letters to make up a word or a name and you are good to go!

*A Notch is another word for a narrow pass between the mountains – s0 you can see where the shape comes from. I love knowing the origin of these words, especially if it gives me a visual as its easier to remember!

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Each and every Friday I shall be posting my “Make-its” Feel free to comment, add suggestions or post links to your projects!

These items are just for fun but some just might make the cut for the shop… lets see what happens.

We had lots of fun, but  looking full of concentration here on the task in hand…

The full project & how to to follow for my Cabbage Christmas Wreath & Gold n Green Bow Twist Wreath!

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As we all move through this time-space-reality as a mass energy, individually making our own reality, I ponder upon my perfect NOW. A perfect day handcrafted, thought out after 31 odd years of knowledge gathering… it’s fun to do too!

No boundaries – just a perfect Jim’ll Fix It – thy will be done – 30 day money back guarantee of the perfect, perfect day

7.45 – awaken refreshed and energised, see the sunny warm day peep through the blinds

7.50 – relax and let soft hypnotic meditation wash over you, feel wellness..

8.00 – walk downstairs to a sparkling shower-room to freshen up, skin brushing and apply various creams

8.15 – drink some water & lemon, a handful of grapes / strawberries

8.20 – stretch, visit the beach for some yoga or  round at a friends for an energising work out

9.20 – take a quick refreshing shower, put on favourite matching underwear and something fabulous to wear

9.35 – finishing touches to hair and make-up, switch on laptop to check e-mails, orders and tuck into  a bowl of cereal

9.40 – create wares, design, draw, sew, knit, crochet, mend, cut, at Extinct HQ

11.00 – rest a while with a delicious mint tea and some more fruit

11.15 – either off to the shops to collect more items to sell, make or mend or some virtual shopping online

12.45 – lunchtime – something satisfying and just what my body requires, eaten with glee and appreciation

1.30 – listening to the radio, more creating, taking photos, editing photos, updating the site

5.30 – meet with a friend for a natter and drink, while I make a start on something tasty for tea

6.30 – my lovely man arrives home and we finish off the tea-making together, sit and eat a while

7.30 – go out to see a show, some friends or dim the lights for a film at home, relax, read

9.00 – tidy away anything left out, chatting with each other as we go

9.45 – clime up to bed with a good book, sketch pad, laptop, man eager to massage me!

10.45 – drift into blissful sleepdom, clean cosy sheets, smile on my face….

This really is my perfect day – and I’ve got this! Create your perfect day, think about what you really want and go get it!

Surround yourself with everything you love and everyone you love, whether physically or just using pictures – it can really lift your spirit!

Have fun!

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Well, well, well, it’s been a very Merry Christmas, not to mention a thrifty one!

‘Our Graham’ caught me ditch deep battling with this years Christmas Tree! Found it cut down, sawn off in it’s prime, laying waste in a ditch….thought I’d better bag it as soon as can be, after a few odd looks from other motorists, who come along but my beloved, we collected the tree together and set about putting all me handmade apples and decorations to have ourselves a unique and thrifty – no expense spared – Christmas Tree!

Was really lovely to be able to make all natural wreaths for the door, some friends came round and we made them all up together…made our own mini arrrrt gallery as we surveyed them drinking tea n mince pies – we were all using the same leaves, pine and conifers but each one came out different and entirely unique!
Simply lovely!

I am really looking forward to 2009 – it’s going to be even more exciting than this year, got some great costume ideas and accessories to put in the shop, lots of creative ideas to share and oodles of excitement to emit! Have a Happy New Year – See you there!

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