My Christmas stall

Last weekend I had a stall at a local Christmas event.

It was very cold, the temperatures were around 3-6 degrees centigrade.

Luckily for me I was well wrapped up in my favourite Brora cashmere hat and cardigan coat under my cape jacket.

It was a very enjoyable day mainly because I was kept company by a good friend and despite the cold weather lots of people were out and about and supported the market stall holders. I sold lots of cards, gift tags and notebooks and flower magnets.

Me at my stall, (photo taken by We love Enfield)

Me with my friend ,photo taken by Karen Mercer, owner of My Coffee Stop

My favourite items on the stall were these colourful felt flower jumbo paper clips and the Christmas flower fridge magnet clips.

These flower and insect mini bookmarks were also popular.

The highlight of the afternoon was when my family popped by. 

There was also a brilliant brass band playing, lighting the Christmas tree and a parade.

runner up for a design competition

I love entering design competitions and this week found out that I hadn't won but was a good runner up.
The competition was by the Soil Association for a design for a t-shirt. The winning t-shirt would be made and sold in their shop.

The brief was to design a logo that explained "What is Organic"

Here is the basic design I did based on my thoughts on Organic

Organic logo design by Fatema Hossain, 2012

for Soil Association competition

My design is called "Organic adds up"

My explanation for the design is as follows

Organic is all about everything adding up in the manufacture or food growth or farming stages.

It is all about getting the balance right the way mother nature intended without the addition of artificial factors.

I designed the mathematical logo as I thought it looks striking and being an ex Science teacher the design came about naturally.

A while back I also entered a design competition for designing a children's duvet, again for an organic company called Fou Furnishings   and the design was made up into a children's duvet. My design is called "Love to Learn" The design was originally all over but the lower part was used to create the beautiful embroidered design. I blogged about the design before but here is photo of the duvet that is from the  the Fou Furnishings website ( the photograph is copyright of the Fou Furnishings website)

I'm getting really interested in surface textile patterns and designs and will be reading some books on the design process over the summer. I have recently acquired some great books on designing, printing and e- textiles. I am looking forward to learning more about creative design  and putting it into practice

craft stall and daily art challenge

Here are a couple of photos of my recent stall.

I am pleased with the set up and the paper bunting I made for decorating the stall using Tilda papers. I had paper goods like cards, notebooks, paper covered pencils and flower magnets and a few French style noticeboards for sale.

It rained heavily both days which is why I am wearing my rain mac ( and wellies) in both! but despite that it was lovely to have some customers and get feedback on my paper goods. I have always wanted to do craft fairs but having to arrange child care means I am only going to be able to do the local markets, when I can get family to help out.

Last week I set myself a challenge , to do a painting or drawing, however small everyday before breakfast. Its been great, I surprised myself with my work so far. This is what I did this past week

Fruit, Inspired by the bold colours and shapes of Paul Gaugain's early work

Lady with a purple head piece , watercolour on Indian script paper

flowers in a vase 

Ink drawing 

Volcano