Category — 2. Chit Chat

In a couple of weeks I’m going on a much anticipated trip down to London to see my sister, her family and the new baby   I’ll be spending most of my time catching up with my sister but, if I get the chance I would love to visit a little shop in Shoreditch J & B. From what I’ve seen online it looks as if you could spend a couple of hours browsing, it looks amazing.  It also has the added attraction of being owned by two artists from Snowdonia, which isn’t far from me.

If I get the chance to go and see them, I’ll tell you all about it, but in the mean time here’s some pics.

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If you would like to visit their blog you can find it here (I’ve also added the link under Sites to Inspire and Enjoy). You can find directions to the shop and contact details on the blog. The girls also have an online shop hosted at bigcartel, which can be found here.

Yes, you’ve waited all day so, draw up a chair and have a nice cup of tea…

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The Bank Holiday weekend is over and whilst parts of the UK had overcast skies and rain, we had great weather here on Anglesey. Unfortunately, this tempted my computer geek into the garden, where he over did it a bit and also caught a cold (man variety of course).  Poor thing has been off- colour for a couple of days, putting the blog, Etsy listing and annoucing the winner of the Yayoi Kusama “giveaway” on hold.

Apologies to those of you eagerly awaiting the result of the the “giveaway” and without further ado I can announce the winner is:

Claudia Gelissen Studak

(the competition was hosted by Rafflecopter an the winner was identified using Random.org)

Congratulations to Claudia and thanks to everybody else for taking part, it was fun finding out what books you liked. Which book would I have taken? I think that would be Jane Eyre.  (By the way, nobody chose Hustlers Grotto, a book containing three novellas by Yayoi Kusama)

So today is Wednesday, meaning Wordless Wednesday should be along a little later; also, I hope to list my latest piece on etsy before the day is out.

Just a quick reminder that my Yayoi Kusama giveaway will close this weekend; so, if you want to be in with a chance to win some postcards from her 2012 London exhibition pop over and leave a comment on this post – Yayoi Kusama giveaway .

Meanwhile, I’ve almost finished my next piece. Its inspired by a story about a female hoodie, family values, murder and cryptic meanings (no I’m not referring to a Stieg Larsson novel). Can you guess what it is?  This picture might give you clue.

Guess Who?

Here is another clue.

If you want, please feel free to leave your guess as a comment.

Getting this one up in plenty of time, a free calendar desktop wallpaper for May. To make it your desktop wallpaper, left click the image to see a larger version, then right click that image and choose “SET AS DESKTOP BACKGROUND”.

Free May calendar desktop wallpaper. To make it your desktop wallpaper, left click the image to see a larger version, then right click that image and choose "SET AS DESKTOP BACKGROUND"

Whilst visiting the Alice at the Tate Liverpool last January, I found out Julie Arkell was going to be showing at the Bluecoat Display Centre – Liverpool, from 10 March to 12 May and holding a workshop on Sunday 29 April.

Julie Arkell at the Bluecoat Display Centre

Form what I’ve read online, Julie Arkel does not exhibit that often and such exhibitions tend to be too far away from our neck of the woods. We weren’t too sure about going but, Liverpool is only 90 miles away, so combined with a shopping trip this would be a great day out for all of us. I can’t make the workshop on the Sunday but I’m going to see the exhibition tomorrow Yipee…..

Julie Arkell in Liverpool

I’ll take some photos and post them on the blog next week. I might even find something I can use for a giveaway.

Julie Arkell - I've Dusted the Farmyard

Oh, and the name of the Julie Arkell exhibition – I’ve Dusted the Farmyard.

I lived in London during my student years and I’m quite jealous of my eldest daughter who now visits her friends there.  She’s been down a few times this year and the reason form my jealousy is the art galleries, museums and exhibitions she gets to visit. One I’d like to visit will take place later this year and with my current interest in dresses would be an ideal research trip.

Opening in May, in the newly renovated V&A Fashion Galleries, and likely to be a spectacular exhibition, will be a display of over 60 beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening gowns and catwalk showstopper, spanning the 1950′s to the present day.

Ah well, I’ll just have to make do with the previews for now.

Satin and flocked tulle gown by Vivienne Westwood. Created for Lay Bianca Job-Tyoran to wear to Queen Charlotte's Ball, 1994.

Alexander McQueen.

Beaded silk satin gown by Norman Hartnell, 1953.

State evening ensemble 'Elvis Dress' for Princess Diana by Catherine Walker, 1989.

Atsuko Kudo gown worn by Georgia Frost with dresses by Hardy Amies and Worth of London.

Silk satin and beaded 'Rumina' gown by Erdem,

Gown by Victor Edelstein, 1986.

Evening gown designed by Worth London.

Well, as mentioned last week, Tabby and I went to the local car boot sale as planned.  It was a good day, Tabby managed to find some plates and has already made a beautiful cake stand to sell in her Etsy Shop.

Vintage cake stand

Since our last visit they introduced a new idea – the sellers can now hire a transport container to host their shop. Here’s Tabby searching for her treasures and some of the things that were on offer.

Inside a container shop Tabby goes hunting.

I don't recall it being a cold day.

Lovely reels and bobbins.

Had it been cold, these might have come in handy.

Found some!

Just the thing.

If you live near us and fancy a visit to the Valley car boot sale its open as follows:

Valley Market & Car Boot, Field Street, Valley, Anglesey, LL65 3EE

Held on	Tuesdays, Thursdays
Seller start time	05.30am
Buyer arrival time	06.00am
From/To	05:30 to 15:00
Frequency	Regular
Seller fee	£?8 for cars, ?10 for vans £
Entry fee	£None
Refreshments	Yes
Toilets	Yes
Disabled access	No details
Disabled parking	No details
Disabled toilets	No details
Average no. of sellers	No details
Operators name	Bob Parry & Co Limited
Contact telephone	07803 894 888
Contact email	Email Valley General Retail Market &
Website	Valley General Retail Market & website