recent times through Steve's Olympus OM10

 

I just wanted to share with you some of the wonderful photographs that Steve has taken recently (these are all either from my birthday or the first ABC event - which both took place in March).  I wish I could say that I had taken these myself, but alas, I cannot lie.

They're pretty though right?  I love how he can capture the most inane thing and make it look spectacular!  You can see some more of his work here :)

my new online shop

TA DA!

I have set up a brand new online shop, named What Katie Found on Etsy :)

I have added ten items so far, but I am in the process of photographing and editing, so many more will be added soon.  Currently, I do still have my Folksy shop though, so you can still shop there for the time being!

I have also set up a new Facebook page under the name of What Katie Found, so please pop by and 'like'. 

Psssp, there is also a discount code for my new shop lurking around the wall of my new page, but it's only valid until tomorrow evening! 

I love to draw

I have always really loved drawing, but over the past few years have struggled to motivate myself to do some.  I think I've always enjoyed drawing the same things though.  Really, really mundane things.  In year 11 at school, we had to draw a mushroom on A3 paper for about an hour, and I got an A* for it.  It was, by far, the most detailed drawing of a mushroom you could ever imagine seeing.  During my As Art year, I draw shoelaces and ribbon over an A2 page, and to this day it is one of my favourite ever sketchbook pages. 

With all of my What Katie Found crafty makes going on over the past year, I have put drawing on the back burner for a while to make friends with my sewing machine.  Although, last Monday morning, I woke up and the sun was shining through our bedroom window, casting shadows onto the wall, so I grabbed the nearest piece of paper and a black biro, and lay in bed for ten minutes interpreting the scene.  It was the happiest Monday morning I have encountered for some time!

I am a bit apprehensive about sharing my drawings, knowing that there are so many fantastic drawers and illustrators out there, but I will be brave, as it would be really good to have some feedback :)

I hope you enjoy them, the simple, the mundane and the real.

embroideries campaign to put an end to female genital mutilation

I have been very excited about sharing with you all my contribution to this wonderful campaign which has been organised by the Shoreditch Sisterhood W.I.  I was going to tell you all about the campaign myself, but this super blurb from the campaigns' website does a better job than I ever could!

"Intrinsically feminine, pretty and neat, Embroidery is a pastime that has been encouraged amongst women for hundreds of years, often being associated with their belittlement and oppression. In recent years however, powerful and gutsy women have been reclaiming and redefining needle work in a subversive way. It is apt then, to discover that the Persian word for 'embroidery' is commonly used as an affectionate term for the abusive practice of Female Genital Mutilation, which is a rife and widespread practice across Africa and parts of the Middle East.

The Shoreditch Sisters WI group have been pivotal in the recent upsurge of young women learning traditional needlecrafts and employing their newfound skills in an empowering way, from creative activism through to selling hand-made goods to raise funds for charities.

This creative campaign is accessible and open to anyone and everyone who wants to support the cause. All levels of skill and experience are welcome. We are collecting 7"x 7" patches which have embroideries (or whatever needlecraft technique you feel most comfortable with) of Vulvas on them, as abstract or accurate as you like. Feel free to make as many as you like (it can be quite addictive!) and please do spread the word!

When you have finished you patches, please post them with a cover sheet stating your name, age, location etc. and how you heard about the campaign/why you wanted to join in, to:

EMBROIDERIES

5a Gransden Ave London E8 3QA

Thank you for your support!" 

A teacher who I work with is a member of the W.I (Women's Institute) and brought in her own embroidered vulva to work one day, and I immediately wanted to take part.  Not only would I get to support a cause which I feel is extremely worthwhile, but I would get to do some sewing in the process!

So here is the moment that I get to reveal my own creation!  I think all of you who read What Katie Found should make your own too, and also take a look at the Shoreditch Sisterhood W.I.s Facebook page :)

the alternative bar crawl 25/03/11

I had such a good time at last nights ABC event!  (and, I didn't even drink any alcoholic beverages, although I was quite hyperactive.)

The theme was love, lots of gushy live music, red, flowers and hearts and all things romantic.

I again had a stall at The Phoenix, alongside the same and wonderful people from the previous ABC :) This time, there was also some comedy and performances taking place in some of the screens.  

The last part of the bar crawl was at The Soundhouse, where there was some live music, a chance to buy some beautifully decorated and yummy cupcakes (for only £1 each), and this time, a penguin DJ! 

     

We were also given some romantic poems and had some snaps taken in the beautiful floral archway!

    

A random highlight, although completely amazing, was an impromptu guerrilla gig outside the pub in a small car park by a band called Catfish and the Bottlemen, who we were told were booked to play but were then cancelled.   

Once again, I urge all East Midlands people to come along to the next ABC, which will be taking place on the day of the Royal Wedding - more details to follow :)

and to end, a few more snaps of my stall...

Ruby Rae Love

Ruby Rae Love is the new venture of the lovely Ella Masters.  Not only does she already create the cutest illustrations, but now she's only gone and produced a fantastic bespoke jewellery range!  Made from recycled bits and bobs, at Ruby Rae Loves you can find head-dresses, rings, necklaces and bracelets.

A few days ago, I was reading Ella's blog, when I saw that she had made a ring from an antique brass button, with FIRMIN on it.  Well, that was it, I just had to have it (incase you're unaware, Firmin is my surname, and I am oddly proud of it...)

And today - my ring arrived!  And oh so beautifully packaged too!  The first thing I came across was a personalised illustration by Ella - so adorable,  I need to find it a home :)

Isn't the ring box amazing?  I also loved the little luggage tag on which Ella had written the history behind the button -  it was discovered at her Grandmothers house, and was from her Great Grandfathers coat.  I'm a real sucker for nostalgia and old things with narratives attached to them, so I really loved this attention to detail :)

Take a look at the Ruby Rae Love shop here,
and have a read of Ella's lovely blog here :)

twenty fifth birthday

I am now twenty five, and I must say that I am so far thoroughly enjoying it!  I know, it makes no sense that you can feel differently just because you've gained another year, but I am feeling much more optimistic about everything lately.  Everyone always seems to say how they wish they were still 18 or 21, but I am genuinely happier now than I ever was then.  Twenty Five is the place to be :)

So, I have only just got round to sharing my birthday with you all!  It started off with Steve making me  pancakes with homemade blueberry compote and creme fraiche for breakfast - so yummy and amazing, seriously.  Couldn't finish it all though, quite a lot of food for 7am!  I then unfortunately had to go to work, but wasn't all bad as I work in a Primary school, so I got to go to the front in assembly and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me!

In the evening, myself and some friends went to Barceloneta, a Tapas restaurant in Leicester, which also happens to be my favourite.  It is just amazing, if you live in Leicester and have never been, I urge you to go!  I was also lucky enough to have had a spectacular cake made by my friend Ivona, feast your eyes on this...

Also, here are some of the much loved presents that I received, I am one lucky lady!  I've also included some photographs of some of my cards - lovely handmade wonderful-ness :)

 

Babushka measuring cups

I also received some Topshop vouchers, which I am trying to spend wisely...
but I did buy a cape that I have wanted for a while, and it was in the sale - hoorah!

the Kakes Makes to What Katie Found transition

You may have noticed that I mentioned changing my craft name to What Katie Found, so that it would tie in with my blog better, and I also prefer the name :)  Well, the transition has begun!

I have a new Facebook page, which you can find here (Please like me, and suggest to your friends, that would be wonderful!)

I also set up a new Twitter account tonight, followed tonnes of people, only to then be told by someone that you can just change your twitter name - typical!  So, I have now deactivated the new one with hopes that the name I wanted will become available again soon so I can change it.  Did anyone else out there not realise that you can change your name on Twitter?!  I'm sure that on every other website, this cannot be done! 

I have also created a new e-mail address - and created a little button, which you can see over there on the left!

Oh, and I am slowly coming to grips with Etsy.  I have set up my shop, but will not be listing anything just yet.  Probably will be in the next couple of weeks.  Until then, you can still find my Kakes Makes shop over on Folksy.

P.S. While I was transferring a few photographs from my Kakes Makes Facebook page to my new What Katie Found one, I came across this one - it was taken of me with my first ever stall last April :)  It's funny to see how it all began, and how much my crafts have grown in almost a year... onwards and upwards!