Weaving my way back in...

So this is my third week back of uni, and inbetween the freshers events, lectures and work, I've barely had any time to post anything on here! (That's kind of a lie- I have 3 half written posts in my draft box that I never got around to finishing and posting, and are now no longer relevant!) But anyway, I just thought I'd let you know what I've been up to!

 As a second year at UoD, we spend the first semester doing 4 week rotations of Weave, Print and Knit. Its relatively similar to last year, however this year, I'm being trusted with machinery! Looking at using the Jaccquard in the Weave rotation, and digital printing in the Print part! The above image has probably given it away, but I'm starting this year off with a bit of weave!

When I started Uni, I thought I was going to almost definitely going to become a printer, and go on to design a wallpaper range or something like that. The truth is, other than a few sessions with an WI lady, I'd never knitted on a domestic knitted machine, and the only weaving I'd ever done was a large abstract piece for my A-levels based on the lack of sustainability in my local area... The only thing I knew was printing!

The truth is, I'm not 100% sure I want to be a printer anymore- weave is becoming more and more appealing!

And last week we were taught how to thread our own looms! Its something I've never done before, and I'm not going to lie, it took me 3 attempts to get it right! But when I did, I was so proud! (And releaved- everyone else managed to do it straight away!)

The colour scheme I've chosen, is based both upon the African Artisan project completed over the summer, and the naturally dyed weaves I created. (The colours are a bit brighter than the natural dyes- but I like it that way!)

As you can see, I've only worked on this piece a little, but that's because we haven't started our pattern practicals yet! I've started drawing up a few patterns and I'm excited to get started!

Bethan Rose x

One week to go!

I LOVE being at home! Don't get me wrong, my brother annoys the hell out of me, and  Mom worries about me a tad too much about me when I'm on a night out, but I love being at home!

I love the home cooked meals, the fact that the house is always warm, and that if I fancy a custard cream, there's some in the biscuit box down stairs, and I haven't got to walk to Salisbury's Local, to then have to compromise with a Bourbon because they haven't got any Custard Cream's left- and even the its like 3 pound a packet!

I love the social aspect of it too- my Nan lives 5 minutes round the corner, most of my Aunties and Uncle's live within walking distance, and all of my friends are home for summer as well. And I also get to see Liv, Fin and Dyl, my brothers from another mother! (and sister..)

Oh, and Thumper, appropriately nicknamed "Dump" (I think you could work out why...), my lil house rabbit 

Despite all of this, I can't explain my level of excitement this morning when I realised that ITS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL I MOVE BACK TO DERBY!

I can't wait to be reunited with the girls off my course! This time last year I thought I had it all- a good job, a car, a good friend circle- In fact I was in some delusional world where I thought I would keep in touch with EVERYONE I ever met at Sixth Form, and we'd be friends forever.

In truth, what I have learnt over the last year, is that I have more acquaintances than friends. Some of the people I used to spend everyday with, I now only see once every few months... But there are a few who I've stayed in touch with. 

It is true what people say though- you do meet friends for life at Uni. And although we've spoke, texted, Skyped or Snapchatted nearly every day since we've been off,  I can't wait to see them all face to face!

I'm excited to get back into the routine of WALKABOUT WEDNESDAY- out little traditional night out! Though this year I think I need to tone down the going out- 2/3 times a week isn't sustainable of a student budget- not on top of the Nandos, kebabs and midnight Maccies trips!

And the stupid photos!

I'm excited to see our new Textiles Studio! And get back into knitting (even though I hated it last year!), and weaving and printing and drawing and essay writing. OK, maybe not essay writing but still... I just want to get back into Textiles- I've enjoyed our little summer project but I want to get out of a sketchbook and into something a little more textural!

(This is Sean- the ONLY lad on our course! (had to get a pic of him in somewhere))

BUT MOST OF ALL, I'm looking forward to moving back in with some of the best friends you could ask for! We may have argued countless times, and fought over whose turn it was to wash up, but those negatives are outweighed by the film nights, the times we've just sat around drinking instead of writing important essays, and our pathetic attempt at a flat party- which resulted in 4/5 of us being drunk before the few people who bothered to turn up came... I had a great year, and because of our unorganized lifestyle, we left it too late to get a house for this year, so we're staying in halls again- meaning we can o it all again! Unfortunately, Lauren, who lived with us last year won't be coming back to live with us, cos' she's chosen to commute this year. She has agreed to pop round every so often, with the promise of the odd Nug Nug, for old times sake!

I have to admit, when I started writing this blog, I was going to talk about all the new sketchbook work I've done, not focus on the memories of last year. But then I suppose it still shows, THAT I CANT WAIT TO GET BACK TO UNI!!

Bethan Rose x