What's New With You?

SO, we all know I'm not good at this blog thing- it's never up to date... But this week I'm feeling like giving it another go, and trying to aim to make my blog a bit more regular. So in my first attempt to do this, here's a cheeky view on what's new with me!

I've been on holiday! (Although it seems like an age ago now...) Waaayyyyy back in June, I took a cheeky 10 day trip to Gran Canaria, for my cousin Jord's 21st birthday! Naturally this all-inclusive extraviganza led to lots of eating, drinking and late nights- oh, and a bangin' tan! Our hotel was lovely, and overlooked the coast, and even boasted a roof-top bar and pool! We saw in Jord's birthday celebrating some religous fesival (no idea what it was called...) which was fab- and involved fireworks and running into the see at midnight! But my fav part of the holiday has to be parasailing! It's something I've always wanted to do but have never had the bollocks too, but after a chat with my Auntie Linda it was a go ahead! AND IT WAS AMAZING!

Having been back in the ocuntry a mere 24 hours, I was then reunited with my partner in crime, Claudia. Having broke up from uni at the beginning of May, I hadn't seen her for a month or so, so naturally we were excited to see each other! We were off to London again, this time to see New Designers! We spent a good 3 hours wondering around the exhibition, admiring all the fab graduate work, and wondering how the hell I'm going to cope with the work load over the next year! I gathered hundreds (and I mean hundreds...) of business cards, and spoke to ever knit student I could find!

After the exhibiton, we went off to be general tourists. we started at Buckingham Palace, where Claudia cried at the sight of the Queen leaving... We then drifted between Trafalga Square, Houses of Paliment, and Covent Garden, before ending up at my fav place, Camden Market, to meet Em for a bev and food! TOP DAY!

I've also been learning to ride a horse! I did it for a while when I was younger, but stopped because I had one summer when I was little where my hayfever was horrific... But our Livs got a beaut, and I've even got to trotting with her! Which is an achievement cos she doesnt like many people... (both Liv and the horse)

It was also Liv's prom! I can't believe how much she's grown up! I took her for a cheeky Spoons, because that's how all good nights start, to get her hair done, and then waded through the crowds to get photos of her getting out of Grandad Rog's car!

Oh and also, I'm having a nightmare- I'M NOW IN MY 20s! I had a fab weekend to celebrate, with the best of people! But as I'm not sure how I feel about being 20... well, I'll have to keep you informed!

So here's to many more bevs, a final year at uni, and whatever the next year of being 20 leads too!

Bethan Rose x

London's Calling...

London is one of my favourite cities. It's home to my first proper job. It's where I've been to concerts, museums and art galleries. I've got friends who live there. Friends who study there. It's a great city, where I've made many great memories! And so this week, I was glad to be returning for another sneaky exhibition trip!

The Balenciaga exhibition at the V&A was where we were heading! First of all it was so nice to be reunited with some of my uni gals after over a month, and whilst coach breakdowns and road closures lead to a five and a half hour travel down from Derby, it was good to have a good catch up!

Once we finally arrived in London, the V&A was the main port of call! I have to admit- it is my all time favourite gallery/museum! But we were there mainly to see the Balenciaga exhibition!

I have to admit, I didn't think I knew who Balenciaga was, but it turns out I do! Once I'd seen some of his stunning fashion pieces, I knew exactly who he is! And it turns out he was a very talented designer!

After the exhibiton, we had a wonder around the rest of the museum.. I won't bore you with the "inspiration I gathered for uni", so instead here's an amusing photo of me n Claud with a very large statue with a very small you-know-what!

A 4 hour coach journey home and a Chinese finished off a fab day!

Before I go, I just want to mention the 2nd terror in 2 weeks, hitting London Bridge on Saturday. My thoughts go out to all those involved, all those who's lives have been changed by the events. I stand by what I said last week. Terrorism is a selfish act, one of which we shouldn't be fearful off. We must stand together, as a Nation. Never let them win.

Bethan Rose x

Second year sadness!!

Do you ever sit down and think 'where has the past 2 years gone?'? Because as I'm sat here, with a cheese and onion crisp sandwich and a can of Lilt drunk Beth brought me last night, binge watching Come Done with Me from the very beginning (who new there had been over 20 series??), I am. I'm wondering where the last 2 years have gone. Because yesterday, I finished my second year of being a Textiles Design Student at UoD. I know, I still can't believe it either!

But yeah, hand in was at 10am yesterday, of which I handed in my Competition work, as well as my new sports-wear inspired interior-knit collection- The Urban Exterior! I've really enjoyed this project, and really having the opportunity to explore the technique of Intarzia. Here's a cheeky pic or 2 of my display board and collection!

So hand in done, and after a rather scary meeting about third year work, we did what we do best- WENT OUT AND CELEBRATED! Starting off in Spoons...

After a cheeky drink or 2, we headed to Turtle Bay for food and cocktails! It was so nice to get the majority of the course together for a bit of a celebration! Good to have a good chat!

After a fab meal, we headed off to a few other bars (and back to spoons...) for a few more bevvies!

And THEN, after a cheeky power nap and sandwich, we headed out to the only student night in Derby worth mentioning- Walkabout Wednesdays!! I used to go every week, but due to a timetable change and swapping my days at work, I hadn't been in a while, so it was nice to get back!

Oh and stop off for a kebab or a burger on the way home!

And now? Well now I'm sat watching Come Dine With Me, wondering what I'm going to do for my third year project, and scaring myself by thinking that this time next year, I'll have finished uni all together!!

Bethan Rose x

Peek at My Week!

Sorry! I've been a bit distracted lately... So here's a cheeky look at what I got up to last week!

MONDAY

So the week started of smashingly... I'd been feeling crappy all weekend- but I'd put it down purely to a mega-hangover from Friday night...  But no, Monday I decided to take myself off to the doctors, only to discover I had one hell of a viral throat infection- which explains why I still felt rubbish! I KNEW IT WASN'T A HANGOVER!

Anyway, ill I decided to take myself home home for a few days been as there was no way I'd be up to a days knitting on Tuesday... And been as I don't have a decent picture to reflect Monday's illness, have a lil' pic from Friday night!

TUESDAY

I was right, I wasn't up to a day of knitting. So naturally I spent the day on the sofa with Dump, our resident house bunny!

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday I felt a million times better! Not right but ok, ok enough to go into uni for our careers/placement talk... In which I discovered I was no where near finding a placement!

I also got a few cheeky fair isle knits done, making me feel a little better about missing out on a Tuesday knit day!

THURSDAY

Thursday I was at work- nothing special just work. In fact the highlight of my day was delivery of elastic! I bloody love the stuff! Its definitely becoming my thing!

FRIDAY

Friday was my favourite day of the week! I was lucky enough to get to go on a trip to Shima Seiki! The Shima's the type of industrial knitting machine at uni, and every time I use it, I become kind of obsessed with it for a few days. It's literally all I think off! It may sound geeky to you, but it's my jam. I LOVES IT I DO! 

Anyway, we got to have a nose around their show room- some of the knitwear they produce is amazing! Its mad to think how they were made...

Back at uni, I had a good knit day- I got some good stuff! Oh, and to top it all off- CURRY FOR TEA! WEYYYYY

SATURDAY

Saturday was a busy one. I started by cooking for my house mates (well I don't actually live with them, but they've very kindly adopted me in!) to celebrate Zi's birthday! It was only Chilli Con Carne- I'm not going to claim to be a culinary genius!

After a quick costume change ( a 2 hour process including washing, drying and curling my hair, and shaving my long, gorilla like legs..) I was off into town with my partner in crime, Claud, to meet my main men. Once a year my dad and his mates have a lads day out to Uttoxeter races, and each year they call for a pint or 6 in Derby. These mates, they're like family. They are family. I've grew up with them filling an uncle-like roll, some of them I'd even consider to be more of a father figure. And then there's Chico. He's just, well, Chico.... I'm lucky to have them- I know they'd beat up anyone who screwed me over! We'd make a good team! Haha

FT. My dads double chin...

Anyway, me and Claudia went for a couple of pints with them, and I can honestly say I've never laughed so much!

I'll never look at these jackets the same again...

So pre-drinks over, and we were off to Zi's house par-tayyyyyy  

SUNDAY

Sunday hangover day, right? WRONG! I made my moms Mothers Day present! Quite proud of it to be honest! (Not the best photo though...)

So yeah, there's my week!

Bethan Rose x

Competition Chaos!

David Neiper. Never heard of him, or his brand? Neither had I 6 weeks ago. His brand had been up and running for over 40 years, and all the clothes are designed, produced and distributed in Derby. I know- saying I live hear you’d have thought I’d heard of him, or the brand? But no. No I hadn’t. Mainly because the clothing produced are aimed at the older generation of women- the over 50’s to be precise. So apart from being about 31 years younger than their target market, the other reason I hadn’t heard of them was because their clothing’s a little out of my price range. Just a little. Well, you know, as a student, a lot…

Anyway! Back to the point! We were introduced the brand at uni, and given this fab opportunity to design 4 pieces of clothing to debut the company!

Along the way, me and the other knit gals were learning the ropes on the Dubied- a more industrial knitting machine than we’d been used to. (not a power machine, but one up from your bog standard domestic machine!) I’ll admit, me and the dubied didn’t get along for many weeks- trust me my language was fowl at more than one point- but eventually I got there. Dubied knitting machines allow you to knit using a double bed, making a thicker, nicer knit. Anyway, I got knitting and produced some great things!

I got experimenting with a bit of bright yellow shearing elastic. I know- not very over 50. But the whole point of the comp was to introduce the company to new ideas… Well, fast forward to a few experiments later, and a i ended up with a design!

Next came my fave design! I love it! My mom doesn’t like it- mainly because the sample I had to cut up to fit on the board I had promised her for a cushion… #sorrysue . Nah, she does really! I just love the patterns and think the bright yellow is fab!

The next 2 designs are pretty cute too! The grey cardigan was made on the Shima, with the sleeves being a simple Dubied stripe. The other sample, is a combo of both a domestic sample combined with a Dubied rib! Here's my final 4 design boards!

So how did it go? I GOT SHORTLISTED!!! I didn’t get any further than that in the competition, but having been the kid who never even won a race at sports day- I’ll take that! To be honest, I’m just proud a well-known company (that’s up to popular debate) have seen my designs!

So chill yeah there’s a deadline and competition over? WRONG! Next up- Bradford Textiles Society Competition!

This one’s an annual comp for anyone who does textiles really. I love it. They like designs that are a little ‘out there’. So naturally, that’s what I did.

THESE SAMPLES ARE LITERALLY SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING KNITS I'VE EVER DONE! I LOVE THEM! I THINK THEY'RE GREAT!

Seriously I need to calm down…

Yet again the yellow elastic made an appearance, but in my opinion, its fab! I love the lil’ fringing thing I’ve done too. Very proud of it, if I do say so myself…

So yeah, that’s about all that’s been happening with me lately- BUSY BUSY BUSY! Oh that, and I brought a knitting machine! Not bad for someone who didn’t even want to be a knitter!

Bethan Rose x