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

An sneaky peak at an interesting week...

SO with second year over and my lil' work experience stint over, what would I do with my little life? After a drive home in quite possibly THE worst storm the A38 has ever seen, I was back in T-Town (Tamworth LOL) ready to start my Summer!

And here's a sneaky peak at the last week!

SUNDAY

Summers great- I love it! And it means I get to travel to all kinds of exciting cities around the UK through work, starting with an old fav- LEEDS. Due to my own decisions, this was only a flying visit- as in I got of the train, found my hotel and had a very very long power shower. But the was ok, because what a view my MASSIVE bed had!

MONDAY

Monday I was at work- the main and only reason I was in Leeds... It was your average day within the work of admin, a good day even. Everything ran smoothly, I was in a good mood... Thought I'd treat myself to a Starbucks at the train station. And then in the walk from Starbucks to the Platform, my water bottle decided to release a tidal wave in my bag... SHITEMARE!! But at least I'd had some beauts views on the way to work that morning...

TUESDAY

Another average day at work. I mean average... I was only working half a day and yet still managed to do nothing with the other half. Did read a few mags on the train though, to compensate for the lack of headphones due to the previous days tsunami....

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday I popped back over to uni, to drop some flowers in to Janie- the lovely lass who gave me a bit of work experience. Also to pick up some of my stuff, been as I've got to move out soon... Despite having a lovely lunch with Megs, I completely forgot to take a picture of the beauts nachos we ate in the sun, so here's a pic of a surprising empty bowling green...

THURSDAY

Thursday was supposed to be a quiet day, spent enjoying the one week of British summer. That didn't happen- turns out my bezzie mate and flat mate for the past 2 years, Joe, has blagged himself a placement, just 5 minutes from my house! He popped in for a drink after his interview, and I've never seen him so happy! He moves down in about a month, and I have to say I'm quite excited about him living around the corner! I didn't get a pic, so here's a cheeky throwback to the first ever selfie we had!

FRIDAY

Friday I was back at work, in Manchester. Something I haven't yet mentioned was the terrific terror attack the occurred on Monday at an Ariana Grande concern. With 22 dead and many more injured, it was an attack that shook the nation- not just because of the selfish and unjustifiable act of terror, but because the attack was aimed at a concert. A concert who's performer appeals greatly to children and young people...

As terrible as it was, I almost didn't believe it happened. It's my way of dealing with incidents like this- if I know its real, or think about it too much, I let it worry me... And that's what terrorists want us to do. They want us as a nation to be fearful. They want us to avoid cities, public places, concerts... But that's what we shouldn't do!

And this week I have been proud to be British- taxi drivers gave free lifts home to concert go-ers, people who have never donated began donating blood, shops and business' donated food for Nurses and Doctors... The British public also raised over 300,000 pounds for a homeless man, who helped the injured and dying after the attack.

But what I found the most touching was the Visual, in Manchester city centre. I'd seen it on the news, however that is nothing compared to overwhelming amount of flowers, cards, flowers and balloons which could be found there. It really does highlight how much people care, and how even a city branded as 'Broken' by the incident, could pull together and stand against such a cowardly attack...

I wish I could have stayed longer than I did, to observe all of the heartfelt messages and flowers, however I was on my way to work, and I decided due to my lack of possession of waterproof mascara, panda eyes where not appropriate...

SATURDAY

Saturday was quite a chilled day, spent in the pub drinking wine in a beer garden with my family to celebrate my Aunties birthday! Unfortunately the weather wasn't as nice as the rest of the week, but thanks to a massive umbrella we were still able to have a laugh!

SUNDAY

This was the day I'd been looking for- you CANNOT beat a bank holiday Sunday night out! And we were of to a foam party! I'd never been to one before, but I loved it! Was a proper laugh, and really nice to get the gang back together! (Well most of them!)

SO there you go- my week!

Bethan Perry 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

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