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

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

An extra cheeky Nandos...

It's not what you know, it's who you know. And I happen to know Emily Webb. The girl who writes the University of Derby blog. Very well infact. So well, that I'm living with her next year. So well, that she makes me paella (her fav that she's not always the best at sharing!). And so well that when she got invited to the grand re-opening of Nandos in intu (in Derby obvs...), she asked me to tag along!

It was the grand re-opening event, for loyal customers and invited guests only. And we we're invited (well, Em was- I was a plus one!).  And this Nandos was extra cheeky- it was a freebee!!

I have to say, I'm a massive fan of Nandos, but I'm even more of a fan of their new interior! The store's a lot brighter now! And the colour pallettes used are fab!

I even learnt something new. Nandos actually support a lot of small designers- which as a textile designer I was dead chuffed with! For example the hand blown glass lamp shades were made by a Czech designer! And the cupcake style shades, a South African community group! They're ace! And whats even better, is that they are each individually hand crafted by independent designers!

So yeah, all in all, an inspirational night! Of which I went home from and curled up in bed due to my food baby!

Bethan Rose x

PS- Sorry about the crappy quality of photos... I managed to break by phone with the good camera!

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