Thursday 5 January 2012

On the line

Further to my final post from last year: I made a blouse.  I am pleased to say that I used 1970s madras cotton fabric that was originally in my mum's stash, purple buttons and thread from the estate of Mrs Betty Collins.
 I feel a bit proud of my scarves as they dry in the summer breeze.  I am almost ready for my next knitting project, although knitting in the heat is not always an appealing prospect.
I feel a bit more ambivalent about this lot, photographed as it receives some fresh air after having been folded away in a little wicker suitcase which wasn't as dust proof as I had hoped.  Samples from my first ever design job at Davenport in the mid 1990s.  I feel a bit brave showing these on my blog, but they are what they are and from a design point of view I am actually still proud of a few of them.  I was hired initially to draw the licensed characters, had no design training and had barely ever touched a computer.  I received an excellent grounding in design, manufacturing methods, meeting tight deadlines, and making products to entice a particular market.   I try not to think about the trials and tribulations of terrible bosses and a bunch of hormonally wired and badly paid twenty-somethings: that's another story not fit for this polite blog.  

9 comments:

swinkie said...

I can't keep up... just stop it and have some holiday time!! - Being an artist/crafter is a strange thing as there is no time off or away. I love it!! (ps I must put in an order next winter for one of your knitties) x

sister outlaws said...

Your time at Davenport sounds a bit intriguing! You should be proud of your work - even stuff from the past. Well done with the sewing projects and those knitted scarves are AMAZING!!!!!!!

Sandra Eterovic said...

Hi Sandra -- I went to the beach on New Year's Day - surely that counts?! I am badly in need of an overseas holiday actually. I hope you're feeling GOOD.

Julianne -- thank you for those wise and lovely words. I am finally coming around to how important that job was: I used to be a quite ashamed of it. A distance of almost two decades tends to help. :)

jenni said...

what great taste your Ma has, love that fabric & your summery top is a treat.
As for your knitting, it is divine but you can really do no wrong as far as I'm concerned, I'd even wear your davenport designs :)

Sandra Eterovic said...

Jenni that is the funniest thing I have ever read. A young lady with gorgeous taste like yours is the last person I would ever expect to see in a pair of Davenport boxer shorts!! Though you might start a trend. Part of the 90s revival?

helicopter6 said...

So impressed with you top - it's gorgeous. And as for the ties, I reckon there's some pretty fine little numbers in amongst that collection! I want to see you wearing one next time we see each other (or I will!!)

Sandra Eterovic said...

Thanks Helen!! :) Maybe a group of us should begin wearing them on a regular basis and start a new trend!! I do often wear my sock designs, though that hardly takes bravery!

Saskia said...

Love the top. That's so ace that you've shared your Davenport designs! I too used to do illustration and graphic design for licensed characters, in the early 90s. My first ever design job out of Uni was Hagar the Horrible wrapping paper.

Sandra Eterovic said...

We are brave, aren't we?! Thanks for writing Saskia, your blog is fantastic!! Yum yum....