The trail

On one of my walks, I saw this. A tree with a yellowy-green crown. The combination of colours made me stop and soak its richness. The brightness of the leaves, the darkness of the branches and the intensity with which the sun hits the subject.

And so I went through my photo archive to pick some more images that made me stop for similar reasons.


Everywhere you look now, you can see grass in flower. The contrasting colours stand out. We always played with grass this time of the year when we would grasp a stem of grass and run our fingers from bottom to top. Then we would guess if it is a 'cockerel', 'hen', or a 'chicken' (depending on the size) the other one of us held between their fingers.


Of course most of the time it was a 'chicken' because we tried so hard to create something else that the stem would end up shed to its perfection not leaving any longer part to tear off to describe a cockerel's tail. In other words, the messier, the better chance to create a 'hen' or a 'cockerel'. We would just not understand.

This image was taken at around the same time as the grass image above. I was honestly surprised to see a pair of dandelions at this stage of their life this late into spring. I thought that by now, they would be all gone.

Again, I remembered my childhood when we would weave a princess's crown from dandelions (in their earlier yellow stage). Later, when this weed turned into white balls, we would blow it into our faces. What a fun.

Since I allowed myself to go back through my memory lane, I simply have to include this picture. The cottage where I spent all my summer holidays bears such a resemblance to this close-up of a shed from Kensington Gardens. The way the plunks are joined, the little window, the greenery in front.

It was our grandma who would take us kids and spend two months taking care of us there. We have such fond memories of our cottage which was made possible by the kindness and willingness of our grandma. She was a lady and a grandma with a capital 'G'.



It is funny how far back can some images take us. There is always a trail to be found in our memories. Their interpretation (depending on every each of us) will create a different story to tell, different atmosphere to capture. This is my trail.

Welcome to summer

Today definitely felt like a summer. Sunny, hot and humid. Unfortunately, I am not that great when it is hot and humid. In a way, I prefer to stay in a cool place. Which is not great when you want to enjoy the sunshine.

This is why I got up quite early for Sunday, managed all the necessary chores and quickly sat to complete my 'Belt-strap Handbag'. Quite a good part of yesterday was already dedicated to this design so all I wanted to do today was to finish the making and head out. Keep in the shade but be out there.

The image above is from today (yesterday since it is past midnight now) when I took the handbag for a walk. We got out during late afternoon by which time the warmth of the day was rather pleasant. And since we have had a few days of rain the park was beautifully green. Pleasure to look at and a great backdrop for my 'Belt-strap Handbag' I would say. This was a lovely finale to the weekend.

Click 'Belt-strap Handbag' to view its entire design process.

New 'Photo' page

Since I mentioned photography in my introduction, it is about time I actually shared some of my pictures with you. These are under my new 'Photo' page. And there is in a few lines explained why I take photographs like these. So make sure you click the 'Photo' button every now and then because I will put more images on display as time goes by. Kx

New 'Updates' page

Today just shortly.

I just wanted to bring your attention to my new 'Updates' page. As it is explained, this page is a stage in-between my design process. Since I have few projects running at the same time, I feel that to make it easier for you to see what I am up to, 'Updates' page will show you a progress of a specific project. At the same time it will link and navigate you directly to the beginning of the project where you can refresh your memory and see the whole process from its start.

Also, I almost forgot. I have finally got myself a sewing machine. I am seeing somebody for a crash course tomorrow. It has been years since I used a sewing machine and even then I needed supervision. Therefore tomorrow is a crash course and after that it is just me and the design. And of course my new friend the sewing machine. This means that I can return to my 'Fold Dress' and 'Belt-strap Handbag' and try to complete the design. As ever, will keep you posted.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and wish you a great week ahead. And don't forget - Wimbledon is on.

Web Top

What do you think the image above stands for? Yes, it is crochet. This one however, represents yet another follow-up from 'What lies beneath' post. This time, I have taken and analyzed its last two images.

What is highlighted  here is the pillar itself; its decoration and its vertical line stretching from top to bottom.


Starting with this vertical 'line', my thoughts are directly taken to 'division' between left & right. At the same time, this is also about a 'joint' between left & right. Additionally,  note the blue tone of the post...

...I have a clever book on crochet patterns and this one (at least to me) represents the decoration on the lamp post. Therefore, I am hoping to use it here.








Now, just look at the spider web stretching along one side of the post. What a beauty. Even though the web is not symmetrical its detail definitely stands for perfection. Perfection in asymmetry.




Starting with crochet, I can experiment with a pattern. What you can see in the image on the right are samples of 'perfection' & 'asymmetry' sitting on a net/web.








Last but not least is this image of stonework of the bridge. One thing I cannot but notice is this curve created in the stonework. As if this was a half of ever so often celebrated female figure.

And my thoughts are forming in my head - 'line', 'joint', 'asymmetry', 'curve'... Yet again, this project is growing but coming back together. Since I am working on a Fold Dress and a Belt-strap Handbag I might as well crochet a top/cardigan to wear with the dress.





What a joy to be so busy with such enjoyable projects. Do not forget to keep checking their progress. I will keep you posted. As ever...

Update: Saturday, 18 June 2011

Web Top

A week on and this is how far I got so far with my Web Top.

After initial stages, I started to think about turning the meaning of a lamp post with a spider web attached to it around. Meaning to see a lamp post attached to a spider web. With that in mind I have crocheted my base - a sort of a spider web (as you can see in the image above). Now I will take the idea of a lamp post and returning to the analogy of a line/division/joint will complete the Web Top.

And this is just a taster of what the top looks like on a human body right now;
a connection to a 'curve' & a 'female figure' from the Web Top post.

The next stage is to keep to the blueish colour of the lamp post and use the crochet pattern shown in the Web Top post to 'divide', 'join' and also decorate the design.

Update: Friday, 24 June 2011

Web Top

Another week has gone and my Web Top reaches its finale.

To start with, let me introduce to you my friend Elena who has been selected to be my model. I made her as a base for a face jewellery piece some time ago. However, she has been promoted since then and has become a valuable member of my presentation team. Therefore, let me give you Elena wearing ever so light Web Top.

Do you remember this image? It is the one of a spider web attached to the lamp post and the decoration of the lamp post itself. Both of these observations played an important role in the making of the 'Web Top'.

This is my interpretation made with the means of crochet. The line stretching from top to bottom, the division from left to right, the attachment...

...the perfection of the spider web, the asymmetry given by one side being wider than the other, the lightness.

The Web Top's lightness has come as a welcome element to join my design process. What is more, as I was making/shaping the top, I noticed the kind of potential that lies in the choice of wool & pattern. They both respond to the idea of a spider web. The Web Top is not only light, it is also strong and benefits from a certain warmth given by the material.

I cannot stop but being pleased with the outcome of this project. Not only have I had the chance to crochet a top that will be a useful addition to my wardrobe, but also was I able to turn the meaning around and attach what is meant to be solid to something that is so delicate. I see this as quite a challenging juxtaposition discovered during the design process. It was fun.

Belt-strap Handbag

In my last post ('Fold Dress') I left you with a promise to turn my attention to the pockets left from my old cut-up jeans. Now is the time to show you my design idea related to other images from 'What lies beneath (and above)' post.

Seeing this image, all I could see were the belt-straps from my jeans that you can see in the image above. The blue colour on top of this image also fits since I am using blue denim here.

At the same time, this decoration on the side of the bridge made me ask myself what I would have hanging on my side, from my shoulder respectively.

And these thoughts gave the birth to a Belt-strap Handbag idea. I have four pockets and a waist&straps from the jeans. Since pockets are meant to keep things in, a handbag does the same thing (hopefully in an organised way).

The waist&straps piece serves more as a decoration, like the decoration on the side of the bridge. Or shall I use it to carry the bag around...?

Everything seems to come back together and answers the design process.

Similarly to my Fold Dress, this design is also on a stand-by since I still have to organise a sewing machine. So bear with me and keep checking these posts. See you soon.

Update: Sunday, 26 June 2011

Belt-strap Handbag

Finally, I have finished my 'Belt-strap Handbag'. It took me 'only' one and a half day. I know that for those who know how to use the sewing machine, one and a half day seems like eternity. However, I am actually impressed with myself. I managed it all by myself AND without supervision.

As seen in a previous post regarding the design of this handbag, I already had a pinned mock-up giving quite a good idea of the outcome. What was missing was the handbag's lining. The one I have made also has an inside divider/pocket. This part, I am not going to bother you with. Apart from unpicking it once, it was relatively easy.

What I want you to turn your attention to are certain details. For instance, the name  'KPDECO' inscribed on the waist-turn-handle of my handbag. This aims towards branding that I am using as a part of this blog and also serves as my signature.

If you have a proper look at the introductory image, you will spot that I used a former belt as a shoulder strap. I removed the buckle and was left with the question how to attach it to the handbag. For this, I twisted a strip of denim and pushed it through already created holes to hold the belt in place.

As a result, I ended up with a button. As much as it has its function it also serves as a decoration similar to the decoration on the bridge that was an inspiration for this design at the first place. Lovely touch.

What is great about this design is how many pockets this handbag has. Apart from the pocket in the lining, I actually did not have to create more pockets given by the source - four pockets from cut-up jeans. This is the beauty of designing. Take what is given and use it. This particular one is like a puzzle. It is all in there. You just have to re-arrange it.

Fold Dress

Do you remember this image? It is the one from 'What lies beneath' post published last week. And this is the progress so far.


1. To start, I reached for an old pair of jeans that has been laying around for ages and cut it to pieces. For this project, I am using the trouser-legs rather than the pockets (these will find their use somewhere else).






2. Next step is to use the visual from the image above and apply it to the two pieces of what is now my material. For one piece horizontal fold has been applied when the second piece will benefit from next step - vertical fold.

By purely playing with the imagery, my design starts to take its shape.



3. Now I cannot wait to pin it all together and end up with some sort of a mock-up.

At the moment, the dress is more pins than one can imagine and can be quite painful to be tried on but this does not deter me from realising the design. What stops me right now is the lack of tools - a sawing machine to be precise. Therefore, Fold Dress is on a stand-by for now and I will turn my attention to the rest of the cut-up jeans - the pockets. For this, I will see you in my next post soon.

In the meantime, enjoy the weekend and sunshine.

Update: Sunday, 3 July 2011

Fold Dress

And finally, here comes Elena wearing 'Fold Dress' made out of an old pair of jeans. This dress was inspired by an architectural element on a side of a bridge that connects Kensington Gardens with Hyde Park.

Similarly to the 'Belt-strap Handbag', it also carries a 'KPDECO' logo seen on its bottom-left (just under the hole). Why have I not mended the hole? you ask. I decided to keep to the final state of the original piece. This part used to be the bottom fold of the trouser-leg of the jeans.

To shape the top part, I have learnt a lot about sewing for a female figure. It was slightly challenging, yet I had a good time making it.

I would like to draw your attention to the two pre-existing lines in the top's upper part and the back of the dress that had originally been made for the jeans.

I have never mentioned it during the process (maybe because it was not my making - it was already there). This bears a reference to another image from 'What lies beneath' post. Do you see the way these lines run and bend in the stonework? In my design, the lines also bend and run continuously.

The final touch on the 'Fold Dress' are the beads. A friend of mine gave me a jar of various beads and I just knew that sooner or later, I would find use for them. And 'sooner' is the case.

During this project-devided-in-three ('Web Top', 'Belt-strap Handbag', 'Fold Dress'), I have felt touch guilty for not using the intro image. Can you see the pebbles at the bottom of the river? And so, I have used this visual and transferred it onto my dress.

First of all, I colour co-ordinated and kept to the blue colour. By doing so, the beads both blend with the surroundings and at the same time, stand out. As it comes with nature, its randomness goes hand-in-hand with perfection. Therefore, I used this element and sewed the beads in less than geometrical order. And it works giving the dress extra touch of glamour.

Yet again, I have made myself rather proud. This dress came out of a section of a bridge decoration. Isn't it amazing to see how far one can go if an idea is allowed to float freely to create such an outcome?