'Outside the day was cold and wet, and the girl saw her first ever rain. She looked up to where the stars had been that night and instead the raindrops hit her face. For some reason the girl felt a goodbye in the wind, and indeed Joe once again took her by the hand and together they walked a few steps away from the cottage.
“We must carry on,” he said, and as he said it he wiped the rain from her face with one big gentle sweep of his hand.
“And so must I,” the girl said, sure of herself. Joe smiled.
“Yes, it’s true!” he smiled. “But where will you go?”
“I will keep on along the path by the stone walls, I won’t go back the way I came, for I know what to expect that way.” Joe nodded, and she felt he thought it was a good decision. “Where will you go?” she asked back.
“We will go up and away,” he answered, pointing at one of the hills. “We’ve heard tales of work as sometimes we must earn some money.”
A sort of sadness flickered across the girl’s face, and Joe looked into her eyes again, “No time for sadness,” he said, “There are still great adventures to be had, and so many new things to see.”
“Yes,” said the girl, thinking back to the old man she had first met.
“Come on, Joe,” shouted Wilf, as they had started walking up to the hill.
“Here,” said Joe, and pulled one of his woollen coats from his shoulders and put it around hers, “For the rain and the cold.” Then,“time to go!” he sang, excitement in his voice, and before she had time to think about anything, he had kissed her, his lips on hers, and was running to his friends, and all three were waving, and she waved and waved back, until once again they were just small figures on the hill, disappearing into the distance.'
Today I am working on the 'Ball' chapter. The first place i thought to look for inspiration was the photography of Cecil Beaton. He is famous for his poised and elegant photos of grand occasions. I have always had a great interest in his work as he used to live in my village.
The overall design of the latest Toast catalogue is lovely- it looks like it was shot in an old Indian Palace, all peeling patterned walls and faded coloured tiles. This print is the most interesting in the collection, and it looks like the design was inspired by the site of the shoot! (it probably wasn't, but the photos are lovely.)
While I was in London I went to see the Quilts exhibition at the V&A. I didn't have a particular interest in the history of Quilts but it was such an interesting collection, I loved reading all the stories behind the creation of the various designs, some of them had amazing histories. 
I've just finished a 2 week work placement at keelergordon, a fashion textiles studio in east London. It was amazing to see how quickly a working studio produces a collection of fabrics (one week!) and also to see the variation of designs being produced. 
Last week we had a visiting tutor- the designer/maker Donna Wilson. She designs some very beautiful and whimsical things, see them all here.... Donna Wilson
The Kenzo Autumn/Winter '10 collection is just so beautiful. A really interesting mix of prints and patterns, heavy and light fabrics and different textures. I love the country feel (fur, tweeds, florals and feathers in an array of country hues). 
Carey Mulligan's dress for the Oscars looks beautiful from a distance, but in detail is all the more interesting. Instead of sequins it is covered in tiny scissors, knives, forks and what looks like corkscrews! I love the surreal / fantasy element, especially for an event as formal as the Oscars. Read more about it here... Carey Mulligan - Miuccia Prada.
This is Alex Roberts, a Dorset based maker of beautiful music...
In Katie's first draft of the story, she writes of an old man who our character comes across in the woods.
This work is a bespoke wallpaper design by Catherine Hammerton. She uses really unusual techniques for her interiors collections- mixing different materials and layering papers and fabrics. The overall look is quite vintage and whimsical. 
Worked out how to get pictures uploaded! This is from www.fairie-ality.com. 
