Yes, it’s been an aeon since I last put word to digital paper. We are lucky to live in a time when technology grants us the gift of connection well beyond distance and time zones. I was privileged enough to spend lock down at home; abundant in time and projects. 

Some of these projects included textile design. I spent hours in Greenwich Park watching the flowers bloom over the spring months. The temperate climate makes for the most gorgeous of blossoms. Every colour imaginable and so many flowers my Canadian eyes had never seen. For weeks I took close-ups of the ever changing buds and created a layered print; a memento from the global pandemic that made us all take a minute to re-evaluate what matters most. 

Another print I created was inspired by the Cockney slang of East London. This jargon began in the 1840s and continues to morph and change to this day. My favourite, taught to me by the twins who I used to serve at the pub, is cream crackered aka completely knackered. I loved the imagery presented within bees & honey (money) and thus, my print was born.  I have yet to decide what to make it into.

End of May, I got hired on with a company that creates high-end window displays locally and internationally. For a month and a half I patterned and constructed dressings for these whimsical machines now sat in a prominent luxury window (I signed an NDA) on Bond Street. Was an absolute pleasure to be back in a busy workroom. Now that work has thinned, I continue to sew up clothing for my own brand and create garments for the summer months. 

August 1st I helped launch my friend’s theatre company 2m Theatre with the distanced production of Bottom’s Dream. The event was held in our private garden and a great success. I came to meet my neighbours from around the circus and reconnected with the many I already knew from my building. Who would’ve dreamed that I’d move to a massive city like London and gain a community. I feel very much at home and connected to the people around me.

Lastly, here is a collection of photos from the summer now dwindling into fall. I count myself very fortunate to be working minimally and enjoying every ounce of sun. The summers are temperate here, with the exception of a couple notable heat waves. I have also been fortunate to discover the joys of foraging. Just this last week I picked blackberries, apples, elderberries and rose hips. Again, this city never fails to amaze me.