04 June 2009

Kiln , Tomatoes and Mock ups

picked most of the tomatoes yesterday, so the birds don't get them as they ripen, must get some of that delicious Dairy Maid feta cheese for a salad, the best feta in Houston. They look so nice in a row though, its a shame to eat them! is that weird?
Also got the mock ups done for the show at Antidote, and last night was up late hanging it, the lines are straight, (unlike the ones in the pic ),got these fantastic tensioners, now i want them all over the house!
Also got a new kiln, well, its an old one, that needs some new parts, but hopefully it will all be in working order very soon
yippeee, we're getting the studio sorted, ready for some serious ceramics and t shirt printing

30 May 2009

Invite for Photo Show




Susan did a great job on the invite for our photo show at Antidote , opening night, Saturday 6th june, 7-9pm

25 May 2009

Studio Time

I had a good day today, it was really sunny and hot and it was also mine and Sean's 9th wedding anniversary, and I'm making time to work on my photo show that I'm doing soon with Susan at Antidote Coffee .
I was busy chopping up photos and listening to a good program on BBC Radio, where the DJ Gideon Coe was playing  an hour each of 1979, 1980,1981, so I just had to email him to ask him to play some Specials for me.
 I was more than excited when he mentioned that 'Carole in Texas wants me to play the Specials'!
I never actually heard the song, because I was in and out, but it was nice to get a mention.



22 May 2009

Friday Friend Feature- Janet Maxwell

I've decided to do a feature every Friday on a creative friend, this week its Janet Maxwell.
I've known Janet since we were at Camberwell Art College in London, doing a ceramics degree.
Janet is constantly making things, she's into knitting and painting right now, has a show of her paintings on in Whitstable, she may also have something to do with Knitstable, although I can't be sure about that!
Her house is amazing, airy and light, she has such a knack with colour, and her garden has been newly done by her Landscape Architect son, Adam.




She came to visit me recently in Texas and brought these fantastic faceclothes that she knitted, I love them!


I don't have any photos of her paintings, but you should check them out on her website


19 May 2009

Antler Magazine


I have an interview in Antler Mag on line, you can see it here
I made more cactus gardens, and sent the first one yesterday, via UPS, to Rhonda, hope it gets there ok.
Want to put some in my shop, but unsure on shipping charges, need to work on that.




15 May 2009

Entering Paradise



If you havn't been to Indian Summer Lodge in Houston, you should go.

Its a fantastic paradise garden and home that has been created by Jeff River Law.
Its filled with old painted chairs, little vignettes everywhere, unusual plants and arrangements, private seating areas, like a series of outdoor rooms, water, bamboo, tree houses and more.
 So much to look at.



At the moment it can be rented out for weddings and events, but Jeff is selling the place , so hurry down there to see it before you can't anymore.



I would buy it if I could get a big loan and I didn't have my own space to create already.
I can only hope mine will turn out half as good.
What an inspiration!

10 May 2009

Mother's Day



Happy Mothers day
to all you mothers out there
 the day always reminds me of daffodils


05 May 2009

Cactus Pots





I had this idea last week that I would make my bowls more functional by combining my love of plants, and making miniature indoor (or outdoor) gardens.
Today I got my self a drill bit to make holes in the bottoms of the ceramic pieces and it worked, I didn't crack anything, just made holes in the bottom which are needed for drainage.Then I planted them all up and added a few stones to the top
I used a couple of pieces I made and some that I had bought from the thrift store. These are the results....








02 May 2009

Collette Patterns

I just saw this pattern for a great skirt, I want one! Shame I can't sew.
Can anyone make it for me?
Maybe a trade could take place?
Anyway, if you want to take a look at it all , here is where you'll look

25 April 2009

collection of thrifted mugs


collection of thrifted mugs
Originally uploaded by mccheek

this is my collection of thrifted mugs and some of my own, with the Britney paintings Sean made for me

love that tiger


love that tiger
Originally uploaded by mccheek

my Studio


yellow
Originally uploaded by mccheek

I took photos of my studio the other day, I always like looking at other peoples studio's , so maybe yo will be intersted in seeing mine.
not done much work in it for a while, had visitors, but will be getting back in there this week, got lots of new ideas

02 April 2009

McCheek's Mayhem Magnets


MM Magnets
Originally uploaded by mccheek

I've been really getting into making these melted plastic magnets.
I make them while I watch Tv, its hard to do when the cats sitting on my knee, but I do my best to balance them.
I am in the middle of making rainbow ones too, they'll be in the shop soon.

31 March 2009

NinaINvorm


I really like NinaInvorm's blog , there is so much on it, and she is such an inspiration, ceramics, screen printing, collage , photos and interiors.


I got another good feature on another blog recently, Apartment Therapy , glad two people let me know because I would never have known

16 March 2009

Julia Potts Illustration



I've been looking at stuff on flickr and found this girl, Julia Potts whose illustrations i really like, she has done these tea towels for To Dry For.

13 March 2009

Bamboo Tiki Pond



its a wet cold day here today and its Friday  the 13th too
but some good things have happened already!
1. its raining, so the bamboo is getting some much needed water
2. i got two mentions on different blogs- The Constant Gatherer and Melissa Loves
3. Tammy's tree is still flowering- its a pink orchid tree i grew from seed and planted the day she ( our one eyed tabby cat) had her eye operation
 4. and last but not least I have made a  Bamboo Tiki Pond- made from our bamboo from the garden


02 March 2009

Green Show @ Hello Lucky

I have some of my doggy plates and Holga photos at the Green Show at Hello Lucky this month.
The dog plates are vintage with vintage ceramic decals , fired on by me!
The animals are by Rene Cruz.