Sketchcrawling in Sheffield

I joined the Sketch Crawl North group in Sheffield yesterday for a day of wandering, coffee, food and drawing. I stumbled across the group through the Urban Sketchers network and was excited to see what a sketchcrawl was like. It took me back to being in Spain, even though it was many degrees cooler, and I realised that sharing some drawing time with a group of people was just what I'd been missing! 

So, with the snow outside and the company of fellow enthusiasts inside, here's what we got up to... 

Starting off with a coffee in Cafe Nero

We drew before taking in a visit to the Millenium Galleries

Then it was lunch at the Frog & Parrot

Where I saved this newsprint that was resting under my chips!
I thought it would be good to use for collage in another drawing sometime, sauce marks and all!

Wine, tables and of course some Sheffield Cutlery!

Then a final stop at the Showroom before sharing our day of mark making with one another.

It was a really great day! Very nice to meet another bunch of enthusiastic scribblers and I'll be looking to attend as many meets like this as I can throughout the year, thank you Sketch Crawl North!

Young Scientist of The Year Nomination!

My lovely little sis has been nominated for Young Scientist of the Year - woopee! I'll be going along to see her deliver a presentation on Wednesday, all based around her final year project:

Improving environmental sustainability in the food industry by readdressing methods of food production and local food networks. 

It's very far removed from my arty little world, but I'm incredibly proud of her indeed :) I was also very happy that last week were able to join forces! As part of her final year assessments, she took part in a nutrition fair at Sheffield Hallam uni. Delivering a stall with the theme of Grow it Cook it Eat it we worked together to make it all look tip top!

So, starting with this bunting as inspiration,

I created an applique patchwork wrap around for her to wear.

adding a little extra detail

to both sides of the apron

 it really made her look quite the part!

Then it was time to have a rummage and source everything we needed for a well presented table..I knew all this stuff would come in use one day!!

 We kept with the patchwork theme and cut out letters to match for the backdrop

Made a few minor adjustments, et, voila!

Here it is on nutrition fair day, I think the addition of the yellow looks great!

Each stall had to run a competition as part of the assessment, so after securing a free veg box from able & cole as a prize, she created a 'competition garden' for people to guess how long it took from a courgette seed being planted to flower and end up on your plate!? The stall was very well received and the competition especially -  I love the idea of using the plant markers as your guess!

So here is a happy Nic caught by instagram on the day!

Well done sis! Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Making Local Food Work were the main sponsors of her stall

and Taste Real Food UK have played an important part of her uni life this year too!
Highlights include her organising various tasting events at local drinkeries and eateries:
most recently at the newly opened Tamper in Sheffield, and an up and coming trip to Ludlow Food Festival.