Portmeirion...
I visited Portmeirion, near Porthmadog in North Wales, not expecting to be thrilled, but ended up being completely bowled over by it's unique atmosphere. Built by Sir Clough Williams Ellis in a style owing more to the the Amalfi coastline than to that of Snowdonia, it is a little gem of eccentricity, proving that a space can be developed sympathetically - adding to and enhancing the environment rather than destroying it.
It wasn't long before ideas came flooding in to my 'design brain' and these are the result. There are more to come!
It wasn't long before ideas came flooding in to my 'design brain' and these are the result. There are more to come!
Melusine
There will also be some 'companion pieces' - a wallhanging, cushion cover and runner - watch this space!
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The mascot of Pormeirion is the mermaid and various representations of these mythical creatures can be seen around the place. In this instance, some of the iron images in the railing panels which are dotted around the village combined with a rather lush lily pond to give me this idea. You can see the lilies, but also the fish tails whisking in and around them!
It is a 'biggie' at 114" square, but could be a little smaller without the coloured borders. The design would be just as effective!
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Ondine
I also designed a matching 'table centre' to co-ordinate with the larger items. Or it could be a wallhanging? Like the main quilt pattern, this pattern includes instructions to make two sizes of this - as we all have different sizes of tables after all! The sizes are 34" square or 26" square
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Another design which has a 'mermaid' name, Ondine uses the actual colours of many of the buildings scattered around Portmeirion village. I wanted to get a sense of fun and movement, so I incorporated the 'fishtails' which are the obvious part of a mermaid's anatomy, and a sinous curve runs along the quilt, between the blocks, top to bottom and side to side.
The main square quilt is 92" square, but the pattern includes instructions to make a smaller thow size which comes out at 72" x 92" 
(Quilting by my friend Suzan Pons)
There will also be a pointed end table runner which comes out as 51" x 17"
Watch this space! 
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Poseidon - 'Prisoner'
Lovers of 60's cult TV will doubtless be aware of the show 'The Prisoner' which was filmed at Portmeirion. Starring Patrick McGoohan, it still has a following some 50 years later, and there is an annual Festival at Portmeirion village which is a real celebration of the show, featuring re-enactments of key scenes and other organised events. I felt I had to represent such a key feature of Portmeirion's history, and so when I came across the wonderful selection of batiks offered by my friends at Majestic Batiks in Oregon, one in particular 'spoke' to me in this regard. And so, 'Poseidon' - not a mermaid, but a 'sea god' - was born. For those who don't know, Majestic offer reproduceable batiks - which don't therefore go 'out of print' - and they are ethically produced: both features which are very important to me.
The pattern isn't available yet as the guys at Majestic and I are discussing how best to offer everything to you all. But here is a little preview of what could be in the range!
The pattern isn't available yet as the guys at Majestic and I are discussing how best to offer everything to you all. But here is a little preview of what could be in the range!
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