Fall-Line magazine have created a goggle wipe using my ‘Get The Right Kit’ design.
Following the success of the t-shirt design that I created for the magazine, the publishers have licensed the design for a goggle cloth for skiers and snowboarders.
The cloth has my ‘Get The Right Kit’ ski/snowsports icons design on one side and has a handy check list on the reverse side. The cloth looks and feels great with a slight hombre in the blue fabric. It’s designed for ski and snowsports goggles but I am finding that also works for sunglasses, glasses and even tech screens.
The cloth is going out as a gift to the magazine subscribers with the February magazine, those buying the February magazine will also receive the cloth. To order the magazine head here.
See the goggle cloth in this Tik Tok filmed high up on the glacier in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. See the ice in the background. It was -24 so gloves stayed on!
If you’re in the UK it is also possible to order the goggle wipes in the Fall-Line magazine shop at this link. Those ordering, do let me know how you get on and please share any pics with the tags @inspirebykim and @falllinemag
The wipe is made by Wipeout who also offer ski piste maps on wipes, and even underwear – which could get chilly if you were trying to check a ski route on a cold day!
If you don’t already have the t-shirt, I highly recommend the product, its organic cotton and plastic free packaging, and the service from Teemill is swift, you can order this here in men’s cut, women’s cut in a range of sizes and colours. Ideal for Apres-ski, keeping up the ski vibe, or connecting with other skiers as it’s such a talking point.
Check out my ski wear concepts at these links, these designs are available for licensing at the time of writing.
My latest design concepts are some of my ski/snowsport themed fabric designs as ski jackets.
As I was heading to Slide & Outdoor Trade Show 2023 I completed mock-ups to be able show how I see the designs being used.
I first created a jacket design with features that I feel are important. I focused on a women’s jacket design with stretchy waist sections, expandable pockets, a removable inside of collar so that can be washed. I also of course included a lift pass pocket, and added a sunglasses pocket, and a large hidden pocket for the hollow of the back where goggles, a hat or a book could be carried.
Read on for more features of the jackets. I’ve chosen three of my 20+ ski and snowsport themed designs – ski goggle reflections, ski snow flakes and ski states.
Once I had created the jacket design I placed my fabric design onto it and added light and shade to demonstrate form. I created the mock-ups in my favourite creative app Procreate, with my iPad and Apple Pencil.
Here are the designs…
For comfort the design has underarm zipped vents. Stretchy cuffs ensure there is no gap between jacket and glove, and the hood is large enough to fit over a helmet for those cold, blowy days.
Reflective details are a safety element of the design concept. The contrasting hood interiors are bright and could be reversible to make them extra visible in low light or white out conditions, making them easier to follow or spot on the mountain.
I took a print out of the designs to Slide & OTS 2023 to show to ski industry contacts.
These jacket mock ups complement the earlier base layer, mid layer, neck wear and shirt designs. See those on these posts.
If you’re a ski wear company or manufacturer and would like to discuss licensing these or others of my 20+ fabric design please email inspirebykim@outlook.com
Also check out my ski and snowsports interior concepts here.
See my ski and snowsport themed fabrics ar my Spoonflower shop.
It’s that time of year when gingerbread tastes its best and spending time on a baked creation doesn’t feel indulgent, and there are plenty of visitors to eat it afterwards. Here is the story of my gingerbread work, as seen in Ski A to Z.
My final creation of 2020 was a two-storey chalet with balcony constructed in gingerbread. This was continuing the ski theme which was key for my work in 2020, and with the publishing of my Ski A to Z has continued to be.
The chalet had an overhanging roof, shutters, chimney, a log pile, and sugar windows in warm hues – including a window in the roof. I cut skis, bindings and poles from patterned papers and placed these at the front of the chalet.
I experimented with green screen technology to put the baked chalet into a mountain setting.
The chalet was lit from within its fairy lights added before the roof went on, with access to the switch through a space in the side wall.
I didn’t have chance to paint the chalet as still life before it was eaten, so I painted it from a photograph, with some additional details to the balcony. I added a depth of snow and removed some of the snow icing for the painted version.
The Art Applied
The gingerbread chalet features in Ski A to Z as a painting, and also in photo form.
The chalet features in Ski A to Z as a watercolour painting for ‘A is for Alpine’, the first entry in the book. Image Copyright Kim
A photograph of the chalet is in the map design for ‘M is for Map’, representing a cosy mountain restaurant.
I then placed and warped the map design to demonstrate folds in the piste map, for the spread in Ski A to Z. Pictured here on our mid-century teak table, which is a kind of gingerbread colour itself.
The chalet is also in my ‘Ski Goggle Reflections’ fabric and wallpaper design, in the yellow edge to edge lens. This design is available for print on demand fabrics and wallpapers in my Spoonflower shop. Here is the design mocked up as wallpaper for a ski house or chalet setting along with my favourite G-Plan Astro table. More about the designs here.
The Design and Construction Process
Here’s how I created the gingerbread chalet…
1. I drew the chalet design and then determined the pieces required before cutting card templates for each piece.
2. There were lots of parts to the design as it had a balcony, shutters, chimney and to look like a chalet it needed a considerable overhang on the roof. I find ceramics hand building techniques useful when constructing in gingerbread.
3. Once all the panels and components were baked, and beautifully golden brown, with boiled sweet windows, the construction could begin, with edible glue and royal icing, and some cocktail sticks and kebab skewers to hold in place.
For the following artwork I added a painted mountainscape background with falling snow in Procreate app. I used a might scene to accentuate the interior lighting and inviting atmosphere, a warm shelter after a chilly, but fun, day on the mountain.
Gingerbread construction is a lovely thing to do, Although my family can’t wait to smash my creations and eat the gingerbread. It’s delicious but always a little painful for the work to be undone so quickly, although that’s why it’s nice that this gingerbread chalet is now all around the world in my Ski A to Z book.
I completed the house on New Year’s Eve, and so the year closed. A challenging but creative 2020 ended.
I used the Mary Berry recipe for the dough, I’ve used this before to make two gingerbread houses, and a gingerbread car, each time using my own templates.
Earlier Gingerbread Creations
Gingerbread House 1 – 2013
My first gingerbread house was a three storey townhouse using Mary Berry’s recipe when she did a Christmas cooking programme with Paul Hollywood, during her Great British Bake Off years. Quite ambitious as a first attempt and my own templates, alway taking the easy options, not!
Gingerbread House 2 – 2018
My largest gingerbread creation was this huge house. It stood 13 inches tall. I Intended into have turrets on the corners but I struggled with the bend in the bake. Features I particularly liked were the scalloped roof and large windows.
See the real estate type ‘virtual viewing tour’ video, which was fun to make.
I painted a picture of the house in a simplified way in acrylic paints. painting from something you’ve crated can be a good day to get a fresh looking subject.
The following year I used this for my Christmas card and gift tag design (below). Each of the houses in the picture are the same hous but photographed from different angles. Christmas often feels to me like it comes round again really quickly.
Santa’s Car 2019
My Christmas card design for 2019 (above) then became the theme of my gingerbread bake that Christmas.
gingerbread Gift Box (2021) and Top Tips
This was a cake in a gingerbread box that I made for my husband’s birthday. Ceramic hand building techniques were applied to create this. Making the box was easier for me than decorating the cake.
Gingerbread Tips
Here are my top gingerbread tips.
Draw out your design and think about what parts make up the structure or design.
Bake more than you think you need, it will all get eaten.
Note that gingerbread expands during cooking, so trim with your templates part way through the bake.
As you make your templates for each piece of the bake decide whether your panels will overlap or meet at the corners, as this will affect the dimensions.
If a panel will be load bearing, such as for a wall to hold a roof, adjust the thickness of the gingerbread. Adjust your bake time accordingly.
Crushed boiled sweets work great for windows – Mary Berry is right! But if the windows are too large they will weaken your structure and may not fill the space. The boiled sweets are added mid way through the oven baking time.
It is important to text/ taste the bake 😉
Enjoy, it’s meant to be fun.
This video shows the stages of the the gingerbread house creation.
Now to make this year’s gingerbread Christmas bake. Watch the space. Please subscribe to follow and see updates as they go live.
To Own The Art
To own a piece of my work and support my art practice please visit my shop. Your purchases are greatly appreciated.
For more information and links to buy Ski A to Z head here, The book has info, tips and advice for skiers, with over 100 illustrations. Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK).
I hope you have sweet time this Christmas. If this inspires you I’d love to see what you make.
As a special birthday gift I painted this artwork for my best friend Katy, hang gliding in the mountains.
When we had this experience in the French Alps as youngsters my friend’s photo never arrived. So now she has a painting to remember the experience by.
I used online research, my black and white photo of the experience, and photos of Katy around that age, to create the sketches for the piece.
The hang glider’s camera was mounted on the wing and during the flight the pilot took the shot by remote control. The photos were then developed and (in theory) posted.
My Hang Gliding Picture
Setting off with skis pointed straight down the slope until the wing took flight and gliding over the resort below was exhilarating. I remember that it was chilly and I felt the elements as I was wearing my race suit as I had raced giant slalom earlier that day.
Each member of Katy’s family took the hang glider and all four pictures went missing, so the experience has always had the disappointment of the photos not arriving, associated with it.
The hang gliding on skis experience was in Alpe d’Huez, France when we were there for the English Championship Easter races.
Painted in Kuretaki watercolours on 100% cotton paper.
I framed the painted and surprised Katy with it for her birthday.
National Snow Show: It was lovely to see Katy reunited with Chammy Alcott at my stand at the National Snow Show in Birmingham last month. Chemmy and Katy room shared for a time during their ski racing careers.
This new artwork is for this darling human. Loved by so many of us. Thanks Katy for all your love and support, and for being you.
Schools: Please put Ski A to Z on your ski trip resources list so that families can benefit and fully enjoy this exciting new experience.
School Ski Tour Operators: Help your customers have their best start in skiing and let it be a great foundation in the sport with the support of Ski A to Z.
This article in the School Snowsports magazine explains how Ski A to Z is ideal for pre-trip preparation for children and youngsters heading off on ski trips for the first time.
The article has tips and advice for new skiers, and tips to help group leaders who are planning ski trips.
The helpful information and advice packed into the 96 pages of Ski A to Z can reassure parents and help youngsters know what to expect, and to feel more comfortable and confident to embark on this exciting experience.
I wrote the article to inform schools about Ski A to Z and to encourage them to put Ski A to Z in their pre-trip prep advice and packing lists. The book is incredibly good value, snowsports are not cheap, but the price of the book compared to the cost of the trip makes it power up the experience and the reader will enjoy their trip and the investment in the holiday all the more, having read and consumed the book contents.
I hope the article will really help families where their child or youngster are going skiing for the first time. Getting your child ready for what may be not only their first snowsport holiday, but may be their first time away from home is a big thing and could feel overwhelming, “what do we need to buy”, “what should we pack”, “will they be safe”, are all concerns.
Ski A to Z complements on mountain learning and advocates learning with qualified instructors.
That first school ski trip can be the start of a wonderful journey in snowsports, and it’s important that the experience is as positive and enjoyable as possible.
Ski A to Z can help youngsters prepare for not only a ski holiday, but can help them get ready for an outing to an artificial ski facility whether it be an indoor snow slope or outdoor matting.
Ski A to Z can help ease anxieties and help the reader get to the fun of snowsports faster. With the help of Ski A to Z new skiers can get the most enjoyment of their time on the mountain, And don’t we all want to save time, and feel comfortable, when learning something new.
Ski A to Z can grow with the skier with advice that will benefit even experienced skiers.
The tips and info in the article are just some of the tips and gems of advice in Ski A to Z. Find out more and for info on where to buy the book head over here.
I wrote the article and created brand new ski themed illustrations of youngsters in school uniforms escaping the classroom and enjoying the experience of skiing and snowsports.
If you are a school in South Yorkshire or Lancashire get in touch and I may be able to come along with Ski A to Z to your ski trip info evening. Email inspirebykim@outlook.com if this will help your students.
“While it has been impossible to hold the actual show in New York, Blue Print created an online event to keep Art Directors and Buyers in touch with Artists, Illustrators and Studios. Each exhibitor has created an online booth for the event, enabling meetings with Art Directors and Buyers using Doodle and Zoom.” Paul of Blue Print Online.
Blue Print Online is almost here. I’m excited to be exhibiting my work at this online show for art buyers. I’ve been busy working on new designs, my exhibitor page, social media flyers and my show presentation. Exhibiting at the show means that my designs can be considered for interior decor, stationery, wallpaper, giftwrap and products.
Here’s a message from the show organisers:
While it has been impossible to hold the actual show in New York, Blue Print created an online event to keep Art Directors and Buyers in touch with Artists, Illustrators and Studios. Each exhibitor has created an online booth for the event, enabling meetings with Art Directors and Buyers using Doodle and Zoom.
The web address is www.blue-print-online.com. From the Home Page you can find all the information you need to access The Show. We have added some Product images to this show, these can be seen on the exhibitors pages, along with their artwork.
To receive the password to access The Show and view the exhibitors and their exciting new artwork, you will need to register in the Buyer Register section. Once you receive your password you can access The Show from August 9th 2022 and book your Zoom meetings with the studio or artists of your choice. The actual show dates are August 16th -18th 2022.
As usual there is a mix of established designer, artists, illustrators and exciting new talent at this latest event, you can see their flyers updated daily at https://www.instagram.com/blueprintshows/
We are looking forward to seeing you at Blue Print Online !
Kim here once more, I’m excited for the show. Art buyers – I look forward to meeting. Please book your meeting through my exhibitor page – the window for booking appointments is 9th to 12th August, for the show which is 16th – 18th August. Blue Print Online
I’m thrilled to be able to share my designs and brand new work. I can’t wait to meet with you.
Look for this collage to see my Exhibitor Page.
Look for this collage to see my Exhibitor Page.
Thanks so much for being here, please subscribe to my blog or newsletter to see my updates and new work.
If you’d like to buy art prints, or my Ski A to Z book visit my Shop.
My latest posts are here… please subscribe to see my news. Thanks so much. Kim x
Inspire by Kim 