Over the coming weeks I'm going to finish of my A-Z challenge, I can't believe I started it back in March this year, I'm going to get it finished by December- I promise!
Anyway, whatever you're up to this weekend I hope you have a good one..
Hello Weekend :)
I love the weekend... I plan to do some work on May I Design and start some designs. I spent the morning reading the latest edition of Moyo magazine and I'm now feeling very inspired.
Over the coming weeks I'm going to finish of my A-Z challenge, I can't believe I started it back in March this year, I'm going to get it finished by December- I promise!
Anyway, whatever you're up to this weekend I hope you have a good one..
Over the coming weeks I'm going to finish of my A-Z challenge, I can't believe I started it back in March this year, I'm going to get it finished by December- I promise!
Anyway, whatever you're up to this weekend I hope you have a good one..
I need to learn to balance..
Hiya,
Well I've been a bit rubbish at updating my blog lately, but I have been a busy bee.. I promise! I thought I would fill you in on what's been going on.
A few months ago I decided to sign up to do the Lichfield 10k. I did this in aid of The Alzheimer's Society as my Gran was diagnosed with the disease 3 years ago and it's gradually getting worse. As I felt quite helpless I thought one way I could help was to do what I know, lace up my running shoes and do a sponsored 10k run! I hoped to raise as much money as possible to help both research into the illness and to help those suffering from it. I completed the race yesterday in a PB of 1 hour 4 mins and 1 second. And I raised, with the help of many generous people £359.88. I'm soooo pleased and feel we may have helped just a little bit!
A few weeks ago I won a competition over on the lovely Joanna Briggs Photography Blog, to have a photo shoot. Mocha and I went back up to Lichfield and went out on location with Jo and she took some really gorgeous pictures. She really is wonderful as Mocha and I just giggled like school children the whole day and she managed to capture some really lovely moments. If you are thinking about having a photo shoot for yourself or with your family I couldn't recommend Jo enough she is sooo lovely and really makes you feel comfortable and at ease! Below are just a few of the photo's she took on the day. To find out more about Joanna and her beautiful work click here.
Well I've been a bit rubbish at updating my blog lately, but I have been a busy bee.. I promise! I thought I would fill you in on what's been going on.
A few months ago I decided to sign up to do the Lichfield 10k. I did this in aid of The Alzheimer's Society as my Gran was diagnosed with the disease 3 years ago and it's gradually getting worse. As I felt quite helpless I thought one way I could help was to do what I know, lace up my running shoes and do a sponsored 10k run! I hoped to raise as much money as possible to help both research into the illness and to help those suffering from it. I completed the race yesterday in a PB of 1 hour 4 mins and 1 second. And I raised, with the help of many generous people £359.88. I'm soooo pleased and feel we may have helped just a little bit!
Now that I don't have the 10k to concentrate on anymore, I am going to get back into designing and blogging more often. Although I am thinking of signing up to a couple more 10k's this year and a triathlon next year, I think I just need to work on balance and not do training or designing but working both equally into my time!
Anywhoo, sorry for such a long post,
see you soon
xx
C is for caterpillar
Hiya,
Today my A-Z challenge letter is C! For some reason when I was on the phone I kept doodling caterpillars! So I thought I would turn one into a pattern.
I used Adobe Illustrator to create my little critter. It's definitely still a work in progress.
Today my A-Z challenge letter is C! For some reason when I was on the phone I kept doodling caterpillars! So I thought I would turn one into a pattern.
I used Adobe Illustrator to create my little critter. It's definitely still a work in progress.
I used a simple leaf motif in the background. I'm not 100% happy with it, so will keep working on it.
See you soon
xx
Today my feature Friday is about the beautiful work of Lotta Jansdotter. I first came across her work on Pinterest and LOVED IT!
Her work is bold and beautiful. She uses simple motifs and simple skills like potato printing to aid her work. Lotta's colour choices are gorgeous and influenced by her Scandinavian heritage.
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A quote from her website says 'Can't find what you want? Make it! Don't know how? Learn it!' I think that is a fab motto to live by.
I recently bought one of her books to learn how to print with array of different tools. The book is filled with gorgeous photographs of her work and simple step-by step guides on how to print with anything from potatoes to leaves! It's so inspiring and really got my creative juices flowing.
See you soon
xx
A beautiful tin!
Hey Hey,
This weekend I went home back up to Lichfield. I really enjoy going home, I have lived in Lichfield since I was born and really do class it as my home, so when I go back I feel very relaxed and happy to see my friends and family.
This weekend I went home back up to Lichfield. I really enjoy going home, I have lived in Lichfield since I was born and really do class it as my home, so when I go back I feel very relaxed and happy to see my friends and family.
Lichfield
This time when I went home my Mum had bought me a beautiful tin of shortbread biscuits. I am a sucker for a nice tin and this one, well, it's FAB! And not only is it wonderfully decorated but it is also filled with shortbread biscuits (yummy!!)
It is decorated with quirky illustrations of famous landmarks around Great Britain. My favourite is the Loch ness marathon with the Loch ness monster in a running number!
The tins are sold in Marks and Spencer, but if you can't find one in your local branch its probably because my Mum has bought them all!
See you soon,
xx
H is for Houses
Happy Monday,
I hope you have all had a good weekend and have been lapping up the sunshine... I'm currently writing this blog with thunder rumbling in the background- It's all about to change!
Today's blog post is an extension of last Monday's potato printing post (that's a lot of P's!). I scanned my print in and manipulated it in Photoshop.
I found a colour palette that I liked on pinterest :
I hope you have all had a good weekend and have been lapping up the sunshine... I'm currently writing this blog with thunder rumbling in the background- It's all about to change!
Today's blog post is an extension of last Monday's potato printing post (that's a lot of P's!). I scanned my print in and manipulated it in Photoshop.
I found a colour palette that I liked on pinterest :
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I loved the yummy blue, sea yellow and black rock together, so used them in my design below:
I think my fave is the last one.
My mum and I have began to notice a theme in my work - I seem to like doing my motifs in lines. So next week I'm going to do a more scattered design!
Have a lovely week,
See you soon,
xx
P is for potato printing
Bonjourno,
So today I fancied doing something a little bit different. I have recently bought a couple of books on printing which both said one of the easiest forms of printing is from the humble potato. I remember doing this at Primary school and enjoying the results. So today I thought I go back to my 6 year old self and have a quick go!
So today I fancied doing something a little bit different. I have recently bought a couple of books on printing which both said one of the easiest forms of printing is from the humble potato. I remember doing this at Primary school and enjoying the results. So today I thought I go back to my 6 year old self and have a quick go!
little house potato stamp
My first go... a little bit wobbly
Now to be fair I think my 6 year old self would have laughed at my 26 year old attempt. But although my prints are a little rugged round the edges I quite like my little house motif. And for a first go in over 20 years I really quite enjoyed it. I deffo think I need to spend a bit of time perfecting my technique, but for now this quirky little print has put a happy smile on my face!
See you soon
xx
Neglected blog...
Hello,
Thought I would do a bit of a different post today and tell you a little bit about what's been going on and why I have been neglecting my poor blog!
I recently started a new job so just getting into the swing of things there and it's quite tiring learning so many new things! This has resulted in me being a little bit rubbish posting on my blog and not being as productive with my design work. Something I am going to try and rectify ASAP!
I found this picture over on Pinterest and it kind of sums things up for me at the mo:
I haven't been completely lazy though as I have signed up for a 10k run in Lichfield, which I have decided to do in aid of the Alzheimer's Society. So I've been training three times a week getting back to my former fitness and started doing Pilate's to try and help my running as I'm always riddled with injuries from sore knees, to feet to lower back! So thought Pilate's is what I need to strengthen up, in order to get the best out of my running!
Yesterday my T-shirt came through the post and I wore it out for my training run last night. I felt even more motivated knowing I'm running for a brilliant cause:
Thought I would do a bit of a different post today and tell you a little bit about what's been going on and why I have been neglecting my poor blog!
I recently started a new job so just getting into the swing of things there and it's quite tiring learning so many new things! This has resulted in me being a little bit rubbish posting on my blog and not being as productive with my design work. Something I am going to try and rectify ASAP!
I found this picture over on Pinterest and it kind of sums things up for me at the mo:
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I haven't been completely lazy though as I have signed up for a 10k run in Lichfield, which I have decided to do in aid of the Alzheimer's Society. So I've been training three times a week getting back to my former fitness and started doing Pilate's to try and help my running as I'm always riddled with injuries from sore knees, to feet to lower back! So thought Pilate's is what I need to strengthen up, in order to get the best out of my running!
Yesterday my T-shirt came through the post and I wore it out for my training run last night. I felt even more motivated knowing I'm running for a brilliant cause:
If you did want to know why Alzheimer's or maybe wanted to sponsor me please look here.
Anywho, this my vow that I am gonna do better and keep up to date with my blog and my designing.
See you SOON!!(I promise)
xx
Feature Friday..
Today I am featuring the wonderful work of Kathryn 'Kizzi' Oxley. I was first introduced to her work by Yaz Raja via Facebook. Kathryn has recently graduated from BA (Hons) Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at Leeds College of Art. Her work is so much fun combining a quirky hand illustrated style with beautiful colour palettes and chirpy characters. One of my favourites are definitely the puffins.
Her work is also inspired by cityscape's and the coast.
Her work is sure to put a smile on your face.
See you soon
xx
D is for dandelion
Bonjour,
Today's pattern is D is for dandelion.... I used ink and a paintbrush to create the basic motif then used illustration to manipulate it.
Today's pattern is D is for dandelion.... I used ink and a paintbrush to create the basic motif then used illustration to manipulate it.
I then experimented with the colourways. I think this pattern would look nice on stationery.
Sorry I missed the Feature Friday last week was a busy ol' week! I promise it will be back this week if you would like to be featured email me.
See you soon,
xx
L is for light bulb
Hello,
It's Monday so that means one thing A-Z of surface pattern challenge day! Today L is for light bulb.
This pattern I entered into the Quincy lampshade competition. Unfortunately is wasn't successful but I had a lot of fun designing it! We had a fixed palette of colours and a certain size we had to design to.
A little while ago, when I did my 'design a day' challenge I created another light bulb pattern which helped inspire these designs:
It's Monday so that means one thing A-Z of surface pattern challenge day! Today L is for light bulb.
This pattern I entered into the Quincy lampshade competition. Unfortunately is wasn't successful but I had a lot of fun designing it! We had a fixed palette of colours and a certain size we had to design to.
I hope you have had a happy Monday :)
See you soon
xx
Today my feature Friday blog post is about the wonderful Becky Peabody of Dots and Spots. I absolutely LOVE this woman's work and have been following her blog for a number of years now. Her work incorporates gorgeous torn papers to create fantastic designs. She has such a unique style that I find is instantly recognisable.
Becky has been kind enough on numerous occasions to offer me help and advice about setting up a small business, as she has done it herself.
She not only creates wonderful cards but also notebooks, mugs and so much more I urge you to take a look at her website here.
This week Dots and Spots has turned 5 years old and in celebration Becky is offering 25% off everything- to find out more click here.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOTS AND SPOTS!
See you soon
xx
(If you would like to be featured email me here )
(If you would like to be featured email me here )
W is for windmill...
Hello,
Hope you had a lovely weekend. It's Monday again so that means another letter of my A-Z surface pattern challenge! Today W is for windmill.....
Hope you had a lovely weekend. It's Monday again so that means another letter of my A-Z surface pattern challenge! Today W is for windmill.....
I love the little garden windmills. They are just such a happy shape! I think these could work on gift wrap and cards as well as stationery.
See you soon
xx
This week I am featuring surface pattern designer and illustrator Yaz Raja. I met Yaz when I studied several surface pattern modules at Staffordshire University. Her designs are all hand drawn and painted using watercolours, she then uses Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to edit her work. Yaz's designs are inspired by both nature and fashion.
She sells an array of products with her drawings on such as t-shirts, tote bags and phone cases they can be found in her Etsy shop and her Society 6 shop. It's really worth having a look.
If you like her work please check out her illustrated fashion blog or you can follow her on twitter here .
See you soon
xx
If you would like to be featured please email me with some images of your work and a little bit about yourself.
T is for telephone
I am now motoring through my A-Z challenge! This morning I've been experimenting with a telephone motif.
I like to experiment with background colours and the use of text.
Out of all the designs I have done this morning my favourite is the black and white telephones below I like the regimented quality and the burst of red at the bottom.
I could see these patterns being used on address books/notebooks and even a 'just to say hello' greetings card.
See you soon
xx
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