Accidental Vix

Well the MOYO competition date has come and gone (but there’s still time to read it) and I was mad enough to enter! Above are my 3 entries for my first ever surface pattern design series. I was definitely like a fish out of water with this one, and apart from deliberating non-stop over colour, let alone the actual forms, I really struggled to bring them all together. But if there’s one thing I have plenty of it’s fabric, so surrounded by my fave colours and patterns I somehow managed to cobble together these as my entry. I know there is absolutely no chance of winning, and I must be brave to enter against what is sure to be strong competition with more experience but we have to keep pushing ourselves to learn, right?

Xx

Following on from my last post about challenges, here is my next creative challenge already! I discovered a fab free online magazine called Moyo, thanks to Rachael Taylor and Beth Nicholls, and it’s really inspired me to start thinking about surface pattern design (even if only as a hobby) as well as being very informative about practical information for novices like me. I have never tried to design a pattern before, which is surprising given my fascination with colour, pattern and fabric, but when I saw the competition to design a series of 3 patterns based on a given theme (ikebana, stylised/arranged Japanese  flowers) I couldn’t resist and I picked up my fave sketchbook and pen and started doodling straight away. I don’t want to reveal too much as I still have 2 patterns to go before I submit my entry but above is a sneak preview into my thought process for my very first surface pattern attempt based on a zoomed in area of the berries and creating abstract shapes from the highlights and shadows on the competition page from Moyo, with guest judge from Tigerprint. Any feedback would be welcome as I’m definitely like a fish out of water for this one!!

Have a great Sunday, whether it be full of challenges or not – I suspect that the snow will add more challenges to my day.

Xx

Well it’s official – I’ve passed 300 fans on facebook, so as promised it’s time for another giveaway now that Fri 13th is out of the way. The last giveaway was a dino, and he was named Walnut by Char and is now in his new home, settling in well. This time the winner will have a choice of one 10″ x 12″ illustration in a frame mount from the pictures above (for more details of the illustrations please see my Etsy shop listings):

1. A Molly illustration – A choice of 1 from the first 3 images shown above
2. A Sketchbox animal illustration – A choice of 1 from the second 3 images shown above
3. An anonymity illustration - A choice of 1 from the final 3 images shown above

All you have to do is leave a comment below to tell me which illustration you would choose and why, plus one of the following will get you one additional entry in the hat:

• Like my facebook page if you haven’t already, and don’t forget to say hi and where you’ve found me …or… Leave a comment on my facebook page, and share my competition post –  if you’re already a fan
• Follow me on twitter and tweet about this competition (don’t forget to mention @accidentalvix or I won’t see it!)

Don’t forget to let me know how to contact you if you win, either in the comments below or send me a message if you’d prefer it to be private. All entries will be put in a hat (not chosen which hat yet, and I may even make a new one for the occasion) and picked out by my husband on Monday 23 July. Please note that the deadline with be 12.00 noon on that Monday so good luck. The competition is open to international followers as well but any postage outside of the UK will have to be paid for by the winner.

Xx

I know this is delayed, but my un-named dino was won by Char… he is now called Walnut and residing with his new owner. I had grown quite attached to the dino I’d originally thought of as Stella, but there just isn’t enough space in our tiny London flat for all my creations and I’m glad to be giving away some to new homes. Well done Char, I hope that he is happy and brightening up your home. Watch this space for the next giveaway when I reach 300 likes to my facebook page.

Xx

Well I can’t believe that May is nearly over, and it’s only a few weeks away from our first wedding anniversary! So, as time continues to fly and this was a big birthday year for me (I’m beginning to feel like a dinosaur with my bones!) I thought it was about time I did a giveaway. For a chance to win my machine embroidered dinosaur wall hanging all you have to do is tell me what you would name him/her (as shown) if you won by leaving a comment below, on my facebook page or tweet (don’t forget to add @accidentalvix or I won’t see it) by noon on Friday 8 June 2012 and you will be added into a lucky hat and my husband will pick a winner. You also have the added bonus that if you buy from my Etsy or Luulla shops before 8th June then you will automatically be entered into the draw, plus it’s the Jubilee weekend so more time off work (hopefully) for you to enter – no excuses… please spread the word!

Xx

As you will probably know I’ve been doing a few of the Art House Co-op free projects to keep my mind creative whilst I debate where to take my sketchbookproject next. When I saw the mystery project it was an absolute must do as I think it’s really important to keep doing the little things to make people smile and if my art can do that then I’m in.  I received my free Prismacolor green tea pen and started my mini-zine of all things green – a series of A6 pages with green things from green tea to a grasshopper. Once I’d sewn it together it was time to decide where to leave it, I deliberated on a library but then that had already been done… a coffee shop, but that was too obvious… I knew I wanted it to be an independent and quirky place and then I had the idea to leave it in a fab treasure trove of books in an amazing little independent book shop in Wimbledon. I went there this morning and slipped it between a box of books in the sunshine, so who knows when it will be discovered, but when it is I hope it makes someone smile.

Xx

I love a challenge, especially if it’s creative so I couldn’t wait to sign up to the 4×6 exchange 2 by Art house Co-op. After finding out about the sketchbookproject 2 years ago Art house have managed to motivate me to push myself further, and their latest series of project is no exception. I have good days and bad days at the moment, still recovering from major hip surgery and phasing my return to work from this week so it’s important that I find things to keep my creativity going. So, when I hobbled home after my first day back at work after 6 months off I was cheered up by the post waiting for me, and this fab combo #1 artwork from Edgar Exclamation, who also sells on etsy.

Xx

I love a good swap, so when the opportunity came up on the craftyfolk team on etsy how could I say no? I was lucky enough to be teamed with Apryl from Blue Daisy Glass and in return for my selection of cards I received the gorgeous glass items above fresh from the kiln!

Xx

I might not have won SBS yet
But this is as close as I can get,
After this I will begin to fret!

I started off with illustrations
And despite all of my frustrations
I continue onto new creations

Bibs, hats and booties you will find
I always make with love and kind…
So please keep me in mind!

I’m putting all my effort in and trying hard,
I can do no more without sending you a card!

Xx

Very quick post today… My fave animal has to be the manatee, and one of the best things about Florida apart from the hopeful sunshine is seeing these gentle giants, which are also one of my favourite things to sketch. So here is my bag to accompany me in Florida.

Hope you have a good day, and aren’t too cold if you’re in the UK!

Xx