Accidental Vix

So much talent to write about but I’m in the mood for some printing today, so that’s where I’m going to showcase today’s faves from –  Roddy and Ginger. I don’t need to say much more so take a look at their work, and here are my top 3 reasons to see more:

• There is a good chance that we hopefully have a new house to move into by Christmas and these colours are exactly what I have in mind, bold but not too bright
• The repeated patterns and geometric shapes are so striking
• Suitable for any room, the subject matter could fit in anywhere from a nursery, to lounge to kitchen and beyond

I was so excited to go to the Canada Water Library in London, despite the underground problems, to be re-united with my sketchbook project 2012, as well as meeting my fab friend Jess from Jessie G for the day and getting engrossed in lots of great sketchbooks. The problem wasn’t where to start but when to finish! I was lucky enough to have the help of Rob Jelinski’s top 25 read list (I advise you take it if you’re visiting this week – only the European and Australian books are in London but I’m determined to get to Brooklyn to see the rest!!) and the ones I saw were all amazing:

• The first book that I managed to get out was that of Marian Wood, and one of the first artists I noticed through Rob’s blog. I’m gutted that in the initial chaos when the system wasn’t set up that I forgot to take more photos of the delicate colour, line weight and traditional feel of Marian‘s sketches as it was beautiful
• Charlotte Valance is somebody I’ve got to know through twitter, and the sketchbookproject, but who I also got to meet on my Gocco course earlier in the summer so I was very excited to see her book in person. Well worth seeing for the gorgeous ink sketches of buildings, and a style I instantly recognise now as Charlotte‘s
• I knew there was a chance that I would see Matt Robinson there, and thanks to sketchbook name badges I did. Matt‘s detailed sketches with dots/stippled effect captured my attention from the first page I saw, and the book is even better in person – no photo can give it justice. Can’t wait for Matt’s 2013 entry, and hoping it comes back to London
• I have to admit that Mat Roff‘s Legend of Mat Marvel has gone straight in at no.1 in my opinion – you MUST see this in person. Not only is it a gripping story, which I consider to be a cross between James Bond and TinTin but the illustrations are so detailed and beautiful, and the cover grabbed mine and everybody else’s attention. If I could buy this I would… Please tell me you’re doing Sketchbook Project 2013 Mat!!
• The delicately detailed illustrations of Naomi Adams have been on my must see list from early on, and are even better in person. The red string tells a story of it’s own and is like a wordless fairytale that any child can narrate themselves. I was lucky enough to bump into Naomi and her gorgeous children who must have loved watching the story unfold.
• I am addicted to twitter and the sense of community so was pleased to meet Zoe Ford, who I have tweeted with plenty but never met in person before, and of course view her sketchbook which was a very different take on a path through the trees.
• Last but not least, a big mention to my friend Jessie G who I feel I bullied into the sketchbook project (in a nice way) and did all of her clean, bright and bold sketches in just 10 minutes!

As well as the books specifically chosen to view you also get a ‘random’ book given with it so you get to view books that you might not otherwise have seen. Or, you could choose to search by a theme, colour or random selection which means it’s perfect for people just wanting to visit but not knowing how to choose a book and my fave random book has to be from wellywearer and again the gorgeous detailed linework. For me, the only disappointing things were the long queue (but I guess that means it’s popular which has to be a good thing) and the fact that I wanted to go over and pick the books off the shelf that took my fancy; this also got me thinking how likely my book is to be chosen as a random selection by visitors.

All in all it was a great experience and has spurred me on to do some more pages of my sketchbook project 2013, to be shared later in the week.

Have a great week,

Xx

Yay, I will finally be re-united with my sketchbookproject 2012 in London this weekend. This is my second book to go on tour, the first is now housed in the Brooklyn Art Library, and my third is in progress. For those of you who have not heard about it here’s a quick summary from my own point of view:

• Sign up to the Sketchbook Project, and choose your theme (I chose this is a sketchbook for my 2012 project)
• Then pay through the website and wait for the exciting post to arrive looking all new and ready to be personalised
• Get creative! For my 2012 sketchbook I chose to base it on my life as a bride and use it as a storybook because there are 32 pages (standard picture book)
• Then the hardest bit is saying goodbye and posting it back to New York before the deadline
• That’s it… let it fly off around the globe and hopefully be kept company along the way as people pick it off the shelves

I cannot recommend it enough, what are you waiting for? Sign up now if you haven’t already, and if you did the 2012 project then please post your name and sketchbook details below so I can add it to my list for Saturday. Thanks to a fab artist I met through twitter, Rob Jelinski, here is a Top 25 read list (only the European entries are coming to London) if you get chance to visit Canada Waters Library over the next week to see the fab creative books on display, and of course it would be great if mine got a few views before it heads back to live in New York – there could be an excuse for a holiday to the USA in there!

Thanks to Art House Co-op who make all of this possible…

Xx

Well the day is almost here, and time for yet another day of heavy lifting and packing boxes… we are moving back to Yorkshire this weekend! I’m not looking forward to the actual move but can’t wait to get back up North and start the next chapter, however daunting that seems at the moment. If you somehow haven’t guessed this week’s theme then here are some clues:

Kate Kelly Designs – We have moved postcard (love the little sketched house, and this definitely reminds me of home and quaint Yorkshire)

Urban Bark – New home invitation (so many things I like about this, the line work, combination of colours/pattern and modernity of it)

Sweet Potato Shop – We’re moving printable PDF (again I like the simplicity of this, and it’s appeal to a wide audience)

On with packing boxes before the rest of the helpers arrive tomorrow, and a big thanks to all our friends and family helping!!

Xx

Well my final day at my current job has arrived, and too quickly if you ask me! I’m very excited to be moving back to the Yorkshire countryside but there are a lot of friends and colleagues that I will miss – my Friday faves are for everyone at Brinkworth who I’ve been lucky enough to work with:

B – Beer o’clock must mean it’s nearly the weekend! (Newcraft – beer clock)

R – Restaurants and lunch breaks, can’t have too many of those to catch up with friends amongst the work, looking forward to my leaving lunch today (Suzanne Robertson Pics – food photograph)

I – Imagination, you won’t get far in design without it (Ladysnail – Imagination print)

N – North East London, and my long commute from South West London, a journey I won’t miss (Art Pause – London street map)

K – Keep going, there’ve been long hours and many mistakes but without them there’d be no good results (Typomaid – mistake print)

W – Work, well not much longer for me at Brinkworth so maybe I need one of these bags (Wobbly jobbly – Portfolio bag)

O – Oh dear, I hope I’m doing the right thing by giving up a job I love… (Wiley Valentine – Oh dear card)

R – Retail design, after all I design shops for a living (Glennis Photos – Antique Brass till photo)

T – Trips, our Christmas trips are definitely memorable, even if I only made it to Budapest! (Belsart – Budapest zine)

H – Hobbs, my client for a majority of my time at Brinkworth and I’m sad to leave the Hobbs team

Thank you Brinkworth, I’ll be back to visit!

Xx

Today I have decided that it’s time to showcase London at it’s best, and say a massive thank you to the amazing volunteers, organisers, athletes and everyone who has made the Olympics such a success. Last night we were lucky enough to go to the women’s volleyball final (my absolute fave sport even if my hip won’t allow me to play any more) which in itself is unbelievable but thanks to a volunteer getting me a wheelchair to avoid navigating the stairs we found ourselves in the front row within touching distance of the court. I still can’t believe the atmosphere and standard of play, a night that will remain with me forever. Brazil were my tip for gold, so when some Americans behind us were taking down Brazil flags and hiding them my hubby rescued one and I was an honourary supporter for the night. All credit to the USA but Brazil’s passion and play won out in the end, and they were deserved winners and celebrated as hard as they played.

I don’t know what I’ll do now the Olympics are coming to an end, well I may actually have some non distraction time to do some more creative things, at least for the next 3 weeks before the Paralympics start.

Go Team GB!

Xx

It was my first craft fair in 18 months today (and only my second ever stall) at the Tooting Tram and Social, and I’m pleased to say that it was a great success as I took double my target, but also got to meet lots of new creative people. The biggest difficulty for me was fitting such a variety of stock on my table. I’m not happy with the display, especially of my t-shirts and baby clothes, but it was a last minute improvisation as all my kit/displays are at my parents’ in Yorkshire. Thanks to all who supported, chatted or bought from me today, especially my husband for helping to man my stall whilst I chatted to other sellers.

There will be another post this week about some other fab stalls too, so keep an eye out.

Xx

I know this is a bit late, but things have been so busy recently and it is the jubilee year after all! Anyway, as you can tell from the photos we went to see the River Pageant for the Jubilee at the beginning of June and experienced some very British weather, even for June. I’m very proud to make all my products in the UK and use local suppliers and shops for my supplies and watching the pageant (there was even a bit of bunting in there!) made me feel proud to be British, and to support British handmade so please help to support UK business with me.

Xx

Well, incase you’ve missed it… it’s the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, which not only means 2 extra days to add to the weekend, but time for celebrations. We are hoping to see the flotilla on the Thames but given the look of the weather I’m not too sure whether we’ll make it or not, especially with me still on crutches. In the meantime I have been making lots of red, white and blue things which is also apt for the soon to be Olympics. Above are some of my faves for supporting the very British celebrations for the Jubilee and also for several countries in the Olympics.

Have a fab Sunday wherever you are.

Xx

From now on Sunday is going to be the day I showcase my latest makes, doodles and creations. So to start off I’ve chosen a red, white and blue theme, hmmm… wonder why that could be! I take inspiration from lots of different places but it’s hard not to be inspired by national events such as the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee. It was my first week back at work last week after 6 months off recovering from major hip surgery and just walking past shops on my commute made it impossible to miss the sea of red, white and blue everywhere. So, if you want to join in the festivities have a look at my etsy shop for bunting, and baby bits to get all ages involved, or leave a comment about your recent red, white and blue makes or finds!

Xx