Accidental Vix

It’s Diabetes Week this week and as my blood sugars are misbehaving again I thought I’d pick something bright and cheerful to share this week, and it comes in the form of Caroline Rose Art. I have been a fan of Caroline’s gorgeous collages for some time, and if/when we have kids I will be adorning our walls with most of Caroline’s Etsy shop, but in the meantime there’s always my little niece/nephew on the way in October, not that I need an excuse to shop handmade:

1. Paper cutting seems to be on trend at the moment, but I have not seen anyone else combine colours, detail and shapes so well to bring collage to life in such a fun and colourful way

2. There is a huge range of skill shown by Caroline, but the level of detail is just awe inspiring, I couldn’t even draw such intricate details of some of her designs, let alone cut this small

3. I am very passionate about supporting handmade items by local and talented independent designers as I believe that we are all individual and should be stepping away from the cloning of the high street. Caroline’s work is a prime example of this as her combination of collage, bright colours and simple patterns are unique to her and I instantly recognise her style.

I’m always happy to see a glimpse of new designs and work in progress on Caroline’s facebook page so why not join me and see new designs as they progress.

Happy Tuesday

xx

I had a stressful hospital appointment this morning so the afternoon is dedicated to creative things, and I think I’ll have a break from sewing today to get some screenprints done. This leads me onto today’s talent that I feel I have to share and these adorable prints by Sass and Peril:

1. Shannon’s prints are so playful and perfect as children’s illustrations but also a cute addition to any home and adults who are young at heart

2. I screenprint on my desk in our spare bedroom, also known as my studio, so it’s great to see that such great prints can emerge from Shannon printing in her garage studio

3. Any regular readers of my blog will know that I love Scandinavian design, animal illustrations and all things cute so this is a perfect combination!

Off to print some new designs now so have a good afternoon, hope it’s a sunny one.

Xx

After a bit of a crisis of confidence at the weekend, my sketching hand seemed to come back to life yesterday when I decided to pick an old and battered sketchbook off the shelf, change my pen and sit in the glorious bank holiday sunshine. This means that today was a sketching day to continue the momentum and to make the most of the sun whilst it lasts, with some new Molly and Charlie ideas I want to work on for a gocco print, so I thought these cute illustrations by Simply Me and Her  were perfect for sharing today:

1. The colour combinations are sophisticated and understated for children’s illustrations and I love the fact that they’re not too bright

2. How can these cute characters not make you smile, even their names are adorable!

3. The simple block colour with the detailed line work to create detail and texture is a great combination

So, if you haven’t already then why not check out the cute and quirky illustrations of Nichola on Etsy.

Xx

This time last year we had just got back from Montreal to celebrate my 30th birthday, and I have to admit it was a city I immediately fell in love with and dream of going back. So, as I sit here daydreaming of my fave city I thought it would be a good theme for this week’s Friday Faves, and some potential prints to remind me of a fab week:

Loose petals – Montreal Skyline (Montreal is such a diverse city and this captures it perfectly)

Jenna Sue Maps - Montreal City Map Print (Love the colour and simplicity of this print)

House of Mr Bond – 24 hours in Montreal print (I’d quite happily accept 24 hours in Montreal right now, and the rest!)

Better try and get my feet firmly back on British soil now and get on with some creating, have a great Bank Holiday weekend.

Xx

I’m surrounded by strong colours and fabrics at the moment as I prepare my stock for a new shop, Just Makers, opening up in Harrogate soon but the gorgeously bright and quirky designs of Twenty Fingers is enough to distract me from my studio and make me smile:

1. I love the vast range of designs from intricate patterns to bright honey jars that sit under a collective style unique to Yurly and Katerina

2. There is a childlike innocence to a majority of Yurly and Katerina‘s style and bold colour

3. I am a big fan of wooden jewellery, but these have a whole new level of cuteness!

So take a moment to brighten your day and browse Twenty Fingers Etsy shop.

Xx

Well, I had a tough start to the week and shared my to-do-list in the hope it would spur me on to finish it, and although the weekend isn’t quite over I hang my head in shame as I only achieved 2 of the 3 items. So let’s start with the things I did manage… My table cloth for Handpicked Hall is now complete, although I have realised that I still have another one to make for next Saturday (that will be on tomorrow’s list) and the item I made for my studio was a lampshade, including some gorgeous hand printed fabric from Leanne at The Little House Martin! However, I still haven’t finished my bunny hats, but to be fair I did finish my 5 half-sewn bibs so that’s only half of one of the items not finished, and I could surprise myself and get it done now so that I start next week with a completely new list. How much of your list have you finished this week?

Off to contemplate sewing some bunny ears to some hats now, enjoy what’s left of the weekend.

Xx

Life is one big rollercoaster, but the ride got a whole lot bumpier this week as anyone who knows me or follows this blog will know. Unfortunately that seems the way of the world and we just have to ride with it and hope for the support that we need to get us through. So, today’s Friday faves are self explanatory:

Nostalgique Images – Carnival Photography (love these colours!)

Littleramstudio – Rollercoaster, lino cut relief (can’t argue with this)

ColorWare – Red splendid spiral (A bit of fun for  a Friday)

Hope you have a good weekend, I’m hoping my journey will be a bit calmer soon!

Xx

I had great fun designing my screenprint at the Blueberry Park workshop I did a couple of weeks ago, and it pushed me out of my gocco comfort zone which uses my detailed illustrations and fine line sketches, and made me simplify my ideas. This led on to me creating a pattern with birdhouses and silhouettes, and I am intrigued by how strong block colour can be. Of course that is a clue as to why I chose Short Cuts Laser as today’s Tuesday Talent:

1. It’s great how a silhouette can become so recognisable without any detail, and I think that makes these shapes even more striking

2. You are bound to find something that makes you smile, and I need that this week, from pineapples to rabbits, to stars, and they are perfect for any age or gender

3. I love the bold colours, and these are bound to grab attention wherever they go

So, on that note I will go and doodle some outlines of my fave silhouettes to turn into screenprints whilst I wait for my mum at physio. Have a good day

Xx

As it was Valentine’s Day yesterday how many of you proposed, or were proposed to?? I love to hear a good romantic story so please share. This combined with the gorgeous blue sky but cold air and the need to keep warm has prompted the first Friday Faves this year:

Jessie G Designs – Valentine’s Card (A fellow interior designer and friend, I love how Jess has used wool to get a lovely texture to this print)

Mythillogical – Felted white bunny (A fellow crafty folker on Etsy, and just too cute for words!)

Chrissie Freeth – Handwoven lavendar heart (A fellow Yorkshire craft souper, the handwoven wool fabric is gorgeous)

Off to finish my screenprint now, but enjoy the sunshine, and if you’re inside and keeping warm take some time to explore these fab shops.

Xx

It’s nearly bonfire night, so there’s only one thing that can be this week’s theme… yes, you guessed it  - fireworks! And here are my fave firework inspired items from Etsy to start the weekend with a bang:

Purpleface – Nature’s fireworks (no need to look to the night sky for blasts of colour)

Candan Imrak – Lampwork earrings (perfect for wearing to a bonfire this weekend)

Ebi Emporium – Acrylic firework painting (love the texture on this canvas)

Have a great weekend, whatever your plans

Xx