S is for Sunshine

My A-Z Guide to Summer - S is for Sunshine

I love the sunshine and spending lovely summer days outside. It can be a bit few and far between in the UK, but when we get it you definitely have to make the most of it!

I love these art prints from Etsy to bring some sunshine into your life everyday. Grey and yellow are 2 of my favourite colours at the minute aswell.

It is by the fantastic Mira Doson, From Lithunia, her shop is full of wonderful art prints for your home.

You are my Sunshine

R is for Rain

My A-Z Guide to Summer - R is for Rain

How can I do a guide to Summer, without including the wonderful weather we have here in the UK. This summer has been extremely wet, so to brighten it up and make the most of the rain I am doing a feature on some wonderful rain drop inspired items that are all on Etsy.

Big Rain cloud mobile on branch in blue "Williamsburg"

I love this what a great way to decorate your childs room.

 

Rainbow Rain Cloud Counted Cross Stitch KIT

A great way to spend a rainy day!

 

Home fabric, medium weight- "Rain Clouds"

 

I love the stylized clouds on this fabric - I would make a cushion cover with it.

 

Inspirational Quote Hand Painted Shabby Wood Gift

To finish off I have this great quote. I think this is brilliant and am off to buy one to hang near my front door.

 

 

Q is for .....Q

My A-Z Guide to Summer - Q is for .....Q

So up today is Q! But it has stumped me what to put, so instead of going for some oscure word or object I thought today I would show some beautiful Typography of the letter Q. I love this the illustration is really eyecatching both in its form and the vibrant colours used. Then you look closer and see it is drawn onto an old book page. It is great and this way of working can be used in so many different forms, I can see my stitched illustrations working in this way.

Josh Cochran



Passion for Pattern Blog Hop

 

 

If you are on the Passion for Pattern bloghop today, you’ve probably just joined us from the wonderful blog of Mel Smith.

 

After you have read my post, make sure you visit Leslie Doughty who has some great designs to show you.

 

If you have only just found the hop, pop over to Claire’s blog where you can get started and join in the fun!

 

Pattern and design is something I have always wanted to do. I have always been happiest with my pen and sketchbook doodling away.

 

I studied at foundation level and loved the creativity and freedom to design it gave. My passion for textiles and illustrative design grew from here.

 

 

 

Post foundation I chose to gain experience in the industry and became a designer at luxury UK sock manugacturer Pantherella. This gave me the opportunity to develop my skills as a designer and to work for fantastic brands such as Ted Baker,Vivienne Westwood and Dr Marten, producing their seasonal collections.

I LOVED working with such well respected designer brands that are so iconic to British fashion. Seeing my designs on the catwalk at London Fashion week is one of my career highlights to date!

 

Homewares and Stationery is always on my shopping list. I am a paperchase addict, you can never have enough notebooks! And since buying my own home I have loved buying home magazines and getting carried away with paint swatches, wallpaper samples, and accessories.

 

 

It is my love for this that led to me to take the Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design course. It is my dream and aspiration to one day have my own stationery and homeware collection with notebooks in my design added to my shelf and my walls wallpapered in my pattern.

 

 

I cannot recommend the course enough...I have learnt so much and am really happy with the way my style is developing.

My biggest inspiration is the outdoors. Florals and wildlife are heavily featured in my work. I love going out to seek inspiration with my sketchbook and camera.

I love creating new designs and collections, but next on my list is my brand identity.

I am brainstorming logos for my new name ( to be revealed soon) and want to launch my website by christmas.

Exciting and busy times ahead!!!

Thank you for joining me on the blog hop, dont forget to leave a comment before heading over to Leslie and her wonderful blog HERE.

P is for Pink

My A-Z Guide to Summer - P is for Pink

I love the colour pink, not in a cutesy girly way but as a bright poppy highlight colour, it is so vibrant and I love it especially on homewares and stationery.

A cool white wall with a flash of pink completely changes the look and style of a room.

I have found these gorgeous ways to use the colour pink......I want to do them all!!!!

I love this Pink Garden, it looks amazing and makes an ordinary garden so exciting - I would love to be able to convince my other half to do this. At the minute we have boring brown fences!

Pink Garden

I LOVE this, I have never seen anything so simple and effective, and definitely want to give this a go. I love the idea of a pastel one too with shades of pink, blues and greens. This would really brighten up my studio.


Pink Post It Wall Art

I want one of these!!! Its too pretty for an I pad case though I'd use it as a clutch bag.

I Pad Holder

This is a gorgeous and subtle way to use pink in your home. Feminine, sophisticated and classy but not so much that your other half won't like it.

Pink Sophisticated Apartment

So much pink inspiration is out there.....I am off to make some pink wall art for my studio now.


O is for Orange

My A-Z Guide to Summer - O is for Orange

I love anything food related...really wish I didn't sometimes! I found this yummy recipe on good food. It is a great recipe for summer a really tasty and light cake......have a go and see what you think.

 

 

Preparation 30 mins
Cook 40 Mins 

Ingredients

• 175g butter , softened, plus extra for greasing
• 175g golden caster sugar
• finely grated zest 4 orange and juice of 1
• 4 egg , separated
• 100g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 100g ground almonds

For the Icing

• 200g white chocolate
• 200ml crème fraîche
• 100g white chocolate , to decorate

  

  1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the softened butter and orange zest. Beat for 1 min or so until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks. Sift the flour and baking powder over the cake mixture and fold in lightly. Finally, fold in the almonds and orange juice. Whisk the egg whites until they just hold their shape. Fold one-third of the egg white into the cake mix, using the whisk. Repeat with another third, then the final third. Take care not to over-mix or you will lose the lightness of the egg whites.
  2. Divide the cake mix between the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 mins. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool.
  3. To make the icing, melt the chocolate over a pan of barely simmering water or in the microwave on High for 1½ mins, stirring every 30 secs, then leave to cool. Whip the crème fraîche until thick, then fold in the white chocolate. Set one cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Spoon half the icing onto the cake and top with the other cake. Spread with the rest of the icing, then allow to set in the fridge for at least 1 hr.
  4. If you want to make the decorative curls, melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water or in a microwave and spread thinly over a baking tray. Leave the tray in the fridge for the chocolate to harden a bit, then use a fish slice or angled knife blade to scrape chocolate curls. Pile the curls in the middle of the cake and serve cut into slices.

N is for Neon

My A-Z Guide to Summer - N is for Neon
 

A summer neon moodboard...... can brighten the dullest of days!

M is for Maxi Dresses

My A-Z Guide to Summer - M is for Maxi Dresses

 

Maxi Dresses are my favourite summer go to...I love buying new ones each summer, they are so easy to dress up or down and are perfect for all occassions. You cannot have enough I don't think.

 

These are some of my favourite from the high street this season......

 

ASOS

 

 

Dorothy Perkins

 

 

New Look

 

 

 

Next

 

 

 

Summer seems to be over in the UK now but looking forward to adding a chunky cardigan to take my maxi dress into Autumn!

L is for Lolly

My A-Z Guide to Summer - L is for Lolly

I love summer time especially lovely summer days when you are chilling with family and friends. The good weather has unfortunately been a bit few and far between this summer in the UK but I love a Lollipop to cool me down in the hot weather.

I found the fantastic Showler & Showler via Twitter and love their lolly prints.

Showler and Showler sell beautifully illustrated art prints and postcards that can brighten up even the plainest of walls.

Blog Feature

I have been featured on the fabulous blog - Do What You Love For Life by the fabulous Beth Nichols, alongside other amazing designers from the course.
It is so exciting to see my designs featured and I cannot wait to further develop my portfolio of designs from this course.

See my design featured here.

K is for Kites

My A-Z Guide to Summer - K is for Kites

Kites are so much fun to take out on a windy day and you can get so many fantastic designs and colours in them.

This is one of my favourites that I have found.

70 Rainbow Coloured Kites on a Single Line

Happy Friday have a great weekend.

J is for Jubilee

My A-Z Guide to Summer - J is for Jubilee

The UK is so patriotic at the moment what with the Queens Jubilee earlier in the year, and the Olympics on now. The Union Jack is huge and popular in fashion, stationery, bedding, you cannot hide from it. I especially love designs with a vintage twist for the home.

These are some of my favourite items from Etsy.......



Queens Diamond Jubilee Tea Towel - Victoria Eggs



Upcycled Book Page Queen Print - Tinker Prince



Corgi Cup and Saucer - EmilouMakes

Limited Edition Jubilee Cushion  - Helkat Design

Jubilee Fridge Magnets - Crafts Queen

It has been so long since I have posted!!

Where does time go???

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post! Life just gets so busy sometimes and I have had a lot going on......

At home we have been busy building some decking for our garden which we will hopefully be able to use on the odd few days of summer that we seem to get in the UK. We moved house last November so have so much that needs decorating, we have done 3 rooms so far. I love decorating and choosing colours, patterns, furniture but it takes so long to decide exactly what we want - and both like!

At work, I handed my notice in and have 1 day left at my current job. I start my new role with my new company on Monday, so really excited.
I currently work for a British sock company alled Pantherella designing socks for Ted Baker, Dr Marten, Vivienne Westwood and lots more. I love my customers but it is definitely time for me to move on after 5 years.
So from Monday I will still be designing socks but for Tesco, Next and others. Different market but I am looking forward to the challenges it will bring.

I am loving my e course The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design by Rachael Taylor. I have learnt so much already and there is so much information to absorb. I am signed up for module 3 but in the meantime have so much catching up to do on module 2.

Hopefully from now on I will be able to devote more time to blogging and designing so my posts won't be quite so few and far between!

I is for Ice Cream

My A-Z Guide to Summer - I is for Ice Cream

Where is summer in the UK??????? I am so fed up of this rain and cold now. All is not lost though I am off to Florence, Italy with work tomorrow and the temperature is a lovely 34c.

I may be there for a trend/yarn fair but I hope I will get to make the most of the weather and the beautiful city. I am lucky enough to get to go twice and year and always see new parts, I love the architecture and hidden gems down little streets.

When I went on holiday as a child no matter what the weather we always had an ice cream, rain or shine it is definitely a part of my summer!.......and Italian ice creams are amazing :)

Ice Cream Collection prints

Surface Pattern Design Blog Feature

Module 1 has finished on the fantastic course I am taking....The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design, I have learnt so much already and feel so inspired to start designing my own collections - I have so many ideas ( I just need more time to spend on them )!

Yesterday I was so excited to see my design had been featured on Rachael Taylors blog alongside some amazing designs from other students.

This is my first design 'Leafy Foliage'

Module 2 started this week and I love it already, I hope to post some of my designs as the weeks progress.

H is for Home

My A-Z Guide to Summer - H is for Home

I love my home and am so proud of what we have achieved with it, decorating it has over taken my love of shopping for clothes. I love buying new frames, cushions and accessories to make our home reflect our personalities. I could never live in a magnolia house! Far too many amazing things to buy and fill it with.

This room is such a simple concept but the use of such bright colours and a few bold designs make it amazing. I love it, Coral is one of my favourite colours.

Beautiful Coral colour and amazing wall mural

I would love one day to be able to use my pattern designs to decorate my own home.

G is for Green

My A-Z Guide to Summer - G is for Green

Green Door , Ice Lolly , Green Coat , Kiwi , Green Vase , Leaf Pattern , Green Apple Sorbet , Green Grass , Green Stripe & Rose , Green Chevron pattern , Green Pantones

F is for Fruit

My A-Z Guide to Summer - F is for Fruit

Passion Fruit, Mango and Pineapple Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 passion fruits , pulp only
• 1 small mango , cut into chunks
• 75g pineapples , cut into chunks
• 75ml pineapples juice
• 1 lime , juice only
• 7 ice cubes
• a pinch of ground black pepper
• a pinch of cayenne pepper

1. In a blender combine the pulp of 2 passion fruit, 1 small mango cut into chunks, 75g pineapple cut into chunks, 75ml pineapple juice, juice of 1 lime, 7 ice cubes, a pinch of both ground black pepper and cayenne pepper and whizz until smooth. The cayenne pepper gives the smoothie a little bit of a kick but leave it out if you like. 

warm raspberry cupcakes with orange sugar drizzle

Serves 12

Preparation and cooking times

Prep 10 mins
Cook 25 mins

Ingredients

• 200g self-raising flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 200g unsalted butter , softened
• 4 eggs
• 200g caster sugar
• 3 tbsp milk
• 50g ground almonds
• zest of 1 medium orange
• 150g punnet raspberries , lightly crushed, plus extra to decorate

FOR THE SUGAR CRUST

• juice of 1 medium orange
• 4 tbsp caster sugar 

1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper muffin cases. Tip the first 8 ingredients into a large bowl and beat with electric whisk until smooth. Fold the crushed raspberries through the batter.
2. Divide the batter between the cases (they should be about half full) and bake for 20-25 mins or until golden and just firm. Make the topping by mixing together the orange juice and sugar until well blended.
3. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow to cool a little. Drizzle each with the orange and sugar crust mix. Top with the extra raspberries to serve.