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.