Coloured Masking Tape

I have fallen in love with Japanese masking tape, isn't this just adorable!

I want every colour and pattern - even though I don't actually know what I'd do with it. However I have restrained myself and limited my collection to just 5 rolls - for now!

Have a great day everyone!

Stunning photos

Today I'd like to feature some of the beautiful work by photographer Kristi, she has kindly agreed for me to show you some of her pictures and here is a little information about her too. I'm sure that you will love her work just as much as I do!

How did you know you wanted to work in art/photography?

I've always enjoyed capturing life through photography. Photography helps me slow down and look for details that I otherwise might miss. I feel most alive when I am creating & sharing things of beauty. I believe Aaron Siskind best describes how I feel about photography perfectly,

 “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”

What are the inspirations/ influences for your work?

I find inspiration everywhere from my children, nature, the simple things, soft colors, natural light, quotes and life. 

The future, what are your next plans?

To keep learning, growing and living. Being a full time mother of three I don't really make plans. I've learned to just go with the flow and embrace whatever comes along. I do know the future holds many beautiful and wonderful things and I can't wait to see what they are.

Do you have any advice for wannabe photographers out there?

I'm just a beginner, so it's hard to give advice but, my advice is to never stop learning and to practice what you learn. There is so much to learn and it's great that there is an endless amount of information out there. I've learned a lot from reading articles, websites & books and from amazing photographers on flickr.

To see more take a look at her store on Etsy

Happy Halloween - he he!

What a yucky weekend it's been here :-( I have been working on Halloween patterns and it certainly feels nearly as cold as October out there. I hate the cold.

Here is one of my characters from my halloween collection:

More lovely things to drool over

Have a good weekend! x

More lovely stationery!!!

My first Blog award!

I am feeling very lucky today as Anna (from ARK Designs by Anna) gave me this 'I LOVE YOUR BLOG AWARD' which has put a smile on my face.

Here is a link to her lovely blog! I have only known Anna for a few months through blogging, we have never actually met, but I know from reading her blog and all the lovely things that she does, that we would get on well if we were to ever meet. In fact she lives in the same county as me, so I hope that one day, we shall get chance to get together, for one reason or another. 

As part of me accepting of this li'l award, I will be nominating 7 blogs that I love to look at and I will name 7 things that very few people know about me.

Hmmmm!

1 - I have double jointed arms

2 - My brother and his family live next door to me, so I get to see my two nephews regularly, which is lovely

3 - I LOVE LOVE LOVE Stationery & cards

4 - My degree is in packaging design

5 - I grew up in Oxfordshire

6 - I dance Ceroc (Modern jive partner dancing) when my work schedule allows

7 - My favourite food is seafood

Now I am nominating this award to 7 blogs that have inspired me or made me smile lately:

creativity blog

jilly.p.graphics

rachael taylor

littlebrownrabbit

dinky-daisy

6thstreetdesignschool

harrietkelsalljewellery

Thanks again Anna! x

I hope that you all like these blogs as much as I do! 

My trip to London

Hi

I hope that you had a good bank holiday, I had a lovely time in Brighton and spent too much money in the shops. Talking of which, whilst i was in London on Thursday, I bought some lovely stationery from Artbox, Paperchase and Cath Kidston - here are a few snaps, more to come tomorrow:

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!

I'm off to Brighton for the weekend :-)

Have a great bank holiday weekend everyone!!!

The big smoke

Accessorize

One of my most favourite high street shops here in the UK, is Accessorize, it is just full with beautiful things! Today I thought I'd show a few purses that I love in their store.

and their socks are soooo comfy, check them out!

Cute

I'm a little busy to post today so here is a cute little piccie, have a good day!:

Raindrops

I came across this twee little website where you can make little tunes with the coloured rain. I know... I'm a big kid, but check it out, it's kinda addictive!

Beckys Bootique

Today I wanted to let you all know about a sale at one of my clients websites. I designed the look of Beckys website, logo and corporate ID. She has a sale on most of her lovely stock. Check out Beckys Bootique

Back to bunting

Angela at Ticketty Boo has kindly agreed that I may feature her lovely bunting cushions today. She is based in the Scottish Borders and only uses the best linens and cottons, you can find her gorgeous work at www.tickettyboo.co.uk and on her folksy site.

Christmas already!

Today I have been designing Christmas cards... yeah I know, it's very strange in spring, but that's the way it goes. Here is a sneaky peek of aspects of one of them.

Have a great day!

Bunting Images

Hi all,

I have a thing about bunting this week! I found this lovely bag on Folksy, which is created by designer Claire Hurd, she sells her work on Folksy and you can also find her on Not on the High Street. Many of her products can be personalised and she accepts private commissions. To keep up to date with her gorgeous creations then you can become a fan on Facebook

Beautiful Bunting

Today I want to introduce a lovely lady Anna Roberts-knight, she is a fellow illustrator/surface pattern designer, but she also makes the most gorgeous bunting. I got to know Anna from starting my blog, I contacted her out of the blue and she very kindly gave me advice.

Anna makes this gorgeous bunting and other bespoke personalised products to order. The customer chooses the colour themes, icons, names etc and then Anna works her magic. She also likes to do her bit for the environment and offers a recycling service, turning childrens clothes or blankets into beautiful products. Turnaround time is roughly 10 days.

You can contact Anna by email: arkdesigns@hotmail.co.uk, or follow her blog at: http://arkdesignsbyanna.blogspot.com

Another great book

Sorry for my lack of posts this week, I have been having problems with my internet connection, it has been a nightmare, how much do we all rely on having access 24 hrs a day!

Today I'd like to recommend 'Patterns' by Philippe de Baeck. It is full of exciting surface pattern design, featuring some of my favourite artists! Including: My friend Heather Dutton from Hang Tight Studio, Carolyn Gavin from Ecojot, Ian Dutton and Rachael Taylor. It is available at the bargain price of £6.78 from Amazon.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Martha Stewart

My next book which I'd like to recommend to you guys is by Martha Stewart - 'Good Things for Organizing', so of course it is going to be wonderful! She shows a great number of ways to store your craft items using every day objects such as Shoe boxes, Doweling & Jars but not only that, it is full of hints and tip for throughout your home.

Book Inspiration

As I am pretty snowed under this week with licensed character design work, (which is top secret until it is in the shops!), I figured it would be fun to show what books I have in my studio, that inspire me and those that I just love looking at. Of course it goes without saying that my favourite book at this time is 'Print & Pattern' by Bowie Style (aka Marie Perkins), If you haven't checked out her blog, then take a look here, I am addicted to it and really missed it last week when she was away for Easter. The book is available For £12.35 from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Print-Pattern-Bowie-Style/dp/1856696464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271174816&sr=8-1

Here are a few photos to show what lovelies you can find inside :-)

Enjoy the sunshine!

New Logo design

Here is a new logo I have designed for a website design company based in Hertford, UK, run by two lovely ladies Sarah & Karen.

Fabric Obsession

I am excited today to have received a lovely parcel of fabrics I ordered from www.quilterscloth.co.uk I have no idea what I am going to do with them, I don't even like to sew, but I just had to buy them for inspiration.

We have sunshine here in Hertfordshire today, I hope that you do too!

Little Birdie Pattern

Hi!

I hope that you all had a great bank holiday weekend!

Following on from my Easter card I sent out, here is my little birdie collection of pattern. I hope that you like it :-)

Tigerprint

I am very excited today, as Vic from Tigerprint has kindly featured some of my work and a short interview with me on their blog! Check it out here: http://tigerprint.typepad.com/tigerprint/

Happy Easter

Hi

Today I thought I'd combine giving you a sneak peek of my new birdie characters, with an Easter Greeting to you all. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Have a great Easter break!

Love from Amanda x

Easter Gift for Clients

A few days ago I spoke about an easter pattern I have been working on. I have used it on a little gift for the clients I am currently working with. Here is a picture of what I sent out.

Barbie Sticker

I worked at a sticker supply company in December and here are some of my Barbie range which I worked on while there. Sorry about the poor quality of the picture but it gives you a general idea. Licensed character work is another part of my business, designing product with licensed characters from style guides.

New Pattern

Just recently I have been working on a robot pattern suitable for gift wrap. Here it is, I hope that you like it.