Rosy Lady

UK Handmade

I wanted to let you know about a social networking website for artists, designers, makers and crafters in the UK, which is well worth a visit.  I have been on UKhandmade for a while now and have met lots of people with similar interests and it is a great place to find out about art and craft fairs or markets or to link up with people either in your area or all over the country.

I have also started a group on the site for anybody who love and use textiles so, whether you sew, collect fabric, design textiles, quilt, do patchwork etc. I would love for you to join my group.  The group is called Textile Tinkerers and can be found under the group section in the left sidebar of the UKhandmade site.

So, go on over and take a look...

You spin me right round, baby right round, like a record baby, right round.

I'm up bright and early today, eager to (finally) start my textile design portfolio.  I have done various designs up to now but none specifically in the context of a fabric line and that is what I want to do now.  I am just bursting with ideas that seem to be all I can think about.  I once heard someone say that a woman's thoughts were like a washing machine, always going round-and-round, thinking about different things, like the different items in the washing machine, all at the same time.  When we went to Keukenhof in the Netherlands earlier this year, there was this beautiful statue that symbolizes my thought patterns so well today...

Each little ring representing a different thought on designs, patterns, colours, sewing, big dreams and the excitement about all the people who have been viewing my blog within the last few days.  It is so nice to have you here, I hope that you will keep coming back to share in my journey and feel free to leave a comment, I'd love to meet you all!  

I also have some ideas for a free sewing pattern.  I'm hoping to work on that when I need a break from my computer screen.  So, be sure to pop back for that.

I thought the words from the song by this group as seen in one of my favourite films, was quite appropriate for this post.

Have a good weekend everyone!

xx

Children's puzzle design

I have really enjoyed my participation in the Blogging for Bliss party.  Thank you so much for all the kind comments and welcome to all the new readers to my blog.  It is so thrilling to see how many people from all over the world have visited my blog over the last couple of days!

I have completed my entry for the next tigerprint competition and thought I'd share it with you.  The brief is to design a puzzle for the age group of 3-6 years old.  The theme could be the environment, counting or numbers. Although I have shown the puzzle pieces on the illustration submitted to tigerprint, I've decided not to show it on the one I post here so that you can see the design a bit better.  I have also decided to post the illustration with a higher dpi than the one submitted as it looks a big clearer.

I used the theme of the environment for this puzzle but I did not want it to be a preachy 'do this and don't do that' kind of message.  I therefore decided to add a positive message instead that could instill a sense of ownership that would bring a sense of responsibility for the environment.  

I chose to convey this message through an illustration of the classic story of Goldilocks and the three bears, not just for the hint of nostalgia but also to reach the child on their level through the familiarity of the story.  I have combined digital design elements with elements that look hand drawn/painted, again as a way to make the design accessible to the child.  

Lastly, I aimed to keep the design light, fun, whimsical and colourful with lots of interesting shapes of various sizes to stimulate the imagination and illustrate some of the beauty of nature.

I am really enjoying the participation in these competitions but now I want to start work on my textile design portfolio.

Blogging for bliss

I have felt inspired to participate in the online Blogging for bliss celebrations as hosted by artsymama.  

I originally started my blog as an online journal of the steps that I was taking towards becoming the full time designer that I want to be, that I dream about, every second of every day.  My blog is still quite new, like a small blossom at the beginning of Spring...

There is the nervous excitement of what this new season is going to bring.  That is how I see this, as a new season in my life.  I believe that dreams can come true, that I can make this career change but that a big part of it is also about 'saying it out loud' and then taking the steps to see that through and to make it happen.  My blog has been the tool that has given me my voice in this world to say what I want, to be accountable, and to see it through.  

Like blossoms in the wind, I am saying it, I want to be a textile designer.  Only time will tell where the wind will blow these blossoms of hopes and dreams...

In the meantime, I am taking baby steps, designing, drawing, photographing, reading, painting, researching and doing.  I celebrate every achievement and I remain focussed.  

Thank you for the opportunity to share my dreams with you.

xx

One sunny day

I'm still off sick with the flu but have been enjoying the time on my own. And, on a day like today when the sun is shinning through my studio window and my Begonia is blossoming her little heart out, 

I really feel like I can 'hang in there'.

Of course, it is all made even easier when Hubby comes home with a surprise bouquet of roses 

to make me feel better AND a copy of one of my favourite South-African magazines, Idees, arrive in the post.  A birthday subscription from my Mum.

I hope that no matter what is going on for you today, that you get to feel some love too.

xx