I was more aware of and focussed on textile designs and illustrations in South Africa, during my recent holiday to visit family. Here are a few of the photos that I have taken:
The following were T-shirt designs from Truworths. I just loved the African illustrative style to them.
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I would like to share a few photos with you that was taken during my recent holiday to South Africa.
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I have entered two entries for Tigerprint's Christmas Food photography competition:
First, cookies and milk for Santa:
Not forgetting the carrots for the reindeer ;-)
The second one is a still life photo of mulled wine and cranberries. I really wanted to show the colours of Christmas with this one:
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I have entered the tigerprint competition for a contemporary handbag notebook with this simple, yet elegant design:
The design was all completed in Photoshop but I have finally given in and bought Adobe Illustrator so, we are officially on 'beans on toast' until the next pay day. I am quite excited as I now feel like I have all the tools that I need to complete my portfolio so, I will be spending a lot of time to learn Illustrator and to get these designs out of my head and onto the computer.
I have also been reading the book 'Feel the fear and do it anyway', which is a self-help book recommended by my Hubby and so far, I am really enjoying it. Whenever something really stands out to me, I have been writing it in big letters on coloured paper, which is stuck all over my studio. Something that has really made sense to me is "People who refuse to take risks live with a feeling of dread that is far more severe than what they would feel if they took the risks necessary to make them less helpless - only they don't know it!" If you have followed my blog for a little while you will know how my day job has emotionally affected me and filled me with dread and fear. It sounds easy to say 'just quit' but it is not that easy when the job pays quite well. I have come to realize that this was the only thing holding me to a job that I hate and that this was not the life I wanted. I know that I am a very resourceful, hard-working person who can make a success of most things. I don't say this to sound arrogant but to say that I believe if you have enough passion and self-belief that you can do anything you set your mind to. If I can make a success of a job that I hate, surely I could make a success of something that I absolutely love?!
I have set myself specific, measurable and achievable goals with deadlines to ensure that I learn Illustrator, finish my portfolio and start my freelance career, which will involve giving up my day job. I don't just want to talk about it anymore, it is time to take some action so, please excuse me if I make myself scarce but I will continue to pop in with progress or to think things through.
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I have made an attempt with the garden in the Spring but the slugs, snails and spiders had other plans for the garden and in the end, I admitted defeat when I got fed up with all the dead plants. This year ended up so busy with work, designing in my spare time and life in general. So, when I ventured out into the garden this week, I was 'pleasantly' surprised by how happily the weeds were taking over.
So screw it, as much as I love flowers and beautiful gardens, I've always secretly known that I don't have 'green fingers' like the rest of my family but I can always pretend that I intended to go for the wild, untamed look.
I know it's not a bed of roses but, I think a chair covered in deep purple flowers and heart shaped leaves is a close second.
And, I make the connection that magical things happen in my garden if I just keep out of it.
Hope you have a magical weekend!
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I like to challenge myself in terms of the design style that I use and so decided to create a World War II post card design. My Dad is a big war airplane enthusiast and specifically the Spitfire, which is a British airplane launched in 1936. So, when my parents visited me earlier in the year, I had to take him to the Duxford Air Museum in Cambridgeshire.
Afterwards we had a lovely afternoon in the beautiful university town of Cambridge.
Chocks away is a term used by British pilots in World War II to indicate that they were ready for take off and therefore required that the blocks placed in front of the airplanes wheels be removed for take off.
Here's to dreams taking off. Chocks away folks!
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I love the look of raindrops, isn't it a great design in nature? A way to add a bit of sparkle to a cobweb:
Or, on Hydrangeas:
It is a wet and cloudy day today. I know it is to be expected, it is England after all but we actually live in the part of the country with the lowest rainfall and most sunshine so, I'm not really complaining but on a day like today, I want to be warm and snug indoors. No such luxuries today.
Hope you have a good day whatever you have to brave today.
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While I am thinking about architecture that inspire, I wanted to share my favourite castle with you. These photo's were taken a couple of years ago when we went to Ireland and then travelled through Wales on our way home. If you ever get to Wales, a visit to Cardiff Castle is well worth a visit. The architecture is very colourful, decorate and unusual and there is an interesting history spanning over 2000 years!
I get a lot of inspiration from architecture and buildings with character and history of which there are plenty of in the UK. For my next design, I was specifically looking at some Georgian architecture and thought it may make an interesting design. I have entered this one as well for the Best of British competition by Tigerprint.
I think that this design would be quite interesting on fabric, a tea towel or maybe some gift wrap.
Today is a lovely quiet day for us. We went to Waitrose for some breakfast, Hubby is writing on his book and I'm designing. Bliss!
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I have entered Tigerprint's latest design competition, which is based on the theme of 'Best of British'. I took inspiration from the design that I did when I became a British Citizen but wanted to use warmer colours traditionally associated with the flag and gave the roses a more traditional feel too.
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