Rosy Lady

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

Christmas in July

Well, I was contemplating about whether to blog about the car accident that I was in on Friday when someone drove into the back of my car or, that I am at home with the flu, just moping around, watching the clock until Hubby can come home BUT THEN I GOT THIS EMAIL!!!  

I recently forced myself to get out of my comfort zone and to enter my first design competition with Tigerprint (they supply cards and wrapping paper to Marks & Spencer).  Well, there were so many gorgeous entries that I did not think my designs would get noticed.

I didn't win but I am a runner up.  To me, that was the bit of validation that I needed to say, 'yes, you're ok and there is a place in this competitive market for your creativity.'  Thank you so much for the opportunity Tigerprint!

If you want to see all the entries, the winning entry and runners up, take a look at tigerprint

My little runner up was this design:

The judges commented: A refreshing and exciting colour palette has been utilised well in this design. The formatting and layering of the tree icon creates depth and an interesting and intriguing design. The subtle snow detail creates a more delicate and beautiful element. Overall a really versatile design that answers the brief well.

That has made my day, although I did not win, I still feel like Christmas had come early.  Hope your day also ends with a pleasant surprise.  

Festival of quilts

After two weeks of training relating to my day job which involved being away from Hubby and home and staying in a hotel room, all on my own, I am thrilled to be back home.  Man, I can't wait for the day when I can be the full time designer that I want to be.  The training was a good opportunity to sit and let my mind wander to more interesting things like some of the gazillion textile design ideas that's just waiting to come out.  

Am I allowed to say that it is scary but exciting at the same time?  I am a bit of a perfectionist and can be quite hard on myself and I think being my worst critic sometimes stop me from making a start in the first place.  But, I hate the idea of not seeing my dreams through to reality and I am determined to take the necessary steps to get there.  So, this weekend, I have to start to get my portfolio together to submit to some of the companies that I would love to design for.  The other thing on my to-do list is to sort out my studio.  We've moved into this house about 3 or 4 months ago but it has been so hectic with our travels and changing my job that I've just not had the time or energy to get to it.

I am also super excited about the other step that I have taken.  I have booked my tickets to attend the Quilt Festival in Birmingham in August where I will also be attending the evening with Amy Butler!  I had a look on the internet last night thinking that all the tickets would be sold out by now but, still managed to get it.  Although I am slightly nervous at the thought of going alone, I am also feeling that I am taking steps towards my goal.

To remind myself where I have come from, I thought I would share a table cloth that I designed and hand painted a few years ago.  

And then slightly more of a close up.  

Catching up

Hi blogland,

It has been a while since my last post but, have kept busy laying the foundations of my business.  I've done lots of emailing, contacting, reading, thinking, planning, plotting...  I now feel able to take some time out from that and focus on getting some designs done, oh where to begin when I have so many ideas?!

But, first, my parents have arrived today from South Africa to visit us for 3 weeks.  It is such a privilege to have parents who would travel half way around the world, just to see me!  I feel so loved and blessed.

Tomorrow we will be getting up at 4:30 a.m. to catch a plane to Amsterdam for a 5 day trip.  I am so super excited.  Holland holds a special place in my heart.  It was my first trip to Europe and definitely where the travel bug got me.  I was an exchange student for 2 months and stayed in the town of Breda from where I used every opportunity to travel.  Those 2 months felt very long, I loved every moment but, got so home sick, never could I imagine that I would end up living in England and only see my family once a year (when all goes to plan).

I have been back to Holland since my student days and always dreamed of taking my parents, but Mum in particular to see the country and especially the tulips at Keukenhof.  I believe that this is the year of 'dreams come true' and it is going to be so wonderful to share.

I wanted to post some photo's from a recent trip to South Africa where we visited the beautiful Cape.  I've only downloaded my photo's a couple of days ago and couldn't help but notice how the majority were focussed on pattern and design.  

Etsy shop

I have finally set up my Etsy shop.  It is also under the name Rosy Lady and can be found at 

http://www.RosyLady.etsy.com

Hope to fill this soon with some fabric from my own textile designs.  

Hope you're Easter is one filled with family, love and peace.

Looking back...

Have you ever looked back at your life and realized that there were pointers or 'signs' all along to bring you to where you are today or to indicate what you were meant to do in life? Sometimes, you only got half of it, other times, you blinked and the opportunity was lost and yet somehow, you found your way to that 'a-ha moment'. 

I remember the first time that I thought about textile design was when I was about 13 or 14 years old. I was making myself a dress out of really bright floral fabric. I distinctly remember suddenly thinking that somewhere someone has this amazing job of designing all these fabrics which, I loved to sew with. I brushed the idea off as I did not think that I was talented enough or that I could make a living from it. 

I was brought up with the sense that you had to get a 'real job' and that art, design and sewing was great as a hobby but, not a wise career move. This is no criticism of my parents who have always been supportive, despite my strong-willed stubbornness. Anyway, I didn't give it much further thought, but along the way, on top of my love of sewing and making clothes that nobody else would have, I also discovered a love of fabric painting. I remember painting 70's designs on fabrics which, I then used to make my own clothes for uni. Yes, I loved the 70's and still do. 

What did I study? Nothing relating to art and design in any way shape or form. I picked a 'career' in stead. As this blog is about fulfilling my dreams to be a textile designer, I will not mention my 'day job' here. Somehow, whilst at uni though, I remember spending hours on my bedroom floor, painting canvasses, missing the odd boring class (man, how did I not catch on?!) and eventually designing and painting T-shirts. This ended up a great move because, students started to stop me on campus and placed orders with me, word of mouth spread and it quickly became a great way to help to pay for my studies. Still, did not catch on. 

These had been some of the pointers in my life that upon reflection, should have pointed me in this direction sooner. However, I do believe that there is a time and a purpose for everything. I had to do the degree that I did as it opened doors for me to come to the UK and ultimately, to meet my soulmate (although we did not meet in the UK, but that's another story). A lot has happened since I left uni but, now I finally feel in a place where I can move on and pursue my dreams. I don't have that dress anymore that I made all those years ago, but on a recent visit to South-Africa, I went through some boxes full of my belongings and found my old Home Economics book. Inside, I made a collage of different textiles in the form of a girl holding a rose, the bright, floral fabric that first inspired me, was made into her dress. I have picked the name 'Rosy Lady' a few months before this, but I somehow can't help but think, there it was all along...a 'Rosy Lady'. I had to bring the page with me and in my studio, it is now a constant reminder.

First post

Hi! Rosy Lady is the blog of someone with a dream.. a dream about colours, designs, textiles, making, designing, crafting and sharing. I am from South-Africa, but live in the UK after meeting and marrying a wonderful English/Irishman. Life has it's ups and downs, but I choose to keep my rose tinted glasses on hence the name of this blog. I hope you'll stay with me for a cup of a tea, a friendly knatter and drop by again soon!