Rosy Lady

Vintage wallpaper patterns

We have been house-hunting for some time and one the ones we saw recently was advertised as 'requiring modernization'.  Of course, I was delighted by all the 60's and 70's wallpaper patters in each room and all the built-in wardrobes were lined with vintage fabrics.  I could've easily bought the house just for that.  I did not have my camera on me but, couldn't resist a few sneaky photo's with my iphone so, I must apologize for the quality of these.

I loved finding this unexpected bit of inspiration.

This weekend, I am spending time with Hubby, catching up on some blog reading and continuing to work on my design skills in Illustrator.  I am just itching to get all these design ideas out of my head, they keep me awake at night!

Anyway, hope you have a great weekend.

xx     

Light catcher

I bought this item in South Africa when I was there last December.  It is now hanging on the curtain rail in my studio and I often find myself looking at the light coming through the coloured beads.  I've always loved coloured glass, beads or crystals, especially in front of a window.  There is something enchanting about the light streaming through in different colours.  

The light catcher is a bit longer than shown in the photo.  There are some more beads, leaves and another heart towards the top of it.  I'm sure this could be a fun and easy project to make yourself.

Hope you have a good Friday!  

xx

 

I won a blog giveaway!

This is the first time that I have won a blog giveaway and it is by the talented Stephanie Fizer.  She does really cute little illustrations and sells her work on Etsy.

Another great thing about this is that I can tell you my name without writing it.  My day job in Court means that I meet people on all walks of life and I do not want them to google me.  This blog and my design inspirations mean so much to me that I want to keep these two things separate (for now).

Anyway, Stephanie has written our names (me and Hubby) on the print:

I am often asked how to pronounce my name and I always say that the last part is pronounced the same way that you would in the name 'Pauline'.  So, that's my real name.  How are you?  Pleased to (finally) meet you!

xx 

You make my heart all warm and fuzzy

We decided this year to make each other a Valentine's Day card.  This is the card I made for Hubby in Illustrator, adding some glitter and a warm orange felt heart.  The design is my own.

Hope you have been able to give and receive love, whether it is to a loved one, a neighbor, a stranger or even a pet.  There is certainly a lot of need in this world and places to make a difference.

xx

 

Hints of Spring

One thing that I cannot get used to since I've been living in England is the length of the winters compared to South Africa where it barely lasts three months.  February is especially a cold, dull month but I have found a way to get me through it all with a bunch of spring flowers in some of my favorite colors.  I especially enjoy this week's combination of red tulips with pink roses.  I love that color combination.

If you've followed my blog for a while, you may remember how I have searched for a cover for my iphone.  Well, I finally found one that I liked on a website from Hong Kong.  It had bright 60's style flowers on it.  I ordered it but was then told it was out of stock.  When they eventually restocked, I was told that my choice was no longer available.  In  end I chose a different one just to resolve the matter.  It has finally arrived this morning and I am pleased that it is quite different to the bland option we get in our shops.

How do you get through these last winter months?

xx  

 

A storm is brewing

Don't you just love it when you can tell that a storm is on it's way?  We get a lot of rain in England but, rarely any thunder storms.  I love a good thunder storm and Hubby takes it a step further, he loves tornadoes.  Not too many of those around either.

 

I associate storms with a feeling of excitement and anticipation.  Thinking of the thunder storms we get in South Africa where sudden thunder makes you jump or if you get caught in the rain, you would be wet to your undies in less than 2 seconds.  You could smell the thunder but also the freshness from the fields.

Although I have a few storms going on in my personal life, I am filled with excitement and anticipation.  Sometimes it takes a storm in one's life to make you look up again.

I marvel at the wonder and greatness and am filled with hope anew.

xx  

 

 

Peaceful Sunday

I've had a restful weekend with lots of sleep and nourishment.  I've been so tired lately and I've got a couple of really stressful weeks lying ahead in my day job.  However, there is also a lot going on behind the scenes, which I hope to be able to share with you soon.  I am making life changing decisions and that is both exciting and scary.  

I hope that your weekend has been everything that you needed.

xx 

 

More handmade love

I grew up in a family of talented crafters, sewers and artists, and wanted to show you some more of the handmade things that I photographed when I went to visit my parents in South Africa.

I have the best oldest sister and her makes the most beautiful scrapbooking and greeting cards.  She has made me a wonderful scrapbook about my parents, which I will show you at some point.  She also made this framed picture for my parents of their four children.  Yes, I am the chubby blond and the youngest.

My Mum is very good at sewing, knitting and doing tapestries.  I have fond memories of how we used to visit our local fabric shop on Saturdays and then sneak the bags and bags of fabric into the house like two naughty children.  Not that my Dad mind our shopping, it was just so exciting to make our own clothes like summer dresses etc.  Here is one of my Mum's tapestries that she did when I was little.  I love the 70's vibe.

 

My aunt has done many crafts through the years but her most memorable work are her ribbon embroidered pictures.

     

What crafts do you remember from your family?

xx

Midnight lace

I have completed another design for the betafashion union competition.  I enjoy these competitions as they open so many different design opportunities and it allows you to think creatively and try new things.  

 

With this design, I started with a photo of a rose and lace which I have then reworked in photoshop. Betafashion then offer the opportunity for people to vote or comment on the design and the winning designs will be used in future fashion collections.

xx

Latest competition entry

I have completed a card design for the latest Tigerprint competition for a 'Beautiful Traditional Card'. I wanted to design something soft and feminine that can be used for various occasions, i.e. birthdays, Mother's day, weddings etc.

 
 

xx