Autumn turns to winter

Having a photographer in the family has great advantages, I just bought my brothers cast off camera, and am loving the quality of photographs. It will take me some time to get used to this Canon 40D, a proper DSLR, and worlds away from a compact Ixus. Still, practice makes perfect and I just need to get out there and shoot away.Eventually I would like to add some of the results to my istock illustrations.

Laras Embroidery

Ive just been looking at my good friend Lara Sparks Embroidery website. Im really impressed! (I can just hear her now saying ok dont sound so surprized!!) But really, do have a look. I love the section on her embroidery courses, with photos on how her students have enjoyed their day with her. Well done Lara, your work is always an inspiration to me.

Mothercare

Thanks to everyone who mailed me to say they had seen my design in mothercare! I went in there to see it for myself, and am really pleased with the final product. They have a great boys wear collection at the moment.

Have you seen this design!?

As a textile designer, one of the main highlights is finding my designs in the shops! The green design is my original which the buyer now has the copyright to. ... I found a photo the orange stripey design on my agents mood board, so it is being sold somewhere in the shops, but I just dont know where!

If anyone out there has seen this little boys top for sale on the high street, could you let me know where, as I would love to see it for myself......many thanks!

In the mean time these photos will be a record of my design being some where out there.

Etsy shop

Over the summer hols its nice to do a bit of knitting, as its a portable way to create. These are little key- ring birdys. I've just been listing them in my etsy shop so do have a look.

I still havent mangaged to get any prints in there yet, so that will be my next mission.

KTWO Products

The lovely team at KTWO Products sent me an insurance document file today in the post. I have been working with them for a while now, and it is always a real treat to see my illustrations in the context of a finished product. Have a peek at their website they have some lovely things with beautiful design work. Thanks KTWO!

Foxy Love

This is my latest istock file. I made the fox as a wolf originally (top image) for one of my textile designs, but my agent said he was too scary for kids wear! So I've turned him into a loving Mr Fox ... not really for kids wear now, just for anyone who wants to download the image! I will do something else with Mr Wolf too, as I like him, even if no one else does.

Animation course

Last week I went on a flash course. I LOVE using it! Have started making little animations using my illustrations. I want to upload some flash animations to my istock portfolio. Its a great way to show potential clients what I have to offer in the way of graphics. The above is my frog animation, I haven't worked out how to show you the clip as yet, but the frog manages to catch the buzzing fly!

Happy Easter

My first teach!

Since I finished the teaching course (PTTLS) in December, I've not actually applied myself in a search for a teaching post, however, I was asked to teach a group of locals a watercolour class. With none of the students having any past experience, I decided to opt for a simple flower painting on white ground.
I was really surprised at how scared alot of the students were to begin the painting. They watched my demo (above) with awe and fear!! However, many were soon involved in the task and found themselves absorbed in the painting process. I really enjoyed the experience, and now want to find a local place to start up a course.

Spring time at Etsy

At last the snow has virtually all melted away! With so many school closure days its wonderful to get back into the swing of work at last. I have started the year with some new springtime items for sale in my etsy shop .

I am also working on some spring/summer designs for my agent 'My Sugar Cube' in London. Rory used to trade as Anne Davison Design but now has a new name. He specializes in children's wear and has a great team of designers, myself being a freelance one.