Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year! Have fun! xxx

'Just Kids' on Print Pattern

http://printpattern.blogspot.com/2011/12/design-studio-just-kids-ltd.html

My agent has a lovely feature on the Print Pattern blog today, they also have a cool new blog to check out...Here it is http://justkidsltd.blogspot.com/ 

Potato printed gift tags

Me and my daughters decided to make gift tags by potato printing this year. It made quite a mess, but now they are on some presents I think they look quite good. A bit of a personal touch!

The cat that got the quiche

My husband baked a big, delicious quiche all ready for a party and left it to cool in the kitchen. Our extremely naughty cat, Jack obviously thought it was made just for him! He jumped up on the side and ate about a quarter of it - well, not a happy husband! V happy cat, with a full tum though.

Avoiding eye strain

I must have been working too hard, as I have very sore eyes today. I've just read an article about it, and it's quite useful. http://www.avoideyestrain.com/ I think it must be a very common problem for designers, and anyone who stares at a screen all day!

M&S Christmas wrap

I bought some of the Christmas wrap I designed for the 'Tigerprint' Competition last year. It was very nice to see lots of it in store. I did wish the chocolate icing looks more 'chocolatey' though!

11.11am on 11.11.11

Damn, I was going to have elevenses at 11.11 on 11.11.11 - but I forgot. Too late now!!!!

A sprinkling of snow...

We live quite high up on a hill, and we definitely had a little sprinkle of snow this morning. This resulted in my 2 girls hurriedly writing their Christmas lists!!!

Feeling a bit festive

I just got my Christmas cards from http://uk.moo.com/ and I'm liking them a lot. I might even start some Christmas shopping soon....mince pie anyone?!

Spooky Monster cakes...

Mwooah ha ha... spooky (and probably very sickly) monster cakes made by me and my daughters!

What halloween costume to wear....

We are off to Whitby next week, and my daughters are deciding which halloween costumes to bring! Decisions, decisions! It's goth week up there, so there is quite a lot going on and some very interesting sights!!!!

It's gone a bit chilly in here...

My little studio can get quite chilly. This is the first day that I've had to get my fan heater going, and my scarf on! Lots of cups of tea for me too....

Cake tins

I spotted some cake tins with my design on them in Dunelm Mill. I think they are quite fun!

Little furry helper

This is a typical picture of my desk. I usually have a bit of company with my cat, Pickle. She likes to come and sit on the keyboard or very near it, and have her input. I don't mind, she's great!

Spelling test!

It was very 'necessary' for my girl, Lois to practise her spellings this morning! It's her monday spelling test today, and it was quite difficult. Fingers crossed she remembers 'necessary'!!!!

More cake anyone?

I'm drawing cake again! I love cake, but I'm trying to have a healthy few weeks... Well, it's my husband's Birthday this week, so might have to allow myself a piece or two.....

The noisy owls are back...

At this time of year, we get a lot of very noisy tawny owls behind our house. The noise is more of a screeeeech that a Twit twoo. It's great to have wildlife so nearby, but they do wake me up a lot!

New Specs!

I'm dragging my fella off to help me choose some glasses today. I went for an eye test last week (not been for 12 years!) and apparently I'm a bit short-sighted! Hopefully, once they are on, it will help me do better designs!!!

Christmas Robins

Today I'm working on some Christmas card designs... it'll be here before you know it!!!! I do hate it when you see selection boxes and decorations in the shops in September though!! : (

Patchwork Farm range

We just had a trip out to Styal Mill in Cheshire, and spotted a design of mine in the National Trust shop on a range of kitchen products. I was quite chuffed!

Happy Birthday Lois!

A little card to wish my gorgeous girl a very Happy 8th Birthday! She loves anything to do with the sea and fish! x

Holiday doodles

I'm back! We had a lovely holiday in Menorca. We did have a bit of rain and a couple of storms in the 1st week, but it gave me and the girls time to sit and do a bit of drawing. I like looking at all the different plants and flowers from the ones at home. Here are some doodle flowers.

Off on hol....

Just one more sleep, and we are off on holiday. No more posts for a couple of weeks, but hoping to come back very inspired! Bye for now....

Gorgeous Summer flowers

I just had to take some photos of these beautiful flowerbeds in a park we visited at the weekend. I'd love to do some design from these, the colours are just fab!

Poor neglected blog....

I've been such a busy bee trying to get lots of lovely designs done for various shows that my blog is getting left. Here are a couple of little snippets of designs I'm working on. I've still got LOADS to do..........................

What a fantastic weekend!

The weather was gorgeous, and me and my fella and mates went to see the Flaming Lips at Jodrell Bank -which is this huge telescope. It was amazing!!! Even the telescope itself is amazing, but with projections onto it I was blown away!! Well, still thinking about it, but just about to start some Christmas designs!!!

My cats

I have 2 black cats, Pickle and Jack. Pickle is an old lady (12) and a bit plump and cuddly, and occasionally a bit grumpy. She can't be bothered to go hunting. Jack (1) is a bit of a naughty boy! He steals any food available, but worst of all, he is a very good hunter. It's getting to the stage where I am not looking forward to coming downstairs in the morning, because I don't know what surprises will await us. I'm thinking we might need to get him a collar with a bell. Has anyone any tips?

Little co-ordinates

This week I'm working on some little co-ords to sit with larger designs. I'm enjoying these, I like working on little collections. Feeling quite summery today......

An ice-cream on the beach

This is an ice-cream that me and my little girl Jess made on the beach in Wales. We always make sand pictures when we go to the beach, and we were particularly proud of this one!

Back to work.....

Eeeeek... I'm back to my drawing board today after a lovely half term. It feels like a long time since I did a design, and right now I feel like I've forgotten how to draw! I'm writing lots of very long lists of ideas and trying to get stuck in......

Butterflies and flowers

We are off to Wales for a little break, hopefully with a bit of sun! I'm gonna bring my sketchbook and try and do lots of drawing while I'm there. I want to do some new butterflies, birds and floral designs, so I hope to come back fresh and inspired!

40!

I have reached 40 - but not in age! 40 Followers - yippee! Thanks to you all for following my blog, and your nice comments. It definitely gives you a little boost when people like your work. Ta folks!

New Envelop shop

http://www.envelop.eu/shop/articles


I have a new little online shop within 'Envelop' with a few items by me! I have quite enjoyed designing these this week, inspired by my  cats. I hope you like.....

and relax.....

Phew! After a hectic couple of weeks trying to finish work for Surtex, family over, husband at the FA cup final, and me helping out at Brownie camp at the weekend, I am having a relaxing day. Nice to be able to do some work at a leisurely pace. Fingers crossed I sell a few designs at Surtex too!

A little fairy....

This is part of a design I've been working on for Surtex. I'm still trying to get lots done, and I could do with a little fairy to help me get lots more designs done!!!!!

Warm days....

Well there seems to be no end to the sunshine. I can't remember when it last rained, we've got a bit of a dry garden! Nice for days out at the beach though....

Good luck William & Kate!

I'm not really into the Royal family, but I love a nice wedding, I can't wait to see the frock! Good luck William and Kate, have a fantastic day!

Happy Easter!

Have a lovely Easter everyone, let's hope the weather stays good. (I don't mind if it rains at night, so the plants get a good watering though)

More Roosters!

Working on some rooster designs at the mo. The is part of one I did a while back. I like doing bird designs, so quite enjoy these...

too many easter eggs...

My girl Lois seems to have been given a lot of easter eggs and sweets today, she's eaten a few and has been leaping around like a little lamb. Then she was moaning that she couldn't sleep. I think to solve the problem she ought to give them to me...

Where's Pickle?

I'm supposed to be taking our cat, Pickle, to the vet's this morning. I can't find her anywhere, I think she knows! She's not daft!

Everything's gone green

I looked out the window this morning, and suddenly there are leaves on the trees. Seems to have happened overnight! A lovely time of year...