Wednesday 29 February 2012

Pamela's Brilliant Idea

A recent discovery of Pamela Bates' work via a mutual love of MeanGlean led me to discover this lovely print in her shop.  I LOVE that you can get it printed yourself - giving you the option to choose which quality of paper you'd like. Great idea Pamela - and lovely picture!



Pamela has got lots of fabulous designs in her Etsy shop along with some great vintage pieces. Do go and take a look here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BatesMercantileCo?ref=pr_faveshops

Tuesday 28 February 2012

More bugs!!

Bugs aren't just for boys and I wanted to include a few designs in the range that appeal to girls. So here is a taster.

I'd be really interested to here people's thought on the colour choices. Do you think they'll appeal?

Monday 27 February 2012

David Hockney

I've just caught the last 10 mins of a programme about David Hockney's latest exhibition on BBC2. It is a long time since I have stood transfixed but I was rooted to the spot. You can watch it on Iplayer here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01c7wmr

I am desperate to go and see the exhibition at the Royal Academy. http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/hockney/tickets/

From what they say on the website I will be going to see it late at night!

I have always had a soft spot for Hockney because he's from Bradford, like my mum and he loves Yorkshire - like my mum! This exhibition has really struck a chord because it features East Yorkshire, where I went to university and where I spent many glorious days wandering the countryside. Hockney's use of colour in these works is breath taking and captures just how bloomin' beautiful spring and Yorkshire are. Do take a look at the Royal Academy website and go to the exhibition if you can. I'd love to hear if you've already been.

A little perusing on Folksy led me to the talented Rob Soar who has featured East Yorkshire in his work.


This is a picture of the lighthouse at Spurn Point. You can walk down a spit of land for several miles until it ends at this lighthouse. The land is so narrow at the bottom you are metres from the sea on either side of you. You can watch the ferries coming into the Humber Estuary and then slowly walk back to the cafe for a hot cup of tea and a toasted tea cake. A truly beautiful place, even on a cloudy, cold and rainy day.

Do check out Rob's work at his Folksy shop which you can find here. He's got great confidence with colour - just like Hockney!

Sunday 26 February 2012

The Upcoming Bug collection

As promised lots of pictures today.  I have been working really hard to get the bug collection finished and ready to launch. Some of the pieces are going off to a fine art printers this week, so that I can offer a range of prints as well as individual paper cut pieces. So I am proud to present my beautiful bugs...

These will form a postcard set - perfect for thank you notes from (or to) boys, or to create your own piece of wall art.  I love the way the colours interact. The red and blue larger bugs really play with your eyes and give an almost glowing outline to the bug. Major influences on the patterns include crochet design, Islamic art (and John Squires interpretation in his recent series of Islamic art inspired pieces), Butterscotch and Beestings fabulous combination of Blue, Red and White (thank you Camilla!).



I wanted to create some statement pieces for the collection which would be larger scale and designed as wall art. Why not count bugs when you're having difficulty sleeping rather than sheep?



Each of these bugs is cut by hand, from the oil beetle in the centre to the tiny ladybirds and house spiders scuttling all over the place!

When I was researching creepy crawlies for this series I was really struck by how varied and often brightly coloured bugs were. I wanted to reference this in some of the greeting cards. Again, I'm sure the colours of the bugs have many uses including confusing predators. Some of my colour combinations also seem to play tricks with your eyes. Even though these bugs are cut very precisely with no fuzzy edges, the way the colours interact makes it seem otherwise.





I am very fond of the centipedes. When I grouped some together they reminded me of go faster stripes. What do you think?



They certainly move faster than these friendly chaps!



And to end, I'll let these guys express my very sincere hope that when the bug collection goes on sale in a couple of weeks, you'll come and join the creepy crawlie party.


Saturday 25 February 2012

Jumping Jelly Beans it worked!

Even the very thought of Butterscotch and Beesting's fabulous potions seem to have perked us up. The boys have returned to super bouncy levels and I have been cutting, sticking and designing as fast as I can!

Because of that I don't have any pictures to show you today :(

BUT there will be lots tomorrow

HOORAY!

Friday 24 February 2012

Restocking the medicine chest

I'm sorry to say that Rosie and the Boys have all been somewhat under the weather of late with nasty coughs and colds. Disillusioned with conventional remedies I have decided to take action and turn to Butterscotch and Beesting for help.  In their lovely emporium, a variety of potions, tonics and treats await to restore a smile to your face.


To return my boys to the Jumping Beans that they usually are I would recommend a good dose of Bouncing Liquid.


And for those of you who like me have to undergo scary trips to the dentist? Well Courage Tonic of course!



And if you happen to take too much...never fear just help yourself to some of Nurse Betty's Magical Antidote.



Thank you Butterscotch and Beesting! Rosie and the Boys salute you.

Thursday 23 February 2012

Fabulous fun

I have been having such fun whilst creating my bugs and creepy crawlies range. These snails were particularly fun to create. Sometimes simplicity is just as rewarding as succesfully completing a complex task. Hope you like them.

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Check these out!


I am so excited to show you the first of my creepy crawlies. These tags were such fun to make and have already received rave reviews from my boys! Over the next few weeks there will be more bugs appearing in my shop including spiders, beetles and dragonflies!

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Smile Chicken!


I hope you have the same reaction to this lovely little hen as I did...a broad smile! You can find this gorgeous thing at MeanGlean. An Etsy shop for the true magpie. Ever been frustrated looking for push pins from the 1970's or a vintage medical thermometer? Well your search  is over because you'll find them in this fabulous Vintage Emporium. If you love vintage, curiosities, or browsing Etsy during your lunch break this is the place to go!

Monday 20 February 2012

Green and pink, green and pink

I am very fortunate to have my work featured in other people's Etsy treasuries from time to time. Recently I have been noticing a trend - pastels. Especially in green and pink. So for your viewing pleasure I have chosen four treasuries which I think capture this colour theme really well.

Enjoy!

'Pretty spring pastels' by sdjjewellery

A british sellers on Etsy Team Treasury.


Corsage Brooch Shabby U...

$13.00

Lampwork Glass Bracelet...

$35.00

Custom Ring, El Medano ...

$48.00

Personalised Text Heart...

$24.00

Vintage Pink ButtonThum...

$4.00

Dusky Pink Necklace - U...

$7.99

Pearl Bridesmaid Bracel...

$21.00

Flower Embellishments i...

$3.50

Cosmetic bag, toiletry ...

$10.00

Little pig - amigurumi ...

$7.00

Primitive Mosaic Heart ...

$15.00

Gift Tag "Blossom...

$3.00

Pale pink heart button ...

$3.99

Pale Green Sea Glass Ef...

$8.50

Crochet Washcloth with ...

$1.95

Blush Cream 'Emmy&#...

$40.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.



'thinking of spring...' by beccasfour



Little lamb hat for spr...

$25.00

iPad Case Light Green L...

$68.00

Spring Green - Hand Dye...

$9.20

Nature Photography, spr...

$30.00

Adorable Spring SNOWDR...

$35.00

Spring flowers Vinyl De...

$6.50

April Spring Fairy Natu...

$28.00

Little Black Dress Vale...

$83.00

spring green - a handma...

$16.00

pair of groovy spring g...

$29.00

In Spring -- ElementalE...

$75.00

Gift Tag "Spring ...

$3.00

Spring Green MIneral Ey...

$6.25

Spring Knot Dress Daydr...

$44.95

Crochet top tunic with ...

$54.00

Boutique Twirly Ruffle ...

$40.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.


'Pink and green should always been seen!' by kwurkee

Hopefully, spring isn't too far away - so here's a selection of spring-coloured items to enjoy


Wood Grain Silver Ring ...

$47.60

Hot Pink and Green Unio...

$39.00

Large pink and green bu...

$120.00

Love Themed Art Illustr...

$12.00

Beads with pink flowers...

$22.99

Easter bunny wool plush...

$20.00

Lime Green and Pink Pol...

$39.00

Watermelon Pink and Gre...

$15.00

Pastel Garden - floral ...

$50.00

Pink and Green Floral B...

$10.99

Pink, Green and Red Lam...

$12.00

Fabric covered journal,...

$16.00

UK 3, handmade fairytal...

$124.00

Autumn Hydrangea pink f...

$135.00

Bird cushion Pink

$64.00

Hundreds and Thousands ...

$25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.


'Spring' by fiorejewellery

Enjoy!


Nature Photography - gr...

$30.00

Nursing necklace Mallow...

$25.00

Green Journal - Leather...

$44.00

Valentine's Butterf...

$15.00

Felted Stones, six smal...

$12.00

Green Grass Ring in Gun...

$24.00

Fresh spring tulip phot...

$25.00

SALE, Ruffle Scarf, Gre...

$18.70

Green bracelet with but...

$10.00

Cyber Monday Etsy SALE ...

$21.00

Newborn baby shoes Eva ...

$40.00

Pink Pokadot Dress

$42.00

Luxury Blown Glass Vase...

$225.00

Real leaf earrings - Gr...

$34.00

An elegant knitted baby...

$103.00

Fingerless gloves with ...

$25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

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