Embroidered tablecloth

I have been clearing out cupboards and sorting through all sorts of collected stuff lately as the builders have moved in and are ripping down walls and ultimately giving us a new dining space. Deep in my airing cupboard I found some beautiful linen tablecloths, hand embroidered and given to me by my mother. I tried to imagine them in the new dining room but today, frankly my creative vision was rather clouded by dust and rubble and water puddles on the landing. I placed them to one side, delaying putting them on eBay, as I could not picture them in that moment in our new dining room on the (hopefully-ready-by-Christmas) table. I was later rummaging through the online portfolio of photographer Emma Lee and, seeing this image, thought that I may well hold on to them, give them a good wash and starch and dress with a simple floral display. I came across her work from the latest Cox and Cox catalogue and have been newly inspired. Thank you Emma!

Bosco Verticale

WOW! This is such a fab idea for greening our cities. I would love to see this kind of planting and building integrated in this way more. We need to encourage biodiversity in order to improve our quality of life and to preserve all pollinating insects, particularly the honey bee. Perhaps we could have high rise meadows and wild flowers... if the little critters can fly that high of course! Find out more about the architect Stefano Boeri here.

When I saw this pattern on the pomme-de-jour blog, I had an instant warm flashback to when I was a child. Around 1970 or 1971, my mother cut out some of these colourful, bold graphic flowers and pasted them onto my white toybox. I still feel very fond of the pattern - there is someting of the Spirograph about it too. (ahh! Spirograph, now that is another post).

Elderflower Fields Festival 2012

Elderflower Fields is a new festival being organised in Sussex by some friends. I was asked to design the poster which was a fun project. If you fancy a weekend of music, sport, Sussex countryside, camping and dancing, sign up to their earlybird ticket line at www.elderflowerfields.co.uk. See you there!

Cards and colours for friends

Five of my friends celebrated their birthdays in January and another two in December. It seemed the perfect opportunity to rustle up a simple card design. I enjoyed thinking of a different colour theme for each friend. As I thought of each person a colour palette came to mind. Here they are.

Happy Christmas 2011

Have a warm and cosy Christmas readers!

Tree illustration

About eight years ago I planted a beautiful silver birch tree in the garden. When I look out of the kitchen window it is 'reverse silhouetted' against the dark green yew hedge beyond. It inspired this illustration.

Dreaming of Springtime

Often, when I am dozing off to sleep, my mind skips through the day and all its visual feasts and, all on its own, comes up with a fresh new image. I keep a sketch book and pencil by my bed, quietly switch on the light and jot down the brand new image, delivered to my subconscious visual 'inbox' by an unknown and most welcome sender.

Minnows

We had a week at the end of August in Teesdale, Co. Durham. The children spent hours paddling and swimming (yes, really, despite the glacial temperature) in the river Tees and catching minnows. Here was one day's catch.

Fresh, summery newsletter design

Here is a recent job for Wakefields the Jewellers in Horsham. A summer newsletter, a printed version and an online page turning pdf version for their facebook page.
Take a look here.