the gardener's studio

For the man who has everything (or rather, insists he wants nothing for Christmas)...something to hang on his wall. Or my old bedroom, incidentally, which has become a drawing studio for my dad's landscape gardening business.  But it still looks a lot like it did when I left it (bless them) so I thought it could do with a touch of personalisation.

  

inspiration etcetera...

There's nothing like being ill and guiltlessly drawing a whole bunch of animals for fun to coax yourself out of a major design slump.  The little bunny is for a lovely girl named Issie who turns fourteen today.  Happy birthday, you!

In other news, I saw Karolin Schnoor's work featured on Print & Pattern today and can honestly say I am gutted I've never come across her work before!  It's amazing (I think you would like it in particular, Amber).

Also, I'm thinking about setting up an Etsy shop to sell some of my remaining Christmas Fayre goodies like these notebooks, so watch this space! (Please forgive the awful quality of the photo, my cameraman has left the house leaving me with only an analogue SLR at my disposal...good old Photo Booth.)

That's all for now folks.

feeling festive

Currently...

Enjoying Lizzie Stewart's stocking filler suggestions

Listening to far too much of this (thanks Claire)

Struggling with The Outsider competition
Lusting after a worthy addition to my board game collection (it's like Jenga...but better)

Feeling design envy from ogling this blog (in particular this striking calendar)

Indulging in Bridget Jones and lots and lots of Christmas shopping

Thinking that Paperchase have got it right this year with this paper (my presents looks scrummy)

Making lots and lots of gift tags with exciting ribbon

Looking forward to an upcoming city break in Edinburgh

Feeling disheartened by the result of Stokes Croft's relentless No Tesco campaign

hello, twenty four

Well then, it looks like I'm no longer twenty three.  It's been a good year, which I decided to see out by rolling around in some Bristol snow, being swarmed by police as a by-stander in the midst of a student protest, purchasing a couple of snuggly jumper skirts, perusing the nicest of little galleries, being denied chips at a cafe (but making up for it with a warm veggie sausage roll) and eating my very first tarte tatan at the devine Demuths. But how did I get on with my 'twenty three things to do before I turn twenty four' list?  Ahem...

1. Build a website

2. Eat a Knickerbockerglory

3. Post regular blog entries

4. Fill two polaroid films

5. Go to Ryantown

Well, okay, not quite (I blame the weekend job), but I did see some Rob Ryan originals in London!

6. Launch a greeting card range

7. Re-pot my sad little apple tree

8. Decoupage my sewing box

9. Learn to crochet, make something

10. Get a First for something at uni

11. Watch a meteor shower (it's been so long)

12. Make one of these

13. Go to the Little at least once a month

I certainly had a good go anyway!!

14. Add a patch to Issy's quilt

15. Make fifteen recipes from my recipe stash

16. Order some fabric from Spoonflower

17. Say 'yes' more

Subjective, but I think so.
18. Learn to do silkscreen printing

19. Organise a photo scavenger hunt

20. Get work experience in a studio

21. Be an explorer of the world

22. Feel hot sand between my toes (please?)

Ha!  No chance.

23.  Discover five new authors

Six, actually!!

Eleven out of twenty three.  Pathetic.  I apologise, I shall set my self fewer goals this year and try much, much harder!!