Time to finish what I started years and years ago. My first ever drawings at Kew Garden, while studying Textiles were about cactus and tropical plants, but the theme seemed very close to my background and culture at the time, (I wanted to do something totally different), so I decided not to pursue these ideas and left them behind in my sketch's books. Many years later and I find myself looking back and this drawings, and getting more and more into this theme. For years now I have been taken photos and drawing more and more cactus, so I feel it is about time I put all of this into a collection. I am planing to spend the weekend at the Barbican Conservatory and visit kew Gardens, as I  still have to gather more ideas, and I really fancy a quiet weekend focusing on my creative work. Nice weekend to everybody!

(please do not use these photos, they are my drawings and work in process, much appreciated it)

British illustration by Alice Potter

I have been meaning to draw my cat Missi for quite sometimes, but I must admit I am not very good at it, I have lost practice over the years, and I wouldn't  know where to start as I don't have a very defined style, that is why I am taken sometime to think and draw the next collection, it might take longer than I would like but I want to enjoy the process, and mature the ideas, you see, launching a collection is expensive and time consuming, and it is there to stay for a very long time, so I will make sure I am happy with it before I release it. In the meantime I will keep enjoying and promoting other people's work that catch my eye. I like Alice's work, specially the animal's illustration, the fish print is my favorite, much better in real life, I met her lat week at the Homespun event and we got chatting away about Etsy, work, etc...

Have a nice weekend, and make the most of the good weather, if there is any, wherever you are.

 Cotton tea towel, note books and many more products and illustrations available at her etsy shop.

Beautiful drawings by The parasol magazine editor

Very simple but beautiful drawings, I have always liked black ink drawings, and this ones on paper doilies are very cute. I was browsing  a print a day blog, and found them together with so many other interesting things!! What I didn't know is that this blog was related to parasol magazine online, which I love and find very inspirational, specially since they just have launched the first craft issue. (see pictures below and enjoy).

Me encantan estos dibujos en papel, son muy sencillos pero bonitos, los encontré en el blog a print a day, junto con muchas otras ideas e inspiración. La editora del blog ha producido la primera edición de parasol una revista electrónica dedicada enteramente al craft.

Geraldine Gunning sweet work

I met Geraldine at the first Degree Show I visited this year, at The London Communication College. She specialise in surface/product design, creating her own world of gorgeous must have products with cute prints inspired by yummy treats and old English sweet shops. I instantly loved the way she displayed her work, A hut full of little surprises: sweet boxes, notebooks, cards, jars full of printed goods, etc…Her work has that vintage quality that I like so much, plus it is very graphic and fun, the striped sweet bags look and bold black drawings!!

Her range called ‘Treat Yourself prefect’ includes: pegs to hang your clothes, fridge’s magnets, picnic chairs and cupcake wall paper. I can see her products in shops such as Topshop, Urban outfitter, and many other independent gorgeous outlets.

More talent {LILLI COWLEY-WOOD}

Lilli’s work strike me for the surrealism of the images. Birds, parrots, dogs, plants, etc…they all seems to live in this beautiful an imaginary world…I LOVE her drawings!!

In her words…I would describe my prints as 'poetic' 'narrative based' and 'dream-like'. I tend to study surreal and sometimes un-appealing objects and imagery, and adapt them into something beautiful and decorative. I have a fascination with animals and often use them in my projects. I like to create a mood and energy within my work. I use photography often as a starting point, and a way to explore new ideas and compositions. This involves capturing people, animals and scenery around me, of which I often draw from and use in screen printing. I enjoy sketching in live situations to capture movement and one-off moments.

…Print is an area in which I can really express my passion for textiles as well as photography and illustration.

DULWICH FESTIVAL 2009

CHOCOLATE CREATIVE is happy to announce that it will be taking part in the Dulwich Festival Artists Open house on the 9th May. We will be offering a 10% discount on the day, and presenting kate's new textile range, beautiful bags, purses and notebooks.

Saturday/Sunday 9 & 10 May, 11-6pm

241 Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich SE22 9JQ

Also exhibiting:

Hilary Tranter

Unique prints – etchings, collographs and mixed media – colour and mono.

Figures and abstract – inspired by landscape, objects, moods and the

fleeting moment. Framed and unframed. Older work sold at a reduced price.

25% of all profits go to: www.pauldauriacentre.org.uk

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Gillian Elam
Fabric Nation creates cats, dogs, brooches, bags, purses and other original
accessories from her collection of vintage fabrics.
gillian@fabricnation.co.uk
http://www.folksy.com/shops/FabricNation

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Caroline d’Auria
Unique silver jewellery.
Unusual pieces – commissions accepted.

Studio Violet

This is such a lovely website. Set up by a pair of Swedish illustrators, Camilla Engman and Elisabeth Dunker who decided "that a mutual project or two was simply not enough" The work is really interesting and I'm very pleased to have found them...well actually they found us and I'm very glad of it!


Camilla Engman is a qualified illustrator and graphic designer from HDK, School for Design and Crafts, Gothenburg. Illustrator artist, Camilla, is the chosen poster artist for the forthcoming Gothenburg International Film Festival, 2009.

Elisabeth Dunker, too, began with an education at HDK. Now she crosses the borders of design, illustration, styling and photography.





Their blog is really good too and I particularly like this moustached tea cup..


They've got really great style of photographing their work!

New illustrations

I've been experimenting with the small amount of free time I have and this is the new work I've made as a result...(if you click on the image you'll be able to see it in all it's glory)

I wanted to make something using both pattern and texture, because whilst I love screen printing, I still have a need to scruff things up a bit and make a rough, battered texture. I've layered up papers and then stitched over the top and finished with splashes of varnish.

This one's called "A little bit taller"



"Tip-top"



"Things to do"