My plan for a desk

I love this painted filing cabinet idea. There's a brilliant Dead Peoples Junk Store just down the road. No it's not actually called that but that's basically what it's full of. There are some old school filing cabinets, I figured if I brought 2 and got something like a high gloss white Ikea Pax wardrobe door to use as a desk top, I might just have an original and very useful desk.

My new studio is nearly there....

I can't believe I'm finally at the exciting bit of choosing wallpapers. Ok it's a bit premature but the staircase is coming tomorrow and the window is in so in my books that's a green flag for decor. I want to do a wall (I'm not going to call it a 'feature wall' it's naff, but that's what it is) in this harlequin retro lamp wall paper, it's so different. I sent off for a few samples from wallpaper direct, they're free which is great.

I'm also loving this paper by misprint (cool name)...


they do some great stuff, as do Mini Moderns, this C60 paper reminds me of my party mix cassette card design. It also comes with an ivory ground so you can colour in your cassettes,



We had to chop the old ladder staircase in half to get it out but I thought it would look great painted white and used as some shelving or a bookcase, I'll keep you posted on that one...

And how cute are these slings???

Have baby will travel - I love these slings from Big Mama Slings, you can have them made up in your own fabrics too. You know if anything stands still long enough in my world it gets pimped or patterned!

I spend a hell of a lot of time carrying my bubs so I may as well design myself the most gorgeous sling to do it with! 9 weeks and counting - I'm ticking those to do's off on an hourly basis.

lazy doodles...

Trees and dogs seem to be the focus of my doodles at the moment, maybe Freud would say I need some fresh air and sunshine...

Lampshade of joy!

Isn't this gorgeous?? I used to collect stamps as a little girl so the birds and the postcards really appeal. It's my birthday next week so I might treat myself. It would go in my bedroom, I would wake up every morning and it would be the first thing that I see - that's got to be money well spent.

It might be a bit OCD but I think the little things are so important, I have a favorite bowl for my breakfast and my Portmerion Hungry Caterpillar mug for my coffee every morning. At the moment I have a big bunch of spring daffs on my desk that fill the room with their scent. It's these simple pleasures that make my life lovely!

If you want to have a look at some more gorgeous lampshades check out The Old Lamp Shed

My secret tin fetish...

For those of you who don't know, I am obsessed with vintage tins. It's a useful kind of obsession as a gal can never have enough storage. I use them for make up, cotton reels, pins, saved garden seeds, spices, jewelery, sewing kits, buttons - the list is endless.

Really though, you don't need an excuse to buy such gorgeous items, grouped together on the shelf they look so pretty. I even have a mini collection of red London bus tins.

You can pick them up at car boots, jumble sales, reclamation shops, ebay and these beauties were from etsy. But hands off the birdy one - it's mine if she'll post to the UK!

Why are accounts such a 'mare??

What is it about accounts and creative people? I used to be so organised with my accounts but now it seems it's the first thing to be dropped when I get busy then I get in a pickle.

You may remember me mocking my husband as he ironed his receipts in the garden to radio four last summer after retrieving them from his filing system of the car floor. At least he got them in on time!

My new tax year resolution has been to find a lovely lady called Deidre to keep my books for me so I need never have to pay a fine or hunt for receipts again. I hate feeling disorganised and with baby no3 in the mix there would have been no hope & probably a spell in prison courtesy of Inland Revenue!

Folksy feature..

Those lovely folks at folksy have put my Easter card on their featured items on the front page, there's loads of yummy Easter goodies so check it out if you haven't already.

I love these little egg cosys by ticketyboo ...

Brilliant News!

Yippee yay! Had a lovely mention on the delicious Print Pattern blog this morning, featuring lots of my new designs. I was a bit of a div though and forgot to mention my wholesale website - duh.

My other good news is I've also got 2 new agents covering East Anglia and Scotland!

A very gorgeous retailer...

I'm supplying Toby Tiger with my cards. I absolutely adore their clothing ranges. You can find them in The Lanes, Brighton. They also supply to lots of outlets across the country. Hmmmm, I feel a spend coming on!

Spring Greens..

I found a whole cluster of gorgeous spring green prints from various artists on folksy. I love these nordic hares by Dee Beale, visit her blog it's lovely.



I also like these 2 prints from Sparklehen, another busy mum who used to be a graphic designer but now sells on line. check out her folksy shop for lots of goodies.

Big Brunch

I dropped off the kids and headed into the N. Quarter with 'im indoors for a spot of brunch at Teacup. After polishing off a massive poached eggs on toast we wandered off for a mooch. I always come back really fired up creatively (maybe it was the eggs!) from the N. Quarter. It has such a charm, rough round the edges and such a cool indi scene. We did galleries, some shopping then Magma which I LOVE.

You could call it a day date but I'd say it was strictly research of course!

I'm in love (again)..

Spring is finally in the air and after an inspiring chat with a lovely friend who shares my love of all things caravan and outdoors, I had to share this beauty with you, click on the pic to see the whole flickr stream...

All we need now is the smell of matches and camping gas, bring on summer!

Vintage Yardstick Coat Rack of Joy!

I love finding unique items on Etsy, I love the mellow wood of these yardsticks. They remind me of the wooden meter rulers of my school girl days.

I think this is a fine example of how to create something fantastic out of found items. Sometimes when you discover something of beauty you're not always sure what you can do with it. Thinking laterally about how to approach it and what else you could turn it into is much more resourceful and you end up with something totally unique and environmentally friendly.