I love the V&A!!

I've only been to the Victoria and Albert museum twice, but have loved it every time.  I went before Christmas to have a look round.  It's a huge source of inspiration for patterns and colour. It has a wide range of exhibitions and is all free!!

If you ever go, make sure you go into the main cafe, it's so amazing.  Take a look a few pictures I took below.

 

 The beautiful ceramics below are produced by an Chinesese artist called Ah Xian.

This stunning large vase below is the work of Felicity Aylieff

The Year Ahead

So it's the first month of the year and I wouldn't normally set goals for the year ahead, but I thought it's time for a change.

So here goes...

• Run the Great North Run again (this time try and run all of it!!)
• Go to a craft fair and sell some of my cards and some other products
• Design and finish my website
• Push myself everyday to try and go that extra bit to get where I want to be!
• Create a portfolio so I could approach some companies with my work.
• Do POP Pilates everyday (I must be mad, but really love it!!)

Starting the Great North Run 2009.

The Red Arrow's display

Finally at the end, still able to stand!

Tigerprint's Xmas Pattern Competition

Just before New Year I entered Tigerprint's Xmas Pattern Competition. I didn't have much time as it was Christmas, but thought I would give it a go.

Take a look at the current competitions here, they are really good to enter into.

Here are the four designs I entered, all based on a hand drawn star design.

All designs are copyright of ellejanedesigns

Christmas Cards

I've finally finished designing my Christmas cards. Now I've just got to print them out and stick stars onto the tree design. That may take a while, as my parents have ordered 40 of them! I may be finished by tonight!

All designs shown are copyright of ellejanedesigns

The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design - Featuring Rachael Taylor

I've been meaning to say for the last two weeks that I have signed up for a fantastic design course called 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design' featuring Rachael Taylor.

Rachael is a UK freelance surface pattern designer, who's work is so lovely!!  Please take a look at Rachael's website here and for more info on the course here.  It's well worth a visit.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be taking part, it's just what I need at the minute.  My dream is to become a full time designer, so hopefully when I finish the course I will have that extra bit of confidence to make the big leap!! Exciting times ahead.

Pattern inspiration from nature

I've been out and about taking some pictures of nature for inspiration. I have to say I got a bit obsessed at taking pictures of man hole covers (who knew there were so many different patterns on them).  It was great to see how different patterns are just outside.

Baltic Mill Newcastle

I went into the Baltic Mill art gallery the other week, to have a look around.  If you have never been, it sits on the keyside in Newcastle, overlooking the Millennium Eye Bridge.

The exhibtions are very modern art, not everyones cup of tea (i.e my dad's), but the shop has lots and lots of design books and goodies. I could be there for hours!!