My news....

Well it's official!! I have taken a huge step and left my full time admin job to pursue a career as a freelance designer.

I have a lot of work to do in the next couple of months - sorting out my portfolio and designing my website, but I'm really looking forward to it.

Here are some great quotes that I found on pinterest:

Runner Up!

Recently I was selected as a runner up in the Elle Decoration/Rug Designer competition!

This is my design 'Sun Rays' which I entered.

Sadly I have also finished the online design course that I have been doing for months 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design'. It was so much fun!! 

But a BIG THANK YOU has to go out to Rachael Taylor and Beth Nicholls for being such inspirations and for creating such a brilliant course!

Feather Collection

Hope everyone has been enjoying the sun!!

I have been working on some new designs and collection boards based on feathers.  I do like them, but I think I need to try and spend more time concentrating on finding my true style.

At the minute it doesn't feel like I'm there.  I think I maybe need to take a step back and start at what I'm really good at, which is drawing in detail, then take this work into the pattern stage. Lots more work to do then, but loving every minute!!

Take care Liz xx

Blossom Collection Board

It's been a long time since my last post!! I wish I could say I had been designing lots of patterns, but sadly I haven't had much time.

We have however ticked one thing off my New Year 'to do list', as we have had a new kitchen fitted.  Really happy it's finally done, but still have boxes everywhere though!

I did manage to find time to design one collection board and the main design 'Blossom Floral' was featured on Rachael Taylor's blog with other lovely designs from students from The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design, take a look here

Blossom Collection Board

Blossom Floral Main Pattern

Blossom Floral Mustard

Blossom Floral Mauve

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