Christmas cardinal

Last week's drawing challenge for the The Tuesday Collective drawing challenge on Instagram was a pleasing colour palette of red, pink, orange and green. After some backwards and forwards and some designs that didn't quite work, I decided to rework this cardinal design. I created it in a folk style and surrounded it with flowers and leaves.

The colour palette was fun to use once I got the hang of it and placing the images on the dark background gave it drama and allowed the other colours to sing.

 

Christmas gift bags

"These gift bags are really pretty, such lovely fabric! They arrived promptly and were well packaged. I'm looking forward to using them this Christmas. Many Thanks"

This was a review recently left for one of my Christmas gift bag combos, which was lovely to receive! I have a great selection of Christmas gift bags in my Etsy shop. Each combo consists of three bags in three different sizes, perfect for gifting small items.

Each gift bag has a red drawstring ribbon closure and is made from 100% cotton that is machine washable.

The largest gift bag is made from a cute snowman fabric and is big enough to fit items such as toiletries or paperback books in.

The medium gift bag is made from a holly fabric and is the perfect size for gifting perfume in.

The smallest gift bag is tiny and made from a red and white cotton snowflake fabric. It's perfect for gifting items such as jewellery in.

These gift bags are great for gifting items in, but are also gifts in themselves. They make great sustainable gift wrap and can be reused after they have been opened, for storing things in. They make great travel bags for smaller items in your suitcase.

Deep blue sea

 I recently created a collection of Makower UK called Deep Blue Sea which included fun sea creatures in a bright colour palette. 

Within the collection was a panel design that consists of eight different ten inch images that are great for using to make cushion covers, tote bags or quilts with. I took creatures from the main design and used them in a circular shape surrounded by sea life such as seaweed and fish.

These are some of my favourite images. The seal has a happy smile and drifts through brightly-coloured sea life.

The turtle image was also used in one of the allover prints for this collection.

I couldn't resist adding an octopus and made him a pretty pink colour.

Click here to see the full panel on the Makower website.

Fox tea towel

Tea towels are a great way of brightening up the kitchen and I have a wide selection of tea towels to choose from in my Etsy shop. This fox print tea towel is a lot of fun and makes a great gift for a fox lover. 

It's made from a good quality linen cotton canvas fabric which is machine washable.

Use this tea towel for drying up in the kitchen or for mopping up spills. Alternatively you could hang it on the wall and use it as a piece of art.

Pot plant paradise

Pot plants are the perfect addition to the home and I created this print for my Spoonflower shop, with the idea that it would be used on home decor such as bedding.

The pot plant print includes cheese plants, ferns and yuccas in various shapes and sizes. Each has a coloured pot and would make a great gift for a green fingered friend.

The print is perfect print for a duvet cover. This one comes in three sizes and is made from a cotton sateen fabric.

This stylised leaf print is a perfect co-ordinating print with the duvet cover. It's clean and fresh and adds a nice touch to the bedroom.

This sheet set comes in five sizes and includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet and two pillow cases.

 

Animal print purse

I'm loving this animal print purse, available in my Esty shop. It's made from a soft cotton fabric and has a zipper closure to keep everything safe.

The purse is lightly padded and is lined in a black and grey cotton polka dot fabric.

This zipper purse is perfect for using as a mini makeup bag. It's machine washable so any spills can be easily washed away.

It can also be used as a handbag organiser. Any small items that could get lost in your bag can be kept safe here, and the bold pine means it's easy to find in your bag.

There are also other animal print options available in my Etsy shop.

Woodblock floral

 It's been a while since I joined in on the The Tuesday Collective drawing challenge on Instagram, but last week I was inspired to get involved. The prompt word was 'chrysanthemums' and I decided to create a woodblock-effect repeat pattern which included several types of stylised chrysanthemums as well as other flowers.

I decided to use a bight colour palette of reds and pinks with a touch of turquoise and green. The background became a rich dark teal colour which really shows off the colours nicely. I'm looking forward to adding this print to my Spoonflower shop.

Pretty patchwork clutch

 I have a great selection of clutch bags in my Etsy shop and this one is so much fun. It's made from a combination of Japanese cotton fabrics that I have patchworked together, using shades of pink, purple, green and yellow.

I use this as a clutch bag but it could be used for so many other things. It's great as a makeup bag. It's made from 100% cotton so machine washable.

Look up close and you can see all the different patterns I've used in the patchwork.

The zipper bag is light padded and lined in a cream cotton fabric. This could also be used as an iPad case.

It's the perfect size for a pencil case and big enough to fit a sketch book or notebook in for when those creative justice are flowing.

This makes a great gift idea for someone special. All items are gift wrapped in pink tissue paper and can be sent straight to their recipient with an optional gift message included.

Christmas cocktails

 I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner! And it's time to start the festivities. If you're having a Christmas soiree, I have the perfect print in my Spoonflower shop with this fun martini print which includes two martini glasses surrounded by snowflakes and sparkles.

You can find this magical martini print in my Spoonflower shop on a variety of items but I especially love these cocktail napkins that come as a set of four, and are made from a linen cotton canvas.

Spoonflower currently has a Black Friday sale on where everything is up to 30% off. Check out my Spoonflower shop here to find more fabulous prints.

Turtleneck illustration

This week's prompt word from The Tuesday Collective on Instagram is 'turtleneck' so I chose to draw this auburn-haired beauty. She is wearing a deep brown turtleneck and has a fabulous pair of oversized earrings.

I love joining in with these drawing challenges as it frees me up from my regular job of designing. I love to use fashion and beauty as my influence and enjoy using a pleasing colour palette. This one uses warm autumnal tones of brown, orange and pink.

Leaf print glasses case

I designed this leaf print a while ago for my Spoonflower shop and recently made it into items for my Etsy shop. Brightly coloured maple leaves sit on a rich brown background and make a great fabric for this glasses case.

The glasses case is lightly padded to protect your glasses and is lined in a terracotta cotton lining. The case is made from 100% cotton so machine washable too.

This makes a great gift for someone special. Items are wrapped in pink tissue paper and can be sent straight to their recipient with an optional gift message included.

This maple leaf glasses case also has a fabulous matching maple leaf zipper pouch.

Charmed

 I recently designed this collection for Makower UK. It's called 'Charmed' and includes black cats and celestial images in a pleasing colour palette of purples, lilacs and teals.

The main print has black cats in a variety of poses, mixed with moons, stars and suns as well as the odd butterfly and scroll design. It includes metallic gold elements to give it a bit of bling.

This crowded foliage print is a great colour carrier and I combined lilac and cream leaves in with the teal background.

Mini black cats stretch and strut on this allover print. The scroll background adds an extra element of decoration. This print also has metallic gold.

Pretty star print on a purple background.

A melange of moons, stars and other celestial images on a lilac background.

The main print also looks great on a black background.

And the cat design looks great on a purple background.

Who could resist this stunning foliage print on black?

A scroll design is a great inclusion to this collection.

It wouldn't be a celestial print without stars on a black background. This one looks extra blingy with the gold metallic detailing.

Blue and white bunting

I'm loving my new venture into bunting-making and the latest batch to arrive in my Etsy shop is this pleasing blue and white version. It's made from a selection of Indigo-hued cotton fabrics, each with a different print but within the same colour feel.

The bunting consists of eight flags and the length of the bunting is approximately three metres long. It includes a pretty floral vine print that has a block print feel.

Some of the flags have been patchworked together and includes a few solid blue cottons as well as a pretty dragonfly print.

Each of these prints are stylish and would make a great addition to the home. Use this bunting to decorate the living room or kitchen, or save it of a garden party or birthday celebration.

The flags are double-sided and are machine washable too.

Shop all bunting here.