Happy New Year !

HELLO,


            Now this is going to be my last post of the year!

Thank you everyone (my family, my friends, my readers) to be there as my support system... I know that without you all I would not have reached here.

We will all try to make our new year a really creative one!

            DO WHATEVER YOU LOVE WITH GREAT LOVE !!!
Enjoy!

Happy Holiday !

Hello,

        Well, this is not my last post before the new year but I know most of you are already in a mood of holidays! The same is with me too. Schools are closed which means kids are at home--- which means more cooking/snacking time... all the time! Decorations are almost complete and its time to hang the stockings with a wish list in it... My parents will be here on Christmas! Woohoo... its time for me to hang a stocking full of wishlists...


See you soon...

I love surprises !

Hello,

          Woohoo....... Today my friend gave me this wonderful surprise... GUESS WHAT...???

OK, I'll tell you--- I'm featured in my friend's blog !!! Yipeeeeeeeeeee..

You can read the post here

Ah, I love surprises...

See you all pretty soon...

Artist Showcase-19 ..... Majo B V

Hello friends,

         Today I have a wonderful person in my blog  Maria José Bautista V, who is a 'Fashion and Surface Pattern Designer in love with whimsical, bright, and fun design.... She is from Columbia and currently lives in Milan, Italy.

A peek into her life as a super SPD--- surface pattern designer!
Happy reading!!!


How would you describe yourself ?
An eternal dreamer... I've always believed that with hard-work, enthusiasm and passion you can conquer whatever you set your mind and heart on !


What do you like to do when you are not designing ?
I'm a big of a TV addict... I watch TV when I'm designing and when I'm not, hehehe. I also like to spend time with my family, friends and dogs (especially at the farm). I like going out for dinner or a simple bike trip.
I also LOVE travelling... it is actually one of my passions.

 Describe your style ?
My work is refreshing and playful, colourful  and free. It is filled with layered textures and suave shapes. I’m influenced by the eclectic craft and cultural Colombian heritage as well as by my enthusiasm for both Scandinavian and Folk art.

What's your favorite color ?
I LOVE colours, especially bright ones... but often I'm attracted to pinks: from barbie pink, to fuchsia and neon pink.


Tell us about your first collection ( what was the idea behind that theme...) and your first show ?
My first SPD (Surface Pattern Design) collection? Well... I designed a very cool one when I was in college but never finished it (oops!) Then, when I decided to get back to textile design in 2010, my first collection was Hazelnuts.


When did you get the idea that 'designing' was the thing you love ?
Ever since I can remember... I don't know exactly why or when, but I do remember being a very little girl (a toddler) and telling my dad I wanted to move to Paris and become a famous Fashion Designer (now a famous SPDer, hehehe)

Anything you want to share to your readers about setting up his/her own business ?
I'm still setting up my business and feel I still have a loooong way ahead of me. However, I should have had it set by now if it wasn't for two huge mistakes I constantly make: I'm a huge procrastinator and a '90% Artist. I keep leaving things for later when I should do them now. I think that's my biggest defect. I'm like that in every aspect, not just work. I'm trying to get better though. What about being a '90% Artist? well... that's a term I recently learnt in Be A Successful Artist ecourse and the minute it was mentioned I realised that was me: I start many many projects and designs and things in general, but then leave them unfinished when all I need is a little more time or energy. Another horrible defect I'm doing my best to correct.


Who is your dream client ?
Mmm... this is a complicated question. All I have are dream clients, hehehe. Let's divide them by markets:

Fashion: I'd like to design a minimal and bright fabric collection for Jil Sander. I'd also like to design some quirky and whimsical prints for Marc Jacobs and Stella McCarney kids.
Interior: of course IKEA! Marimekko
Stationery: Paperchase, Papersource, Tigerprint, Hallmark :)
I have many more brands in my client wish list, but lets not disclose them all!

Tell us a bit about your biggest challenge in your career, and the way you handled it ?
I'm living it right now--- my Dad's passing away earlier this October. It's been really hard to pick up where I left when everything happened. I'm doing my best, but it is still extremely hard.

Your greatest inspiration is ?
I’m inspired by everything around me, anywhere I am. Daily life is filled with exciting ways and forms that light my creativity-bulbs. I’m fascinated by colors, shapes and textures found in nature; enchanted by children's drawings and handwriting; fond of all things “cute”, animals (especially furry ones), textiles, sewing, all kind of DIY projects, costumes (firm believer that any occasion is good to dress up!), childlike things, gelato, chocolate and Nutella, my mom and grandma's food, and have also a peculiar obsession for fake eyelashes.

How would you describe your work place  ..?
MESSY! I can work wherever I am... all I need is my sketchbook, a pencil, rubber, 0.2 Staedtler Pigment Liner, my MacBook Pro, bamboo wacom, and a camera.


Where can people contact you ?

website
blog
facebook
google+
twitter
pinterest
instagram
shops

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 Enjoy your weekend !

Stationery love !

Hello,

           Stationery cards from Society 6 !!!

See you soon !

New year resolutions !

Hello,


    Yes, its that time of the year again...

Planning for making another ''NEW YEAR RESOLUTION LIST''??? Hmm... me too. So, what are your plans for the next year (or at least you'll try your best to fulfill them)!

My plans :

1- To LOOSE WEIGHT(a bit) !!! Yeah, I've been trying my best to shed some weight but...... OK, this year I'll try my best to start with a very practical schedule and stick to it totally. May be it will be a good idea to share my progress from time to time, that way I won't leave the regime in the middle!

2- To complete some of the pending/mending works! Ah, I'm a total lazy person where mending work is concerned! But I must remember this simple quote--- ''a stitch in time saves nine'' isn't it ???

3-  To do more what I love to do (drawing, drawing, and moooooore drawing) ! Yippeee, this is the one thing I love doing all the time. Drawing/doodling is just like meditation to me. It gives me peace. It takes me to some other part of the world where I'm alone with my imaginations... running wildly, sometimes flying everywhere, everywhere,  EVERYWHERE.

4-  To be more POSITIVE. I'm a person who likes to stay positive all the time. Life indeed is full of uncertainty. But staying positive helps you to think and act rationally. Staying positive helps you to make your decisions practical and correct. Agree???

5- To dance more! Hee... hee... I love dancing...!!!

6- To work hard. Really I have to do this if I want my career to reach some good heights.

7- Try to learn one new thing. Last year I 'learned' swimming'! This year I learned how to paint with oil colours on canvas... It was fun. My hands were covered with colours, the smell of linseed oil...ummm just yummy ! I enjoyed my painting classes. I have to find what is next in my learning process...

8- Eat less. I become a hungry monster whenever I see some delicious food... hee..hee... I have to teach myself to control (and remind myself of point no. 1-- LOOSE WEIGHT!)

9- Pray God to give me strength --- to stay focused (and motivated) for the above mentioned plans!!!

So, these are just a few plans that I'll start my new year with. You see I have revealed a part of my personality that was totally hidden from you all... I am a human being. I'm NOT perfect, but at least I can try my best to achieve whatever I've planned for the coming year 2014...

AMEN.

If you want to share your new year plans with me, you can write them here in the comment section! I'll be very happy to read it...

See you soon!

Coffee mugs !

Hello,

      I updated my ZAZZLE store !!! New coffee mugs.

Now, something in soft floral...

And, in paisley too...

Enjoy !

Artist Showcase-18.... Silvia Raga

Hello dear friends,

          Today I would like to introduce a wonderful paper-cut artist--- Silvia Raga.

 Silvia was an illustrator of textbooks and fictionbooks for children for over 10 years. She is now working as an illustrator, graphic designer, crafter, papercut artist. She is a self-taught photographer too! She is based in Italy. In her very own words,'' I love nature, crafting, fun, friendship and, of course, paper...''

A peak into her life and work, and some secret tips about her fabulous paper-cut techniques too...
Enjoy !

How would you describe yourself ?
This question always makes me a smile ... I like not to take myself too seriously!
I am optimistic, positive ... I like to dream, but I can also be concrete. I'm curious, and I love to learn and learn new things.

 What do you like to do when you are not doing any new project ? 
When not working I like to browse and read books, cooking, make sweets with my kids or spending time with them outdoors, take care of my plants, walking with my husband .
I like traveling and getting lost in the streets of a city.

Describe your style ? 
My style .. is a bit difficult to define, because I like many things, often conflicting with each other ...! Then I would call an eclectic style! I have a very infantile side, is the most colorful and tender, which translates with simple and synthetic shapes. I have a very feminine and hyper decorative side... I'm always searching for my style, to try to blend in an image all of these aspects of my personality.

 What's your favorite color ?
I love the colors and I like different colors ... Maybe alternate depending on my mood or the change of seasons! So now I like the combination of white-grey-pink-orange ... But I also love aqua, emerald green next to the lime green! And as if the color would send me an emotion, so I choose my colors also based on the feeling that I want to try looking at a picture!

 When did you get the idea that 'paper cutting' was the thing you love ?
The paper I've always liked ... I love all that is paper: magazines, books, stationery, greeting cards, wrapping paper ... When I was a child I loved to cut, paste and draw. I have cultivated this passion in school and then in the work by children illustrator, but mainly done digitally.
So, after so many years I felt a strong need to re-use the hands, to make a drawing that I could touched with the fingers ... Through the internet I have met many artists who use paper as a medium, and I quickly realized that for me that was the way to go! I was very fascinated by paper cutting, by its elegance, and I thought: "I want to make these wonders!"
And so I started!

 Anything you want to share to your readers about setting up his/her own business ?
Work on their own has many positive aspects, including flexibility, and the ability to carry out  new projects ... However, it is also important to set rules! For example, to better organize the time, devote a part in the promotion of what you do, set goals to be achieved, however, always be critical of their own work without mortification.
Be patient and above all, be yourself!

Who is your dream client ?  
I do not have a name of a specific client with whom I want to work ... But my dream would be to illustrate a book with paper cutting!

Tell us a bit about your biggest challenge in your career, and the way you handled it ?
The biggest challenge of my career was to leave for a year my profession illustrator of children to start from scratch with something new and never before experienced. Some days my thought was: "Why did I do, will do some good all this?" And I felt a little crazy for leaving my secure job for something so uncertain. I worked a lot and I still needed to reach my goals, but in the meantime now I know what makes me happy!

 Your greatest inspiration is ?
My greatest inspiration is nature, always! Pattern of leaves, berries, organic shapes, flowers! Aww, the flowers, I love them so much!

 How would you describe your work place  ..?
My workspace is a small room with a large table and a wall full of books! I like the order, but when I work I find myself inundated with cardboards and sheets of various kinds ... To which are added the designs of my children!
It 's a space full of objects, memories, is a place for me essential.

Where can people contact you ? 
Here there are
 my blog

my shop

my twitter

my facebook page

my instagram

and my flickr

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Thanks Silvia for sharing such delicate paper-cut artworks!!!

See you all next week! Enjoy your weekend...

Christmas,once again !!!

Hello,

          What comes in your mind when you hear the word CHRISTMAS ???

Snowflakes... Ginger bread cookies... SANTA... Red-nose Reindeer... Sledge... Stockings full of yummy goodies... CHRISTMAS TREE, with a bright shiny STAR... Lights... Candles... Cakes... SNOW... Gifts... !!!

Anything left in this list...??? Yes Christmas Carols and you, yes, YOU... enjoying each and every moment of it ...isn't it ?

Next week will be some doodling and Christmassy patterns !!!

Stay tuned...

Coasters !!!

Hello,


               New coasters in my   Bespo .... store !!!

In my last blog post I posted my new cushions on Bespo... Hope you like these home products !

Have a fantastic weekend !

Cushion Bazaar !!!

Hello Friday,

           Yesterday I updated my BESPO store with some new products... Polka dots, in bright and beautiful backgrounds.

You can purchase these cushions from  BESPO

You can visit the store for more products like placemat and coasters too !

Enjoy...

Blooming !

Hello,

           My new artwork --- 'Tree of Love'. You can get it from Modern Mural ...

Any other Christmas wishes... hmm..???

See you all !

Artist showcase-17 ... Julia Grifol Designs

Hello dear friends,

          My new artist/designer is Julia Grifol, from Valencia, Spain... She works as a freelance designer and sell patterns to companies in the home and fashion industries.
In her own words,''... I’ve developed children’s fashion collections, textile prints, and graphic projects in the Fashion and Stationery fields, specifically for the children’s market for both Spanish and international brands...'' !!!

Please read more about her in this lovely interview :


 How would you describe yourself ?
Well as a woman, I think I am active, very emotional, affectionate, sociable, expressive, nothing to do with a quiet and introverted one. The topic of a Spanish woman, or Mediterranean woman as a passionate one, it suits me! I am a woman with strong character too, I think.


What do you like to do when you are not designing ?
oh, in my free time I like watching fashion magazines, goggling looking for trends,  so in some way this is related to work too. I love to be with my family, and my twins who are 12 now. I love watching independent films also and going for walks on the beach in winter and in summer, as we have a nice weather here! Anyway, designing and promoting my work is stealing all my free time nowadays, as it is an addiction for me!

 Describe your style?
My style is a little naïve, childish, detailed, and highlighted by the use of cheerful and bright colors. I love outline my icons in black or using coloured strokes. All my patterns are vectors.

What's your favorite color?
 In my designs I love using magenta , and I love black on fashion. I wore lot of black clothes when I was younger and now I am feeling like wearing more coloured ones!


Tell us about your first collection and your first show? After finishing my fashion design studies, my project of designing a fun children fashion collection was selected and I received a grant for the Impiva, a Supportive design organization which promoted Spanish young designers. So, this collection was shown in my own stand at the FIMi, international children fashion fair in summer 1990. It was a great time sharing experiences with other selected designers, and to show my designs as clothes.



 When did you get the idea that 'designing' was the thing you love? 
Since I was a girl at school I felt the necessity of drawing every day. My teachers gave me lots of reprimands as my text books were plenty of fashion sketches. My best marks were always at drawing! I usually played to believe I was a fashion designer who works in New York. I had a strong vocation!

Anything you want to share to your readers about setting up his/her own business?
 It is very important to study hard, to have artistic and computer skills but for being a freelance designer is also very important to work your mind, your thoughts.  Feeling confident and proud of your work will make you know to sell it best and not to lose opportunities.  Thanks to God, I am much confident now than 15 years ago, as I had lots of doubts! Designing can be very stressful when you work for customers or brands as they think you can design everything. It is very important to be a determined person, and I am trying to be like that now!

Who is your dream client? 
I designed school rucks collections for years, and I love children product. I would love to license my patterns for a nice and quality fashion children company now. I hope this dreams comes true soon.

 Tell us a bit about your biggest challenge in your career, and the way you handled it?
 I think my best challenge has been to work as a freelance for about 25 years, designing for several brands adapting to the style required, not having worked in anything else. I only worked for nearly two years as an inside designer for a brand designing patterns for belts and suspenders.


 Your greatest inspiration is .... ?
It comes from everywhere, art, nature, travels, fashion, Spanish light, and way of life (we love going out ) inspires me a lot. I can´t stand cold and rainy days, they don´t inspires me at all!

 How would you describe your work place..? 
It is a small room with Ikea office furniture, and it is a mess. But I feel very comfortable and happy in my own space, having a big table for hand painting and a desk for my computer on the other side! It is great I can see trees and a shiny and blue sky from my big studio window.


 Where can people contact you? 

I am an active Facebook user,   https://www.facebook.com/JuliaGrifolDesigns?ref=hl   and I am a blogger also!! You can see my works here too :  http://www.juliagrifoldesigns.com

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Thank Julia... Love your bright and beautiful  patterns so much...