Sketchbooks and printmaking

from sketchbooks to handmade cards

I'm often asked about how I design and make my cards.  My sketchbooks are where I develop my ideas.  At the moment I'm developing my watercolour and drawing techniques...little Sailor is a joy to draw!

Here is my illustration of a fox which became "What a Fox" and yes I do embroider all the hearts individually and cut them out by hand!

 

2015

Wake up! It's 2015! 

Wishing you a Happy New Year and every happiness for the year ahead

seven and up

A happy day today with spring almost here... Glorious sunshine, new shoots and happy birthday Sailor!



top drawer spring

Garden Botanic designs and sketches of Sailor

purl

I've been knitting jumpers to keep Sailor warm this winter. 

Learning how to knit in the round and try different stitches.  I like these softly coloured wool and cashmere blends.  A little extra warmth on a winter's day!

top drawer autumn

Many thanks to all who visited my stand at Top Drawer Autumn. 

It was lovely to meet you and show my new ideas.
  

New designs drawn from the garden, embroidered textiles and sketches of Sailor

Stems of cut flowers from my garden

jubilee

It's Jubilee weekend and Sailor went to The Derby at Epsom to (almost) meet the Queen. 

Yesterday she braved the crowds for the flotilla on the Thames.

happy birthday

A few of my handmade cards. 

portrait of a lady

Sian Keegan makes these irresistable pet portraits to commission using recycled and vintage fabrics. 

Above is Skip a wire-haired Fox Terrier

Cigar a Jack Russell

Penny the Airedale

Dotty and Zucker

and Frank...  I would love a handmade portrait of little Sailor!

spot the dog

I've been making quite a few handmade cards... and poor little Sailor has been marooned in a sea of cardboard boxes!

kempton

I bought an old ladder and beautifully textured coral at Kempton Park today.

The sunny weather brought out the crowds and it was lovely to spend the day with creative friends. 

Gerlinde, a generous and talented jeweller and Kaori, an inspiring ceramicist with an eye for detail. 

I also bought this glass pickle jar which is as big as Sailor!

bluebells

A mist of bluebells brings an ethereal quality to one of my favourite places.  

It's bluebell season and the local woods are awash with a spectrum of colour.  Soft lavender hues, cobalt blues through to deepest purples. 

Walking under the canopy of trees, we took a meandering path through the heady scent of bluebells.

We spotted a lone deer...

and Sailor enjoyed her beautiful surroundings.

spring

Spring is in the air!  Sailor and I walked through a confetti-shower of cherry blossom today to visit my local florist. 

The shop was overflowing with the prettiest of early blooms and fragrant foliage. 

I liked this soft textural selection of ranunculus, cow parsley, eucalyptus and scented broom.

top drawer spring

"Looking forward to Spring" was the message of my show top drawer, London.     Sailor with a perfumed posy of scented hyacinths and blossom.

Designs for Spring include jewelled birds, pretty florals, Valentine's and new Easter handmade card designs. 

Sugared almonds wrapped in layers of coloured tissue.  A little handmade gift to thank everyone who visited my stand! 

uptown girl

Sailor prefers rambling woodland walks to city life. Looking for a new adventure, she took a trip to Belgravia today.  A beautiful winter's day, she dressed for warmth in a new handmade coat.

Elizabeth Street is home to the delicious bakery of poilane and many other pretty boutiques.  Sailor made a dash for mungo and maud where she was kindly welcomed with dog biscuits.

Next stop Pimlico Farmers Market in Orange Square where Sailor  discovered delightful scents, tasty treats and the company of new friends!

top drawer autumn

Thank you to everyone who visited my stand at top drawer autumn and met my dog Sailor.  She's a friendly little terrier and the inspiration of my new illustrations. It was lovely to see you all again and a pleasure to meet new people too.