Try Something New

My lovely Brother and Sista-in-law were having a

'Try Something New' week

with their kids.

Their one was to do with food -

the kids had to try a new food every day and got a treat at the end of the week.

Such a good idea.

I was thinking about us grown ups -

we often get into patterns of behaviour

which means there are

HUGE chunks of life

we don't get to experience.

So.. my plan is -

every Friday I hope to post on

Something New that I've tried.

This week - Painting on black backgrounds.

Must do more! I like the outcome:)

Today

I worked very late last night.

The birds nearly came out to greet me.

It wasn't as productive as I wanted,

which means tonight will also be a late one.

So I am indulging in some online wanderings.

I am listening to this

I am thinking about getting these.

I plan to make this.

I'd like to get a daintier version of this.

Note to self and free downloadable print!

I have been challenged a lot lately

about

Enjoying the Moment.

(I made all but one of the above things ;)

I found this quote online -

'DON'T spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.

REMEMBER, what you now have was once among things you only hoped for.'

(I wrote it down and then completely mislaid the link -

if anyone knows who wrote it, please let me know).

It gave me the slap on the hand I needed.

I changed it slightly and did it up as a print.

Now - let me just say - I do not mean there's anything wrong with ambition

and a healthy desire for new things/challenges/dreams etc.

Just every now and then,

I need reminding that I have people and things in my life

that I could only hope for.

That's all.

I made this print for me - but thought you might like it too!

This is my first FREE downloadable print for you!

Right click on the image and choose 'Save As'.

You can print this out as many times as you like,

give it to as many friends as you like

-with my blessing :)

Newness...

So I'm not very good at blogging.

I might just plan to make it a New Year's Resolution (to be better, at least!).

I have been busy updating a few things around here and getting things sorted.

I've wanted to finish my Alphabet Wall for a while and got it done the other day.

I love it, and while I still have a few placeholder letters,

I love the collective craziness of it.

I got to do a few illustrations of the kids in it too which was fun.

I also got around to framing these beauties - covers for two Puffin Classic books.

And I have a new illustration to show you!

I love the iconic image of a retro red london bus, but was thinking recently I'd never seen an illustration of a Green Irish Bus.

So. It had to be done! And it's also available in red :)

Its full title is 'Adventure with me - there and back again.'

You can buy it here and have it customised.

Right better make some dinner!

I'm loving... Autumn Bits

Here's some back to school random things

I'm loving at the moment.

I bought myself this yesterday in Urban Outfitters.

It's obviously completely essential.

OK, sarcasm aside.. it'll be great for impending craft fairs.

Goodbye grey boring one.

You can get it here.

I wish I had designed this little Owl - isn't he lovely?

But the next best thing is downloading him or his siblings

for free here from 3eyedbear.

He's looking down on me as I type!

I am loving these large A4 notebooks from Ikea.

I bought one and went back to get another -

and at €3.99 (less if you have a family card)

they are so handy for anybody with inky fingers like mine!

You can see them here.

I just might have bought this BABY scarf

for a new little lady that arrived last week.

It's teeny (and i'm not quite sure how safe a scarf is on a new baby)

but I had to buy it anyway. It's so cute.

You can find it here at zara.

Special Delivery

Every now and then, the postman brings something nice.

And today was one of those days.

I received my copy of the GIRL weekly planner,

the new Artists Collabration by Anke at customplanners.

58 artists have joined together to make this happen -

each providing a girl illustration to match one of the 53 Week pages.

And the result is lovely.

I'm so pleased to be a part of this and to be alongside some of my favourite illustrators.

And truly, this is the weekly planner I've always wanted.

(Here's one of my favourite illustrations by michelemaule.)

And has plenty of pages for personal information and taking notes,

and each week has a space for grocery lists, to do lists and wish lists.

And date-wise, it's blank - you just fill out the date yourself- such a great idea!

The quality is great, so durable and both creative and practical.

courtneyoquist

dudadaze

carambatack

And at €17.50 & p&p

they would make a perfect gift for (dare I say it?) Christmas.

And they are available to pre-order by emailing at designbirdie@gmail.com.

This is just great for someone like me,

a busy girl with her feet on the floor and her head in the clouds!

Wordless (almost)Wednesday

lonkoosh

Susannah Tucker

SoFino

tamar