a rowan tree

Greeting card project

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:04:00 +0000

Some colours and ideas I was playing with to put together mood boards for my card project a couple of weeks ago. We have been given a brief to design cards that could be sold in Paperchase. I'm having fun so far!

Map Bunting

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:59:00 +0000

Hope you all had a fun weekend!

For Secret Santa this last Christmas, my friend managed to combine two of my favourite things for my present: maps and bunting :) I put it up in my uni room the other day, amongst all my other maps. I really do look like a have a crazy obsession now.

Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:03:00 +0000

I meant to post some pictures I'd taken of my room today, but ended up going to Bristol for a long weekend without my camera. I realised I never posted pictures of my trip to Australia after people asked me to, so here you go, 4 months late! (I had a bit of fun with the new lomo setting on Picasa!)

My boyfriend is from Melbourne, so I was there most of the time

We made a little trip to Phillip Island to see penguins coming out of the sea at night. They were so cute! Unfortunately we couldn't take any pictures of them as it would scare them.

Me feeding a kangaroo

We made the 10 hour drive to go Sydney for a couple of days

Bondi Beach in Sydney

Me filling up my water bottle from a fresh water spring in the mountains on the way back

It was definitely worth the long journey!

These...

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:23:00 +0000

...Topshop boots. Size 7 please.

xxx

Cushions

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:52:00 +0000

I love these boldly coloured Graham and Green (top) and Urban Outfitter embroidered gypsy-style cushions. They would definitely brighten up any bed or sofa and we need it with all this cold weather at the moment!

xxx

My prints within interiors

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:38:00 +0000

Here are my paintings and print samples from this project, and as usual I wanted to visualise my prints using photographs of interiors and a bit of photoshop work! I am quite pleased with how my prints look as curtains and cushions.

I am back at uni now for my second term... I can't believe how fast this year is going! I was given my next brief on Monday - a card project - which sounds fun as I've never designed stationery before. Also got a massive essay to do! Hope you're all well.

xxx

Print samples

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:13:00 +0000

Some of my final samples towards this project.

I did all of them using screenprinting after dyeing my own fabric, then embellished some of them using foiling. They were printed either for cushions or curtains. Fingers crossed I get chosen to enter the competition! Then I will need to print some bigger repeat patterns for it.

xxx

Paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:05:00 +0000

Some pages from my sketchbook from the most recent project at uni.

We are working towards being chosen for a textile competition, and the brief was to design a repeat pattern for interiors - cushions, curtains and blinds. This is some of the work I did leading up to creating my designs. I was inspired by Nathalie Lete to do the sketchbook paintings in that style, using acyrlics. Unfortunately the scanner was too small for my bigger paintings but there's a section of one at the bottom. I will post my print samples up later!

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:44:00 +0000

I hope you all had a perfect Christmas. What are you doing for New Years Eve? I will probably be staying at home and drinking champagne with my family, family friends and boyfriend. One of my new years resolutions is to start reading design blogs again, even if I just find 15 minutes a day. I used to find them so inspiring but I've completely stopped for some reason. And hopefully that will encourage me to post up here more!

What are your resolutions?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sandra Dieckmann

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:22:00 +0000

Whilst searching for illustration inspiration for my new project, I came across Sandra Dieckmann. I really love the markmaking she uses in her drawings, and the way she uses splashes of colour. My favourite is her Endangered Animal series (including the first three below). I really want to use lots of pattern within my illustrations for this project.

xxx

Colour project samples

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:52:00 +0000

A few of my samples quickly photoshopped into some interiors from Elle Decoration for my colour project. Usually I like to spend more time on this but I was in a rush for my deadline so they don't look that realistic, but you get the idea!

xxx

Embroidered felt map and exhibition

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:33:00 +0000

For my summer project this year, I was asked to choose an "old technique", research it, and make it modern, using interesting materials if possible. I initially chose to research cross stitch, and worked with strips of colourful plastic bags into maps. However I quickly got bored of this, so I decided to research felt-making as well.

For my final piece I made a world map from merino wool tops made into felt, and then cross stitched into it with strips of white plastic bags and sewed in tickets and money that I had collected from around the world.

It was time consuming but I was pleased with the result, and very happy when it was chosen to be in an exhibition in Bath called "Reinventing the Wheel". It is part of "Stuff" Bath, which is a series of art events and exhibitions at the moment. It has now been extended until the 23rd of November at Milsom Place in Bath, so if you're around the area come and pop in - it's totally free! I'm working there all day tomorrow if you want to say hi :)

xxx

Colour

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:32:00 +0000

I'm almost at the end of a 5 week colour project at the moment. My room is currently a crazy mess of colour... I ran out of space to put everything so ended up laying some swatches out on my bed until I realised it wasn't very practical when it came to bedtime! I've enjoyed this project and I think it will make me consider my colour palettes a lot more carefully in the future. Having all this colour around is certainly cheering me up and counteracting the depressingly early darkness from the clocks going back. Only 3 more days until deadline! Back to work...

Have a nice day

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:24:00 +0000

What are you up to this weekend? I was working yesterday so I'm having a bit of a lazy day today, as well as fitting in some uni work. And tomorrow I'm off to London with friends to take a look around exhibitions.

Whatever you're doing, have a lovely day!

All picture sources on my tumblr.

xxx

A wishlist

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:51:00 +0000

1. Rob Ryan bunting.

Combining my two favourite things.

2. World map throw

Because my home in Bath is freezing at the moment! And I'm obsessed with maps...

3. YSL Touche Eclat

Bunting from here, map from here.

Around my uni room

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:15:00 +0000

Two and a half weeks ago I moved into my new flat in Bath, and we finally have internet installed! I thought I loved living in student halls last year, but living in a cosy flat with my friends is a lot more homely, and I hardly miss my ensuite at all! Here are a few pictures of my new room. It's not perfect, as it's still student-only accommodation, but I think I've made it my own :)

I only just put my birdy lanterns from Australia up today - it took me a moment to realise that I can't switch them on as the plug is totally different. Oops. Need to get an adaptor!

New bedroom inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:43:00 +0000

Can't believe it's been a whole year since I moved into my student accommodation! Now that I'm going into my second year at university, my friends and I are renting a sweet maisonette in the city of Bath. I'm moving into my new room tomorrow and I can't wait to decorate it! Here are some images that have caught my eye recently.

Floral bedsheets, words on the wall, maps, bunting, postcards, colour.

Luckily my walls are a neutral shade as I'm not allowed to paint them. I brought some pretty lanterns with birds on them back from Australia so I can't wait to get those up! I'll be sure to put up some pictures when I'm all moved in. Now back to packing, which is not fun with jetlag...

Two gorgeous kiddy rooms

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:33:00 +0000

So it's been almost 3 months since I've clicked the New Post button... wow!

This summer has been very busy... I finished off my final uni projects in June, then my boyfriend came from Australia to stay for 5 weeks, and I've travelled to Turkey, Croatia and France. Phew, I've been very lucky to have such a good summer (apart from the fact that I am now totally broke!) I hope you've all enjoyed the sun and had a fun time! So hence the disappearance from my blog, along with the fact that I've lost my enthusiasm just a little bit.

But I'm going to try and get back into it! So today I'm sharing with you some beautiful kids' bedrooms via Bleubird. Every summer Miss James gives her kids' rooms a makeover and I love how they have turned out.

Julian's bedroom:

Milla's bedroom (I love that name!)

Don't you love the vintage style and attention to detail?

I'm off to Australia in 2 weeks time before I start uni - my first time out of Europe! I will try and say hi before that, but if not, have a great September! I hope you're all well

xxxx

PS. Although I haven't been paying much attention to this blog, I've been addicted to posting pretty pictures on my tumblr everyday. Check it out :)

Latest uni work

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 12:42:00 +0000

To finish off my 3 week printing project after drawing in Kew Gardens and producing some heat transfer print samples, I photoshopped some of my designs onto images from Elle Decoration, and the internet. Usually I just visualise my designs for interiors, but this time I thought I'd try some out for fashion as well, and I quite like the results!

There's now less than two weeks left of my first year at university which is crazy! Feels like I just moved into my student halls and now I'm moving out! I can't wait to get back to London and relax though.

xxx

Procrastination

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Mon, 23 May 2011 21:03:00 +0000

Making paper hearts is far more enjoyable than doing uni work on a Sunday afternoon. They're far from perfect but still fun :) I now have about a zillion paper garlands around my room, I love them.

Yellow and Turquoise

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:53:00 +0000

Kerry of the Seventy Tree has been doing a lovely series of posts called "Blog Friends" with some stunning interiors of fellow bloggers. I love the gorgeous bold colours and individuality of the kitchen she featured today, from Francesca of Mrs Eliot Books.

I really like the use of the Orla Kiely wallpaper, and the shiny dark tiles.

Kew Gardens

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:38:00 +0000

After a recent visit to Kew Gardens I have been doing some drawings and paintings based on my photographs taken there. This is just a 3 week printing project that I'm almost halfway through (ahh!) and I haven't started working on fabric samples yet. Although I've enjoyed working on these drawings, summer feels so close now that I just want uni to end! Only 5 weeks to go.

xxxx

Orla Kiely SS11

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:40:00 +0000

Just had a look at the Orla Kiely website and realised that the clothes currently being sold are the ones that I was helping prepare the samples of last summer for a photoshoot! I remember really loving the first and last dresses, and still do. I like how they've been photographed, especially with the dinosaur in the background - really nice and playful.

Royal Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Did you all watch the Royal Wedding? I didn't want to face the crowds in central London, so I stayed at home to watch it on television and baked Royal Wedding themed cupcakes instead. I almost cried watching the ceremony! The best part was when you could lip-read William telling Kate that she looked beautiful when she first walked up to the altar. So cute. I then attended our street party in the afternoon. I loved all the bunting, amazing outfits, red and white food and happy atmosphere.

Spira cushions

noreply@blogger.com (Polly) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:36:00 +0000

I am loving these Scandinavian style cushions, found at HUS & HEM. I wouldn't mind having a couple of these colourful cushions to arrange on my bed. I especially like the contrast of the geometric triangles with the more flowing foliage and flowers. If I could pick I think I would go for the first two below!