So excited about my recent design work.  Taking “The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design” course was the best thing I’ve done since doing my multi-media design degree course a few years ago.  I love the direction my work is going.  It’s organically growing and I’m inspired.  Here’s a little look at part of my latest collection.  I’m going to be putting these designs to good use creating a digital scrapbooking kit and a set of textures for 3d models.  Who knows what else will come of this design?!

Watch this space

The quality (and quanitity) of information and creative exercises in the course goes along way to building my confidence up too.  Concentrating on building my own style and trying new things.  Not being scared of putting pen to paper.  Mark making.  See value in all that I do.  That alone has been worth the money and time invested in the course.

It has renewed my interest in my previous 3d model texturing work so much so, that I’ve already started a new set of textures.  It means I get to work with my hubby again.  He’s a professional 3d model and texture artist.  He’s creating various 3d models that will visually show how my designs will look on various surfaces such as homewares, fashion clothing, stationery.  That’s exciting!

My pattern designs have so many potential applications from 3d texturing to digital scrapbook kits and printable craft papers.  I’m excited to be creating these kind of products.  It’s what I know and how I’ve worked for many years now.  But even more, I’m thrilled to begin this new journey of seeing my patterns within the surface pattern industry.  A new direction.  New challenges.

A couple of weeks ago my daughter broke up with her fiance, two weeks before their wedding.  It was her choice.  It was a brave thing to do.  A shocking thing to do.  Definitely a brave decision though.  As I pondered on the situation,  giving reassuring cuddles to her, I felt inspired by her actions.  Comforting her over the past week or so, dealing with all the necessary admin associated with a formal wedding, it struck me that sometimes making a decision to change your life requires bravery.  A step into the unknown.  Facing fears.

What Jenni did was big.  There’s no doubt.  But even making small changes to your life requires bravery.  To step out.  To do something you’ve always dreamed of doing.  To face your fears.  To ask the question: what is the worse that’s going to happen?  Sometimes a little change seems daunting and requires us to take a brave step forward.

I’m proud of my daughter and her bravery.  It wasn’t easy.  It has inspired me forwards in my own life.  It’s been a reminder to me to be brave.  To remember my dreams and to face my fears.  Come what may.

Over at “Happy To Create”, where I sell some of my digital designs, they’ve come up with some fantastic new Photoshop brushes called “Dynamos”.  You have got to see these things in action to believe them!  Paint seamless patterns quickly and easily.  I was so impressed that I decided to start making some too.  My first set, Flowers, is available now.  I loved creating these not least of all for how easy they are to use.  Easily create your own digital scrapbooking papers, decorate cards, tags and much more.  They work in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

The brushes come with full instructions including an easy to follow video tutorial!  There’s so many different pattern brushes to choose from, and a Commercial Use licence is also available!

And so when I saw that Beth of “Do What You Love”, had teamed up with Rachael Taylor, one of the UK’s leading surface pattern designres, to create an amazing course, The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design, I knew I had to sign up.  Perfect timing.  Gentle whispers and a feeling of wanting to do more with my work lately, made me realise that it was a great area to explore further.  Surface pattern design.  Moving forward.  New dreams.  New goals.

I’ve just about completed Module 1 and I’m blown away by how it has opened my little design world to greater possibilities.  Inspirational.  Motivational.  I’m moving the tent pegs out.  Exploring new ground.  Using my Photoshop and Illustrator skills for new and exciting projects.  Trying and learning new techniques.

The creative energy of the course was mesmerising and catching.  I don’t know where it’s all going to lead me.  I just know that I’m spreading my wings further and it feels good.  And I’m feeling so fired up and excited again.  This whole grief business, (I’ve lost both my parents and an aunt in the past 18mths),  can be so debilitating.  Some days I’ve not been able to move forward.  I have felt like I’m stuck fast.  Not knowing where to turn or what to do next.  Doing this surface design course has helped me to re-focus.  To remember my dreams.  To be brave and step out. Module 2 starts in just a few days and I can’t wait!

Happy New Year, friends!  2012 here already!  Wow!  Every New Year, I say the same thing… I love the hope and promise of the New Year.  Yes, I have goals.  Personal goals.  Business goals.  I don’t do resolutions.  I have an ongoing goals list.  Somehow, it just feels fresh and new at the beginning of a New Year.  Many are achieved and new ones made.  Yes, very much ongoing.

This year however, I decided to have a “theme” for 2012.  I’ve still got my goals.  Always working on my goals but something happened at Christmas that really made me think about the upcoming New Year.  First of all, I’d bought one of my friends a home decor gift for Christmas.  It was a sign that said something like “Family – Live Together, Laugh Together, Love Together”.  That same friend bought me a beautiful cross-stitched cushion cover and I laughed out loud when I opened it – there in pretty stitching were the words “Live, Laugh, Love”.  I didn’t know she’d bought that and there’s no way she could’ve known what I bought her.  I really felt that God was clearly telling me (and her) something.  So I continued to open my gifts and I recieved another 2 beautiful ones with the exact same word art – Live – Laugh – Love.  From my daughter.  I was completely bowled over.  It really struck me.

I felt it from the very pit of my stomach.  It was great.  I need to live my life.  Laugh.  And love.  I know it.  I feel it.  And so that’s my theme this year: Live – Laugh – Love!  Not just as a cliche but to really get in deep to those words and make them part of my life.  To really live, laugh and love.  Through all the challenges ahead.  The good times, bad times.  We’ll see how it goes, eh?  Watch this space!

A fun, whimsical Winter themed downloadable digital scrapbooking kit, Penfold.  Includes a super cute 3d penguin illustration created by my 3d artist husband, Steve.  I love working with his 3d models!  You’ll love Penfold!  Perfect for some Winter and Christmas photos for your scrapbook albums.  All the downloadable files are high quality for printing and so are perfect for paper crafting!  Available NOW!

January 2011 started with new goals, aspirations and celebrating my 47th birthday.  I began working on a healing quilt which I’m still working on.  Healing, for sure.  Something wonderful about making something new from something old and beloved of my grandparents.

As you moved on I found 2011 was to be a time of finding my authentic self.  I started to move forward after losing my lovely Dad.  Learning to live with the grief.  Embracing life and all it’s challenges.  Spending more time with my Mum.  Healing emotional hurts.  Loving her and seeing her in a way I’d not really seen before.  Enjoying our time together whether it was another trip to the doctor’s or getting her weekly Saturday papers and a fresh loaf.  How precious those moments were and, little did I know, how important they would prove to be.

Remembering that you were the year I started to realise my dreams of starting my own design brand.  To get my online business up and running.

No matter what was being thrown at me as a result of my Dad’s death; his business problems; dealing with all the financial problems; solicitors etc.., somehow in the middle of all that, I still managed to get my website & online store done.  I was constantly frustrated and not being able to get as much done in terms of creative goals and design projects, but progress was being made.  Dreaming big.  It was happening.  Seeds were planted.  Dreams being realised.  Goals reached and re-made.  New work opportunities with an US digital design company, Happy To Create and UK craft company, Daisy Trail.

New experiences.  I went to Italy.  Italy!!  I’ve always wanted to go.  It was also on my Dad’s bucket list and so being there was in honour of his memory.  Dad had been there when he was a young man and had wanted to go back.  I loved it.  I can’t say enough of the experience.  The people, the sights, the history, the food.  Oh the food!  Truly a wonderful 2 weeks last May.  Thank you 2011 for that experience.

It was a year of rec0nnecting with my Mum’s family.  A time of laughter, reflection and all out family fun.  Meeting family for the first time.  Learning so much more about my Mum.  Learning about my ancestors going right back to the 15th century!!  Incredible.

And my family.  My sister.  My brother.   My children and grandchildren.  I can’t allow all the horrible stuff that happened to cloud and over shadow the moments spent with my family.  And actually, thinking about it, even going through the darkest day of my life, watching my Mum die, I was surrounded by family.  That day will stay with me forever.  As hard as that was, my Mum died in her own home surrounded by her beloved family.  Her sudden illness and death was such a shock.  To us all.  But I will always be grateful that she got her wish and was able to be at home.  And that it was fast.  Her suffering wasn’t prolonged like so many cancer victims.

Yes you were another challenging year.  No doubt.  And yet, when I look back, I know I’m wiser and changed for the good as a result of the experiences you brought my way.  My life is richer, fuller and I’m learning very quickly that changes and challenges need to be embraced.  I’m learning to roll with the punches, as my Dad always used to say.  “Roll with the punches, girl”.  I am.

With that in mind, 2012 – I’m ready!

After an exhausting 18mths, losing both my parents, I’ve decided to take a well earned holdiay/break for the next 5 weeks.  Thank you for your continued support and well wishes.  It’s so very much appreciated.  I look forward to being back in early January 2012!

Pretty purple and contrasting greens with a touch of glitter make this digital scrapbooking kit wonderfully whimsical. There are coordinating background papers, embellishments, an alpha and word art. A versatile digital scrapbooking kit that’s perfect for many occassions as well as card making and other printable craft projects.