A Girl called Carmen....

This week I'm really excited to feature Carmen on the blog, another Creative Girl you should get to know.
I had seen Carmen around at a few local Etsy events and we had a chance to chat at the recent Sydney Etsy Team 'Show and Tell' gathering in Newtown - she's so warm and friendly and a very talented Illustrator and designer!
Carmen's illustrations are so delicately beautiful and she illustrates with such fine detail.  I love all   her animal prints - their faces and expressions show SO much character!  I also love the airy feel to Carmen's illustrations.

Welcome Carmen!
Can you tell us what is is currently inspiring you? 
The change of season,
botanicals, and the delicate lines in nature.

What creative plans do you have planned this year?
 I have so many plans, just need the time to do them all!
This year, I’m very much focused on expanding my range. I want to create a series of greeting cards, invitations and kids apparels.
On top of that, I want to dabble in the world of fine arts and do more experiments with different mediums, composition and scale.

Can you define to us your personal style? 
My personal style is very different to my work.
My work is very delicate and muted while in real life I’m very colourful and love mixing patterns and texture. I love the juxtaposition of the two styles, it adds interest to my everyday life.

Do you have a favourite colour? 
I love yellow! just writing about it now makes me happy. I use it a lot during the planning and concept stage, it’s a colour which helps me to focus and to think clearly.


What about a favourite Smell or Fragrance? 
 My favourite fragrance is Om by Miller et Bertaux. It is a spicy and woody sense which is a mix of grown up elegance and a warm embrace.

Imagine your most perfect day – what would it look like? 
My most perfect day would have to be art related. It would start with a visit to a local gallery, then maybe a visit to Art on King to buy more art supplies and then a walk home with a big cup of hot chocolate and ideas for a new drawing project.

What do you love about your City?
The creative energy. It seems like everyone I meet these day are either chasing their dreams, starting a new project or doing something fantastical. I think our city is more vibrant and alive than ever before and we are so lucky to live in such a creative city like Sydney.

Do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share with us?
I used to collect quotes but not anymore. I try to clear my head of clutter where possible. Sometimes you can be so focus on people’s ideas that you forget your own.

Thanks so much Carmen for this little Q&A session!  Its been great to get to know a little bit more about you.
To connect with Carmen and to see more of her work and what she's been doing lately head on over to her Etsy Shop 'Drawn by Carmen'  
her Website , instagram feed (we all love Instagram!) and Carmen's  Facebook page

a girl called Clair....

I came across Clair’s wonderful food illustrations recently, and they made me feel like I was in the middle of a European Summer! delightful!
Of course I was curious to see more of her work, as I love discovering new illustrators.  Varied in subject matter Clair's illustrations are warm, and earthy and unique in illustrative style.
Clair’s colourful  'City Life'  illustrations of London (my favourite city!!),  for ‘Paper Rose’ Greetings are fun with so much detail!
I’m really happy to feature Clair on the blog today, as part of my Creative Girl series.
Welcome Clair!
Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you? 
I have a few illustrators that are particularly inspiring me at the moment- Nina Cosford, Amy Victoria Marsh and Yasmeen Ismail to name a few.
I went to a workshop recently, run by a lady called Mrs Bertimus. She collects so many beautiful little treasures, and lots of antiques. Just being in a studio surrounded by all those goodies I found really inspiring.
I’m always looking out for new ideas and ways of working, especially in bookshops. Needless to say, I love Pinterest - that’s where you can find a lot of my inspiration!

Name 3 things you couldn’t live without right now? 
Quink ink, Empress Grey tea (which I’ve only recently discovered!) and my little vase of fresh flowers which sits at my desk and keeps me cheerful.

Can you define to us your personal style? 
I think my personal style is happy and quirky. I like creating work that makes people smile and I feel that is the purpose of my work in many ways. As well as illustrations for children, I also do a lot of food illustration. This has a slightly more organic and wholesome feel to it.

What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on some travel themed artwork which is something quite new for me. I’m enjoying the challenge of making something completely different, and I hope that I will continue to be pushed in new directions as I move forward.



Do you have a favourite colour or colour combinations?
I love autumn colour combinations, and at the moment I have a bit of a thing for dark turquoise. It’s just lovely!
What about a favourite Smell or Fragrance? 
My mum’s freshly baked Victoria sponge cake!

What do you love about your City/Town?
I love the fact that I’m not too far away from London, which is full of inspiration and could be explored endlessly. I only graduated in 2014 so have spent the last three years in Falmouth, Cornwall. I have a special place in my heart for that town! It has a beautiful harbour, lots of beaches and countryside and so many lovely friends live there.

Do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share with us?
I have too many to choose from! This is one that I especially love, Proverbs 31:25, ‘She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.’

thanks so much Clair, its been great to learn more about you - to connect with Clair,  head on over to her Website
Etsy Shop * Facebook
Tumblr  * Pinterest and of course
Instagram 

Illustrated: Charlotte Hardy

I'm loving these wonderful 'shop front' paintings by British Artist and illustrator Charlotte Hardy
In a world of large retailers and brand-new shiny Shopping Malls, I think we can all appreciate a high street full of delightful shops...each one side by side ...part of a community...
offering something special,
in its own special way...
To see more of Charlotte's beautiful work, check out her online Gallery 

Etsy Stories: My Sweet Prints

I first met Janette from 'My Sweet Prints' a few years ago at a Sydney blogger catch-up.  I've always followed her blog and work online - lately we've been Instagram buddies too!
When I gave my son Neo a little bedroom makeover which you can see here  and here,  I bought one of Janette's customised 'A World to Discover' print - we love it!
Janette's amazing art prints adorn many walls in many homes.
Her work is bold, bright and can be customised -  a perfect inexpensive way to update any room or workspace!

Hi Janette!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself 
I'm an early 30's Mum of two boys from Sydney. I'm a Graphic Designer by trade and I worked in Magazine Advertising before having babies.
My passions and interests are interiors, homes, architecture, design, craft and art, kind of anything creative.

When did you discover Etsy? 
I discovered Etsy back in 2009 it wasn't as gigantic as it is these days but it was such a unique website - being able to have your own little shop with already established traffic was just amazing to me.

What inspired you to start selling on Etsy ?
I was on maternity leave with my first son and I knew I didn't want to go back into the magazine world with deadlines, travelling into the city each day etc.
So I thought I would do my own thing, logos, business cards, any sort of freelance Graphic Design - but I don't actually enjoy that sort of design work!
I'd made a few prints for friends and everyone said I should sell them, so when I discovered Etsy I thought I might as well give it a go. My son was six months old and so I gave myself six months to try and get 'My Sweet Prints' earning a certain target amount per week - to see if it would actually be a viable work option. And it happened! I was lucky to have been picked up by quite a few journalists and stylists and the exposure just built it up to a thriving little business!

Can you describe your creative process?
It varies but it might just be a thought, an idea or a saying which I could picture turning into a print. But basically I just think about what I would want on my boy's walls or on our walls at home. Anything that is sweet, sentimental, feel-good, makes you smile, is kind of the
'My Sweet Prints' ethos.
I have a folder on my computer with lots of designs that have never made the cut over the years.

When you initially launched your Etsy shop, did you ever think that you'd be able to make a living selling your beautiful prints?
I hoped and dreamed and I worked really hard to make it work but no, when I initially hit the 'Create an Account' button on Etsy it was just a 'Let's just see how this goes' type of thing. I had not business plan, hadn't even really worked out packaging, labeling or accounting.

Why does the Etsy marketplace work for you?
It gives me flexibility, if we decide to go away on a short weekend away I can just put the shop on Holiday Mode. It also gets so much traffic from all around the world that you don't have to be constantly driving traffic to your shop, the traffic comes to you!
I get most of my overseas orders through etsy.

How has the freedom of having your own Etsy Shop impacted your lifestyle?
It has totally impacted it!
I can be around for my boys, if one of them is sick I don't have to call up a boss and apologize... I can just work around appointments and outings etc.
On the flipside when it's really busy it means I'm working most nights, and it can be hard to switch off but the positives totally out weigh the negatives.

Thanks so much Janette - it was great chatting about Etsy with you!

If you are a creative or know someone who would be a great Etsy Seller than its so easy to open an Etsy shop - Etsy are offering 20 free listings for any new shop!  Head on over to the
Etsy Promotions page and use my special code AnastasiaEDA to get started!

Illustrated Food

Love these!
How fun...
food + illustrating, two of my favorite things!

This week has just flown by for me...I'm like is it really Friday already, I just got over Monday! (my stressful day...)  we've been busy with High school application forms and Open days, pouring over home plans getting inspired (and confused) and hanging out for info about this missing Malaysian flight - are you as intrigued as I am?
Have a lovely weekend peeps!!

illustrations:
Lemonade by Ayu Iwashima * Biscuits by
Caitlin Shearer  * Food themed Book Cover by
Aurora Cacciapuoti

a Girl called Katy ....

I simply adore finding art and illustration images over on Pinterest - the links land me on some wonderful websites and blogs and this is how I discovered Katy's illustrations - whimsy, fanciful and feminine  - her illustrative style is just so lovely!

Lets all head on over to Brooklyn, New York (yes, that would be nice!) to meet Katy.

Hello and welcome Katy!
Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you?

Matisse, pastel colors, 
crisp winter light, the thought of Spring, pale tulips, my husband's plant collection, 
the work of Ana Kras.

 Name 3 things you couldn’t live without right now? 

Apart from the obvious of friends, family and my phone,
I would say fresh flowers, 
my yoga studio and hot baths.

Can you define to us, your personal style?

I feel like, most of the time, I try to be some combination of Bloomsbury artist, English schoolgirl 
and  Russian ballerina. 
So lots of black, silver jewelry, ribbons, shawls and pretty patterns. Mainly, I suspect, 
I just look scruffy.

Do you have a favourite colour (or colour combinations)? 

At the moment I love pale tawny browns against bright, 
powdery pastels like pinks, 
lilacs and corals. 

(image left - Katy's workspace)


What about a favourite Smell or/Fragrance?

Rose, pettigrain and sandalwood. 
I like to smell like wildflowers, incense and smoke.

What do you love about your City? 

I love New York, and Brooklyn especially. 
I love the tree lined streets and green parks of my neighborhood.
I love my regular restaurants, cafes and bars and the sense of openness and kindness I find there.

I love my yoga community.
I love the beautiful Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

I love walking around with my husband and always, always finding something new. 
I love that it is so easy to buy and eat really healthy food.

I love being surrounded by so much creativity, innovation and forward thinking. 








(image left - part of Katy's horoscope series)






Do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share with us? 

“If you work really hard, and you're kind, amazing things will happen.”

Thanks so much Katy!
To see more of Katy's wonderful illustrations head on over to her website

and to peek at her inspirations and daily updates you can link up to her blog
'Thistledown Spirits'  and her online shop  of the same name.
Katy is represented by Kate Ryan Inc
and its great to see
 Katy is also on
instagram  - so make sure you bookmark and follow along to see more of her fantastic work!

 

A Girl called Meredith ...

Im really excited to be featuring Australian artist Meredith Gaston on the blog today!
I shared some of Meredith's gorgeous illustrations on the blog a couple of years ago when I bought a darling cook book 'She's leaving home' , that Meredith had illustrated.

I simply adore her art work - the playfulness and uplifting, happy colours make me smile!
Meredith's first book 'Tucked In: For everyone having a Donna day'  ( I heart it!) was published by Penguin in 2011 and its so exciting that Meredith has a new book
'101 Moments of Joy and Inspiration' coming out this October.  It will be a book of Illustrated moments to colour your world and brighten your days! The perfect Christmas gift!


Welcome Meredith!!
Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you? 
Reading brand new and interesting things about the nature of positive thinking; spring blossoms, and exploring new colours, music, recipes and bush-walks. 

Name 3 things you couldn't live without right now? 

Tea, my favourite brushes and my beloved!  

Can you define to us, your personal style? 

I would say that I am free spirited and eclectic in my taste.

I follow my heart, often find simplicity best, and love colour, warmth and beautiful textures. In terms of art I love nativity, whimsy and thoughtfulness.

I love Chagall, Cy Twombly and Melbourne artist Mirka Mora.

In terms of fashion I love comfort, grace and femininity. My favourite label is Joie and biggest shopping vice:  ShopBop

In terms of music I love old soul and jazz, lofty electronic music and world beats alike. I'm listening to Aretha Franklin, Indian lounge, and Amina Alaoui. 

In terms of food I love to eat earthy, natural and delicious. My favourite foodie blogs are
My New Roots (Sarah Britton) and Supercharged Food (Lee Holmes).

In terms of my lifestyle, I love a quieter, freer life up here in The Blue Mountains. Plenty of nature, peace and quiet, genuine people and starry nights. 

page from 'Tucked In', Lantern, Penguin, 2011 

page from '101 Moments of Joy and Inspiration'

Do you have a Favourite colour or colour combinations?
Although often thought to clash, I love pink and red together! Particularly when watercolouring. 

What about a Favourite Smell or Fragrance? 

I love the smell of daphne in our garden come early spring. I also love the smells of rosemary, jasmine and lavender. We visited a beautiful lavender farm down near Daylesford in Victoria last year and it felt like heaven on earth! 

What do you love about your City/Town? 

I love the wonderful views, the fresh air; the lack of traffic, hustle and bustle.
I love the big old trees, the majestic cliffs, the way the enormity of nature puts everything into perspective and the caring nature of the mountain community. 

Do you have a favourite quote you\d like to share with us?

I love Oscar Wilde's wealth of wisdom: 'To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance'.
It makes me want to be kind to myself and others, to live a full and exciting life,
and to take joyful responsibility for my wellbeing, my peace and my happiness. 

To see more of Meredith's beautiful artwork head on over to her gorgeous website 
and connect with her on Facebook too!

Meredith also directs an online gallery, Kindergallery specialising in fine Artwork for Children where you can find Meredith''s beautiful work as well as other stunning pieces from other wonderful
artists from around our globe!

Thanks so much Meredith!

A Girl called Sujean

Its been a while since I’ve done a Creative girl post so today we’re heading over the pond to meet Sujean.

Sujean is a talented illustrator, book author and mum to a darling little boy!

I first came across Sujean’s colourful illustrations many years ago when I subscribed to the

 'Daily Candy' newsletter.

Each time Id get the newsletter in my inbox it would include a delightful illustration that just made me smile!  

This was way before blogs, Pinterest and even Facebook….gee I was probably just getting used to the internet?!

I think Sujean would be surprised to know how I observed, studied and gawked at her beautiful watercolour illustrations each week…

Sujean has worked with many exclusive clients and brands we all love, like 
Tiffany & co. and Coach,
and she has also illustrated many beautiful book covers.  
Sujean is also a published author and illustrator of the Birdie series - a darling children’s book  character.
Birdie is so fun and sweet!
   
As a mum, Sujean is also totally in love with her gorgeous little boy and sent me this fun photo of 'Sticker art' that her little boy decorated all over her legs!

Welcome Sujean!!

Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you?

Witnessing my 3 year old son discover the world. 

Watching Spring finally begin to show itself and 

the Classic 'Little Golden Books' series.

Name 3 things you couldn’t live without right now? 

My family. 

Good coffee in the morning and good wine in the evening. 
My iProducts.

Can you define to us your personal style?

Non-fussy, comfortable but still a bit girlie.

Do you have a favourite colour (or colour combinations)? 

Depends on my mood. 
Right now, it's black, white and red. Yesterday, it was turquoise and grass green...

What about a favourite Smell or Fragrance? 

The beach.

What do you love about your City/Town? 

I still consider myself a Brooklynite (even though we moved north in 2007).
I love that you get the city energy and creative spirit in a relaxed neighborhood. I currently live in Chappaqua, NY and have to say I love being in nature now too - especially with a child.

Do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share with us? 

Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it 

- Buddha

Thanks so much Sujean!
To see more of Sujean's beautiful illustrations head on over to her website  

and less than $3 a pop!!

Delightful postcards to frame, hang or prop up against your favourite things...

how cute are these?

adorable right?!!

available at andsmile Etsy shop 

Sales & Shopping

I once read that the best things to buy during a Sale are
*Shoes 
*Designer Labels
*Wool Coats
*Cashmere
*Leather Belts
*Jewellrey

This is what I bought during the recent Summer sales
*Shoes (tick) – wedges, flats and light Nike sneakers in lilac (sneakers and I don’t mix but they are cool – promise)
*Books – always books....just bought ‘Granny Chic’ with a birthday gift voucher, it’s lovely!
*Kitchen goodies – cute new bowls, cups and drinking glasses.
*Undergarments - Bras & Undies ( always in a sale!)
* a soft Leather bag – this one, it came the other other day, Im happy!

What about you?
Have you bought anything awesome lately? (and on a personal note, there’ll be no more purchases for me until our trip overseas! )

* illustration by me - I haven't drawn anything in such a long long time...a fabulous illustrator that I admire told me that the only way to get better at illustrating is to do it daily....think I need to take his advice!

Loving right now - The Chambray shirt....

(Its been a while since I've illustrated something...)

the Chambray Shirt - I think its  perfect with
* a flowly white skirt
* a denim skirt
* dark denim skinny jeans
* a floral pencil skirt
....the list goes on.... or just check out 
the Chambray shirt Project for more inspiration!

Inspiration Now - Candy Pink

its raining outside and im dreaming

of spring-time Pinks...guess I'm not as ready as I thought for gray skies and cool days.

They are predicting rain all week and the boys are still on school holidays, its hard when they have to be indoors - they end up watching way too much TV and playing way too many computer games...its difficult to get them to do anything else?!

Its back to work for me tommorow ...i long to find time to just sit and draw..its been SO long.

I want to draw some pretty flowers like these, I love botanical illustrations..

i love a pretty skirt like EmersonFry's gorgeous pink one below - how gorgeous is her Spring range, Id buy one of each design if i could!

and

that Vegan Blackberry Coconut Crumble slice looks SO good...

I will definetely have to give that a try soon!

inspirations via my Pinterest

Illustration Inspiration

Yesterday i was guest blogger over at Epheriell Designs sharing the great illustrations of Danielle Kroll.

have a look if you like

and check back for more great Guest blog posts whilst Jess is off on her travels....

image by Danielle Kroll

Retro Christmas

So this morning I opened my Diary and I had a note scribbled down (many many months ago obviously...)

reminding me to mail out our Christmas Cards...and then i had a good laugh...

I'm so not ready for the festive season.

but our Christmas tree is up and the facade of our house is covered in pretty little lights ...got to thank hubby for putting them up this weekend!!

I have a list started for gift ideas

and a To do list with what I need to make (and bake)

two days left in November and then it'll be count down time....

*Vintage Christmas cards via my Pinterest*

A Birthday Celebration

Happy 9th Birthday to my Peter
Has it really been 9 years already??

feels like yesterday that my Peter, who is also my eldest, was born on a hot sunny afternoon
and of course, changed my world forever!

He's such a good kid - kind, thoughtful, with lots of enthusiasm and sparky energy...i still love that he has that playful boyish innocence and even though I know this will change as he gets older and 'in tune' with life and the world around him,
I just want to treasure each and every day, im really blessed!

...Happy 9th Birthday my darling boy!!


*illustration by Shinzi katoh

making me smile today....



Actually, its been making me smile all week!

The latest *Bespoke* Zine - Issue 4
with my illustration on the Cover!!

*Bespoke* is a quaterly Craft zine
edited by Jess and
made by the handmade community, for the handmade community chock full of crafty goodness!

to buy a copy visit here

*image via Rachel of LovelyClusters

Colour Inspiration: Indigo Blue + Charcoal
The colour of a storm.
We've had lots of rain the past two days - i dont mind a strong dose of rain but only when Im in the comfort of my home - warm, safe and snuggly.
Only then can I appreciate the beauty of a wild storm.

Ive had to drive to work in this ghastly weather, i cant stand peak hour traffic but there I was stuck in it.
The home run was worse! Since we're approaching Winter it was dark, the roads shiny and slippery,cars lights, traffic lights reflecting strongly in my windscreen...i wrapped my fingers around my steering wheel a little tighter all the way home.

*images

Top - Vintage illustration
by Robert McGinnis
Middle - John Paul Urizar Photography

Bottom - Kate Mathis Photography