We've been doing a lot of blog planning recently; looking at our more popular posts and thinking about what we like writing about most to try and help encourage us to blog more regularly. We've come up with a few new regular features including this which is the Collection Spotlight - a little look at our latest collections where we'll share our favourite new products and the inspiration behind them. As well as that David will get back to writing his In the Studio posts which had great feedback last year and we'll be designing more cute free downloads for you guys.
Our latest collection is the flowery goodness that is 'If Mother's Were Flowers I'd Pick You'. We wanted to come up with something simple and pretty in time for Mother's Day but also something really fresh and Spring feeling. The Spring vibe was a big part of it and pastels seemed the perfect choice! I think at this time of year we're all getting a bit sick of the colder weather and just want some warmth and colour back in our lives. You definitely get a sense of this with all the photos of snowdrops popping up on Instagram shared with excitement along with captions such as "Spring is nearly here!". Another reason for florals was that I've always wanted to design a floral print so this seemed like the right opportunity, I doodled lots of flower styles before going with a bit of a mix but couldn't resist adding a definite daffodil. These designs are available on most of our products including mugs, prints, cards, badges, mirrors and earrings. For Mother's day the pocket mirrors are such a cute little gift, especially for posting along with a card as a little keepsake. My favourites from the new collection have to be the floral pattern mug and the pink daisy stud earrings, they certainly make Spring feel that little bit closer. You can see the full collection here.
I hope you've liked this first Collection Spotlight post! Let me know what you think of the new designs in the comments.
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Thursday, 5 March 2015
Thursday, 15 January 2015
RockingStitch Sewing Studio
RockingStitch is run by the lovely Barbara who I got to know while we worked on her brand refresh and website last year. I designed a custom pattern for her which you can see in the background of the RockingStitch website, along with custom icons and some promotional design for print. Barbara opened the RockingStitch Sewing Studio in November and I managed to squeeze in a visit when we were back in Aberdeen for Christmas. Sadly not long enough to take part in a class as I'd love to get to know my sewing machine!
The studio is so beautiful, definitely worth popping in for some creative inspiration. Barbara has put so much thought into all the details, just look at the decorations on the Christmas tree! The space is so fresh and inviting with gorgeous homely touches. There's also an adorable selection of haberdashery for sale. Barbara runs a huge range of classes for all levels including dressmaking, classes for kids and classes where you can sew bunting, patchwork blankets, tea cosies, tote bags and more. The studio is located in Bead Pop at 19-21 St Andrews Street behind John Lewis. Bead Pop, owned by the wonderful Alex, is such a cheerful and crafty shop! Together they are hosting a Ladies Love Crafts Day which sounds like a lot of fun. It's on Valentine's day and includes a choice of 2 fabric/bead crafts, glass of prosecco and nibbles, tea and cupcakes and a free goody bag! For more info and for booking head to beadpop.co.uk.
The studio is so beautiful, definitely worth popping in for some creative inspiration. Barbara has put so much thought into all the details, just look at the decorations on the Christmas tree! The space is so fresh and inviting with gorgeous homely touches. There's also an adorable selection of haberdashery for sale. Barbara runs a huge range of classes for all levels including dressmaking, classes for kids and classes where you can sew bunting, patchwork blankets, tea cosies, tote bags and more. The studio is located in Bead Pop at 19-21 St Andrews Street behind John Lewis. Bead Pop, owned by the wonderful Alex, is such a cheerful and crafty shop! Together they are hosting a Ladies Love Crafts Day which sounds like a lot of fun. It's on Valentine's day and includes a choice of 2 fabric/bead crafts, glass of prosecco and nibbles, tea and cupcakes and a free goody bag! For more info and for booking head to beadpop.co.uk.
Labels:
aberdeen,
craft,
design,
places,
rocking stitch,
sewing studio
Saturday, 6 December 2014
I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas
gingerbread house ornament - Asda
making decorations - sprinkle baubles, fimo candy canes and button garlands
finished with sparkles and ribbon!
handmade sprinkle bauble on the tree
ice cream bauble - Maisons du Monde
Gingerbread decoration - Miss Daisy Gifts
cupcake bauble - Maisons du Monde
snowman decoration - Fayre Earth Gift Shop
sweetie decoration - Maisons du Monde
pastel button book tree - Macbelles
candle - Pebble / vintage plate - Rural Reads & Threads
We have our first proper Christmas tree up! I'm so excited because I've been collecting things for months and had decided a while back that I wanted to go for a 'winter wonderland/sugarplum fairy' theme with lots of snow, pink, pastels and cute sweetie decorations. We got our snowy tree from Asda and a selection of cheap tinsels, bead strings and simple baubles from there too as well as B&M. We didn't have a big budget for Christmas decorations so doing that for the basics meant we could buy more special decorations from local shops and on holiday. We got lots in Maisons du Monde in Nice which go so perfectly and of course we finished the tree off with some handmade bits and pieces! I have to admit that I didn't stop at the living room and there is lots more in the house including our homemade advent calendars in the hall along with a mini tree, snowy lights in the windows and some other cute things but I've decided to split this post in two as I took way too many photos! Here is the end result...
Sunday, 16 February 2014
February WIP: Pebble Branding

Lots of you will know that my Mum is opening an exciting new shop in Aberdeen called Pebble, if not then here's some info:
"Pebble will bring you an assortment of gifts, arts and pretty things with an emphasis on Scottish designers and makers. The name Pebble came from Lorraine's love of the sea which has previously been the inspiration for her jewellery collections. It is a nod to the uniqueness of her designers' work in that no two items are identical, like pebbles. Pebble will sell a range of jewellery, accessories, home wares, stationery, original art, ceramics, bath and beauty products as well as edible treats – all handmade or designed in Scotland.
Pebble aims to make your gift buying experience satisfying and seamless. From the carefully curated products to gorgeous gift wrapping they've got it covered. They even offer loyalty cards so you can treat yourself after treating your friends and family! The shop is decorated with vintage upcycled furniture and quirky displays in the pastel Pebble colour palette giving it a fresh and fun feel"
Although I've been really involved in the whole shop planning and designing process this is my Mum's shop and not mine - lots of people have mistaken it as a joint business venture. The shop opens on 1st March so is still a work in progress but I've officially been behind the branding from logo design, stationery, packaging and website to shop sign, social media and photography. Unofficially I've been helping choose stock (candle and chocolate samples - yes please!), painting furniture, programming the till, working on shop layouts and displays and other odd jobs!
The thoughts behind the Pebble branding was that it had to have a fresh and effortless feel. The colour palette, typography choice and use of circles mean it can easily be applied across all the items needed for a shop. The pastel tones are chosen to represent a soft seascape and the ombre effect sits really well with the liquid like font. I chose to use the circle "pebbles" with icons to represent what's unique about the shop but the logo can also be used without these. The icons are really fun for stickers and using throughout the decor too. Most of the branding and design work is done now apart from the website as we're waiting for the shop to be filled for photographing before that goes live!
The Pebble launch weekend is from Saturday 1st March 10am-6pm to Sunday 2nd March 11am-4pm. It will be a proper party with balloons, cakes and treats, a lucky dip with every purchase and grand prize draw over the weekend. Pebble is located at 198 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen, AB25 2XQ. Hope you can make it! (if not I'll be doing a blog post about it afterwards)
You can find Pebble on Facebook to keep up to date with the countdown: https://www.facebook.com/pebblegiftshop
Labels:
aberdeen,
branding,
business,
design,
pebble,
pebble gift shop,
photography,
studio,
work in progress
Monday, 13 January 2014
January WIP: Business Planning
This work in progress is almost a DIY post too so may have some useful ideas! Since leaving uni I really wanted to streamline my design process for dealing with clients. These projects can involve a lot of juggling so I want it to help from start to end of getting an enquiry and sending final artwork files. I've been busy adding to my website and designing matching, yet practical stationery and forms. I think it's important to make the most of all these contact points as this is the full experience that clients will remember from dealing with me, and who says forms can't be pretty? I've worked in an office before and know how dull and formal paperwork and stationery can be, so keeping that in mind it should be a lot more fun having organised my clients into washi tape covered folders and floral sketchbooks and seeing these things scattered about the studio! So far I have my website, business cards, client questionnaire, estimate and invoice templates, letterheads and project planners. Feeling much more organised and better get on with the actual design work now!
Labels:
business,
design,
diy,
how to,
studio,
web design,
WIP,
work in progress
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