September Dreaming

Well here is my entry for this years fabric8 competition run by Spoonflower and Moda fabrics. I'm very pleased with how it turned out, it's just a shame I missed the deadline for entry! Never mind there's always next year and it will make a nice edition to my online portfolio. 

My reason for not finishing on time is that I was visiting my Mum and soaking up some much needed sunshine in Far North Queensland for the two weeks before it was due. It was worth it! It has been the coldest winter in thirty years here in the Grampians. Yesterday, while I was putting this design together there was a little glimmer of hope. The weather was lovely (for a couple of hours) I had the door open, listening to the chorus of lawn mowers and loving the smell of the fresh-cut grass. Nothing smells sweeter than the promise of Spring. So I've decided to call this collection 'September Dreaming'. Which I guess will only make sense in the southern hemisphere :)

I've still got some co-ordinates to create and will make the whole range available for sale in my Spoonflower shop soon. 

Settling In

So It's been nearly three months since we moved into our new abode and I have been busy busy busy. There is so much to do! But I did stop to treat myself to a house warming present. I had been eyeing off this gorgeous print by Emily Rickard for ages. I just love it! It brings a smile to my face every time I walk into the room. 

I've also re-opened my shop and started listing some new lamps (of which there are many more to come). I took some photos over the last few days because I'm really excited to finally have a big studio with lots of natural light and space!

Elephant & Rose is moving (and shaking)

It's just over a week now until we will be packing up and moving into our new house (eek!)  I'm having a big sale to celebrate so I'll be out of action for all of December and January.

I've been calling it a 'moving studios' sale because that sounds much more glamorous than a 'finally moving into an actual studio' sale. I started this business over two years ago in a slightly wider than average hallway and then upgraded to the corner of a tiny spare bedroom. Yep, designing, cutting, sewing, packing, everything! in just a few square metres of borrowed space. So I can not wait to have a dedicated room! Here's a pic. It may not look like much but trust me it's what dreams are made of. 

So look out for a bigger, better Elephant & Rose in 2015!

Colour Loving!

I always love colour. Lately I have found myself even more drawn to it than usual. I think it is because spring is in full bloom here in the Grampians at the moment and I just can't help but be inspired by it. Here are some lovely, colourful images that have been catching my eye lately. 

The beautiful home of The Grummet family featured on The Design Files a couple of weeks back

The textile art and amazing studio of Natalie Miller. Also featured on The Design Files. 

The hedonistic clash of colour and pattern that is Jumbled Online. I only just found these guys on Instagram and I hyperventilated a bit. So. Much. Eye candy!

Feeling Homely

We bought a house! A lovely little piece of mid century modern in the Grampians, Victoria. It's nothing flash but it has got some lovely features like timber floors, a stack stone fire place and a great little courtyard that I know we will be making excellent use of this summer (at least on the days that are under 40 degrees anyway).

After years of living in drab rentals I can't wait to move in and start making it into a home. I'm not going to post any pics of it yet but I will as I work on it. In the mean time our land lord is selling the house we currently live in and a we had a professional photographer take photos of it the other day. I was a bit blown away by how colourful the shots came out and just a bit chuffed by how nice it looked (for a rental) Below is a shot where you can't see the hideous tiles in the kitchen so I thought I'd share :)

I've finished off a couple of DIY projects that I've been meaning to do for ages like the pink and orange velvet cushions and the black clock. I think they bring the room together quite nicely.

Hello Spring!

Here are just a few of the new fabric design ideas I've been playing with. Spring is definitely in the air! I've been trying out new colours as well and am feeling even a bit more daring than usual. I'm not quite sure where I've found the time to create them as I've been extremely busy buying a house over the last little while (very exciting!) 

There are quite a few new designs available for sale in my etsy, Spoonflower and Society6 Shops. 

Holiday!

I'm heading off on a lovely winter break and will be back on July 14. See you then x