Yessssss!

Summer is well underway in beautiful Inishowen and we are lapping up the long warm days and evenings. I absolutely don’t realise what a beautiful part of the world I live in until the sun appears and then I see it in all its glory. I used to work in busy cities where the summers were exciting and buzzing but nothing on earth beats the magical beauty of the Inishowen waves on a hot day and the chance to share that with your children. I must be getting more spiritual in my old age because the buzz of the city would most definitely have been my preference a few years ago! Anyway, to draw myself out of my reverie – apologies for not posting for a while but it is the usual excuse – not enough hours in the day. I guess maybe that’s a good sign in these times of recession. Mari and I did the latest photoshoot for Irish Quilt & Craft magazine a few weeks ago and it has now gone on the shelves of all good bookstores in Ireland, UK, US, Australia and NZ! I will post some pics of the spreads shortly. Also we will soon be doing a shoot with another great client of mine which is the fabulous chic-hens (divine hen houses and custom built loveliness). The thing I love about these clients is that they are up for trying out new ideas and taking a chance. How refreshing to work with people like that.

Anyway….boy I am on a bit of a ramble today…I found the most gorgeous online Dutch store called nooosugar – not sure of the reason for the name but its a good one. Everything is designed by Anja Bas Backer and her partner and then hand produced in Morocco. The colours are beautiful and everything looks like a little piece of treasure. I would LOVE to get some of the cushions for my conservatory which I am currently designing/decorating. These colours would knock anybody’s socks off and the leather stools are just gorgeous. Perfect things for a chill out space. One problem though, no time to chill out, mmm will have to work on that one!

Dream Job

I love design, pattern and quilt fabrics. So when Gaye Grant of Irish Quilt and Craft Magazine asked me to come and meet her to discuss elements of her magazine it was like letting a child loose in Hamley’s toy shop. Gaye is an established quilter who runs a very successful business called The Fennel Shed in Buncrana, Co Donegal. A few years ago she was producing a little information newsletter for her quilting contacts, the interest in her quilt projects grew and grew and, hey presto, she ended up editing a fully blown magazine which now is being distributed throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe, the US and Australia….blimey! I am currently involved in doing the styling and art direction of some of the main shots that are being used in the magazine. I have taken on Mari from letspose photography to do the pics and we are doing our second shoot next week. I will post some of the new shots when we do them but these are just a few from the last issue.

The pick of the bunch

I am in the development process with some delightful (if I do say so myself!) little personalised soft toys to add to the Ruby Rose range. The problem I am faced with is choosing fabrics to use for them. There are so many gorgeous fabrics out there that as soon as I’ve chosen one I then spot another one that would look beautiful. Well, there’s only one thing for it…I’ll have to get one of everything!!! If you take a look at fabric sites such as Volksfaden you’ll see why I’m having such a dilemma. I’ll feature some of the new toys in the coming months and I am very excited about this new range. I’m also going to be introducing customised mixed media personalised canvases which are handpainted and a delicious addition to a nursery or room in your home. So much to do…I wish there were 48 hours in a day and I swear I could fill them all up and still need more time!