Word Wednesday - Claire Brennan aka all the adorables

It's Woooooooooord Wednesday! 

Good morning peoples! 

Today we have a bit of gorgeousness from York from Claire Brennan aka All the Adorables. Loving her delicate watercoloured gemstones and subtle repeats. I'm glad she was brave enough to take the leap into design and wish her continued success!
Read all about Claire here and why not think about joining in a bit of Word Wednesday fun yourself? It's good to talk... 

Frankie xxx

Claire Brennan

Name   Claire Brennan

Location   The lovely City of York, UK

Where can we find you on the web? http://alltheadorables.com 

twitter https://twitter.com/alltheadorables 

Pinterest www.pinterest.com/clairevbee/

Design background 

After having my first child I found my mind tick-ticking away, and realised I had an opportunity to change my career, I got myself Photoshop and threw myself into the world of graphic design, something I'd considered as a possible career for years, but always put it in the 'too hard to make the jump' box. I opened an Etsy shop 2 years ago now, selling my digital designs and started doing freelance work shortly after, where I focus on logo & website design for photographers and creative businesses. I've always been an avid consumer of greetings cards, wrapping paper and suchlike. It's my dream in the next couple of years to launch a greeting card and social stationery line. 

5 random facts

1) I had orthodontic braces on my teeth for a couple of years at age 30. One of the best things I ever did.

2) On honeymoon in California, my husband and I stayed at Mission Ranch, owned by Clint Eastwood. He showed up for dinner and we were the nearest table to him (in the spirit of disclosure - had my husband not pointed this out, I would never have realised!)

3) I harbour secret ambitions to be a voice artist.

4) I like to think of many many (affectionate) nicknames for those in my family. Particularly my children, who both have probably 20 different names each. Poor confused children.

5) Neighbours. Everybody needs good neighbours - I love the TV soap Neighbours! I watch it every night.

Influences  

Ideas flow, my mind never really switches off, I can be inspired and influenced by virtually anything! In particular, I love browsing the seasonal fashion collections, and interior design. I'm really inspired by nature, particularly flowers & plants. 

Any story behind the quote/words you chose? 

It's a quote I first came across only a couple of months ago (thanks Pinterest!) which really resonated with me, as I'm sure it does with a lot of creatives. I've actually been planning to get around to illustrate it since then, so getting involved with Word Wednesday has given me a little shove do to something creative. 

Where would you most like to see your quote/words?   

Framed, in a nice sunny corner of a family home :) 

Do you have any favourite words? 

Mint. Ace. Mega. Not all said at once though, that's just overkill ;)

What word do you use way too much? 

Hmmm, probably "Like". Used in the same way Shaggy from Scooby Doo might.

Favourite fonts 

Current faves - Didot is my go-to classic font. Serifs are where it's at folks! Script fonts, I love Lavandria at the moment, plus anything by Emily Lime. I'm a sucker for slab fonts right now too. 

Any wise words you’d like to offer? 

These aren't my words, but here's another quote this time from Earl Nightingale, that I often think of: “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

#WordWednesday - Postcards for Peace

Good morning!

Today's Word Wednesday is all about Peace. I was recently asked by Martin Rowsell, founder of Postcards for Peace, to design two postcards for a Japanese themed pack he was putting together, inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki. Sadako Sasaki contracted Leukaemia as a result of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. She is remembered for making hundreds of paper cranes after being told that if she made 1000 she would be granted a wish, as told in a traditional Japanese story. Sadako was only 12 when she died, an innocent victim of war.

With Sadako in mind I was inspired to create some patterns and named my completed collection after her. I used these patterns in my digital paintings for the final postcards...

My Sadako collection...

Paper Cranes

Peace

Kimono

Here are my postcards that are now for sale as part of a beautiful pack on the Postcards for Peace website. The pack contains 5 postcards, origami paper and instructions for how to make a paper crane and would make a thoughtful gift. I think the words are really beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the project. 

The fonts used are Kimberly Geswein's Eyes Wide Open and Love Ya Like A Sister. 
Thank you for reading and I hope you have a lovely day,
Frankie x

Word Wednesday Guest Spot: Lauren Hay

Good Morning!

Today's Word Wednesday features guest designer Lauren Hay and I'm absolutely thrilled to introduce you to Lauren's work. In fact, this blog wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Lauren. I'd been meaning to get started for ages but just needed that final bit of motivation and Lauren provided inspiration with her lovely posts about design on her blog late last year. So here is Lauren's contribution to Word Wednesday and how true it is! 

Read on to find out more about Lauren and don't forget to get in touch if you would like to be featured on my blog.

Have a fab day!

Frankie x

  

Name: Lauren Hay
Location: North-East Scotland
Where can we find you on the web?

 ohhayblogs.blogspot.co.uk 

pinterest.com/LaurenGemmaHay

twitter.com/LaurenGemmaHay 

instagram.com/laurengemmahay 

facebook.com/OhHayDesigns

Design Background
At the moment I'm in the middle of my last year of my HND and will hopefully be going to University to get my Honors after the Summer. I set up 'OhHay!' back in June 2013 and at the time it was mainly just a blog but at the end of 2013 I started selling Calendars. I'm still yet to add more to this but really hope that one day OhHay! can become a known brand.

5 random facts about you

I have several published poems out in the world.

I have a Grade 1 in Violin.

Your influences
My main non-design influences come from Charles and Alli Trippy! They are vloggers over on YouTube and they are brilliant. They have been together for a few years and been through so much. Charles is currently battling Brain Cancer while also being the basis for We The Kings, so it's just amazing to see how someone could do that.

Any story behind the quote/words you chose?

I just feel like it's something I really need to do more. I've always been someone to get easily disheartened and it's just something I need to do more.

Where would you most like to see your quote/words 

I would love to see my work just in people's homes. I want to start up my own stationery line and it would be amazing to actually see that dream come into action!

What word do you use way too much?
I use the word 'like' far too much! I will even notice myself saying it in conversations and try to stop but I end up doing it even more!

Favourite font(s) 

I love Champagne and Limousines, it's so pretty and clean! I've been using it on all my college projects this year so far.

What would your handwriting be called if it was a font?

I think if I made my own font I would have to name it after OhHay! It would be very messy but cute. I don't think it would be very legible though!

Any wise words you’d like to offer?

Always carry a notebook or sketchbook with you! You never know when that amazing idea will come to you and trust me you won't remember it when you get home! 

Word Wednesday Guest Spot - Jen Whitham

Greetings! 

I'm so excited to have my first guest for Word Wednesday. I've been doing this feature since I started my blog and decided a couple of weeks ago that it would be great to open it up to other designers and use it as a platform for showcasing their work and to find a little bit more out about them and the way they use text/typography in. My first guest is Jen Whitham, a one woman whirlwind in the world of design! Running toddler groups, bringing up 4 babies and running her own design business, Jens Little Treasures, and she still found time to answer a few of my questions!

I really love Jen's clean and bold designs. Her love of children is certainly evident in her work through her choice of colour and playful motifs. Jen will also feature in an upcoming Studio Tuesday feature here. If you would like to be featured on my blog, please do get in touch.

Read on to find out more about Jen! 

Name - Jen Whitham
Location - Leeds, UK

Where can we find you on the web?

Currently only running on Facebook www.facebook.com/jenslittletreasures

Design background 

I have a background in surface Pattern Design. I began creating prints for family members and they encouraged me to start selling to others. I opened JensLittleT in 2012 and have been running from Facebook exclusively ever since. 

5 random facts

*I began my degree with one child, and graduated with 3! 

*I run 2 toddler groups a week locally with a group of mums in my area!

*I married my high school sweetheart, having met at age 13 and still happily together. 

*I have appeared in a Mother & Baby magazine

*I hate drawing with pencils
Your influences 

I'm totally in love with P!nk. I have seen her 4 times in concert, and took my eldest to see her when she was 6yrs old. she is so inspirational and honest. 
Any story behind the quote/words you chose?

I am big on Family. I have a large family myself, with 4 children running around, and 2 siblings too, between us we have 10 children and I think this quote is very fitting.

Where would you most like to see your quote/words? 

Hung in peoples homes. I create prints for people everyday, and I love knowing that each print i post out will be hung proudly in someone's home for may years to come. It's quite a satisfying feeling. 

Do you have any favourite words?

hmmm, I don't know, I love words with the letter X in it, its quite masculine. My son is called Alexander but we call him Xander and it just sounds nice on the tongue. 

What word do you use way too much?

Absolutely - I'm not sure why, I say it way too much. 

Not a problem - again... i'm not sure why. 

Favourite font

I LOVE Cooper Std. I think i over used it when i first started using fonts. Its quite big and bubbly, with unusual curves. I use it less now I've discovered other fonts. 

What would your handwriting be called if it was a font?

Happy Hobbit - it would be swirly and bold with a flick of attitude. 

Any wise words you’d like to offer? 

Make the most of Free font downloads, and practise combining and layering fonts. Have fun with it. 

Word Wednesday #8

I'm listening to Do the Work by Steven Pressfield on loop at the moment. It's such a great book about tackling resistance when working on a project. I highly recommend this book if you struggle to stay on track with anything from keeping fit to writing a novel. It has some great bits of advice, including this one. If like me, you lack confidence, maybe you will also find these words helpful.

The fonts used are Kimberly Geswein's Love Ya Like A Sister and Let Her Go. 

I'm opening up Word Wednesday to submissions. If you would like to have your work featured here then please get in touch - tweet me: @ilovepattern or drop me a line - ilovepattern@yahoo.co.uk 

Have a great day and don't forget to SHINE!
Frankie x

Word Wednesday #6

Wednesday is also the day when I take my Mindfulness class, so today's quote is from Jon Kabat-Zinn, who you can read more about here. I was asked a couple of weeks ago to design some butterflies and when I attended my first meditation class this theme cropped up again. When asked how I described my mind I said, 'like a butterfly - constantly fluttering from thought to thought and impossible to catch and still'... And this is indeed a metaphor used by Rob Nairn here. 

It's one of the coldest, wettest, darkest days we've had this winter here so I've used the lots of warmth and colour in my design. The font is Two is Better than One by Kimberly Geswein available here. Hope it brightens up your day!

As always, thank you for reading my blog!
Frankie x

Word Wednesday #4

Hello, hello!

This week's words are from Steven Pressfield's book "Do the Work" which I am listening to at the moment. The book has been described by Derek Sivers as "A true manifesto. A call to action. A kick in the butt for any creative person. Great thoughts on overcoming the resistance to creating." You can read his personal notes here. He very generously shares his notes for many books. 

I really love the idea of starting before you are ready and I think it's something I need to try to do a bit more. Too much preparation and worrying 'what if's' can really suck the energy out of a project. I've been trying to get a venture off the ground since October, I know it's a good idea but too much time spent preparing has really made me doubt my abilities and every time I'm faced with that project's tasks on my to do list, I procrastinate like mad! So it's certainly a lesson for the future! In the meantime I am using the iPad app Unstuck to help me come up with a way out for my current problem project.

I will let you know what I think of the book - it seems very useful so far, but in the meantime I would definitely recommend Derek Sivers' own book 'Anything You Want' particularly on audiobook as he has a really positive, upbeat voice - you can hear him smile and its very motivating! He talks about his experiences as founder of CD Baby and gives lots of sound advice and tips for start ups which can be applied to all manner of business and not just musicians. Find out more here.

The fonts used here are all by Kimberly Geswein and are A Little Swag and Love You Like A Sister. The arrows and zig zags are from her Flavor and Frames 3 font. Love Kimberly's fonts. 

So, what you could you start before you are ready?

Thanks for reading my blog. Please feel free to comment, share or say hello! It's been really nice to start getting feedback and retweets. Nice to know I'm not talking to myself!  
Cheers,
Frankie x

Word Wednesday #3

A little Winston wisdom on Word Wednesday!

These gorgeous fonts are created by Kimberly Geswein and can be downloaded here and here and I designed the repeat pattern.

I've had a few challenges lately and found this quote rather appropriate! 

Have a lovely day,

Frankie x

Word Wednesday #2

A little bit of Lobster love on this lovely wintry Wednesday...

Word Wednesday

Wednesdays are for words... 

The font is The Skinny. You can get it here