playing with patterns

i did say almost a week ago that i would post up some new patterns...so here are some! having a little break from bunnies, foxes and funny characters, i am calling this the 'Stylin' collection:  from top left in a clockwise direction: 'hey there, chair,' 'sew far, sew good,' 'scentsational!' and 'this way up.'
had fun with these...and had fun naming them too!
i have to say that i love this funny little world of patterns - i love choosing colour palettes, i love putting drawings together and get a real buzz when those drawings seem to fit like a puzzle.

a friday surprise..& outdoor treats

i received another birthday treat today, thanks kell!! a gorgeous brooch designed by Louisa Camille from Erst Wilder. Check out the website, it is sooo cool-loving the '40's styling! can't wait to wear my brooch-may just have to get a new cardi for her to go on...

also, harry and i have been styling things up a bit outside...here are our new house numbers -harry painted them his favourite colours; and an old stool i covered...very happy with our little revamps! :)

folk fun for friday!

I love this pattern! Love the colour palette and it's whimsical folky feel. It is from my local fabric shop, and there is no 'brand' on it, so i can't really credit it...but it's sooo sweet.

I have been working on a lot of my pattern designs lately, hence the 'once a week' blog action. I am actually working towards having the kooky-zu website up very soon...i am excited...but will post up some sneaky peeks of new patterns in the next couple of days....

Birthday goodies...

It's been an action-packed week... i celebrated a birthday; Module 3 of the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design Course, (that i am doing) began; and i finished a couple of lovely freelance jobs. phew!
Thought i would share a few of my favourite birthday treats...beautiful pink roses (my favourite); doesn't get much better than a hot pink necklace (love); a funky kitty-kat umbrella by H.DUE.O; and a gorgeous card by Graphique De France: so divine! It's not showing up here, but the little girls' dresses are really sparkly...sooo sweet.
Gotta love a birthday...and family and friends that know you so well!

More exciting news.....

Last week saw the official launch of a very exciting new online magazine devoted to Surface Pattern Design, titled Moyo, a Japanese word meaning 'pattern' - another exciting creation from the super-creative duo: Rachael Taylor and Beth Nicholls. It is jam-packed with lots of eye candy!! Yum.

Very excited that kooky-zu has been featured too-yay! 

My patterns....showcased!

When i returned from my holiday, i was so excited to discover that while i was away, a collection of my designs were showcased in Rachael Taylor's blog. It was a piece dedicated to the Module 2 students of the fantastic course The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design run by the very talented  Rachael Taylor and Beth Nicholls. It was such a buzz to be included. Check out the post here, so happy to be amongst some of my very talented fellow classmates!

My 'cavalcade of characters'...up close and personal!

aaaahhh...the serenity!

Well, i am back from my North Queensland tropical adventure, and here are my fave piccies from my time away. I think they capture the way i was feeling: pretty relaxed, reflective and happy.
It was a different type of holiday. I was taking my little boy Harry up to have a holiday with his Dad in Townsville, and while he was doing that, i thought i would take the opportunity to venture out of that town, and have a bit of an adventure! Sooooo glad i did.....
There is nothing like the freedom of backpacking, i remember that feeling from my 20's, and on this little holiday that feeling came rushing back!! I was spontaneous, happy and, yes....free! Maybe i wasn't the authentic, hardcore backpacker from my 20's, (i did stay in a little 'boutique hotel' in port Douglas for 2 nights!), but the rest, i hostelled it: yep, showered with thongs on, coped with snorers, shared a communal kitchen with french families and met 2 pretty amazing women which i know i will stay in touch with.
Think this may just become one of my new annual rituals.
Oh....and i ate pretty well too...one night i sat down to a coconut creme brulee-yes, served in a coconut and a glass of champagne to wash it down! Hmmm, maybe i have stepped it up a notch from my backpacking days!!