Christmastime

Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Thank you for taking the time to read the blog this year and I look forward to sharing lots of exciting news with you in 2014! Enjoy yourselves and see you in 2014!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Pinspiration - Cosy Christmas

Some of my favourite festive pins for today's Pinspiration post! I can't wait to make cinnamon ornaments for my tree and some delicious sounding Bite Size Party Bark, cranberries, peanuts and chocolate? Yes please.

1. Christmas Candle Arrangements // 2. Cinnamon Ornaments // 3. Christmas Star Mugs
4. Pinecone and Berry Wreath // 5. Red jeans and Striped Sweater // 6. Bite Size Party Bark

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Pinspiration - Merry with a hint of bright

I'm currently loving black and white, with a hint of bright colour..

1. Merry and Bright Wreath Card // 2. Knitted Hat // 3. Papercut Mitten Decorations
4. Orange and ginger biscuit stars // 5. Christmas design by Ottomanbrim // 6. Wool Wrapped Baubles

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Colour of the Year 2014 - Radiant Orchid

It's official! Pantone's Colour of the Year 2014 is.. Radiant Orchid.

What do you think? I really adore this colour! To me it's the perfect blend of pink and purple and is energetic but calming at the same time, I really can't wait to work it into some designs!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Pinspiration - Wintery Whites

I hope you are enjoying this new feature to the blog, I sure am enjoying putting these together! Today's selection has a wintery white theme, with a tiny hint of Christmas! Isn't it funny how photos of cold weather and the colour white can make you feel so warm and cosy?

1. Wooden Star with lights // 2. Snowy Mountain Photo // 3. Cosy Neutral Room
4. White Chocolate Truffles // 5. White Lace Dress // 6. Embossed Liberty Fabric Piece

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Wednesday Words - Stop Dreaming & Start

Inspiring words here for you this Wednesday..

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Colour of the Year 2014

As 2013 draws to a close we start to look at the colour of the year for 2014.. I've loved Emerald Green this year and am excited to see what Pantone choose for next years colour. The infographic below shows what some creatives think it will be and why.. what do you think it will be?

Cyber Monday 25% Off!

Happy Monday from NYC! Today only save 25% on orders over £5 from my Etsy store!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Pinspiration - NYC

I'm heading off to NYC for a few weeks so this week the Pinspiration board is NYC themed! Posts might be a little less than normal for a few weeks but I hope to bring you new work and inspiration from the Big Apple!

Also, while we're talking about America, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all!

1. New York is always a good idea // 2. New York from above // 3. NYC Pattern
4. New York Lettering // 5. The Big Apple Collection by Michael Mullen

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Wednesday Words - Life begins

Today's Wednesday Words piece needs no introduction..

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Printable Thanksgiving Bunting

Thanksgiving week is here, and so is this NEW Printable! An easy DIY to decorate your home, cake or much more! Say thanks with these plain and patterned flags, with and without letters, which also make a great autumn decoration if you're not quite ready for Christmas decorations! Available to download here.

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Colour Inspiration - DIY Garland

Some colour inspiration here to brighten your Monday! This is also a lovely DIY Project by Giochi Di Carta that you can find here. This garland would make a great DIY for an Autumn, Thanksgiving, Christmas decoration!

Image source: Giochi Di Carta

Spoonflower Mitten Gift Wrap

I've entered this week's Spoonflower contest - Mitten Gift Wrap. I adore mittens and had so much fun creating this design! Below you can see my entry, Merry Mittens, and you can vote for it here.

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Pinspiration - Raspberry Chocolate

New pinspiration board for you today! Starting to want to decorate with some cosy wintery decorations and would love it if someone would bake that amazing looking cake for me for my Birthday in a few weeks!

1. Life is pretty amazing // 2. Light Decorations // 3. Raspberry and Grey bedroom
4. Floral Sweatshirt // 5. Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Macaroons // 6. Pink Heart

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Wednesday Words - Secrets to success

There are no secrets to success..

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Christmas Shopping

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Today I am giving you a special treat, 20% off orders from my Etsy store until Sunday! So get your Christmas shopping started with some of our great stocking fillers, small gifts and Christmas Cards!

Simply enter coupon code CHILLY13 on checkout on orders over £5. Happy Shopping!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Spoonflower Fall Leaves Contest

I've entered this week's Spoonflower contest, Fall Leaves, below is my entry Autumn leaves, you can vote here.

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Pinspiration - Black & White

I love picking out the pins for these Pinspiration posts! Today's collection has a Black & White theme..

1. Chalkboard Wall and Baskets // 2. New York by Lucinda Rogers // 3. The Secret to Getting Ahead
4. City Pattern // 5. Illustration by The Clothes Horse // 6. Black & White Outfit

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Wednesday Words - It's a good idea

Some wise words from Paulo Coelho for our Wednesday Words piece today..

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Christmas Gift Ideas

I've been trying to not talk about Christmas too early, but it's fair to say it's approaching pretty quick and it's nice to be prepared with your Christmas Shopping! Today I've put together a little gift guide.

Our patterned card holders and pocket mirrors make perfect small gifts and stocking fillers. The card holders are also great for giving gift cards, vouchers and cash in an exciting way, plus they have something lovely to use afterwards! With so many great uses these card holders make great gifts!

So, if you haven't started your Christmas shopping yet, why not get started today! Shop our products here.

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Colour Inspiration

Another colour inspiration post for you today to start your week.. I love that these colours could work in different seasons, this palette manages to give summer warmth and winter crispness and all in between!

You can buy this scarf from American Eagle here.

NEW Tote Bags from Society6

Great news! Society6 have started offering tote bags! So you can now buy my designs on bags, what do you think?

Here's a little selection, see them all on Society6 here.

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Pinspiration - Autumnal

Today I've got some lovely autumnal pins for our weekly Pinspiration post!

1. Glitter Leaves Garland // 2. Autumn Window Photo // 3. Apple Brownies Recipe
4. Leggings and Boots Outfit // 5. Photographic Landscape Portrait // 6. Six Felted Acorns

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Wednesday Words - Always

I saw this quote and thought how lovely it was so decided to illustrate it for today's Wednesday Words..

Spoonflower Tea Towel Calendar

I have entered this years Spoonflower Tea Towel Calendar Contest and I need your support!

Below is my design, which you can vote for here! I hope you like it and thanks for your support.

Don't forget to vote!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Creative Colour

You know you're a colour addict when you spot things just for their colour combos! I found this image on Pinterest and just loved the palette it would create. Look like a great DIY too!

Image source: Family Fun Crafts

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! To celebrate I'm offering 20% off your order from my Etsy store when you spend over £5! So you can grab something for yourself or stock up for Christmas.. but be quick, the offer is valid TODAY ONLY!

Simply enter code 'HALLO13' at checkout! Visit my shop here..

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Wednesday Words - Emily McDowell

I spotted this gorgeous illustration on Pinterest and loved the inspiring words so chose it share with you all today. It's so easy to compare yourself to others on the internet, who you don't even know, but we must remember not to! So without further ado, I will let the beautiful illustration by Emily McDowell speak for itself!

Image source: emilymcdowell.com

Pinspiration

A new Pinspiration board for you today! This one features some of my favourite colours of late, I am loving rich purples and blues mixed with mints and neutrals like in these gorgeous painted mason jars!

1. Floral Skirt Outfit // 2. Painted Mason Jars // 3. Tail Feather Painting // 4. Embroidered Arrows
5. Raspberry and Champagne Cupcakes // 6. Mulberry Bayswater Grab Bag

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Colour Inspiration

Happy Monday everyone! Today I am bringing you some colour inspiration to start the week!

I love the colours in this scarf which you can get from American Eagle here.. Have a great day!

Fallen Leaves

I've been noticing lots of interesting fallen leaves lately, which I have shared on Instagram.. I think to most people these would just look like fallen leaves on the ground but to me they inspire patterns! What do you think?

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Tatty Devine & Rob Ryan

Collaboration is a wonderful thing, and this collaboration between jewellery designer and maker Tatty Devine and paper cut artist Rob Ryan, is an excellent example.

They have collaborated to make a jewellery collection, based on Rob's paper cuts in silver, gold and rose gold, you can read more about it here. Below are some of my favourites from the collection..

You can also see the collection on Pinterest here. What's your favourite piece?

The world is full of magic..

Wednesday Words here to inspire you! I love this quote, it really motivates me and I had lots of full illustrating it to share with you today, so I hope it inspires and motivates you too!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

New Collection - If you go down to the woods today

Today I'm giving you a little look at my new collection.. If you go down to the woods today was inspired by all the lovely natural things you notice in the autumn like mushrooms, fallen leaves, conkers, acorns and ferns.

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Pinspiration

Some more Pinspiration for you today.. I just love the idea of wrapping gifts in fabric like in this Japanese Fabric Gift Wrapping Technique and the Melon & Mozzarella with Prosciuotto & Basil looks delicious, don't you think?

1. Colour Calendar // 2. Always Higher Photo // 3. Colour Edge Chopping Boards
4. Japanese Fabric Gift Wrapping Technique // 5. Illustration by Laura Blythman
6. Melon & Mozzarella

See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Café Borély

I was having a sort out in my studio and found some of the bits I had kept from my holiday to the south of France in the Summer, including postcards from Café Borély.

Café Borély is located in Parc Borély in Marsielle, next to Le Château Borély where the fantastic Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts) is located. We were just passing through to the visit the museum when I noticed the Café Borély postcards. I was instantly draw to their design, I love the cleanliness and modern feel to their logo with added organic handmade elements, and the simple layout of their postcards with gorgeous photography. It all ties in so well together plus the location is gorgeous and the food looks delicious so I highly recommend you visit if you are visiting Marseille! You can visit their website here.

If you're interested in art and design I highly recommend a visit to Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Le Château Borély too, which is filled with ceramics, glass, furniture, art, design, fashion and contemporary artwork.

Wednesday Words

I wrote this quote down a few weeks ago when I was watching BBC Four's Fabric of Britain show on knitting where they interviewed Kaffe Fassett, an artist known for his colourful designs in the decorative arts.

It really struck a chord with me, as a colour lover, and thought it would be great to share it with you all too!

Pinspiration

Yet more lovely pins for today's Pinspiration post.. with a mustard and blue theme!

Below are 6 of my favourites, you can find all my boards here. Links to these pins below.. Enjoy!

1. Pattern from Nancy Blog // 2. Modern Triangles Pattern Rubber Stamp // 3. Daisy Photo
4. Betty Joy Fabric Boxes Tutorial // 5. Hudson Merchant House // 6. Banana All Bran Muffins

I love banana muffins so much and these looks great, and with a peanut butter topping?! YUM. Going to have to give those a try! See all my boards on Pinterest HERE!

Colour of the Week: Pansy Purple

I love purple in the autumn, especially rich purples like this one that remind me on Pansy's which bring colour to cold, wet and windy days! I've created some palettes featuring Pansy Purple (below) that I hope inspire your autumnal creations or just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

2014 Calendar Photography

Recently I had a photo shoot for some of my latest products, one of which was my 2014 Reversible Calendar..

We were really lucky to get good weather and I am really pleased with how the photos came out. It's an extra special calendar, on the front are original illustrations, 12 months calendar dates and a small inspirational quote which reads " DREAM · BELIEVE · ACHIEVE " and on the reverse is a co-ordinating pattern print so even when the calendar expires you can keep the print! Each calendar is printed on 325gsm Uncoated cardstock, which has a lovely tactile finish, and can be framed or placed straight on the wall.

I know it seems very early to be thinking about 2014 and dare I say it.. the C word.. but it doesn't hurt to be organised, and these lovely calendars would make great gifts for friends, families and colleagues!

You can buy the Calendar Print in my online store HERE!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013

Pinterest Letter Board

A while ago I started a fun board where I pinned all images of one letter, I picked R as it's the letter of my name and it also has an interesting form! As you can see from the images below I pinned a big range of styles of letters, in both upper and lower case, from hand drawn and printed to 3D and mosaic letters.

So, why not give it a go yourself? Choose a letter, make a board and pin your letter images! Once you start thinking about it you will see images in so many different places and it makes for a great collection. You never know what it will inspire you to create!

If you do create your own board (or already have one!) I'd love to see it, please share it in the comments below so we can all see your fantastic collections! You can see my R is for Rosie board on Pinterest here!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2013